England learn spin lessons February 26, 2012 Coach Andy Flower believes England have wised up to Pakistan’s spin threat as they prepare for today’s decisive and tour-closing final Twenty20 match. He said: “We learned some lessons from the Test series, specifically on how to play the spin.”
Saints dent Irish play-off hopes February 26, 2012 London Irish hopes of a play-off spot suffered a hammer blow yesterday when they were beaten 30-23 by four-try Northampton. Ben Nutley touched down late on to earn victory for the Saints, who climbed to third in the Premiership, and leave the Exiles eighth, 10 points adrift of the top four.
Stoke end home league win wait February 26, 2012 Headers from Matthew Upson and Peter Crouch earned Stoke a 2-0 win over Swansea – their first home Premier League victory for two and a half months. The result lifted the Potters to 12th, three points ahead of 14th-placed Swansea.
Pearce: I’ll boss England at Euro 2012 February 23, 2012 l Caretaker keen to extend time in charge l Campbell and Cleverley get call-ups ENGLAND Under-21 boss Stuart Pearce has told the Football Association he would like to extend his temporary stint as manager of the senior team and lead them into this summer’s European Championship. Pearce was handed the reins as an emergency measure [...]
Red Rose bank on HQ factor February 23, 2012 ENGLAND vs WALES ENGLAND coach Stuart Lancaster is banking on the Twickenham roar compensating for his team’s lack of caps in tomorrow’s Six Nations showdown with Wales. Lancaster has named the most inexperienced side in the tournament’s history for a match that represents the biggest test of his short tenure. His most seasoned player, Charlie [...]
Villas-Boas unruffled by Benitez Chelsea rumours February 23, 2012 CHELSEA manager Andre Villas-Boas insists he does not feel threatened or undermined by speculation linking former Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez with his job. Tuesday’s 3-1 Champions League defeat against Napoli represented the latest in a series of blows to the young Portuguese’s authority. Chelsea entertain Bolton tomorrow looking to jump ahead of fourth placed Arsenal, [...]
Pakistan take series lead thanks to Gul and Ajmal February 23, 2012 ENGLAND Twenty20 captain Stuart Broad admitted a substandard fielding performance cost his side dear as a superb display of death bowling from Saeed Ajmal and Umar Gul helped Pakistan take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. Alastair Cook’s one-day side set the standard in the recent 4-0 whitewash over the same opposition but England [...]
United progress after surviving Ajax scare February 23, 2012 MANCHESTER UTD 1 vs AJAX 2 MANCHESTER UNITED defender Phil Jones admitted his side were guilty of complacency after they sneaked into the last 16 of the Europa League despite losing at home against Ajax last night. United looked set for a comfortable evening when Javier Hernandez clinically opened the scoring after just six minutes, [...]
KYRAN BRACKEN’S PRE-MATCH VIEW February 23, 2012 SO FAR, SO GOOD England coach Stuart Lancaster should be very happy with his two wins so far because those opening games were banana skins. One loss would have been a disaster, no matter how they had played. There’s been criticism of their style but it’s a new team; they’ve only had a few weeks [...]
Spurs better than Arsenal, admits Henry February 23, 2012 ARSENAL great Thierry Henry admits Tottenham have turned the tables on their rivals ahead of Sunday’s crunch north London derby. Spurs look safe bets to finish in the top three while the Gunners are in a desperate four-way scrap to snatch the last Champions League spot. Henry said: “For years we’ve been used to being [...]