City only team in Manchester, says Pellegrini February 17, 2014 MANCHESTER City manager Manuel Pellegrini has dismissed rivals Manchester United as a realistic threat, claiming his team have become the only club in the city. Barcelona, dubbed “the most important club in the world” by Pellegrini, visit the Etihad Stadium tonight in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 clash, as City’s bid to [...]
Lancaster warns Burgess he faces World Cup fight February 17, 2014 ENGLAND coach Stuart Lancaster has warned rugby league star Sam Burgess that he faces an uphill battle to break into his squad for next year’s World Cup. Burgess, 25, has targeted a spot in Lancaster’s team at the tournament on home soil after agreeing a £500,000 deal to switch codes later this year and join [...]
Murdoch vows not to waste lifeline in Sochi February 17, 2014 BRITISH skip David Murdoch knows his rink have been handed a lifeline to reach the curling semi-finals and has vowed not to waste it in today’s tiebreaker with Norway. Team GB suffered a 6-5 defeat to China in their final round robin match in Sochi yesterday, but a surprise 5-3 loss for Norway against Denmark [...]
Wilkins and Curbishley axed by Fulham February 17, 2014 FULHAM sacked technical director Alan Curbishley and assistant head coach Ray Wilkins yesterday, following the arrival of manager Felix Magath. The pair joined previous boss Rene Meulensteen at Craven Cottage in December, but were dismissed after the Dutchman was told to step aside on Friday. Meulensteen remains under contract at Fulham, however.
Golf Comment: Upsets on the cards in welcome return to drama of match play February 17, 2014 I LOVE match play golf and I believe crowds really enjoy it too, so I’m looking forward to tomorrow’s WGC Match Play Championship in Arizona. It’s a totally different contest to stroke play and you really get to see the guts of a competitor. So it’s a great shame that three of the world’s top [...]
Hodgson’s visit ends concerns over Brazil heat February 17, 2014 ENGLAND manager Roy Hodgson insists the heat in Manaus is not a cause for concern, following yesterday’s visit to the city which will host their World Cup opener with Italy on 14 June. Hodgson had said prior to the draw for the group stage that the Arena Amazonia in Manaus was “a place to avoid” [...]
McIlroy to face Weekley test February 17, 2014 GOLF: Former world No1 Rory McIlroy has been drawn to face America’s Boo Weekley in the first round of the WGC Match Play in Arizona tomorrow.
Late leveller keeps Hull in cup February 17, 2014 FOOTBALL: Hull striker Yannick Sagbo struck an 85th-minute equaliser at Brighton last night to cancel out Leonardo Ulloa’s first-half opener and earn an FA Cup fifth round replay.
FA Cup: Mourinho is embarrassing for Chelsea, says Wenger February 16, 2014 AT EMIRATES STADIUM ARSENAL 2 vs LIVERPOOL 1 ARSENAL manager Arsene Wenger last night labelled the recent jibes fired his way by Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho as “silly” and “disrespectful”, after watching the Gunners battle their way into the FA Cup quarter-finals. Goals either side of half-time from Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Lukas Podolski proved enough [...]
Smith all smiles as Exiles ease away day blues February 16, 2014 LONDON Irish director of rugby Brian Smith believes his side’s 23-20 victory at London Wasps was even better than last week’s triumph at Saracens as the Exiles recorded back-to-back away wins in Aviva Premiership Rugby for the first time since 2010. Smith’s side picked up where they left off at Allianz Park, scoring two early [...]