Upson tells Capello: I’m still your main back-up for Terry and Rio April 29, 2010 WEST HAM centre back Matthew Upson believes he is still Fabio Capello’s No1 contender to fill the boots of either John Terry or Rio Ferdinand should injury problems resurface at this summer’s World Cup. Upson, 31, has emerged as Capello’s first-choice to fill in for injury-plagued Ferdinand this season, but has now come under pressure [...]
More agony for Murray as classy Ferrer takes no mercy in Rome April 29, 2010 ANDY MURRAY’S recent woes continued after he crashed out to Spain’s David Ferrer in the third round of the Rome Masters last night. The world No5 dropped a service game in each set to go down 6-3, 6-4 to the 13th seed and succumb to his fourth defeat in five ATP Tour matches. Murray, 22, [...]
SPORT | IN BRIEF April 29, 2010 Dott shows first in semi SNOOKER: Graeme Dott, the 2006 world champion, was left eyeing another World Championship final after opening up a 5-3 lead in his semi-final with Mark Selby last night. In the other semi-final, Australia’s Neil Robertson surged into 5-0 lead over Ali Carter before holding on for a 6-2 lead after [...]
Europa League brings glory not bounty April 29, 2010 FULHAM’S Europa League adventure may have raised their profile and brought them several famous scalps, but it has not been a lucrative run. Estimates suggest the winners of the competition can expect to bank between £6.5m and £8.5m in prize money and television revenue. Runners-up take home at least £1m less, while teams who go [...]
St Nicholas Abbey to land O’Brien his sixth 2000 Guineas April 29, 2010 I was at Doncaster last season when ST NICHOLAS ABBEY spread-eagled a decent looking field in the Racing Post Trophy and thought then, as I do now, that I may have witnessed something special. It was the manner in which he effortlessly quickened away from his opposition that was so taking and if he lines [...]
the INSIDER April 29, 2010 Most of my big race hopes have bitten the dust, but Elusive Pimpernel still has a great chance in the 2000 Guineas tomorrow. The field may split in two and if it does, then Richard Hannon may hold the key in Canford Cliffs. Supposedly, he will be ‘buried’ to get the mile, but surely the [...]
Chelsea can take another big step towards the title with Anfield win April 29, 2010 LIVERPOOL v/s CHELSEA SUNDAY – 1.30PM SKY SPORTS 1 THE conspiracy theorists will be out in force if Liverpool succumb to Chelsea in what will effectively stop Man United breaking the Reds’ record of 18 league titles. However, things rarely work out like that in the modern game and you can be sure that with [...]
Mourinho: ‘It’s the greatest win of my life’ April 28, 2010 BARCELONA (1) v/s INTER MILAN (0) EMOTIONAL Jose Mourinho saw his Inter Milan side dump holders Barcelona out of the Champions League last night – and then described it as the best victory of his life. The former Chelsea boss spoke of his pride after leading the Nerazzurri to their first European final since 1972, [...]
Roy waits on doubt Zamora April 28, 2010 FULHAM (0) v/s HAMBURG (0) FULHAM boss Roy Hodgson insists he will not gamble on the fitness of top scorer Bobby Zamora for their crunch Europa League semi-final with Hamburg at Craven Cottage. The 19-goal striker limped out of the 0-0 first-leg draw in Germany a week ago with an Achilles problem, and is only [...]
Benitez praises Gerrard’s form amid off-field tittle-tattle April 28, 2010 LIVERPOOL (0) v/s ATLETICO MADRID (1) LIVERPOOL manager Rafael Benitez has hailed Steven Gerrard’s response to feverish speculation about his private life. Gerrard struck a brace against Burnley on Saturday amid suggestions – denied this week by wife Alex – that his marriage was in trouble. Benitez is relying heavily on his captain in tonight’s [...]