Murray blasts failure to blot out distraction February 1, 2015 A DEFLATED Andy Murray admitted the mid-match fitness problems endured by opponent and world No1 Novak Djokovic caused him to lose focus after succumbing to a fourth Australian Open defeat in Melbourne yesterday. Murray, ranked sixth at the tournament, collapsed to a 7-6 (7-5), 6-7 (4-7), 6-3, 6-0 loss after levelling at one-set apiece, losing [...]
Premier League: Wenger harbours title hope as Gunners smash five past Villa February 1, 2015 ARSENAL 5 ASTON VILLA 0 ARSENAL boss Arsene Wenger refused to rule the Gunners out of the Premier League title race after an emphatic five-star showing dispatched struggling Aston Villa at Emirates Stadium yesterday. Strikes from Olivier Giroud, Mesut Ozil, Theo Walcott, a Santi Cazorla penalty and Hector Bellerin gave Arsenal victory, while Villa have [...]
Morgan targets revenge after tri-series collapse February 1, 2015 ENGLAND one-day skipper Eoin Morgan has urged his side to cast aside the disappointment of their 112-run thrashing to Australia in yesterday’s tri-series final and channel their energies into exacting World Cup revenge. Australia recovered from 60-4 to amass 278-8, thanks largely to Glenn Maxwell’s 95 and half-centuries from Mitchell Marsh and James Faulkner. England [...]
Premier League: Koeman set to bolster squad as Swansea thwart Southampton February 1, 2015 SOUTHAMPTON 0 SWANSEA 1 SOUTHAMPTON manager Ronald Koeman confirmed his intention to dip into the transfer market and bolster his squad ahead of tonight’s deadline after slipping to defeat against Swansea at St Mary’s Stadium. Former Liverpool and Charlton midfielder Jonjo Shelvey thundered home a 25-yard strike as Swansea inflicted the hosts’ first Premier League [...]
Wasps’ surrender leaves battle to reach LV last four February 1, 2015 DISGRUNTLED Wasps defence coach Brad Davis lamented his side’s second-half capitulation after blowing a 25-point lead in their LV= Cup clash against Cardiff Blues at the Ricoh Arena yesterday. Wasps crossed the line six times in the 12-try thriller as flanker Thomas Young twice powered over along with Will Helu, Sailosi Tagicakibau, Guy Thompson and [...]
McIlroy snares Desert trophy February 1, 2015 WORLD No1 Rory McIlroy surged to a commanding victory at the Dubai Desert Classic yesterday for the second time in his career to evoke memories of his first professional title in the sport. The 25-year-old compiled a two-under 70 on the final day to close on 22 under par and secure his 10th European Tour [...]
Australian Open prize money: Andy Murray makes his first million of 2015 January 30, 2015 Kim Sears may have been a picture of frustration in the Rod Laver Arena crowd yesterday, but her boyfriend Andy Murray has every reason to be happy after sealing his place in the Australian Open final for the fourth time. Murray has now guaranteed himself his first six-figure paycheck of 2015, even if [...]
Art review: Christian Marclay January 30, 2015 White Cube Bermondsey | ★★★★☆ This is Christian Marclay’s first solo London show since 2010’s legendary The Clock, the 24 hour video montage of film clips including clocks, watches and people telling a time perfectly synchronised with the real world. Though none of these works reach the dizzy heights of that masterpiece, there’s still plenty [...]
Film review: Trash is Richard Curtis’ best work since Blackadder Goes Forth January 30, 2015 Cert 15 | ★★★★☆ Trash is a noir-ish political thriller that draws attention to the deep social and economic problems of the developing world without sacrificing on plot. It’s a welcome surprise from the director of Billy Elliot and the writer of Love Actually about children living and working in a Brazilian dump. Pursued by [...]
Film review: Kingsman recalls the days when spy movies were fun January 30, 2015 Cert 15 | ★★★★★ Kingsman is the best Bond film Roger Moore never made. Gentlemen spies in immaculately tailored suits battling flamboyant villains bent on global destruction; the plot is pure Moonraker, albeit with an origin story, class warfare, better jokes and flashier production values. The team behind Kick Ass have created a pop-culturally literate, [...]