Rio’s blast at England policy October 1, 2014 FORMER England captain Rio Ferdinand has criticised national team bosses for treating players “like babies” at major international tournaments. QPR defender Ferdinand compares England’s policy unfavourably with that of Holland, whose players were allowed to go to bars during the World Cup in Brazil this summer, yet reached the semi-finals. “Our players are treated like [...]
Chelsea staying at Stamford Bridge has saved fans from an inexplicable sadness October 1, 2014 The increasing likelihood that Chelsea might remain at Stamford Bridge, the club's home since 1905, is wildly comforting to me as a supporter since the late sixties. When the club flirted with moving to Earls Court or Battersea Power station a couple of years ago, I allowed myself to see the reasoning behind it. [...]
Champions League: Mourinho backs Blues Euro bid after monster Matic seals win September 30, 2014 SPORTING LISBON 0 CHELSEA 1 CONFIDENT Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho insists his side’s Champions League fate rests in their own hands after the Blues seized control of Group G with a hard-earned victory against Sporting Lisbon last night. The visitors dominated for large parts of the game but were denied on numerous occasions by Sporting [...]
Champions League: Milner laments dropped points as City fail to fire in Europe again September 30, 2014 MANCHESTER CITY 1 AS ROMA 1 MANCHESTER City midfielder James Milner rued two points dropped after England’s champions were left fighting for their European survival by a hard-fought draw at home to Italy’s pace-setters Roma. City looked to have conjured the perfect response to defeat in their Champions League group opener at Bayern Munich when [...]
Wenger seeks winning formula as reign enters nineteenth year September 30, 2014 ARSENAL manager Arsene Wenger has challenged his team to get their Champions League campaign back on track by rediscovering the winning habit at home to Galatasaray tonight. The Gunners lie bottom of Group D having lost their opening fixture at Borussia Dortmund – part of a stuttering start to the season in which they have [...]
Corbisiero out until next year September 30, 2014 ENGLAND coach Stuart Lancaster’s autumn international selection worries are mounting after Northampton Saints prop Alex Corbisiero was ruled out until next year with a shoulder injury. Lancaster is now set to be without four regular front-row forwards for the November schedule, having already lost Saracens’ Mako Vunipola and Leicester Tigers pair Tom Youngs and Dan [...]
Westwood has Ryder support September 30, 2014 FORMER captain Colin Montgomerie has thrown Lee Westwood’s name into the ring as a possible successor to Paul McGinley but only if the Englishman is ready to call time on his Ryder Cup playing career. Montgomerie skippered Europe to victory at Celtic Manor four years ago and will help select the next incumbent for Hazeltine [...]
US swimming star arrested September 30, 2014 SWIMMING great Michael Phelps was arrested for driving under the influence during the early hours of yesterday morning in Baltimore, Maryland. The 29-year-old, who is the most decorated Olympian of all time with 22 medals to his name, was also charged with excessive speed – driving at 84mph in a 45mph zone – and crossing double [...]
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 [...]