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1. #PREMIER LEAGUE Newcastle United turned in an impressive display to stun Premier League champions Manchester United at St James’ Park last night. Alan Pardew’s side ran out comfortable 3-0 winners thanks to goals from Demba Ba, Yohan Cabaye and a Phil Jones own goal late on.

2.#PAULIE Paul O’Connell yesterday put pen to paper on an two-year extention to his contract, keeping him at Thomond Park until at least 2014.

“I’ve been lucky over the last 10  years to play with a team like Munster that has such phenomenal support and I’ve enjoyed a lot of success during that time,” he said.

3. #LONDON 2012 Thousands of Olympic ticket-holders could find themselves on the end of an unexpected upgrade after a ticketing error forced organisers to recall a batch of tickets. The BBC reported yesterday that thousands of synchronised swimming tickets were incorrectly made available during the second round of sales and have since been recalled by Games organiser Locog.

4. SORRY Liverpool striker Luis Suarez last night issued a qualified apology for saying the word ‘negro’ during his confrontation with Patrice Evra at Anfield.

The Uruguayan insists he used the word once and not in the derogatory manner that resulted in an eight-match ban plus £40,000 fine for racist abuse.

5. #DONEGAL Kevin Cassidy yesterday refused to rule a return to the Donegal senior football squad.

Cassidy was excluded from Jim McGuinness’s panel when he was perceived to break the confidence of the dressingroom by cooperating with a behind-the-scenes book on the Ulster championship.

“We’ll see,” Cassidy said when asked about a possible comeback by Dara Ó Cinnéide. “You never say never, I guess.”

7. DOWNTOWN In the Premier Leage’s other game last night, Everton ultimately lost 2-1 to Bolton last night – but their one goal was scored, incredibly, by their own goalkeeper Tim Howard.