United must win semi-final for supporters, says Fletcher January 6, 2014 MANCHESTER United midfielder Darren Fletcher feels tonight’s Capital One Cup semi-final first leg against Sunderland presents the perfect opportunity for his team-mates to repay the unwavering support being shown at Old Trafford despite the club’s recent slump. United have lost four of their last six home matches, including Sunday’s FA Cup third round tie with [...]
Blatter blasts Brazil over delays January 6, 2014 FOOTBALL: World Cup preparations in Brazil have been heavily criticised by world governing body Fifa’s president Sepp Blatter. Six of the 12 stadiums failed to meet a 31 December completion deadline and Blatter said: “No country has been so far behind in preparations since I have been at Fifa.”
Referee Clattenburg in the clear January 6, 2014 FOOTBALL: The Football Association have ruled referee Mark Clattenburg’s comment to Southampton captain Adam Lallana that he was “different” since playing for England did not constitute misconduct.
Injured Patchell out of Six Nations January 6, 2014 RUGBY UNION: Wales and Cardiff Blues fly-half Rhys Patchell will miss the Six Nations with a knee injury.
Arts and lifestyle highlights for the next twelve months January 5, 2014 From Glastonbury to Shakespeare to Matisse, you won’t be short of things to do in 2014 MUSICArcade Fire confirmed as headliners for Glastonbury 2014The Glastonbury 2014 lineup is being kept under-wraps until summer, but that hasn’t stopped rumours surfacing thanks to loose-tongued artists and hints dropped by organiser Emily Eavis. Arcade Fire instigated a flurry [...]
Thrills, spills and Brazil: We’re in for vintage 2014 January 5, 2014 Sports editor Frank Dalleres looks forward to a World Cup, Commonwealth Games, Winter Olympics and much more FOOTBALLWorld Cup, 12 June – 13 JulyGold and green, questionable samba references, sweltering temperatures: this year is all about the World Cup in the Beautiful Game’s spiritual home, Brazil. The hosts, Argentina, Germany and Spain are the favourites, [...]
Worst ever Ashes series leaves England reeling January 5, 2014 ENGLAND face a period of intense soul-searching following the humiliation of a 5-0 series defeat in Australia, regarded as even worse than the last Ashes whitewash suffered just seven years ago Down Under. There have only been three whitewashes in Ashes history, the first coming in 1920-21, and all inflicted on England. The second, in [...]
FA Cup: Allardyce confesses to job threat January 5, 2014 NOTTINGHAM FOREST 5 vs WEST HAM 0 UNDER-FIRE manager Sam Allardyce admitted he will lose his job at West Ham unless results improve dramatically, after the Hammers crashed out of the FA Cup to second-tier Nottingham Forest. A Jamie Paterson hat-trick helped the Championship team trounce West Ham at the City Ground, yet Allardyce – [...]
Sport Comment: Could this be defining year for Gerrard? January 5, 2014 IN AN idle moment over the past fortnight of sloth and general indulgence (with apologies to those of you who’ve been at the coalface without a break) I came upon Liverpool’s official website, and the profile of their captain Steven Gerrard. “Once in a generation,” it reads, “a player comes along to whom nothing seems [...]
Smith hopeful O’Connor will stay with Irish January 5, 2014 LONDON Irish director of rugby Brian Smith intends to pull out all the stops to keep hold of full-back James O’Connor after the Australian’s latest masterclass. O’Connor scored his first Exiles try and kicked 17 points in Saturday’s 22-9 triumph over Worcester Warriors. The 23-year-old joined the club in October and while he is already [...]