French Open 2016: Andy Murray’s statistics on clay are at a career-best level and suggest he is ready to triumph at Roland Garros May 19, 2016 Andy Murray is better placed than ever to reach the final of the French Open for the first time in his career after his best year on clay. For the majority of his career, grass and hard courts proved to be more hospitable surfaces for the world No2 yet Murray, who has reached the final of [...]
Liverpool 1, Sevilla 3: Klopp criticises side’s “loss of faith” as Reds boss loses fifth successive final to leave Anfield club with no European football next season May 19, 2016 Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp lambasted his side’s “loss of faith” after a second-half collapse handed Sevilla an unprecedented third successive Europa League crown and denied the Reds a place in next season’s Champions League. A second-half blitz, consisting of an equaliser from prolific marksman Kevin Gameiro and captain Coke’s double, saw Sevilla destroy a previously [...]
Harlequins prop Joe Marler rules himself out of England’s Australia tour and admits he needs break May 18, 2016 Harlequins prop Joe Marler has pulled out of England’s summer programme, including next month’s three-Test tour of Australia, after admitting he needs time away from the game. Marler was an integral member of England’s front-row as head coach Eddie Jones guided the Red Rose to their first Six Nations Grand Slam since 2003 in March, [...]
Doom 2016 review: Bethesda’s demon-blasting Martian hellscape is the best shooter of the year so far May 18, 2016 The Battlefield franchise sparked a fevered debate this week over its decision to stage its upcoming first-person shooter in the trenches of the first World War. Should a conflict synonymous with futile loss of human life be used as the setting for casual entertainment? Should any war, for that matter? The makers of Doom face [...]
Chinese businessman Tony Jiantong Xia buys Aston Villa for £60m May 18, 2016 Aston Villa are set to become the first major English club to fall into Chinese ownership after the club confirmed a takeover by businessman Tony Jiantong Xia. The deal, which still has to be ratified by the Premier League and Football League, is thought to be for £60m – roughly the same price current owner [...]
England skipper Alastair Cook eyes 10,000th Test run and place in history books May 18, 2016 Skipper Alastair Cook admits the prospect of assuming the status of the youngest ever player to amass 10,000 Test runs is at the forefront of his mind as England begin their international summer on Thursday. Cook – aged 31 years, four months and 24 days – needs just 36 runs to reach the milestone and surpass [...]
Terry assured of key role after signing new Chelsea deal May 18, 2016 Chelsea captain John Terry has been reassured by Blues directors that he will remain a key figure at the club despite his advancing years after signing a new 12-month contract. Terry, 35, has had to accept an increasingly peripheral role as injuries and age have caught up with the former England skipper, and looked destined [...]
Chelsea’s £60m kit sponsorship with Nike trumps Arsenal, Liverpool and Tottenham deals but falls behind United’s £75m Adidas partnership May 18, 2016 Chelsea and Nike are believed to be on the verge of signing the Premier League's second-biggest kit partnership deal, worth £60m per year. The agreement would mean the Blues double the revenue currently generated by the £30m per season deal with Adidas that both club and manufacturer agreed to terminate six years early last week. Read [...]
Even as a teenager, England debutant James Vince was destined to achieve big things – I doubt he’ll be fazed by his Test bow May 18, 2016 I first saw James Vince when he was about 17 years old and it was immediately apparent that he was a very talented kid. Even at such a young age he was facing bowlers of 85mph plus and he always seemed to have so much time. When someone has that skill and elegance – comparisons [...]
Five from West Ham and three from Sunderland: my alternative team of the season May 18, 2016 You could make a case for including every Leicester player in a Premier League team of the year but away from them – and other stars who have also already been recognised – other less celebrated figures have made significant contributions too. Here is my unsung XI. Goalkeeper: Adrian, West Ham Fraser Forster had a [...]