Are we getting sick of brilliant Barca? May 4, 2011 FOR the last couple of years it’s been impossible to move for people hurling praise in the direction of Barcelona. And not without good reason. They’ve won every trophy going in swashbuckling style and boast the best player in the world, Lionel Messi. But more than that, they’ve been labelled the model club. Their famed [...]
Rugby Union’s ultimate hall of shame May 4, 2011 RUGBY’S image as a sport for hooligans played by gentlemen has taken a bit of a buffeting in recent weeks. Broadly speaking, however, the charges levied against Wasps’ barroom brawler Andy Powell, Northampton’s Ben Foden and curfew ignoring England outcast Danny Cipriani are nothing out of the ordinary when you consider the sport’s age old [...]
It’s not simple Simon for Murray May 4, 2011 TENNIS: Britain’s No1 Andy Murray is through to the third round of the Madrid open after a sketchy three set win 6-4, 3-6, 6-0 over Gilles Simon.
Nicholls won’t write off Kauto May 4, 2011 Champion trainer Paul Nicholls refused to write off two-time Cheltenham Gold Cup winner after the 11-year-old was pulled up in yesterday’s Punchestown Guinness Gold Cup. The race was won by 20-1 chance Follow the Pain, but the focus of attention was on Kauto whose race was prematurely ended by jockey Ruby Walsh four from home. [...]
United increase ticket prices May 4, 2011 FOOTBALL: Manchester United have announced an across-the-board £1 per match increase on ticket prices for next season. The club say the decision is a result of the increase in VAT to 20 per cent. United’s decision means supporters purchasing a top-price season ticket will pay £950 for a 19-match home Premier League programme. have also [...]
Bell thrilled by Flower decision May 4, 2011 CRICKET: England batsman Ian Bell has welcomed Andy Flower’s decision to stay on as head coach of the national team. Bell has thrived under the Zimbabwean tutelage having regained his spot in the side for the final Ashes Test of the 2009 series and gone on to become a mainstay of England’s middle order. Bell [...]
FERGIE’S GAMBLE May 3, 2011 United boss ready to rotate his squad with Sunday’s title showdown against Chelsea on the horizon MANCHESTER UTD vs SCHALKE Man Utd lead 2-0 from first leg MANCHESTER UNITED manager Sir Alex Ferguson admits Sunday’s Premier League title decider against Chelsea has forced him to gamble with his team selection ahead of tonight’s Champions League [...]
Work to do if England are to maintain their upward curve May 3, 2011 ANDY FLOWER’S decision to extend his contract with the England and Wales Cricket board has been rightly celebrated by those with an interest in the national side. The former Zimbabwe batsman has transformed England’s fortunes on the back of his dedication, thoroughness of preparation and man management skills. Ever the perfectionist, however, Flower will appreciate [...]
Guardiola relieved he’s finally free to focus on Barca’s Wembley date May 3, 2011 BARCELONA 1 vs REAL MADRID 1 Barcelona win 3-1 on aggregate BARCELONA manager Pep Guardiola admitted he’s glad to see the back of the four-game marathon with Real Madrid after his side booked their place in the Champions League final later this month. Leading 2-0 following last week’s highly controversial first leg at the Bernabeu, [...]
Pearce defends Wilshere Under-21 call May 3, 2011 ENGLAND Under-21 coach Stuart Pearce has risked the wrath of Arsenal and Liverpool by picking youngsters Jack Wilshere and Andy Carroll for this summer’s European Championship. Gunners midfielder Wilshere (right) and Reds striker Carroll are regulars in the senior squad but still young enough to play for the Under-21s, and Pearce wants his strongest side [...]