Test ranking reflects England’s perfect 2011 December 13, 2011 ENGLAND started the year by winning the Ashes on Australian soil for the first time in 24 years and will end it staring down at the rest from the position of No1 in the international Test rankings. It’s been a tremendous 12 months for captain Andrew Strauss and head coach Andy Flower, but both are [...]
Spurs won’t sell Modric in January, pledges Levy December 13, 2011 TOTTENHAM chairman Daniel Levy has handed the club’s Premier League charge a boost by confirming none of their stars will be sold in January, as revealed by City A.M. last month. Spurs sit fourth after a start to the season that has exceeded expectations, but are bracing themselves for bids next month for playmaker Luka [...]
Legal big hitters lined up for BOA’s Chambers case December 13, 2011 BRITISH Olympic chiefs have hired the big-hitting barrister who helped reduce England footballer Wayne Rooney’s Euro 2012 ban in their fight to protect their controversial lifetime ban on serious doping offenders. Adam Lewis QC, of Blackstone Chambers, is part of a heavyweight legal team assembled by the British Olympic Association, who yesterday formally applied to [...]
Mata backs Lampard to regain place December 13, 2011 CHELSEA forward Juan Mata insists veteran midfielder Frank Lampard will play an integral role his side’s quest for honours this season despite having lost his place in the side. Lampard struck the winner from the penalty spot in Monday’s 2-1 win over Manchester City, which ended the Premier League leaders’ unbeaten start to the season. [...]
Fletcher to take extended break December 13, 2011 FOOTBALL: Manchester United midfielder Darren Fletcher is to take an extended break from the game after his club announced the Scotland captain is suffering with a chronic stomach illness. The 27-year-old, who has been out of action since the Champions League draw against Benfica on 22 November, has been diagnosed with a chronic inflammatory bowel [...]
Rovers deny financial crisis December 13, 2011 FOOTBALL: Blackburn have released a statement denying the club is heading for financial meltdown. Reports over the weekend claimed the club’s owners, Indian poultry firm Venky’s, had received a demand from the bank to pay £10m to help to pay off the club’s debts. “There is no financial crisis, and there is absolutely no danger [...]
Quins’ Care avoids RFU censure December 13, 2011 RUGBY UNION: England scrum-half Danny Care has escaped disciplinary action from the Rugby Football Union, despite being arrested and fined on suspicion of being drunk and disorderly last weekend. The incident took place following Harlequins’ 21-10 defeat by Toulouse at the Stoop.
Powell set for Brit indoor debut December 13, 2011 ATHLETICS: Former 100m world record holder Asafa Powell will make his British indoor debut at the Birmingham Grand Prix on 18 February.
Lampard ignites race for title December 12, 2011 By FRANK DALLERES AT STAMFORD BRIDGE Late penalty from Chelsea super-sub ends City’s unbeaten run and catapults Villas-Boas’ side back into the top four CHELSEA 2 vs MANCHESTER CITY 1 CHELSEA manager Andre Villas-Boas declared his team’s faltering Premier League title challenge back on track after Frank Lampard climbed off the bench to puncture leaders [...]
End of the road for England legend Wilkinson December 12, 2011 ENGLAND’S iconic World Cup winning fly-half Jonny Wilkinson yesterday announced his retirement from international rugby. The 32-year-old, arguably England’s greatest ever player, won 91 caps over the course of an injury-plagued career and also represented the British and Irish Lions on two tours. Wilkinson will forever be remembered as the man who kicked England to [...]