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 [...]
Sacked Hart considers fresh Portsmouth offer November 25, 2009 SACKED Portsmouth manager Paul Hart is considering an offer to stay on at the club as technical director. Pompey revealed in a statement on Tuesday night that Hart had rejected the role, which oversees the development of players between the ages of 18 and 21. But, in contrast, a club spokesman confirmed yesterday that Hart [...]
Wales boss fears Giteau backlash November 25, 2009 WALES coach Warren Gatland is backing Australia star Matt Giteau to bounce back from his Murrayfield agony. Giteau missed a host of kicks and a last-gasp conversion as the Wallabies crashed to a 9-8 defeat to Scotland – their first to the Scots in 27 years. But Gatland, however, expects no such repeat when Giteau [...]
Cockerill cops four-week ban November 25, 2009 RUGBY UNION: Leicester Tigers head coach Richard Cockerill has been suspended for four weeks after admitting two offences of abusing match officials. Cockerill will not be allowed any involvement with his team or officials until 23 December. He has also been fined £2,000 following the incidents during the LV Cup tie against Newport Gwent Dragons [...]