I can rule Europe after Manchester City transfer, says £28m Wilfried Bony January 14, 2015 MANCHESTER City’s newest recruit Wilfried Bony is hoping that his record-breaking £28m move will help him to realise his dream of winning the Champions League. The Ivory Coast striker yesterday officially completed his transfer from Swansea to the Premier League title-holders for a fee of £25m plus £3m in potential extras – a club record [...]
Crolla wants ring comeback just six months after fractured skull January 14, 2015 ENGLAND’S Anthony Crolla has targeted a return to the ring in May, less than six months after suffering a fractured skull when he was struck with a concrete slab. The 28-year-old lightweight also broke his ankle in the attack in December as he attempted to apprehend thieves he suspected of robbing his neighbour’s house in [...]
Higgins suffers Masters defeat January 14, 2015 NORTHERN IRELAND’S Mark Allen pinpointed his ability to thrive under pressure after recording a 6-4 Masters victory over two-time champion John Higgins at Alexandra Palace yesterday. The pair were locked at 3-3 before Allen surged into a 5-3 lead, sealing victory after Higgins had reduced the arrears and then missed a yellow when poised for [...]
Trott double ton sends message to Test selectors January 14, 2015 BATSMAN Jonathan Trott accelerated his claims for an international recall by striking a double century for England Lions as their first unofficial Test against South Africa A at Paarl ended in stalemate yesterday. Trott was at his obstinate best as he amassed an unbeaten 211, batting for almost 11 hours and racking up 17 fours [...]
Coventry hails Exiles’ ambition January 14, 2015 LONDON Irish head-coach-in-waiting Tom Coventry has revealed that the Premiership club’s ambitious plans convinced him to abandon his native New Zealand and replace Brian Smith. Coventry has agreed to join the Exiles in the summer, it was confirmed yesterday, after Smith was allowed to bring forward his planned departure on compassionate grounds. The 48-year-old is [...]
Broken collarbone places Dowsett hour-record bid in grave doubt January 14, 2015 BRITAIN’S Alex Dowsett has suffered a major blow in his bid to smash cycling’s hour record after the Commonwealth Games time trial champion sustained a fractured collarbone in training. The 26-year-old is scheduled to try and beat 51.852km, the benchmark set by Austria’s Matthias Brandle in October, at the Lee Valley VeloPark on Friday, 27 [...]
Murray seeded sixth for Australian Open January 14, 2015 BRITAIN’S Andy Murray will be seeded sixth for the Australian Open when the draw for the year’s first Major, which starts on Monday, takes place tonight. The three-time finalist is ranked behind top seed Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Stan Wawrinka and Kei Nishikori. Compatriot Heather Watson is afforded no protection in the women’s [...]
FA Cup: Allardyce pleas for clean sheets after cup thriller January 13, 2015 WEST HAM UNITED 2 EVERTON 2 (West Ham win 9-8 on penalties) WEST HAM boss Sam Allardyce reiterated the need for his defence to register a greater proportion of clean sheets after the Hammers threw away another lead before navigating an enthralling cup tie 9-8 on penalties at Upton Park last night. Spanish keeper Adrian [...]
Pietersen: New skipper Morgan keen to pick me January 13, 2015 ENGLAND outcast Kevin Pietersen has risked alienating cricket chiefs further by claiming new one-day international (ODI) skipper Eoin Morgan would select him if allowed. Pietersen has been discarded by England since his sacking last February, while a series of controversial revelations in his autobiography aggravated already fractured relationships. The 34-year-old is England’s highest run scorer [...]
Hodgson forced to cancel planned dinner date with England players January 13, 2015 ENGLAND boss Roy Hodgson was last night forced to cancel a dinner meeting with his players after various Premier League clubs objected to the concept due to busy fixture schedules. Hodgson had planned to organize a get-together at the end of the month to conduct a tactical review of November’s 3-1 friendly win over Scotland, [...]