FA Cup: Pardew’s Palace coast to maiden victory at Dover January 4, 2015 DOVER ATHLETIC 0 CRYSTAL PALACE 4 NEW Crystal Palace boss Alan Pardew hinted that the Eagles will adopt a more attacking approach under his stewardship after starting his Selhurst Park reign by comfortably navigating yesterday’s FA Cup third round tie at Dover. Centre-half Scott Dann scored the first double of his career in the opening [...]
Premier League: Mourinho talks up title as Blues top at Christmas December 22, 2014 STOKE CITY 0 CHELSEA 2 CHELSEA boss Jose Mourinho admitted his side showcased the hallmark of title winners after the Blues re-established a three-point cushion at the Premier League summit with victory over Stoke City at the Britannia Stadium last night. Skipper John Terry celebrated his 650th club appearance by netting his first goal since [...]
Goalless draw with Costa Rica is my 2014 highlight, says Hodgson December 22, 2014 AN INCONSEQUENTIAL stalemate against a side languishing 28th in the world rankings may seem an odd choice for the standout moment of 2014, but for England boss Roy Hodgson it proved his personal highlight of the past 12 months. The Three Lions endured their most catastrophic World Cup campaign for more than half a century [...]
Carlisle rushed to hospital after serious accident December 22, 2014 FORMER Premier League footballer Clarke Carlisle was last night in hospital after being hit by a lorry during a serious road accident. The ex-Queens Park Rangers, Burnley and Leeds centre-half was airlifted to Leeds General Infirmary following an incident yesterday morning on the A64 near Bishopthorpe, North Yorkshire. The cause of the accident was last [...]
Goodwood joins Qatar sporting stable with record 10-year deal December 22, 2014 QATAR has agreed the biggest sponsorship deal in British horse racing history in a move that will see Glorious Goodwood rebranded as the Qatar Goodwood Festival. Under a 10-year partnership, Qatar is to increase prize money for key events at the Sussex racecourse including the Group One Qatar Sussex Stakes, previously won by Frankel and [...]
Golf Comment: A review of 2014 in golf: European Ryder Cup joy and McIlroy’s ingenuity December 22, 2014 Highlights from a vintage year and predictions for 2015 MOMENT OF THE YEAR MY FAVOURITE golfing moment of 2014 is immortalised in the now-iconic images of Jamie Donaldson surrounded by a throng of photographers and well-wishers after effectively winning the Ryder Cup. As one of Paul McGinley’s vice-captains, I was out on the course at [...]
Henry arrival set to lift Hammers quest to reach Champions League December 22, 2014 WEST Ham are set to boost their bid to secure unlikely Champions League qualification by reinforcing their defensive options with the signing of Canada youngster Doneil Henry next month. Henry, who impressed Hammers manager Sam Allardyce during a trial earlier this year, has been granted a work permit to complete a transfer from Cypriot side [...]
Oyston sorry for text abuse December 22, 2014 BLACKPOOL chairman Karl Oyston last night apologised for sending abusive text messages to one of the club’s supporters during an angry, expletive-ridden exchange. Football League board member Oyston was accused of branding Steve Smith a “massive retard” during the row which erupted last month, while also referring to him as an “intellectual cripple”. Oyston said: [...]
Premier League: Skrtel reopens old wounds as Arsenal falter December 21, 2014 LIVERPOOL 2 ARSENAL 2 ARSENAL manager Arsene Wenger blamed a hangover from last season’s 5-1 humiliation for a lukewarm performance and another late surrender at 10-man Liverpool yesterday. Goals from defender Mathieu Debuchy and striker Olivier Giroud cancelled out Philippe Coutinho’s opener and put the Gunners on course to take all three Premier League points [...]
Records tumble as Wasps enjoy home comforts December 21, 2014 WASPS fly-half Andy Goode hailed the perfect start to life in Coventry as records tumbled during his side’s bonus-point 48-16 victory over London Irish at yesterday’s Ricoh Arena curtain-raiser. Goode set a new Premiership record by scoring 33 points – the 34-year-old successfully kicked eight penalties and two conversions to add to a second-half touchdown [...]