Pietersen welcomed back with open arms October 24, 2012 ENGLAND captain Alastair Cook insists batsman Kevin Pietersen has been welcomed back by the whole team and indicated he would return to the side for the first Test of their tour of India. Pietersen has been named in the 17-man squad set to depart for the subcontinent today, having apologised to England chiefs and coach [...]
Mancini takes blame with City on the brink October 24, 2012 AJAX 3 vs MANCHESTER CITY 1 MANCHESTER City manager Roberto Mancini last night insisted that the blame lies with him after another Champions League defeat took them to the brink of elimination from Europe’s elite competition. With one point from three games, City are at risk of an underwhelming group stage exit for the second [...]
Ferdinand brothers criticise FA and PFA but vow to back anti-racism campaign for football October 24, 2012 MANCHESTER United star Rio Ferdinand and his brother Anton, of QPR, last night criticised the Football Association and players’ union the PFA, but vowed to work with them to improve anti-racism efforts in English football. The Ferdinands are thought to be disillusioned by repercussions from the John Terry affair, which saw the Chelsea captain banned [...]
Villas-Boas urges Adebayor to be patient from the bench October 24, 2012 TOTTENHAM manager Andre Villas-Boas has told Emmanuel Adebayor that he remains part of his vision for the club despite his use of Jermain Defoe as the team’s starting striker. In Adebayor’s regular absence since Villas-Boas’s summer appointment, Defoe has impressed on an uncharacteristically consistent basis yet the Portuguese is insistent that he need only be [...]
Riders angry at Armstrong, says Wiggins October 24, 2012 TOUR de France champion Bradley Wiggins has joined fellow British cycling star Mark Cavendish in venting his frustration at the damage done to the sport by fallen great Lance Armstrong. Wiggins said he and his contemporaries shouldered an extra burden now that Armstrong has been stripped of his seven Tour titles and banned for life [...]
Reina still out for Liverpool October 24, 2012 ■ FOOTBALL: Liverpool are tonight without goalkeeper Pepe Reina for their Europa League fixture at home to Anzhi Makhachkala and could also be out of Sunday’s Merseyside derby against Everton. Brad Jones is again likely to deputise for him.
Price wants stricter drug tests October 24, 2012 ■ BOXING: David Price, the British and Commonwealth heavyweight champion, has called for stricter drug testing after revealing he has yet to be randomly tested as a professional. He said: [Larry Olubamiwo] was taking every drug under the sun and that could have ended disastrously.”
Azarenka defeats Kerber October 24, 2012 ■ TENNIS: Victoria Azarenka last night beat Angelique Kerber 6-7, 7-6, 6-4 at the WTA Championships in Turkey.
Di Matteo demands Chelsea beat Shakhtar at home after defeat October 23, 2012 SHAKHTAR DONETSK 2 vs CHELSEA 1 CHELSEA manager Roberto Di Matteo believes his side have to win the return fixture at home to Shakhtar Donetsk as a consequence of last night’s convincing defeat in Ukraine. The return of captain John Terry to a side that had on Saturday impressively won 4-2 at Tottenham failed to [...]
Wenger: Our Germans just the Teutonic October 23, 2012 ARSENAL manager Arsene Wenger has hailed his German contingent as they look to overcome Schalke at home tonight and take a major step towards the knockout rounds of the Champions League. Summer signing Lukas Podolski and defender Per Mertesacker, who joined last year, have quickly been embraced by Gunners fans, while Wenger has increasingly favoured [...]