An update from the cricket... England's Mr Reliable has not been as reliable as normal this time.

Latest score is 110-3, with James Taylor joining Ian Bell - unbeaten on 32 and looking in good nick - at the crease.

Pakistan were 234 all out in their first innings.

Live coverage here.

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Jonny Williams: Aged 9, invited to sit on the Reading bench for a friendly at Torquay by assistant Martin "Mad Dog" Allen. Lived up to the name.

Harry: Tal Ben Haim gave me his warm up jumper.  

Sunderland manager Sam Allardyce is beginning to make up his mind on which of his squad will form part of his future plans, reports the Sunderland Echo., external

The Black Cats capitulated against Everton at Goodison Park on Sunday, being thrashed 6-2.

Image source, Reuters

“I’ve seen some players more often than others, but I’m still making my mind up,” said Allardyce.

“Sooner or later, I’ll make my mind up and decide what’s good enough and what’s not. That’s my job to find out as quick as I can."

Eli Stone: Robin van Persie gave me the match ball (signed) from the hat-trick he scored against Villa to win the league.

Tom O'Brien: In 1996, Gazza autographed a Tesco voucher for me (and in doing so, sacrificed a cheap bag of midget gems).

Today we are asking: When did you benefit from a sports star's generosity? Tweet us on #bbcsportsday, external

Merseyside Police has apologised over an "inappropriate" tweet about rape made from its official Twitter account.

The force has launched an investigation after a reply was sent to a tweet alluding to Everton's 6-2 win over Sunderland earlier.

Its message read: "Just confirm there was no actual rape. Sunderland certainly got caught with their pants down."

The tweet has since been deleted and the force has posted an apology.

And the good news is that Sonny Bill Williams did get a medal after all - Rugby World Cup organisers handing him a replacement, after he gave his first away.

So, on the back on Sonny Bill Williams handing over his medal, we want to hear about the time you benefited from the generosity of a sporting personality.

Did Wayne Rooney hold open a door for you? Did Andy Murray compliment you on your cardigan? Or maybe Wayne Rooney bought you a pint? 

Let us know at #bbcsportsday or on the BBC Sport Facebook page., external

Now to one of those stories that makes you feel all warm and fuzzy inside. Well, unless you're a miserable so-and-so.

After watching a young lad get tackled to the ground by a Twickenham steward in the aftermath of New Zealand's rugby World Cup final win over Australia, the All Blacks' Sonny Bill Williamsdecided to do something rather lovely.

Image source, Getty Images

He gave the boy a hug, guided him back to the stand - and then took off his winners medal and put it around the lad's neck.

Williams said he felt sorry for the ‘little fella’ and that he wanted to make the night more memorable for him 

You can watch the video on the Guardian's website here., external

Pat Murphy
BBC Radio 5 live

Remi Garde will be expected to get more out of the more inexperienced French speaking players. The feeling still remains though that these players actually might not be good enough.

Whichever way you look at it, whatever way Villa try to dress up Garde's pedigree and potential, it still is a major gamble by owner Randy Lerner to appoint a highly talented, promising young manager in his first job as a manager outside of France. He's really got to hit the ground running straight away.

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So to Aston Villa and news that is likely to be confirmed in the next few hours - the club will appoint ex-Lyon boss Remi Garde as their new manager.

The Frenchman, who replaces Tim Sherwood, will sign a three-and-a-half-year deal and will watch tonight's trip to Tottenham from the stands.

It's not going to be easy for the 49-year-old, though. He inherits a team bottom of the Premier League with just four points from 10 games.

Bastia coach Reginald Ray will become Garde's assistant - we'll confirm the news a soon as it happens.

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There is a test match going on in the United Arab Emirates, day two of England's third and final Test against Pakistan.

Things were going swimmingly until about two minutes ago, when captain Alastair Cook went for 49.

It leaves England 90-2 in reply to Pakistan's first innings total of 234 all out.

Full coverage here.

The whole of New Zealand is likely to be waking up with a bit of a hangover today, after the All Blacks held off a fierce Australian comeback to win a thrilling World Cup final and become the first team to retain their title.

And it has got better since, with fly-half Dan Carter named World Rugby player of the year for a third time at a ceremony in London on Sunday.

Image source, Getty Images

Carter has announced his international retirement after scoring a record 1,598 points in 112 appearances.

The All Blacks won the team of the year, but Australia's Michael Cheika was named coach of the year.

Image source, Getty Images

Ronald Koeman's Southampton are three points off the top five and full of confidence after a week which saw them beat Bournemouth on the back of reaching the League Cup quarter-finals.

"The first 45 minutes was the best football so far this season - good movement and great goals," Koeman said after the win over the Cherries.

"We learned a bit from the Leicester game at 2-0 to defend better. Always an opponent will give a reaction and you have to deal with that. We lost balls and had no control. We need to do that better," said the Saints boss.

"In every Premier League game, even at 2-0 up is difficult. You need good defending and more control and to win every battle. Still, I think it was a very good performance."

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Sam Allardyce has never been relegated but has seen his Sunderland side - second bottom of the Premier League - lose two of their three games since he took over on 9 October.

"We had 17 attempts on goal and 12 on target," Allardyce said after the Everton defeat.

"At the top end we can score a goal and create chances but until we get into the habit of defending better out of possession it is worthless how many goals we score if we defend like that.

"That lack of discipline and organisation as a team is obviously the biggest concern for me."

Image source, Getty Images

Not a good Sunday for Sam Allardyce, who watched his Sunderland side get hammered 6-2 at Everton.

Having got back to 2-2 at Goodison Park, the Black Cats then conceded three goals in seven minutes, with Everton's Arouna Kone scoring a hat-trick.

"The defensive frailties were just too much," Allardyce said. "If we don't sort those out and give it away like we did at 2-2, then it'll be a long haul over the next few months."

Which leaves the table looking like this.

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Out all weekend? Missed the results entirely?

Probably not, but here they are anyway to jog your memory.

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