Pep Guardiola fearful of Monaco “killers” and Manchester City’s chances of reaching Champions League quarter-finals February 21, 2017 Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola admits he is fearful of facing Monaco – and his side’s chances of reaching the Champions League quarter-finals. City host Ligue 1 leaders Monaco in their last-16 first leg clash on Tuesday. The visitors have eclipsed Paris Saint-Germain, who ruthlessly thrashed the mighty Barcelona last week, domestically this season. Les [...]
Badminton chiefs fume after UK Sport reject funding appeal February 20, 2017 Great Britain badminton chiefs have declared themselves “staggered” after UK Sport rejected their appeal against the funding cut imposed for the four years leading up to the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo. Six other sports – archery, fencing, goal ball, table tennis, weightlifting and wheelchair rugby – also failed to convince the governing body to reinstate their [...]
Ben Stokes ready to prove his worth after securing lucrative, life-changing Indian Premier League deal February 20, 2017 England's Test vice-captain Ben Stokes has backed himself to live up to the price tag after becoming the most expensive foreigner in Indian Premier League (IPL) history. Stokes attracted multiple bids from rival IPL franchises during Monday’s auction before the gavel came down in the final round following a bid of 145 million rupees (£1.74m) by [...]
Beyond Caravaggio has left the National Gallery, so we’ll just have to put up with Cagnacci’s Italian Baroque masterpiece instead February 20, 2017 For those missing strong, dramatic Italian Baroque art in their lives now the excellent Beyond Caravaggio show has wrapped, the National Gallery have secured (timely, for Valentines?) a superb and extremely rare loan of the magnificent painting, ‘The Repentant Magdalene’ by Guido Cagnacci, from the Norton Simon Museum in California. Many will likely not have heard [...]
Marmite coaches, swelling crowds and now star signings: why Newcastle Falcons are soaring higher than their better-resourced rivals February 20, 2017 Light has been cast on the omnipresent shadow of relegation long lurking behind Newcastle’s Falcons, with the North East club well-installed at the mid-point of the Premiership table having staged a remarkable second half comeback to beat Northampton Saints 46-31 on Sunday afternoon. The club’s new artificial playing surface has produced multiple exciting performances and [...]
Becoming a Major champion has freed Dustin Johnson to realise his potential – now the new world No1 can become a prolific winner February 20, 2017 It became apparent towards the end of last year that Dustin Johnson was bound for the top of the rankings and on Sunday at Riviera he followed it through by winning the Genesis Open. Victory lifted Johnson to world No1 for the first time in his career and he did it in magnificent style. He [...]
Sutton United primed for their big moment against Premier League Arsenal February 20, 2017 Fifth-tier Sutton United and fame may be ships which pass in the night but, whatever happens against Arsenal on Monday, beacon-like memories have been made which will sparkle long after the limelight vanishes. The minnows have certainly made their mark during a giant-killing extravaganza which may or may not reach its conclusion in the fifth [...]
Wasps boss Dai Young denies complacency despite Sale Sharks setback February 19, 2017 Wasps director of rugby Dai Young denied suggestions of complacency after the Premiership leaders succumbed 34-28 at lowly Sale Sharks. Wing Denny Solomona scored a hat-trick for the north west outfit, taking his tally to seven tries in five matches since switching codes and joining Sale from Castleford Tigers. Sale led 31-9 at the break [...]
Fulham 0, Tottenham Hotspur 3: Spurs are back from the dead after FA Cup romp, insists Mauricio Pochettino February 19, 2017 Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino insists his side have reasserted themselves in the hunt for trophies after reaching the FA Cup last eight with victory over London rivals Fulham. Striker Harry Kane netted his fifth career hat-trick as Spurs recovered from successive defeats and uninspiring performances against Liverpool in the Premier League and Gent in Europe. [...]
Blackburn Rovers 1, Manchester United 2: Super-sub Zlatan Ibrahimovic sends FA Cup holders into the quarter-finals February 19, 2017 Blackburn Rovers 1, Manchester United 2 Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho refused to single out super-subs Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Paul Pogba after they climbed off the bench to set up an FA Cup quarter-final against Chelsea. Pogba fed Ibrahimovic to slot United’s winner and complete a comeback by the visitors at Ewood Park, after Marcus [...]