Messi sprinkles stardust in East End November 12, 2014 ARGENTINA superstar Lionel Messi illuminated Upton Park for the first – and probably last – time last night when the World Cup finalists beat Croatia 2-1 in a glamour friendly at the home of West Ham. Messi scored the winning goal from the penalty spot, while former Hammers Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano also played. [...]
Back from brink as Murray’s ATP hopes rekindled November 11, 2014 BRITAIN’S Andy Murray resuscitated his hopes of sealing a semi-final place at the ATP World Tour Finals at the O2 Arena last night after a much-improved performance against tournament debutant Milos Raonic. The 27-year-old faced elimination from the competition had he lost to the seventh seed but held his nerve after Raonic broke back in [...]
England warned that Springboks want their scalp November 11, 2014 ENGLAND coach Mike Catt expects to feel the full force of South African retaliation at Twickenham on Saturday even if their humbling at the hands of Ireland forces the Springboks to modify their attacking instincts. Heyneke Meyer’s side were brushed aside 29-15 at the Aviva Stadium, a defeat which punctured the euphoria surrounding the defeat [...]
Violinist Mae banned for ski fiddle November 11, 2014 FORMER pop violinist Vanessa Mae has been banned from skiing for four years after it was found that her management had rigged races to ensure she qualified for this year’s Winter Olympics. British-raised Mae, 36, went on to compete as Vanessa Vanakorn for Thailand at the Sochi Games, where she finished last of 67 competitors [...]
Defensive fears as Cahill one of wounded Lions November 11, 2014 ENGLAND’S first-choice defensive partnership of Gary Cahill and Phil Jagielka sparked injury fears ahead of Saturday’s Euro 2016 qualifier against Slovenia by missing training yesterday. Cahill and Jagielka were among five players who did not train at all, including left-back Leighton Baines and midfielders Andros Townsend and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. The absence of Roy Hodgson’s preferred [...]
England suffer Roko injury blow ahead of Springboks showdown November 11, 2014 ENGLAND have been dealt a blow ahead of their second autumn clash against South Africa at Twickenham on Saturday after Bath wing Semesa Rokoduguni was last night ruled out with a thigh injury. Harlequins’ Marland Yarde has been called-up to replace Rokoduguni in the only change to the 23 players selected to face the All [...]
Football Comment: Moyes needs to revisit Everton methods if he is to make Spanish adventure a success November 11, 2014 Former England international Trevor Steven enjoyed a successful spell at Marseille, where he won the French first division. Here he identifies the challenges facing former Manchester United manager David Moyes, who has agreed to become coach of Spanish club Real Sociedad. LANGUAGE Speaking Spanish will be the biggest barrier the Scot encounters in San Sebastian, [...]
Garcia airs concerns overJimenez Ryder Cup captaincy bid November 11, 2014 WORLD No4 Sergio Garcia has raised doubts over Miguel Angel Jimenez’s Ryder Cup captaincy credentials because he fears his fellow Spaniard’s level of English is not good enough. Jimenez, 50, has made clear his desire to lead Europe in 2016 and is second only to Darren Clarke in the bookmakers’ running, having taken part as [...]
Wayne Rooney tipped to smash England goalscoring record – and every other one going November 11, 2014 England vice-captain Gary Cahill believes skipper Wayne Rooney will smash every national team record on offer as the Manchester United striker prepares to reach a further milestone against Slovenia on Saturday. Rooney will win his 100th cap in the Euro 2016 qualifier at Wembley and become the ninth century-maker in England’s history, moving ever close [...]
Africa Cup of Nations crisis after hosts Morocco axed in Ebola row November 11, 2014 AFRICAN football chiefs are today expected to announce a new venue for the Africa Cup of Nations after Morocco were stripped of hosting rights and disqualified from the tournament. Morocco were barred after asking to postpone the competition, which is due to begin in January, over fears that an influx of fans from across the [...]