One-day success, Ashes revenge and Alastair Cook: My 2017 predictions January 4, 2017 ICC Champions Trophy June’s tournament is being staged in this country and England and have been drawn in Group A alongside Australia, Bangladesh and New Zealand. The hosts are a strong side in their own conditions and have been playing some really impressive one-day cricket over the past 18 months or so, scoring in excess [...]
MS Dhoni quits as India one-day and Twenty20 captain just 11 days before England series January 4, 2017 India are set to have a new skipper for this month’s limited-overs contests against England after MS Dhoni relinquished his captaincy of the one-day and Twenty20 sides. Dhoni, 35, resigned after almost a decade of success at the helm in which he led India to an unprecedented hat-trick of World Twenty20, World Cup and ICC [...]
New Leeds United co-owner pledges “ongoing investment” after buying 50 per cent stake from Massimo Cellino January 4, 2017 Leeds United's new Italian co-owner Andrea Radrizzani has pledged to provide manager Garry Monk with ongoing support and investment to fund the club's promotion push. The co-founder of influential sports media rights firm MP & Silva, Radrizzani has purchased 50 per cent of the Yorkshire club to become co-owner alongside fellow countryman Massimo Cellino. Under the [...]
West Ham succeed with appeal against Sofiane Feghouli suspension and mull second bid for Jermain Defoe January 4, 2017 West Ham have received a boost ahead of their FA Cup third-round clash with Manchester City after the club succeeded with an appeal against midfielder Sofiane Feghouli’s three-match ban. Feghouli was controversially shown a straight red card for a tackle on defender Phil Jones early in Monday’s 2-0 Premier League defeat at home to Manchester [...]
Manu Tuilagi “devastated” after latest injury nightmare rules England centre out of Six Nations and British and Irish Lions tour January 4, 2017 Leicester head coach Aaron Mauger admits centre Manu Tuilagi has been left devastated after being ruled out for up to nine months with a serious knee injury. England star Tuilagi is set to miss the Six Nations, the rest of the club season and, in all likelihood, the British and Irish Lions tour to New [...]
Aggreko wins $40m deal to power the 2018 Winter Olympics January 4, 2017 Scottish power firm Aggreko has been given the important job of ensuring the lights stay on at next year's Winter Olympics in South Korea. The news will come as welcome relief to the firm having endured a challenging 2016 that included missing out on a similar contract with organisers of the the summer games in [...]
“Sensational” Antonio Conte could remain Chelsea manager “forever”, says technical director Michael Emenalo January 4, 2017 Chelsea manager Antonio Conte could stay at Stamford Bridge "forever" according to technical director Michael Emenalo. The close confidant of club owner Roman Abramovich said the Italian coach has already won over everyone at the club since his side has taken the Premier League by storm and put together a record-equalling run of 13 consecutive wins. Chelsea can set [...]
Crystal Palace 1, Swansea City 2: Sam Allardyce affords players limited excuse over fixture schedule January 3, 2017 Crystal Palace boss Sam Allardyce cited fixture scheduling but refused to allow his players the sanctuary of that excuse after the Eagles slumped to a miserable defeat against Swansea last night. The Swans moved off the foot of the Premier League through full-back Angel Rangel’s late strike after a stunning Wilfried Zaha scissor-kick had drawn [...]
World No1 Sir Andy Murray makes victorious start to 2017 and extends winning run to 25 matches January 3, 2017 Britain's Sir Andy Murray won his first clash of 2017 to extend his unbeaten run to 25 matches by breezing past world No69 Jeremy Chardy in the opening round of the Qatar Open in Doha. World No1 Murray beat France’s Chardy 6-0, 7-6 (7-2), taking just 20 minutes to win the first set before his [...]
Premier League basement side Hull City axe manager Mike Phelan January 3, 2017 Premier League basement side Hull City are on the hunt for a new manager after confirming the sacking of Mike Phelan. The 54-year-old only assumed the Hull reins on a permanent basis in October, having stepped into the breach as caretaker manager following Steve Bruce’s departure shortly before the start of the season. “We would like [...]