O’Sullivan rocked by Bingham December 6, 2010 SNOOKER: Ronnie O’Sullivan suffered a shock exit in the UK Championship first round after losing 9-6 to Stuart Bingham. O’Sullivan was cruising at 6-4 but a number of erratic shots let former practice partner Bingham back at the table. World No23 Bingham secured five frames in a row to claim a famous win. “I was [...]
Exclusive: Lee shock at Hughton axe December 6, 2010 FORMER Newcastle star Rob Lee has condemned the St James’ Park hierarchy for sacking manager Chris Hughton just seven months after leading them back into the Premier League. Magpies chiefs yesterday showed Hughton the door, despite being in 11th place after a solid return to the top flight, saying they now wanted someone with more [...]
Modric urges Spurs to finish the job off in grand manner December 6, 2010 FC TWENTE vs TOTTENHAM TOTTENHAM midfielder Luka Modric has urged his teammates to ensure they don’t blow the opportunity to top Champions League Group A with a victory in Holland tonight. The north Londoners have performed admirably in their debut season in the competition, qualifying with a game to spare from a section which included [...]
Injured Broad to miss rest of England’s Ashes assault December 6, 2010 ENGLAND’S hopes of retaining the Ahses suffered a significant setback last night with news that fast bowler Stuart Broad has been ruled out of the remainder of the tour with a stomach injury. The 24-year-old was forced from the field on day four, having completed just 11 overs as part of England’s bid to bowl [...]
Farrell junior comes of age December 5, 2010 SARACENS (26) vs HARLEQUINS (14) SARACENS coach Andy Farrell was full of paternal pride after his son, Owen, inspired his side to a narrow Premiership victory over Harlequins. The 19-year-old fly-half controlled proceedings with a maturity beyond his years and contributed 16 points with the boot, kicking four penalties and converting tries from David Strettle [...]
WINNERS & LOSERS December 5, 2010 WHO swam and who sank? City A.M sorts the champs from the chumps. WINNER SAMIR NASRI The France schemer took his goals tally for the season into double figures with an ultra classy brace against Fulham. Nine of Nasri’s 11 goals have come when Cesc Fabregas has been missing. WINNER RICKY BURNS Scotland’s big hope Ricky [...]
Grant insists Hammers will beat the drop December 5, 2010 SUNDERLAND (1) vs WEST HAM (0) WEST HAM manager Avram Grant remains adamant his side will stave off relegation despite seeing the Hammers slide back to the bottom of the Premier League table following defeat at Sunderland. Consecutive home wins against Wigan in the league and Manchester United in the Carling Cup quarter-final had hinted at a possible [...]
Fifa upheaval is England’s best hope of a winning bid December 5, 2010 BY 2030, the next time England could possibly host the World Cup, I expect Fifa to have changed. I think the Football Association will lobby massively for that to happen following the ridiculous humiliation they endured over their bid to host it in 2018. That change could mean each member association having one vote, instead [...]
Lee backs Becks and Dein for top FA positions December 5, 2010 PR GURU Mike Lee believes England’s 2018 World Cup bid was always destined to fail and has urged the Football Association to appoint former Arsenal vice-chairman David Dein as its chairman, writes James Goldman. Lee, who worked on Qatar’s successful 2022 bid, also suggested the FA integrate itself within Fifa and Uefa by taking more [...]
KP revelling as Australia flounder December 5, 2010 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. AUSSIES ARE AT ALL-TIME LOW I don’t think I can ever recall seeing an Australia side whose confidence has reached such a low ebb. A [...]