Brussels meddlers will ruin the Premiership October 28, 2005 The Barclays Premiership is widely regarded as the best football league in the world. A key ingredient of the Premier League’s success has been its ability to attract the top players. Top stars cost big bucks, and the money that the media companies have pumped in has helped the clubs to compete in the market [...]
Monty is in charge October 28, 2005 Colin Montgomerie finished the first round of the Volvo Masters with a share of the lead and a five-shot advantage over his closest rival for the European Order of Merit title, Michael Campbell. The Scot, who is playing alongside Campbell for the first two days in Valderrama, shot an opening 67 to end the day [...]
£1.7m success for Rooney’s off-field team October 28, 2005 The success of footballer Wayne Rooney seems to be reflected in his management company Formation Group, which reported a strong set of full-year results. The sports marketing and management business reported an 11 per cent increase in pre-tax profits before amortisation to £1.7m for the 12 months to 31 August on sales of £14.9m compared [...]
Murray sends Tim packing October 27, 2005 Andrew Murray began the process of becoming Britain’s top tennis player by beating the current incumbent Tim Henman in round one of the Swiss Indoor Tournament in Basel. Murray defeated the British number one 6-2 5-7 7-6 (7-4) in their first ever encounter in a meaningful match. The Scottish teenager broke Henman twice early in [...]
Holders Chelsea crash out October 27, 2005 Charlton knocked holders Chelsea out of the Carling Cup but only after a penalty shoot-out at Stamford Bridge. It was the Blues’ first taste of defeat this season, coming on the back of their first dropped points in the Premiership at Everton’s Goodison Park last weekend. Defender Robert Huth was the only player to miss [...]
Liverpool are in reverse and Rafa is to blame October 27, 2005 If there were any remaining doubts that Liverpool’s post-Istanbul party was well and truly over, they were blown away at Selhurst Park on Tuesday night — the champions of Europe humbled by a Championship side. Well done, Crystal Palace but what on earth is going on at Anfield? The answer, for me, is simple: Liverpool [...]
Inamoto puts Brom through October 26, 2005 Former Fulham midfielder Junichi Inamoto scored the extra-time winner for West Brom after the home side had twice recovered from a goal down in an enthralling Carling Cup tie at Craven Cottage. Rob Earnshaw opened the scoring for the visitors after just three minutes. His goal, having capitalized on a mistake from the Fulham defence, [...]
England set for challenge October 25, 2005 England leave for their tour of Pakistan this morning confident of a safe stay on the subcontinent but also well aware that it will be a difficult couple of months. The squad gathered at Heathrow yesterday with the right noises being made about security in a country recently devastated by the Asian earthquake. Captain Michael [...]
Expect Monty to make his move at Masters October 25, 2005 The European season comes to a close this week with the traditional finale at Valderrama — the Volvo Masters. And I fully expect Colin Montgomerie to crown a remarkable return to form with an unprecedented eighth Order of Merit title. Monty goes into the tournament knowing exactly what he’s doing. The man is on very [...]
Murray will face Henman October 25, 2005 Tim Henman and Andy Murray will meet in anger on a tennis court for the first time tomorrow in round one of the Swiss Indoor Tournament in Basel. Murray was given a wild card for the event while Henman is the sixth seed as well as a two times former champion. The match is Murray’s [...]