Special One’s barbs do not bother Blues, insists Cech February 22, 2010 CHELSEA goalkeeper Petr Cech has warned former Stamford Bridge boss Jose Mourinho that his mind games will not sabotage the Blues’ Champions League hopes. Inter Milan coach Mourinho has indulged in characteristic psychological warfare as he prepares to face his old club tomorrow for the first time since his acrimonious departure in 2007. The outspoken [...]
Portsmouth chief Storrie slams black hole claims February 22, 2010 PORTSMOUTH chief executive Peter Storrie has hit out at suggestions money has gone missing from the crisis club, who are facing administration unless a buyer can be found by tomorrow. Storrie hit out at television pundits for depicting a £150m black hole at Pompey, who are £60m in debt and facing a winding-up order from [...]
Why satisfied Calzaghe is trading fight night for Hollywood limelight February 22, 2010 EVEN as he slugged it out with Roy Jones Jr in the biggest fight of his career, Joe Calzaghe knew that was it. He savoured every jarring blow, every trickle of sweat and every decibel of clamour, because his mind was made up. Calzaghe, arguably the greatest boxer ever to emerge from these shores, was, [...]
Kieswetter’s surprise at senior England call-up February 22, 2010 ONE-DAY sensation Craig Kieswetter has admitted his call-up to the England squad took him by surprise. The Somerset wicketkeeper-batsman has been parachuted into the senior one-day squad for the current tour of Bangladesh after impressing on the recent Lions’ tour of the United Arab Emirates. South Africa-born Kieswetter, 22, only completed his four-year qualification period [...]
Johnson calls for Hodgson amid Wilkinson injury fears February 22, 2010 ENGLAND are sweating on the fitness of fly-half Jonny Wilkinson for the crunch Six Nations clash with Ireland on Saturday. Boss Martin Johnson drafted Sale’s Charlie Hodgson into the squad yesterday after Wilkinson suffered from muscle tightness. The World Cup-winning No10’s place was already the subject of debate following England’s lacklustre win in Italy earlier [...]
Bob girls eye a gold rush February 22, 2010 ANYONE can be a hit on YouTube – a talking dog, a cackling but cute baby and even Susan Boyle. But long jumper and pole vaulte-turned-Olympic bobsleigh hopeful Gillian Cooke is determined to move on from her brush with internet fame. Over six million have watched her high-profile wardrobe malfunction at a recent World Cup [...]
Wildcats star Newton handed two-year ban February 22, 2010 FORMER Great Britain hooker Terry Newton has been banned from all rugby for two years after failing a drugs test. The 31-year-old Wakefield star tested positive for a banned substance in November and after being charged by UK Anti-Doping, on Friday admitted taking human growth hormone. The Wildcats terminated Newton’s contract with immediate effect yesterday [...]
English golf on ultimate high February 22, 2010 THERE were two big winners at the WGC Match Play at Tucson this weekend – champion Ian Poulter and European Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie. Poulter’s victory in the first all-English final with Paul Casey capped a fantastic weekend for golf on these shores and would have left Monty beaming from ear-to-ear with his near-certainties [...]
SPORT | IN BRIEF February 22, 2010 Murray wins on Dubai return TENNIS: Britain’s Andy Murray made a winning return to action in his first match since finishing runner-up at last month’s Australian Open. Murray beat Russian Igor Kunitsyn 6-2, 6-3 to reach the second round of the Dubai Championship. Novak Djokovic, who assumed top seed status after Roger Federer withdrew, also [...]
Poulter beats Casey to win Match Play February 21, 2010 IAN POULTER clinched the biggest triumph of his career last night when he beat Paul Casey 4&2 in all-English final of the WGC Match Play in Arizona. Poulter, who becomes the first Englishman to have won any of the four individual World Golf Championship titles since their inception in 1999, scooped a cheque for $1.4m [...]