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 [...]
Blatter accuses England of being sore losers and claims Fifa are squeaky clean December 8, 2010 FIFA president Sepp Blatter has described England as “bad losers” over the fall-out from the failed 2018 World Cup bid. Blatter also rejected the corruption allegations printed and broadcasted by the British media and said he was being targeted by anti-FIFA journalists. He said: “To be honest, I was surprised by all the English complaining after [...]
Pavlyuchenko to sign new Spurs deal December 8, 2010 TOTTENHAM have opened contract talks with Roman Pavlyuchenko less than a year after the Russian striker seemed destined to leave White Hart Lane. Pavlyuchenko, 28, appeared to be on the verge of sealing a switch to Birmingham City in January but the two clubs were unable to agree a fee. Now, the striker’s agent has [...]
Klitschko calls off Chisora fight December 8, 2010 BOXING: Wladimir Klitschko has pulled out of Saturday’s fight with Dereck Chisora and opened negotiations for a world heavyweight title clash with David Haye. Klitschkos cited a back muscle problem last night. Golden Boy Chief Executive Richard Schaefer said: “Wladimir’s people told us that the fight this weekend is off and asked us to start [...]
Plymouth handed 63-day lifeline December 8, 2010 FOOTBALL: Plymouth Argyle were yesterday given two months to clear their tax bill by a High Court judge. The League One club and a related property company were facing winding-up petitions for over £760,000 owed to HM Revenue & Customs but have been granted 63 days’ grace. The Home Park club told the court they [...]
Byrne out for five weeks December 8, 2010 RUGBY UNION: Wales and Ospreys full-back Lee Byrne will miss his club’s Heineken Cup double header against Munster with a fractured thumb. The 30-year-old British and Irish Lions star was criticised by Ospreys for failing to attend an appointment with a specialist to assess the severity of the injury which has now ruled him out [...]