United open gap as Torres shows best and worst September 18, 2011 MANCHESTER UTD (3) vs CHELSEA (1) CHELSEA manager Andre Villas-Boas defended embattled striker Fernando Torres after his missed open goal helped condemn them to defeat at rivals and early-season pace-setters Manchester United. Torres squandered a golden chance to reduce the deficit to just one goal in the second half when he sprung the offside trap [...]
Adebayor finds love at the Lane at last September 18, 2011 TOTTENHAM (4) vs LIVERPOOL (0) TOTTENHAM striker Emmanuel Adebayor believes he’s already won the battle to win over the White Hart Lane faithful after his two goals decorated an emphatic win over nine-man Liverpool. Luka Modric’s thunderbolt capped a terrific opening spell for the home side before Charlie Adam and Martin Skrtel were both dismissed [...]
Spirited Fulham frustrate Mancini and terminate City’s perfect start September 18, 2011 FULHAM (2) vs MANCHESTER CITY (2) MANCHESTER CITY manager Roberto Mancini accused his players of wastefulness for the second time in four days after seeing Fulham’s spirited second half comeback end his side’s 100 per cent start to the Premier League season. On Wednesday the Italian was displeased with the selfishness exhibited by his forwards [...]
Ireland plead with O’Gara not to quit September 18, 2011 IRELAND chiefs are planning a last-ditch effort to talk Ronan O’Gara out of retirement, after the fly-half revealed his intention to quit post-World Cup. O’Gara made his admission after coming off the bench to kick two penalties in Ireland’s superb 15-6 win over Australia on Saturday. But team manager Paul McNaughton: “Ronan hasn’t talked formally [...]
Farah back on home soil and back to winning ways September 18, 2011 BRITISH world champion Mo Farah announced his homecoming in the grand manner by winning the men’s two-mile race at the Great North City Games. It was the first time the 28-year-old (right) had competed since claiming the world 5,000m title in South Korea earlier this month, and he carried on where he left off in [...]
Djourou eyes Gunners Carling Cup response September 18, 2011 ARSENAL defender Johan Djourou admits tomorrow’s Carling Cup third round tie at home against League Two minnows Shrewsbury has assumed increased significance following Saturday’s capitulation at Blackburn. The Gunners twice held the lead at Ewood Park, but a defensive horror show, which featured own goals from Alex Song and Laurent Koscielny, contributed to a scarcely [...]
London pride for Cavendish but Boom takes overall gold September 18, 2011 BRITAIN’S Mark Cavendish sprinted to his second stage victory in the Tour of Britain in rain-hit London while Dutchman Lars Boom won the event overall. Cavendish (right) and HTC-Highroad team-mate Mark Renshaw secured their third one-two finish of the week on Whitehall. But Rabobank rider Boom won the final gold jersey by 36 seconds having [...]
Hodgson earns plaudits on his Saracens debut September 18, 2011 PREMIERSHIP champions Saracens recorded their second win from three games this season with an 18-6 victory over promoted Worcester. Sarries trailed at the break but Charlie Hodgson brought the scores level after the interval before David Strettle scored in the corner. Brad Barritt then appeared to have been stopped short of the line for his [...]
Rangers too strong for Celtic September 18, 2011 SPL leaders Rangers prevailed 4-2 in the season’s first Old Firm derby to move four points clear of Celtic. Steven Naismith’s spectacular strike put the hosts ahead but Gary Hooper equalised with a clever finish, before Badr El Kaddouri’s drive slipped through the grasp of goalkeeper Allan McGregor to give Celtic the lead. But goals [...]
Stoke sunk by Sunderland September 18, 2011 Sunderland recorded their first win of the season at the fifth attempt with a thumping 4-0 home victory over Stoke. Asmir Begovic fumbled Titus Bramble’s shot as Stoke fell behind in the fifth minute and Sunderland were 3-0 ahead before the half-hour mark. Jonathan Woodgate headed into his own net before Craig Gardner’s deflected shot [...]