Compton finds form in opener duel with Root November 5, 2012 UNCAPPED batsman Nick Compton insisted laughter proved the best medicine for his early-tour struggles after finally finding form with a half-century as England drew their warm-up match in India against Mumbai A. Somerset’s Compton, vying with Joe Root of Yorkshire for the right to partner captain Alastair Cook at the top of the order, hit [...]
Wenger worried by Arsenal slump with hopes of revival hit by Walcott illness November 5, 2012 ARSENAL manager Arsene Wenger admits his side’s slump in form is worrying him but has challenged the Gunners to summon a change in fortunes in their hardest Champions League fixture so far this season. Wenger’s men face Schalke tonight having lost three of their last five Premier League games and after needing a comeback of [...]
Poulter for a Major and why I’d ban belly putters November 5, 2012 RYDER Cup star Ian Poulter reminded everyone that he is far from being just a great matchplay competitor with a fantastic win at the WGC Champions event in China on Sunday. Poulter had some catching up to do after the first two days but produced successive rounds of 65 to overtake the likes of fellow [...]
You should respect me, blasts Mancini, as City face European night of destiny November 5, 2012 MANCHESTER City manager Roberto Mancini lashed out at perceived disrespect yesterday as the Italian prepared for tonight’s must-win Champions League visit of Ajax. Mancini banged his hand on the table and admonished reporters who asked about a mooted deal for him to take charge of Monaco in the summer, had he been forced out of [...]
Odemwingie double leaves Southampton fighting for life after hitting rock bottom November 5, 2012 WEST BROMWICH ALBION 2 vs SOUTHAMPTON 0 SOUTHAMPTON’S sorry return to the Premier League continued as the concession of the 27th and 28th goals of their league season last night at West Brom ensured that they remain bottom of the table. Pressure had already unfairly been mounting on manager Nigel Adkins, who had overseen two [...]
Race row ref Clattenburg opts out of another week’s fixtures November 5, 2012 REFEREE Mark Clattenburg will sit out another week of Premier League fixtures following Chelsea’s complaint that he racially abused John Obi Mikel in last month’s match against Manchester United. Clattenburg is due to meet the Metropolitan Police and the Football Association this week, and Mike Riley, general manager of referee’s body Professional Game Match Officials, [...]
Djokovic downs Tsonga with straight set win November 5, 2012 WORLD No1 Novak Djokovic began his campaign to win the ATP World Tour Finals in London with a straight-sets victory over France’s Jo-Wilfried Tsonga. The win was the Serb’s fifth over Tsonga this season and took him to the top of Group A with each player having played a game, but he had to overcome [...]
Joseph set to miss Fiji match as England call Wasp Launchbury November 5, 2012 ENGLAND head coach Stuart Lancaster is facing a deepening injury crisis before Saturday’s clash with Fiji, after London Irish centre Jonathan Joseph became the sixth player to be ruled out. Joseph missed training yesterday due to an ankle problem and is rated unlikely to practice today, leaving him no chance to prove his fitness with [...]
Farah snubbed for top award November 5, 2012 BRITISH distance-running hero Mo Farah has been overlooked for world governing body the IAAF’s male athlete of the year award. Farah won 5,000m and 10,000m gold at the London 2012 Olympics, joining a select list of athletes to achieve the double in a single Games. But he did not make it onto a three-man shortlist [...]
Boss Levein sacked by Scotland November 5, 2012 FOOTBALL: Scotland last night sacked manager Craig Levein following a disappointing start to their World Cup 2014 qualifying campaign. The Scots have taken just two points from their four games, leaving it unlikely they will reach a first major finals since Euro ‘96. Former Middlesbrough manager Gordon Strachan was installed as the early bookmakers’ favourite [...]