Hodgson finds magic formula in midfield trio February 6, 2013 LLAST night offered an exciting glimpse of exactly how I think Roy Hodgson wants England to play, a nervy 20 minutes aside. The midfield was very good indeed, with some terrific link-up play and great movement between Steven Gerrard, Jack Wilshere and Tom Cleverley. Gerrard looks very comfortable in front of the back four, while [...]
Wrangling over sums threatens top clubs’ vote February 6, 2013 ENGLAND’S top football clubs are today expected to take a historic vote on so-called financial fair play (FFP) measures, but agreement could yet be scuppered by differences over exactly how strict they should be. Representatives of all 20 Premier League clubs have discussed two different ways of reining in spending: restricting year-on-year wage bill rises [...]
Broad’s men in Twenty20 blow February 6, 2013 ENGLAND cricketer Michael Lumb insists they will not underestimate New Zealand after suffering defeat in their final warm-up match for the Twenty20 series. Jos Buttler and Eoin Morgan both hit half-centuries as England reached 170-5, but captain Stuart Broad’s 3-24 could not prevent a New Zealand XI claiming a three-wicket win off the final ball. [...]
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 [...]