Lethal Anelka to Nic it for settled-down Chelsea August 13, 2009 NOT since a certain Jose Mourinho was stalking the Stamford Bridge dugout in his Armani overcoat have Chelsea lifted the Premier League trophy. But I’ve a feeling new boss Carlo Ancelotti will be hoisting it aloft come May. The Blues look stronger to me than last season, while their rivals appear to be weaker. Manchester [...]
Phillips: United don’t scare us August 13, 2009 KEVIN PHILLIPS insists newly-promoted Birmingham City have nothing to fear when they open their new Premier League account with a visit to Manchester United on Sunday. Veteran striker Phillips, 36, is back in the top-flight after a two-year absence having won back-to-back promotions with West Brom and then the Blues. His reward is a daunting [...]
TV VIEW: RAY STUBBS August 13, 2009 Title race will be closer than everManchester United and Liverpool both have the motivating factor of 18 titles each, and both have strength in depth. Yes, United have sold a few players, but let’s see how they react. Chelsea will be a big force this year and while I think it would be naive to [...]
Nightmare for England as dream curbs Tresco return August 13, 2009 MARCUS TRESCOTHICK last night explained how a traumatic dream was to blame for his decision against making a sensational England comeback in the fifth Ashes Test next week. The in-form Somerset opener battled stress and anxiety during his glittering international career but was being tipped for a recall for the series decider, which England must [...]
Tiger and Harrington renew duel at the top August 13, 2009 WORLD No1 Tiger Woods renewed his battle with Padraig Harrington as the pair started the US PGA Championship as they finished last week’s WGC Bridgestone Invitational – on top of the leaderboard. Woods wasted no time in throwing down the gauntlet in the final Major of the season, firing a five-under-par 67 to take the [...]
GIRL POWER UNLEASHED IN 2012 August 13, 2009 WOMEN boxers will get the chance to go for gold at the London 2012 Games following a landmark decision by the International Olympic Committee. Boxing had been the only Olympic event with female participants but yesterday’s decision ensures women, like British hopeful Savannah Marshall, above, will now compete at three weight divisions in 2012 with [...]
Defoe brace rescues England August 12, 2009 HOLLAND (2) vs ENGLAND (2) ENGLAND boss Fabio Capello insisted he remained calm at half-time after substitute Jermain Defoe spared his side’s blushes in Amsterdam last night. Comedy defensive errors from Rio Ferdinand and Gareth Barry handed the Netherlands a 2-0 lead at the break before Defoe climbed off the bench to earn his side [...]
Burley still buoyant as Scots crash August 12, 2009 SCOTLAND boss George Burley insists his team are still on course for a World Cup qualifying play-off spot despite crashing to a 4-0 defeat to Norway in Oslo. The Scots had defender Gary Caldwell sent off on 34 minutes for two bookable offences, prompting Norway to take control and open up a two-goal lead at [...]
Ramprakash tells England: I’m all yours August 12, 2009 MARK RAMPRAKASH last night issued a “come and get me” plea to the England selectors on the day his rivals for a batting spot in next week’s Ashes decider flopped on their county returns. The 39-year-old averages an impressive 100.75 with the bat for Surrey this season and is being strongly linked with a return [...]
Harrington has mindset to defend US PGA title August 12, 2009 DEFENDING champion Padraig Harrington admits he may still be six months away from perfecting his swing, but the Irishman is confident of retaining the US PGA Championship this weekend. Harrington posted his best result of the year on Sunday, when he finished in a tie for second behind Tiger Woods at the WGC Bridgestone Invitational. [...]