Monty tips G-Mac for award December 9, 2010 HE marshalled them both in Europe’s Ryder Cup victory over the United States, but Colin Montgomerie admits he favours Graeme McDowell over Lee Westwood in the battle to be Sports Personality of the Year. Montgomerie has heaped praise on Westwood for toppling Tiger Woods from the peak of the world rankings, and has tipped the [...]
Asian chief joins calls to switch Qatar World Cup to winter December 9, 2010 FURTHER ridicule has been heaped upon Fifa’s decision to award the World Cup to Qatar after one of Asian football’s top officials said there was “no way” the country could host a summer tournament. Qatar was last week picked to stage the tournament in 2022 but questions have been raised over whether the Middle Eastern [...]
Cesc hopeful of facing United December 9, 2010 FOOTBALL: Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas has revealed he is hopeful of recovering from a hamstring injury in time for Monday night’s clash with Manchester United at Old Trafford. The 23-year-old midfielder has not featured since limping off during the Gunners’ 2-0 defeat at Braga last month. “Hopefully I‘ll be available for Monday,” he wrote on [...]
Sven failed in Beckham swoop December 9, 2010 FOOTBALL: Leicester manager Sven-Goran Eriksson has admitted he failed in an audacious attempt to sign David Beckham. Eriksson, who took charge of the Championship club in October, revealed he contacted the 35-year-old midfielder’s agent over a possible move. He said: “I spoke to David’s agent to see if there was a chance. He said it [...]
Oxford cruise to Varsity win December 9, 2010 RUGBY UNION: Oxford University yesterday beat rivals Cambridge 21-10 to win the 129th Nomura Varsity Match at Twickenham. Cambridge failed to recover from conceding the two first-half tries by Dark Blues backs Alex Cheesman and James Crozier. Fly-half Charlie Marr then scored three penalties and a conversion as Oxford cruised to victory and avenged last [...]
Home advantage can give United the edge December 9, 2010 MANCHESTER UNITED vs ARSENAL Monday, 8.00pm, Sky Sports ARSENAL forced their way to the top of the Premier League table last weekend with a 2-1 win against Fulham. Samir Nasri was the hero with a brace against the Cottagers and he has now scored four goals in his last three league games. Manchester United’s game [...]
Cue Card won’t fluff his lines December 9, 2010 WHEN trainer Philip Hobbs identified tomorrow’s Stan James International Hurdle at Cheltenham (3.05pm) as Menorah’s next target immediately after last month’s Greatwood Hurdle win, I remember thinking how desperate I’d be to oppose him. Don’t get me wrong, last season’s Supreme Novices’ Hurdle winner is one of my favourite horses in training, it’s just that [...]
Wenger: We have no need to fear Barca or Mourinho December 8, 2010 ARSENAL 3 vs PARTISAN 1 ARSENAL manager Arsene Wenger shrugged off the possibility of a Champions League rematch with their conquerors of last season, Barcelona, or Real Madrid, after sneaking into the last 16 with a victory over Partizan Belgrade. Forward Robin van Persie’s first goal of the season, a sweet volley from Theo Walcott [...]
Carlo rues Chelsea’s missed chance to end shocking run December 8, 2010 MARSEILLE 1 vs CHELSEA 0 CHELSEA manager Carlo Ancelotti fears that losing is becoming an unshakable habit after Brandao’s late winner ruined Chelsea’s previously flawless record in this season’s Champions League. Defeat at the hands of the French champions, whose fans afforded Didier Drogba a hero’s reception on his return to the club he left [...]
Broad blow opens the door for Finn to impress further December 8, 2010 ENGLAND bowler Steven Finn is relishing the opportunity to take on added responsibility in the absence of Stuart Broad. The 21-year-old Finn has bowled with impressive control in, this, his debut Ashes tour and is currently the joint leading wicket-taker in the series with Graeme Swann. The Middlesex seamer has nine Aussie scalps to his [...]