Swann in firing line as Flower wields axe for third Test December 10, 2013 ENGLAND head coach Andy Flower has warned he is ready to be ruthless as he attempts to plot an unprecedented Ashes fightback – and hinted that spinner Graeme Swann could be a surprise casualty. Flower yesterday made plain his dissatisfaction at England’s meek surrender in the first two Tests, which have left them facing the [...]
Wenger: Tricky spell is time for Arsenal to shine December 10, 2013 ARSENAL manager Arsene Wenger believes his side can afford to lose their next two Premier League games against Manchester City and Chelsea and still mount a formidable title challenge. The first of a trio of tricky fixtures tonight at Napoli, however, offers less wriggle room, with the Gunners needing to avoid a three-goal defeat to [...]
Cricket Comment: Coaches to blame if England are unprepared December 10, 2013 MAYBE there’s an element of complacency to England’s woeful Ashes – clearly Australia are more hungry; to a man, desperate to win – but the biggest factor looks to be that they have been badly prepared. As unsettling and consistent as Mitchell Johnson has been, it was no secret he was bowling straight and fast. [...]
Champions League: Moyes dreams of European glory as United relocate winning touch December 10, 2013 MANCHESTER UNITED 1 vs SHAKHTAR DONETSK 0 MANCHESTER United boss David Moyes insists his target is to win the Champions League after his side eased the pressure on him by qualifying for the knockout stage as group winners. A second-half volley from midfielder Phil Jones killed Shakhtar Donetsk’s hopes of progressing and prevented United falling [...]
FA: Fixing no big issue but we’re not complacent December 10, 2013 FOOTBALL Association general secretary Alex Horne insists fixing in sport is “not a big issue” but has warned against complacency following a spate of arrests. Horne was among representatives from five major sports, also including cricket, rugby union and league and horse racing, who attended an emergency summit held by Culture Secretary Maria Miller yesterday. [...]
We’re best in group but don’t expect the cup, says Mourinho December 10, 2013 CHELSEA manager Jose Mourinho has called on his team to justify their billing as the best team in Champions League Group E by clinching top spot tonight. The Blues will open the door for Basel to overtake them if they fail to beat bottom club Steaua Bucharest at Stamford Bridge. “We are the best team [...]
Snow result December 10, 2013 JUVENTUS are due to resume their decisive final Champions League group game against Galatasaray at 12 noon today after last night’s match was abandoned due to blizzards in Istanbul. The teams were called off after 32 minutes with the score 0-0. The Turkish team must win to deny the Italians – and Gianluigi Buffon (above) [...]
Anglo-Welsh tournament backed December 10, 2013 RUGBY UNION: Former Wales captain Ryan Jones has backed calls for the four regions to form a competition with English clubs instead of taking part in the Heineken Cup. Talks with Welsh chiefs are set for today, and Jones said: “I’ve said for years a British league would be absolutely fantastic.”
Vettel fury at double points rule December 10, 2013 FORMULA ONE: World champion Sebastian Vettel has labelled new rules offering double points at the season’s final race “absurd”. The German added: “This punishes those who have worked hard for a whole season.”
Cook: Ashes aren’t gone yet December 9, 2013 England must prove mettle at the WACA, says beaten captain BELEAGUERED England captain Alastair Cook has urged his crumbling side to defy their atrocious record in Perth and snatch a last Ashes lifeline in the third Test this week. A 218-run defeat to Australia in Adelaide early yesterday has left England facing defeat and a [...]