Red Rose has wilted, says All Black Carter November 27, 2012 NEW Zealand fly-half Dan Carter has fanned the flames ahead of their clash with England on Saturday, insisting they are no longer good enough to challenge the southern hemisphere sides. Stuart Lancaster’s side have lost close Tests to Australia and South Africa in the past fortnight during a frustrating autumn series, whereas New Zealand remain [...]
Broad feels pressure from fit-again Finn in battle of pacemen November 27, 2012 STRUGGLING paceman Stuart Broad is facing a fight to keep his place for the third Test against India next week, but England bowling coach David Saker has vowed to help him rediscover his form. Broad, who has been hampered by a heel injury and a virus during the current tour, has taken no wickets for [...]
Series win would equal Ashes in Australia November 27, 2012 CRICKET fans who got up early enough to catch England’s fantastic second Test demolition of India over the last few days got a treat, and the good news is that the best may be yet to come. So emphatic was the victory in Mumbai that all momentum has swung behind England, and there is no [...]
Soaring fees make Wenger wary about January spree November 27, 2012 ARSENAL manager Arsene Wenger insists it would cost him £60m to bow to mounting pressure from fans and splash out on a world-class player in January. An estimated transfer kitty of £50m has been topped up by the £150m sponsorship deal the club signed with airline Emirates last week. But Wenger has refused to commit [...]
Benteke rises to rescue Villa November 27, 2012 ASTON VILLA 1 vs READING 0 ASTON Villa striker Christian Benteke’s late header secured three points and lifted them out of the relegation zone. The Belgian headed the winner from a corner on 80 minutes to score his fifth of the season for Villa, who left Darren Bent out of the squad for the second [...]
Spurs a model for Rodgers November 27, 2012 LIVERPOOL manager Brendan Rodgers has identified Tottenham Hotspur’s progression into a top-four side as a blueprint for what his team can achieve, as the two sides prepare to meet tonight at White Hart Lane. The Reds boss acknowledged that emulating Spurs’s gradual growth into contenders for Champions League football was the most realistic route for [...]
No apology but Chelsea admit ref row regret November 27, 2012 CHELSEA chiefs last night admitted they were hasty in publicly accusing referee Mark Clattenburg of racially abusing John Obi Mikel – but stopped short of issuing an apology to the official. Clattenburg was cleared by the Football Association last week following an investigation that concluded the complaint – that he had called Mikel a “monkey” [...]
Robson rewarded for landmark year with best newcomer gong November 27, 2012 BRITAIN’S Laura Robson has been named WTA Tour newcomer of the year, after a breakthrough season for the 18-year-old tennis starlet. The British women’s No2, who narrowly saw off competition from compatriot and runner-up for the award Heather Watson, claimed the accolade following a season in which she won an Olympic silver medal, reached the [...]
Lawes return boosts fearless England squad November 27, 2012 NORTHAMPTON lock Courtney Lawes has handed England a timely boost by returning to the 23-man squad to face New Zealand at Twickenham on Saturday. Lawes was last capped for England in February against Wales during the Six Nations but damaged his knee playing for the Saints against Saracens in October. As a result he has [...]
Sarries lay groundwork for £20m move November 27, 2012 SARACENS have laid the first strips of artificial turf at their new 10,000-capacity home in Barnet as they count down to the move from Vicarage Road to £20m Allianz Park in February. The 2011 Aviva Premiership champions are set to become the first professional rugby union club to play their home games on a synthetic [...]