Champions League: Gerrard heroics can’t avert Reds’ European crash December 9, 2014 LIVERPOOL 1 FC BASEL 1 DEFLATED skipper Steven Gerrard admitted that Liverpool deserved nothing more than European elimination after the Reds were dumped out of the Champions League last night following a tame draw with FC Basel at Anfield. Gerrard hauled Liverpool back into contention for a place in the last 16 with a sublime [...]
Mourinho puts faith in Made in Chelsea youth December 9, 2014 CHELSEA manager Jose Mourinho insists the club are on the threshold of a productive new era of youth development and that the first fruits will be on display tonight against Sporting Lisbon. Mourinho plans to hand midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek, 18, a first-team debut in an experimental side shorn of John Terry, Eden Hazard and Willian, [...]
Pellegrini: City can reach last 16 without Aguero December 9, 2014 MANCHESTER City boss Manuel Pellegrini believes his squad has the depth in firepower to cope with the loss of Sergio Aguero after the Chilean last night confirmed his prolific marksman is set for between four and six weeks on the sidelines. City will have to contend without their 19-goal leading scorer, who suffered knee ligament [...]
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 [...]