MATCH ANALYSIS December 18, 2011 KEY MOMENT Johan Djourou might not be the sturdiest member of Arsenal’s defensive unit, but the injury that ended his game in the 47th minute forced a reshuffle that saw the previously excellent Laurent Koscielny asked to fill in at right-back. And the Frenchman was almost immediately caught out of position in the build-up to [...]
Quins beat mighty Toulouse to boost European chances December 18, 2011 TOULOUSE (24) vs HARLEQUINS (31) HARLEQUINS took their superb start to the season to new heights by coming from behind to score a thrilling win at four-time European champions Toulouse in the Heineken Cup. The Premiership leaders trailed 19-15 after an hour but Mike Brown’s second try and the unerring boot of Nick Evans, who [...]
Westwood and Poulter round off 2011 in style December 18, 2011 A MAGNIFICENT year for British golf was rounded off in fittingly triumphant style yesterday as Lee Westwood and Ian Poulter claimed season-ending victories. Westwood stormed to his fourth title of the year by securing an emphatic seven-shot win over Charl Schwartzel at the Thailand Golf Championship – a success that saw him move up to [...]
United bare teeth and show title credentials December 18, 2011 QPR (0) vs MANCHESTER UTD (2) QPR manager Neil Warnock tipped the Premier League title race to be one of the closest ever after seeing his team become the latest victims of champions Manchester United’ resurgence. A first-minute header from Wayne Rooney and Michael Carrick’s second-half solo goal did scant justice to the glut of [...]
I want match-winner Roman to stay put, insists Redknapp December 18, 2011 TOTTENHAM (1) vs SUNDERLAND (0) TOTTENHAM manager Harry Redknapp insists he will attempt to persuade striker Roman Pavlyuchenko that his future remains at White Hart Lane after the Russia international secured three points yesterday with his first Premier League goal of the season. Sunderland, buoyed by the recent managerial appointment of Martin O’Neill, proved obdurate [...]
Suarez drags Reds closer to top four December 18, 2011 ASTON VILLA (0) vs LIVERPOOL (2) LIVERPOOL manager Kenny Dalglish hailed Luis Suarez’s strength of character after the striker overcame off-field distractions to lead the Reds to victory. Forward Craig Bellamy and centre-back Martin Skrtel scored the first-half goals that moved the visitors to within a win of the top four and left Aston Villa [...]
Barca cruise to World Club Cup December 18, 2011 Argentine star Lionel Messi scored twice as Barcelona cruised to a 4-0 win over Santos in the final of the World Club Cup in Yokohama.
Froch has no answer to Ward December 18, 2011 Britain’s Karl Froch admitted he was outclassed by American Andre Ward after he slipped to defeat in Atlantic City. Ward, who now holds the WBC and WBA super-middleweight belts, won a unanimous points decision. Meanwhile, promoter Eddie Hearn claimed Sheffield’s Kell Brock will fight for a world title in 2012 after he impressed on his [...]
REDKNAPP STORM December 15, 2011 Spurs manager could face Uefa sanction over hand gesture after watching his side crash out of Europa League despite thumping win over Irish minnows SHAMROCK ROVERS 0 vs TOTTENHAM 4 TOTTENHAM manager Harry Redknapp could find himself in hot water with Uefa after he appeared to aim a clenched-fist gesture at Shamrock Rovers supporters during [...]
Terry and Suarez wait on verdicts December 15, 2011 CHELSEA captain John Terry and Liverpool striker Luis Suarez are today expected to learn whether they face action over separate instances of alleged racist behaviour. Terry is under investigation from the police following accusations he abused QPR defender Anton Ferdinand during October’s defeat at Loftus Road – a claim he strenuously denies. The England skipper [...]