Murray content to wait for slam win effect January 15, 2013 BRITAIN’S Andy Murray insists that he will only reap the rewards of his grand slam winning experience if he reaches the second week of the Australian Open. Murray faces Joao Sousa – ranked 100th in the world – in round two having easily dispatched Dutchman Robin Haase in his opening match in Melbourne early yesterday. [...]
Hammers set to face Rooney January 15, 2013 WEST Ham have been warned they will face stars Wayne Rooney and Nani in a strong Manchester United line-up in tonight’s FA Cup third round replay at Old Trafford. England striker Rooney has not played since injuring his knee over Christmas, while winger Nani is also set to return following a 15-match absence. Defender Nemanja [...]
Benitez warns of Bridge low January 15, 2013 CHELSEA manager Rafael Benitez has warned his players they must rediscover their clinical touch in order to kick start their home form against Southampton tonight. The Blues have lost successive matches at Stamford Bridge – to Queens Park Rangers and Swansea – and have failed to score in four of six home games under Benitez. [...]
Fulham snatch replay victory January 15, 2013 FULHAM captain Brede Hangeland headed a last-gasp winner in extra-time to earn the Cottagers a visit to West Ham or Manchester United in round four of the FA Cup. Blackpool looked set for victory in last night’s replay after Nathan Delfouneso pounced on Mark Schwarzer’s mistake, but Kieran Richardson forced extra-time with the last kick [...]
Kieswetter failing to shine but Root and Tredwell offer hope January 15, 2013 INDIA’S 127-run victory in yesterday’s one-day international against England might look more emphatic on paper than the tourists’ nine-run win in Friday’s first match, but in truth both were comfortable. Once England won the toss and scored 325-4 last week in Rajkot, I never thought they would lose. Yesterday was very different, with a far [...]
Twitter campaign gets Mcginley Ryder nod January 15, 2013 IRELAND’S Paul McGinley thanked world No1 Rory McIlroy after being named Europe’s Ryder Cup captain for 2014. McIlroy publicly backed McGinley, who saw off rival Colin Montgomerie, while stars Luke Donald and Ian Poulter took to Twitter to call for his appointment. “So many players came out unprompted – that’s very humbling,” he said.
Kompany escapes red card ban January 15, 2013 FOOTBALL: Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany has won an appeal against his red card in Sunday’s 2-0 win over Arsenal. It means the Belgian defender avoids a three-match ban.
Scolari set for Chelsea return January 15, 2013 FOOTBALL: Chelsea are set to host a friendly on 25 March between Brazil and Russia. The match will see former Blues boss Luiz Felipe Scolari return to Stamford Bridge with ex-England boss Fabio Capello in charge of Russia.
£155m contract propels McIlroy into big league January 14, 2013 GOLFER Rory McIlroy has underlined his status as one of sport’s hottest properties by signing a blockbusting sponsorship deal with Nike that could earn him up to £155m. McIlroy’s 10-year alliance with the American sportswear giant was confirmed yesterday, and propels the 23-year-old US PGA champion into the top league of global sports earners. The [...]
Cooke retires with broadside at Armstrong January 14, 2013 FORMER Olympic road race champion Nicole Cooke bowed out of cycling yesterday with a stinging attack on drug cheats and a warning not to afford sympathy to deposed Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong. Cooke, who said she had resisted pressure to take performance enhancing substances throughout her career, called riders who doped “criminals who [...]