Rising star Foden delights in silencing his critics March 21, 2010 FULL-BACK Ben Foden has hit back at his critics after stealing the show on his first international start, insisting he does not fear the high ball. The Northampton star had been accused of lacking the steel to handle an aerial barrage in the build-up to England’s visit to the Stade de France. But even though [...]
Saints snatch glory in cup final thriller March 21, 2010 NORTHAMPTON boss Jim Mallinder hailed his side after completing the first phase of a potential treble with a scintillating victory in the LV= Cup final. Saints edged it with tries from prop Soane Tonga’uiha, centre James Downey and scrum-half Lee Dickson in a match in which the lead changed hands five times. Fly-half Stephen Myler’s [...]
United win sparks boss war March 21, 2010 MANCHESTER UTD (2) vs LIVERPOOL (1) TOUCHLINE squabbling between the two managers over a penalty decision provided a diverting sideshow but obscured what is now beyond debate: that the title is Manchester United’s to lose. A fifth-minute header from Fernando Torres gave credence to pre-match suspicions that Liverpool’s visit to Old Trafford would be one [...]
Chelsea slip to third as Mourinho malaise lingers March 21, 2010 BLACKBURN (1) vs CHELSEA (1) TWICE Jose Mourinho led Chelsea to the Premier League title; this year he appears to have knocked the trophy from his former team’s grasp. The Blues travelled to Ewood Park desperate to show they had recovered from the midweek blow of a Champions League exit to Mourinho’s Inter Milan and [...]
Pompey bidder to stay secret March 21, 2010 PORTSMOUTH have inched closer to having a fifth owner of the season – but the man fronting the bid insists his main backer is not ready to reveal his identity. Property developer Rob Lloyd has been granted access to the crisis club’s books this week in order to carry out due diligence. Lloyd says he [...]
City stay on Spurs’ heels March 21, 2010 FULHAM (1) vs MANCHESTER CITY (2) MANCHESTER City kept up their chase for a top four finish by despatching Fulham’s European heroes without fuss at Craven Cottage. City went ahead early on when Roque Santa Cruz tapped in after Craig Bellamy had hit a post and Carlos Tevez doubled the lead from close range with [...]
SPORT | IN BRIEF March 21, 2010 YAMAUCHI TRIUMPHS IN NEW YORK ATHLETICS: Britain’s Mara Yamauchi stepped up her preparations for next month’s London Marathon by winning the New York Half Marathon. Yamauchi set a new course record of one hour, nine minutes and 17 seconds and succeeds fellow Briton Paul Radcliffe as winner. The 36-year-old chased down American Deena Kastor and [...]
VITAL SIGNS | HOW THE TITLE RIVALS ARE SHAPING UP March 21, 2010 Manchester United appear to have the bit firmly between their teeth as the end of the season nears. A slip at Everton aside, they have swatted opponents aside with ominous ease lately, propelled by Wayne Rooney in the richest vein of form of his career. A Rooney injury seems the only way the champions can [...]
BITTERSWEET DAY FOR KP March 21, 2010 ENGLAND’S Kevin Pietersen was one of three batsmen to fall cheaply as the tourists endured a frustrating day against Bangladesh. After finally dismissing the Tigers for 419, England reached 171-3 on the second day of the second Test, aided only slightly by Alastair Cook (21) and Paull Collingwood (0). It was not all bad news [...]
How can England spoil French party? March 18, 2010 CHANGING your team around for one match is a big gamble by Martin Johnson. Sometimes these gambles come off, other times they don’t, but it could just give England the extra incentive they need to shock the French in Paris. All of a sudden, Johnson has the likes of Northampton’s excellent young pair Chris Ashton, [...]