Fulham’s Smalling opts to join United over Arsenal January 26, 2010 MANCHESTER United pounced yesterday to pip Premier League title rivals Arsenal to the signing of £8m-rated Fulham youngster Chris Smalling. England Under-21 centre-back Smalling, who was playing for non-league Maidstone just 18 months ago, will remain at Craven Cottage until the end of the season before joining United in the summer. Arsenal had appeared favourites [...]
Hammers still in dogfight after late Webber strike January 26, 2010 PORTSMOUTH (1) vs WEST HAM (1) PORTSMOUTH substitute Danny Webber climbed off the bench to score his first goal for the club and earn them a crucial point against fellow strugglers West Ham. The Hammers looked on course for their first away win since the opening day of the season when captain Matthew Upson put [...]
Coyle has last laugh after Lee silences Burnley flak January 26, 2010 BOLTON (1) vs BURNLEY (0) BOLTON manager Owen Coyle perfectly answered the taunts of Burnley fans by guiding his new team out of the relegation zone at the expense of his old side. Coyle, once worshipped at Turf Moor for leading the Clarets into the top flight, caused uproar earlier this month when he jumped [...]
Robinho exit talks continue January 26, 2010 MANCHESTER CITY manager Roberto Mancini has confirmed discussions are taking place with Brazilian rivals Santos and Sao Paulo over a deal to let striker Robinho leave on loan. The 26-year-old is in the City squad for tonight’s crunch Carling Cup semi-final with Manchester United but said on Monday he was “90 per cent” sure he [...]
Wigglesworth joins Stevens in choosing ‘special’ Saracens January 26, 2010 SARACENS have swooped to complete their second big-name signing of the week by recruiting England scrum-half Richard Wigglesworth from Sale Sharks. The arrival of Wigglesworth, 26, on a three-year contract follows Monday’s announcement that the Premiership pace-setters will sign England prop Matt Stevens when his drugs ban expires in January 2011. It is further evidence [...]
SPORT | IN BRIEF January 26, 2010 Manchester to host Haye return BOXING: Britain’s David Haye will make the first defence of his WBA world heavyweight championship against John Ruiz in Manchester on 3 April. American Ruiz is the mandatory challenge for Haye, who clinched the title with a crushing defeat of Russian giant Nikolay Valuev in November. “It’s been 10 years [...]
Comeback queen Henin in last four January 26, 2010 JUSTINE HENIN’S fairytale comeback continued as she moved one step closer to a dream Australian Open title with a quarter-final victory over Nadia Petrova. The former world No1, playing in her first Grand Slam since coming out of retirement, showed her battling qualities to come through a tough match 7-6 (7-3), 7-5 and book a [...]
FOOTBALL | IN BRIEF January 26, 2010 Pompey free to sign players PORTSMOUTH boss Avram Grant faces a race against time to sign players after the club’s transfer embargo was lifted. The ban was imposed in October because of money the club owed but they are now allowed to make loan and free transfer signings until the window closes on 1 February. [...]
Cocaine prop Stevens signs for Saracens January 25, 2010 BANNED England prop Matt Stevens has vowed to rebuild his career at Saracens after agreeing to join the Premiership high-fliers when his suspension expires next year. The 27-year-old’s burgeoning reputation was left in tatters after a positive test for cocaine saw him dropped from last year’s Six Nations and banned for two years. But South [...]
European success is dream ticket for Monty January 25, 2010 COLIN MONTGOMERIE would have been grinning from ear-to-ear at the sight of three of his big guns dominating the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship at the weekend. Martin Kaymer showed nerves of steel to hole his birdie putt at the last to edge out Ian Poulter and Rory McIlroy in a scintillating start to the new [...]