La Liga trio on Ballon shortlist November 29, 2012 FOOTBALL: Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo and Barcelona pair Lionel Messi and Andres Iniesta have been named on a three-man shortlist for this year’s Ballon d’Or. Real boss Jose Mourinho, ex-Barca manager Pep Guardiola and Spain’s Vicente del Bosque have been nominated for coach of the year.
England can run the All Blacks close in final Test November 29, 2012 ENGLAND vs NEW ZEALAND Tomorrow 2.30pm ENGLAND’s autumn international series has presented far more questions than it has answered and things could get a whole lot worse as the world champions are up next. The fallout from defeat to South Africa has only added to the pressure on England to finish off the series with [...]
Chelsea can finally take the three points needed to get Rafa up and running November 29, 2012 WEST HAM vs CHELSEA Tomorrow 12.45pm WILL it be third time lucky for Rafael Benitez? Goalless draws at home to Manchester City and Fulham haven’t done anything to sway the ‘Rafa Out’ brigade, who made their feelings known even before the Spaniard had taken charge for the first time on Sunday. And with a seven-point [...]
Teaforthree and Alfie Spinner look the best value calls in Hennessy Gold Cup November 29, 2012 THE weather has played havoc with British racing this week and tomorrow’s Hennessy Gold Cup (3.10pm) will be a thorough test where only the strongest of stayers need apply. Last season’s novice chasers are a special bunch and RSA Chase winner Bobs Worth could be the best of them. Nicky Henderson has won this race [...]
Bale stars at both ends as Tottenham ride luck November 28, 2012 TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 2 vs LIVERPOOL 1 TOTTENHAM manager Andre Villas-Boas admitted his team had been lucky last night after they survived a Liverpool fight-back to clinch consecutive wins for the first time since September and climb to fifth in the Premier League. In-form winger Gareth Bale laid on the first for Aaron Lennon and struck [...]
Giles handed limited overs role as England prune Flower duties November 28, 2012 FORMER England captain Nasser Hussain has welcomed the appointment of Warwickshire chief Ashley Giles as one-day international and Twenty20 head coach, but insists talk of him succeeding Andy Flower is premature. Giles will take charge for England’s January ODI campaign in India, which follow the current Test series, leaving Flower to concentrate on the five-day [...]
All Black Hore escapes with five-game ban November 28, 2012 NEW Zealand hooker Andrew Hore has escaped a lengthy ban for striking Wales lock Bradley Davies off the ball last Friday at the Millenium Stadium, but will still miss Saturday’s clash against England. Hore has been widely condemned for the incident, which occurred barely 30 seconds into the All Blacks’ 33-10 victory, but was yesterday [...]
Wenger eyes home comforts as Fellaini denies Gunners victory November 28, 2012 EVERTON 1 vs ARSENAL 1 ARSENAL boss Arsene Wenger urged his team to turn their season around after failing to grab three points for the second time in five days last night. The Gunners silenced Everton’s fans with a first minute goal from Theo Walcott yet had to settle for a draw after Marouane Fellaini [...]
Van Persie sinks Hammers in 32 seconds to keep United top November 28, 2012 MANCHESTER UNITED 1 vs WEST HAM UNITED 0 STRIKER Robin Van Persie scored the fastest goal in the Premier League this season to beat West Ham and maintain Manchester United’s one-point lead at the top of the table. Van Persie struck after just 32 seconds, his effort fortunately looping in off James Collins, for the [...]
Super Mario rediscovers touch as City stay on leaders’ heels November 28, 2012 STRIKER Mario Balotelli poached his first Premier League goal of the season as Manchester City kept the heat on leaders Manchester United with a 2-0 win at Wigan. City foundered against a tireless Wigan side until Balotelli pounced on a spill by Ali Al Habsi in the 69th minute and finished at the second attempt. [...]