Wenger cool on Champs League play-off plans February 16, 2010 ARSENE Wenger has voiced his opposition to Premier League proposals to introduce a play-off for the fourth Champions League spot. League chiefs are considering an overhaul of the current system that would see teams from fourth to seventh battle it out for the lucrative place. But Arsenal manager Wenger, whose team have qualified for the [...]
Injury ends medal hopes for Gillings February 16, 2010 BRITAIN’S Zoe Gillings saw her hopes of a medal disappear in the women’s snowboard cross last night after crashing out at the semi-final stage with a foot injury. Gillings, one of Britain’s biggest claims for a medal in Vancouver, qualified easily in eighth place for the last 16, despite a second round fall. But amid [...]
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. [...]