Chelsea will bounce back at Napoli, says Villas-Boas February 19, 2012 CHELSEA manager Andre Villas-Boas insists his side’s struggle to salvage an FA Cup replay against Birmingham will not dent morale ahead of tomorrow’s Champions League trip to Napoli. The west Londoners needed a second-half equaliser from Daniel Sturridge to avoid a major fifth-round shock against the Championship promotion hopefuls at Stamford Bridge on Saturday. That [...]
Wenger riled by critics as trophy hopes vanish February 19, 2012 ARSENAL boss Arsene Wenger has hit back at armchair critics after FA Cup elimination at Sunderland capped a dreadful week for the club. A 2-0 defeat at the Stadium of Light ended the Gunners’ best remaining hope of silverware, having been humbled 4-0 at AC Milan in the Champions League last 16 just days earlier. [...]
One-day wonders boost Finn’s hopes of gatecrashing England Test team February 19, 2012 ENGLAND fast-bowler Steven Finn hopes his starring role in the one-day series win over Pakistan will earn him a recall to the Test side. Finn’s 11 wickets for just 92 runs have helped the tourists open up an unassailable 3-0 lead ahead of tomorrow’s final match. Yet the rangy 22-year-old has played in only one [...]
Stoke avoid Crawley slip-up February 19, 2012 Stoke recovered from an early red card to end Crawley Town’s FA Cup run and book their own quarter-final place against Liverpool. Rory Delap was dismissed in the 17th minute for a tackle on David Hunt, but goals either side of half-time from Jon Walters, a penalty, and Peter Crouch prevented the League Two side [...]
Lock Jones back in Wales squad February 19, 2012 Wales have drafted lock Alun-Wyn Jones and hooker Richard Hibbard into their squad ahead of Saturday’s Six Nations showdown with England. Jones has been working on his match fitness since a toe operation but returns as Wales seek the Triple Crown at Twickenham. Hibbard will act as cover for Huw Bennett and Matthew Rees, who [...]
Wiggins wins Algarve finale February 19, 2012 Britain’s Bradley Wiggins won the final stage time trial in the Tour of Algarve yesterday as Team Sky colleague Richie Porte claimed the overall title. Wiggins beat Germany’s Tony Martin in the 26km stage as he stepped up preparations for his dual summer targets, the Tour de France title and Olympic gold in London.
Levi sets records with T20 ton February 19, 2012 South Africa’s Richard Levi smashed a record-breaking 45-ball century as they beat New Zealand by eight wickets in their second Twenty20 match in Hamilton. The fastest ever T20 ton, Levi’s 117 featured a record 13 sixes and also equalled Chris Gayle’s all-time highest T20 score, but in six fewer balls. It was only the opener’s [...]
Chelsea at odds over Villas-Boas February 16, 2012 Manager admits squad is divided over his approach as Blues battle to finish in top four UNDER-FIRE Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas admits he is battling a divided dressing room – but insists owner Roman Abramovich still has faith in him. Villas-Boas is under increasing pressure, with the Blues on course to miss out on Champions [...]
Valencia out for a month as injury sours United march towards last 16 February 16, 2012 AJAX 0 vs MAN UNITED 2 MANCHESTER UNITED boss Sir Alex Ferguson admitted to mixed feelings last night after taking a huge step towards the Europa League last 16 but losing winger Antonio Valencia to injury. Ferguson was “delighted” at a comfortable win, earned by second-half goals from winger Ashley Young and striker Javier Hernandez, [...]
City in racism complaint as Aguero grabs late winner February 16, 2012 PORTO 1 vs MANCHESTER CITY 2 MANCHESTER CITY are set to complain to European chiefs that Yaya Toure and Mario Balotelli suffered racial abuse as the Premier League leaders earned a valuable comeback win last night. Striker Sergio Aguero’s late winner capped a second-half recovery from the visitors, aided by an own goal by Alvaro [...]