Blithe Spirit the bet of the day at Chester May 8, 2014 CHESTER really is a marmite track for punters – you either love it or hate it. Often jokingly referred to as a greyhound track, the tight turns mean it’s almost impossible for horses drawn wide or who miss the break to gain a prominent position. The riders in the 3.15pm today won’t have so many [...]
One of Greg Dyke’s core claims about English players doesn’t stack up May 8, 2014 English Football Association chairman Greg Dyke has outlined his vision for English teams to develop more England players. Highlighting a decline in the number of English players in the Premier League's top four clubs, much of the 84 page report rests on a core assumption: That more English players in top flight football will mean [...]
Premier League: Entertainers City on edge of title glory May 7, 2014 MANCHESTER CITY 4 ASTON VILLA 0 MANCHESTER City manager Manuel Pellegrini is thrilled his side have scored their way to the brink of becoming Premier League champions after moving to the summit last night for the first time since January. A second-half brace from Edin Dzeko, plus goals from substitute Stevan Jovetic and Yaya Toure [...]
French club gets female manager May 7, 2014 PORTUGUESE football coach Helena Costa has become the first woman to manage a high-profile European team after she was appointed by French second-tier club Clermont. Former Celtic scout Costa, 36, is to take charge this summer after three years coaching the women’s national teams of Qatar and more recently Iran, a post she left in [...]
Monk named Swansea boss May 7, 2014 SWANSEA revealed a “back to basics” approach was the key to Garry Monk’s appointment as manager yesterday on a three-year deal. Monk, 35, succeeded Michael Laudrup as boss on a temporary basis in February and has guided the Swans to Premier League safety with 15 points from 13 games in charge. Chairman Huw Jenkins said: [...]
Barnes bags two jerseys to steal British limelight May 7, 2014 BRITAIN’S Hannah Barnes upstaged decorated compatriots Lizzie Armitstead and Dani King on stage one of the inaugural women’s Tour of Britain with a third place overall finish to grab the Best Young Rider’s and Best British Rider’s jerseys. Barnes, 21, sprinted over the line in her home county Northamptonshire behind winner Emma Johansson of Sweden [...]
Depleted England will travel to New Zealand without Youngs May 7, 2014 ENGLAND will be without hooker Tom Youngs for their three-Test tour of New Zealand next month, with the 27-year-old remaining at home to care for his ill wife Tiffany. Youngs has won 20 Test caps, including three for the British and Irish Lions, and featured in all of England’s Six Nations matches earlier this year. [...]
Premier League: Sunderland make miracle escape May 7, 2014 SUNDERLAND 2 WEST BROMWICH ALBION 0 JUBILANT Sunderland manager Gus Poyet insists he now believes in miracles after his team clinched an extraordinary feat of Premier League escapology last night. First-half goals from Jack Colback and Fabio Borini downed West Brom and earned the Black Cats a fourth consecutive win, effectively relegating Norwich simultaneously. Less [...]
Van Gaal hopes to be United’s new manager May 7, 2014 HOLLAND boss Louis van Gaal declared his desire to become the next Manchester United manager last night, labelling the club the “biggest in the world”. The 62-year-old is set to leave his post following this summer’s World Cup in Brazil and is keen to succeed David Moyes at Old Trafford, so long as United want [...]
Saracens learn semi-final date May 7, 2014 RUGBY UNION: Saracens’ Aviva Premiership semi-final will take place on 17 May, one week before they contest the Heineken Cup final against Toulon in Cardiff. The other last-four clash will take place 24 hours earlier.