Aguero to the rescue as City leave it late to earn a lifeline October 18, 2011 MANCHESTER CITY (2) vs VILLARREAL (1) MANCHESTER CITY manager Roberto Mancini believes his side have finally announced themselves on Europe’s grandest stage after Sergio Aguero’s injury-time strike secured a maiden Champions League victory. Having taken just one point from their opening two matches in the competition Mancini declared victory essential prior to kick-off, but Ruben [...]
Rooney’s spot on to secure United’s win October 18, 2011 OTELUL GALATI (0) vs MANCHESTER UTD (2) MANCHESTER United manager Sir Alex Ferguson praised Wayne Rooney’s composure after the striker kept his nerve to fire the champions to a first European victory of the season. Rooney, sent off for England on his last competitive start, scored two second-half penalties as United downed a resolute Otelul [...]
Chiefs probe Wales coach over cheat admission October 18, 2011 WALES coach Warren Gatland could face punishment after the International Rugby Board opened an investigation into his admission that he considered cheating during Saturday’s World Cup semi-final defeat to France. Gatland confessed yesterday that he and his staff discussed asking a front-row forward to feign injury – a move that, having already lost prop Adam [...]
The Debate: Was Gatland right to consider cheating in France defeat? October 18, 2011 YES JAMES GOLDMAN SO AN international coach considered massaging the rules to his potential advantage in a bid to counter a perceived injustice – forgive me if I don’t combust in a fit of moral outrage. Warren Gatland’s confession that he thought about asking one of his prop forwards to feign injury in order to [...]
Smashing sixes, not windows, is what defined my summer October 18, 2011 AS ALASTAIR Cook’s one-day team toil on the Subcontinent against an Indian side intent on righting the wrongs of their catastrophic summer tour, arguably England’s most destructive batsman sits at home, almost resigned to the fact the book has been closed on his limited-overs international career. Championed, legitimately so on the evidence of this summer’s [...]
Time for Bell to take on pivotal England role October 18, 2011 ENGLAND have been thoroughly outplayed in the opening two one-day internationals against India and there is every danger this series could end up being a whitewash if changes aren’t made. I don’t want to be overly critical as India is an exceptionally tough place to tour at the best of times, and having been destroyed [...]
Villas-Boas wouldn’t ditch relegation rule October 18, 2011 CHELSEA vs GENK CHELSEA manager Andre Villas-Boas has added his voice to the chorus of condemnation for plans to scrap relegation and ringfence the Premier League. Managers’ chief Richard Bevan on Monday alleged that some overseas proprietors of top-flight clubs wanted the change, namely those from the United States and Asia. Manchester United boss Sir [...]
Wenger’s Arsenal feel more at home in Europe October 18, 2011 MARSEILLE vs ARSENAL ARSENAL manager Arsene Wenger admits his side’s latest Champions League campaign is offering him a pleasant distraction from what has been a turbulent start to the domestic season. The Gunners are well placed in Group F after following up a creditable draw in Dortmund with a narrow win over Olympiacos a fortnight [...]
World Cup star Cueto defends Johnson reign as Carling predicts boss may quit October 18, 2011 ENGLAND wing Mark Cueto has leapt to the defence of manager Martin Johnson as uncertainty surrounds his future following a disastrous World Cup. Johnson’s men crashed out in the quarter-finals, equalling their worst ever campaign, and were dogged by off-field controversy. That has led to questions about the future of Johnson, who also stands accused [...]
Henson joins Cardiff in fresh bid to revive career October 18, 2011 FORGOTTEN man Gavin Henson has completed a U-turn and returned to his native Wales to sign for Cardiff Blues. Lions centre Henson, who was released by French side Toulouse in the summer, has penned an eight-month contract. The 29-year-old insisted he wanted to get away from Wales when he negotiated his early release from Ospreys [...]