Al Fayed in ‘strange man’ blast at Hughes October 24, 2011 FULHAM owner Mohamed Al Fayed has launched a stinging attack on the club’s former manager Mark Hughes, calling him a “strange man” and insisting he was not their first choice appointment. Al Fayed penned an open letter on the Cottagers’ website in response to comments Hughes made at the weekend in which the Welshman said [...]
Sotherton U-turn for heptathlon October 24, 2011 BRITISH former Olympic bronze medal-winning heptathlete Kelly Sotherton has played down her London 2012 chances after announcing a shock return to the event. Sotherton, 34, abandoned the heptathlon to focus on the 400m 11 months ago but yesterday performed a dramatic U-turn to boost her hopes of making next summer’s Games at all. Yet she [...]
HAMMER TIME | Nolan downs Brighton October 24, 2011 KEVIN NOLAN scored his fourth goal of the season last night as West Ham beat Brighton 1-0 at the Amex Stadium and climbed to second in the Championship. Midfielder Nolan rifled the winner from distance in the 17th minute but the Hammers had to withstand sustained pressure before clinching their seventh league win of the [...]
SPORT | IN BRIEF October 24, 2011 Villas-Boas waits on ref probe FOOTBALL: Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas will learn tomorrow whether he is to face punishment for his outburst at referee Chris Foy following Sunday’s defeat at QPR. Rangers, meanwhile, will speak to defender Anton Ferdinand today regarding his on-field row with Blues skipper John Terry, after which Terry denied making racist [...]
Balotelli sparkles as ruthless City inflict United’s worst home defeat for 56 years October 23, 2011 MANCHESTER UTD (1) vs MANCHESTER CITY (6) SHELLSHOCKED Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson reflected on “the worst result in my history, ever” after his side were subjected to their heaviest home defeat since 1955 by their bitter rivals. Two goals apiece from Mario Balotelli and Edin Dzeko plus strikes from Sergio Aguero and David [...]
On top of the world at last: All Blacks lift World Cup October 23, 2011 NEW ZEALAND (8) vs FRANCE (7) Much-improved France take hosts all the way as Donald and Woodcock prove unlikely heroes NEW ZEALAND’S unlikely hero Stephen Donald revelled in answering his critics after the fourth choice fly-half’s decisive penalty ended the All Blacks’ 24-year wait to lift the World Cup. Donald, who had been whitebait fishing [...]
France better on day but all credit to New Zealand October 23, 2011 YOU can’t contemplate how big an achievement it is to win a World Cup with your fourth choice fly-half. Not only have New Zealand been the best team for the last four years and at this tournament, they have also had to overcome so many setbacks. They deserve all the credit that they get. It [...]
Moto GP death heightens fears over race safety October 23, 2011 MOTORSPORT suffered its second high-profile fatality in the space of eight days yesterday when Italian motorcycling star Marco Simoncelli died following an accident at the Malaysian Moto GP. Simoncelli, who was 24, suffered a heart attack after two other drivers collided with him as he skidded across the track, knocking off his helmet. The race [...]
Terry denies racism as AVB rails at ref October 23, 2011 QPR (1) vs CHELSEA (0) CHELSEA captain John Terry last night emphatically denied allegations he made racist comments to QPR defender Anton Ferdinand in yesterday’s explosive west London derby. Blues stars Didier Drogba and Jose Bosingwa were both sent off in a match decided by Heidar Helguson’s first-half penalty, and manager Andre Villas-Boas could face [...]
Cook puts on brave face as India near whitewash October 23, 2011 ENGLAND captain Alastair Cook insists he is still enjoying leading the one-day side, despite a fourth successive defeat in India that leaves the tourists facing a whitewash. Half-centuries from Virat Kohli (right) and Suresh Raina propelled India to a six-wicket win that they wrapped up with 10 overs to spare, despite feisty bowling from Steven [...]