Ballack criticises Blues policy January 7, 2010 CHELSEA midfielder Michael Ballack admits the club’s quest for glory has been hampered by its ruthlessness towards managers – but is confident current boss Carlo Ancelotti will steer them to silverware. Blues owner Roman Abramovich has dispensed with four managers since Ballack arrived at Stamford Bridge three-and-a-half years ago – in which time they have [...]
Portsmouth deny player fire sale January 7, 2010 PORTSMOUTH chief executive Peter Storrie insists there will be no mass exodus of players in the January transfer window despite the club’s financial problems. The troubled Fratton Park outfit face a winding-up order from Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs and are also subject to a transfer embargo for unpaid player fees. The club paid its [...]
Pacquiao-Mayweather clash off January 7, 2010 MANNY PACQUIAO’S promoter insists the prospective super-fight with Floyd Mayweather is off after mediation failed to resolve differences between the pair. Pacquiao pulled out of the proposed 13 March bout after Mayweather’s camp insisted on random drug tests in the build-up. Former judge Daniel Weinstein was brought in to act as an impartial negotiator, but [...]
Murray and Robson eye history January 7, 2010 TENNIS: Andy Murray and Laura Robson will be aiming to secure Great Britain’s first Hopman Cup final appearance when they face Russia today in Perth. World No4 Murray and 15-year-old Robson have struck up something of a rapport, winning both of their Group B games against Kazakhstan and Germany. “We haven’t played that much together [...]
McLeish coy on £11m Jones bid January 7, 2010 FOOTBALL: Birmingham boss Alex McLeish is staying tight-lipped about his interest in Sunderland striker Kenwyne Jones. McLeish has admitted having bids rejected for Celtic’s Aiden McGeady and Liverpool’s Ryan Babel, but is coy about a reported £11m offer for Jones. “We have made enquiries about a lot of people,” said McLeish. “I don’t want to [...]
Man dies at Lakeside darts January 7, 2010 DARTS: A man who went to Lakeside to watch the BDO world championship was yesterday found dead under the frozen lake at the tournament’s venue. “It’s a tragedy,” said Robert Holmes of the British Darts Organisation. “A body was taken from the lake and it was someone who had been here to watch the darts. [...]
City poised to land Vieira as Veron shuns England return January 6, 2010 MANCHESTER City are on the brink of completing a loan deal for one former Premier League star in Patrick Vieira but have failed in a bid to sign another in Juan Sebastian Veron. Inter Milan manager Jose Mourinho has confirmed that former Arsenal captain Vieira, 33, is on the brink of sealing a return to [...]
Collingwood could be key if England are to salvage draw January 6, 2010 LET’S give credit where’s it’s due, South Africa have played extremely well these last two days to take this stranglehold on the third Test. Graeme Smith, in particular, batted superbly in the second innings to take the game away from England, and after losing three wickets in the crucial final hour yesterday, the tourists have [...]
Australia conjure miracle to beat stunned Pakistan January 6, 2010 CAPTAIN Ricky Ponting hailed one of the most satisfying wins of his 141-Test career after his Australia side hit back to force an unlikely victory over Pakistan in the second Test in Sydney. The Aussies dismissed the tourists for just 139 on a dramatic fourth day with Pakistan needing a modest 176 to claim a [...]
Murray and Robson edge Great Britain closer to Hopman final January 6, 2010 BRITAIN’S Andy Murray insists he will have enough practice before the Australian Open despite speeding to another victory in the Hopman Cup yesterday. Murray and 15-year-old Laura Robson took a step closer to the final as Great Britain beat Germany 2-1 in the group stage in Perth. The Scot needed just 57 minutes to win [...]