Gareth Bale happy to turn back on Premier League return in favour of bumper new Real Madrid deal October 31, 2016 Former Tottenham forward Gareth Bale insists he was happy to turn his back on a potential return to the Premier League in favour of staying at Real Madrid for life after signing a new long-term contract at the Santiago Bernabeu. The 27-year-old’s new deal, which ties him to Real for the next six years until [...]
Manchester City will have to be perfect to have a chance of beating Barcelona, admits Pep Guardiola October 31, 2016 Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola accepts that his side will need to produce a flawless performance to have any chance of overpowering five-time conquerors of Europe Barcelona in Tuesday's Champions League showdown. Premier League leaders City suffered a 4-0 hammering at the hands of Guardiola’s former charges at Camp Nou during the last round of [...]
Rugby week in review: England injury glut could have silver lining; Shervington shelves farming and acting ambitions; Bath make their Exeter schlep worthwhile; and Gloucester face tough times October 31, 2016 England widening the net Not so long ago if England lost their first-choice hooker, both locks and an established international open-side, the resultant pack might have come up second best against Richmond’s third XV. With Courtney Lawes, Dave Attwood and Joe Launchbury able to plug the gaps at No4 and No5, Nathan Hughes a real [...]
A Major title is obvious next step for Hideki Matsuyama, the brightest Asian prospect in the men’s game October 31, 2016 The golfing world has been talking about Hideki Matsuyama for a few years now and this week in Shanghai he took another big step towards fulfilling the promise he has displayed since he was a teenager. Matsuyama claimed the most significant victory yet of his career at the HSBC-Champions on Sunday, pulling clear of a [...]
Lewis Hamilton cuts Nico Rosberg’s lead with victory in Mexico as major row erupts October 30, 2016 Britain's Lewis Hamilton closed the gap on championship leader Nico Rosberg at the summit of the drivers’ standings with a commanding victory at the Mexico Grand Prix as a major row erupted between Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen. Hamilton is now 19 points adrift of Mercedes team-mate Rosberg with two races of the season remaining in [...]
Dai Young admits scoreline flattered Wasps after Midlands side win to keep up pressure on Premiership leaders Saracens October 30, 2016 Wasps director of rugby Dai Young admitted his side were far from their sparkling best despite keeping the pressure on Premiership leaders Saracens with a 31-6 victory over Newcastle Falcons at the Ricoh Arena. While victory was tarnished by prop Marty Moore being stretchered off with a neck injury, Wasps recorded their sixth win in [...]
Southampton 0, Chelsea 2: Antonio Conte cools talk of Premier League title charge October 30, 2016 Chelsea boss Antonio Conte insists the season is still too early in its infancy to label his side Premier League title contenders despite the Blues keeping pace with the leading pack with a convincing victory at Southampton. The Stamford Bridge club were again quick out of the blocks as Eden Hazard netted in the opening [...]
Everton 2, West Ham 0: Slaven Bilic casts envious glance at Toffees’ “cruelty” as Hammers come unstuck October 30, 2016 Everton 2, West Ham United 0 West Ham manager Slaven Bilic urged his players to be more “cruel” after their three-match winning run came to an abrupt halt at the hands of Everton and familiar foe Romelu Lukaku. Striker Lukaku headed his ninth goal in as many games for the Toffees against the Hammers and [...]
Andy Murray moves within striking distance of Novak Djokovic’s world No1 ranking with seventh title of season October 30, 2016 Britain’s Andy Murray could claim the world No1 ranking for the first time as soon as this weekend after winning his seventh title of the season at the Erste Bank Open in Vienna on Sunday. Murray beat Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 6-3, 7-6 (8-6) to extend his current unbeaten run to 15 matches and put himself [...]
England skipper Alastair Cook fears hangover for India after Bangladesh humiliation October 30, 2016 England skipper Alastair Cook admitted concern that his side’s monumental collapse which handed Bangladesh victory in the second Test in Dhaka may have lasting consequences when they face the might of India next month. The tourists wilted from a position of strength at 100-0 to 164 all out as Bangladesh’s spinners Mehedi Hasan and Shakib Al [...]