Allen knocks out O’Sullivan January 11, 2011 SNOOKER: Four-time champion Ronnie O’Sullivan bowed out 6-4 in the Masters first round to Northern Ireland’s Mark Allen. The 24-year-old held his nerve with a superb clearance of 87 to edge ahead 5-4 and he took a scrappy 10th frame to claim victory.
Moment of truth looms for Hammers manager Grant January 10, 2011 WEST HAM UTD vs BIRMINGHAM UNDER-SIEGE West Ham manager Avram Grant has put talk of the sack on hold as he prepares for a 24 hours that could make or break his tenure. Grant leads the Hammers into tonight’s Carling Cup semi-final first leg at Upton Park seeking to earn the club a first trip [...]
Babel faces FA wrath after misuse of the Webb January 10, 2011 Liverpool winger becomes first footballer to be charged with improper conduct for use of Twitter LIVERPOOL forward Ryan Babel has become the first footballer to be charged with improper conduct for his use of Twitter, after he posted a mocked-up picture of Howard Webb wearing a Manchester United shirt. Babel (right) was upset at Webb’s [...]
Beckham to train with Spurs January 10, 2011 Becks passes medical as advisers reject claims his move is a PR stunt to aid Olympic Stadium switch FORMER ENGLAND captain David Beckham will train with Tottenham’s first-team squad for the first time today after completing a series of medical tests at the club’s training ground. The Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder will begin a four-week training stint [...]
Dalglish could be permanent boss January 10, 2011 NEW Liverpool caretaker manager Kenny Dalglish will be a candidate for the job on a permanent basis. The Scot is in charge until the end of the season, with director of football Damien Comolli searching for Roy Hodgson’s long-term successor. Asked whether Dalglish would be considered, Comolli said: “The answer is yes.” Dalglish added: “If [...]
England ponder revival of Home Nations dates January 10, 2011 A HOME NATIONS tournament involving England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland could be set to return to the sporting calendar for the first time since 1984. Football Association chiefs have held talks about reviving the competition, with new sponsors Vauxhall said to be particularly keen on the move. The FA will today confirm an agreement [...]
Real deals: The transfers that look like happening January 10, 2011 THE JANUARY transfer window is slowly clicking into gear. With time running out for managers to bolster their squads here are three deals likely to beat the deadline. STEVEN PIENAAR The South Africa international (right) is one of a quartet of Everton midfielders who would comfortably slot into a top four side. With Harry Redknapp’s [...]
Bell hopes for another crack at Aussies in one-day series January 10, 2011 IN-FORM England batsman Ian Bell hopes to have played his way into the Twenty20 side for tomorrow’s first clash with Australia after starring in the warm-up win over a Prime Minister’s XI. Bell hit an unbeaten 124 from 102 balls as England romped to a seven-wicket victory in Canberra, just three days after sealing their [...]
Saracens to sign England star Hodgson at end of the season January 10, 2011 ENGLAND fly-half Charlie Hodgson will sign for Saracens at the end of the season and end his 11-year association with Sale Sharks. The 30-year-old, capped 34 times by his country, is understood to have signed a three-year deal. Hodgson (right), who has scored a record 1,753 Premiership points, underwent surgery in August last year on [...]
Ponting concurs with Ashes post-mortem January 10, 2011 AUSTRALIA captain Ricky Ponting has thrown his weight behind calls for an in-depth investigation into his side’s Ashes humiliation. England’s 3-1 triumph was their first Down Under for 24 years and Australian chiefs are preparing a particularly rigorous end-of-term evaluation. “There’s a review after every season, of which I’m always a big part,” said Ponting. [...]