Dalglish axed as door opens for AVB return May 16, 2012 FORMER Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas last night emerged as a leading contender to replace Kenny Dalglish after Liverpool’s American owners brought the Scot’s second spell in charge to an abrupt end. Newcastle’s Alan Pardew, Wigan’s Roberto Martinez and Swansea’s Brendan Rogers form a trio of rising stars also touted for the Anfield hot-seat, while ex-Reds [...]
Defiant Strauss eyeing lengthy run as captain May 16, 2012 UNDER-FIRE skipper Andrew Strauss insists he is nowhere near the point of relinquishing his captaincy, as he prepares to lead England into their first Test of the summer today at Lord’s against West Indies. Strauss concedes his position as leader and opening batsman has been put under pressure by an uncharacteristically dire run of form [...]
Roy’s right: too big a risk to take Ferdinand and Terry May 16, 2012 ENGLAND manager Roy Hodgson’s decision to take John Terry and not Rio Ferdinand to the European Championship has stirred a hornets’ nest but I believe he is right; it would have been asking for trouble to take both. I’m not talking about suggestions the pair would not get along or whether that came into Hodgson’s [...]
Race row did not influence Rio Euro 2012 snub, says Hodgson May 16, 2012 ENGLAND manager Roy Hodgson insists his shock decision to omit Rio Ferdinand from his Euro 2012 squad and pick John Terry was based solely on “footballing matters” and not the latter’s ongoing race row. Chelsea captain Terry made the 23-man list despite facing a criminal trial in July over allegations, which he denies, that he [...]
Formula One revving up for listing in two weeks’ time May 16, 2012 FORMULA One’s eagerly anticipated £6bn flotation in Singapore will take place earlier than expected within the next two to three weeks, City A.M. understands. It had been feared global market turbulence would cause the initial public offering to be delayed until after the summer but the listing has now been given the green light, according [...]
Peterson: I’m not a cheat and won’t hand back Khan belts May 16, 2012 AMERICAN boxer Lamont Peterson has rejected Amir Khan’s calls for him to return his WBA and IBF light-welterweight titles to the Englishman. Khan made the demand after their scheduled rematch, which had been due to take place on Saturday, was called off following Peterson’s failed drug test. Peterson insists he is not a cheat and [...]
West Indies attack confident of upsetting favourites England May 16, 2012 WEST Indies’ pace attack is sufficiently confident of skittling out England in the first Test that their bowlers are arguing over who will be first to bag a five-wicket haul. The tourists begin the match today as major underdogs but captain Darren Sammy revealed there is no shortage of confidence in his dressing room as [...]
Euro call-up is surreal, admits teenager Oxlade-Chamberlain May 16, 2012 UNCAPPED Arsenal starlet Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain admits he was stunned by his inclusion in England’s squad for next month’s European Championship. The 18-year-old, who has made just six Premier League starts, only found out yesterday morning when manager Roy Hodgson telephoned to break the good news. “I would have probably laughed if someone had told me [...]
Barton denies charge in bid to reduce ban May 16, 2012 QPR midfielder Joey Barton has accepted one charge of violent conduct from the Football Association but denied another in a bid to avoid a double-digit ban. Barton’s admission relates to his kick on Sergio Aguero following his red card against Manchester City on Sunday. His denial relates to an apparent attempt to headbutt Vincent Kompany [...]
Cavendish leads Giro points race May 16, 2012 CYCLING: Britain’s Mark Cavendish surged into a commanding lead in the race for the points jersey in yesterday’s Giro d’Italia 11th stage. Cavendish moved 12 ahead of Matt Goss as Italian Roberto Ferrari won the stage.