Wenger issues call to arms as Arsenal eye title charge January 5, 2010 ARSENAL boss Arsene Wenger has urged his side to seize the chance to turn up the heat in the title race tonight when Bolton visit the Emirates Stadium. Wenger’s men will climb to second in the Premier League and just one point behind leaders Chelsea if they continue their winning streak this evening. The Gunners’ [...]
Snow KOs Carling Cup semi-finals January 5, 2010 BOTH midweek Carling Cup semi-final clashes were yesterday hastily rearranged after heavy snowfall blanketed the north-west. The eagerly anticipated first leg between Manchester United and local rivals City, due to take place this evening, was put back to Tuesday 19 January. The second leg at Old Trafford will now take place on 27 January. Blackburn [...]
Mourinho expects Vieira to make Man City switch January 5, 2010 MANCHESTER City are poised to land veteran France midfielder Patrick Vieira on loan after Inter Milan admitted he was likely to leave. The former Arsenal captain is set to return to England where he would join up with his former coach at Inter, Roberto Mancini, who was installed at Eastlands last month. It is thought [...]
Too little, too late as Stoke survive Fulham fightback January 5, 2010 STOKE CITY (3) vs FULHAM (2) FULHAM boss Roy Hodgson was left to rue a woeful first-half defensive display as Stoke held on for all three points in a snowy thriller at the Britannia Stadium. Poor defending allowed the hosts to power into a three-goal lead inside 37 minutes thanks to goals from Tuncay Sanli, [...]
FIA’s ban on Briatore was illegal, says high court January 5, 2010 MOTORSPORT chiefs were bracing themselves for another legal battle last night after their decision to hand former Renault Formula One boss Flavio Briatore a lifetime ban was deemed illegal by a French court. The Italian was banned by the sport’s governing body, the FIA, in October for his part in Nelson Piquet Jnr’s deliberate crash [...]
Ace Ally Cooks up a storm to set up a thrilling finale January 4, 2010 ENGLAND opener Alastair Cook says the third Test with South Africa is now a one-innings affair after his side recovered from a top-order wobble to set up a thrilling finale in Cape Town. Cook top-scored with 65 to lead the England reply after the tourists tore through the Proteas tail to bowl them out for [...]
Forget the Ryder Cup, I expect Tiger to return for the Masters January 4, 2010 THE rumour mill surrounding Tiger Woods’s return to golf has gone into overdrive it seems, but talk of the world No1 missing the entire season are greatly exaggerated, I believe. Some have suggested he may sit out all four majors and the Ryder Cup in 2010 – but I would be absolutely amazed if his [...]
Driven Button growing attached to No1 status January 4, 2010 WORLD champion Jenson Button insists he is more motivated than ever as he takes the first steps in his McLaren career. Button has been tipped to be eclipsed by team-mate and fellow Englishman Lewis Hamilton in 2010, despite scooping the drivers’ title last year. But while he is wary of talking up his chances before [...]
Gartside gets his man as Clarets agree to Coyle deal January 4, 2010 OWEN COYLE is expected to be named the new manager of Bolton Wanderers today after a compensation package in the region of £3.6m was agreed with Burnley last night. Coyle, a former Bolton playing favourite, has been locked in talks with Trotters chairman Phil Gartside for the past two days after being identified as the [...]
Diaby ready to deputise for Song January 4, 2010 ARSENAL midfielder Abou Diaby insists he is ready to take on the role of enforcer while Alex Song is absent at the Africa Cup of Nations. Cameroon star Song has made the position his own this season but could be absent on international duty now until the end of January. Gunners manager Arsene Wenger has [...]