Villa dragged into relegation battle as Bolton secure lifeline April 24, 2012 ASTON VILLA 1 vs BOLTON 2 ASTON Villa’s defeat to Bolton leaves them in serious danger of relegation to the Championship after a run of just one win in fourteen matches. Stephen Warnock put Villa ahead in the 61st minute but Carlos Cuellar’s foul on Mark Davies gave Bolton a penalty which Martin Petrov scored [...]
England flanker Robshaw up for player of the season award April 24, 2012 ENGLAND and Harlequins captain Chris Robshaw has been rewarded for a landmark season with a nomination for the Premiership Rugby Player of the season award. Flanker Robshaw recovered from the disappointment of missing the 2011 Rugby World Cup to earn the England captaincy under new coach Stuart Lancaster and lead first-placed Quins to the brink [...]
Wimbledon prize money increased April 24, 2012 ■ TENNIS: Wimbledon’s prize money is to be increased by 10 per cent to £16.1m this summer. Andy Murray, meanwhile, yesterday reached the Barcelona Open’s third round by defeating Ukraine’s Sergiy Stakhovsky 6-3 6-2.
McIlroy tipped to replace the Tiger April 24, 2012 ■ GOLF: Rory McIlroy has been tipped to replace Tiger Woods as the sport’s big star by Peter Dawson, chief executive of governing body the R&A. “Every generation has its stars, and Rory is going to be this one,” he said.
Geraghty to return to London Irish April 24, 2012 ■ RUGBY UNION: Fly-half Shane Geraghty will rejoin London Irish this summer from Brive, three years after leaving the club. “Shane is an exceptional player,” said the Exiles director of rugby Brian Smith.
Cameron Highland to book his ticket to Investec Derby April 24, 2012 THE field for this afternoon’s Investec Derby Trial (3.20pm) is a definite improvement on the last few years and it looks like a really competitive race. The racecourse and the sponsors have increased prize money by £20,000 and winning connections will be offered a wild-card entry into the Investec Derby, if not already entered. There [...]
Soft ground holds no fears for Gosden’s Aiken who still looks ahead of the handicapper April 24, 2012 JOHN Gosden has made his customary strong start to the flat season and he looks to have an outstanding chance with AIKEN in the Investec Great Metropolitan Handicap (2.50pm). George Strawbridge’s four-year-old has won three of his four career starts and even though he went up 11lb for his latest win at Ascot last summer, [...]
We can be Euro champs, says Chelsea boss April 23, 2012 16 Number of goals scored by Barca this season CHELSEA manager Roberto di Matteo insists his side are good enough to win the Champions League as they prepare for 90 minutes that could define their season in Barcelona tonight. A gutsy 1-0 win in last week’s semi-final first leg has given the Blues an outstanding [...]
Drogba doesn’t dive, insists Barca defender Pique April 23, 2012 BARCELONA’S Gerard Pique has defended Didier Drogba from accusations the Chelsea striker is a diver ahead of this evening’s crucial Champions League semi-final. Pique, who left Manchester United to become one of Barca manager Pep Guardiola’s first signings, was an unused substitute for Chelsea’s 1-0 victory in the first leg and said he believes Drogba’s [...]
Huh comeback proves rookie’s one to watch April 23, 2012 ENGLAND’S own Lee Westwood enjoyed his first win of the season and former Open champion Ben Curtis ended a six-year barren streak, but the player who really caught my eye at the weekend was rookie John Huh. The 21-year-old American was nine over par after eight holes of his first round at the Valero Texas [...]