I fancy McIlroy’s chances, but reputation counts for nothing February 18, 2013 FORM and reputation go out of the window in a matchplay tournament but I’d still back Rory McIlroy to enjoy a good week at the WGC Matchplay Championship in Arizona. It will be tough for the Northern Irishman – matchplay is tough for everyone – but Rory is world number one and I’d expect him [...]
Lancaster reveals Morgan’s close to return February 18, 2013 ENGLAND coach Stuart Lancaster has revealed No8 Ben Morgan will be pushing for a return to action in the penultimate RBS Six Nations match against Italy on 10 March, but will miss Saturday’s visit of France. The Gloucester forward suffered an ankle injury in England’s opening match of the tournament against Scotland and will sit [...]
Super sub Nani notches to send United into last eight February 18, 2013 MANCHESTER United manager Sir Alex Ferguson lavished substitute Nani with praise after his man of the match performance helped the Reds reach the FA Cup sixth round last night. The Portuguese winger, who reportedly fell out with Ferguson at the end of last year and has made just three starts for United in 2013, came [...]
Wenger urges patience in bid to topple Bayern February 18, 2013 UNDER-FIRE Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger believes a patient approach to his side’s daunting Champions League last 16 tie with German giants Bayern Munich can see the Gunners reach the quarter-finals for the first time in three seasons. The Bundesliga leaders visit the Emirates Stadium for the first leg tonight on the back of five straight [...]
Arsenal won’t be a pushover February 18, 2013 ARSENAL still pose a threat to their European rivals despite recent woes on the pitch, Bayern Munich manager Jupp Heynckes warned on the weekend. The German league-leaders arrive in London this morning ahead of tomorrow’s Champions League clash at the Emirates stadium. Arsenal crashed out of the FA Cup with an embarrassing home defeat to [...]
Laudrup sorry for Swansea’s horror show February 17, 2013 SWANSEA boss Michael Laudrup issued an apology to the club’s travelling fans yesterday, after his team were hammered by Liverpool at Anfield. Steven Gerrard opened the scoring from the spot on 34 minutes, before a flood of second half goals from Philippe Coutinho, Jose Enrique, Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge secured the rout. “It was [...]
Benitez slams Terry rift talk as Blues progress February 17, 2013 CHELSEA manager Rafael Benitez labelled reports of a rift with defender John Terry as “total rubbish” after seeing his skipper score in yesterday’s FA Cup fourth round replay at Stamford Bridge. A national newspaper claimed the pair had fallen out over Terry’s lack of playing time since the Spaniard’s arrival on 21 November. But Benitez [...]
Cook brushes off wage dispute as England lose to New Zealand February 17, 2013 ENGLAND captain Alastair Cook insists his team is focused on winning the one-day international (ODI) series in New Zealand, despite falling 1-0 down amid a lingering pay dispute. New Zealand beat England by three wickets in Hamilton yesterday, reaching 259-7 with seven balls remaining, after bowling the tourists out for 258. The defeat coincided with [...]
Vunipola still fighting for Wasps despite nearing exit February 17, 2013 LONDON Wasps No8 Billy Vunipola is heading to Saracens next season but coach Dai Young insists his performance in yesterday’s 33-29 win over Gloucester show his allegiances lie at Adams Park for now. The 20-year-old, who scored a try yesterday, will join brother Mako at Sarries next season but Young has no fears for the [...]
Saracens’ stadium shows there’s no place like home February 17, 2013 FOR all the excitement of the Six Nations and the anticipation of what might happen when the French arrive at Twickenham this coming Saturday, an even more significant event for rugby union took place over the weekend when Saracens played their opening home league match on the new artificial pitch in Barnet. It was important [...]