Villas-Boas: Terry OK to play in QPR showdown January 19, 2012 CHELSEA boss Andre Villas-Boas insists he has no qualms about fielding captain John Terry in next week’s powderkeg FA Cup tie with QPR. The Blues return to Loftus Road on Saturday week, four days before Terry is due in court over claims he racially abused Rangers defender Anton Ferdinand in October. But, asked whether he [...]
Idowu gold medal boost after champ Evora injured January 19, 2012 BRITISH triple-jump star Phillips Idowu’s hopes of claiming gold at London 2012 have received a boost after reigning Olympic champion Nelson Evora was ruled out. Portuguese Evora, who beat Idowu into silver medal position in Beijing four years ago, suffered a recurrence of a stress fracture on his right shinbone while training. “Given the necessary [...]
Brave Clarke vying for best comeback of 2011 honour January 19, 2012 THERE was no more heart-warming sporting moment in 2011 than Darren Clarke’s victory in the Open Championship. At the age of 42, at his 20th attempt, the odds were decidedly stacked against him. His victory came at the end of difficult personal time for him following the death of his wife four years earlier. As [...]
Rangers agree Taiwo deal January 19, 2012 FOOTBALL: New QPR manager Mark Hughes has stepped up his January recruitment drive by agreeing a deal to bring AC Milan left-back Taye Taiwo to Loftus Road. Hughes is keen to strengthen his defence after succeeding Neil Warnock as manager, with Chelsea stopper Alex and Manchester City’s Nedum Onuoha also on his radar.
Ashton confirms Sarries switch January 19, 2012 RUGBY UNION: Saracens have completed the signing of Northampton and England wing Chris Ashton on a “long-term” contract. The 24-year-old, whose Saints deal expires in the summer, will join the current Premiership champions for the 2012-13 campaign.
Somersby the pick over the Rainbow January 19, 2012 SOMERSBY was beaten only a short head by Master Minded in last year’s Victor Chandler Chase at Ascot and looks the value alternative to Finian’s Rainbow in tomorrow’s 25th running of the race (3.45pm). Henrietta Knight’s eight-year-old hasn’t found winning that easy and has only one success to his name in 11 runs since December [...]
Arsenal set to make amends for mauling in Manchester January 19, 2012 ARSENAL vs MANCHESTER UNITED SUNDAY – 4.00PM SKY SPORTS 1 ARSENAL’S title challenge was over before it started this season and if they aren’t careful the gap to the top four could soon be too big to bridge. Back-to-back defeats have left them trailing neighbours Chelsea by four points and, more worryingly for Emirates-goers, Tottenham [...]
England launch fightback with two late strikes January 18, 2012 Swann and Anderson rein in Pakistan as Broad urges batsmen to learn from their mistakes and create the platform for a dramatic turnaround ENGLAND fast bowler Stuart Broad insists his side can begin to target an unlikely victory in the first Test against Pakistan after a disciplined bowling performance culminated in two vital breakthroughs at [...]
No way back from batting shambles January 18, 2012 ENGLAND’S fightback in Dubai yesterday featured many of the qualities you’d expect of a side ranked No1 in the world, but I fear Andrew Strauss’s men may have forfeited any hope of winning the series with their substandard efforts with the bat on day one. Having won the toss England would have been looking to [...]
Sticky Andy prepares for Vasselin test January 18, 2012 BRITAIN’S Andy Murray admits he is facing an unexpected challenge from the elements at the Australian Open: soaring temperatures that cause the courts to melt. Murray, who meets Frenchman Edouard Roger-Vasselin in round two this morning, found his feet sticking to the acrylic surface in his opening win on Tuesday. “The court is incredibly sticky [...]