I was right to quit Sky, says Cav February 6, 2013 CYCLING: Britain’s Mark Cavendish says his instant success at new team Omega Pharma-QuickStep has justified his decision to quit Team Sky. Cavendish took the overall lead in the Tour of Qatar yesterday with his second successive stage win – his third in a month with his new outfit. “I am really, really happy here right [...]
Strachan off to winning start February 6, 2013 FOOTBALL: New Scotland manager Gordon Strachan enjoyed a winning start to his reign last night after Charlie Mulgrew’s first-half strike earned a 1-0 friendly victory over Estonia. Tottenham’s Gareth Bale carried his club form onto the international stage with a goal and an assist as Wales beat Austria 2-1. Republic of Ireland beat Poland 2-0 [...]
Allardyce fined for cup comments February 6, 2013 FOOTBALL: West Ham boss Sam Allardyce has been fined £8,000 by the Football Association for his criticism of officials in last month’s FA Cup third-round defeat at Manchester United. Allardyce was angered at being refused a penalty and said: “You see it time and time again at Old Trafford.”
Wilshere will be one of best in world, says captain Gerrard February 5, 2013 ENGLAND captain Steven Gerrard has tipped his midfield partner Jack Wilshere to become one of the world’s great players as they prepare to start an international match together for the first time tonight. Gerrard and Wilshere are tasked with inspiring England to a first victory over Brazil since 1990 when the 2014 World Cup hosts [...]
Title-winning Juve boss Conte linked with Chelsea hot seat February 5, 2013 JUVENTUS manager Antonio Conte has emerged as the latest candidate to take over at Chelsea in the summer, according to reports in Italy. The 43-year-old, who masterminded the Turin side’s unbeaten 2011-12 title-winning campaign, is on a shortlist with former Blues boss Jose Mourinho, Swansea’s Michael Laudrup and Stamford Bridge hero Gianfranco Zola, the Gazzetta [...]
Buttler delivers on T20 promise February 5, 2013 HE HASN’T always had the easiest time in an England shirt, but the selectors stuck with wicketkeeper-batsman Jos Buttler and he has repaid that faith by starting the tour of New Zealand with a bang. England had to try alternatives to Craig Kieswetter, who has been left out of the short-form sides, and Buttler showed [...]
Prove you’re worth recalling, England coaches tell Tuilagi February 5, 2013 FIT-AGAIN England centre Manu Tuilagi has been told that the onus is on him to prove he deserves to be recalled to the starting XV for Sunday’s RBS Six Nations showdown with Ireland in Dublin. Tuilagi had been widely tipped to return in place of either Billy Twelvetrees or Brad Barritt for a match that [...]
Turning down England job still hurts, admits Scolari February 5, 2013 BRAZIL coach Luiz Felipe Scolari admits to still being tormented by his decision to turn down the England job, and hinted he would be open to taking charge of the Three Lions in future. Scolari, whose Portugal team knocked England out of successive major tournaments, held talks with the Football Association about succeeding Sven-Goran Eriksson [...]
Ireland sweat on centre pair February 5, 2013 IRELAND are giving injured centres Gordon D’Arcy and Keith Earls maximum time to prove their fitness for Sunday’s RBS Six Nations visit of England. D’Arcy suffered a dead leg and Earls a shoulder problem during Saturday’s 30-22 victory in Wales, and team manager Mick Kearney admitted both were still recuperating. “Gordon suffered a nasty dead [...]
Adlington retires and sets goal of improving kids’ swimming February 5, 2013 RETIRING double Olympic champion Rebecca Adlington is aiming to ensure all children in Britain are able to swim 25m before the age of 12. Adlington yesterday confirmed the end of her hugely successful competitive career, which also brought medals at world, European and Commonwealth level. The 23-year-old from Mansfield insists she is not retiring from [...]