Panesar ready for spin battle after pitch row December 2, 2012 ENGLAND spinner Monty Panesar is confident of mastering India’s pitches and launching another assault on the hosts’ batsmen, ahead of the third Test starting on Wednesday. The tourists will play on a worn wicket again – this time at the Eden Gardens ground in Kolkata – despite the plan backfiring on India in the second [...]
Beckham mulls next move after savouring a Hollywood ending December 2, 2012 FORMER England captain David Beckham insists he is no nearer to deciding his next destination after ensuring a Hollywood ending to his six-year stint at Los Angeles Galaxy on Saturday night. Beckham, 37, brought the curtain down on his American adventure by helping the Galaxy beat Houston Dynamo 3-1 to retain the Major League Soccer [...]
Hammers get United in pick of third round December 2, 2012 WEST Ham were handed the plum tie of the FA Cup third round yesterday, being drawn against Manchester United at home. The Hammers will face Sir Alex Ferguson’s men at Upton Park on the weekend of 5 January 2013. The tie has produced some thrilling cup drama in the recent past. In 2001 a Paolo [...]
Rugby heroes show what Blues are missing December 2, 2012 WHAT part Chris Robshaw played in England’s dissection and devouring of the All Blacks on Saturday is open to debate. As captain, he had a good game, and expertly rallied the troops when briefly it looked as though the Red Rose would wilt. But was he any better a captain this weekend than last, when [...]
Props for new boy Auterac in Sarries win December 2, 2012 SARACENS boss Mark McCall believes prop Nick Auterac is an England star in the making after his performance in yesterday’s 28-23 Aviva Premiership win over Gloucester. Charlie Hodgson’s 23 points and Richard Wigglesworth’s try gave Sarries a five-point lead to defend but in-form Gloucester piled on the late pressure. They were awarded three scrums a [...]
Cazorla at a loss to explain Arsenal woes December 2, 2012 ARSENAL midfielder Santi Cazorla admits they have no idea what is behind a dreadful start to the season that has raised fresh questions about manager Arsene Wenger’s future. Saturday’s 2-0 Premier League defeat to Swansea at Emirates Stadium marked a new low, leaving them with 21 points from 15 games, their worst start to a [...]
Benitez won’t be sacked yet, says Wilkins December 2, 2012 FORMER Chelsea assistant manager Ray Wilkins insists the team’s under-fire interim boss Rafael Benitez will not face the sack before the end of the season. Benitez has endured a horrid start, with two draws and then a first defeat coming away to West Ham on Saturday. The Spaniard, who played his part in a fierce [...]
Black cats caught in relegation dog fight December 2, 2012 SUNDERLAND boss Martin O’Neill (inset) admitted his team are scrapping for survival after a 2-1 defeat at Norwich yesterday left them one point above the drop zone. “Our position in the league, with a couple of teams all tight together, would suggest that [we are in a relegation battle],” he said. A Kevin Pilkington strike [...]
Champion Trumped in first round December 2, 2012 World No1 Judd Trump’s defence of his UK Championship title ended in shock defeat at the first hurdle last night. Journeyman Mark Joyce, ranked 49 places below Trump, came from 5-2 down to win 6-5 and set up a second-round tie with Ali Carter, who beat veteran Steve Davis.
Fury eyes Price before WBC title December 2, 2012 Britain’s Tyson Fury could face compatriot David Price in a crunch heavyweight showdown, after defeating America’s Kevin Johnson in Belfast on Saturday night. The victory paves the way for Fury to take a shot at the WBC title, yet he may opt to fight Price at an earlier date.