Managers’ duel carries extra spice March 15, 2010 TONIGHT’S match is about far more than just who reaches the next round. Carlo Ancelotti and Jose Mourinho were both hired because they have won the Champions League; both can expect the axe to be sharpened if they do not look like repeating that feat at their latest clubs. Ancelotti is only in his first [...]
Beckham: I’ll return stronger from injury misery March 15, 2010 DAVID BECKHAM has vowed that the Achilles injury that has scuppered his dream of representing England at a record fourth World Cup will not bring down the curtain on his illustrious career. Beckham underwent surgery on the tendon in Finland last night and, although Dr Sakari Orava said the procedure had gone “smoothly”, he confirmed [...]
Reds reignite top four charge March 15, 2010 LIVERPOOL V/S PORTSMOUTH BIG-MONEY buy Alberto Aquilani finally arrived at Anfield with an impressive performance to justify his £17m price tag. The Italian midfielder capped a man-of-the-match display with his first Liverpool goal as the Reds demolished basement boys Portsmouth in their quest for a top-four finish. Striker Fernando Torres also enjoyed a return to [...]
Hodgson gets call-up with Wilko a doubt March 15, 2010 SALE SHARKS’ Charlie Hodgson was last night called into the England squad as precautionary cover for the injured Jonny Wilkinson. The Toulon fly-half sustained a head injury in the 15-15 draw with Scotland at Murrayfield on Saturday after an accidental clash with captain Steve Borthwick. Wilkinson was replaced by Toby Flood in the second-half and [...]
Megson in the frame for Hull job after Brown pays price for slump March 15, 2010 HULL CITY chiefs expect to appoint a new manager in the next 24 hours after Phil Brown was effectively sacked for failing to arrest their slide down the Premier League table. Brown, who took the Tigers into the top flight for the first time ever in 2008 but on Saturday saw them slip to 19th [...]
I sense that Tiger is lurking March 15, 2010 JUST when we thought the wait was over, we were kept guessing more. PGA Tour commissioner Tim Fincham couldn’t confirm anything last night but I sense the will he/won’t he saga with Tiger Woods is coming to an end. I’ve said all along that I think Tiger will return to play in all four Majors [...]
Batting pair stand firm to frustrate the tourists March 15, 2010 A RESILIENT stand of 81 between Junaid Siddique and Mushfiqur Rahim added to England’s frustration as Bangladesh battled bravely in hope of saving the first Test in Chittagong. Chasing an unlikely 512, the pair guided the Tigers to 191-5 at the close after England’s four-pronged bowling attack toiled in the blistering heat. The tourists added [...]
D’Arcy boost for Ireland March 15, 2010 IRELAND expect centre Gordon D’Arcy to return for their celebration match against Scotland on Saturday. The match will be Ireland’s last at Croke Park after spending four years at their temporary home, and could also bring a fifth Triple Crown in seven seasons. D’Arcy was forced off during the first half of the victory over [...]
Gatland vows to get tough March 15, 2010 WALES coach Warren Gatland has vowed to make changes in a bid to turn his side’s Six Nations fortunes around against Italy. Saturday’s 27-12 reverse to Ireland at Croke Park was Wales’ third defeat of a disappointing campaign and Gatland has vowed to get tough. “There will be a few changes,” he said. “We need [...]
Henderson’s Punjabi is Champion pick at 8/1 March 15, 2010 THERE may only be 12 runners in this afternoon’s Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle, but the feature race on the opening day of the Festival looks one of the most open of the week. Irish raiders Go Native and Solwhit are justifiably market leaders, but the value call at this stage looks to be last year’s [...]