Maarek and Regal Parade have conditions to suit in Ayr Gold Cup September 20, 2012 THE terrible weather up in Scotland means the ground is going to be very soft for tomorrow’s card and that rules out many of those in the field for the biggest betting race of the day, the William Hill Ayr Gold Cup (3.30pm). Large field sprints are never easy to call so I’m going to [...]
Di Matteo: He deserves an Oscar for that September 19, 2012 AT STAMFORD BRIDGE CHELSEA 2 vs JUVENTUS 2 CHELSEA manager Roberto Di Matteo last night heralded the arrival of Brazilian youngster Oscar after he scored twice on his Champions League debut, but castigated the careless defending that saw the holders squander a two-goal advantage in their Group E opener. Oscar, a £25m summer signing from [...]
We must start with Lazio win, says Dembele September 19, 2012 TOTTENHAM forward Moussa Dembele believes that anything less than victory tonight against Lazio will undermine their Europa League ambitions and that his team-mates should be targeting European success. Manager Andre Villas-Boas on Tuesday underlined his belief that Europe’s secondary competition is “very important” and having won it in 2011 with Porto, admits that he wants [...]
Robshaw: Rugby shouldn’t start to panic about Ashton’s attack September 19, 2012 ENGLAND captain Chris Robshaw hopes his fellow rugby players are not about to be frightened off from making public appearances after the winger Chris Ashton was glassed at the weekend. The Saracens and England international was on a night out in London with his girlfriend when he was attacked by a stranger but Harlequins’ Robshaw believes [...]
Fresh talks between Hamilton and McLaren fail resolve future September 19, 2012 BRITAIN’S Lewis Hamilton has postponed a decision on a new contract until beyond this weekend’s Singapore Grand Prix, despite fresh talks with McLaren over his future. The 2008 Formula One world champion, 27, is believed to be weighing up final offers from the Woking outfit, who signed him as a 13-year-old, and Mercedes. Hamilton, who [...]
Gritty win over Pakistan wraps up England’s T20 preparations September 19, 2012 SPINNER Danny Briggs insists England will begin their World Twenty20 title defence brimming with confidence after he starred in the champions’ third victory in eight days yesterday. Briggs took 3-15 as England limited Pakistan to 96-9 in a 15-run win in the Sri Lankan capital Colombo, where they are set to meet Afghanistan in their [...]
Australia and India both begin with early tournament victories September 19, 2012 IRELAND’S World Twenty20 hopes suffered an early blow yesterday when they lost their opening match of the tournament by seven wickets to Australia. All-rounder Shane Watson took 3-26, including captain William Porterfield with the very first ball, to restrict Ireland to 123-7 at Colombo’s R Premadasa Stadium. Watson then smashed 51 off 30 balls as [...]
Ferguson happy after United start with a win September 19, 2012 MANCHESTER UNITED 1 vs GALATASARAY 0 MANCHESTER United manager Sir Alex Ferguson believes last night’s victory over Galatasaray will be crucial if they are to avoid a repeat of last year’s elimination at the Champions League group stage. Michael Carrick’s early goal failed to settle United’s apparent nerves but regardless proved enough to secure victory [...]
Pardew denies fall out with Ba September 19, 2012 NEWCASTLE manager Alan Pardew dismissed any doubts over the future of Demba Ba ahead of tonight’s Europa League clash away to Portugal’s Maritimo after the striker’s agent had complained of his unhappiness. “That’s just people needing to say things they shouldn’t say, really, but it doesn’t really affect me and Demba,” said Pardew. “We have [...]
Rodgers rides Europa luck September 19, 2012 LIVERPOOL manager Brendan Rodgers has admitted he will use his squad’s younger players in the Europa League because of his Premier League priorities. “There is no doubt the Premier League is our number one priority, I’ve made that clear from the off,” he said on the eve of tonight’s fixture at Swiss side Old Boys. [...]