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DUBAI, United Arab Emirates -- Defending champion Stephen Gallacher had seven birdies and an eagle on the back nine Saturday to surge past Rory McIlroy and take a two-shot lead into the final round of the Dubai Desert Classic. Gallacher equaled the European Tour record for the lowest nine-hole score with an inward 28 for a 9-under 63. That gave him a 16-under total of 200, with McIlroy in second after 69. Tiger Woods was 11 shots back after a 70. "This is the best back nine Ive had in my career by far," said Gallacher, who started the day four shots behind McIlroy. "So to get myself back into contention when I needed to, and given the stature of this tournament, it feels good." Gallacher started with seven straight pars before a bogey on the eighth. But he birdied the next four holes before an eagle on the par-5 13th, where he hit a 7-iron to within three inches with his second shot. After another par on the next hole, he finished with four straight birdies. "I struggled at the start and played the first four holes a bit ropey," the Scot said. "But I then hit a beautiful drive and 7-iron (at the ninth) to about 3 foot, and from then on I never missed a shot." The Desert Classic is celebrating its 25th anniversary, and Gallacher now has a chance to become the first person to win back-to-back titles at the event. McIlroy earned his first European Tour victory here in 2009 and is still very much in the hunt despite battling food poisoning during the second round on Friday. McIlroy, who had his lowest score in three years with a 63 in the opening round, mixed three birdies and an eagle with two bogeys on Saturday. "My stomach is better today, still not 100 per cent but its better than it was yesterday," McIlroy said. "I feel like I can catch him (Gallacher) up tomorrow. I dont really want to focus on what hes doing -- try to focus on my own thing." Woods, who won here in 2006 and 2008, failed to get back in contention after a disappointing day on the greens. The top-ranked American had two bogeys and four birdies but missed a number of opportunities to pull closer. "I only hit a couple of bad shots, (but) missed a ton of putts," said Woods, who was in a tie for 37th. "Really hit it good but just threw away a lot of shots." Thorbjoern Olesen of Denmark shot a 65 to sit tied for third with Brooks Koepka of the United States, another two shots behind Gallacher. Race to Dubai winner Henrik Stenson fell out of contention with a 75 that included two double bogeys and left him 12 shots back. Cameron Jordan Authentic Jersey . -- Kyle Buchanan scored four goals and added three assists to lead the Philadelphia Wings over the Vancouver Stealth 15-9 in National Lacrosse League action on Saturday. Stanley Jean-Baptiste Jersey . With the transfer window open, hundreds of accounts rack up their followers alleging to know of an impending transfer. http://www.saintsstore.us.com/Black-33-Stanley-Jean-Baptiste-Womens-Jersey/ . But the drama wasnt done. Less than three weeks after Pettine took the job, the Browns announced the dismissal of chief executive officer Joe Banner and general manager Michael Lombardi, Banner after a transition and Lombardi immediately. Brandin Cooks White Jersey . -- The offence was stagnant, Alex Smith was ineffective and the offensive line was completely overmatched. Brandin Cooks Authentic Jersey . Canadian Lance Gibson is happy to oblige with the former UFC light-heavyweight champion some tough love.SOUTHAMPTON, England -- Emmanuel Adebayor continued his Tottenham renaissance on Sunday, scoring twice to clinch a 3-2 victory at Southampton in Tim Sherwoods first Premier League match in temporary charge of the London club.Frozen out by Andre Villas-Boas, who was fired on Monday, Adebayor has quickly repaid the faith Sherwood has shown in him. After scoring in Tottenhams League Cup loss to West Ham on Wednesday, Adebayor kept his place in the starting lineup and secured the victory that puts his seventh-place team just six points behind leader Liverpool. After Adam Lallana put Southampton in front, Adebayor volleyed Tottenham level in the 25th minute on his first league start of the season. Tottenham went in front through Jos Hooivelds own goal and, after Rickie Lambert tapped in a Southampton equalizer, Adebayor slotted in the winner. "I want to thank all my teammates, they have been there for me, they tell me to keep working hard and my chance will come," Adebayor said. "To be here today I am very pleased, not just the goals but for the team and I am very happy for the new manager, the fans. They have been supporting me." The Togo striker has struggled since his brother died earlier this year. "It was emotionally difficult, he was my senior brother, for me, its for him," he said. "He left a son behind. I want to take care of him and his family. I went to the funeral and when I came back I lost my place in the team. "I kept doing my job and as my father told me keep working hard. Today it paid off and I am very happy." Belying the sense of a club in crisis, Tottenham has the best away record in the league this season. But uncertainty over the managers position continues, with Sherwood unsure if he will remain in charge for the next match, on Thursday against West Bromwich Albion, which is also searching for a new manager. "I dont want (the job) on a temporary basis -- I want it for the long term," Sherwood said. Just a week after a 5-0 rout by Liverpool heralded the end of Villas-Boas reign, this was a transformed Tottenham side -- in the second half at least.dddddddddddd Mauricio Pochettinos injury-hit Southampton side had been more dangerous from the start. A Lambert free-kick beat the wall but not goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, but the next attempt on goal was too good for the Frenchman to stop. Danny Fox burst forward and fed Lallana, who turned Vlad Chiriches on the edge of the box before firing a low strike into the bottom corner. Sherwood was somewhat fortunate not to see his side go further behind as Southamptons England trio linked up superbly. Lambert was allowed time to cut the ball across for Lallana, whose fine touch played through Jay Rodriguez, although he was unable to direct his effort on target. It was a missed opportunity Southampton was made to rue in the 25th as a rejuvenated Adebayor struck home, with Roberto Soldado keeping his wayward pass in and swinging over a cross that the striker turned home with a superb hooked volley. Tottenham ended the half in the ascendancy and continued in the same manner when play resumed, although injury meant Mousa Dembele soon had to be replaced by 19-year-old debutant Nabil Bentaleb. Despite the enforced alteration, the visitors remained on top and it was no surprise when they went ahead in the 54th. Christian Eriksen played through Danny Rose, whose low cross from the left was turned by Hooiveld into his own goal. The lead only lasted five minutes. Jack Cork played a defence-splitting pass through to Lallana and, with Lloris having rushed off his line, the Southampton captain squared for Lambert to send the ball into the empty net. After doing well to prevent Adebayor putting Tottenham back ahead, Paulo Gazzaniga was soon beaten by the former Arsenal striker after calamitous defending from a quick throw-in allowed him to strike home. Further chances followed for Tottenham as Soldado burst clear on goal and somehow shot wide, before then meeting a fine cross from the right but directing a six-yard strike into the ground and over. Southampton, though, couldnt beat Lloris again, and remains ninth in the league. ' ' '

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