Sport

  • Riled Scots will give England a rough ride
    Friday, 12th March 2010
    Scrum-half legend Kyran Bracken tells Jon Couch what Martin Johnson’s men can expect at Murrayfield
    JON COUCH
    KYRAN BRACKEN has warned England to expect a cauldron of hate when they step out at Murrayfield for the Calcutta Cup showdown tomorrow. The former England scrum-half believes the Scots are still smarting from their shock defeat in Italy a fortnight ago and will be gunning for revenge against the Auld Enemy. “Murrayfield’s a horrible place for England to go, especially having lost there two years ago and arriving on the back of a defeat to Ireland,” Bracken told City A.M. “The Calcutta Cup has always had a great tradition but the fact that both sides need to win gives this game a little added... [Read more]

  • Hostility may help England
    Friday, 12th March 2010
    KICKING INTO TOUCH WITH
    BRENDAN VENTER
    THERE’S been a lot of talk about the hostile atmosphere awaiting England at Murrayfield on Saturday, but I think playing away from Twickenham will actually help Martin Johnson’s men this weekend.... [Read more]
  • Juve defeat leaves Fulham teetering
    Friday, 12th March 2010
    EUROPA LEAGUE
    FRANK DALLERES
    JUVENTUS (3) VS FULHAM (1) FULHAM will have to pull off arguably the greatest result in their 131-year history when Juventus visit Craven Cottage next week if their European adventure is to continue... [Read more]
  • Reds sunk by Hazard but Rafa content
    Friday, 12th March 2010
    EUROPA LEAGUE
    LILLE (1) vs LIVERPOOL (0) LIVERPOOL boss Rafael Benitez insisted he was pleased with his players despite seeing them beaten for the second time in four days. The Reds face an uphill challenge to... [Read more]

  • Button: 2010 will be a belter
    Friday, 12th March 2010
    FORMULA 1 2010
    FRANK DALLERES
    WORLD champion Jenson Button believes a ferocious level of competition will make the 2010 season one of the most thrilling of all time. Button is preparing to begin his maiden title defence this... [Read more]
  • ‘I’m in the form of my life, claims gold medal hopeful Meadows
    Friday, 12th March 2010
    ATHLETICS EXCLUSIVE
    Jon Couch
    BRITISH hope Jenny Meadows insists she is in the form of her life as she goes for gold in?Doha. The 28-year-old followed up her world 800m bronze medal in Berlin last August by beating Kelly Holmes’s... [Read more]
  • Woods set for shock return in 11 days’ time
    Friday, 12th March 2010
    GOLF
    ABSENT world No1 Tiger Woods is being tipped to make a surprise comeback in less than two weeks’ time. Woods plans to play the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill near his home in Florida, which... [Read more]
  • SPORT | IN BRIEF
    Friday, 12th March 2010
    Champions end British bid
    HOCKEY: Reigning champions Germany ended England’s World Cup hopes with a 4-1 semi-final victory in New Delhi. Germany now play Australia in the final, while Britain take on the Netherlands in a... [Read more]
  • SPORT | IN BRIEF
    Friday, 12th March 2010
    Thomas out of Cheltenham
    RACING: Jockey Sam Thomas will miss the Cheltenham Festival after suffering a neck injury in a fall at Paul Nicholls' yard. Thomas, who rode Denham to Gold Cup glory in 2008, was due to ride Tricky... [Read more]
  • SPORT | IN BRIEF
    Friday, 12th March 2010
    HMRC relent in Pompey row
    FOOTBALL: Portsmouth’s hopes of survival received a huge boost yesterday after Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs announced it would not be pursuing its High Court dispute over the validity of the... [Read more]
  • Unstoppable Rooney rips into Milan
    Thursday, 11th March 2010
    CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
    FRANK DALLERES
    MANCHESTER UTD (4) vs AC MILAN (0) Man Utd win 7-2 on aggregate WAYNE Rooney ensured David Beckham’s long-awaited return to Old Trafford was far more bitter than sweet as Manchester United’s latest... [Read more]
  • I’m haunted by Scots loss, admits Wilko
    Thursday, 11th March 2010
    SIX NATIONS2010
    JON COUCH
    JONNY WILKINSON says England’s defeat by Scotland at Murrayfield two years ago was one of the most painful experiences of his career. It was the afternoon when the fly-half broke the world record for... [Read more]
  • Arsenal’s Gazidis preaching simple solution to football’s debt problem
    Thursday, 11th March 2010
    Gunners CEO on American owners, Wenger’s new contract, Fabregas staying and why new rules will help
    FRANK DALLERES
    IT seems apt that Ivan Gazidis first fell in love with football at Portsmouth. His boyhood club’s grim descent into administration has laid bare the financial mismanagement prevalent even at the top... [Read more]
  • Onions cries off as Broad faces late test
    Thursday, 11th March 2010
    CRICKET
    JON COUCH
    ENGLAND seamer Stuart Broad appears to be winning his battle to be fit for tomorrow’s first Test with Bangladesh. The 23-year-old suffered a back injury during the one-day international series,... [Read more]
  • Wenger boys have the momentum
    Thursday, 11th March 2010
    ON THE BALL WITH TREVOR STEVEN
    TREVOR STEVEN
    Trevor Steven
    HE’S been questioned all season, but suddenly there seems to be method in Arsene Wenger’s madness. Despite suffering plenty of knocks along the way, Wenger has stayed loyal to his Arsenal players and... [Read more]
  • Williams: We’ll spoil the O’Driscoll party
    Thursday, 11th March 2010
    SIX NATIONS2010
    JON COUCH
    STAND-IN Wales captain Martyn Williams has vowed to spoil Brian O’Driscoll’s home party at Croke Park on Saturday. Irish skipper O’Driscoll will make his 100th international appearance in the crunch... [Read more]
  • Binocular and Solwhit eye up Champion Hurdle hopes
    Thursday, 11th March 2010
    RACING
    JON COUCH
    DOUBTFUL duo Binocular and Solwhit have both been left in the Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle at the six-day stage after both impressed their trainers this week. Binocular had been expected to miss the... [Read more]
  • Pakistan duo receive bans for life
    Thursday, 11th March 2010
    CRICKET
    FORMER Pakistan captains Younis Khan and Mohammad Yousuf have been sensationally barred from playing for their country for life as part of a crackdown on player discipline. The experienced pair,... [Read more]
  • Semi-final place is the minimum requirement, insists boss Capello
    Thursday, 11th March 2010
    INTERNATIONALS
    ENGLAND coach Fabio Capello has targeted a semi-final place at this summer’s World Cup – at the very least. The Three Lions are among the favourites in South Africa but have failed to make it past... [Read more]
  • Chester are liquidated by HMRC
    Thursday, 11th March 2010
    FOOTBALL FINANCE
    CHESTER CITY were wound-up by the High Court yesterday, although Cardiff City and Southend United were handed lifelines. Blue Square Premier side Chester owed HM Revenue & Customs £26,125 in... [Read more]
  • McIlroy sets sights on Doral
    Thursday, 11th March 2010
    GOLF: Rory McIlroy says he is looking forward to his match-up with world No3 Phil Mickelson when the pair go head-to-head at the WGC-CA Championship. The Northern Irish youngster has been paired with... [Read more]
  • Athletes set Euro medal target
    Thursday, 11th March 2010
    OLYMPICS: Great Britain’s athletes have been set a target of at least 10 medals at this summer’s European Athletics Championships by the national funding body. UK Sport wants between 10-15 medals... [Read more]
  • Baltacha through to Indian Wells
    Thursday, 11th March 2010
    TENNIS: British No1 Elena Baltacha qualified for the main draw of the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells after securing a 6-3, 6-4 win over Russian Ekaterina Bychkova. She will now play American... [Read more]
  • Portsmouth make 85 redundant
    Thursday, 11th March 2010
    ADMINISTRATORS at Portsmouth have been forced to make 85 staff redundant as a result of ongoing cost-cutting measures. Administrator Andrew Andronikou revealed Peter Storrie would remain as chief... [Read more]
  • Chelsea are up first
    Thursday, 11th March 2010
    HOLDERS Chelsea will take on Aston Villa in the first FA?Cup semi-final at Wembley on 10 April (ko 5pm). The following day sees 2008 winners. Portsmouth face either Fulham or Tottenham, with a 4pm... [Read more]
  • Clarets toast Nugent leveller
    Thursday, 11th March 2010
    DAVID Nugent’s second half-header salvaged a first point in five matches for Burnley in a 1-1 draw with Stoke. Tuncay put the visitors ahead in the 23rd miniute, heading home following a trademark... [Read more]
  • Bendtner hits hat-trick in Gunners romp
    Wednesday, 10th March 2010
    CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
    FRANK DALLERES
    ARSENAL (5) vs FC PORTO (0) Arsenal win 6-2 on agg MUCH-MALIGNED striker Nicklas Bendtner shot down his critics with a first career hat-trick as Arsenal overwhelmed Porto to reach the Champions... [Read more]
  • Beckham-mania leaves comeback king David excited by Old Trafford return
    Wednesday, 10th March 2010
    CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
    JON COUCH
    MANCHESTER UTD vs AC MILAN DAVID BECKHAM insists he will have no nerves when he faces Manchester United at Old Trafford for the first time with AC Milan tonight. The England midfielder makes his... [Read more]
  • Axed Moody’s reassured as Worsley gets nod for Scots
    Wednesday, 10th March 2010
    SIX NATIONS 2010
    JON COUCH
    ENGLAND coach Martin Johnson insists the door is not closed on Lewis Moody after the Leicester flanker was dropped for Saturday’s Calcutta Cup clash with Scotland. Moody was withdrawn after just 55... [Read more]
  • Capello given World Cup reassurance after England hit by bugging scandal
    Wednesday, 10th March 2010
    WORLD CUP
    FRANK DALLERES
    ENGLAND chiefs have been promised round-the-clock protection at this summer’s World Cup amid fresh security fears surrounding the squad. The Football Association has launched an investigation into... [Read more]
  • Sunderland end winless streak in style as Bent smashes a treble
    Wednesday, 10th March 2010
    PREMIER LEAGUE ROUND-UP
    SUNDERLAND striker Darren Bent plundered a hat-trick as the Black Cats ended a 15-match wait for a Premier League victory with a 4-0 rout of 10-man Bolton. Fraizer Campbell set the home side on their... [Read more]
  • Portsmouth won’t rule out European campaign
    Wednesday, 10th March 2010
    FA CUP
    CRISIS club Portsmouth insist they will not be kicked out of the FA Cup, although they are not eligible for European competition should they win the trophy. Cup rules state a club in administration... [Read more]
  • Pietersen flops again as hosts claim farcical draw
    Wednesday, 10th March 2010
    CRICKET
    KEVIN PIETERSEN failed with the bat once again as England were forced to settle for a draw in their three-day warm-up game with Bangladesh A in Chittagong. The Hampshire batsman had made just 49 runs... [Read more]
  • Tigers won’t be taken lightly
    Wednesday, 10th March 2010
    AT THE CREASE WITH ANDY LLOYD
    ANDY LLOYD
    Andy Lloyd
    AT the end of a competitive one-day series and a tough warm-up match against a second string side, England will have come away with plenty to ponder ahead of the first Test match, which starts on... [Read more]
  • Williams handed Wales captaincy
    Wednesday, 10th March 2010
    RUGBY UNION: Martyn Williams will be rewarded for breaking Colin Charvis’s Welsh Test forward cap record against Ireland on Saturday by leading his side out as captain at Croke Park. The 34-year-old... [Read more]
  • Khan lands New York showdown
    Wednesday, 10th March 2010
    BOXING: Britain’s Amir Khan will make his debut in the United States when he defends his WBA light-welterweight title against Paulie Malignaggi on 15 May. Khan, who won the title last July, takes on... [Read more]
  • England to take on Germany
    Wednesday, 10th March 2010
    HOCKEY: England will take on Olympic champions Germany in the World Cup semi-final tomorrow lunchtime. South Korea’s 2-1 victory over the Netherlands ensured the Germans finished top of Pool A, while... [Read more]
  • Mickelson wedge is banned
    Wednesday, 10th March 2010
    GOLF: World No3 Phil Mickelson has been banned from using his controversial 20-year-old wedge following a deal between manufacturer Ping and the PGA Tour. The American has been using a Ping Eye 2... [Read more]
  • Gerrard set to escape V-sign rap
    Wednesday, 10th March 2010
    LIVERPOOL captain Steven Gerrard is expected to escape punishment after he appeared to make an abusive gesture at referee Andre Marriner. Marriner is thought to have seen the gesture, during Wigan’s... [Read more]
  • Adebayor plays down Milan link
    Wednesday, 10th March 2010
    MANCHESTER City striker Emmanuel Adebayor has reaffirmed his commitment to the club, for the time being at least, after fresh speculation linking him with AC Milan. The Togo international, who has... [Read more]
  • King out for two more weeks
    Wednesday, 10th March 2010
    TOTTENHAM are planning to be without captain Ledley King for the next fortnight as they continue their drive for Champions League qualification. Centre-back King, who is hampered by a long-term knee... [Read more]
  • Losing Cesc is no excuse, fires Wenger
    Tuesday, 9th March 2010
    FOOTBALL
    JON COUCH
    ARSENAL vs FC PORTO Tonight, ko 7.45pm, Sky Sports 2 ARSENE WENGER insists the absence of captain Cesc Fabregas will not be used as an excuse for failure when Arsenal put their Champions League hopes... [Read more]
  • Injured Shaw misses out but Tindall gets the call
    Tuesday, 9th March 2010
    SIX NATIONS 2010
    JON COUCH
    ENGLAND lock Simon Shaw has lost his battle to be fit for Saturday’s Calcutta Cup clash with Scotland at Murrayfield after failing to recover from a shoulder injury. The 36-year-old was helped off in... [Read more]
  • Stars driven by thirst to repeat feats
    Tuesday, 9th March 2010
    FORMULA 1 2010
    FRANK DALLERES
    THE grid may have swelled to accommodate two more teams, but all eyes in this year’s Formula One season will be trained on four men, each desperate to prove very different points. Title-holder Jenson... [Read more]
  • Portsmouth make claim for Cup cash
    Tuesday, 9th March 2010
    FOOTBALL FINANCE
    DEBT-RIDDEN Portsmouth may be forced to make a special representation to the Football Association in order to keep the receipts from their storming FA Cup run. The cash-strapped club became the first... [Read more]
  • London developer steps up his bid to buy Rangers
    Tuesday, 9th March 2010
    FOOTBALL FINANCE
    SCOTTISH league leaders Rangers last night confirmed that majority shareholder Sir David Murray has opened discussions with London-based property developer Andrew Ellis about a possible takeover of... [Read more]
  • Rodallega lands heavy blow to Liverpool’s top four hopes
    Tuesday, 9th March 2010
    FOOTBALL
    FRANK DALLERES
    WIGAN ATH (1) vs LIVERPOOL (0) LIVERPOOL manager Rafael Benitez admitted his side did not deserve to be in the top four after their Champions League hopes were hit by a shock defeat at Wigan. Hugo... [Read more]
  • Satisfactory start after a draining 22-hour flight
    Tuesday, 9th March 2010
    ON THE GREENS WITH SAM TORRANCE
    SAM TORRANCE
    Sam Torrance
    AFTER a three-month winter lay-off, the Seniors Tour began in earnest at the Brunei Masters over the weekend, and it was great to be back competing again in a strong field. In hindsight, preparation... [Read more]
  • LTA launch Davis Cup probe
    Tuesday, 9th March 2010
    TENNIS: The Lawn Tennis Association are set to hold an internal enquiry following Great Britain’s “unacceptable” Davis Cup defeat to Lithuania at the weekend. The 3-2 loss left Britain in danger of... [Read more]
  • Idowu pulls out of Worlds
    Tuesday, 9th March 2010
    ATHLETICS: World triple jump champion Phillips Idowu has withdrawn from this weekend’s World Indoor Championships in Doha to spend more time with his new-born son. The 31-year-old said: “I am gutted... [Read more]
  • Stirling Moss recovers in hospital
    Tuesday, 9th March 2010
    FORMULA ONE: Racing legend Sir Stirling Moss is said to be recovering well in hospital after falling down a lift shaft at home, breaking both ankles. The 80-year-old fell three floors when the lift... [Read more]
  • ‘Exceptional leader’ Terry has last laugh
    Monday, 8th March 2010
    FA CUP QUARTER-FINAL
    JON COUCH
    JOHN TERRY insisted his armband goal celebration was aimed at baying Stoke fans and not England boss Fabio Capello as Chelsea eased into the last four of the FA Cup. Terry endured boos and abuse from... [Read more]
  • Ferguson rubbishes link with Red Knights’ bid
    Monday, 8th March 2010
    FOOTBALL FINANCE
    JON COUCH
    MANCHESTER UNITED boss Sir Alex Ferguson has furiously dismissed claims that he is backing a potential takeover of the club from a group of City financiers. Reports over the weekend claimed the Old... [Read more]
  • Carew treble stuns Long shot Royals
    Monday, 8th March 2010
    FA CUP QUARTER-FINAL
    Frank Dalleres
    HAT-TRICK hero John Carew admitted boss Martin O’Neill dished out a half-time rollicking as Aston Villa staged a remarkable second-half comeback at the Madejski Stadium. Championship minnows Reading... [Read more]
  • Moyes’ in a dilemma over Toffees favourite Donovan
    Monday, 8th March 2010
    PREMIER LEAGUE
    EVERTON boss David Moyes admits he faces an uphill battle to keep Landon Donovan at Goodison Park after the American helped set up this crushing victory. On-loan Donovan is wanted back by his club... [Read more]
  • Sharks sunk as Saints go marching on
    Monday, 8th March 2010
    RUGBY UNION
    JON COUCH
    NORTHAMPTON moved to within two points of Leicester at the top of the Guinness Premiership after inflicting an eighth straight defeat on Sale, who slumped to the bottom. Tries from wings Paul Diggin... [Read more]
  • Tredwell hits Tigers for six
    Monday, 8th March 2010
    CRICKET
    JON COUCH
    SPINNER James Tredwell staked his claim for an England Test place after impressing with a six-wicket haul on day one of the three-day warm-up match with Bangladesh A. The Kent player returned figures... [Read more]
  • British tennis slumps to new low
    Monday, 8th March 2010
    TENNIS
    JON COUCH
    BRITISH tennis plummeted to an all-time low yesterday after Dan Evans crashed to defeat in the decisive singles rubber to hand Lithuania a shock 3-2 victory in the Davis Cup. Evans crashed in five... [Read more]
  • Crouch deserves starting berth, says ‘66 hero Hurst
    Monday, 8th March 2010
    INTERNATIONALS
    SIR GEOFF HURST believes Tottenham’s Peter Crouch has earned the right to partner Wayne Rooney at this summer’s World Cup. Crouch scored twice in England’s 3-1 win over Egypt last Wednesday, taking... [Read more]
  • I haven’t been that Dyer, says injury-hit Kieron
    Monday, 8th March 2010
    PREMIER LEAGUE
    INJURY-PLAGUED Kieron Dyer has hit back at suggestions he has been a waste of money at West Ham and should consider early retirement. Dyer, 31, has played just seven games for the Hammers in two-and-... [Read more]
  • Legend Davis back at Crucible
    Monday, 8th March 2010
    SNOOKER: Six-time world champion Steve Davis clinched a 30th appearance at the Crucible after beating Adrian Gunnell in the World Championship final qualifying round. The 52-year-old was never behind... [Read more]
  • Wiggins seals third-place finish
    Monday, 8th March 2010
    CYCLING: Bradley Wiggins finished in the peleton to claim third place in the Tour of Mercia. The British Team Sky rider maintained his position following his time trial success on Saturday, finishing... [Read more]
  • Hull KR claim Saints victory
    Monday, 8th March 2010
    RUGBY LEAGUE: Ben Fisher’s try two minutes from time helped Hull KR come from behind to record to a 28-24 victory over St Helens in a thriller at Craven Park. In the other game, Matt King and Ben... [Read more]
  • Noh such worries for Seung-yul
    Monday, 8th March 2010
    GOLF: Korean Noh Seung-yul edged out compatriot KJ Choi by a single shot to win the Malaysian Open. The 18-year-old’s birdie on the final hole capped a fine 68 to take him to a 14-under-par total.... [Read more]