Finding that match-winner is England’s aim in Dubai February 16, 2010 CAPTAIN Paul Collingwood talked about this being a big week for England’s Twenty20 side, but I feel this tour of the middle east is being seen more of a fact-finding mission than the start of a serious assault on the short form of the game. England are still an emerging side in Twenty20 cricket and [...]
Distin error may cost Toffees February 16, 2010 EVERTON v/s SPORTING LISBON SYLVAIN DISTIN went from hero to villain as a late penalty ensured Everton were still sweating on their place in the last 16 of the Europa League. Distin handed his side a comfortable 2-0 lead just after half-time but then got himself sent off four minutes from the end after bringing [...]
Hammers insurance won’t cover £13m Ashton bill February 16, 2010 FORMER England striker Dean Ashton admits West Ham’s new owners are likely to be furious at having to pay the rest of his £13m contract. Ashton, 26, finally called time on his career in December after failing to recover from an ankle injury, just 18 months into a five-year contract believed to be worth £50,000 [...]
Shamed Powell eyeing Wales return February 16, 2010 WALES flanker Andy Powell has vowed to win back his place after being dropped from the Six Nations squad for drink-driving a golf buggy. The Cardiff Blues star’s international future is in doubt following his arrest early at a motorway service station on Sunday, hours after beating Scotland. Head coach Warren Gatland ditched Powell on [...]
SPORT | IN BRIEF February 16, 2010 India take control in Kolkata CRICKET: VVS Laxman (143no) and Mahendra Dhoni (132no) put on an unbeaten stand of 259 to give India overwhelming control of the second Test against South Africa in Kolkata. The pair helped India to 643-6 – 347 runs ahead of the Proteas, who were 6-0 in reply before bad light stopped [...]
Beckham: Ferguson still a father to me February 15, 2010 AC MILAN v/s MANCHESTER UTD FORMER Manchester United icon David Beckham insists Old Trafford kingpin Sir Alex Ferguson remains like a father to him as he prepares to face his old mentor for the first time since leaving the club almost seven years ago. Beckham, who is on loan at AC Milan from Los Angeles [...]
…but United manager cool on facing his former player February 15, 2010 SIR ALEX Ferguson may remain a paternal figure in David Beckham’s eyes, but the Manchester United manager betrayed little fatherly affection when he discussed his former protege last night. While Beckham gushed about an “incredible” man and buried talk of resentment over his sale in 2003, Ferguson appeared reluctant to talk about a player whose [...]
Ferdinand deserves chance to captain, says Lampard February 15, 2010 FRANK LAMPARD believes Rio Ferdinand deserves the chance to captain England – even if it is at the expense of his Chelsea team-mate John Terry. Ferdinand was handed the job of leading his country out at this summer’s World Cup after boss Fabio Capello stripped Terry of the captaincy following allegations about his private life. [...]
Powell kicked out for drink drive shame February 15, 2010 WALES flanker Andy Powell has been dropped from the Six Nations squad after his arrest for drink-driving a golf cart in the early hours of Sunday. The British and Irish Lions star, who is due in court next month, failed a breathalyser test and was arrested just hours after Wales beat Scotland at the Millennium [...]
Winning is all that matters, says Cueto February 15, 2010 WINGER Mark Cueto has hit back at criticism of England’s scrappy weekend victory over Six Nations minnows Italy. The manner in which England limped to a 17-12 win in Rome did little to convince the doubters they will end a seven-year wait for a Grand Slam, with even No8 Nick Easter admitting: “My God, that was [...]