Root backing captain Morgan to overcome malaise at World Cup February 11, 2015 BATSMAN Joe Root has dismissed concerns over Eoin Morgan’s form on the eve of the Cricket World Cup following the England captain’s third duck in four matches. Morgan flopped again yesterday as his side lost their final warm-up match for the tournament by four wickets to Pakistan in Sydney, plunging England back into a familiar [...]
Aguero ends goal drought in City stroll February 11, 2015 STRIKER Sergio Aguero scored his first goals for more than two months as Manchester City ended their five-game winless streak to keep the pressure on Premier League leaders Chelsea last night. Midfielders James Milner and Samir Nasri also struck as City beat Stoke 4-1 at the Britannia Stadium to record their first top-flight victory since [...]
Clarke could yet face England February 11, 2015 AUSTRALIA coach Darren Lehmann says captain Michael Clarke could face England in the Cricket World Cup on Saturday after stepping up his return from injury yesterday. Opener Clarke, whose participation in the tournament has been jeopardised by a torn hamstring suffered before Christmas, hit 64 as Australia thrashed the United Arab Emirates by 188 runs [...]
North rested as precaution February 11, 2015 WALES have left wing George North out of the team for this weekend’s Six Nations trip to Scotland in order to give him more time to recover from two heavy blows to the head. Team doctors stressed this week that North had shown no signs of concussion despite appearing to be knocked unconscious at least [...]
Epsom Derby in time shift February 11, 2015 THE INVESTEC Derby at Epsom will start half an hour later than usual this year as organisers look to maximise its television audience. The Derby is due to begin at 4:30pm on Saturday 6 June, while the Oaks, the Friday highlight of the two-day meeting, also moves back 30 minutes. Both races remain fifth of [...]
Manchester United made favourites to break transfer record following record Premier League TV deal February 11, 2015 A bookmakers has made Manchester United the favourite to become the first club to pay a player more than £500,000 a week. Following the Premier League’s record-breaking domestic TV rights deal negotiated with BT and Sky, bookmakers Paddy Power has issued odds on which club will be first to break the salary milestone [...]
Premier League: Spurs rue slip up in race for top-four spot February 10, 2015 LIVERPOOL 3 TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 2 TOTTENHAM boss Mauricio Pochettino insisted his side warranted at least a point after the much-maligned Mario Balotelli climbed off the bench to dent Spurs’ Champions League aspirations at Anfield last night. Goal-shy Balotelli proved Liverpool’s match-winner with his first Premier League goal of the season after the Reds had twice [...]
Premier League: Wenger left to count cost of tainted victory February 10, 2015 ARSENAL 2 LEICESTER CITY 1 ARSENAL manager Arsene Wenger fears he could be without top scorer Alexis Sanchez and midfielder Aaron Ramsey for extended spells after injuries to the pair tainted the Gunners’ return to the Premier League’s top four last night. Goals from defender Laurent Koscielny and winger Theo Walcott gave Wenger’s men a [...]
Premier League: Ramsey revels in easing QPR’s travel sickness February 10, 2015 SUNDERLAND 0 QUEENS PARK RANGERS 2 QUEENS Park Rangers interim boss Chris Ramsey voiced his pride after guiding the Hoops out of the relegation zone as his side secured their first away victory of the season at fellow strugglers Sunderland at the Stadium of Light last night. On the day owner Tony Fernandes tweeted he [...]
Mourinho hints that Van Persie deserved a ban February 10, 2015 CHELSEA manager Jose Mourinho flirted with further sanctions yesterday when he appeared to suggest that his players receive unfavourable treatment from football’s authorities. Mourinho questioned why an unnamed Premier League player had escaped a ban for elbowing an opponent when Blues top scorer Diego Costa remains suspended, having been convicted retrospectively of violent conduct. He [...]