Bale’s my man of the year in review of 2012 December 20, 2012 IT’S BEEN a hugely eventful year, from the extraordinary climax to the Premier League title race, to a new England manager and some dazzling individual performances. Here are my picks of 2012’s highlights. BEST PLAYER Robin van Persie’s goals kept Arsenal alive and he’s made a good start to life at Manchester United, but I’ve [...]
Manchester’s braced for return of Ronaldo December 20, 2012 FORMER Manchester United favourite Cristiano Ronaldo will return to Old Trafford in February when Real Madrid take on Alex Ferguson’s side in their last 16 Champions League tie. Arsenal, meanwhile, will have to overcome Bayern Munich to keep alive hope of a Wembley final, with the first leg at the Emirates. Celtic have been drawn [...]
Morgan tips young Lions to give India tougher test in Mumbai December 20, 2012 STAND-IN skipper Eoin Morgan has tipped England’s inexperienced Twenty20 side to bounce back from yesterday’s defeat in tomorrow’s second international against India. The tourists, missing regular captain Stuart Broad through injury, plus Graeme Swann, Kevin Pietersen and Steven Finn – all rested following their Test series exploits – were beaten by five wickets in Pune. [...]
Scotland turn to Johnson December 20, 2012 RUGBY UNION: Former Wales coach Scott Johnson has been appointed Scotland’s interim head coach, succeeding Andy Robinson in the hot seat. The Australian will take charge of the team for their Six Nations campaign, which begins against England in February.
Ince’s Liverpool move rubbished December 20, 2012 FOOTBALL: Blackpool boss Michael Appleton has rubbished suggestions Liverpool have agreed a deal to sign midfielder Thomas Ince in next month’s transfer window. “I think there’s been a conversation,” Appleton said. “But it’s way below the money we’d expect for someone of Tom’s talent.
Canaries are a big price to continue recent hot streak December 20, 2012 ONLY Premier League leaders Manchester United have taken more points in their last 10 games than Norwich, and the Canaries look over-priced for their trip to West Brom tomorrow. The Baggies’ early form has fizzled out recently and their dull 0-0 draw with an under-strength West Ham on Sunday means they are without a win [...]
Cash And Go can pay for the Christmas turkey December 20, 2012 TOMORROW’S highlight at Ascot is the Ladbroke Hurdle at 3.10pm, one of the richest handicaps in Europe. Alan King trains the likely favourite, Balder Success, who I’m sure is going to prove much better than his current mark of 147. However, this is going to be a brutal contest in the ground and 11st 4lb [...]
Riverside is the better option in the long run December 20, 2012 NICKY Henderson has an enviable recent record at Kempton’s William Hill Winter Festival, despite only winning the highlight, the William Hill King George VI Chase, once two years ago with Long Run. Robert Waley-Cohen’s seven-year-old is the favourite for this year’s renewal, but to me he seems a horse that is regressing and I don’t [...]
The Champ – AP McCoy December 20, 2012 Looking at the William Hill King George VΙ Chase, it’s not a surprise to see Long Run heading the market. If the ground stays testing then he is the one guaranteed to really stay. There are plenty of horses that have won over the three-mile trip, but for some like Finian’s Rainbow and Cue Card [...]
Jet-heeled Chelsea set up Swansea semi-final December 19, 2012 LEEDS UNITED 1 vs CHELSEA 5 CHELSEA manager Rafael Benitez hailed his players’ powers of recovery after they shrugged off jet-lag and came from behind to thrash Leeds and set up a Capital One Cup semi-final against Swansea. A shock looked in prospect when Luciano Becchio put the hosts ahead but the Blues hit back [...]