FOOTBALL | IN BRIEF January 18, 2010 Rafa foiled, but will strengthen LIVERPOOL boss Rafael Benitez is hopeful of strengthening his squad in the January transfer window – but has been warned off Sunderland striker Kenwyne Jones. “We will see if we can do something more in this transfer window,” said Benitez, despite his financial constraints. “If we cannot we will stick [...]
SPORT | IN BRIEF January 18, 2010 Tigers coach loses a finger RUGBY LEAGUE: Castleford Tigers head coach Terry Matterson is recovering after losing a finger in a freak training ground accident. The 42-year-old Australian got his wedding ring caught on a fence as he went to retrieve a ball in training in Perpignan. He was rushed to hospital and was held [...]
Northern Rock in £10m Newcastle shirt deal January 17, 2010 NEWCASTLE United has signed a new £10m sponsorship deal with Northern Rock. The four-year agreement will see the nationalised bank remain as Newcastle’s sponsor from season 2010/11 to 2014. Northern Rock’s chief executive Gary Hoffman hailed the renewed sponsorship as a good deal for taxpayers. The bank, which is based in Newcastle, was taken into [...]
Fab Gunners stay in chase January 17, 2010 ARSENAL boss Arsene Wenger has warned his title rivals that Cesc Fabregas is only getting better after the skipper’s return inspired a hard-fought but crucial victory. Fabregas crowned his return from a three-match injury lay-off with a goal and a hand in Fran Merida’s clincher as the Gunners stayed on the heels of the Premier [...]
England end tour with a whimper but Strauss hails trip as a success January 17, 2010 ENGLAND captain Andrew Strauss refused to blame controversy over the decision review system after his side were denied a memorable series victory by a thrashing from South Africa in the final Test. The hosts clinched a draw in the four-match series by sealing an emphatic victory in Johannesburg by an innings and 74 runs before [...]
Rovers end winless streak after Fulham lose Dempsey January 17, 2010 FULHAM boss Roy Hodgson is unlikely to buy in January despite losing influential midfielder Clint Dempsey to a suspected serious knee injury. Hodgson saw Dempsey limp off as his side slumped at Ewood Park to goals from Blackburn defensive pairing Christopher Samba and Ryan Nelsen. The in-form American midfielder is due to face England at [...]
O’Neill in supporter row as Zola eases drop fears January 17, 2010 WEST HAM boss Gianfranco Zola insists he is trying to ignore the uncertainty surrounding the club’s ownership after clawing out of the relegation zone at Villa Park. A battling draw against high-flying Aston Villa lifted the Hammers to 16th in the Premier League, albeit only goal difference above 18th-placed Hull. And Zola is hopeful the [...]
SELBY TAKES REVENGE ON RONNIE January 17, 2010 FORMER champion Mark Selby summoned a superb comeback to upset favourite Ronnie O’Sullivan 10-9 in a thrilling Masters final at Wembley last night. Selby, who lost to O’Sullivan in last year’s final, trailed 5-3 heading into the evening session and then slipped to 9-6. But he rallied, winning four frames in a row, and said: [...]
Irish left red faced by late Scarlets rally January 17, 2010 LONDON Irish coach Toby Booth insists his team will bounce back after a spectacular second-half collapse against the Scarlets left their Heineken Cup hopes hanging by a thread. The Exiles led 22-10 at half-time, thanks to tries from Tom Homer, David Paice and Chris Hala’ufia, but ended up 31-22 down to the Scarlets, who lie [...]
Pompey sue threat leaves League cold January 17, 2010 PREMIER LEAGUE chief Richard Scudamore has dismissed Portsmouth’s threat to take legal action if their transfer embargo is not lifted. Bottom club Pompey have demanded the removal of the ban – for failing to settle debts to other clubs – so they can buy players in the January transfer window. They have even threatened to [...]