Al Fayed in stinging attack on refs, FA and top flight chiefs April 11, 2012 FULHAM chairman Mohamed Al Fayed has launched a stinging attack on the game’s lawmakers, accusing referees of being influenced by big clubs and questioning the integrity of both the Football Association and the Premier League. Al Fayed has written to both bodies demanding “an immediate review of refereeing practices and the process of decision making” [...]
England must retain lessons for India trip April 11, 2012 AS ANDY Flower surveys his team’s winter campaign and ponders the summer ahead, the England coach has every reason to be happy. The tours to the Middle East, to face Pakistan, and Sri Lanka proved once again how well-equipped the team is in the bowling department. Whoever plays, England possess a terrific attack, and that [...]
Van Persie rediscovers touch as Gunners tighten grip on Champions League place April 11, 2012 PREMIER LEAGUE WOLVES 0 vs ARSENAL 3 ARSENAL manager Arsene Wenger is refusing to take third place in the Premier League for granted, after a comfortable win at 10-man basement club Wolves increased their cushion to five points. Early goals from Robin van Persie and Theo Walcott followed by Yossi Benayoun’s late strike swept the [...]
DUAL HONOUR FOR SANGAKKARA April 11, 2012 SRI LANKA batsman Kumar Sangakkara has become the first man to be named both Wisden’s Leading Cricketer in the World and one of Five Cricketers of the Year. The cricket bible also includes England opener Alastair Cook and all-rounder Tim Bresnan in its top five, alongside Worcestershire’s Alan Richardson and Lancashire’s Glen Chapple.
Cash-strapped Wasps sign Jones April 11, 2012 RUGBY UNION: Wasps have defied their precarious financial situation by making four new signings, including Wales fly-half Stephen Jones. South Africa No8 Ashley Johnson plus young props Phil Swainston and Will Taylor will also join the club, who are urgently seeking cash to ward off administration.
Reds recall loan keeper Gulacsi April 11, 2012 FOOTBALL: Liverpool have moved quickly to ease their goalkeeping crisis ahead of Saturday’s FA Cup semi-final against Everton by recalling rookie Peter Gulacsi from his loan spell at Hull. Suspensions to first choice Pepe Reina and No2 Alexander Doni left the Reds with Brad Jones as their only senior stopper for the all-Merseyside clash.
Grumeti can bounce back from Cheltenham defeat April 11, 2012 AINTREE’S prestigious three-day Grand National meeting gets underway this afternoon and it may be worth finding a TV just after 2pm to watch the remarkable Big Buck’s beat Sir Ken’s (one of the great Champion Hurdlers from the 1950s) unbeaten sequence of 16. Now, Paul Nicholls’ four-time World Hurdle winner is a best-priced 1/4 with [...]
Boxer Georg can land a punch in the Fox Hunters’ April 11, 2012 The first taste racegoers get of the Grand National fences at this year’s meeting comes in the John Smith’s Fox Hunters’ Chase at 3.40pm. Paul Nicholls last won this race 10 years ago with Torduff Express and he saddles the likely favourite Gwanako who was pitting his wits against Big Buck’s at this meeting last [...]
Carroll lifts Dalglish as Reds keeper crisis grows April 10, 2012 PREMIER LEAGUE BLACKBURN 2 vs LIVERPOOL 3 LIVERPOOL manager Kenny Dalglish sidestepped another refereeing row last night after an evening of mixed fortunes saw £35m misfit Andy Carroll snatch a late winner but the Reds’ goalkeeping crisis deepen. Carroll headed home in injury time to claim his first Premier League goal since January and earn [...]
Ivanovic faces ban after day of shock calls April 10, 2012 CHELSEA defender Branislav Ivanovic is facing a three-match ban and QPR have failed in an appeal against Shaun Derry’s controversial red card after a day of surprising decisions by the Football Association. Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli will also face no further action over his knee-high challenge on Arsenal’s Alex Song, meaning he could return [...]