Manchester United has neither lost nor gained ground on its rivals in some time.
The Red Devils’ paradox of a season will continue Tuesday at Old Trafford when they host Everton in the Premier League. Manchester United is in fifth place in the Premier League standings, and a win over the Toffees will close the gap behind fourth-place Manchester City to just one point. Everton can overtake Arsenal for sixth place if it defeats Manchester United at Old Trafford for the first time since December 2013.
The Toffees’ variety could trouble Manchester United’s defense.
16 – Everton have had more different goalscorers (exc. own goals) in the Premier League this season than any other team (16). Selection.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) April 3, 2017
Here’s how to watch Manchester United vs. Everton online.
When: Tuesday, April 4, at 3 p.m. ET
Live Stream: NBC Sports Live Extra
Thumbnail photo via YouTube/NBC Sports
If you’re one of those crazy baseball fans who love to hop on the field and outrun security guards, you might want to head to a Detroit Tigers game, because you’ll have a couple getaway cars waiting for you in center field.
The Chevrolet Fountain, located in centerfield at Comerica Park, once again will have a pair of Chevys parked atop it for the duration of the baseball season, Chevrolet announced in a press release Monday. This year’s lucky participants are the 2018 Equinox SUV and the 2018 Silverado pickup truck.

Personally, we feel bad for the Equinox, as one of our favorite mid-size SUVs deserves at least a roof over its head.

The decision to leave the vehicles exposed, however, is all part of the plan.
“This year, we have chosen to display the all-new Equinox and the HD Silverado because they are among the most versatile, durable and capable vehicles in the Chevrolet lineup,” Paul Edwards, U.S. vice president for Chevrolet Marketing, said in the release. “And we know that they are tough enough to withstand the unpredictable Michigan weather.”
Although it might not be the safest idea, we think making tickets available to spend a game in one of the vehicles would be pretty awesome.
The Chevys in centerfield aren’t the only cool quirk at the ballpark this week, though. For Opening Day, the Tigers unveiled a tribute to their late owner Mike Ilitch cut into the outfield grass.
All photos via Chevrolet
This week Billy and Jenny are headed to the brand new Tuscan Kitchen in Portsmouth, NH. Restaurateur Joe Faro has brought the artisan Italian you know and love to a third location.
For more info on Tuscan Kitchen, check them out online:
TUSCANBRANDS.COM
Facebook: @TuscanBrandsPortsmouthNH
Twitter: @Tuscan_Kitchen
Instagram: @TuscanKitchen
The New England Patriots chose certainty over promise in their approach to the 2017 offseason.
The Patriots, set to select in the first round after a one-year absence thanks to Deflategate, traded the 32nd overall pick to the New Orleans Saints for Brandin Cooks and the 64th overall pick to the Carolina Panthers for Kony Ealy and an early third-rounder (72nd overall). That’s not a bad way to use two top picks.
There certainly are ways to recoup first- and second-round selections too. The Patriots could trade quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo for multiple high picks, or they could move cornerback Malcolm Butler to the Saints and either receive their 32nd overall pick back or a second-rounder (and probably more). They also could trade next year’s first-round pick to move up in this year’s draft if they really love a player, though that seems highly unlikely given their history of acquiring those types of picks, not trading them away. The latest Bill Belichick’s Patriots have ever begun a draft was last season, when they chose Cyrus Jones with their first pick 60th overall.
So would the Patriots actually go into the 2017 NFL Draft without first- or second-round picks? Yes. Belichick knows he made his bed when he traded for Cooks and Ealy. He knew at the time there was a chance another trade wouldn’t come to fruition and that he had to be prepared to not take a player in the early rounds of his year’s draft. That doesn’t mean the Patriots won’t still try, but they are at least prepared for a scenario in which they don’t select a player early.
And the Patriots are set up well for the 2017 season without a high pick. If the Patriots go into the draft without a first- or second-rounder, that means they still have Butler at cornerback and thus perhaps the best secondary in the NFL. Their only major need to fill is at pass rusher. The Patriots also could use an athletic linebacker, a running back for the future, a tight end and a developmental offensive tackle. Those players presumably could be taken later.
The Patriots currently have a more talented team than the one that just won Super Bowl LI. Any talent they add through the draft is simply throwing cherries on top of an already delicious sundae. And any talent they add through the draft likely won’t see many snaps in 2017 anyway.
If the Patriots trade Butler, then a hole opens up at cornerback. But they also would be acquiring the picks through which to fill it.
It’s a strange year to study the draft, since it’s so difficult to predict which players still will be available at 72nd overall and beyond. Putting together mock drafts was much easier when the Patriots still had first- and second-round picks. But Cooks and Ealy will make a bigger impact in 2017 than a first-rounder or the difference between the 64th overall pick and the 72nd. So that’s why you can chalk this offseason up as a win for Belichick and the Patriots before the draft even occurs.
Thumbnail photo via Matthew Emmons/USA TODAY Sports Images
In the push to develop driverless vehicles, tech companies have emerged as serious competition for traditional automakers — or so we thought.
Navigant Research published a study Monday that listed automakers and tech companies’ potentials to develop autonomous vehicles, USA TODAY reports. Despite claiming they are at the forefront of the self-driving revolution, Uber ranked 16th and Faraday Future was not listed in the results.
Although companies such as Faraday and Uber tout their experience in the tech industry as giving them an advantage over OEMs, that seemingly is no longer the case. Through various investments and partnerships, automakers have regained the lead in the race for autonomy, with Ford claiming the top spot in Navigant’s rankings.
While other Silicon Valley firms also finished below traditional manufacturers, they still were classified above Uber. Tesla and Waymo were ranked 12th and seventh, respectively.
Uber’s score reportedly was hurt by recent hiccups, including an intellectual property lawsuit it faces from Waymo regarding its autonomous driving system.
It’s unclear why Faraday wasn’t included at all in Navigant’s study, as it does have a permit to test driverless cars on California’s public roads. However, we suspect the fact that Faraday rarely releases details on its development projects played a role in the omission.
Thumbnail photo via Faraday Future
Jenny and Billy are talking to Red Sox Outfielder Jackie Bradley Jr. What do you think is his favorite late night snack?
Twitter: @JackieBradleyJr
Some say Major League Baseball’s Opening Day should be a holiday. But one particular fan was in anything but a festive mood on Day 1 of the New York Mets’ season.
Introducing Frank Fleming, a die-hard Mets supporter from New Jersey who intended to arrive early at Citi Field on Monday for New York’s season opener against the Atlanta Braves. Yet Frank’s day didn’t go as planned, as a derailed train at Manhattan’s Penn Station caused a huge delay that forced him to seek an alternate route to the ballpark.
Frank wasn’t happy about these developments, and when a reporter from NBC 4 New York stuck a microphone in front of him, he went off.
https://twitter.com/SInow/status/849056789861683202
We sympathize with poor Frank — he eventually got to the game, but not before missing the Opening Day ceremonies and the first pitch — but this is a pretty awesome rant. We also enjoyed the bit of perspective at the end of the video: “Others worried about missing work.”
The Mets went on to defeat Atlanta 6-0, so Frank’s day could have been worse. But don’t be surprised if he boycotts New York public transit in the near future.
Thumbnail photo via Brad Penner/USA TODAY Sports Images
Chef Douglass Williams of MIDA is joining Billy in the kitchen this time around. They have a close call with fire though… will Billy make it out with both hands? Watch the clip above to find out!
For more info on MIDA or the Boston Center for Adult Education, check them out online:
MIDABoston.com
Facebook: @Mida.Boston
Twitter: @MidaRestaurant
Instagram: @MidaBoston
BCAE.org
Facebook: @BCAE122
Twitter: @BCAE
Instagram: @BCAE
Maybe it’s a good thing Donald Trump didn’t throw out the first pitch at Nationals Park after all.
The President of the United States declined the Washington Nationals’ invitation to take part in the club’s Opening Day festivities before Monday’s game against the Miami Marlins, forgoing what’s been a tradition since William Taft threw out a first pitch in 1910. But if he had gone to the game, he probably wouldn’t have liked what he saw after the Nats beat the Marlins 4-2, as a group of protesters unfurled an enormous “Impeach Trump” banner painted on a Russian flag.
BREAKING: "Impeach #Trump" banner dropped during Washington Nationals game on #OpeningDay pic.twitter.com/OnxtVfKeGg
— Alex Rubinstein (@RealAlexRubi) April 3, 2017
The sign was confiscated for violating stadium policy, and one of the protesters explained why they waited until the end of the game to unveil it.
“We waited until the game was finished to show our respect for opening day of America’s favorite national past-time, unlike Donald Trump who couldn’t be bothered to show up for a presidential tradition that lasted for a century until today,” Jason Charter wrote in an email Monday night, per The Washington Post.
Plenty of people saw the sign live regardless, as attendance for Monday’s home opener was 42,744.
Floyd Mayweather Jr. isn’t used to losing. So when his 12-year-old daughter’s team finished second at a youth cheerleading competition over the weekend, the undefeated boxer apparently was livid.
TMZ Sports obtained footage that seemingly shows Mayweather flipping out on the judges who supposedly cheated his daughter. Fortunately, things didn’t get physical, but Mayweather’s mannerisms suggest he wasn’t too pleased about the contest’s outcome.
TMZ Sports also caught up with event announcer Jeff Krapf, who confirmed Mayweather’s displeasure. According to Krapf, Mayweather yelled at the judges and even made clear, “I fund this program!”
Wonder what Conor McGregor thinks about this public tirade.
Thumbnail photo via Joshua Dahl/USA TODAY Sports Images
Dale Earnhardt Jr. had himself a pretty good day 19 years ago — to say the least.
Tuesday marks the 19th anniversary of Earnhardt’s first NASCAR Xfinity Series win, which came at Texas Motor Speedway, the site of Sunday’s Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series O’Reilly Auto Parts 500. The popular driver celebrated by tweeting a picture of the check he received for the victory, which jump-started both his career, and his bank account.
Check from first win @NASCAR_XFINITY 1998 @TXMotorSpeedway. Tomorrow it'll be 19 years. pic.twitter.com/tV1mwWAosE
— Dale Earnhardt Jr. (@DaleJr) April 3, 2017
Winning $50, 475 for driving a car for a few hours opens the door to any number of stereotypes, but still it’s hard not to respect Earnhardt’s humble brag. Also, 1998 was pretty to kind to the now 42-year-old driver, as he won seven total races on his way to winning the series championship.
The 2017 NASCAR season, though, hasn’t gone nearly as well for Earnhardt. The Hendrick Motorsports driver sits 25th in the Cup standings, as his return from last season’s concussion-related absence has been a struggle thus far.
Thumbnail photo via Gary A. Vasquez/USA TODAY Sports Images
In this installment of Chevy Quick Bites we’re headed to Quincy. Quincy isn’t like you remember – it’s up and coming and the restaurant scene here is vivacious.
For more info on any of the featured restaurants, check them out online:
16C:
16CRESTAURANT.COM
Facebook: @16CRestaurant
Instagram: @16CRestaurant
Zef Cicchetti & Raw Bar:
ZEFQUINCY.COM
Facebook: @ZefQuincy
Fuji at West of Chestnut:
FUJIATWOC.COM
Facebook: @FujiatWOC
Twitter: @FujiatWOC
Social media Influencer @SimkoSays takes us to City Tap House, where he’s craving the crab mac and cheese!
The Seaport is Boston’s hottest neighborhood with no shortage of bars or restaurants. But this growing neighborhood has been missing that neighborhood spot where “everybody knows your name”. Cue City Tap House. With 60 craft beers on tap and 40 by the bottle it’s the perfect afterwork spot during the week, a place to grab a beer and burgers with friends on the weekend, or a cozy place for a special evening out.
Beyond craft beer, City Tap House has a menu full of choices, some familiar, some adventurous. Comfort food favorites like mac and cheese is elevated with blue crab, fontina cheese, and herbed bread crumbs. The ‘mac’ is cooked perfectly al dente while the cheese was creamy and hot, with just enough sharpness from the fontina. With no shortage of crab, this ‘small plate’ is large enough, and hearty enough to be a full meal. Make sure to bring your appetite, or friends to share. If something lighter is your aim, the Korean Short Rib Tacos are salty, delicious, and perfectly bite sized.
When you start a meal with mac and cheese, there’s no way to turn back so we plotted on with a loaded City Tap Burger complete with smoked cheddar, smoky bacon, avocado, and a fried egg. This is the type of burger that makes heads turn as it’s walked through the dining room. Towering high, the runny yolk of the fried egg oozed down into the smoky peppers bacon creating a burger lovers dream. With so many flavors and textures, this is a burger that will satisfy foodies, but is delicious enough to eat any night of the week. The fries served alongside are hand cut, as french fries should be.
The menu at City Tap House reaches beyond comfort food classics into more sophisticated territory with a Maple Brined Pork Chop over a bed of sweet potato puree, brussels sprout & candied pecans. Yes, candied pecans.This is definitely not the pork chops and applesauce you grew up with. For specials, City Tap does a ‘daily supper’ with each day of the week being a different option. We stopped by on a Wednesday evening and boy, are we glad we did. Chef served up Crispy Suckling Pig which is basically confit ham with the skin removed, fried, then laid back over the top.
With craft beer aficionados quickly becoming the new ‘wine snobs’, 60 beers on tap may seem a little intimidating. But the staff at City Tap House are experts on beer pairing with any menu selection. Catherine our server recommended local favorite Boom Sauce from Lord Hobo to pair with the blue crab mac and cheese, and Bear Republic Racer X alongside the stacked up burger. Not seeing your favorite on tap? Options rotate which keeps beer lovers, and the beer-curious, coming back.
For more info on City Tap House and Matt Simko, check them out online!
BOSTON.CITYTAP.COM
Facebook: @CityTapBoston
Twitter: @CityTapBoston
Instagram: @CityTapBoston
MATTHEW SIMKO
Facebook: @SimkoSays
Twitter: @SimkoSays
Instagram: @SimkoSays
Blog: SIMKOSAYS.COM
This new gastropub is authentic, rustic, and local. We sent in two of our VIP’s to get the scoop on this new South Shore restaurant.
For more info on Station Eight, check them out online and on social:
STATIONEIGHT-MARSHFIELD.COM
Facebook: @StationEightRestaurant
Twitter: @Station_Eight
We now know where Tony Romo will land for the 2017 NFL season — and it’s in the TV booth, not on the football field.
Sports Business Journal reported Tuesday morning, citing sources, that Romo will replace Phil Simms as the lead NFL color analyst for CBS during the upcoming season.
According to the report, the sides haven’t hammered out the details and nothing has been signed, but an agreement is in place. Romo will work alongside Jim Nantz, the network’s top play-by-play man. An official announcement is expected at some point Tuesday, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Interestingly, Romo going to CBS likely means he’ll work a lot of AFC games despite spending his entire career in the NFC with the Cowboys. That means he’ll have plenty of New England Patriots games on his plate, but it also means he’ll likely do a few games featuring the Denver Broncos and Houston Texans, two teams that reportedly had interest in trading for Romo.
If the former Dallas Cowboys quarterback ultimately decides he wants to play — and he could have a few suitors — it will be interesting to see how that dynamic plays out.
Thumbnail photo via Kelvin Kuo/USA TODAY Sports Images
With help from James Corden, Stephen Curry has demonstrated he has range off the basketball court, too.
The NBA superstar appeared Monday on “The Late Late Show with James Corden,” playing games, sharing life lessons and, of course, singing “Carpool Karaoke” in Northern California with the host of the CBS show. Their songs of choice were from recent Disney movies because of the influence of Curry’s 4-year-old daughter, Riley.
Curry, the reigning two-time NBA MVP, obviously has practiced singing because he goes note for note with Corden, the high priest of the “Carpool Karaoke.”
We should have seen it coming.
Get ready to see David Ross like you’ve never seen him before.
The former backup catcher, who won World Series titles with the Boston Red Sox and Chicago Cubs, is one of the athletes on the current season of ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars,” and he’s already showed off some pretty smooth moves. The 40-year-old started the competition off by quickstepping to “Go Cubs Go” in Week 1, but he really turned up the heat Monday.
Week 3 of the show was “Vegas Night,” and Ross and partner Lindsay Arnold were tasked with performing a jazz dance. They went with a “Magic Mike”-themed number set to 50 Cent’s “Candy Shop,” and it was … something else.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eRvA3yBt5HA
We’re not really sure how to process all that, but we think Cubs first baseman and Ross’ former teammate Anthony Rizzo summed it up pretty well.
Speechless… and a bit horrified. @DancingABC @D_Ross3
— Anthony Rizzo (@ARizzo44) April 4, 2017
The judges evidently weren’t horrified, though, as Ross and Arnold received eights across the board.
The Boston Red Sox enter the season with three young outfielders, all age 26 or younger, who could comprise one of baseball’s most talented position groups for years to come.
Sound familiar?
We’re talking, of course, about the “Killer B’s”: Andrew Benintendi, Jackie Bradley Jr. and Mookie Betts. But Red Sox fans of a past generation will tell you this trio of homegrown talents bears a striking resemblance to Boston’s original super outfield: Jim Rice, Fred Lynn and Dwight Evans.
That group burst onto the scene in 1975 — Rice and Lynn both Rookie of the Year candidates, Evans a 23-year-old fifth-round pick coming into his own — and helped lead the Red Sox on a magical run to the World Series. Fast forward 42 years later, where Rice, Lynn and Evans can’t help but see themselves reincarnated in Boston’s 2017 outfield.
“As a group, Jimmy and Dwight, myself, we’ve been looking forward to something like this for a while now,” Lynn told ESPN.com’s Scott Lauber. “… “I don’t know that there’s a better young outfield in all of baseball right now.”
Benintendi fueled the hype train Monday by launching a three-run homer in the Red Sox’s Opening Day win over the Pittsburgh Pirates. In fact, Evans believes this current group has even greater potential than he and the “Gold Dust Twins” flashed in 1975.
“These kids are tremendous. Best outfield we’ve had in a long time,” Evans told Lauber. “I never like to compare because these guys might be better than us. It’s even more rewarding when you know they came out of your system.”
Rice and Evans played an incredible 16 seasons together, while the full trio was intact for six seasons before Lynn joined the California Angels in 1981. That kind of continuity is hard to find in the modern era of large contracts and free agency, but the elder statesmen would love to see their successors stick together.
“I think everyone sees that these guys can be together for a long time,” Evans said. “Can they go elsewhere and make more money? Probably. But they’ll never have as much fun as playing in Fenway together.”
Thumbnail photo via Kim Klement/USA TODAY Sports Images
Four New England Patriots players, five Lombardi Trophies and a Super Bowl jersey that sparked an international FBI search took center stage Monday at Fenway Park.
Before the Boston Red Sox hosted the Pittsburgh Pirates on Opening Day, the team honored the Super Bowl champion Patriots in a pregame ceremony.
Quarterback Tom Brady, tight end Rob Gronkowski, running backs Dion Lewis and James White and team owner Robert Kraft carried New England’s five championship trophies from the Green Monster to the pitcher’s mound, much to the delight of the capacity crowd in attendance.
Of course, the highlight of the celebration came when Brady raised his recently recovered Super Bowl jersey above his head and Gronkowski snatched it, sparking a chase around the infield.
The Red Sox’s production team captured a behind-the-scenes look at the Patriots’ Fenway visit, including shots of Brady, Gronkowski and Lewis tossing a baseball around before the Pats contingent took the field.
The @Patriots, their hardware, and the most wanted jersey of all time. #OpeningDay pic.twitter.com/d9VX1Czkbz
— Red Sox (@RedSox) April 4, 2017
The Red Sox went on to win 5-3 to open the 2017 regular season.
Thumbnail photo via Greg M. Cooper/USA TODAY Sports Images
UPDATE (1:05 p.m. ET): Bellator amended its original press release to clarify it is “in talks” with Monster Energy about partnering with NASCAR.
If you’re a fan of both mixed martial arts and NASCAR, you probably were excited to find out the two sports were planning to join forces. It seems that might not be the case, though.
NASCAR officials have shot down reports the racing series will be partnering with promoter Bellator MMA to bring fights to four races during the 2017 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series, according to MMA Junkie.
“NASCAR does not have a partnership with Bellator,” NASCAR told USA TODAY Sports’ Brant James, via MMA Junkie.
Bellator, which has a preexisting relationship with Monster Energy, reportedly announced it had partnered with the Cup series on Monday morning.
Although NASCAR denies it, it’s the only party involved in the reported collaboration that’s doing so. Monster Energy’s vice president of sports marketing, Mitch Covington, expressed excitement to Motorsport.com on Monday.
“MMA is an exciting sport that appeals to a wide demographic,” Covington said. “By partnering with Bellator to bring mixed martial arts to NASCAR we are able to bring a fresh dynamic to the racetrack and a taste of what Monster Energy is into, allowing us all to connect with a new fan base in relevant and meaningful ways to further elevate the series.”
Since Monday morning, Bellator reportedly revised its press release to simply say more details about the supposed fights would be released soon.
Thumbnail photo via Jasen Vinlove/USA TODAY Sports Images
The Boston Bruins will be looking to punch their ticket to the Stanley Cup playoffs Tuesday night when they host the Tampa Bay Lightning as -180 betting favorites at sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark.com.
Boston enters Tuesday night’s Lightning vs. Bruins betting matchup at TD Garden with a four-point lead over Tampa Bay in the race for an Eastern Conference postseason berth. With 92 points, the Bruins sit alongside the Ottawa Senators in the Atlantic Division standings, one point behind second-place Toronto, with both the Senators and Maple Leafs holding a game in hand.
The Bruins enter the final week of the NHL regular season as winners of five straight, including a 3-2 victory in Chicago as +120 underdogs Sunday, surrendering just six total goals during the streak. They’ll host the Senators on Thursday night.
The Lightning, meanwhile, open a three-game road trip in Boston, followed by a must-win matchup in Toronto on Thursday and a Friday-night date against the Canadiens in Montreal.
Tampa Bay has remained in the playoff hunt on the strength of a 5-0-1 run, which began March 23 with a 6-3 win in Boston as a +175 underdog. The Lightning are an impressive 10-3-2 over their past 15 games, including a 5-1-0 mark on the road, and have now won three of their last four at TD Garden, outscoring the Bruins by a 17-11 margin during that stretch.
After securely occupying second place in the Atlantic Division for most of the season, the Senators enter their matchup with the Detroit Red Wings on Tuesday night at Canadian Tire Centre desperate to break out of a five-game slide that threatens to derail their playoff hopes.
Ottawa dropped a 5-4 shootout decision Monday in Detroit to fall to 2-5-3 over its past 10 games, including just one win in seven road outings. However, the Bruins can’t take the slumping Senators for granted. Ottawa has dominated the Bruins in recent seasons, winning five straight and nine of their past 11 meetings, including a 3-2 win March 21 in Boston as a +162 underdog.
The Bruins then will close out their regular-season schedule Saturday afternoon at home against the league-leading Washington Capitals. With four games remaining, the Capitals will be looking to lock down first place overall in the Eastern Conference this week and have beaten the Bruins in eight straight meetings according to the OddsShark NHL Database.
Thumbnail photo via Greg M. Cooper/USA TODAY Sports Images