Debutant Wood can cut it, says England boss Johnson February 2, 2011 ENGLAND boss Martin Johnson has urged Tom Wood to grab his opportunity with both hands after giving the Northampton flanker a Test debut in Friday’s RBS 6 Nations opener against France. Wood – left out of the initial 33-man squad for the championship – has been fast-tracked into the starting line-up at blindside in place [...]
Keane the spark for Irons February 2, 2011 BLACKPOOL 1 vs WEST HAM 3 On-loan striker scores on his Hammers debut as Grant insists January signings can fire his side to Premier League safety WEST HAM’S headline January signing Robbie Keane marked his debut with a goal in a victory which his new manager Avram Grant believes signifies the turning point in the [...]
Redknapp throws in the towel in race for fourth place and tips Chelsea for title tilt February 2, 2011 BLACKBURN 0 vs TOTTENHAM 1 TOTTENHAM boss Harry Redknapp all but gave up on finishing in the Champions League places despite seeing Peter Crouch get them back to winning ways. Redknapp believes Chelsea – three points ahead of Spurs in fourth place – could be impossible to catch after their £71m spree on Fernando Torres [...]
Duff strike eases relegation fears February 2, 2011 FULHAM 1 vs NEWCASTLE 0 FULHAM winger Damien Duff’s first Premier League goal of the season lifted Mark Hughes’ side five points clear of the drop zone. Duff, relegated as a Newcastle player two years ago, struck in the 67th minute to extend Fulham’s unbeaten home run to five matches. Defeat capped a turbulent few [...]
Gardner dents City title hopes February 2, 2011 BIRMINGHAM 2 vs MANCHESTER CITY 2 BIRMINGHAM midfielder Craig Gardner struck a late penalty to deny Manchester City three precious points in the Premier League title race. An opportunistic strike from Carlos Tevez put the visitors ahead in the fourth minute, but Nikola Zigic restored parity 20 minutes later when he got the slightest of [...]
Strauss bemoans England’s injury list as Clarke steers Aussies home February 2, 2011 ENGLAND captain Andrew Strauss blamed his side’s ever increasing injury list for their latest one-day defeat Down Under. Strauss revealed he intends to go into the upcoming World Cup with a six-man attack, but that will depend on Graeme Swann, Tim Bresnan and Stuart Broad returning to fitness. England were effectively a bowler light as [...]
United legend Neville calls time on glittering career February 2, 2011 GARY NEVILLE, the veteran England and Manchester United defender, last night retired from the game with immediate effect after almost 20 years at the top level. The 35-year-old, who won every major club honour in a career spent solely at his boyhood club, made the last of his 602 appearances for United on New Year’s [...]
Henson to quit Sarries for Toulon February 2, 2011 WALES back Gavin Henson is set to make a shock move to Toulon following his release by Saracens last night – after just one start for the club. Henson, 29, is expected to sign a deal until the end of the season with the French outfit, where he will act as cover while Jonny Wilkinson [...]
Westwood ready for Kaymer duel February 2, 2011 GOLF: England’s Lee Westwood insists he’s not concerned at being overtaken as world No1 by Germany’s Martin Kaymer at the Qatar Masters which started today. If Kaymer wins he will head the rankings unless Westwood finishes as runner-up. “There is no pressure as such of being No1,” said Westwood. “I’m happy that I have been [...]
Thorpe’s sights firmly on 2012 February 2, 2011 SWIMMING: Five-time Olympic champion Ian Thorpe claims his return to the sport, confirmed yesterday, was inspired by a visit to the London venue which will stage the 2012 Olympic competition. The 28-year-old, who is returning to the sport after a five-year absence, said: “I saw the swimming venue for the London Olympics and it’s extraordinary [...]