Sport Comment: Absent Murray is a worthy winner December 15, 2013 THERE was something wonderfully refreshing about the victorious Andy Murray’s absence from Sports Personality of the Year last night. On a weekend of personality-obsessed television, whether it be X Factor or Strictly, here was a genuine star who understood that hard work had got him to be a leading contender for the award in the [...]
Premier League: Welbeck at the double for United December 15, 2013 ASTON VILLA 0 vs MANCHESTER UNITED 3 MANCHESTER United boss David Moyes fumed at the treatment meted out to youngster Adnan Januzaj after his side ended their Premier League losing run. Two goals from striker Danny Welbeck and one for midfielder Tom Cleverley defeated Aston Villa and lifted United to eighth, 10 points off the [...]
Deaths hit Brazil World Cup plan December 15, 2013 FEARS that Brazil’s preparations for next summer’s football World Cup could be hit by further delays grew yesterday as workers threatened to strike following two deaths relating to the same site in 24 hours. A local union in Manaus – where England play their opening match against Italy – said it could become the latest [...]
Quins and Wasps triumph to boost Euro prospects December 15, 2013 HARLEQUINS continued their Heineken Cup resurgence with a 17-3 win over Racing Metro yesterday and director of rugby Conor O’Shea insists his side are right back in the hunt for a quarter-final berth. Fly-half Nick Evans kicked three penalties before suffering a shoulder injury, while wing Charlie Walker crossed just seconds before the break to [...]
Wimbledon champ is top sports star of 2013 December 15, 2013 ANDY Murray, who in July became the first British man to win a Wimbledon singles’ title since 1936, was last night crowned BBC Sports Personality of the Year. The Scot did not attend the awards in Leeds, but received the trophy in Miami where he is training. “I know sometimes I’m not the easiest person [...]
Swans earn a draw at Norwich December 15, 2013 FOOTBALL: Swansea held onto their top-half position in the Premier League yesterday with a 1-1 draw at Norwich. Nathan Dyer put the visitors in front before Gary Hooper equalised.
Sacked Clarke: I had more to give December 15, 2013 FOOTBALL: Steve Clarke insists he had more to offer West Brom despite being sacked on Saturday night. “I believe I have unfinished business at WBA so it is with deep regret that I was relieved of duties,” he said yesterday.
Garcia wins first title of 2013 December 15, 2013 GOLF: Spain’s Sergio Garcia won his first title of 2013 yesterday at the Thailand Golf Championship, ending four shots clear of Sweden’s Henrik Stenson. England’s Justin Rose finished fourth.
A classy end to a successful season of Michael Grandage December 12, 2013 THEATRE HENRY V Noël Coward theatre | By Xenobe Purvis Four Stars OVER the course of Michael Grandage’s five-play season at the Noel Coward Theatre, the venue has seen star-studded casts perform parts as diverse as spliff-smoking fairies and cross-dressing soldiers. And now it is home to Henry V, which – although offering us nothing [...]
The Bottle Opener: Champagne’s leading man December 12, 2013 The last eponymous head of a champagne house talks about his passion for fizz Pierre-Emmanuel Taittinger, the last eponymous head of a great champagne house, personifies the wine he has spent his life making and selling; full of elegance, charm and effervescence. “I am a singular man. I am an iconoclast. My favourite food is [...]