Pitch row shows heat’s on India December 4, 2012 PROLONGED and public rows over the condition of the Kolkata pitch for today’s third Test between India and England clearly illustrate one thing: the hosts, and in particular their captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, are feeling extreme pressure. The Indian cricket press and public are perhaps the most fervent in the world, and expect their team [...]
Cardiff crunch tie off as Ritchie wants England battle at home December 4, 2012 RUGBY Football Union chief executive Ian Ritchie has moved quickly to reject a proposal from Wales to play their 2015 Rugby World Cup pool clash against England in Cardiff. Host nation England were drawn with Wales, Australia and two qualifiers, prompting Welsh Rugby Union boss Roger Lewis to suggest the crunch match should be played [...]
Dettori to learn drug test fate December 4, 2012 HORSE RACING: Jockey Frankie Dettori will today learn what sanctions he is to face for failing a drug test in September. France Galop is expected to hand Dettori a backdated six-month ban, meaning he can ride in the Derby and the Oaks in May and June.
Bhoys welcome back Brown December 4, 2012 FOOTBALL: Celtic have been boosted ahead of hosting Spartak Moscow in the Champions League tonight by the return of Scott Brown after a long-term hip problem. Neil Lennon’s side must better Benfica’s result at Barcelona in order to progress to the knockout stages.
Joyce’s joy cut short by Carter December 4, 2012 SNOOKER: World No1 Judd Trump’s conqueror Mark Joyce crashed out of the UK Championship last night, losing 6-2 to Ali Carter. Shaun Murphy beat Graeme Dott 6-2.
Roman’s Pep plan dented as PSG set sights on Guardiola December 3, 2012 CHELSEA’S managerial crisis deepened yesterday when it emerged that owner Roman Abramovich’s preferred choice to take charge next season, Pep Guardiola, is in talks with Paris Saint Germain. The Qatari-owned French club are one of the few who possess the financial muscle to compete with billionaire Abramovich, who is desperate to lure the former Barcelona [...]
I’d rather be us than Man City, says Wenger December 3, 2012 UNDER-FIRE Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger insists he would not swap places with high-flying Manchester City, despite the Gunners suffering their worst ever start to a Premier League season. Wenger has the distraction of a Champions League trip to Olympiacos tonight, but knows his team will progress to the last 16 regardless of the result, while [...]
Pardew fearing Ba departure as striker ends Magpies losing run December 3, 2012 NEWCASTLE UNITED 3 WIGAN ATHLETIC 0 NEWCASTLE manager Alan Pardew insists that striker Demba Ba wants to stay at the club after his brace helped the Magpies end a run of four Premier League defeats and beat 10-man Wigan. Ba struck from the spot in the 12th minute after Maynor Figueroa was sent off for [...]
Mancini wants Europa place December 3, 2012 MANCHESTER City manager Roberto Mancini has promised that his side are motivated to beat Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League tonight, despite already being eliminated. Mancini’s side will qualify for the Europa League if they win in Germany and Ajax fail to beat Real Madrid, but have the distraction of Sunday’s pivotal Premier League clash [...]
Oaks and Derby comeback on cards for Dettori after six-month drug ban December 3, 2012 JOCKEY Frankie Dettori is hoping to receive a backdated six-month ban that will allow him to ride in the Derby and the Oaks after he appears before French horse racing chiefs today regarding his failed drug test. It is understood that Dettori is pleading guilty to taking a banned, non-performance-enhancing substance, believed to be cocaine, [...]