Arsenal put faith in Van Persie February 15, 2011 ARSENAL vs BARCELONA ARSENAL manager Arsene Wenger has hailed Robin van Persie’s sizzling form and backed the Dutchman to deliver as the Gunners prepare for a Champions League rematch with their conquerors of last season, Barcelona. Van Persie has hit a purple patch since returning from injury, scoring 10 goals in his last eight games, [...]
Walcott threat is key for Gunners February 15, 2011 ARSENAL’S focus tonight ought to be two-fold: maximise the threat of Theo Walcott and try to neutralise Barcelona by ensuring the team unit stays as compact as possible. Walcott is a wild card as no-one else on either side has such extraordinary pace, as he has shown repeatedly this season, and did when these two [...]
Olympic chiefs: We will cope with ticket demand say February 15, 2011 LONDON 2012 organisers are confident they are equipped to cope with the increased demand for Olympic tickets following the release of the key dates for next year’s Games. Tickets do not go on sale for another month, but organisers advised that there is no advantage in rushing to register interest via the 2012 ticketing website. [...]
Contador is free to ride again after doping ban is overturned February 15, 2011 SPANISH superstar Alberto Contador expressed his relief after winning his appeal against a provisional one-year doping ban. The three-time Tour de France winner tested positive for the banned substance clenbuterol during last year’s race in July. But the 28-year-old maintained his innocence, insisting contaminated meat was responsible for a failed test, and was cleared yesterday [...]
Chelsea can still win league, insists Cech February 15, 2011 CHELSEA goalkeeper Petr Cech is refusing to give up on the Premier League title despite Monday’s goalless draw with Fulham. The stalemate left the Blues out of the Champions League places in fifth and 12 points off leaders Manchester United. Cech said: “Obviously, we are quite far now because they won their games and we [...]
Mancini rages after City held in Greece February 15, 2011 MANCHESTER CITY manager Roberto Mancini criticised £27m January signing Edin Dzeko after being held to a 0-0 draw in their Europa League clash at Aris Salonika. Dzeko has scored just once in six games, prompting Mancini to compare his teething problems to those being experienced by Chelsea record signing Fernando Torres. “I expect more from [...]
Newcastle put their Best foot forward February 15, 2011 NEWCASTLE registered their first victory of the post-Andy Carroll era as goals from Peter Lovenkrands and Leon Best ensured a comfortable 2-0 Premier League success against Birmingham at St. Andrew’s. Lovenkrands opened the scoring after four minutes and then Best struck early in the second period to wrap up the points for the Magpies.
Newbury results due tomorrow February 15, 2011 HORSE RACING: Officials expect the results of post-mortem examinations into the two horses who died following an incident in the parade ring at Newbury to be available no later than tomorrow. Paul Struthers, head of communications for the BHA, said: “Post-mortem analysis of a horse and associated samples takes a certain amount of time and this [...]
Athletics won’t fill Olympic venue February 15, 2011 ATHLETICS: UK Athletics has admitted it will be almost impossible to fill the Olympic Stadium when it stages meetings following the Olympics. The main event, the London Diamond League Grand Prix, attracts a 17,000 capacity crowd to Crystal Palace where it is currently held. “Some events will attract a significant paying public, others a much [...]
Park injury blow for United February 15, 2011 FOOTBALL: Manchester United midfielder Ji-Sung Park has been ruled out for a month after suffering a hamstring injury in training. Park has only recently returned to United after spending a month away with South Korea at the Asian Cup.