it's a big night in the women's super league title race, with the manchester derby set to get underway with both sides looking to narrow the gap on the leaders chelsea. we'll be live at the ground shortly. the wsl hasn't had it easy this season with a number of postponed games. which is leading to growing concern about fixture congestion and frustration around the state of some of the pitches. jane dougall reports: only one goal was scored in the first ever manchester women * b. wonderful goal. in the. the? first ever manchester women " b. wonderful goal. in the. they won't be crowds. — wonderful goal. in the. they won't be crowds, but _ wonderful goal. in the. they won't be crowds, but the _ wonderful goal. in the. they won't be crowds, but the rivalry - wonderful goal. in the. they won't be crowds, but the rivalry will- be crowds, but the rivalry will certainly be in attendance. to make there is no — certainly be in attendance. to make there is no game _ certainly be in attendance. to make there is no game like _ certainly be in attendance. to make there is no game like a _ certainly be in attendance. to make there is no game like a derby, - certainly be in attendance. to make there is no game like a derby, and. there is no game like a derby, and this is probably one of the biggest ones that i've play then and just in

terms of what is at stake and the table shaping up. fix, terms of what is at stake and the table shaping up.— terms of what is at stake and the table shaping up. a win tonight will mean seven — table shaping up. a win tonight will mean seven consecutive _ table shaping up. a win tonight will mean seven consecutive victories i table shaping up. a win tonight will l mean seven consecutive victories and they will leapfrog manchester united into seventh place, putting them behind league leaders chelsea. it will be a game of whether or not football— will be a game of whether or not football or— will be a game of whether or not football or other platforms, it is always — football or other platforms, it is always going to be everybody wants to be successful and we want the city to _ to be successful and we want the city to be — to be successful and we want the city to be blue after these occasions and breaking rates in all of those _ occasions and breaking rates in all of those things, goes hand—in—hand. last of— of those things, goes hand—in—hand. last of them — of those things, goes hand—in—hand. last of them in november, manchester united front back from 2—0 draw at home. they may have suffered a shock defeat to redding and at mid city of the team in form, but never rule out story side. the team in form, but never rule out sto side. ., ., , , story side. there one of the best teams in the _ story side. there one of the best teams in the league _ story side. there one of the best teams in the league right - story side. there one of the best teams in the league right now i story side. there one of the best - teams in the league right now terms the consistency— teams in the league right now terms the consistency and _ teams in the league right now terms the consistency and performance - teams in the league right now terms the consistency and performance is. the consistency and performance is the consistency and performance is the way— the consistency and performance is the way to— the consistency and performance is the way to move _ the consistency and performance is the way to move the _ the consistency and performance is the way to move the ball, - the consistency and performance is the way to move the ball, look- the consistency and performance is the way to move the ball, look at l the way to move the ball, look at the way to move the ball, look at the depth — the way to move the ball, look at the depth in _ the way to move the ball, look at the depth in the _ the way to move the ball, look at the depth in the squad, - the way to move the ball, look at the depth in the squad, the - the way to move the ball, look at i the depth in the squad, the money

spent, _ the depth in the squad, the money spent, they— the depth in the squad, the money spent. they are _ the depth in the squad, the money spent, they are really _ the depth in the squad, the money spent, they are really hitting - the depth in the squad, the money spent, they are really hitting forml spent, they are really hitting form now and _ spent, they are really hitting form now and so, — spent, they are really hitting form now and so, it's _ spent, they are really hitting form now and so, it's going _ spent, they are really hitting form now and so, it's going to - spent, they are really hitting form now and so, it's going to be - spent, they are really hitting form now and so, it's going to be very. now and so, it's going to be very difficult — now and so, it's going to be very difficult game _ now and so, it's going to be very difficult game for— now and so, it's going to be very difficult game for us _ now and so, it's going to be very difficult game for us but - now and so, it's going to be very difficult game for us but i - now and so, it's going to be very difficult game for us but i think. difficult game for us but i think it's the — difficult game for us but i think it's the best _ difficult game for us but i think it's the best game _ difficult game for us but i think it's the best game that - difficult game for us but i think it's the best game that you - difficult game for us but i think it's the best game that you can difficult game for us but i think- it's the best game that you can have after defeat — it's the best game that you can have after defeat in — it's the best game that you can have after defeat in terms _ it's the best game that you can have after defeat in terms of _ it's the best game that you can have after defeat in terms of wanting - it's the best game that you can have after defeat in terms of wanting to l after defeat in terms of wanting to bounce _ after defeat in terms of wanting to bounce back — after defeat in terms of wanting to bounce back-— after defeat in terms of wanting to bounce back. �* ., , _ ., , ., bounce back. another derby was not able to bounce back. another derby was not able go ahead _ bounce back. another derby was not able go ahead this _ bounce back. another derby was not able go ahead this week. _ bounce back. another derby was not able go ahead this week. the - bounce back. another derby was not able go ahead this week. the match| able go ahead this week. the match against aston villa was called five minutes after kick—off was due and managers tweeted to say i'm disappointed is an understatement. there is no one more frustrated than me because naturally we want to play the game. i think that makes even more difficult but, yeah, it is frustrating. ill more difficult but, yeah, it is frustrating.— more difficult but, yeah, it is frustratina. , , ., frustrating. ill be below freezing at the academy _ frustrating. ill be below freezing at the academy stadium - frustrating. ill be below freezing at the academy stadium by - frustrating. ill be below freezing at the academy stadium by the | at the academy stadium by the passion and excitement of a relatively new derby will see both sides turn up the heat on the pitch at least. we're around a quarter of an hour from kick off in the manchester derby, it's not being played at the etihad as jane says but at the academy stadium and that's where our women's sport

reporterjo currie is: how's the pitch looking there? city boss gareth taylor's been saying that whatever happens tonight both teams will still be in the title race — but for whoever wins this would be a big psychological boost? absolutely. let's start with the temperature. —1 the academy and i can tell you, it feels like colder than that. one of the best facilities and the women super league of not be best. there is no danger of this game not going to head but for the match itself, forever wins today, it will not rule them out of the title race, but it'll be a psychological advantage manchester united, if they win, the go live with chelsea on top of the table and manchester city wins, the go to two points behind them. a lot is riding on tonight knights game but either way, whichever team wins, will be that big psychological boost. six. will be that big psychological boost. ,, . ., , ., ., , boost. six victories in a row, they are flying- —

boost. six victories in a row, they are flying- they — boost. six victories in a row, they are flying. they said _ boost. six victories in a row, they are flying. they said earlier - boost. six victories in a row, they are flying. they said earlier this l are flying. they said earlier this week that manchester - are flying. they said earlier this week that manchester united . are flying. they said earlier this - week that manchester united group starting off as underdogs but when you've got two teams of the top of the table and they're both both teams that are in, think a little bit will be talking my favourites. this is the manchester derby and when the scheme takes off, it's going to be in terms of manchester city, back in that great winning streak and i think arsenal on the weekend where's manchester had a bit of a 2—0 defeat in this the manchester derby and anything can happen. manchester derby and anything can ha en. . ., manchester derby and anything can ha en. . ~' ,, manchester derby and anything can hauen. . ~' , manchester derby and anything can hauen. . ,, , . time now for some more of the day's sport stories and the ladies european golf tour will feature 27 events this season, with a record 16.7 million pounds in prize money. nine events have been added to the schedule, with south africa staging the first tournament in may. the two—time fi world champion fernando alonso has had surgery on a fractured jaw,

sustained when he was hit by a car whilst out cycling near his home in switzerland. he's expected to fully recover in time for his comeback at the season opener in bahrain in mid—march. and the former british cycling and team sky chief doctor richard freeman has been charged by uk anti—doping with two rule violations. if found guilty he could face a four year ban from sport. dr freeman is already fighting an allegation from the general medical council that he ordered banned testosterone in 2011 to help dope a rider. review by bbc one's panorama leading to calls for tighter regulations. no convictions has been into an irish court is the head of a prominent drug cartel. the boxing

correspondent has been speaking to her the boxing correspondent has been speaking and more boxing chat on the costello and bunce podcast, via bbc sounds or the 5 live website. to see the panorama, remind us of the background to this. the programme _ the background to this. tue: programme investigated the background to this. t'te: programme investigated the the background to this. tte: programme investigated the links between daniel and top level professional boxing through a company called mt k global. within the programme, the lawyers responded to some of the issues that you have laid out in the allegations is wild and he also said he cut ties with them, although we are still advising some boxers. the story gave momentum this week with the statement issued by the man himself saying that he had been involved in boxing for 15 years that he helped negotiate more than a dozen major world title fights as he called them and he is planning to do more of the same in the future. ., planning to do more of the same in the future. ._ ., ., .,

planning to do more of the same in the future. ., ., ., ., the future. played a ma'or role in makin: the future. played a ma'or role in making the h the future. played a ma'or role in making the fury h the future. played a ma'or role in making the fury joshua _ the future. played a major role in making the fury joshua fight, - the future. played a major role in l making the fury joshua fight, which making the furyjoshua fight, which is one of the biggest fights in the generation. the is one of the biggest fights in the generation-— is one of the biggest fights in the aeneration. , ., ., ., generation. the promoter said that in june of generation. the promoter said that in june of last _ generation. the promoter said that in june of last year, _ generation. the promoter said that in june of last year, agreement - generation. the promoter said that in june of last year, agreement in l injune of last year, agreement in principle had been reached against tyson furey and anthonyjoshua. tyson furey and anthonyjoshua. tyson fury responded with posting a video online thanking daniel for his help in getting the deal over the line and that was the term used by fury. and it was able for a much wider audience and we've been talking to eddie hearn about the issue this week where in the fight bubble hotel, across the road, former featherweight championjosh former featherweight champion josh worthington mixes former featherweight championjosh worthington mixes return to the ring and eddie has been telling me that although the fury versus joshua fight is not signed and sealed, the negotiations would've gotten this far without the negotiations of

. we're dealing .we're dealing with making a big . we're dealing with making a big fiuht, . we're dealing with making a big fiaht, ou . we're dealing with making a big fight. you have — . we're dealing with making a big fight, you have to _ . we're dealing with making a big fight, you have to do _ . we're dealing with making a big fight, you have to do with - . we're dealing with making a big fight, you have to do with the - . we're dealing with making a big l fight, you have to do with the team that the _ fight, you have to do with the team that the fighters together and the responsibilities given and the representative that tyson fury had, she represents other fighters as well and — she represents other fighters as well and it is a case—by—case basis to deal— well and it is a case—by—case basis to deal with — well and it is a case—by—case basis to deal with the team that a fighter as a symbol to get a fight done. how uncomfortable _ as a symbol to get a fight done. how uncomfortable is _ as a symbol to get a fight done. firm" uncomfortable is this for broadcasters and where does this go from here? this broadcasters and where does this go from here? , , , from here? this is definitely perceived — from here? this is definitely perceived as _ from here? this is definitely perceived as a _ from here? this is definitely perceived as a boxing - from here? this is definitely i perceived as a boxing problem. daniel does not hold a licence with the british boxing board of control so they are powerless to intervene and have no legal say into who they appoint as their advisers. but eddie hearn has been sinking others that there's this negativity around the

sport right now concerns for broadcasters, bt sport of televised tyson fury�*s come back since describe this is extremely concerning for that statement mentioned earlier of daniel kinahan released this week, the noise around this whole issue is unlikely to be a basing anytime soon.— basing anytime soon. mike, thank ou. you basing anytime soon. mike, thank you you can _ basing anytime soon. mike, thank you. you can share _ basing anytime soon. mike, thank you. you can share much - basing anytime soon. mike, thank you. you can share much more i basing anytime soon. mike, thank. you. you can share much more from them on the podcast via bbc sounds. the new netball superleague season is underway this afternoon. last year's campaign was cancelled in march because of the pandemic. one player who's making a return to the sport after becoming a mum for the first time is england international and team bath player ebony usoro—brown. i've been speaking to her ahead of their opening match against keltic dragons on saturday: hope we have been able to show you

through my instagram myjourney back to the court because of them quite often back in the day, in terms of what a woman decided to have a family, unrealistically, quite often it was that your career was over and there've been some great examples with the likes williams showing that you can have a baby and you can take the time and come back and still return to elite sport so i want to add to that illustrious line and even with support from the fans and families, it's been apsley fantastic to motivate me to get back to the court. so, taking it one step at the time, it took me nine months to build back to where he was even better to where i was glad, i'm definitely enjoying the journey and process and looking forward to returning to the top of the lead sport in the near future. lloathed returning to the top of the lead sport in the near future. what is

the target _ sport in the near future. what is the target you're _ sport in the near future. what is the target you're setting - sport in the near future. what is i the target you're setting yourself? the longest so championship title ever and in terms of actually being a formidable force to be reckoned with, they need to recruit strongly and they've got this in the luncheon series this year. so i think this still going to quite dominant, but we've all had a really good preseason and so we just cannot wait to get going and make that final call and hopefully the final call we will see at the end of the coming season. and after over 95 days at sea, pip hare has crossed the finish line of the vendee globe to become the first british finisher at this year's solo round the world yacht race. her story is all the more remarkable because whilst many of the sailors have multi—million pound backers, she started off by crowdfunding to rent a yacht. she's been charting herjourney for us: i feel like i messed ifeel like i messed up and i get rewarded with this. in the morning, it's the best present ever. just

thinkin: it's the best present ever. just thinking about _ it's the best present ever. just thinking about the incredible challenge in front of her and how overwhelming it must feel some days and just— overwhelming it must feel some days and just keep going. happy birthday. i and just keep going. happy birthday. i havent— and just keep going. happy birthday. i haven't had a huge sleep. i'm in the eye of the storm in the early hours of the morning. i hope you have a christmas day like this. it was really intense, the six hours and then i got to the line and all the sudden, all of the experts are

there, my show crew were there we didn't expect anybody because covid—i9 restrictions on the whole thing. but it was an amazing, amazing moment.— thing. but it was an amazing, amazing moment. what a fantastic achievement- _ for more on that story, more in the bbc sports and a reaction to the australian open word we had to leave during the third round match but eventually made it through the third round sets. it will be back with more. hello there. by the end of the week and we should be in the amount of air across the whole of the uk but there will be a windy week. it's on there will be a windy week. it's on the felt cold and the wind today. snow showers plunked across the

north sea and easing down overnight with clear skies in many areas out to the west and the client will be increasing with weather weather coming into that cold air and widespread frost and press not quite as cold as it has been of late. across northern ireland with this wet weather, snow for most of the date will be five to ten cm, particularly with blizzards drifting in a band of weather with a double its flavours slowly eastward spring in the mix of rain interest is the southwest and wales and then in terms of western island but not huge amount of snow for this area. further east, for gilby dry with increasing amounts of cloud mind you. there will be a court date on saturday but at the strength of the wind, it will feel even colder, probably feeling like —6 or minus of celsius. —— minus seven celsius.

this is a bbc news special, as attention switches to the defence in donald trump's second impeachment trial. mr trump's lawyers make their case why the former president is not guilty of inciting the deadly storming of the us capitol last month. they argue that democratic prosecutors failed to directly connect the actions of the rioters to mr trump. no thinking person could seriously believe that the president's january six speech on the ellipse was in any way and incitement to violence or insurrection. this is the scene live on capitol hill — where day four of the former president's trial will

resume after a break.