Murray reigns in Spain to boost O2 chances October 26, 2014 BRITAIN’S Andy Murray edged past Tommy Robredo in dramatic fashion to win the Valencia Open yesterday and take a mammoth step towards securing a place at next month’s ATP World Tour Finals in London. It was a case of history repeating itself as Murray saved five match points to claim the 31st title of his [...]
Olesen holds off Dubuisson rally as Drysdale snatches tour card October 26, 2014 DENMARK’S Thorbjorn Olesen survived a final-round wobble to win the Perth International yesterday and guarantee his place at the lucrative season-ended DP World Tour Championship in Dubai. Olesen saw his three-shot overnight advantage trimmed to just one by Victor Dubuisson, but birdies at 13 and 15 restored his cushion and swept the 24-year-old to his [...]
England add to their squad October 26, 2014 ENGLAND head coach Stuart Lancaster has added Exeter trio Dave Ewers, Henry Slade and Thomas Waldrom to his elite squad for the upcoming autumn internationals. In a total of nine players called up, Northampton duo Ben Foden and Alex Waller are included along with Bath pair Henry Thomas and Anthony Watson. Gloucester’s Matt Kvesic and [...]
Rugby World Cup 2015 tickets: Missed out in the ballot? Tickets are still available online…for up to £1,1770 October 25, 2014 Thousands of rugby fans were delivered the disappointing news today that they have missed out on Rugby World Cup 2015 tickets. Fans who applied for tickets for the tournament in the September ballot today learned if they had got lucky amidst fervent demand. Five million applications were made for the 950,000 tickets that went [...]
Europa League: Spurs romp but Pochettino left with bitter taste October 23, 2014 TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 5 ASTERAS TRIPOLIS 1 DISPLEASED Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino admits he was riled by aspects of his side’s showing despite thrashing Greek minnows Asteras Tripolis at White Hart Lane last night. Homegrown striker Harry Kane notched his first career hat-trick before taking over in goal following Hugo Lloris’ dismissal and conceding the first [...]
Sport Comment: Hoddle blocked by familiar face October 23, 2014 LONDON’S football scene can be incestuous, rather like the Square Mile, where every leading financial operator is likely to know a very large percentage of his City peers. Football’s intertwined fraternity was nicely illustrated in recent weeks when Tim Sherwood has been firmly linked with Harry Redknapp’s job at Queens Park Rangers. Harry managed Tottenham [...]
Everton fans clash with French police before Europa stalemate October 23, 2014 EVERTON fans were targeted with tear gas fired by French police during clashes in the city’s main square before the club’s Europa League fixture in Lille yesterday. The Merseyside club later issued a message on Twitter advising travelling supporters to avoid the Grand Place square ahead of the Group H clash, which ended goalless. Trouble [...]
Lineker defends Balotelli in row October 23, 2014 FORMER England striker Gary Lineker has jumped to the defence of Mario Balotelli after the misfiring striker swapped shirts with defender Pepe at half time during Liverpool’s drubbing by Real Madrid on Wednesday. The actions of Balotelli riled Anfield boss Brendan Rodgers although ex-Tottenham hitman Lineker believes the incident requires little debate. “On the Balotelli [...]
Van Gaal hands Valdes United training chance October 23, 2014 MANCHESTER United boss Louis van Gaal could hand stricken goalkeeper Victor Valdes a permanent deal in January after allowing the ex-Barcelona stopper the chance to continue his recovery from a torn cruciate ligament at Old Trafford. Valdes was given his La Liga debut by Van Gaal as a 20-year-old in 2002 and went on to [...]
NY tour could help Lampard October 23, 2014 FORMER Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard’s loan spell at Manchester City could be extended if his parent club New York City FC firm up plans for an English training camp. Lampard is due back at New York in January but may stay longer if they visit sister team City’s facilities before their debut Major League Soccer [...]