Murray fighting for French Open survival after 37-year-old qualifier pushes him to brink May 23, 2016 Britain's Andy Murray faces a battle to avoid a shock first-round elimination at the French Open when his match against qualifier Radek Stepanek resumes on Tuesday. Second seed Murray lost the first two sets to the 37-year-old Czech but fought back from the brink of an embarrassing exit to trail 6-3, 6-3, 0-6, 2-4 when [...]
Van Gaal sacked: United confirm Dutchman’s exit as Mourinho appointment nears May 23, 2016 Manchester United have confirmed the sacking of manager Louis van Gaal and said that a decision on his successor – widely expected to be Jose Mourinho – will be made "soon". Executive vice chairman Ed Woodward praised Van Gaal's "excellent work" and "great professionalism and dignity" as he confirmed the Dutchman's dismissal just 48 hours after [...]
England call on Woakes as fears grow over Stokes injury May 23, 2016 Warwickshire's Chris Woakes has been drafted into the England squad for this week’s second Test against Sri Lanka at Chester-le-Street amid fears that Ben Stokes faces a lengthy absence. All-rounder Stokes hurt his left knee while bowling during last week’s emphatic first-Test win and is due to see a specialist on Tuesday to determine the [...]
Strength, courage, class – and two of the finest shots you’ll ever see May 23, 2016 Followers of Rory McIlroy finally got what we’d been waiting for on Sunday when the world No3 claimed his first title of the season in fantastic fashion at the Irish Open. Leading by just one going into the last three holes, and with a year of near misses and home crowd expectations weighing on his [...]
Louis van Gaal sacking paves way for Jose Mourinho arrival at Manchester United May 23, 2016 Manchester United are poised to confirm the sacking of manager Louis van Gaal less than 48 hours after he led them to their first trophy of the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era. The Dutchman, who was appointed in summer 2014 after leading Holland to the World Cup semi-finals, is widely expected to be replaced by former Chelsea [...]
England 2, Turkey 1: Vardy’s a wed cert for Euro 2016 squad as Hodgson grants match-winner time off to get married May 22, 2016 England 2, Turkey 1 England manager Roy Hodgson defended the decision to allow Jamie Vardy time off from the team’s Euro 2016 preparations in order to get married after the Leicester forward sank Turkey on Sunday. Vardy’s 83rd-minute goal – his third goal in his last three international appearances – earned Hodgson’s men victory at [...]
FA Cup final agony will inspire us, insists Crystal Palace chief May 22, 2016 Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish has vowed the club will build on a painful FA Cup final defeat to Manchester United on Saturday. The Eagles were just nine minutes away from a first major trophy before Juan Mata equalised Jason Puncheon’s strike, and substitute Jesse Lingard snatched the trophy for 10-man United in extra-time. “Obviously [...]
Philip Neville’s warning to Manchester United over Jose Mourinho appointment May 22, 2016 Former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho will demand assurances over summer signings before accepting the Manchester United job, according to former Reds defender Philip Neville. Mourinho is expected to be appointed this week, with United strongly tipped to sack Louis van Gaal despite the Dutchman leading the club to FA Cup victory against Crystal Palace on [...]
Emotional McIlroy hopes maiden win of 2016 can be springboard for further success May 22, 2016 World No3 Rory McIlroy savoured an emotional victory after ending his wait for a first title of 2016 in style at his home tournament, the Irish Open, on Sunday. McIlroy summoned a brilliant eagle at the last hole to sign for a 69 and hold off a late surge from Scotland’s Russell Knox and complete [...]
Heather hit by weather as Briton’s French Open bid gets off to soggy start May 22, 2016 British No2 Heather Watson is on Monday due to resume her bid for a first grand slam win since Wimbledon last year after her French Open opener was cut short by rain on Sunday. Watson, who has reached round two on four of her last five visits to Paris, trailed American Nicole Gibbs 7-5, 2-6, [...]