Chelsea boss Carlo keeps faith in Cech December 7, 2009 CHELSEA vs. APOEL NICOSIA CHELSEA boss Carlo Ancelotti insists he still has full faith in Petr Cech despite holding the goalkeeper responsible for Saturday’s shock defeat at Manchester City. Cech’s poor positioning allowed Carlos Tevez to curl home a match-winning free-kick and slash the Blues’ lead at the top of the Premier League to two [...]
British Grand Prix saved in 310m deal December 7, 2009 MOTORSPORT chief Damon Hill admits a deal to save the British Grand Prix was only finally struck after weeks of hard bargaining. Silverstone officials confirmed yesterday that the oldest race on the Formula One calendar would remain at the circuit for another 17 years. The announcement banished fears that a British date could be lost [...]
United missing 14 players for Germany trip December 7, 2009 WOLFSBURG vs. MANCHESTER UTDMANCHESTER UNITED’S injury crisis deepened further last night when strike pair Wayne Rooney and Dimitar Berbatov became the latest players to be ruled out.Rooney and Berbatov are set to miss this evening’s trip to German champions Wolfsburg with ankle and groin injuries respectively. They are among a staggering 14 first team stars [...]
South Africa abuse makes me laugh, says Pietersen December 7, 2009 PANTOMIME season is upon us – and England batsman Kevin Pietersen insists he is happy to play the role of villain for South Africa fans. The fit-again Hampshire star is frequently treated to a hot reception when he takes to the crease in the country of his birth. But ahead of the upcoming four-Test series, [...]
Wasps cleared in Sale match fiasco December 7, 2009 SALE have slammed Premier Rugby’s decision not to punish Wasps for pulling out of last month’s Premiership clash at short notice. Wasps appeared before a hearing yesterday charged with breaching regulations by refusing to play at a rain-soaked Edgeley Park on 27 November. Sale had been happy for the match to go ahead while referee [...]
Young Guns get Greek outing December 7, 2009 ARSENAL boss Arsene Wenger has promised to give his young stars a chance to make amends for recent setbacks in tomorrow’s clash with Olympiacos. Wenger’s fringe players were well beaten 3-0 by a full-strength Manchester City in last week’s Carling Cup quarter-final. But the Frenchman is ready to unleash them on European competition, having already [...]
Bullard out for six weeks December 7, 2009 INJURY-PLAGUED Hull midfielder Jimmy Bullard has received a dose of festive cheer after learning his latest knee problem is not as bad as first feared. Bullard, who has twice suffered cruciate ligament damage, left the pitch in tears against Aston Villa on Saturday. It sparked fears that the 31-year-old had sustained another career-threatening injury, just [...]
European Open gets axe as six events join Tour December 7, 2009 THE EUROPEAN Open, a mainstay of the European Tour since 1977, has been axed from next year’s schedule. The 2010 season, which gets underway on Thursday, will feature six new tournaments but there is no place for the European Open, which has been held at the London Club in Kent for the past two years. [...]
SPORT IN BRIEF December 7, 2009 Ex-champs set for Open eventGOLF: Former Open winners will take part in a four-hole challenge on the eve of next year’s tournament to mark the 150th anniversary of the game’s oldest Major. All 32 living champions have been invited to play the first, second, 17th and 18th holes at St Andrews, with prize money being [...]
Spurs denied by late drama December 6, 2009 TOTTENHAM manager Harry Redknapp blasted his team after they dramatically blew a glorious chance to reclaim third place in the Premier League. In-form striker Jermain Defoe missed an injury-time penalty after Spurs had squandered a two-goal lead in the final 13 minutes. Goals from Defoe and defender Michael Dawson looked to have secured three points [...]