Gatland sticks with Wales til 2019 December 16, 2013 RUGBY UNION: Wales head coach Warren Gatland has signed a new contract until 2019 but will be allowed to take charge of the British and Irish Lions in 2017, as he did this year, if offered the job. Wales chief Roger Lewis said: “We will do everything we can to support as we did in [...]
Zola resigns as Watford manager December 16, 2013 FOOTBALL: Gianfranco Zola last night blamed “a variety of reasons” for his decision to resign as Watford manager. Zola, who leaves the club 13th in the Championship but had lost his last five home games, said: “I feel it’s in the best interests of the team somebody new is given the chance.”
Premier League: AVB vows to fight on after Spurs suffer another rout December 15, 2013 TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 0 vs LIVERPOOL 5 SHELL-SHOCKED Spurs manager Andre Villas-Boas insisted last night that he will not be forced to quit despite the north Londoners suffering their worst home defeat in 16 years. A brace from Luis Suarez, as well as goals from Jordan Henderson, Jon Flanagan and Raheem Sterling, inflicted a second drubbing [...]
England suffer Broad injury blow as Australia close on Ashes glory December 15, 2013 PACEMAN Stuart Broad suffered a cruel injury blow yesterday as England hurtled towards a seemingly inevitable third Test defeat and the loss of the Ashes. Broad was struck on the foot by a Mitchell Johnson delivery, leaving him unable to bowl or field in Australia’s second innings in Perth and a fitness worry for the [...]
Wenger not happy to win title if Arsenal can’t beat big rivals December 15, 2013 ARSENAL boss Arsene Wenger says he would not tolerate his team losing more big clashes against key title rivals even if they were to win the Premier League by beating lower-ranked sides. The Gunners went down 6-3 at Manchester City on Saturday, their third league defeat of the season, yet remain two points clear at [...]
European big guns lie in wait for English sides December 15, 2013 BAYERN Munich, Barcelona and Juventus are among the European superpowers English clubs will be hoping to avoid when the draws for the next rounds of European competition take place today. Arsenal will be drawn against Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Barca or Bayern in the last 16 of the Champions League. Manchester City can [...]
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 [...]