Europa League: Tottenham in battle to save Europa hopes February 19, 2015 TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 1 FIORENTINA 1 TOTTENHAM manager Mauricio Pochettino last night admitted his disappointment after his side’s failure to beat Fiorentina left them needing to win the return leg in Italy to keep their European aspirations alive. Goal-shy striker Roberto Soldado’s superb early volley appeared to set Spurs up for victory but defender Jose Maria [...]
Figo bidding to increase World Cup to 48 teams February 19, 2015 FORMER world footballer of the year Luis Figo has pledged to expand the World Cup to as many as 48 teams if he ousts the controversial Sepp Blatter as president of governing body Fifa. Ex-Portugal midfielder Figo also vowed to loosen the purse-strings if elected in May, promising to hand national associations most of Fifa’s [...]
Jimenez disappointed by Ryder Cup snub February 19, 2015 SPANISH veteran Miguel Angel Jimenez has admitted his disappointment at being overlooked for the European Ryder Cup captaincy but backed Darren Clarke to succeed in the role. Open winner Clarke, 46, was this week named the man to mastermind Europe’s title defence at Hazeltine next year, beating rivals Jimenez and Dane Thomas Bjorn to the [...]
Sport Comment: Beautiful game has shown it has ugly personality February 19, 2015 FOOTBALL is a game so many of us love. It is, at its heart, a fine game, the beautiful game. But we saw a profoundly ugly side of it in more ways than one in Paris this week. Two incidents brought me up short. One is blindingly obvious and gravely concerning, the other is far [...]
Gerrard blast for Mario after late penalty drama February 19, 2015 SIDELINED Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard accused Mario Balotelli of disrespect after the maverick striker grasped the ball from designated penalty-taker Jordan Henderson to give the Reds a 1-0 win over Besiktas in their Europa League last-32 first-leg match last night. Balotelli proved the match-winner for the second successive Anfield clash and his successful late spot-kick [...]
Three handed Chelsea bans February 19, 2015 CHELSEA have provisionally suspended three people from Stamford Bridge following the incident which saw fans of the club push a black man off a Paris Metro train before their Champions League clash on Tuesday. The Blues have confirmed that supporters will face life banning orders if there is sufficient evidence to prove their involvement in [...]
Wolff and Nasr crash in test as Hamilton quits February 19, 2015 WILLIAMS test driver Susie Wolff and Sauber’s Felipe Nasr were involved in a high-speed collision during the opening day of pre-season testing at Barcelona’s Circuit de Catalunya yesterday. Brazilian rookie Nasr is thought to have hit the back of Wolff’s car as the drivers approached turn five and, while both remained unhurt, the crash resulted [...]
20 February on this day… February 19, 2015 1982: England recorded a second successive away victory over France in the Five Nations at the Parc des Princes by 27-15, thanks to tries from wing John Carleton and future World Cup winning coach Clive Woodward. The other 19 points came from the boot of “Dusty” Hare, who was only recalled because of injuries to Marcus [...]
Tottenham and Man City set for easy home wins February 19, 2015 BEN CLEMINSON PREVIEWS THE PREMIER LEAGUE ACTION THIS WEEKEND AND HARRY MADLEY LOOKS AT PAKISTAN V WEST INDIES THE RACE for a top four finish and Champions League football promises to be a fascinating battle. Tottenham are amongst the chasing pack and have a chance to stake their claim this weekend against West Ham on [...]
Pakistan to bounce back from opening defeat with victory over unstable Windies February 19, 2015 CRICKET fans will have their eyes glued to tonight’s World Cup Pool B fixture between the West Indies and Pakistan, with both sides needing to win after succumbing to a defeat in their respective opening games. The Windies recovered from 87-5 to post a respectable 304-7, courtesy of Lendl Simmons (102) and Darren Sammy (89), [...]