Laudrup sacked by Swansea as board seek stable future February 4, 2014 SWANSEA chairman Huw Jenkins sacked manager Michael Laudrup due to doubts over his long-term commitment, the club revealed last night. The 49-year-old helped Swansea win the first trophy in their history when they lifted the Capital One Cup last season, but has since overseen just eight wins from 35 Premier League games. Laudrup was openly [...]
FA Cup: Blunt Fulham dumped out of Cup by Blades February 4, 2014 FULHAM 0 vs SHEFFIELD UNITED 1 (After extra time) FULHAM boss Rene Meulensteen admitted his team’s lack of creativity in last night’s embarrassing FA Cup exit was so alarming they could have played for a month and still not scored. Sheffield United, 23rd in League One and the lowest ranked team left in the competition, [...]
Golf Comment: Gallacher stakes claim for home Ryder Cup February 4, 2014 AN HISTORIC second successive title at the Dubai Desert Classic for Stephen Gallacher on Sunday could prove a boost not just for the Scot but also for Europe at this year’s Ryder Cup. His successful trophy defence – the first in the event’s 25 years – puts him in a great position to qualify for [...]
Ashton and Youngs miss out again February 4, 2014 RUGBY UNION: Exiled duo Chris Ashton and Ben Youngs have been left out in the cold again for Saturday’s Calcutta Cup showdown with Scotland. Head coach Stuart Lancaster is to stick with the same 23-man squad narrowly beaten by France last weekend. Fly-half George Ford is one of 10 released to play for their clubs this [...]
Basketball funding extinguished February 4, 2014 OLYMPICS: Basketball, weightlifting, water polo and synchronised swimming have had their funding withdrawn by UK Sport for missing targets. Triathlon and fencing are set for cash boosts for the next two Games.
Premier League: Chelsea halt City’s title charge February 3, 2014 MANCHESTER CITY 0 vs CHELSEA 1 Mourinho credits club masseur for inspiring victory CHELSEA manager Jose Mourinho revealed a team-talk from masseur Billy McCulloch inspired last night’s victory against their title rivals. Branislav Ivanovic’s first-half strike was enough to move Chelsea level on points with second-placed City, and two behind leaders Arsenal, as Manuel Pellegrini [...]
Defeat just a small setback, says Pellegrini February 3, 2014 MANCHESTER City boss Manuel Pellegrini feels his team’s title chances have not suffered despite defeat to Chelsea in last night’s top of the table clash. City, without injured stalwarts Sergio Aguero and Fernandinho, missed the chance to return to the top of the Premier League as Branislav Ivanovic’s first-half goal ended an eight-match winning run. [...]
May back to boost England ahead of meeting with the Auld Enemy February 3, 2014 ENGLAND wing Jonny May last night handed head coach Stuart Lancaster a boost, when declared fit to take on Scotland on Saturday. May was replaced in the early stages of last weekend’s Six Nations opening day defeat to France with a broken nose. But the 23-year-old has been cleared for an immediate return to action [...]
Exclusive: Double points rule is because Ferrari failing, says Eccelstone February 3, 2014 FORMULA ONE boss Bernie Ecclestone says he introduced controversial rules to award double points for the last race of the season in order to help Ferrari compete. The oldest and most celebrated team on the grid have not won a world championship since 2007 – a predicament Ecclestone says contributed to his passing the rule, [...]
Cricket Comment: Kirsten is pick of candidates for Flower job February 3, 2014 COACH Andy Flower’s decision to step down from the England job following a disastrous winter caused mild surprise but it was no shock. As I’ve detailed in this column more than once, I think it is the right move – the question now is who succeeds him. In an ideal world it would be Gary [...]