Sven failed in Beckham swoop December 9, 2010 FOOTBALL: Leicester manager Sven-Goran Eriksson has admitted he failed in an audacious attempt to sign David Beckham. Eriksson, who took charge of the Championship club in October, revealed he contacted the 35-year-old midfielder’s agent over a possible move. He said: “I spoke to David’s agent to see if there was a chance. He said it [...]
Oxford cruise to Varsity win December 9, 2010 RUGBY UNION: Oxford University yesterday beat rivals Cambridge 21-10 to win the 129th Nomura Varsity Match at Twickenham. Cambridge failed to recover from conceding the two first-half tries by Dark Blues backs Alex Cheesman and James Crozier. Fly-half Charlie Marr then scored three penalties and a conversion as Oxford cruised to victory and avenged last [...]
Home advantage can give United the edge December 9, 2010 MANCHESTER UNITED vs ARSENAL Monday, 8.00pm, Sky Sports ARSENAL forced their way to the top of the Premier League table last weekend with a 2-1 win against Fulham. Samir Nasri was the hero with a brace against the Cottagers and he has now scored four goals in his last three league games. Manchester United’s game [...]
Cue Card won’t fluff his lines December 9, 2010 WHEN trainer Philip Hobbs identified tomorrow’s Stan James International Hurdle at Cheltenham (3.05pm) as Menorah’s next target immediately after last month’s Greatwood Hurdle win, I remember thinking how desperate I’d be to oppose him. Don’t get me wrong, last season’s Supreme Novices’ Hurdle winner is one of my favourite horses in training, it’s just that [...]
Wenger: We have no need to fear Barca or Mourinho December 8, 2010 ARSENAL 3 vs PARTISAN 1 ARSENAL manager Arsene Wenger shrugged off the possibility of a Champions League rematch with their conquerors of last season, Barcelona, or Real Madrid, after sneaking into the last 16 with a victory over Partizan Belgrade. Forward Robin van Persie’s first goal of the season, a sweet volley from Theo Walcott [...]
Carlo rues Chelsea’s missed chance to end shocking run December 8, 2010 MARSEILLE 1 vs CHELSEA 0 CHELSEA manager Carlo Ancelotti fears that losing is becoming an unshakable habit after Brandao’s late winner ruined Chelsea’s previously flawless record in this season’s Champions League. Defeat at the hands of the French champions, whose fans afforded Didier Drogba a hero’s reception on his return to the club he left [...]
Broad blow opens the door for Finn to impress further December 8, 2010 ENGLAND bowler Steven Finn is relishing the opportunity to take on added responsibility in the absence of Stuart Broad. The 21-year-old Finn has bowled with impressive control in, this, his debut Ashes tour and is currently the joint leading wicket-taker in the series with Graeme Swann. The Middlesex seamer has nine Aussie scalps to his [...]
Monty: Westwood will win the Masters December 8, 2010 RYDER CUP captain Colin Montgomerie is tipping world No1 Lee Westwood to end his long wait for a first Major title and give the European Tour an unprecedented clean sweep at the Masters in April. Montgomerie knows all about the Englishman’s yearning to triumph at one of the big four tournaments, having himself famously missed [...]
Pardew set for St James’ appointment December 8, 2010 NEWCASTLE are today expected to anger fans by naming former West Ham and Charlton boss Alan Pardew as their new manager. Pardew, sacked by Southampton in August, is in line to succeed Chris Hughton, who was shown the door at St James’ Park on Monday. Hughton was a popular figure with the Magpies faithful, having [...]
Newcastle merry-go-round will unsettle players December 8, 2010 A FEW weeks ago it was Ray Wilkins, now it’s Chris Hughton. Another club dispensing with the services of an important part of their success. I just can’t understand it. More baffling still is the idea of Newcastle replacing Hughton with Alan Pardew, a manager who has achieved little that the previous incumbant hasn’t. Pardew [...]