I won’t quit Reds for Italy, insists Benitez January 31, 2010 LIVERPOOL boss Rafael Benitez last night issued a statement quashing growing speculation that he is set to quit Anfield for Juventus. Reports in Italy suggested Benitez had agreed a deal to take charge of the Turin club in the summer, and that officials from the Serie A outfit would meet their Liverpool counterparts today to [...]
Wigan poised for £2.5m deadline-day deal for Crystal Palace prodigy Moses January 31, 2010 WIGAN look set to win the race for one of the hottest properties in the British game by signing Victor Moses from Crystal Palace. The Nigerian-born teenager, who can play on the wing or as a striker, is today expected to complete a £2.5m transfer deadline-day switch to the Latics. Moses, 19, has been linked [...]
Geraghty shines as Saxons sink Ireland January 31, 2010 ENGLAND Saxons boss Stuart Lancaster heaped praise on Shane Geraghty after the fly-half led them to a 17-13 victory over Ireland A at The Rec in Bath. Northampton No10 Geraghty scored a try, two conversions and a penalty as the Saxons took revenge for last year’s Churchill Cup thrashing. Wing David Strettle also went over [...]
Quins learn from mistakes to keep LV Cup hopes alive January 31, 2010 HARLEQUINS responded to a rollicking from head coach John Kingston to give themselves a chance of reaching the LV Cup semi-finals with a 16-13 win at London Irish. Kingston lashed out at his men after last week’s 45-20 Challenge Cup hammering by Cardiff Blues, but was full or praise yesterday as his side held off [...]
Clough in dock over Davies claim January 31, 2010 DERBY boss Nigel Clough is facing a Football Association probe after Nottingham Forest manager Billy Davies accused him of assault. Davies says Clough deliberately kneed him in the back of the leg in a melee during Derby’s win on Saturday. He said: “He tried to claim it was an accident but he knows, as well [...]
Fulham set to clinch Okaka deal January 31, 2010 ROMA striker Stefano Okaka has confirmed he is set to join Fulham on loan until the end of the season. Okaka, 20, scored on his farewell appearance yesterday as Roma beat Siena 2-1, and he said: “I wanted to do well because I’m leaving. [Fulham boss Roy] Hodgson is great and I’m going to learn.”
Black Cats eyeing Beattie January 31, 2010 SUNDERLAND are hoping to sign Stoke striker James Beattie in a deadline-day double swoop. Beattie has emerged as a target after deals for Tottenham’s Robbie Keane and Manchester City’s Benjani Mwaruwari fell through. The Black Cats also want Egypt full-back Ahmed Al-Muhammadi.
Egypt win seventh Nations Cup January 31, 2010 SUBSTITUTE Mohamed Gedo scored an 85th-minute winner as Egypt beat Ghana 1-0 to win a record seventh Africa Cup of Nations title in Angola. Gedo, who finished the tournament’s top scorer, curled a superb effort past Richard Kingston after a one-two with Mohamed Zidan. Egypt are the first team to win three successive titles.
Fit-again Karlsson triumphs in Qatar January 31, 2010 GOLF: European Ryder Cup star Robert Karlsson carded a blemish-free final round of 65 to win the Qatar Masters by three shots. The Swede finished 15 under par, with defending champion Alvaro Quiros of Spain his closest challenger. England’s Lee Westwood was a further shot adrift as overnight leaders Paul Casey and Bradley Dredge slipped [...]
Higgins claims Welsh open title January 31, 2010 SNOOKER: World champion John Higgins dethroned title-holder Ali Carter with a 9-4 victory in the Welsh Open final last night in Newport. The Scot raced into a 5-0 lead and held a 6-2 advantage going into the evening session, before wrapping up victory and the title with a break of 76. Victory leaves Higgins close [...]