Murray hands Great Britain double boost in Davis Cup September 15, 2013 WIMBLEDON champion Andy Murray has pledged to play a full part in the Davis Cup after leading Great Britain back into the competition’s top division for the first time in five years. Murray clinched victory over Croatia with a straight-sets triumph over Ivan Dodig yesterday, his third point of the tie having also beaten teenager [...]
McCall relishes Burger display in Sarries romp September 15, 2013 SARACENS boss Mark McCall labelled Jacques Burger brilliant after his all-action display continued their 100 per cent record in Aviva Premiership Rugby yesterday, this time at the expense of Gloucester. The 30-year-old flanker, involved from the first whistle to the last as Sarries ran out 44-12 winners at Allianz Park, was the victim of a [...]
Premier League: Allardyce reveals worry as Hammers draw another blank September 15, 2013 SOUTHAMPTON 0 vs WEST HAM UNITED 0 WEST Ham manager Sam Allardyce admitted his team’s lack of potency in front of goal is a growing concern, after they failed to net for the third Premier League game in a row. The Hammers registered just a single effort on target throughout the 90 minutes, though centre-back [...]
Mikel tips shot-shy Eto’o to show he’s still among the world’s best September 15, 2013 STRIKER Samuel Eto’o will soon show the Premier League he is still world class, according to Chelsea team-mate Jon Obi Mikel. Eto’o made a disappointing debut at Goodison Park on Saturday as the Blues lost 1-0 to Everton. The Cameroon striker was prolific at Barcelona and Inter Milan earlier in his career, but appears to [...]
Sport Comment: 2020 vision: only genetic freaks need apply September 15, 2013 IT WAS either the most invigorating or the most dispiriting rugby international for many a year. New Zealand’s victory over South Africa on Saturday produced some of the most brutal 80 minutes of aggression and assault you’re likely to have witnessed without criminal proceedings resulting. The Springbok pack averaged more than 18 stone a man. [...]
England squad depleted again as Barritt ruled out for the year September 15, 2013 ENGLAND centre Brad Barritt is set to miss the autumn internationals after being ruled out for the rest of the year with a foot injury. Barritt has undergone surgery on the problem, which first surfaced late last season and flared up again following last week’s Aviva Premiership opener against London Irish. The 27-year-old British and [...]
Back injury puts Australia captain Clarke in doubt for series decider September 15, 2013 AUSTRALIA captain Michael Clarke could miss his side’s final match of the 2013 tour of England, with a long-term back injury threatening to rule him out of today’s one-day international at Southampton. The best-of-five series is tied at 1-1 going into the decider at the Ageas Bowl, yet Aussie coach Darren Lehmann insists that star [...]
Viviani wins first Tour leg September 15, 2013 BRITONS Mark Cavendish and Sir Bradley Wiggins both failed to make an impression during yesterday’s first stage of the Tour of Britain, which was won in a sprint finish by Italian rider Elia Viviani of Cannondale. Cavendish was crowded out during the 130-mile Scottish leg, eventually ending 12th, while Wiggins was further back in 37th. [...]
Farah denied in thrilling finale to Great North Run September 15, 2013 BRITAIN’S Mo Farah suffered a rare defeat in yesterday’s Great North Run, finishing a close second to Ethiopian Kenenisa Bekele. Double world and Olympic champion Farah produced his trademark late surge but could not overtake Bekele in a gripping finale. Distance-running great Haile Gebrselassie was third in a world record time for over-40s. “When Kenenisa [...]
Bale scores on Real debut while Ronaldo signs bumper new deal September 15, 2013 THE WORLD’S most expensive player Gareth Bale marked his Real Madrid debut with a goal, but his new club were held to a 2-2 draw by Villarreal on Saturday. The Wales winger, who moved from Tottenham for £85.3m last month, opened his account for Real with a close range finish on the stroke of half-time. [...]