Cook offers no excuse as England fail to halt brutal Indian assault August 27, 2014 DEFLATED England skipper Alastair Cook refused to pull any punches after his side wilted under a brutal onslaught from world champions India during a 133-run thrashing in the second one-day international at Cardiff yesterday. Indian batsman Suresh Raina smashed a blistering ton while sharing destructive partnerships with Rohit Sharma and skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who [...]
Murray refuses to be distracted from his philosophy at US Open August 27, 2014 BRITAIN’S Andy Murray will be sticking to his game-plan irrespective of a first-round wobble when he returns to US Open action against German qualifier Matthias Bachinger today. The unheralded Bachinger had never won a grand slam match before a straight-sets win over Czech Radek Stepanek in round one and will face the former Wimbledon champion [...]
Capital One Cup: Van Gaal humbled as MK Dons ditch United August 26, 2014 MK DONS 4 MANCHESTER UNITED 0 TROUBLED Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal has reiterated his stance there will be no instant remedy to the club’s woes after the Dutchman’s miserable start to life in the Old Trafford dugout continued with a Capital One Cup humiliation at MK Dons last night. United were taken to [...]
Lacklustre Watson out of US Open after thrashing at hands of Cirstea August 26, 2014 BRITISH No1 Heather Watson set her sights on consolatory doubles success after being dumped out of the US Open singles draw in the first round by Romanian Sorana Cirstea. Watson lasted just 54 minutes and won just 12 per cent of points on her second serve as she lost 6-1, 6-1 to Cirstea, who at [...]
Losing place among Euro elite not unthinkable, says Wenger August 26, 2014 MANAGER Arsene Wenger is banking on Arsenal’s Champions League pedigree giving them an edge in tonight’s make-or-break play-off clash against Besiktas at Emirates Stadium. The Gunners approach a tie poised at 0-0 from last week’s torrid first leg in Turkey without suspended top scorer Aaron Ramsey and injured striker Olivier Giroud and captain Mikel Arteta. [...]
More cash may need spending to keep Old Trafford star shining August 26, 2014 IT WAS meant to be a day to rekindle optimism among Manchester United fans, with confirmation of the British record £59.7m signing of Angel di Maria. Instead it ended in a new low for Louis van Gaal’s brief reign and raised further questions about how many more exorbitant fees might need to be sanctioned to [...]
Penalty woe as Blades gain Tevez revenge August 26, 2014 OLD foes Sheffield United returned to haunt West Ham after Ecuador striker Enner Valencia’s missed spot-kick sent Nigel Clough’s side through to the Capital One Cup third round at Upton Park last night. There has been bad blood between the two clubs ever since the Carlos Tevez ownership saga of 2007, and Hammers defender Winston Reid [...]
Premier League: Mario signing risky, admits Rodgers after City claim win August 25, 2014 MANCHESTER CITY 3 LIVERPOOL 1 LIVERPOOL boss Brendan Rodgers admits the signing of Mario Balotelli represents a gamble after Manchester City delivered a statment of intent and issued an early hammer blow to their title rivals thanks to a double from Montenegro hitman Stevan Jovetic at the Etihad Stadium last night. The former Fiorentina frontman [...]
Skipper backs more rugby joy as England’s women turn pro August 25, 2014 WORLD Cup-winning captain Katy McLean is confident full-time contracts will keep English rugby at the top of the women’s game after the sport’s governing body confirmed top female players will be paid for the first time. England Women’s Sevens side will now operate on a professional basis and the Rugby Football Union has issued 20 [...]
Balotelli feels the English top flight is home August 25, 2014 ITALY striker Mario Balotelli savoured his return to English football last night and revealed his regret at quitting the Premier League for an 18-month spell at AC Milan. Balotelli watched from the stands as his new club Liverpool were defeated 3-1 by his former team Manchester City, hours after his £16m had been confirmed. The [...]