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maltatoday, SUNDAY, 24 JANUARY 2016 51 Sport FOOTBALL GOALLINE technology will be used at Euro 2016 this summer and in the Champions League from next season after UEFA's executive committee gave the green light to introducing the system. Suspended UEFA president Michel Platini had been a long- time opponent of technology, but he allowed UEFA officials to re- view its use for Euro 2016 in his native France before his eight- year ban was imposed by FIFA's ethics committee. The success of goal-line tech- nology in the Premier League and World Cup proved crucial, espe- cially after high-profile incidents in major competitions. Ukraine were denied a goal against Eng- land at Euro 2012, while two years earlier Frank Lampard was denied a World Cup goal for Eng- land against Germany. UEFA will maintain its system of having an extra official behind each goal as well as the technol- ogy. UEFA's referees chief Pierluigi Collina said: "This is not a deci- sion we have taken quickly. We have been looking at it for the last year and a half. We are convinced implementing goal-line technol- ogy will be a further step in bet- ter control of the match. "We are happy with the addi- tional assistant referees even if we know that from the outside their contribution is not always appreciated." UEFA president Michel Platini was a late convert to goal-line technology LEICESTER moved back to the top of the table - three points ahead of Arsenal, who host Chelsea today - after they beat Stoke 3-0 at the King Power Sta- dium. The Foxes took the lead just before half-time through mid- fielder Danny Drinkwater (42). Striker Jamie Vardy (66) net- ted his 16th goal of the season on the break, before Leo Ulloa (87) added a late third. Charlie Austin netted with his first touch in a Southamp- ton shirt as a 1-0 victory for Saints piled the pressure on be- leaguered Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal. United supporters once again vented their anger towards Van Gaal after watching their team put on yet another dull, un- inspiring performance at Old Trafford. Boos rang out around Old Trafford at half-time and fol- lowing the final whistle as Saints recorded only their second win at United 's home since 1988, but also their second in 13 months. There was no doubting who the home supporters blamed for this latest insipid display. Van Gaal was jeered at as he walked down the tunnel. Adam Lallana's last-minute strike gave Liverpool an aston- ishing first Premier League win of 2016 in a 5-4 success at Nor- wich. Jurgen Klopp's men had trailed 3-1 with under 30 minutes to go, then led 4-3 before Sebastien Bassong's stoppage-time strike levelled matters. But there was still time for substitute Lallana to send a shot into the ground and secure a fa- mous victory as Liverpool 's own defensive failings were eclipsed by Norwich 's at Carrow Road. Klopp celebrated on the pitch with a shirtless Lallana, but there is much work to do if the Reds are to advance to the Capi- tal One Cup final at the expense of Stoke, visitors to Anfield for the semi-final second leg on Tuesday night. It had looked like new signing Steven Naismith would be an in- stant hero for the Canaries after Dieumerci Mbokani cancelled out Roberto Firmino's opener with a brilliant back-heel. Naismith scored his first Ever- ton goal against Liverpool and, on his debut following his move from Goodison Park, the Scot struck again to give the Canar- ies a 2-1 half-time lead. Poor defending allowed Nor- wich to further extend their ad- vantage when Alberto Moreno felled Naismith in the box and Wes Hoolahan converted the re- sulting penalty. Jordan Henderson reduced the deficit from a gaping hole in the Norwich defence and another appeared allowing Firmino to equalise with 27 minutes re- maining. James Milner converted for 4-3 after capitalising on Russell Martin's dreadful pass back be- fore the late drama. Sergio Aguero scored twice to rescue a point for stuttering Manchester City in a 2-2 draw at West Ham. The title challengers twice fell behind to goals from Enner Valencia and needed Aguero to help them out with a penalty and a late equaliser. Valencia fired the Hammers into the lead after just 55 sec- onds, and put them back in front early in the second half with City's defence struggling once again. But Aguero came to the rescue to deny West Ham an unlikely double over City this season. Midfielder Dele Alli (84) cracked in a superb late strike as Tottenham beat Crystal Palace 3-1 at Selhurst Park. The Eagles went ahead through an own goal from Spurs defend- er Jan Vertonghen (30), but in- form Harry Kane levelled (63) with a close-range header. After Palace midfielder Mile Jedinak hit the crossbar, Alli secured all three points for the visitors when he crashed in a volley from the edge of the box. Nacer Chadli scored a third deep into stoppage time. Relegation-battlers Sunder- land took what could yet prove a valuable point with a 1-1 draw against Bournemouth at the Sta- dium of Light. The Cherries went ahead through £10million striker Be- nik Afobe (13), but the hosts, in 19th place, levelled in first-half stoppage time via Dutch defend- er Patrick van Aanholt Watford beat struggling New- castle 2-1 at Vicarage Road to end a run of four straight league defeats. Odion Ighalo (46) put the Hor- nets ahead just after the restart, before defender Craig Cathcart (58) made it 2-0. Although Jamaal Lascelles (71) reduced the deficit, there was no way back for the Magpies, who are 18th. Bottom club Aston Villa bat- tled through a goalless draw at West Brom, but remain cast adrift. Leicester go top with win over Stoke as Liverpool claim nine-goal thriller Leicester players celebrate their victory over Stoke With his shirt off, Liverpool's English midfielder Adam Lallana (C) celebrates scoring their late winning goal with team- mates and Liverpool's German Manager Jurgen Klopp (3rd R), as Norwich City's Scottish coach Alex Neil (R) looks on UEFA to use goal-line tecnology