Pietersen dismisses Ashes mind games October 31, 2010 ENGLAND batsman Kevin Pietersen is refusing to be drawn into a pre-Ashes slanging match but admits he and his team-mates fancy their chances of achieving a rare triumph Down Under. Australia stepped up the psychological warfare last week when they projected an image of captain Ricky Ponting onto Big Ben with the legend: “Don’t forget [...]
Irish back on top despite a late collapse October 31, 2010 LONDON IRISH (39) vs SALE (26) LONDON IRISH head coach Toby Booth admitted tactical tinkering almost cost his side top spot in the Premiership. The Exiles moved back to the summit with a five-try victory over Sale, but a flurry of late substitutions clearly had an adverse effect on their momentum. Irish led 26-6 heading [...]
Toon triumph buoys Hughton October 31, 2010 NEWCASTLE (5) vs SUNDERLAND (1) NEWCASTLE recorded their biggest Tyne-Wear derby victory in 54 years but manager Chris Hughton remained coy on the subject of his future at the club. Freshly promoted Newcastle sit in a thoroughly respectable seventh place in the Premier League table, above their local rivals, following an emphatic win which came [...]
We were probably going to lose anyway, says Redknapp October 31, 2010 TOTTENHAM boss Harry Redknapp says referee Mark Clattenburg “made a mess” of Nani’s controversial goal in Saturday’s 2-0 defeat at Manchester United but admits his side would probably have lost anyway. Nani tapped in past a baffled Heurelho Gomes as the Spurs goalkeeper prepared to take a free-kick he thought had been awarded for a [...]
Grant believes Hammers heading in right direction October 31, 2010 WEST HAM manager Avram Grant believes his side showed enough in defeat at Arsenal on Saturday to suggest they are still capable of enjoying a successful season. The Hammers were moments away from securing a morale boosting point against high-flying Arsenal, before Alex Song’s 88th minute header condemned them to a 1-0 defeat. The east [...]
WINNERS & LOSERS October 31, 2010 WHO swam and who sank? City A.M sorts the champs from the chumps. WINNER RICHARD HUGHES With six days left of the jockeys’ championship Hughes is doing his best to make it a nailbiter. The Irishman cut Paul Hanagan’s lead to just three wins after earning two victories at Lingfield yesterday. LOSER JAMES GRAHAM England’s [...]
GORE BLIMEY: Frank stars in 49ers victory October 31, 2010 A FOURTH quarter blitz saw the San Francisco 49ers beat the Denver Broncos 24-16 in front of over 80,00 fans at Wembley. The game sprang to life in the final period as 49ers quarterback Troy Smith ran in for a touchdown and completed a 28-yard score to Michael Crabtree. Frank Gore (above) bundled over the [...]
A HERO’S FAREWELL October 28, 2010 FORMER England captain Phil Vickery yesterday reluctantly accepted defeat in his long battle with neck and back injuries, admitting: “enough is enough”. The World Cup winner brought down the curtain on a distinguished career after being advised his body had taken enough punishment in 15 years as a professional. Wasps skipper Vickery, 34, came back [...]
We’re coming to get you, Strauss warns Australians October 28, 2010 ENGLAND captain Andrew Strauss insists his men have an “excellent” chance of beating Australia in their own back yard. It has been over 20 years since England won the Ashes on enemy turf yet Strauss’ side jet off today brimming with confidence. Strauss, skipper as England retained the urn last year, led his side to [...]
Henson has a worthy fly-half rival in Alex Goode October 28, 2010 SARACENS have this week added a special talent to our squad in Gavin Henson, although the man he will be rivalling for the No10 shirt has excelled lately. Alex Goode is contracted as a full-back but with Derick Hougaard ruled out for six months we have used him at fly-half, where he can also play. [...]