Grant slams Pompey chief for breaking promises February 2, 2010 PORTSMOUTH boss Avram Grant has slammed the club for the broken promises which have left them walking a Premier League tightrope. The Israeli claims he was told he would be in the position to add four new faces to his struggling Pompey side in the January window, but instead saw two of his best players [...]
Schumacher’s neck still raises doctor concerns February 2, 2010 FRESH concerns over the long-term fitness of Formula One comeback king Michael Schumacher surfaced yesterday after his personal doctor was seen monitoring his progress during testing in Valencia. Schumacher, 41, completed 40 laps in his Mercedes on his first return to F1 on Monday, showing no signs of the neck injury which prevented him from [...]
RUGBY UNION | In Brief February 2, 2010 O’Gara returns for Ireland opener IRELAND’S legendary fly-half Ronan O’Gara will reclaim the No10 shirt in the opening game of their Grand Slam defence, against Italy on Saturday. O’Gara comes in for Jonathan Sexton, who starred in the November win over world champions South Africa but misses out with a dead leg. Leinster flanker Kevin [...]
RUGBY UNION | In Brief February 2, 2010 Paterson gets nod for Les Bleus SCOTLAND’S record points scorer Chris Paterson has been recalled as one of six changes for his side’s Six Nations clash with France on Sunday. Paterson will win his 99th cap as a full-back replacement for the injured Rory Lamont, joining Glasgow centres Max Evans and Graeme Morrison in a [...]
New points system for F1 February 2, 2010 FORMULA ONE is to get a new points system for the 2010 season following an agreement between the world governing body, the FIA, and the teams. From now, drivers will be awarded 25 points for every race win – seven points more than for secondplace. F1 bosses believe this will create a “race-to-win” attitude. The [...]
Keane wraps up ‘dream’ Celtic switch February 1, 2010 ROBBIE KEANE last night completed his move to boyhood heroes Celtic in the headline deal of an otherwise subdued deadline day for the big clubs. The Tottenham skipper was given permission to talk to the Bhoys by boss Harry Redknapp before agreeing to a loan deal until the end of the season. The Republic of [...]
Hammers pull off triple striker swoop February 1, 2010 WEST HAM manager Gianfranco Zola swooped for three forwards on deadline day in a desperate bid to bolster his strike-force for the relegation run-in. Blackburn’s Benni McCarthy, Middlesbrough’s Mido and little-known Brazilian Ilan all arrived at Upton Park as Zola waited until the last minute to do business. McCarthy, 32, signed a two-and-a-half-year contract after [...]
January Transfers | Key points February 1, 2010 HARD-UP top-flight clubs tightened their belts in the January transfer window, spending a fraction of what they have in previous years. Premier League outfits spent a total of £30m in January, compared to the downturn-defying £170m splashed out just a year earlier. To illustrate the dramatic change this year, in 2008 teams spent £150m. This [...]
Capello gets the call on future of Terry February 1, 2010 THE Football Association last night broke their silence on the John Terry scandal, insisting the future of the England captain rests solely on the shoulders of coach Fabio Capello. The Chelsea star is facing calls to be stripped of the England captaincy after reports of an alleged affair with the former girlfriend of international team-mate [...]
Fabregas ignoring Gunners’ critics as Chelsea clash looms February 1, 2010 ARSENAL captain Cesc Fabregas is refusing to accept their title challenge is over, and has urged his team-mates to prove the doubters wrong against Chelsea on Sunday. A crushing 3-1 loss at home to Manchester United at the weekend has left the Gunners five points behind the Blues, and feeling utterly deflated. Even Arsenal forward [...]