Solwhit charges to Irish Hurdle January 24, 2010 RACING: Solwhit is the new 7-2 favourite for the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham in March after powering to an impressive victory in the Irish equivalent at Leopardstown. The Charles Byrnes-trained 5-6 favourite ran on strongly for a four-and-a-half-length victory over Donnas Palm, who edged out Sublimity for second. Second-favourite Celestial Halo, ridden by Ruby Walsh, [...]
Colts clinch Superbowl place January 24, 2010 AMERICAN FOOTBALL: Indianapolis Colts clinched the AFC Championship and won through to Superbowl XLIV after rallying a 30-17 victory over New York Jets at the Lucas Oil Stadium. Quarterback Perry Manning threw three touchdown passes as the Colts fought back from a four-point half-time deficit to clinch a second Superbowl place in four years. Wide receiver Pierre [...]
Nine-man Inter win derby spoils January 24, 2010 JOSE MOURINHO’S Inter Milan went nine points clear at the top of Serie A last night after a 2-0 victory over fierce city rivals AC Milan. Inter had to play most of the game with ten men as Wesley Sneijder was sent off but by then Diego Milito had already put the Nerazzurri in front. Goran [...]
Hicks sells Rangers for $500m January 24, 2010 LIVERPOOL co-owner Tom Hicks has finally agreed a $500m (£310.3m) deal to sell his major league baseball team, the Texas Rangers. Hicks has agreed to sell to a group headed by Pittsburgh attorney Chuck Greenberg and legendary Rangers pitcher Nolan Ryan. “It’s a complex business deal that positions the franchise positively for the future,” Hicks [...]
Redknapp admits Kjaer interest January 24, 2010 TOTTENHAM boss Harry Redknapp has admitted to keeping tabs on highly-rated Palermo defender Simon Kjaer. “We looked at him but we have not made a bid,” Redknapp said of the Dane. “I have been to Italy the last couple of weeks. We go there to look at people who have been recommended.”
Chelsea’s Ivorian duo head home January 24, 2010 FAVOURITES Ivory Coast crashed out of the Africa Cup of Nations at the quarter-final stage last night after being beaten 3-2 after extra time by England’s World Cup opponents Algeria. The Elephants, captained by Didier Drogba, led twice through his Chelsea team-mate Salomon Kalou and Kader Keita, only for Algeria to hit back through Karim [...]
Sunday’s best paired as Blues host Cardiff January 24, 2010 MANCHESTER CITY were rewarded for avoiding their potential banana skin at Scunthorpe with a home tie with fellow Premier Leaguers Stoke. The Potters caused the upset of the round with their victory over Arsenal yesterday and now must make the trip to Eastlands over the weekend of 13/14 February. Holders Chelsea will be confident of [...]
Ivanovic out after shock Dulko defeat January 21, 2010 FORMER world No1 Ana Ivanovic’s dramatic fall from grace continued yesterday when she crashed out of the Australian Open in the second round. The Serb, runner-up in Melbourne in 2008, again looked horribly out of sorts as she succumbed to the unseeded Argentinian Gisela Dulko 6-7 (6-8), 7-5, 6-4. Just 18 months ago Ivanovic was [...]
Wenger ready for acid test January 21, 2010 ARSENAL boss Arsene Wenger has hailed the never-say-die spirit of his team, but warned them that the true test of their Premier League title credentials is still to come. The Gunners overtook Chelsea at the top of the table on Wednesday night after rallying from two goals behind to overcome Bolton 4-2. That victory resembled [...]
Murray ready to go distance with Serra January 21, 2010 BRITAIN’S Andy Murray is expecting to have to fight tooth and nail when he meets Florent Serra today for a place in the last 16 of the Australian Open. Fifth seed Murray has enjoyed a hassle-free start to his quest to snare a first Grand Slam title in Melbourne, dropping just 12 games on his [...]