Six Nations title boost priceless, insists Farrell March 18, 2015 ENGLAND defence coach Andy Farrell believes winning the Six Nations title would be invaluable for his side and have immeasurable longer-term benefits ahead of the World Cup. Leaders England stand on the cusp of their first Six Nations success since 2011, although reigning champions Ireland and Wales remain in the hunt for a championship set [...]
Cricket Comment: Now Trott should open for country March 18, 2015 BATSMAN Jonathan Trott holds a proven record at international level so having a class player like him back in the squad for their three-Test tour of the Caribbean next month can only benefit England. There is going to be a lot of attention on his first return, having left the 2013-14 Ashes tour with a [...]
Murray through to quarter-final March 18, 2015 BRITAIN’S Andy Murray progressed to the quarter-finals of the BNP Paribas Open with a strong victory over France’s unseeded world No38 Adrian Mannarino at Indian Wells yesterday. Fourth-seed Murray will now face Spain’s Feliciano Lopez in the last eight after recording his 496th career win, which equalled Tim Henman’s Open-era record for a British male. [...]
Your cultural guide for spring 2015: Must-see theatre, film, music and visual arts events March 17, 2015 We pick out the must-see theatre, film, music and visual arts events that you just can’t miss, even if the heat wave arrives. FILM ANT-MAN 17 July Edgar Wright and Joe Cornish may have jumped ship, but there’s still plenty to look forward to with the upcoming release of Ant-Man. Paul Rudd leads [...]
Champions League: Wenger: Arsenal were so unlucky March 17, 2015 Gunners crash out at last-16 stage for fifth year running MONACO 0 ARSENAL 2 (3-3 on aggregate. Monaco won on away goals) DEJECTED Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger admitted his side paid for their tactical naivety in the first leg after falling agonisingly short of a historic and heroic comeback in their improbable Champions League assignment [...]
Tireless Advocaat backed to deliver on survival task March 17, 2015 SUNDERLAND can expect obsessive dedication from the man tasked with saving them from relegation, veteran Dutch coach Dick Advocaat, according to one of the players who knows him best. Advocaat, 67, was yesterday confirmed as the Premier League strugglers’ new boss, following the sacking of Gus Poyet on Monday. Arthur Numan, who played under Advocaat [...]
Chilean Pellegrini refuses to accept his players have lost faith in him and his methods March 17, 2015 DEFIANT Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini last night denied claims his players have lost faith in him on the eve of their make-or-break Champions League last-16 clash in Barcelona. Pellegrini also reiterated that he expects to see out a contract that runs until the end of next season, regardless of whether his team pull off [...]
City’s flagging form could make them dangerous, warns Enrique March 17, 2015 BARCELONA manager Luis Enrique believes Manchester City’s recent slump could make them more dangerous opponents in tonight’s decisive Champions League clash at Camp Nou. City go into the last 16, second leg fixture trailing 2-1 and having achieved just three wins from their last 11 games in all competitions. Despite that run Enrique remains wary [...]
Atletico through to last eight after prevailing on penalties March 17, 2015 REIGNING Spanish champions Atletico Madrid reached the Champions League quarter-finals after knocking out Bayer Leverkusen on penalties at the Vicente Calderon Stadium last night. Atletico levelled the tie in the 27th minute when midfielder Mario Suarez’s strike found the net via a deflection off Turkey defender Omer Toprak. Garcia came closest to winning the clash [...]
KP: Harmonious dressing room is not essential March 17, 2015 ENGLAND exile Kevin Pietersen insists a harmonious dressing room is not a pre-requisite for success as the maverick batsman continues his bid to make an unlikely return to the international realm. The 34-year-old’s central contract was cancelled in February 2014 in the wake of a disastrous Ashes whitewash Down Under, where Pietersen was cited as [...]