Watford turn to ex-Chelsea midfielder for manager No4 October 7, 2014 FORMER Chelsea midfielder Slavisa Jokanovic has replaced Billy McKinlay as Watford boss to become the Hornets’ fourth manager of a disruptive season at Vicarage Road. Jokanovic, who began a two-year spell at Claudio Ranieri’s Chelsea in 2000, arrives at Watford from Spanish third tier side Hercules following stints at Levski Sofia, Muanthong United and Partizan [...]
Murray stutters as Nadal admits to appendicitis October 7, 2014 BRITAIN’S Andy Murray suffered a minor hiccup on his way to a first-round victory at the Shanghai Masters yesterday – though it was nothing compared to world No2 Rafael Nadal’s abdominal problems. Murray made repeated forehand errors in his second set against Russian Teymuraz Gabashvili before winning 6-1, 7-5 to set up a meeting with [...]
Coe woe over Gatlin acclaim October 7, 2014 BRITAIN’S leading athletics chief Lord Coe admits he has “big problems” with former drug-cheat sprinter Justin Gatlin’s inclusion on a top awards shortlist. American Gatlin, who has run six of the year’s seven best men’s 100m times, is among 10 nominees for an Athlete of the Year prize awarded by international governing body the IAAF, [...]
Pietersen told by Vaughan to forget dream of England recall October 6, 2014 FORMER England captain Michael Vaughan has dismissed Kevin Pietersen’s lingering hopes of earning an unlikely Test recall following a series of explosive allegations in his new book KP: The Autobiography. The South African-born batsman has alleged a bullying culture existed within the national team camp and blamed senior members of the England bowling unit as [...]
Tighten up F1’s safety car rules, urges Villeneuve October 6, 2014 FORMER world champion Jacques Villeneuve has called for Formula One to tighten up safety rules following the crash that left Marussia driver Jules Bianchi in a critical condition. Frenchman Bianchi, who suffered severe head injuries when his car ploughed into a recovery vehicle during Sunday’s Japanese Grand Prix, was still “critical but stable” yesterday, 24 [...]
Brook determined to force Mayweather bout October 6, 2014 IBF WELTERWEIGHT champion Kell Brook is eyeing a February return to the ring and ultimately a showdown with undefeated American superstar Floyd Mayweather as he continues to recover from his stabbing ordeal. The Sheffield hitman lost a significant amount of blood after being knifed in the leg and suffering a cut to his arm during [...]
Courtois given all-clear as charity questions Chelsea injury response October 6, 2014 CHELSEA have played down injuries suffered by Thibaut Courtois in Sunday’s win over Arsenal and say the goalkeeper has been given the all-clear after the club were criticised by a brain injury charity. Headway yesterday claimed that Blues doctors should not have allowed Courtois to resume the match following a collision with Gunners forward Alexis [...]
Wenger to avoid punishment for Mourinho clash October 6, 2014 ARSENAL manager Arsene Wenger is to avoid disciplinary action over his touchline skirmish with Chelsea boss and long-standing nemesis Jose Mourinho during Sunday’s Premier League defeat at Stamford Bridge. Wenger pushed Mourinho as the two coaches reacted to a contentious tackle from Blues defender Gary Cahill on Gunners forward Alexis Sanchez during the first half [...]
QPR chief slams armchair critics but promises no more excuses October 6, 2014 IRATE QPR owner Tony Fernandes has hit back at disgruntled fans who have castigated him for failing to solve the club’s goalscoring conundrum posed by the departure of Loic Remy to Chelsea. Striker Remy, who spent last season on loan at Newcastle United, signed for the Blues after Chelsea triggered his £10.5m release just days [...]
Golf Comment: Not too late for Wilson to push on October 6, 2014 HALF a million pounds in prize money, a place at next month’s Race to Dubai finale plus a European Tour card for two years mean that Oliver Wilson’s long overdue win can already be called life-changing. But it might just prove to also be the spark the Englishman needed to reignite his career, having slipped [...]