Ashes places up for grabs November 5, 2013 ENGLAND captain Alastair Cook says the starting line-up for the fast approaching first Ashes Test in Brisbane is far from finalised. Cook’s side began their penultimate warm-up match against Australia A in Hobart last night, with the first Test due to begin on 21 November. And the Essex batsman feels several fringe members of the [...]
Djokovic has to dig deep to beat Federer November 5, 2013 WORLD No2 Novak Djokovic admitted he passed a gruelling physical test in beating 17-time grand slam champion Roger Federer at the O2 Arena last night, just two days after winning the Paris Masters. Djokovic, who beat Federer in the semi-final in Paris last week, had the better of the Swiss star in three sets once [...]
Champions League: Missed chances frustrate Moyes in United draw November 5, 2013 REAL SOCIEDAD 0 v MANCHESTER UNITED 0 MANCHESTER United boss David Moyes bemoaned his side’s wastefulness after striker Robin van Persie’s penalty miss denied them almost certain progress to the Champions League last 16. Van Persie also hit the woodwork in open play, before midfielder Marouane Fellaini was sent off to complete a frustrating night. [...]
Vunipola out of Argentina clash November 5, 2013 RUGBY UNION: England prop Mako Vunipola will miss Saturday’s visit of Argentina with a knee ligament strain, but Alex Corbisiero and Geoff Parling have been included in head coach Stuart Lancaster’s 27-man squad. Lancaster said: “We have named an extended squad as we need a further 24 hours to assess one or two minor niggles [...]
Fiorente wins Melbourne Cup November 5, 2013 HORSE RACING: British-trained Red Cadeauz and Mount Athos finished second and third in yesterday’s Melbourne Cup, won by the 6/1 favourite Fiorente. Meanwhile Brown Panther, co-owned by former England striker Michael Owen, finished eighth.
Spurs hit by criticism but say Lloris was fit to play on November 4, 2013 TOTTENHAM yesterday defended their decision to allow goalkeeper Hugo Lloris to continue playing after being knocked unconscious during Sunday’s goalless draw with Everton, despite staunch criticism. Lloris required lengthy treatment after an accidental clash with Toffees striker Romelu Lukaku, but appeared to defy initial advice from the Spurs medical department that he be substituted and [...]
Del Potro out to spring a surprise at the O2 Arena November 4, 2013 FORMER US Open champion Juan Martin del Potro hopes a fearless approach to the remainder of the ATP World Tour Finals group stage in London can ensure his progress to Sunday’s semi-finals. The Argentine made a winning start at the O2 Arena, defeating France’s Richard Gasquet 6-7, 6-3, 7-5 in two hours 23 minutes last [...]
Riether facing a three-game ban for Januzaj clash November 4, 2013 FULHAM defender Sascha Riether has until 6pm tonight to answer a Football Association charge of violent conduct following an apparent stamp on Manchester United winger Adnan Januzaj on Saturday. The incident, in the final minutes of Fulham’s 3-1 defeat at Craven Cottage, was not spotted by referee Lee Probert but subsequently reviewed by a panel [...]
Toure’s racism exaggerated and sanction went too far, insist CSKA November 4, 2013 CSKA Moscow last night risked reopening a racism row on the eve of their rematch with Manchester City by suggesting they had been the victims of a witch-hunt. The Russian team were last week ordered to close a section of their stadium for their next Champions League home game, after European governing body Uefa upheld [...]
Farah on track for global gong November 4, 2013 BRITISH distance runner Mo Farah has been included on the three-man shortlist for the World Athlete of the Year award. The 30-year-old this year added world 5,000m and 10,000m gold medals to his Olympic double in the same events. Iconic Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt won three golds at the World Championships in Moscow and is [...]