Arsenal 2, Manchester City 1: Walcott and Giroud pounce as Gunners stake title claim December 21, 2015 Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger revelled in his side’s “exceptional life” after the Gunners bolstered their Premier League title-winning credentials with victory over floundering Manchester City at Emirates Stadium last night. First-half strikes from Theo Walcott and Olivier Giroud – his 15th goal of the season – powered Arsenal into a commanding lead before the Gunners [...]
Pakistan Super League draft set to land Pietersen £94,000 deal December 21, 2015 Former England skipper Kevin Pietersen is set to extend his Twenty20-playing portfolio after being selected in the first round of the draft for the inaugural Pakistan Super League yesterday. England exile Pietersen was selected fourth overall by the Quetta Gladiators behind Pakistan internationals Shahid Afridi and Shoaib Malik, as well as former Australia all-rounder Shane [...]
Renault completes Lotus takeover December 21, 2015 French manufacturer Renault will return to the Formula One grid in 2016 after formally completing its takeover of the financially ailing Lotus team yesterday. The car giant completed a share purchase agreement and confirmed that it would settle the debts owed by Lotus to HM Revenue and Customs and other creditors, which in turn signalled [...]
Root: We’ve now allayed fears of batting collapse December 21, 2015 Centurion Joe Root believes England have gone some way to defusing worries over a propensity to collapse after a dominant batting display on day two of their warm-up showdown with South Africa A in Pietermaritzburg yesterday. Vice-captain Root struck 117 to follow the lead of skipper Alastair Cook who notched 126 as England racked up 414-6 [...]
BBC axes Formula 1 broadcasting and new deal for Channel 4 to air next season with no adverts during live races revealed December 21, 2015 The BBC has axed Formula 1 from its TV line-up to save much needed cash as part of widespread cuts across the corporation, with Channel 4 picking up the broadcast rights instead. The BBC said it would "reluctantly" end its TV contract three years early in order to make the savings. BBC Sport must make £35m of budget [...]
Fifa bans Sepp Blatter and Michel Platini for eight years over unauthorised £1.35m payment December 21, 2015 Fifa's ethics committee has banned Sepp Blatter and Michel Platini from "all football related activities" on a national and international basis, for eight years. The committee, chaired by Hans Eckert, said the ban for the president and vice president, came into effect "immediately". Blatter has also been fined CHF 50,000 while Platini has been fined CHF 80,000. The [...]
Davis Cup hero Andy Murray crowned Sports Personality of the Year December 21, 2015 Davis Cup hero Andy Murray was last night crowned Sports Personality of the Year for the second time in three years after winning 35 per cent of the votes cast. Former Rugby League player Kevin Sinfield, who finished his career in the sport on a high by featuring in Leeds Rhinos’ treble-securing Super League Grand [...]
Revitalised Finn stakes his claim for Test spot December 20, 2015 Seamer Steve Finn fired himself into contention for a place in England’s starting XI for the first Test against South Africa, which starts on Boxing Day, after a four-wicket haul on day one of their final warm-up clash. Finn, who was initially ruled out of the tour with a foot injury, claimed 4-34 from 12 [...]
Swansea City 0, West Ham United 0: Bilic admits draws are best Hammers can do given injury list December 20, 2015 West Ham boss Slaven Bilic admitted that the depth of the club’s injury list is crucifying their bid to mix it in the upper echelons of the Premier League this season after a goalless draw against managerless Swansea at the Liberty Stadium yesterday. The stalemate was West Ham’s third in succession while the Hammers are [...]
Manchester City favourites to seal deal for departing Bayern boss Pep Guardiola December 20, 2015 Top Premier League clubs were placed on amber alert yesterday after former Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola confirmed his intention to step down as Bayern Munich head coach at the end of the season. Manchester City are the bookmakers’ favourites to land the Spaniard’s signature, especially given the strong ex-Barcelona connection already in place at the Etihad [...]