Europa League: Martinez shields defence as Everton crash out of Europe March 19, 2015 DYNAMO KIEV 5 EVERTON 2 (Dynamo Kiev won 6-4 on aggregate) EVERTON boss Roberto Martinez downplayed his side’s defensive failings as the Toffees crashed out of the Europa League after suffering a crushing defeat at the hands of Dynamo Kiev last night. An equaliser from striker Romelu Lukaku on the night maintained Everton’s lead in [...]
Qatar World Cup final confirmed for 18 December March 19, 2015 FOOTBALL’S world governing body Fifa has confirmed that the final of the controversial 2022 World Cup in Qatar is to be held on 18 December. Fifa’s all-powerful executive committee yesterday met in Zurich to rubber-stamp the tournament schedule put forward by the organisation’s task force last month. The World Cup is expected to start in [...]
Allardyce cools talk of switch to Sunderland job March 19, 2015 WEST HAM manager Sam Allardyce has dismissed suggestions he could return to former club Sunderland in the summer but admits his Upton Park future hinges on agreeing terms on a new contract. Allardyce’s current deal expires at the end of the season and has been allowed to run down despite engineering what has been, despite [...]
Sport Comment: Hoddle is right, Friday fixtures can reverse English teams’ Champions League struggles March 19, 2015 SKY Sports turned their cameras on one of their own last weekend with a revealing profile of Glenn Hoddle, a fabulously talented footballer who was mistrusted by England managers and then mistreated by the Football Association when he took charge of the national team himself. Hoddle never quite got over the shock of being forced [...]
Whole country is excited about Kane, says Roy March 19, 2015 TOTTENHAM striker Harry Kane has been elevated to the England senior squad for the first time because he excited the whole country, manager Roy Hodgson said yesterday. Kane’s 26 goals in 42 games this season have earned him a place in Hodgson’s squad for a Euro 2016 qualifier against Lithuania and a friendly with Italy [...]
Lancaster desperate to confirm England Six Nations coronation March 19, 2015 ENGLAND head coach Stuart Lancaster insists it is time to wrestle the demons of previous Six Nations disappointment and claim the first major trophy of his tenure in tomorrow’s championship decider against France at Twickenham. Despite being widely credited with stabilising the England ship since his appointment in 2012, a catalogue of Six Nations near [...]
France fly-half Plisson intent on crashing party March 19, 2015 RECALLED France fly-half Jules Plisson has vowed to crash England’s Six Nations party at Twickenham tomorrow as Les Bleus plot an unlikely title assault. Stade Francais No10 Plisson is set to replace the injured Camille Lopez, who suffered a badly bruised knee during last Sunday’s 29-0 victory over Italy, having impressed with 10 points off [...]
Bitter Cook needs to lose attitude and focus on form, says Vaughan March 19, 2015 FORMER England skipper Michael Vaughan believes sacked one-day captain Alastair Cook needs to ditch any grudges he holds regarding his demotion and concentrate on finding red-ball form. Cook this week suggested that England’s dismal World Cup performance proved the decision to oust him in favour of Eoin Morgan in December, just two months before the [...]
Poulter hits form at Arnold Palmer March 19, 2015 ENGLAND’S Ian Poulter fired himself into contention for victory at the Arnold Palmer Invitation after a flawless first round of 67 yesterday. Poulter tied for second on five under with American quartet Jason Kakrak, Kevin Na, Ken Duke and John Petersen, one shot behind leader Morgan Hoffmann. Honda Classic winner Padraig Harrington, Adam Scott, Henrik Stenson [...]
Schmidt expects backlash from friend Cotter March 19, 2015 IRELAND head coach Joe Schmidt expects fellow countryman Vern Cotter to ensure winless Scotland present a major threat to their Six Nations title aspirations tomorrow. Reigning champions Ireland head into the Murrayfield clash bidding to claim back-to-back championship crowns for the first time since 1949, although leaders England hold a slender points difference advantage at [...]