Monty: Westwood will win the Masters December 8, 2010 RYDER CUP captain Colin Montgomerie is tipping world No1 Lee Westwood to end his long wait for a first Major title and give the European Tour an unprecedented clean sweep at the Masters in April. Montgomerie knows all about the Englishman’s yearning to triumph at one of the big four tournaments, having himself famously missed [...]
Pardew set for St James’ appointment December 8, 2010 NEWCASTLE are today expected to anger fans by naming former West Ham and Charlton boss Alan Pardew as their new manager. Pardew, sacked by Southampton in August, is in line to succeed Chris Hughton, who was shown the door at St James’ Park on Monday. Hughton was a popular figure with the Magpies faithful, having [...]
Newcastle merry-go-round will unsettle players December 8, 2010 A FEW weeks ago it was Ray Wilkins, now it’s Chris Hughton. Another club dispensing with the services of an important part of their success. I just can’t understand it. More baffling still is the idea of Newcastle replacing Hughton with Alan Pardew, a manager who has achieved little that the previous incumbant hasn’t. Pardew [...]
Blatter accuses England of being sore losers and claims Fifa are squeaky clean December 8, 2010 FIFA president Sepp Blatter has described England as “bad losers” over the fall-out from the failed 2018 World Cup bid. Blatter also rejected the corruption allegations printed and broadcasted by the British media and said he was being targeted by anti-FIFA journalists. He said: “To be honest, I was surprised by all the English complaining after [...]
Pavlyuchenko to sign new Spurs deal December 8, 2010 TOTTENHAM have opened contract talks with Roman Pavlyuchenko less than a year after the Russian striker seemed destined to leave White Hart Lane. Pavlyuchenko, 28, appeared to be on the verge of sealing a switch to Birmingham City in January but the two clubs were unable to agree a fee. Now, the striker’s agent has [...]
Klitschko calls off Chisora fight December 8, 2010 BOXING: Wladimir Klitschko has pulled out of Saturday’s fight with Dereck Chisora and opened negotiations for a world heavyweight title clash with David Haye. Klitschkos cited a back muscle problem last night. Golden Boy Chief Executive Richard Schaefer said: “Wladimir’s people told us that the fight this weekend is off and asked us to start [...]
Plymouth handed 63-day lifeline December 8, 2010 FOOTBALL: Plymouth Argyle were yesterday given two months to clear their tax bill by a High Court judge. The League One club and a related property company were facing winding-up petitions for over £760,000 owed to HM Revenue & Customs but have been granted 63 days’ grace. The Home Park club told the court they [...]
Byrne out for five weeks December 8, 2010 RUGBY UNION: Wales and Ospreys full-back Lee Byrne will miss his club’s Heineken Cup double header against Munster with a fractured thumb. The 30-year-old British and Irish Lions star was criticised by Ospreys for failing to attend an appointment with a specialist to assess the severity of the injury which has now ruled him out [...]
Renault strike Lotus deal December 8, 2010 FORMULA ONE: The Renault F1 team is to be renamed Lotus Renault GP from next season after the French car company sold its remaining shares in the team. The move, which will see Group Lotus plc acquire a major equity stake in Renault from private investment group Genii Capital, means there will be two Formula [...]
Bopara extends Essex stay December 8, 2010 CRICKET: Essex and England batsman Ravi Bopara has signed a new two-year deal with the county to end months of speculation over his future. The 25-year-old all-rounder, who has been spending the winter playing for South African team KwaZulu-Natal Dolphins, had been considering the contract offer since early September.