Man United can still win the league, claims Mata January 27, 2014 MANCHESTER United’s record £37m signing Juan Mata still believes the champions can retain their Premier League title, despite trailing league leaders Arsenal by 14 points with 16 games to go. Mata is expected to make his debut against bottom club Cardiff at Old Trafford tomorrow night, as United look to end a miserable month on [...]
Nocerino must make special start January 27, 2014 WEST Ham boss Sam Allardyce has challenged Italy midfielder Antonio Nocerino to make an instant impact against Chelsea tomorrow night but revealed fellow loan signing Marco Borriello is not yet ready to make his debut. Nocerino, described by Allardyce as a “box-to-box midfielder”, is set to go straight into the squad after completing his temporary [...]
Swann: Don’t blame Cook for Ashes disaster January 27, 2014 RETIRED spin bowler Graeme Swann defended England captain Alastair Cook last night, admitting no-one could have inspired the squad to victory this winter, such was their collectively low performance levels. England endured the third whitewash in Ashes history, with the team only exceeding 300 runs twice in 10 innings. Problems on the field were coupled [...]
Lancaster to pick new faces January 27, 2014 ENGLAND coach Stuart Lancaster is set to hand debuts to several uncapped players for Saturday’s RBS Six Nations opener in France. Uncapped quintet Anthony Watson, Jack Nowell, Luther Burrell, Ed Slater and George Ford are available to Lancaster, who would have no hesitation in naming them in his starting line-up on Thursday. He said: “It’s [...]
Fury could face Chisora in June January 27, 2014 BRITISH heavyweights Tyson Fury and Dereck Chisora are set for a rematch in June, according to promoter Frank Warren. Fury won on points in the last meeting between the two at Wembley Arena in July 2011 and Warren is keen to arrange a WBO title eliminator this summer. He said: They’re the two best heavyweights [...]
Golf Comment: Putting demons behind him, it’s Garcia’s time to win Major January 27, 2014 WHEN conditions for golf are perfect it tends to mean the best individuals win, and that is why those tournaments held in the Middle East are enduringly popular among players. So it was great for the game and no surprise to see Sergio Garcia, regarded as one of the greatest natural ball-strikers since his teenage [...]
Quins’ LV= Cup victory stands January 27, 2014 RUGBY UNION: Harlequins were awarded their first win of the LV= Cup yesterday, after organisers ruled the result of Saturday’s abandoned group match against Leicester should stand. Quins, already eliminated from the competition, led 20-6 with nine minutes remaining at Twickenham Stoop when the tie was abandoned by referee Gwyn Morris after high winds blew [...]
Welsh to leave Kassam Stadium January 27, 2014 RUGBY UNION: London Welsh hope to leave the Kassam Stadium for their own home next season in order to generate revenue for the club on non-match days. Welsh have submitted proposals to redevelop the Polythene Stadium, formerly the home of Witney Town Football Club, into a 10,000-capacity venue. Welsh have played in Oxford United’s football [...]
Murray down to sixth in the world January 27, 2014 TENNIS: British No1 Andy Murray fell to No6 in the world rankings yesterday, his lowest position since August 2008. Switzerland’s Stanislas Wawrinka climbed up to third place following his victory in the Australian Open final over Spain’s Rafael Nadal, who retains the No1 spot from Novak Djokovic.
FA Cup: Pressure is on City, says Chelsea boss January 26, 2014 AT STAMFORD BRIDGE CHELSEA 1 vs STOKE CITY 0 BIRTHDAY boy Jose Mourinho insisted last night his Chelsea side will be underdogs for their heavyweight FA Cup fifth-round clash with all-conquering Manchester City. A stunning first-half free-kick from Oscar was enough to ensure the Blues’ safe passage to an eye-catching last-16 draw yesterday, which also [...]