West Brom agree terms with Mel as managerial hunt ends January 9, 2014 PREMIER League strugglers West Brom have appointed Spaniard Pepe Mel as head coach ending their month-long search to replace former boss Steve Clarke. Mel has signed an 18-month deal and will watch from the stands tomorrow as the Baggies, four points clear of the relegation zone, travel to out-of-form Southampton. The 50-year-old had initially held [...]
Grid star Irvine lands six-month prison sentence January 9, 2014 FORMER Ferrari driver Eddie Irvine has been sentenced to six months in prison following a conviction for his part in a brawl in a Milan nightclub in 2008. The 48-year-old, who spent nine years as a Formula One star, was found guilty along with Gabriele Moratti, the son of a former Milan mayor, of causing [...]
10 January on this day January 9, 2014 PETER Marinello celebrates a goal after only 14 minutes of his Arsenal debut against Manchester United at Old Trafford on 10 January 1970. A few days earlier, 19-year-old Marinello, dubbed the Scottish George Best, had become Arsenal’s record and first-ever six-figure signing when he moved from Hibs for £100,000. But the dream soon turned sour [...]
Pietersen future nears resolution January 9, 2014 CRICKET: Batsman Kevin Pietersen’s England future could become clearer today when Indian Premier League teams announce which players they have retained. If Pietersen renews his contract with Delhi Daredevils it could strain relations with England chiefs at a time when his place in the team is believed to be under serious threat following the 5-0 [...]
Murray to start against Soeda January 9, 2014 TENNIS: World No4 Andy Murray has been drawn to play Japan’s Go Soeda in the first round of the Australian Open, which begins on Monday. The Scot has been placed in the same half of the draw as world No1 Rafael Nadal and 17-time grand slam winner Roger Federer. Meanwhile, British No1 Laura Robson will [...]
Clarke among leaders in Durban January 9, 2014 GOLF: Former Open champion Darren Clarke shot a three-under-par 69 to finish two shots off then lead at the first European Tour event of 2014 yesterday. Frenchman Raphael Jacquelin set the pace at the Volvo Golf Champions in Durban, South Africa, with native star Louis Oosthuizen a shot behind and Northern Irishman Clarke, who has [...]
City’s killer instinct to prove too much for Newcastle January 9, 2014 BEN CLEMINSON AND BILL ESDAILE WITH THE WEEKEND’S BEST FOOTBALL AND RACING BETS BOOKIES believe it is Manchester City’s title to throw away this year and the 2012 champions are doing their bit to repay the layers’ faith at the moment. Manuel Pellegrini’s men are the top flight’s form side, having taken 25 points from [...]
Rebecca Curtis set for big day on classy card up at Warwick January 9, 2014 THERE’S a tremendous card packed with quality at Warwick tomorrow and I’m forecasting a big day for Rebecca Curtis as the Welsh-based handler is set to send a number of intriguing contenders up the M5. The Grade Three Betfred Classic Chase (3.35pm) is set to be a real battle of attrition over 3m 5f on [...]
Brutal slavery epic is destined for awards January 9, 2014 FILM 12 YEARS A SLAVE Cert 15 | By Simon Thomson Five Stars STEVE McQueen’s 12 Years a Slave is a brilliant film, but its brutality makes for difficult viewing. That might be the point. Based on a memoir of the same name, the book’s subtitle offers a succinct, albeit bloodless, summary of the film: [...]
Capital One Cup: Fans turn on Allardyce as West Ham are hit for six by slick City January 8, 2014 MANCHESTER CITY 6 vs WEST HAM UNITED 0 BELEAGUERED West Ham boss Sam Allardyce believed there was no disgrace in seeing his makeshift team become the fourth side this season to ship at least six goals at the Etihad Stadium. A hat-trick from £16m summer signing Alvaro Negredo, plus a brace from strike partner Edin [...]