10 Ways to keep a healthy heart

1. Consuming mixed nuts, about 25 gms of walnuts and peanuts as they help in bringing down cholesterol levels and are rich in proteins.

2. Consuming food rich in protein, like fish as Fatty acids found in fish prevents clot formation.

3. Taking a tablet of 10 mg of statin everyday at night (if over the age of 40 and particularly diabetic).It helps to decrease cholesterol and reduce risk of heart attack.

4. General health check-ups after the age of 25 years in case of family history of heart disease.

5. Avoiding extreme weather. In the cold weather blood pressure soars harming blood vessels thereby inducing heart attacks.

6. Meditation: It has a direct impact on one's blood pressure; there is a significant reduction in the blood pressure levels and is key to a healthy heart.

7. Starting the day with a spoon full of honey- It reduces the cholesterol in the arteries and prevents heart attack

8. Walking on dew bare feet: Walking restores a sense of balance and brings an inner calm hence it good for the heart.

9. Maintain good oral hygiene: Studies suggest gingivitis may increase the risk of heart disease and stroke because of the high levels of bacteria found in infected areas of the mouth.

10. Brisk walking for atleast 30 minutes early in the morning since it reduces the affects of pollution on the heart, which are more likely during the evening hours.

11. Listening to soft music, gurbani, sholkas etc, as these have beneficial effects on lowering the blood pressure and thus keeping the heart healthy.

10 Tips for guaranteed weight loss

Weight loss tip 1: Decide how much weight you need to lose - Most people start their weight loss journey by claiming to be xyz kilos overweight. This isn't a healthy way to project or aim for weight loss. Calculate your desired weight against your height by using reliable methods like the BMI, and set a healthy weight loss target. This is often half the battle won.

Weight loss tip 2: Time management - This is quite often overlooked. Decide which part of your day will be dedicated to exercise, when in the week you will stock up on groceries, and when you will do the cooking - all within your current work and home life routine. If you don't do this now, your days will be rushed and unplanned, and you won't be able to sustain your weight loss efforts.

Weight loss tip 3: Stock your kitchen - Keep your house well-stocked with fruits, vegetables, healthy meats, grains, cereals, spices, and flavourers. Follow our tricks to healthy cooking, cooking vegetables for the week, and low-fat cooking posts to understand how best you can stock your kitchen with healthy and delicious ingredients. All of this will go into helping the next step - cooking healthy meals at home.

Weight loss tip 4: Eat healthy homecooked meals - Whether it's you who's cooking, a family member, or house help, ensure that every one practises healthy cooking methods, and ingredients. Ask any person who's lost weight the healthy way, and you will always hear about how healthy homecooked meals were a big reason behind it. Use less oil, low salt, fresh produce, and you'll start seeing results in no time.

Weight loss tip 5 : Start a cardio + weights workout - A healthy weight loss programme is incomplete without a good exercise routine, and weight training mixed with cardio is the best way to lose weight. Of course, variations and forms exist, but any workout that stresses on muscle tone and increased heart rate will always help you lose weight and keep it off. You can either start a home workout today, or rely on gyms for fitness training.

Weight loss tip 6: Alter your snacking habits - At Health Me Up, we have several healthy snacking ideas for you. Set those French fries aside, skip that aerated drink, and ban those unhealthy deep fried samosas. Explore the healthy snack world and you will find several appetisers, party snacks, movie snacks and meal accompaniments that'll satisfy every craving of yours.

Weight loss tip 7: Have at least one active hobby - It isn't sufficient to rely on just 30 to 60 minutes of physical activity per day. Moving from bed to office chair, and back to bed, isn't a healthy way to live. Buy a motion sensor gaming console that lets you enjoy social games with friends and family, plan weekend trips, clean your house once a week, dance, play sports, the list is endless. Get out of the coffee shop and dining table rut, and you'll have fun along with the healthy weight loss.

Weight loss tip 8: Find a solution to combat stress - As we pointed out in our post about stress and weight loss, stress is always detrimental to healthy weight loss in the long run. Find ways to combat stress and you'll soon realise that your diet and exercise aren't sabotaged anymore, and that you truly do see results. Look at yoga, meditation, deep breathing exercises, or simple hobbies like reading to fight stress.

Weight loss tip 9: Drink plenty of water - You've known that your body relies heavily on water for all important bodily functions, and yet you skimp on drinking adequate quantities of water every day. Well, it's time to stop that. Check out some exciting ways to make water interesting and you'll be packing it away in no time. Do not forget to carry a water bottle to your workout, and take a few sips after every 2-3 minutes of exercise.

Weight loss tip 10: Plan healthy vacations - Why go all the way with healthy weight loss, when one tiny vacation will just come along and topple it all? Healthy vacations aren't impossible. Take a look at how you can eat smart on a holiday, and then at bodyweight workouts that you can carry with you wherever you go, to understand how to holiday right. Above all, remember that these are lifelong habits that'll help you stay fit forever and not short term weight loss quickfixes

Man of Steel to soar into theaters next summer in 3d

Burbank: Warner Bros Pictures and Legendary Pictures announced today that director Zack Snyder's upcoming action adventure Man of Steel will be presented in 3D in select theaters, as well as in 2D and IMAX, so fans of the iconic superhero will be able to experience the much-anticipated movie in their format of choice. Snyder stated, "The film is going to be a visually exciting experience in all formats: 2D, 3D and IMAX. Anticipating how audiences today embrace 3D,

 we designed and photographed the movie in a way that would allow Man of Steel to captivate those movie goers, while respecting fans who prefer a more traditional cinematic experience. We've taken great measures to ensure the film and the story come first, and 3D is meant as an enhancement." The film stars Henry Cavill in the role of Superman/Clark Kent, alongside three-time Oscar nominee Amy Adams (The Fighter), Oscar nominee Michael Shannon (Revolutionary Road), Academy Award winner Kevin Costner (Dances with Wolves), 

Oscar nominee Diane Lane (Unfaithful), Oscar nominee Laurence Fishburne (What's Love Got to Do with It), Antje Traue, Ayelet Zurer, Christopher Meloni, Harry Lennix, Michael Kelly, Richard Schiff and Academy Award winner Russell Crowe (Gladiator). Man of Steel is produced by Charles Roven, Emma Thomas, Christopher Nolan and Deborah Snyder. The screenplay was written by David S Goyer, from a story by Goyer & Nolan, based upon Superman characters created by Jerry Siegel & Joe Shuster and published by DC Entertainment. Thomas Tull, Lloyd Phillips and Jon Peters are the film's executive producers. Warner Bros Pictures presents, in association with Legendary Pictures, a Syncopy Production, a Zack Snyder Film, Man of Steel. The film is slated for release beginning June 14, 2013 and will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros Entertainment Company.

Hugh Jackman likely to star in Les Miserables

Actor Hugh Jackman is reportedly in talks to play the lead role in director Tom Hooper's forthcoming movie, which is an adaptation of Victor Hugo's 'Les Miserables'. Jackman, 42, is most likely to reprise the role of 


Jean Valjean, the intrepid protagonist on the run during the French Revolution. 'Les Miserables' is all about Jean Valjean, who steals bread to feed his sister and spends the ensuing years in prison while also becoming the guardian of a young woman named Cosette, all against the backdrop of a 19th century French rebellion. If he closes a deal, Jackman would be the first to officially go on board. This yet-to-be titled film will be produced by Cameron Mackintosh. William Nicholson penned the script based on the Mackintosh-produced film. The 1998 bigscreen version of Hugo's novel starred Liam Neeson, Geoffrey Rush and Uma Thurman and managed only USD 14 million at the domestic box office. 

Mancini's hairdryer treatment

Premier League Spotlight previews the weekend's top-flight fixtures, highlighting the key points to keep an eye on as the action unfolds

Manchester City: Smart Alec

Mario Balotelli and Roberto Mancini: If looks could kill

Was Roberto Mancini's selection of Mario Balotelli for the Manchester derby just another part of a vanity project? Alongside the scarf and the hairdryer, the choosing of his temperamental compatriot was a decision that made sense only to him, with Carlos Tevez going from in-form to fall guy.

Of course, when Mario was hauled off just minutes into the second half, some spluttered and couldn't wait to scrawl yet another chapter in the Balotelli fable following his so-called diabolical showing.

In fact, he did not play as badly as the hyperbole would have you believe. And so the narrative following City's first Premier League defeat of the season - and their first at home in the league since they lost to Everton in December 2010 - should not have been about the man who drives a camouflaged Bentley. No, the blame should have lain at the door of Mancini, the man who must defend their domestic crown following an embarrassingly poor showing in the Champions League.

A trip to Newcastle United - opponents desperately out of form - awaits Mancini and his men on Saturday lunchtime. The Magpies have notched only one win in seven outings, with five of those games ending in defeat, so perhaps this will prove to be the ideal opportunity for the champions to get back on track. Indeed, City have fond recent memories of St James' Park, as the corresponding fixture last campaign proved decisive in the title race as Yaya Toure took the match by the scruff of the neck prior to the big finale versus QPR.

Queens Park Rangers: Doomed?

This is getting a bit silly now. QPR are 16 (sixteen) top-flight fixtures without a victory, a record for the longest winless start to a Premier League season. Plainly, the burden of the blame is not with new manager Harry Redknapp, but his first three games in charge, against Sunderland, Aston Villa and Wigan Athletic, were all winnable. One wonders whether those missed opportunities have already condemned Rangers, who invested so much in the summer, to the drop, despite it being only December.

The chance for a first win in SEVENTEEN comes against Fulham this weekend, with the Cottagers tepid having been off the boil of late - their win over Newcastle on Monday was a first in eight attempts. And with owner Tony Fernandes branding their season "nothing short of a disaster" the pressure dial is already turned to 'downright sweaty' ahead of three (on paper) easier fixtures before they take on Liverpool, Chelsea then Tottenham after Christmas.

Reading v Arsenal: Lose-lose

Arsenal continue to write themselves into this weekly column, such is their knack for recording new low after new low - it is as though they are partaking in their very own game of limbo, but instead of applause for each low surpassed, the reaction is a cocktail of tears and bile.

After their genuine humiliation (with all due respect to Bradford, who were excellent and worthy of their win) in the League Cup in midweek, the calls for Arsene Wenger to step down have got louder and have also begun to emanate from parties with more considered views than the knee-jerkers.

The repercussions of struggling Reading inflicting defeat on the Gunners on Monday would be quite something - Twitter might just swallow itself in a torrent of rage/laughter.

Wenger was typically, frustratingly, shamefully defensive of his players after their loss in Yorkshire, and that was what most got up the noses of the Arsenal contingent - well, that and the spineless performance of a crop of players of whom some are arguably not fit to scrub the boots of Arsenal legends to have played under Wenger in the past.

For Reading, too, matters are looking bleak. To travel to non-scorers Sunderland and concede three sets off alarm bells so loud that the ears begin to bleed Santa red. Brian McDermott's men are now six points from safety and, speaking after the Sunderland result, the manager's admission that he is already looking ahead to the January transfer window is not a great sign.

"The club made a decision in the summer - we didn't invest in the summer," he said. "We all know that January is a difficult window. We are fighting a battle here. That will be down to the owner to see where we are at. I believe we need to do that."

Tottenham: Attention span

Andre Villas-Boas' side have made a habit of late concessions

When people discover a half-interesting statistic, they grab it with both hands and wave it about for all it's worth. Spurs have the following: If Premier League games had ended at 80 minutes this season, Andre Villas-Boas and his men would be top... but they have conceded 40% of their goals in the final 15 minutes.

Gallingly for their boss, following an upturn in form which sees them in fifth spot, their habit of late collapses threatens to become a psychological problem that could persist despite AVB's attempts to stress that is not the case.

West Brom: Grinding to a halt

Having lost three on the spin off the back of four consecutive victories, it appears that the wheels might be about to come off West Brom's impressive start to the campaign.

Along their merry way this season, manager Steve Clarke has kept calm about the unexpected rise, understandably exuding clichés such as "one game at a time". It was as if he knew this slump would come - but, despite their recent stagnation, they are still sixth in the table, just three points below Chelsea. The key now is to halt the decline, for it is easier to tumble down a hill than climb up it. A chance to slam on the brakes comes at home to West Ham on Sunday.

Research or Outlier?

"What are you doing?" my girlfriend asked on Thursday evening, while I was frantically navigating across seven different browser windows on my laptop. "You know what I am doing, vida mia, research for the Quiniela." "Does it make any difference?" she fired.

I started to stutter, searching for an answer, but she went on: "You spend hours reading all those interviews, stats, previews and godknowswhat, but how can you be sure that it really makes a difference? Have you tried 10 random results?"

Silence in the room.

"Last week I spent more time than usual and got seven out of ten, dear", I finally managed to answer.

"Yes, I remember a similar phenomenon from the statistics class in Uni. It's called anOutlier" (rather than saying the word she almost spelled it, slow motion).

Ouch.

Now in order to prove that research does matter, I need to go over six again this week. My beloved better half also remembers that the chances of two consecutive outliers in a random series of numbers are really, really small. Fingers crossed, a poor result this week and I could be strongly advised to write research-free Quinielas from now on.

Shall we? Remember, it's '1' for a home win, 'X' for a draw and '2' for an away win.

1. Getafe (7th) - Osasuna (16th): 1.

Getafe may find themselves in the Europa League if they can score regularly

Just a striker away from becoming a legitimate contender to the Europa League spots, Getafe keep exceeding expectations, but haven't managed to make it really big yet. To some of us it appeared as though they gave away the Copa del Rey against Atletico de Madrid on Wednesday, which from the cynical standpoint might have been a wise decision: more energy in store for La Liga. They will need it to break Osasuna's deadlock, tough as they get, but less productive in their trips away from Pamplona - only four points in seven matches.

2. Mallorca (17th) - Athletic de Bilbao (14th): 1.

An indeed disappointing duo will meet in Son Moix on Saturday evening, as both sides have consistently let down their fans this season.

In Athletic's case, the turmoil that accompanies the club since the summer sees no end. This week, Fernando Llorente made one of those 'Old News' press conferences, in which he gave us a huge scoop: he'll leave in June. Even though 80% of La Liga followers and 99% of Athletic supporters already knew that, the 'announcement' prompted several talking heads to examine whether Athletic's model is becoming obsolete. Their current top performers, who now want to compete in sides with no limitations to sign players, have clearly forgotten the lifetime dedication of the players of yore.

For us, football romantics, Athletic's philosophy deserves preservation at all costs. For those involved in its daily shortcomings, trapped in a ten-year career with scarce prospects of winning silverware on a consistent basis, the picture looks less rosy.

Back to the match-up, the Athletic that last year impressed on several European pitches, including obviously Old Trafford, have become the third worst visitors of La Liga, looking disjointed in their trips. Former Athletic boss Joaquin Caparros, now leading Mallorca, has the chance to buy some time and add more trouble to Marcelo Bielsa's growing pile of concerns.

3. Granada (18th) - Real Sociedad (9th): X.

The most perplexing non-development of the week: Juan Antonio Anquela has kept his job as Granada's coach. Right after their 4-0 defeat in Malaga and after 380 minutes without scoring, most sports newspapers had already written the text of Anquela's firing, just like most media outlets already had Ravi Shankar's and Oscar Niemayer's obituaries ready - by the way, the world lost big time this week.

Granada's president Quique Pina did not pull the trigger, but as we saw last weekend, most of their starters already treat their coach in the most 'dead man walking' way possible. Great chance for Real Sociedad to win at least a point away, while putting the last nail on Anquela's coffin.

4. Sevilla (11th) - Málaga (4th): 2.

Isco continues to impress for Malaga this season

So far, Sevilla's season has confirmed two facts we suspected: A) Great scouting is now more widespread, and therefore not a difference-maker anymore, but a prerequisite to feature among the top six. Sevilla used to leverage their impressive skills on that front, but they usually compete with another two or three teams to get whichever almost unknown, but competent player your scouts have spotted. Price goes up and you can no longer get away with loan deals or free signings for decent players. B) Their boss Michel, tactically smart and very skilful with the press, still needs to polish his ability to lead the dressing room, controlling his tendency to throw the team under the bus after defeats, a dangerous motivational approach with a time bomb attached to it.

Malaga look inspired again, Isco is back in top form and Manuel Pellegrini's system takes care of the defensive duties. With the memory of the derby against Betis already faded, I can't see Sevilla winning this one.

5. Zaragoza (12th) - Levante (6th): X.

A couple of weeks ago and after two full seasons struggling to overcome my own denial, I finally decided to grant Levante Powerhouse Status in La Liga. This means that they are automatic favourites at home, and that they deserve at least an 'X' when they play away, as long as they face any team not named Barcelona or Real Madrid. Even though Zaragoza sits in the middle of Barcelona and Madrid, that does not qualify the Blanquillos to trump Levante's Powerhouse status, but Manolo Jimenez's team fights the good fight and should play a couple of tactical tricks on the visitors. Both will be fine with a draw.

6. Valencia (10th) - Rayo Vallecano (13th): 1.

The visitors seem destined to live between 8th and 15th spot, always depending on two good or two terrible defensive matches. If they signed a couple of defenders in the winter transfer window, they could become a quite solid team, but they lack the funds. Valencia, on the contrary, have the personnel, and now hope to have found the right leader in boss Ernesto Valverde, who has raised the spirits with consecutive wins since he took over. The Ches should exploit Rayo's defensive frailties with ease at the Mestalla.

7. Real Madrid (3rd) - Espanyol (19th): 1.

The magic spell between Florentino Perez and Jose Mourinho looks fatally broken. The divorce process, which could easily end up outclassing The War of the Roses in both bitterness and drama, has already started, and the media keeps broadcasting it in detail. Given that there's still a good six months until the season is over, the potential for backhanded compliments and flat out sour statements can't be exaggerated. If you love soap operas, just buckle up and enjoy.

Despite the Madridistas' poor performance in their midweek Copa del Rey fixture, we all know how this match will finish: it's Espanyol at the Bernabeu! Need I say more?

8. Barcelona (1st) - Atlético de Madrid (2nd): 1.

In-form forwards Radamel Falcao and Lionel Messi are set for an enticing showdown

The match of the weekend and in his own right one of the best match-ups each and every La Liga season finds Barcelona and Atletico leading the standings, six points apart. Rojiblancos aside, no one else believes they can mount a serious title challenge due to their bench's limitations - remember Cata Diaz at the Bernabeu? - but they've made it this far keeping their options open, and they enjoy playing against Barcelona almost as much as they detest facing Real Madrid.

Tito Vilanova has found a line-up that, even with David Villa sitting on the bench, makes the most out of the rest of the squad, integrating Cesc Fabregas into the team in a way that hadn't happened since the Catalan came back to the Camp Nou. Only a monster match from Radamel Falcao could keep Atletico in the fight, but he needs more out of his team than a certain Leo Messi to have an impact on the match. In any case, relax and enjoy. Should be a gem to watch.

9. Deportivo de La Coruña (20th) - Valladolid (8th): 2.

I will go out on a limb and say that Deportivo won't win this match and that boss Jose Luis Oltra will subsequently lose his job. During the last two months and after a reasonable start of the season, the hosts have made an art of playing poorly while squandering the few chances of scoring they create each match. The Deportivistas seem to have turned on Oltra, and a poor start on Sunday should create the perfect scenario for the solid Valladolid to make the most out of their visit to La Coruna.

10. Celta (15th) - Betis (5th): X.

In a mammoth two-hour radio Q&A session last weekend, Phil Ball stated that Betis could not last for the full season. I have been saying that for a couple of months already, but I am starting to feel as though last year's misjudgement over Levante is repeating itself with Betis. They show up every weekend, travel well and should be able to earn a point in Vigo, taking advantage of the more relaxed Celticos, after their famous win over Real Madrid.

Use this easy 'Copy and Paste' summary to write your own Quiniela and share it with us in the 'Comments' section. If you get 10 correct results your name will be mentioned in the following Quiniela column!

1. Getafe (7th) - Osasuna (16th):
2. Mallorca (17th) - Athletic de Bilbao (14th):
3. Granada (18th) - Real Sociedad (9th):
4. Sevilla (11th) - Málaga (4th):
5. Zaragoza (12th) - Levante (6th):
6. Valencia (10th) - Rayo Vallecano (13th):
7. Real Madrid (3rd) - Espanyol (19th):
8. Barcelona (1st) - Atlético de Madrid (2nd):
9. Deportivo de La Coruña (20th) - Valladolid (8th):
10. Celta (15th) - Betis (5th):

Last week: 7/10 (70%)

Villa stun Liverpool, QPR finally win

Manchester City closed the gap on rivals United for all of about two hours on Saturday as the Premier League's top two both won. The race for Champions League spots is going Everton's way after they picked up a valuable point at Stoke while Liverpool were hammered by Aston Villa, and at the bottom QPR earned their first league win of the season.

Manchester United's lead at the top remains at six points after they predictably put Sunderland to the sword at Old Trafford, winning 3-1. Nemanja Vidic made a return to the bench for his first appearance since September for United, and goals from Robin van Persie, Tom Cleverley and Wayne Rooney made it a comfortable afternoon.

The visitors started brightly but almost contributed to their own downfall after 11 minutes, with Steven Fletcher sending his attempted clearance at a corner straight to Patrice Evra. The French defender took a touch to set himself, but his shot from 12 yards was poor. The outcome arguably would have been different had Van Persie been on the end of the chance, but he did not have to wait long for an opening of his own, once again aided by a Sunderland error. Ashley Young delivered from the flank, and former United man John O'Shea failed to keep a leash on the Dutchman, who made no mistake from close range.

Within four minutes it was 2-0 and this time it was a goal of sheer quality, Cleverley exchanging a one-two with Michael Carrick before opening his body to curl into the far corner. Rooney then added a degree of comfort on the hour, allowing Sir Alex Ferguson to introduce Vidic who could not mark his return with a clean sheet as Fraizer Campbell netted a close-range consolation against his former side.

Manchester City reacted to last week's defeat against United by weathering a second-half storm from Newcastle, eventually winning 3-1 at St James' Park. Roberto Mancini fielded arguably the best attacking combination at his disposal, and it paid off in an impressive first-half display that saw Sergio Aguero and Javi Garcia on the scoresheet.

Newcastle, badly stricken by injury, were hopeless in defence and lucky not to be four or five down by half-time. But they showed superb spirit to halve the deficit through Demba Ba, and wasted several chances to equalise before Yaya Toure wrapped up the points 12 minutes from time.

Aguero struck first in the 10th minute, tapping home Samir Nasri's selfless square pass after Toure's raking ball had split the home rearguard, and Carlos Tevez should then have made it two. Chances kept coming, with Nasri hitting an upright after a David Silva pass, while Tevez was foiled again by Tim Krul, who denied the Argentinian after Silva had played him clean through.

A second goal was inevitable but when it arrived it came with a tinge of hilarity as Javi Garcia sent his header goalwards at a corner, with Davide Santon completely missing his clearance with his swinging leg.

Newcastle responded early in the second period, with Ba heading past Joe Hart from Fabricio Coloccini's hopeful hook into the box. They should have levelled immediately when Papiss Cisse slashed wildly over from close to the penalty spot, but City eventually killed the game off on the break, Yaya Toure stretching to divert Pablo Zabaleta's cutback through the legs of Krul for three much-needed points.

Adel Taarabt sent QPR on their way to a first win of the season

Brendan Rodgers said on Friday that Liverpoolwere targeting second place in the table - not fourth, but he will have to drastically rethink those plans after they lost 3-1 to relegation strugglers Aston Villa at Anfield. In a game that will call into question the future of Rodgers, Christian Benteke (2) and Andreas Weimann ensured Villa moved three points clear of the relegation zone while Liverpool fall to 12th.

Liverpool started quickly on home soil and almost led when Steven Gerrard linked with Luis Suarez, only to see his shot saved by Brad Guzan. Suarez then missed a better chance midway through the first half, sending a tame half-volley at Guzan after Jonjo Shelvey laid it on a plate with a cushioned layoff.

Instead it was Villa who struck first, Benteke firing low past Pepe Reina from 20 yards to stun the Kop. It got worse too for Liverpool as Andreas Weimann first looped the ball over the bar after Glen Johnson's mistake, and then made it 2-0 after Benteke's delightful backheel split the home side wide open.

Rodgers sent on Joe Cole to change things at the break, but Benteke strolled through some woeful Liverpool defending early in the second period for number three. The margin of victory could have been wider by full-time but Steven Gerrard's late flick ensured that Liverpool avoided equalling their heaviest home defeat in Premier League competition.

Liverpool are now five points adrift of fourth-placed Everton after David Moyes' side drew 1-1 with Stoke at the Britannia. A Ryan Shawcross own goal sent the Toffees on their way, but Kenwyne Jones equalised for Stoke.

An early penalty shout was raised by Everton in a tetchy start, but when that appeal was waved away they kept pressing until Shawcross gave them a helping hand moments before the break. Steven Pienaar's cross was sent into a dangerous area, and the ball skidded off the top of Shawcross' head to give the visitors a 36th-minute lead.

Stoke responded seven minutes into the second half through Jones, who towered above the Everton defence to capitalise on Tim Howard's hesitancy in the visitors' net. Moyes will likely be satisfied with a point, but he can expect to see Marouane Fellaini suspended retrospectively at some stage next week after he appeared to headbutt Ryan Shawcross.

At the bottom, QPR's wait for a first league win of the season is over after they beatFulham 2-1 at Loftus Road. Harry Redknapp's first three games in charge of Rangers all ended in draws, but Adel Taarabt's brace means they are five points adrift of safety after 17 games.

Taarabt, the man Harry Redknapp once sold at Tottenham, was the most dangerous player on the pitch throughout the 90 minutes, and he carried the ball 20 yards before sending a deflected shot past Mark Schwarzer for a 52nd-minute opener. The enigmatic attacker then added a sublime second, producing a clever drag on the edge of the area before using the outside of his boot to find the far corner. Mladen Petric's 88th-minute reply made for a frantic finale.

In the day's other game, Wigan remained in the bottom three after they lost 2-1 toNorwich at Carrow Road. Anthony Pilkington opened the scoring for the home side after 15 minutes, driving home powerfully following Bradley Johnson's interception.

Wigan responded moments after half-time, with Shaun Maloney sending a lovely strike past Mark Bunn from Arouna Kone's layoff, but Wes Hoolahan scored the winner in the 64th minute.

Nagpur Test, Day Three: England hit back in final session with quick wickets, Kohli gets century, Dhoni goes for 99

Credit also to the Englishmen, who managed to keep the intensity up till the very end despite being out there all day with little reward. Cook's direct hit that got the Indian captain was as sharp a throw as it can get, and it came in the penultimate over of the day. Only symbolic, really, of perhaps the fact that the England captain has been a foot ahead of his Indian counterpart throughout this series.

Kohli got his century, which was well deserved, but his dismissal perhaps disturbed Dhoni juts a little. But the 99 from the Indian skipper was worth a lot more than many other 100s, coming as it did in trying conditions. But from England's point of view, it was a good end to a tiring day.

So a dramatic day -- or rather, final hour -- ends. Day Three started with India battling to survive in the Test but Dhoni and Kohli batted almost through the day, scoring runs too, and almost took India to the point of taking a lead in the innings.  But after 198 runs in more than five hours and two and a half sessions, England are back on top of the game here. Four wickets fell in the final hour -- Kohli, Dhoni, Chawla and Jadeja -- but it was the Dhoni run out on 99 that would hurt the Indians the most.

END OF DAY'S PLAY

WICKET: CHAWLA B SWANN 1

Over 130.1: India 297/8; Ashwin 7Last over before stumps, Swann will get to bowl it, and for the first time, the minimum overs required has overshot the deadline. Blame all those countless drinks breaks. And Swann gets his third wicket, India's tail is running out fast and Chawla goes. Little turn after ptiching outside off and takes an outside edge to the off stump. Chawla came forward and got beaten, and that wraps up a successful session for England. Swann didn't even celebrate much, guess the Dhoni wicket in the previous over was simply too much even for them.

Stumps have been drawn five balls early, after that wicket. India are still 33 runs behind and eight wickets down.

WICKET: DHONI RUN OUT COOK 99

Over 130: India 297/7; Ashwin 7, Chawla 1More drama as the day ends, Dhoni goes for 99! The century he had been so patiently waiting for, after being in the 90s for more than an hour, never came as the Indian skipper played up on the off side and made a dash of it but Alastair Cook's direct hit beat him to the crease by centimetres and just a fraction of a second. Chawla is the man in and the tail is out, with England still in slender lead. 

Over 128: India 294/6; Dhoni 99, Ashwin 5
Anderson to Dhoni and takes a quick single through leg to get to 99, and he was looking for a second but decided against it. Ashwin ends the over with a single worked into square leg and keeps the strike, so Dhoni has to wait for his 100. 

So England are fighting back in the dying moments of the day's play, even though Dhoni is still there, batting on 98. India are still in arrears by 42 runs. Fifteen minutes, five overs left for the day and another wicket here can really bring out the Indian tail. Amazing what one wicket can do to turn a game and teams' moods around.

WICKET: JADEJA LBW B ANDERSON 12

Over 124: India 288/6; Dhoni 98
Anderson is in attack now and Dhoni, on 97, starts the over with a quick single. Little short outside off and cut through covers. Andeson wraps the over with a wicket, and Ravindra Jadeja's first international outing in Tests is over for 12. Pitched on off and shaped back in, Jadeja was caught on the crease  and rapped on the pad. R Ashwin comes out and he can play a long innings.

The deficit for India is under 50 now.

Over 120: India 281/5; Dhoni 95, Jadeja 8
Bresnan to Jadeja, the only Indian to score three triple centuries in first-class cricket. Back of length outside off and slashes hard at it, gets a big edge for four runs. Works a single off front foot and Dhoni plays out the last three balls. 

The English are suddenly alive in the field and this match is still open. But Kohli has proved himself again, he  seems to love fourth Tests in a series (the Adelaide century, remember?) and he has given India a more than good-enough chance. India need to build on it and Dhoni needs to take charge.

A partnership of 198 is broken, and England would be extremely relieved.  These two were playing almost on autopilot, so much in sync with each other, that they seemed to be going on forever. They had batted for just under six hours together, two and a half sessions,  but can England make one wicket into two, or three?

WICKET: KOHLI LBW B SWANN 103

Over 117: India 269/5; Dhoni 91, Jadeja 0
Gone! England have the breakthrough, and it's Swann celebrating in the middle. First over after drinks, midway through the final session, and Swann strikes off the first ball. Came around the wicket and pitched on leg stump, just straightened a bit and hit Kohli on the pad, would have gone to the leg and middle. Kohli perhaps misread the line, expected a turn but it didn't happen and this partnership is over. Ravindra Jadeja walks in for his first over in Test cricket, and a wicket-maiden for Swann. 

Alastair Cook would be getting very very concerned now. The match is still not out of England's grasp, but it has been slipping out gradually for some time now, and it's petering out at a faster pace at the moment. Dhoni is nine away from a century and if he gets there, he can simply cut loose and play an innings that would end any talk of England win or series victory or anything like that. England don't want that.

Over 115: India 265/4; Kohli 100, Dhoni 90
Swann to Kohli, tossed up and flighted, no runs, then the third ball goes for four and Kohli gets his hundred. Touch short, not wide but Kohli makes room and smashes the ball in front of square for four and he gets his third Test century.

Graeme Swann reacts after being hit for a six by Dhoni.

 

Amazing, to even think of a declaration from India in their first innings! Who says miracles don't happen? Or rather, that India can't finally conjure up a pitch that suits them?

India lost their third wicket midway through Day Two, Gautam Gambhir going with the team score on 71, and then none. The English bowlers haven't really bowled badly, to be honest, just that these two have dug in so deeply and comfortably here that getting them moved out seems well-nigh impossible, It's something like what Pujara did in Ahmedabad, just twice as good, and will this partnership break ever or wil they go on to get a sizeable lead before declaring?

Over 110: India 255/4; Kohli 94, Dhoni 86
Monty to Kohli, who is on 93. Going down leg and flicked to short mid-on, then two defended, works a fuller delivery for a single to cover point. 

No one would have believed that two Indian batsmen would reach their individual centuries in the same innings of a Test in this series. Even more, they would do it almost together, holding hands as it were. But it seems to be happening here. Oh, well, the vagaries -- or beauty, depending on the point of view -- of Test cricket. 

Start of day, it would have been difficult to imagine this could happen. Now, it is on the verge of happening. These two, if they stay on till stumps, can not only wipe off the deficit but actually put India in lead here. And England do not look like being able to think of anything drastic to get either of them out. They are both in their 80s, the scores have been almost level since they came together -- amazing, which gives an idea of how well these two have not managed to rotate the strike but also get boundaries at almost the same pace. The race is now to who reaches 100 first.

Over 104: India 233/4; Kohli 80, Dhoni 78
A maiden from Panesar to Dhoni.

Over 103: India 233/4; Kohli 80, Dhoni 78
Anderson to Dhoni, straighter and nudged through square for a single. Then a pitched one and Kohli guides the ball through point for three runs. A single to complete the over. And the lead for England is now less than 100.

Over 102: India 228/4; Kohli 77, Dhoni 76
Monty to twirl from the other end, just a single worked to midwicket by Dhoni.

Over 101: India 220/4; Kohli 71, Dhoni 74
Anderson continues after tea and starts with a maiden against Kohli. Oh, well.

Dhoni scored his 8th Test fifty against England.

 

India are still 103 runs behind but England now really need to think of something special to keep their hold on the game. This tea break will be important for both teams, can Alastair cook up something magical here in the final session?

So, if the first session was the first in the series with no wickets, then this must be the only time when two entire sessions went through without a wicket. India are gradually coming back into the game here, Dhoni and Kohli have already played out the maximum balls they have faced individually in their Test careers so far. The second session also saw runs come off at a brisk pace, boundaries too, and India seem to have finally woken up to grit their teeth and get into fightback mode here, both these batsmen in their 70s now.

TEA 

Over 100: India 227/4; Kohli 77, Dhoni 75
The 100th over up for India, also the last before tea, and Panesar bowls. Tossed up and forward defended by Dhoni to short mid-off. Another ball and similar result. A maiden to end the session. 

Dhoni has now become the highest scorer in the match so far (KP and Root got 73 apiece for England). Impressive, given his go-out-and-hit'em ways usually.  He's been Captain Courageous for India here, but has it come too little, too late? There's Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja to come as well.

Over 97: India 220/4; Kohli 71, Dhoni 74
Bresnan to Kohli, single clipped to leg. Two to Dhoni, outside off and cut to third man. 

There is no discomfort here either against the seamers or the pacemen, and England need to think of a way to break this partnership if they want to make the series their own. Dhoni and Kohli, if they really get going, and they are already showing signs of doing so, can even turn this match India's way. From just over 2 an over, India have been going at a healthy four-plus an over for the last 10 overs here.

This Indian partnership must be worrying Alastair Cook now. England are not under pressure, they don't have to necessarily win this Test, but Dhoni and Kohli here are close to 150 runs for the fifth wicket and England's lead is gradually eroding. What would be more of a concern is the way these two have been easily accumulating the runs, with boundaries coming at will.

Over 93: India 208/4; Kohli 66, Dhoni 68
Dhoni has decided to go after Swann now, this is a bit like the Dhoni of old. Kohli cuts to third man for three runs off the first ball, then Dhoni stands his place and smashes a tossed up delivery for a huge six. Two more singles make it a productive over for India, and Dhoni's now asked for assistance, might be cramping up just a little bit.

Over 90: India 191/4; Kohli 62, Dhoni 59
Bresnan to Dhoni, maiden. There is not much to write any more than that. Yawn.

That's the first Indian century partnership since Ahmedabad. And Dhoni's slowest 50.

Over 85: India 177/4; Kohli 53, Dhoni 54Bresnan to Dhoni and pulled a short ball to backward square for a single, and Dhoni moves to 49, and the 100 comes up for this partnership. Its been a very crucial partnership for India's hopes and needs to continue. A single from Kohli later, Dhoni goes back on the backfoot, and a short wide ball is punched for a four through the offside to bring up half century. His 28th fifty in Tests, eighth against England. 

Virat Kohli plays a shot on Day Three.

Over 82: India 167/4; Kohli 52, Dhoni 45The new ball is taken finally and the helmets are on for close-in fielders. Anderson to bowl. Short, wide to start with, and goes over cover point for four. Fuller and straighter the rest and Dhoni has no more runs, he is on 45 now. 

Over 77: India 153/4; Kohli 51, Dhoni 33Virat Kohli gets his fifty, finally. Dhoni took a single off Panesar's penultimate ball, and Kohli stepped up and drove one through the off side, timed and placed perfectly for a four. That's his 6th Test fifty, and it's come in 170-odd balls, so that's been a patient innings, just what the doctor ordered.

Over 75: India 148/4; Kohli 47, Dhoni 32Swann to Dhoni, tossed up and tapped to mid-off and a neaky single.

Over 75: India 147/4; Kohli 47, Dhoni 31panesr from the other end, change of ends for him. And a maiden to Kohli, who is three away from a fifty.

Over 74: India 147/4; Kohli 47, Dhoni 31
Swann starts against Kohli. Defends on the front foot, tehn takes a single off the last ball, driven to square leg and keeps the strike. 

So it's been an India session here on Day Three. Kohli and Dhoni have batted nicely, cautously but at decent pace, and Kohli is now four short of a well-deserved half ton. The partnership has gone up to 75, patience is being rewarded here and India would be pleased not to lose a wicket there. England, on the other hand, have tried everything, the bowling has been fine but they haven't managed that much-nneded wicket. Second seccion session will be crucial to see if India collapse, again, or get a firm grip on this match.

LUNCH

Over 73: India 146/4; Kohli 46, Dhoni 31
Cook threw the ball to Trott for the alst over of the day yesterday, and today, he has decided to end the first session with a Joe-Root over. Off-spin from the debutant, and five off that over. And lunch.

Over 70: India 139/4; Kohli 44, Dhoni 26
Panesar to Kohli, flighted, defended back to bowler. Twice. Drives one from full wide off for a single.

Over 65: India 132/4; Kohli 38, Dhoni 25
Swann to Dhoni, over the wicket, waits the first five balls for the right delivery, then Swann comes around the wicket and Dhoni goes on to the backfoot and punches one hard through the covers for a four.

These two are beginning to settle in but there's stil along way to go before India save this Test. The ball is beginning to get a little more turn. though the craks -- the ones that threatened to open up on Day One itself -- are yet to fulfill their promise. The interesting thing is, it is easy to drop anchor on this pitch and keep defending. But trying to score, or forcing a wicket, are both an onerous business. 

Over 60: India 121/4; Kohli 32, Dhoni 20Panesar to Kohli, uppish but falls short of short cover. The next, slower, dips and turns, beating the edge, and Panesar is getting the ball to do something here. Kohli defends the next three balls as well, then takes a single off the last past slip, and it's 50-up for this partnership. 

Sachin Tendulkar was dismissed by James Anderson for the ninth time in Tests.

Over 58: India 113/4; Kohli 24, Dhoni 20Panesar to Dhoni, full and defended, short and punched to cover, flighted and slower, quicker, flighted and pushed through covers for a single and then another single by Kohli. Two off the over. 

Over 55: India 106/4; Kohli 19, Dhoni 18And now we have Graeme Swann. A bye to Kohli, Swann ripped that one and hit him on the pads. DHoni then punches one through the covers, going on the backfoot to a short ball and getting his third boundary. 

Over 50: India 96/4; Kohli 14, Dhoni 14Tim Bresnan comes on for the first time on Day Three. And starts with a maiden to Kohli, who is still coming to terms with Anderson and now has to adjust to the slower pace and fuller ball from Bresnan. 

Over 46: India 93/4; Kohli 11, Dhoni 10Another maiden, this time from Anderson to Dhoni, who fends off all balls -- full, short, on the middle and wide of off -- on the front foot.

Over 45: India 93/4; Kohli 11, Dhoni 10
Panesar continues and it's a maiden to Kohli, who is being uncharacteristically quiet and cautious.

Over 44: India 93/4; Kohli 11, Dhoni 14
The ball isn't carrying, like it did on Day Two, and Prior has come up to Anderson. Dhoni gets a four with a thick outside edge, the first boundary for the day.

Over 43: India 89/4; Kohli 11, Dhoni 10
Panesar has the ball from the other end, so it's going to be pace-spin combo for India. Another single off the over. Short ball, looking to cut but it came back in, Dhoni manages to punch it to mid-off for a quick single.

Over 42: India 88/4; Kohli 11, Dhoni 9
Anderson starts off and Dhoni works the first ball for a single. Reverse swinging rightaway, DHoni just managed to get an inside edge onto the pad. Kohli sees off the rest of the over. 

Ashwin and Dhoni walk out to carry on the rebuilinding task. Anderson gets the ball rightaway.

What India need is someone, anyone, to hang around at the crease for a long time. The situation is tailormade for someone like Virat Kohli to prove his worth all over again, after the Australia series. Will he do it? India would be hoping he does. But Anderson's been a man on a mission here, scattering the Indian top-order like frightened foot soldiers in the wake of a rampaging cavalier. He's also reinforced the image of Sachin Tendulkar being his bunny, with nine Test dismissals of the Little Master.

The second day ended with England firmly in control of this match and on course to winning the series. Unless, of course, the Indian tail wags as well as the English one. India are in trouble. That's for the nth time in this series. They still have Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni at the wicket, with the scoreboard showing 87/4, and R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja to follow, there's hope.

India Today brings you live coverage of the fourth and final Test between India and England from the VCA Stadium, Nagpur.