2018 Sports round-up: The biggest moments in football, racing and more
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While there’s still action from the World Darts Championship and Premier League football to keep you occupied before the new year, 2018 has already given us plenty of drama and delight.
With the year drawing to a close, it’s time to zip through a month-by-month recap of the year’s biggest and most memorable moments in sport.
January
On the oche, it was all about Rob Cross. He sealed the 2018 World Champs with a 7-2 demolition of Phil Taylor… who promptly retired!
Football fans were treated to the sight of a rare swap deal, as Manchester United and Arsenal traded Henrikh Mkhitaryan for Alexis Sanchez.
February
In the NFL, Philadelphia Eagles grabbed a first-ever Super Bowl win, with Quarterback Nick Foles inspiring them to a thrilling 44-31 defeat of New England Patriots.
March
The Cheltenham Gold Cup went to Richard Johnson and Native River, who saw off pre-contest favourite Might Bite by four lengths.
April
Racing fans saw Tiger Roll roar to victory in the Grand National, while Mark Selby was making headlines on the baize by retaining his China Open title.
May
Manchester City broke new ground in the Premier League. Pep Guardiola’s champions became the first ever to reach the 100-point mark following a 1-0 final day win at Southampton.
Things didn’t go quite so well for Liverpool, with two Loris Karius howlers gifting Real Madrid a third successive Champions League title.
June
Masar was the star at Epsom, as Charlie Appleby’s outsider upset the odds to take glory. And talking of turn-ups, Germany finished bottom of Group F at the World Cup in Russia.
It was a happier month for golfer Brooks Koepka. He made it back-to-back U.S. Open titles, with Brit Tommy Fleetwood the runner-up.
July
England made it to the World Cup semi-finals for the first time since 1990, but the eventual glory went to France. They beat Croatia 4-2 in the final, with Paul Pogba in inspired form.
In SW19, German Angelique Kerber won her first ever Wimbledon title and a first Grand Slam since 2016.
August
Catalans Dragons celebrated a first Ladbrokes Challenge Cup title after edging past Warrington Wolves 20-14 at Wembley.
Across the Atlantic, Koepka followed up his U.S. Open glory with a PGA Championship title at Missouri’s historic Bellerive Country Club.
September
After the horror of an 0-16 season in 2017, Cleveland Browns ended their 635-day wait for an NFL victory with a 21-17 triumph over New York Jets. It was a sign of things to come for both sides…
Meanwhile, West Ham United got their biggest win since October 1983 – when Karma Chameleon topped the charts – thanks to an 8-0 mauling of Macclesfield Town.
October
Once again, Lewis Hamilton proved unstoppable. The Stevenage-born star became just the third man in Formula 1 history to win five Drivers’ Championships, following the Mexican GP.
November
Gerwyn Price won the Grand Slam of Darts Final with a breathless 16-13 (legs) win over Gary Anderson. But it wasn’t all cheer for Welsh sport, with Ireland pipping them to Six Nations glory.
December
Tyson Fury picked himself off the canvas to secure a famous draw against Deontay Wilder.
However, defeat at Liverpool proved a knockout blow for Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho. He was replaced in the dugout by club legend Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
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