Do gifted athletes have an obligation to realise talent? March 1, 2011 YES Dedication is least the paying public deserve, argues James Goldman WE’VE ALL got our sporting hero. Be it the guy who runs the 100m in the time it takes to type Usain Bolt’s name into YouTube, or the former sheet metal worker who became a 14-time world champion by dint of being able to [...]
England proved they’re contenders March 1, 2011 IF THERE was any lingering doubt about England’s ability to sustain a genuine challenge at this World Cup, then they were emphatically dispelled against India on Sunday. The co-hosts are rightly favourites, but that was their best side and we would’ve won had Stuart Broad not been ill and Eoin Morgan injured. Too many people [...]
Koscielny still suffering from cup final gaffe, says Wenger March 1, 2011 ARSENAL vs LEYTON ORIENT ARSENAL manager Arsene Wenger admits Laurent Koscielny is struggling to get over his part in the fatal Carling Cup final cock-up more than goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny. The pair’s blunder allowed Obafemi Martins to snatch Birmingham’s shock 89th minute winner and deny the Gunners an end to their six-year wait for silverware. [...]
Van Persie out of Barcelona match March 1, 2011 STRIKER Robin van Persie has been ruled out of next week’s Champions League trip to Barcelona after being told he will need at least three weeks to recover from a knee injury. Winger Theo Walcott will also definitely miss the second leg of the last 16 tie, which the Gunners lead 2-1, but captain Cesc [...]
Pakistan trio to fight bans March 1, 2011 CRICKET: Former Pakistan captain Salman Butt, along with Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir have filed appeals to the Court of Arbitration for Sport against bans for spot-fixing. Butt was banned for 10 years, with five of them suspended, after being found guilty of corruption by an International Cricket Council tribunal. Asif was handed a seven-year [...]
Malinga destroys Kenya’s hopes March 1, 2011 CRICKET: Lasith Malinga claimed six wickets – including a hat-trick – as Sri Lanka eased to a comfortable nine-wicket victory over Kenya in World Cup Group A. Five wickets in 11 balls from Malinga dismissed the Tigers for 142 and gave the bowler figures of 6-38. Sri Lanka breezed to their target thanks largely to [...]
Jockey Walsh ready for his return March 1, 2011 HORSE?RACING: Ruby Walsh is set to return to action at Newbury on Friday after four months on the sidelines with a broken leg. The top Irish jockey is expected to make his comeback 11 days before the start of the Cheltenham Festival.
London to stage final leg of tour March 1, 2011 CYCLING: The final stage of this year’s Tour of Britain will return to central London when the national stage race finishes on Whitehall on 18 September. The stage was moved last year due to the Papal visit but its return to the traditional circuit will provide an opportunity for fans to see the top cyclists [...]
Everton stunned by Royal vintage March 1, 2011 EVERTON 0 vs READING READING captain Matt Mills struck the only goal as Championship Reading claimed another notable top-flight scalp to reach the FA Cup quarter-finals for a second successive year. Mills fired home after 26 minutes of their fifth-round tie at Everton to put the Royals, who knocked out Liverpool en route to the [...]
We won’t fire Cole over gun incident, says Ancelotti February 28, 2011 CHELSEA MANCHESTER UTD CHELSEA manager Carlo Ancelotti last night defended Ashley Cole, insisting the full-back does not deserve to lose his job, or even his place in the team, for accidentally shooting a work experience student with an air rifle. Ancelotti confirmed Cole would face Manchester United in tonight’s crucial Premier League fixture at Stamford [...]