Zidane keeping tabs on Chelsea title inspiration April 22, 2015 REAL Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane has cited Eden Hazard as one of his favourite players, fuelling speculation that the Spanish club could target the Chelsea and Belgium star. Hazard has been the driving force behind the Blues’ march towards a first Premier League title since 2010, earning nominations for both Player of the Year and [...]
Still time for rising star Itoje to grab World Cup spot, says Farrell April 22, 2015 ENGLAND backs coach Andy Farrell insists there is still time for the likes of Saracens lock Maro Itoje to gatecrash the squad for this year’s home Rugby World Cup. Itoje, 20, conjured the latest eye-catching performance of a breakthrough season in Sarries’ narrow European Champions Cup defeat to Clermont Auvergne on Saturday. He and Exeter’s [...]
Brutal Bayern crush Porto to reach last four April 21, 2015 REIGNING German champions Bayern Munich demolished FC Porto 6-1 at the Allianz Arena last night to obliterate their first-leg arrears and secure a Champions League semi-final place for the fourth successive year. Trailing 3-1 from their inauspicious opening clash at Estadio do Dragao last week, Bayern cast aside the doubts hanging over their European participation [...]
England toil as Samuels digs in on opening day April 21, 2015 ENGLAND have work to do in the field today after snaring just five West Indies wickets on the opening day of the second Test in Grenada having invited their hosts to bat on a pitch initially receptive to swing bowling. Only 70 overs were possible on day one after the start was delayed by rain [...]
Klopp snub talk is nonsense and Big Sam still boss, say West Ham April 21, 2015 WEST Ham vice-chairman Karren Brady has rubbished suggestions that in-demand Borussia Dortmund coach Jurgen Klopp has turned down the chance to manage the Hammers next season. Brady also insisted there was nothing sinister in the delay to holding contract talks with current boss Sam Allardyce, who has just two months left on his current deal. [...]
O’Sullivan risks a fine after playing first round in socks April 21, 2015 FIVE-TIME champion Ronnie O’Sullivan has often pushed the boundaries of conformity and that proved the case once more in his World Championship opener against qualifier Craig Steadman yesterday by removing his shoes and playing in socks. O’Sullivan was on course to establish a 4-2 lead over tournament debutant Steadman when he appeared in pain, dispensed [...]
Football Comment: Relegation battle alive but I fear for Burnley, QPR and Sunderland April 21, 2015 THE BEAUTY of this season’s battle to avoid relegation from the Premier League is that no team is adrift. With one win any of the sides scrapping for survival could take a big step towards safety. I think Newcastle and Aston Villa are safe, and that it’s between the bottom five. The Magpies have lost [...]
Smoothtalkinrascal can get punters off to a flyer at Epsom April 21, 2015 BILL ESDAILE PREVIEWS THE INVESTEC-SPONSORED CARD AT EPSOM TODAY TODAY’S opening Investec Asset Finance Handicap (2.10pm) at Epsom features a couple of well-handicapped sprinters and I’m struggling to split Long Awaited and SMOOTHTALKINRASCAL. The former is a hugely talented horse but seems to always find a way of getting beaten. The fact his last win [...]
Lungarno Palace set to bring unlucky streak to an end April 21, 2015 BACKING a horse that was an unlucky loser on its previous start is arguably a quick way to the poor house. Backing a horse that’s been unlucky in three of his last four starts is probably the quickest route to the mad house, but I’m still keen to take a chance on LUNGARNO PALACE in [...]
Manchester United, Newcastle and Aston Villa are the Premier League’s biggest underperformers judged against wage spend April 21, 2015 Manchester United, Newcastle United and Aston Villa have been three of the Premier League’s biggest underperformers in the last two seasons when judged against their respective wage bills. In the 2013/14 season, United spent more money on wages than any other Premier League team with a total wage bill of £215.8m yet finished seventh after [...]