England in fine form for Ashes glory November 23, 2010 GUNG-HO is how I felt when I used to arrive in Australia for an Ashes series. Outwardly at least, I’d be brimming with confidence. ‘Come on lads, let’s go and win this’, I’d say as I stepped off the plane. But deep down I think I knew that if we were to triumph we’d have [...]
Wenger on the warpath as Gunners crash again November 23, 2010 BRAGA (2) vs ARSENAL (0) ARSENAL manager Arsene Wenger branded Uefa’s multi-official system “useless” after seeing his side slip to a second successive defeat. Hungarian referee Viktor Kassa failed to spot Alberto Rodriguez’s trip on substitute Carlos Vela before Braga scored two late goals on the break. The Portuguese side, now level on points with [...]
Ancelotti blast fires Chelsea fightback and books top spot November 23, 2010 CHELSEA (2) vs MSK ZILINA (1) CHELSEA gave manager Carlo Ancelotti something to smile about by booking a place in the Champions League last 16, but only after he had given them a half-time rollicking. The Blues boss, whose happiness with behind-the-scenes decisions has been the subject of intense speculation, tore into his team when [...]
Fabregas faces race to be fit in time for United title showdown November 23, 2010 ARSENAL captain Cesc Fabregas is set to miss up to three weeks after suffering yet another hamstring strain. The Spain international was plagued by a similar injury last season and has already missed a month of the current campaign having returned late to his club following his World Cup exploits in South Africa. The 23-year-old [...]
Cook stirs Aussie sledgers November 23, 2010 ENGLAND’S Alastair Cook has told the Aussie sledgers to do their worst when the first Ashes Test gets underway tonight, as his captain Andrew Strauss will thrive on the verbal jousting. The England skipper has been singled out for special treatment by Aussie quick Mitchell Johnson, but Cook believes his opening partner is one of [...]
Things looking up for England down under November 23, 2010 AUSTRALIA v/s ENGLAND THE ASHES SERIES MIDNIGHT TONIGHT, SKY SPORTS 1 RITUAL humiliation. For so many years an England touring party in Australia suffered nothing else. The visit down under would be awaited with hope and expectation – hope of little and expectation of even less – as they were routinely outclassed by the rampant [...]
Van der Vaart and Bale fitness doubts for Bremen showdown November 23, 2010 TOTTENHAM are sweating on the fitness of Gareth Bale and Rafael van der Vaart ahead of their potentially decisive Champions League tie at home to Werder Bremen tonight. Fresh from their 3-2 victory in the north London derby, Spurs will be looking to all but book their place in the last 16 with a win [...]
London crowd disappointed after Federer thrashes Murray at O2 November 23, 2010 BRITAIN’S Andy Murray blamed basic errors after disappointing the London crowd with a humbling 6-4 6-2 defeat to world No2 Roger Federer. Murray was crushed in 76 minutes as Federer made it two wins from two in Group B of the ATP World Tour Finals, held at the O2 Arena. “I got off to a [...]
Carlo laughs off ‘totally untrue’ quit rumours November 22, 2010 CHELSEA v/s MSK ZILINA CHELSEA manager Carlo Ancelotti admits he has grown unhappy at Stamford Bridge – but only because his team have forgotten how to sweep all before them. Categorically denying intense speculation that he was considering quitting just six months after leading the Blues to the double, Ancelotti blamed the rumours on his [...]
Ancelotti show can’t banish all doubts November 22, 2010 IN FRONT of a baying press pack Carlo Ancelotti yesterday gave a first-rate impression of a manager utterly untroubled by his job. Yet for some it will be hard to shake the suspicion that it was just that: an impression. He flashed a broad grin on his entrance to the media room at Chelsea’s Cobham [...]