Digest

SOCCER

Aguero grabs winner as City blunts Blades

Sergio Aguero came off the bench to score a sixth goal in his last three Premier League games and earn Manchester City a 1-0 win over Sheffield United on Tuesday.

The Argentina striker tapped in at the far post in the 73rd minute following another perfectly weighted cross from Kevin De Bruyne, giving the Belgian his 15th assist of the campaign.

Aguero had come on six minutes earlier as a substitute for Gabriel Jesus, who had a first-half penalty saved by Blades goalkeeper Dean Henderson.

Just as important as the victory for City was the return of France centerback Aymeric Laporte after nearly five months out with a serious knee injury.

Second-place City moved 13 points behind Liverpool, having played two games more than the runaway leader.

GOLF

Hall of Fame bids to hasten Tiger's entry

Tiger Woods won't have to wait until he's 50 to enter the World Golf Hall of Fame.

The Hall of Fame on Tuesday announced changes to the criteria and the selection process, starting with the age limit being reduced from 50 to 45. Players become eligible if they are 45 in the year of the induction ceremony.

The next induction is in 2021.Woods turns 45 in January.

"We believe these changes will enhance the Hall of Fame in many ways and bring greater attention to the most deserving players at a time in their careers when they are still competing at the highest level," said Greg McLaughlin, the CEO of the World Golf Foundation.

Woods is a shoo-in. The criteria include 15 victories on a player's home tour or two majors. Woods has 82 victories on the PGA Tour, along with five on the European Tour and victories on the Japan Golf Tour, Asian Tour and PGA Tour of Australasia. He also has those 15 majors.

BASKETBALL

Mavericks fear long absence for Powell

Dallas center Dwight Powell sustained what the Mavericks fear is a "severe" injury to his right Achilles tendon in a 110-107 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday night.

Coach Rick Carlisle said the club would wait on an MRI exam to determine the extent of the injury, but said it was "feared to be severe".

Powell went down with a non-contact injury with 2:57 left in the first quarter. Teammate JJ Barea－who tore his right Achilles tendon last season－was distraught as Powell was taken off the court.

Mavs star Luka Doncic said of Powell: "He's a great guy. He doesn't deserve this."

NFL

Pro Bowl experiment aims to reward risk

The Pro Bowl is adding a new twist designed to reward teams for taking risks.

The NFL announced on Tuesday that its upcoming all-star game in Orlando will feature a rule change that allows a team to keep the ball after it scores. The scoring team can retain possession at its own 25-yard line and face a fourth-and-15 play. Pick up a first down, and the offense gets a new set of downs. Fail to gain 15 yards, and it's a turnover on downs and good field position for the other conference.

The scoring team also could elect to give the opponent the ball at the opponent's 25-yard line, much like a kickoff that results in a touchback. The 2020 Pro Bowl also tweaked rules regarding pre-snap penalties.

It is no longer a a false start if a flexed, eligible receiver in a two-point stance flinches or picks up one foot as long as his other foot remains partially on the ground. He also must reset for a second before the snap. A receiver who fits this exception is not considered to be in motion.