Benitez: Being Chelsea boss is easier than Liverpool job November 22, 2012 NEW Chelsea manager Rafael Benitez brushed off concerns over interference from Blues owner Roman Abramovich last night, insisting the Stamford Bridge job will prove easier than managing Liverpool. Benitez said Abramovich would not be involved on a day-to-day basis and that working with the Russian was preferable to his last days at Anfield under warring [...]
Flawless Launchbury handed chance to stake England claim November 22, 2012 ENGLAND head coach Stuart Lancaster has hailed the impact of “error free” Joe Launchbury after handing the Wasps youngster a first Test start against South Africa tomorrow. The 21-year-old lock replaces his club colleague Tom Palmer, who has a mild calf injury, having impressed off the bench against Fiji and Australia, in a side including [...]
Spurs bailed out by heroic Lloris November 22, 2012 LAZIO 0 vs TOTTENHAM 0 TOTTENHAM manager Andre Villas-Boas praised a match-saving performance from goalkeeper Hugo Lloris after he earned Spurs a point in Rome last night. The France No1 has struggled to hold down a first-team place since arriving in the summer but pulled off a string of saves to sustain Tottenham’s bid to [...]
Warne slams India for spinning England yarn November 22, 2012 INDIA captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni was last night accused of employing gamesmanship in an attempt to intimidate England on the eve of the second Test, which was set to begin in Mumbai this morning. Australia spin great Shane Warne criticised Dhoni for demanding groundsmen at the Wankhede Stadium provide conditions that elicit maximum turn, against [...]
Ansbro comeback from horror injury hands London Irish lift November 22, 2012 LONDON Irish No8 Alex Gray insists the return of Joe Ansbro after a broken neck has given them a timely boost as they look to kick-start their Aviva Premiership campaign against Exeter Chiefs on Sunday. The Exiles have struggled without the Scotland centre, who suffered the injury in August, winning just two of their opening [...]
Tottenham fans hospitalised by knife-wielding Lazio Ultras November 22, 2012 A TOTTENHAM supporter was recovering in hospital last night in Rome after being seriously injured, with several others hurt, in an attack by Italian Ultras yesterday before the Europa League match against Lazio. Spurs fans were drinking in the Drunken Ship in Campo de Fiori at 1am on Thursday morning when the pub was descended [...]
Hatton battling with emotions for his crunch return to the ring November 22, 2012 FORMER two-weight world champion boxer Ricky Hatton admits he will struggle to control his emotions when he returns to the ring against Vyacheslav Senchenko tomorrow. The 34-year-old is back after a turbulent three-and-a-half year absence from the ring, dealing with depression and substance abuse. “It will be a very emotional night for me,” said Hatton. [...]
It’s Vettel’s to lose – Alonso November 22, 2012 FERRARI’S Fernando Alonso insists the pressure is on his Formula One championship title rival Sebastian Vettel ahead of Sunday’s decisive Brazilian Grand Prix. Alonso sits 13 points behind Vettel as they approach the season finale, with the Red Bull driver needing just a top four finish to secure the championship. It’s a positioning that Alonso [...]
Drogba denied Blues loan deal by Fifa red tape November 22, 2012 CHELSEA have been thwarted in their attempt to bring former talisman Didier Drogba back to the club on loan next month after world governing body Fifa rejected the striker’s request. Drogba, who left Stamford Bridge for Shanghai Shenhua on a free transfer just six months ago, had applied for special dispensation to be transferred outside [...]
Liverpool fall short late on November 22, 2012 LIVERPOOL threw away their chance of qualifying for the Europa League knockout stages last night, conceding late on to draw 2-2 with Young Boys at Anfield. Jonjo Shelvey and Joe Cole twice put the Reds ahead but a long range Raul Bobadilla strike and Elsad Zverotic’s fierce equaliser drew Young Boys level. Liverpool must achieve [...]