Premier League Ballon burst by Fifa nominations October 26, 2010 THE NOMINATIONS for this year’s Fifa Ballon d’Or award, announced yesterday, provided more ammunition for those critics who claim the Premier League’s stock is on the slide. Of the 23 players nominated for the prestigious title – which has now merged with the Fifa World Player of the Year award – only three came from [...]
Brave Brentford’s cup run over after penalty heartache October 26, 2010 BIRMINGHAM’S veteran striker Kevin Phillips prevented League One Brentford from claiming another sizeable Premier League scalp in the Carling Cup. Andy Scott’s Bees, who edged out Everton in the previous round, were moments away from causing another upset before 37-year-old Phillips pounced in injury time to cancel out Sam Wood’s 68th minute effort. The sides [...]
Manassero as good as Seve October 26, 2010 HE has balls of steel, a wonderful action and now has a first European Tour title under his belt: this week the only man worth talking about is Matteo Manassero. I watched every minute at the weekend as the 17-year-old made history by winning the Castello Masters, and he was absolutely magnificent. His hero is [...]
Jenkins backs Henson’s Saracens move October 26, 2010 WALES assistant coach Neil Jenkins has welcomed the prospect of centre Gavin Henson relaunching his stagnant career at Saracens. Henson has not played competitively for 18 months but is eager to return to the game and has this week trained with Sarries with a view to a move from Ospreys. The 28-year-old still harbours hopes [...]
Moody given green light to play for Bath October 26, 2010 ENGLAND manager Martin Johnson has opted to release his captain Lewis Moody for Premiership duty this weekend but won’t be taking a similar risk with Toby Flood. The Leicester fly-half is still working his way back to full fitness after injuring knee ligaments on the opening weekend of the season and is being protected by [...]
Indian chicken giant hatches £46m Rovers deal October 26, 2010 OIL billions may have transformed Chelsea and Manchester City into global superpowers but Blackburn believe they have found a saviour in an altogether less glamorous industry: chicken. Indian poultry giant Venkateshwara Hatcheries Group, or Venky’s as it is often known, expects to complete a £46m takeover of the top flight strugglers next month. It would [...]
Hernandez proves United saviour again October 26, 2010 MANCHESTER UTD(3) vs WOLVES(2) DELIGHTED Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson lavished praise on new hero Javier Hernandez after the Mexican grabbed the winning goal for the second time in three days. The summer signing struck in the 90th minute to book United’s place in the Carling Cup quarter-finals and shatter Wolves, who had twice [...]
We can still lure world’s best to Man Utd, says Gill October 25, 2010 Man City’s wage bill may have overtaken United’s but chief executive insists they’ll go on competing MANCHESTER UNITED chief executive David Gill is adamant they can still attract and keep the world’s top players despite refusing to spend as much on wages as Premier League rivals Chelsea and Manchester City. United’s wage policy was thrust [...]
Quins rookie Marler gets shock call-up October 25, 2010 ROOKIE Harlequins prop Joe Marler has been rewarded for his impressive start to the season with a maiden senior England call-up for next week’s first autumn international against New Zealand. Marler, 20, only made his Quins debut in April but has proven a central figure in their start to the current campaign and has been [...]
Saracens close in on signing of Henson October 25, 2010 SARACENS will hold further talks with Ospreys this morning as the Premiership club look to complete the controversial signing of Wales centre Gavin Henson. Henson trained at Saracens’ base in St Albans yesterday after talks between the 28-year-old and the club reached what chief executive Edward Griffiths called “an advanced stage”. “He was training with [...]