Villas-Boas on brink as Blues sunk in Naples February 21, 2012 NAPOLI 3 vs CHELSEA 1 CHELSEA manager Andre Villas-Boas lurched closer towards the Stamford Bridge exit door last night but defiantly insisted he would still be at the helm by the time Napoli arrive in west London in three weeks’ time hoping to terminate his side’s remote hopes of Champions League glory. The 34-year-old’s decision [...]
MATCH ANALYSIS February 21, 2012 CITY A.M. VERDICT A barmy match which could have seen Chelsea return to Stamford Bridge with an advantage ultimately leaves them facing an enormous task to prolong their involvement in this season’s Champions League MAN OF THE MATCH It seems almost unfair that a nation in Argentina which boasts the likes of Lionel Messi and [...]
PLAYER RATINGS | CHELSEA February 21, 2012 PETR CECH Made several impressive saves early on but went walkabout for Napoli’s killer third goal 7/10 BRANISLAV IVANOVIC Guilty of ball-watching for Cavani’s goal and was hardly seen as an attacking outlet 4/10 DAVID LUIZ By no means his poorest performance but still at fault for Lavezzi’s second goal 5/10 GARY CAHILL A real [...]
Terry England KO helps Pearce avoid dilemma February 21, 2012 CHELSEA captain John Terry has been ruled out of next week’s England friendly against Holland – sparing caretaker manager Stuart Pearce and the Football Association an awkward decision. Terry had hoped to return from injury in last night’s Champions League clash against Napoli, but woke with pain in his knee and will have surgery today [...]
Pietersen’s back to his best as England seal clean sweep February 21, 2012 Star batsman hits consecutive tons and is back in love with one-day game ENGLAND match-winner Kevin Pietersen believes he has finally rediscovered an appetite for one-day cricket after a second century in as many matches ensured his side completed a comprehensive 4-0 whitewash over Pakistan in Dubai. Captain Alastair Cook elected to shuffle his pack [...]
Warburton to face England in showdown February 21, 2012 WALES have welcomed back inspirational captain Sam Warburton for Saturday’s Six Nations crunch match against England at Twickenham. Warburton, who missed their most recent fixture against Scotland with a dead leg, is one of three changes to the team that maintained their 100 per cent start. Experienced lock Alun-Wyn Jones, who has not played a [...]
Haye rules out comeback to settle Chisora grudge February 21, 2012 BRITISH heavyweight David Haye’s camp have dismissed speculation he could come out of retirement to settle his grudge with Dereck Chisora in the ring. Haye and Chisora brawled wildly at a press conference following the latter’s WBC title defeat to Vitali Klitschko in Munich on Saturday night. Chisora threatened to shoot fellow Londoner Haye amid [...]
MEARS CLOSES IN ON OLYMPIC DREAM February 21, 2012 BRITAIN’S Chris Mears secured an additional place in the Olympic 3m springboard diving competition with a top 16 qualifying display at the FINA World Cup in London. Mears’s performance should all but secure his Olympic selection, subject to official confirmation by the British Olympic Association. Picture: GETTY
Man Utd cash down, revenue up February 21, 2012 FOOTBALL: Manchester United’s cash reserves plummeted £100m in the second half of 2011 as they spent big on signings and stadium improvements and bond repurchasing. Revenue was up 10 per cent to £175m.
Vettel outpaces Lewis in Spain February 21, 2012 FORMULA ONE: World champion Sebastian Vettel set the pace as the second pre-season test in Barcelona began yesterday. Britain’s Lewis Hamilton was third fastest, behind Nico Hulkenburg.