Mourinho ready to gamble with star turn Costa’s injury concerns September 29, 2014 CHELSEA boss Jose Mourinho will gamble with the fitness of star turn Diego Costa after confirming the goalscoring sensation will lead his side’s line against Sporting Lisbon in their Champions League Group G clash tonight. The Blues drew their opening European fixture of the season 1-1 against Schalke at Stamford Bridge, with the benched Costa [...]
Premier League: Pardew fears the axe after latest Magpies setback September 29, 2014 STOKE CITY 1 NEWCASTLE UNITED 0 UNDER-FIRE Newcastle boss Alan Pardew last night reiterated his intention to battle for his job after the winless Magpies slumped to their third defeat of a so far wretched season against Stoke City at the Britannia Stadium. An early Peter Crouch header proved the difference between the sides and [...]
Hart rejects lure of Italy and vows to fight on September 29, 2014 MANCHESTER City goalkeeper Joe Hart has praised former team-mates Ashley Cole and Micah Richards for embracing moves to Italy but insists he is not ready to follow suit, despite facing a renewed fight for his place. Hart’s former England colleague Cole is part of the in-form Roma team facing City in tonight’s Champions League clash, [...]
Golf Comment: Europe’s Ryder Cup triumph just desserts for meticulous McGinley September 29, 2014 I’D NORMALLY try to avoid talking about individuals after a magnificent team performance such as the one Europe delivered to beat the United States and win the Ryder Cup on Sunday. But I have to pay tribute to Paul McGinley, who was an incredible captain and one of the outstanding factors in an excellent few [...]
Feud won’t hit Clarke hopes, insists skipper September 29, 2014 VICTORIOUS Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley insists ill-feeling between him and would-be successor Darren Clarke will not affect his input into who should skipper Europe’s title defence in 2016. McGinley, who masterminded an emphatic defeat of the United States on Sunday at Gleneagles, is part of a five-man panel tasked with choosing his successor for [...]
Scrap B teams, fans urge Dyke September 29, 2014 LEADING football fans’ groups have stressed their opposition to Greg Dyke’s proposals for a league composed of big clubs’ B teams in face-to-face talks with the Football Association chairman. The Football Supporters’ Federation and Supporters Direct also rejected Dyke’s commission’s suggestion of strategic loan partnerships as “feeder clubs by the back door”. A joint statement [...]
Europe secure Ryder Cup glory September 28, 2014 Donaldson’s classy iron sinks USA as players heap praise on captain McGinley ECSTATIC Welsh rookie Jamie Donaldson acknowledged he produced the shot of a lifetime to ensure Europe steamrolled the United States 16½-11 ½ and secured a hat-trick of Ryder Cup successes at Gleneagles yesterday. The 38-year-old struck an exquisite approach shot to the 15th [...]
Chelsea mull relocating to Twickenham September 28, 2014 CHELSEA have held exploratory talks over a temporary move to Twickenham as the Premier League leaders look to expand the capacity of Stamford Bridge, the Rugby Football Union has confirmed. The Blues revealed their intention to overhaul their 41,837-capacity ground earlier this year, having been frustrated in attempts to relocate to a new stadium at [...]
Berahino enhances England bid as Baggies down hapless Clarets September 28, 2014 ENGLAND Under-21 forward Saido Berahino boosted his chances of a senior international call-up with two goals as West Brom cruised to a commanding 4-0 victory over winless Burnley at The Hawthorns yesterday. Defender Craig Dawson opened the scoring before Berahino fired West Brom into the ascendency with two strikes either side of the interval as [...]
Arsenal’s pivotal week hit by injuries to Ramsey and Arteta September 28, 2014 ARSENAL boss Arsene Wenger admits he is sweating over a deepening injury crisis as his team prepare for a potentially pivotal week in which they face Galatasaray and Chelsea. Wenger saw Aaron Ramsey and Mikel Arteta limp off in Saturday’s 1-1 draw against neighbours Tottenham, while fellow midfielder Jack Wilshere also needed lengthy treatment after [...]