Irish off to a World Cup flier November 26, 2009 GOLF: Ireland’s Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell fired a 14-under-par round 58 to lead the Omega Mission Hills World Cup after the first-round fourballs. The Irish pair fired 12 birdies and an eagle to lie three shots ahead of Argentine duo Rafa Echenique and Tano Goya in Shenzhen, China. England’s Ian Poulter and Ross Fisher [...]
Worsley out for eight weeks November 26, 2009 RUGBY UNION: England flanker Joe Worsley is facing a race to be fit for the Six Nations campaign after being ruled out for at least eight weeks after injuring his knee against New Zealand at Twickenham on Saturday. Scans revealed the Wasps star suffered medial ligament damage after limping off in the first minute of [...]
Denman leads Hennessy field November 26, 2009 RACING: Star chaser Denman heads a field of 21 for tomorrow’s prestigious Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury. Paul Nicholls’ charge stunned everyone by taking this prize two years ago off top weight, but faces an even bigger task this time round off a mark 13lb higher. Ruby Walsh takes the saddle with Denman’s Cheltenham Gold [...]
Anelka books top spot for smooth Blues November 25, 2009 FC PORTO (0) vs CHELSEA (1) CHELSEA boss Carlo Ancelotti spoke of his delight after the Blues finished top of Group D with an impressive away victory over Porto. Striker Nicolas Anelka netted a third successive winning goal for Ancelotti’s side in the Champions League, heading home Florent Malouda’s 69th minute cross to put paid [...]
Fergie rages as proud Euro run is halted November 25, 2009 MANCHESTER UTD (0) vs BESIKTAS (1) SIR Alex Ferguson insisted Manchester United had been robbed by a questionable refereeing decision after his youthful side succumbed to a European home defeat for the first time in more than four years. Group B whipping boys Besiktas, already consigned to bottom place, ended the 23-match run courtesy of [...]
Fulham heap more worry on Allardyce as resurgent Hull overcome Everton November 25, 2009 FULHAM (3) vs BLACKBURN (0) MIDFIELDER Clint Dempsey scored twice as Fulham gave Blackburn manager Sam Allardyce further cause for concern. The Rovers boss is due to undergo heart surgery tomorrow and his wife had threatened to confiscate his mobile phone ahead of last night’s clash. And his condition would not have been helped by [...]
Aurelio baffled by Liverpool’s collapse November 25, 2009 LIVERPOOL defender Fabio Aurelio admits he is at a loss to explain how their season has unravelled so spectacularly. The Reds crashed out of the Champions League on Tuesday night after Fiorentina’s defeat of Lyon rendered their own win over Debrecen futile. It was the latest blow in a dire run of form, which has [...]
Broad return gives England new options November 25, 2009 FAST bowler Stuart Broad has handed England selectors a healthy selection headache by declaring himself fit for tomorrow’s third one-day international with South Africa in Cape Town. A shoulder injury ruled Broad out of the opening two games of the five-match series – last week’s washout at the Wanderers and Sunday’s excellent seven-wicket success at [...]
Nadal crashes at first hurdle November 25, 2009 WORLD No2 Rafael Nadal was dumped out of the ATP World Tour Finals at the earliest opportunity last night after another straight-sets defeat at London’s O2 Arena. The Spaniard, who has struggled with injuries this season, only showed his trademark grit in the closing stages of a 6-1, 7-6 (7-4) defeat to Russia’s Nikolay Davydenko. [...]
Infighting is undermining our World Cup bid, admits Brady November 25, 2009 KARREN BRADY last night revealed the acrimony surrounding England’s 2018 World Cup campaign, insisting the country’s hopes of staging the event is being undermined by “bickering and infighting” at board level. The former Birmingham City director was one of six board members to stand down a fortnight ago, while influential Premier League chairman Sir Dave [...]