Country’s best hold no fear for bullish Rodgers January 19, 2015 LIVERPOOL manager Brendan Rodgers has labelled Chelsea the best team in the country but insists his side can beat them at Stamford Bridge next week if tonight’s Capital One Cup semi-final first leg goes awry. The Blues arrive at Anfield this evening having just extended their Premier League lead over Manchester City to five points [...]
Roberto Martinez defends Belgian Mirallas after penalty greed proves critical January 19, 2015 EVERTON boss Roberto Martinez refused to blame Kevin Mirallas after the Belgium playmaker spurned a first-half penalty as the struggling Toffees failed to break down a resolute West Brom at Goodison Park last night. The home side only carved out one clear-cut opportunity and that was the spot-kick which Mirallas screwed past the post after [...]
Defeat to United earns Redknapp a QPR reprieve January 19, 2015 QUEENS Park Rangers chairman Tony Fernandes believes that Saturday’s performance against Manchester United, which ended in defeat, is proof that under-fire manager Harry Redknapp should keep his job. AirAsia chief Fernandes yesterday attempted to quell speculation that Redknapp is set to be sacked by issuing a statement reaffirming his faith in the former Tottenham and [...]
Pardew eyes Gestede move January 19, 2015 CRYSTAL Palace boss Alan Pardew is closing in on further striking reinforcements after making a bid for Blackburn Rovers’ leading goalscorer Rudy Gestede. The Benin international has netted 25 goals in 52 appearances for the Championship side, while his 24 strikes in 2014 made him the second highest scorer in the Football League behind Chesterfield’s [...]
Mad Dog lies in wait for Murray after Briton’s Bhambri cakewalk January 19, 2015 BRITAIN’S Andy Murray is no stranger to hot-headed outbursts on the tennis court but looks positively Zen compared to his next opponent at the Australian Open, Marinko Matosevic. Bosnia-born Australian national Matosevic is nicknamed Mad Dog for a lively temper that last year saw him fined for spitting, kicking out at a camera and verbally [...]
A quarter of women’s seeds fall but Sharapova lays down marker January 19, 2015 WORLD No2 Maria Sharapova bucked the trend on a disastrous first day for seeds in the women’s draw at the Australian Open yesterday by ruthlessly despatching Croatian Petra Martic. Sharapova, who can reclaim top spot in the WTA rankings by winning the year’s first grand slam, laid down a marker with a convincing 6-4, 6-1 [...]
Ramsey urges Arsenal to make Man City win cornerstone of run January 19, 2015 ARSENAL midfielder Aaron Ramsey has called on his side to use Sunday’s landmark victory at Manchester City as a springboard for the lengthy unbeaten run that has do far eluded them this season. The Gunners upset Premier League title-chasing City 2-0 at the Etihad Stadium to end disastrous form against the division’s biggest teams that [...]
Warner: Speak English jibe was me being polite January 19, 2015 AUSTRALIA batsman David Warner has defended his role in the on-field spat with Rohit Sharma in which he told the India centurion to “speak English” as tempers flared during Sunday’s one-day international in Melbourne. Warner was fined 50 per cent of his match fee after admitting a charge which contravened the sport’s code of conduct, [...]
Haskell not obsessing about England call-up January 19, 2015 ENGLAND back-row forward James Haskell has banished thoughts of international rugby as head coach Stuart Lancaster prepares to name his Six Nations squad tomorrow. Haskell is expected to be included in Lancaster’s 33-man troop for the championship and feature as England open the tournament with a showdown with 2012 and 2013 champions Wales at the [...]
Heavyweight champion Wilder targets Brit Fury for title defence January 19, 2015 AMERICA’S first heavyweight world champion for almost a decade Deontay Wilder has declared he would “love to” fight Britain’s Tyson Fury, insisting “I can’t wait”. Wilder, 29, claimed the WBC title on Saturday by beating Canadian Bermane Stiverne in a unanimous points decision, and is now keen to take on British and Commonwealth champion Fury. [...]