Strauss must use warm-up games to hone bowling attack January 4, 2012 ENGLAND may have only jetted into Dubai on Monday just a fortnight ahead of the first Test against Pakistan, but as ever under the meticulous guidance of head coach Andy Flower I’m confident they’ll have timed their preparations to perfection. Two weeks might seem like a quick turn around, but these England Test players were [...]
Barton to miss Newcastle return as ban appeal fails January 4, 2012 QPR captain Joey Barton will miss this month’s potentially combustible return to former club Newcastle after losing his appeal against a three-match ban. A Football Association panel rejected QPR’s claim of wrongful dismissal and ruled Barton’s suspension should start immediately. It means he will miss Saturday’s FA Cup third round trip to MK Dons, the [...]
Kaboul happy to win ugly in pursuit of Champions League January 4, 2012 TOTTENHAM defender Younes Kaboul believes his side’s new found ability to grind out results could prove the difference in their quest to return Champions League football to White Hart Lane next season. A 1-0 win over West Brom on Tuesday night saw Spurs take their festive haul to seven points from three games, despite failing [...]
Murray marches on with battling win over Muller January 4, 2012 TOP SEED Andy Murray insists he is beginning to shake off signs of early season ring rust after booking his place in the last eight of the Brisbane International with a laboured victory over Luxembourg’s Gilles Muller. Despite his upbeat assessment, it was another largely unconvincing performance from the British No1. Murray, as was the [...]
Bolton move off the bottom January 4, 2012 FOOTBALL: Bolton overcame the ignominy of seeing Tim Howard become only the fourth goalkeeper in Premier League history to score a goal and record a vital 2-1 win over Everton at Goodison Park. Howard opened the scoring in the 63rd minute with a 90-yard wind-assisted clearance. But Bolton hit back immediately through David N’Gog and [...]
Wales announce Speed memorial January 4, 2012 FOOTBALL: A Gary Speed memorial international friendly will be played when Wales face Costa Rica on 29 February. Speed, who was found hanged at his home in November, made the first of his outfield record 85 Welsh caps in a friendly win over Costa Rica 22 years ago.
CITY SLICKERS January 3, 2012 Mancini’s men put Sunderland defeat behind them with comprehensive win that moves them three points clear of clear of title rivals Man United MANCHESTER CITY 03 vs LIVERPOOL 0 MANCHESTER CITY manager Roberto Mancini last night hailed a significant win in his side’s pursuit of the Premier League title following a comprehensive victory over Liverpool [...]
Deadly Defoe keeps Spurs in title hunt January 3, 2012 TOTTENHAM 01 vs WEST BROM 0 TOTTENHAM manager Harry Redknapp insists he has no plans to delve into the transfer market despite losing three more players to injury as Jermain Defoe’s strike kept them breathing down the necks of the Premier League’s top two. Defoe’s nimble second-half goal moved Spurs to within three points of [...]
PSG say Beckham deal is dead January 3, 2012 FORMER England captain David Beckham looks set to extend his stay with MLS side LA Galaxy after Paris Saint Germain chiefs yesterday admitted defeat in their attempts to lure him back to Europe. The 36-year-old had emerged as a potential marquee signing for the French club, recently acquired by the Qatar Investment Authority, after his [...]
Terry fumes at use of image on Indian cigarette packets January 3, 2012 CHELSEA and England captain John Terry has become embroiled in another legal row – this time over use of his image in Indian anti-smoking propaganda. Terry is considering suing after what appears to be his likeness was given smoke-damaged lungs and plastered on packets of cigarettes (right) on the subcontinent. The image resembling the 31-year-old [...]