Tevez poised for Chelsea comeback March 20, 2012 MANCHESTER CITY manager Roberto Mancini admits he is ready to let rebel striker Carlos Tevez off the leash tonight against Chelsea in a bid to prevent his club’s season unravelling further. Tevez has not played for six months following a huge row with Mancini in September, and fled to his native Argentina for three months [...]
Row erupts over stars’ heart health screenings March 20, 2012 PLAYERS’ chiefs have defended the rigour of medical check-ups on top footballers after suggestions more could have been done to prevent Bolton midfielder Fabrice Muamba’s on-field cardiac arrest. Muamba, 23, continued to show signs of slight improvement yesterday, 72 hours after he suddenly collapsed and his heart stopped beating during Saturday’s FA Cup fixture at [...]
Redknapp anxious to end losing run as rivals close in on Spurs March 20, 2012 TOTTENHAM manager Harry Redknapp admits he fears for his team’s season if they do not end their three-match losing streak and return to winning ways against Stoke tonight. A trio of consecutive Premier League defeats to Everton, Manchester United and Arsenal have significantly weakened Spurs’ previously iron grip on a Champions League qualifying place. Third-placed [...]
Ex-Toffee Arteta got us out of sticky patch, says Wenger March 20, 2012 ARSENAL manager Arsene Wenger has hailed the impact of summer signing Mikel Arteta as the midfielder prepares to return to former club Everton for the first time tonight. The Gunners travel to Goodison Park buoyed by five successive Premier League wins, which have reignited their hopes of qualifying for next season’s Champions League. And Wenger [...]
No smoke without fired: Blues youngster kicked out over grenade prank March 20, 2012 CHELSEA have sacked young midfielder Jacob Mellis after he admitted setting off a smoke grenade at the club’s Cobham training ground. The 21-year-old, who made his senior debut for the Blues last season in a Champions League clash, took part in the prank earlier this month. His reserve team-mate Billy Clifford, who is thought to [...]
Broad shimmers in heat but injury worries persist March 20, 2012 Seamer takes three wickets despite pain which threatens to KO his Test place ENGLAND are still sweating on the fitness of paceman Stuart Broad ahead of next week’s first Test against Sri Lanka despite his encouraging performance yesterday representing a rare highlight for the tourists in a gruelling second tour match. Broad, who sprained his [...]
Lancaster olive branch for Sale-bound Cipriani March 20, 2012 ENGLAND head coach Stuart Lancaster has left the door ajar for errant fly-half Danny Cipriani to make a sensational return from four years in the international wilderness. However, Lancaster laced his words of encouragement for Cipriani, whose summer move back to the Premiership with ambitious Sale was confirmed yesterday, with a series of stark warnings. [...]
Kean cautious as Blackburn surge six points clear of relegation zone March 20, 2012 BLACKBURN 2 vs SUNDERLAND 0 GOALS from winger Junior Hoilett and striker Yakubu earned relegation-threatened Blackburn a precious win over Sunderland last night and hauled them six points clear of the bottom three. Hoilett opened the scoring with a volley from the edge of the area on 58 minutes, and Yakubu made the points safe [...]
Keep Lancaster, urges Rowntree March 20, 2012 ENGLAND scrum coach Graham Rowntree has strongly urged the Rugby Football Union to hand interim head coach Stuart Lancaster the job on a permanent basis. Lancaster, who took over with the national set-up in crisis following a disastrous World Cup and a series of damaging leaks, faces competition from former Italy and South Africa boss [...]
Irish seek scrum help March 20, 2012 RUGBY UNION: Ireland have advertised for a new scrum guru, just days after their pack was steamrolled by England. But while the timing of the search is unfortunate, the new coach will not work with the senior side, focusing instead on under-age teams from the four provinces. Ireland were comprehensively beaten 30-9 at Twickenham on [...]