Sandro Tonali pulls the strings as Newcastle beat 10-man Aston Villa

Sandro Tonali has brought Newcastle an abundance of gifts but perhaps foremost among them is the rare ability to slow games down that offers Eddie Howe’s high-intensity team the sort of invaluable control they have so often lacked in recent months.

With Tonali once again imperious at the base of midfield as he ran through his Andrea Pirlo‑esque repertoire of short and long passes, seamless interceptions and all-round superior vision, Newcastle were in front before Aston Villa’s Jhon Durán’s controversial 32nd‑minute sending-off was followed by a 20-man half-time altercation in the tunnel.

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Jim Larrañaga stepping down at Miami, Bill Courtney to take over, AP source says

Jim Larrañaga is stepping down as Miami’s men’s basketball coach effective immediately, a person with knowledge of the decision said Thursday. The 75-year-old Larrañaga will be replaced by associate head coach Bill Courtney — one of Larrañaga’s best friends for the past three decades or so — for the remainder of the season, the person said. The decision by Larrañaga ends a 14-year run as coach of the Hurricanes — and, presumably, a 41-year college head-coaching career that saw him win 744 games at Miami, American International, George Mason and Bowling Green.