Wenger targets new defender May 12, 2010 ARSENAL boss Arsene Wenger intends to sign a top-class defender this summer after admitting his side’s performances at the back last season were “average”. The Gunners conceded 41 goals in the league last season compared to second-placed Manchester United’s 28 – a factor which Wenger believes went a long way to ensuring a fifth successive [...]
Yann hangs his head as Bluebirds swoop to final May 12, 2010 CARDIFF CITY (2) vs LEICESTER CITY (3) 3-3 aet, Cardiff win 4-3 on pens LEICESTER’S Yann Kermorgant chose the wrong time for showboating as Cardiff City won through to the Championship play-off final after a dramatic penalty shoot-out. The Frenchman tried a cheeky chip in a tense sudden death, but Cardiff keeper David Marshall stood [...]
‘O’Neill and I are as close as ever’ insists Villa chief Lerner May 12, 2010 ASTON VILLA owner Randy Lerner insisted his relationship with manager Martin O’Neill was “as close as ever” last night before revealing the Northern Irishman will remain as manager next season. O’Neill’s future at Villa Park has grown under increasing uncertainty following speculation that he had fallen out with the multi-millionaire American. But Lerner has moved [...]
All Black Marshall calls it a day May 12, 2010 VETERAN Saracens scrum-half Justin Marshall could be set to make a farewell appearance this weekend after deciding to call time on his illustrious 17-year career. With 81 caps to his name, the 36-year-old former New Zealand international is the third most capped player in All Blacks history, and the most capped scrum-half, featuring in both [...]
SPORT | IN BRIEF May 12, 2010 Pacquiao targets one last fight BOXING: Five-weight world champion Manny Pacquiao has vowed to fight one last time before taking up his seat in the Philippine Congress. The 31-year-old was voted in by a huge margin and is now looking to bring the curtain down on an illustrious career – on the permission of his [...]
Capello: No guarantees for Carra May 11, 2010 FABIO CAPELLO told of his delight at luring Jamie Carragher out of international retirement – yet he still refuses to guarantee him a place in his World Cup squad. The 32-year-old turned his back on England in July 2007, citing a lack of first-team opportunities. But despite being tempted back by Capello and recalled to [...]
Pressure from FA chiefs forces Fabio to suspend ‘Index’ launch May 11, 2010 FABIO CAPELLO yesterday bowed under pressure to scrap his controversial “Capello Index” project – less than 24 hours after it was launched. The Italian created a wave of publicity after putting his name to the project, which rates the performance of his England players on the internet soon after each World Cup game. But after [...]
Zola set for legal battle after sacking May 11, 2010 GIANFRANCO ZOLA is set for a legal battle with West Ham after he was sacked as manager yesterday. The Italian, who had three years left on his contract, was reportedly dismissed for a breach of contract for comments made towards co-owners David Sullivan and David Gold in response to their claims that the entire squad, [...]
Hodgson looking to emulate Sir Bobby May 11, 2010 ATLETICO MADRID vs FULHAM FIVE, tonight, ko 7.45pm ROY HODGSON has his heart set on rewriting history when he leads Fulham to the greatest night in their 131-year history tonight. The Cottagers will be looking to defy the odds again when they meet Atletico Madrid in the final of the Europa League at the Hamburg [...]
Holloway’s proud as DJ rocks Blackpool to final May 11, 2010 NOTT’M FOREST (3) vs BLACKPOOL (4) Blackpool win 6-4 on agg IAN HOLLOWAY told how he was “bursting with pride” after steering Blackpool to the Championship play-off final and to the brink of a first top-flight return since 1971. A superb second-half hat-trick from DJ Campbell put paid to Forest’s 20-match unbeaten home record and [...]