Murray stands firm over his Davis Cup plans April 13, 2010 BRITISH No1 Andy Murray has poured cold water on hopes that new Davis Cup captain Leon Smith might be able to tempt him back to the fold. Murray missed last month’s loss to Lithuania but British chiefs hope Smith, the Scot’s former coach, will be able to pull strings. But Murray said: “Leon’s my friend [...]
Coyle lashes out in penalty row April 13, 2010 BOLTON boss Owen Coyle hit out at referee Lee Probert after claiming his side were denied two “stonewall” first-half penalties. Coyle was furious after Probert waved away Bolton protests after Didier Drogba and John Terry appeared to have handled. Terry insisted the ball for his came off his shoulder, but Coyle blasted: “John Terry must [...]
Ancelotti in no mood for mind games April 12, 2010 CHELSEA manager Carlo Ancelotti has laughed off Sir Alex Ferguson’s suggestion that his team view tonight’s visit of Bolton as a routine win on an inevitable procession to the Premier League title. The leaders could put one hand on the trophy with a victory tonight that would propel them four points clear of flagging Manchester [...]
Portsmouth to appeal for Euro licence reprieve April 12, 2010 PORTSMOUTH are to make a desperate plea to the Football Association to allow them play in Europe next season. The relegated south-coast club secured a place in next season’s Europa League after winning through to the FA Cup final against Chelsea on 15 May with victory over Tottenham on Sunday. But with the club in [...]
Westwood’s time will come April 12, 2010 WELL, he’s getting closer but Lee Westwood is certainly being made to work in his quest for a first major title. Westwood played beautifully all week but just didn’t quite do enough on the final day to hold off the resurgent Phil Mickelson, who, in the end, was a worthy winner of the best Masters [...]
Taylor slams Wembley pitch April 12, 2010 PLAYERS’ chief Gordon Taylor has added to the wave of discontent surrounding the state of the Wembley pitch, branding it an “embarrassment”. The surface was slammed by both Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp and Portsmouth boss Avram Grant after Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final where players complained that excessive watering had made it too skiddy. The national [...]
Adebayor quits Togo after Angola gun attack April 12, 2010 MANCHESTER CITY striker Emmanuel Adebayor last night announced his decision to retire from international football in the wake of the gun attack on the Togo team bus earlier this year. The 26-year-old admitted he couldn’t come to terms with the attack at this year’s African Nations Cup, which killed three people. In a statement, Adebayor [...]
Murray factor earns Smith Davis role April 12, 2010 GREAT Britain’s new Davis Cup captain Leon Smith insists his good relations with the country’s top players will help him reverse the team’s humiliating slide. Britain must beat Turkey in July to avoid relegation to Europe/Africa Zone Group III – the lowest tier of the competition. And Smith, who used to be Andy Murray’s coach, [...]
Five-star ten Doeschate gets Essex off to a flier April 12, 2010 PART-TIME bowler Ryan ten Doeschate claimed a match-winning 5-13 to help Essex claim victory in their season opener with Hampshire at Chelmsford. The Dutch medium-pacer tore through the Hampshire tail to skittle the visitors out for just 185 – 63 runs short of their victory target. Meanwhile, a six-wicket stand of 153 between Jacques Rudolph [...]
Klitschko makes Haye call April 12, 2010 BOXING: Wladimir Klitschko has laid down the gauntlet to Britain’s WBA world heavyweight champion David Haye to agree to a unification showdown this year. Klitschko, the IBF and WBO title holder, withdrew from a fight with Haye last June with injury but now claims Haye is “running away”. “I am officially calling you out to [...]