Champions League: Arsenal stroll but miss out on group top spot December 9, 2014 GALATASARAY 1 ARSENAL 4 ARSENAL manager Arsene Wenger saluted midfielder Aaron Ramsey’s wonder goal after routing Galatasaray but narrowly missing out on topping their Champions League group last night. A six-goal win would have lifted the Gunners above Borussia Dortmund, who could only draw with Anderlecht, but they fell short despite doubles from Ramsey and [...]
Spin set to be key as England face must-win Sri Lanka clash December 9, 2014 BATSMAN Joe Root is adamant the England hierarchy will resist the temptation to continue with a policy of experimentation during their must-win fifth one-day international (ODI) against Sri Lanka today. The tourists trail 3-1 in the seven-match tour which means defeat in Pallekele will give Sri Lanka an unassailable lead and consign England to their [...]
Warner dedicates ton to Hughes as Australia resume Test cricket December 9, 2014 OPENER David Warner dedicated his innings to late team-mate Phillip Hughes after hitting a century against India as Australia made an emotional return to Test cricket yesterday. Warner scored 145 as Australia amassed 354-6 in a first Test delayed and then switched from Brisbane to Adelaide following the death of batsman Hughes during a domestic [...]
Prior sets up cycling team December 9, 2014 ENGLAND wicketkeeper Matt Prior has co-founded a new professional cycling team with the expressed aim of competing at UCI Continental level. Prior, who took a break from international duty in the summer to recover from achilles surgery, is the chief executive of One Pro Cycling, which aims to operate a level above UK domestic teams [...]
Bowler Abbott bounces back from tragedy December 9, 2014 AUSTRALIAN bowler Sean Abbott, whose short-pitched ball led to the death of Test batsman Phillip Hughes, made a triumphant return to cricket yesterday at the scene of the tragedy. Fears were raised that the 22-year-old might not play again after his role in Hughes’s death last month, but Abbott bowled a bouncer in the first [...]
Champions League: Liverpool exit with £8m prize money but miss out on a potential £18m December 9, 2014 When Liverpool qualified for the Champions League last May, the club could look forward to competing against some of Europe’s biggest clubs as well as a big healthy boost to its bank account. The Reds have enjoyed both since returning to Europe’s elite competition, yet after tonight’s 1-1 home draw with FC Basel, they [...]
Premier League: Van Gaal: Lucky United did not warrant victory December 8, 2014 SOUTHAMPTON 1 MANCHESTER UNITED 2 RELIEVED Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal admitted his side were the beneficiaries of good fortune after escaping the south coast with maximum points following a fifth successive Premier League victory against Southampton last night. Holland striker Robin van Persie proved the match-winner as his double lifted United to third [...]
Arsenal’s FA Cup defence starts with repeat of Wembley final December 8, 2014 HOLDERS Arsenal face a repeat of May’s Wembley final after yesterday’s FA Cup draw paired Arsene Wenger’s side with Hull City in the third round. The Gunners famously ended their nine-year trophy drought as Wenger claimed his fifth FA Cup win to lie just one behind George Ramsay, who lifted six while in charge of [...]
Aguero injury gives Pellegrini striking puzzle December 8, 2014 PROLIFIC Manchester City marksman Sergio Aguero is expected to be face a minimum of four weeks on the sidelines after suffering knee ligament damage during Saturday’s victory over Everton at the Etihad Stadium. While the prognosis could have been much worse, it remains a blow to boss Manuel Pellegrini ahead of the busy Christmas schedule [...]
Wenger: Abuse does not cause me any worries December 8, 2014 ARSENAL manager Arsene Wenger insists the stream of abuse he is receiving from a section of the club’s supporters is not causing him undue concern as his side prepare to face Champions League Group D basement outfit Galatasaray tonight. The Gunners head into the clash on the back of a deflating 3-2 defeat to Stoke [...]