Szczesny wants Arsenal to stretch their lead November 11, 2013 ARSENAL goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny has called on his team-mates to reassert their authority at the top of the Premier League table, following Sunday’s 1-0 defeat to title rivals Manchester United. Striker Robin van Persie’s first-half header was enough to inflict a first league defeat on the Gunners since the opening day of the season and [...]
Saints preserving home form is key to early season surge November 11, 2013 PERHAPS the best story from this exciting season is Southampton’s surge into the top three under Mauricio Pochettino. Eyebrows were raised when Pochettino replaced Nigel Adkins, who led the Saints into the top flight with successive promotions, but the Argentinian has improved them even further. The 4-1-4-1 system Southampton favour allows them to press high [...]
Jamaican failed tests are tip of the iceberg, says doping chief November 11, 2013 A TOP Jamaican anti-doping official believes the country’s athletics scene could have a far bigger problem with drugs than is currently acknowledged. Dr Paul Wright’s comments come at the end of a difficult year for Jamaican track and field in which former 100m world record holder Asafa Powell and Olympic relay gold medallist Sherone Simpson [...]
Golf Comment: Rose and Poulter the big threats to Stenson’s Race to Dubai quest November 11, 2013 I CANNOT remember a European Tour season with so many players still in with a chance of scooping the order of merit as they prepare to tee off in the final event. Nine men remain in contention to win the Race to Dubai heading into the DP World Tour Championship, which begins at Jumeirah Golf [...]
Bell backs England to shrug off injury and weather woe November 11, 2013 ENGLAND batsman Ian Bell insists his team will be ready for next week’s first Ashes Test, despite injury and weather concerns having taken their toll on preparations since they arrived in Australia. Bell hit a century in England’s opening tour match but watched in frustration from the pavilion as persistent rainfall meant just 31 overs [...]
St. George’s on lockdown November 11, 2013 THE FOOTBALL Association were last night forced to make alternative accommodation and training arrangements for its England players following the outbreak of a stomach virus at St. George’s Park. The Under-21s side, who have been at the site since Sunday, have been unaffected but moved as a precaution, while the senior team will not meet at the [...]
Plans for Williams’ resurgence convinces Massa to leave Ferrari November 11, 2013 THE Formula One merry-go-round kicked into overdrive last night as Williams announced the signing of Felipe Massa from Ferrari, while McLaren are also poised to confirm rookie Kevin Magnussen will replace Sergio Perez next season. Massa has penned a three-year deal to replace Pastor Maldonado, with the Venezuelan driver tipped to replace Ferrari-bound Kimi Raikonnen [...]
Townsend reveals World Cup hopes November 11, 2013 FOOTBALL: Tottenham winger Andros Townsend intends to seize his opportunity to impress England manager Roy Hodgson in the forthcoming friendlies against Chile and Germany in order to boost his chances of selection for next summer’s World Cup squad. Townsend enjoyed a goalscoring debut against Montenegro last month then starred against Poland four days later and [...]
Armstrong makes honesty pledge November 11, 2013 CYCLING: Disgraced seven-time Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong has vowed to co-operate with any inquiry into doping by international union UCI. He said: “I would speak with 100 per cent transparency and honesty. All I would say is we had a very consistent pattern of behaviour for 20 years in cycling and yet the [...]
England to meet France in last eight November 11, 2013 RUGBY LEAGUE: France will be England’s opponents in Saturday’s rugby league World Cup quarter-final in Wigan following their 22-6 defeat to Samoa last night. Samoa will play Fiji in Warrington on Sunday.