United go three points clear in race for title January 4, 2011 MANCHESTER UNITED 2 vs STOKE CITY 1 MANCHESTER UNITED manager Sir Alex Ferguson has told his players to ignore the criticism and focus on recapturing the Premier League title. Splendid goals from Javier Hernandez and Nani, which came either side of Dean Whitehead’s surprise equaliser, helped United open up a three point lead over Manchester [...]
City stars brawl ahead of Arsenal trip January 4, 2011 FRESH cracks have broken out in Manchester City’s mutinous squad ahead of tonight’s crunch visit to Arsenal after team-mates Kolo Toure and Emmanuel Adebayor brawled during training. Yesterday’s skirmish appeared to be sparked by Adebayor’s reaction to a tackle from Toure and had to be broken up by concerned team-mates including Patrick Vieira and Vincent [...]
Andrew’s fate in balance as RFU mull axe January 4, 2011 ROB ANDREW, the Rugby Football Union’s elite director, will discover today whether he is to be axed after more than four years in the job. The RFU’s new chief executive, John Steele, will present the findings of his four-month strategic review, and is expected to shake up Andrew’s elite department. Steele is being tipped to [...]
England must show Mitchell respect January 4, 2011 OUR cricket columnist, former England batsman and Warwickshire chairman Andy Lloyd, has been poring over all the Ashes action. Here he dissects what he’s learned from the play so far. HOSTILITY It’s almost impossible to pigeonhole Mitchell Johnson, but he’s certainly a player who can hurt you if you don’t respect him. He’s got bucket [...]
Hughes sleeps easier as Davies show lifts Fulham January 4, 2011 FULHAM 3 vs WEST BROM 0 FULHAM boss Mark Hughes urged his side to build on their recent revival after an emphatic second win in three games hoisted them out of the Premier League relegation zone and up to the heady heights of 13th. Goals from Simon Davies, Clint Dempsey and Brede Hangeland earned Hughes’s [...]
Ancelotti admits he’s lucky January 4, 2011 FOOTBALL: Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti admits he is lucky to have kept his job after presiding over the worst run of form under the reign of owner Roman Abramovich. The Blues have taken just 10 points from their last 10 Premier League matches ahead of tonight’s trip to Wolves. Ancelotti said: “I am a lucky [...]
Redknapp cools Beckham talk January 4, 2011 FOOTBALL: Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp admits he may have to shelve plans to sign David Beckham on loan if the former England captain is only available until March. Beckham, 35, is due back in America for LA Galaxy’s first match of the 2011 MLS season on 15 March. Redknapp said: “I’d like him, I’m a [...]
Ronaldinho set for Gremio January 4, 2011 FOOTBALL: Ronaldinho is set to snub Blackburn and complete a transfer to his former club Gremio. The 30-year-old Brazil World Cup winner had been offered £20m over three years by Rovers’ Indian owners to join the Ewood Park club, but he is believed to have opted to return to the club at which he started [...]
Henson in Wales training camp January 4, 2011 RUGBY UNION: Wales centre Gavin Henson has stepped up his fight to win back a place in the national side in time for the Six Nations. The Saracens star, who last played for his country in 2009, joined an expanded squad of more than 40 players for a pre-tournament conditioning assessment in Glamorgan. Meanwhile, Wales [...]
Monet’s Garden critically ill January 4, 2011 HORSE RACING: Nicky Richards-trained chaser Monet’s Garden was fighting for his life last night after being forced into retirement by a foot infection. The gelding registered the last of his 17 wins at Aintree in October, when he triumphed in the Old Roan Chase for a third time.