Lara: Don’t ditch bouncer because of Hughes injury November 26, 2014 FORMER West Indies batsman Brian Lara insists cricket must not abandon the short ball despite one such delivery leaving Australia’s Philip Hughes fighting for his life. Hughes remained in an induced coma and in critical condition last night after being struck on the head by a bouncer while playing for South Australia in a Sheffield [...]
Champions League: Defiant Rodgers shrugs off late Sofia setback November 26, 2014 LUDOGORETS RAZGRAD 2 LIVERPOOL 2 LIVERPOOL boss Brendan Rodgers insists his side’s Champions League draw with Ludogorets Razgrad last night can act as a season-defining moment despite the Reds conceding a late leveller against the Bulgarian champions in Sofia. Georgi Terziev equalised two minutes from time after Rickie Lambert’s first Champions League goal and a Jordan [...]
Fifa facing Serious Fraud Office probe over World Cup bidding November 26, 2014 THE SERIOUS Fraud Office has stepped up efforts to open an investigation into football’s world governing body Fifa amid allegations of corruption surrounding the 2018 and 2022 World Cup bidding process. It came as Sajid Javid, secretary of state for culture, media and sport, joined calls for Fifa to publish in full a controversial inquiry [...]
Cesc puts end to Ramos row November 26, 2014 CHELSEA midfielder Cesc Fabregas has revealed he confronted Sergio Ramos after the Real Madrid defender appeared to question his commitment to the Spanish national team. Ramos raised the issue after Fabregas and Blues team-mate Diego Costa missed this month’s international double-header despite playing 90 minutes for their club days earlier. “I said to him he [...]
Moeen’s heroics warranted win, rues sorry Cook November 26, 2014 SKIPPER Alastair Cook rued his side’s inability to capitalise on Moeen Ali’s sparkling century as England slipped to a 25-run defeat against Sri Lanka in the first one-day international in Colombo yesterday. Opener Moeen struck 11 fours and five sixes in his 87-ball 119 while Essex all-rounder Ravi Bopara added a composed 65 before his [...]
We must disrupt Wallabies flair, says Farrell November 26, 2014 ENGLAND coach Andy Farrell insists it is imperative his side combat Australia’s natural attacking flair with robust industry during their final autumn showdown at Twickenham on Saturday. Head coach Stuart Lancaster has named an unchanged squad for the clash with the Wallabies, which represents England’s final chance to defeat a southern hemisphere heavyweight ahead of [...]
Poulter: I would love to skipper Europe at some stage in future November 26, 2014 RYDER Cup star Ian Poulter admits to having an eye on captaining Europe one day but has backed Northern Ireland’s Darren Clarke to take the reins on American soil in 2016. Poulter is notorious for his heroic showings in the biennial event, which ensured his selection for this year’s tournament as one of skipper Paul [...]
Champions League: Pellegrini calm as Aguero stuns 10-man Bayern November 25, 2014 MANCHESTER CITY 3 BAYERN MUNICH 2 PHLEGMATIC Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini chose to focus on the final matchday conundrum despite seeing his side revive their flagging Champions League hopes courtesy of a Sergio Aguero-inspired victory over 10-man Bayern Munich at the Etihad Stadium last night. A clinical Aguero completed his hat-trick with two late [...]
Champions League: Job done for Mourinho as Chelsea cruise into last 16 after five-star demolition job November 25, 2014 SCHALKE 0 CHELSEA 5 CHELSEA manager Jose Mourinho eased concerns over a December fixture pile-up by masterminding a thrashing in Gelsenkirchen that guaranteed his team qualify for the Champions League last 16 as group winners. Strikes from captain John Terry, Willian, an own goal, Didier Drogba and fellow substitute Ramires barely reflected the Blues utter [...]
Rodgers defends Anfield skipper Gerrard in wake of growing swipes November 25, 2014 DEFIANT Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers insists his continued selection of skipper Steven Gerrard is based purely on merit as the Reds prepare for their crunch Champions League clash with surprise package Ludogorets Razgrad tonight. Liverpool face European elimination should they fail to end a dismal four-match losing streak and secure maximum points against the Bulgarian [...]