Captain Ade: We wanted to play in honour of dead mates January 10, 2010 EMMANUEL ADEBAYOR has admitted the Togo squad had decided they wanted to play in the Africa Cup of Nations – only to be overruled by government officials. The Manchester City striker joined his Togo team-mates on the plane back home last night following Friday’s attack on the team bus which claimed three lives. Initial reports [...]
Vieira warns: I’m playing as well as ever January 10, 2010 NEW Manchester City signing Patrick Vieira says he is a better player now than he was when he left the Premier League four-and-a-half years ago. The 33-year-old has rejoined his former Inter Milan boss Roberto Mancini after penning a six-month loan deal at Eastlands. Critics believe the French international is well past his best and [...]
Keane’s Blues strike early to stop high-flying Foxes January 10, 2010 LEICESTER missed the chance to go fourth in the Championship table after being held to a draw by Roy Keane’s battling Ipswich in a disappointing wintery encounter at the Walkers Stadium. The visitors got off to the best possible start when Ryan McGivern bundled into his own net under pressure from Ipswich’s David Norris after [...]
Mercedes team are hungry for more success, insists new boy Schumacher January 10, 2010 MICHAEL SCHUMACHER says the Mercedes team are “hungry for more success” after visiting the team’s Brackley base ahead of the new season. The 41-year-old, who returns to the grid this season after three years in retirement, spent two days at the headquarters of the former Brawn GP team, and says he was impressed with the [...]
‘Is it selfish motivation?’ questions Wenger January 10, 2010 ARSENAL boss Arsene Wenger has questioned the motivation behind his fellow Premier League bosses who want their players pulled out of the Africa Cup of Nations. Friday’s gun attack on the Togo team bus has prompted managers’ calls for players to be able to leave Angola and return home. Wenger has Cameroon’s Alex Song and [...]
Murray: It’s time to break my Slam duck January 10, 2010 ANDY MURRAY insists he is ready to land a first Grand Slam tournament after enjoying “perfect” preparation for this week’s Australian Open. The world No4 arrived in Melbourne yesterday having reached the final of the Hopman Cup with Laura Robson last week. Murray is yet to progress beyond the fourth round at Melbourne but has [...]
Boss Zola steps up striker search after Franco blow January 10, 2010 WEST HAM boss Gianfranco Zola will up his search for a striker this week after Guillermo Franco picked up an injury in training. Italian Franco was Zola’s only fit, recognised striker with Carlton Cole still suffering with a knee problem. But the 33-year-old has suffered a muscular complaint and now faces at least three weeks [...]
League chiefs to defend stance on freeze victims January 10, 2010 THE Premier League is ready to vigorously fight their corner if the decision to postpone the majority of matches this weekend is questioned. Only two top-flight matches, the games at Arsenal and Birmingham, survived the big freeze, sparking fears of a fixture pile-up. Questions have been raised after pictures showed the surrounding areas of Upton [...]
Gerrard and Torres may have to go, admits Rafa January 10, 2010 LIVERPOOL boss Rafael Benitez has admitted the club’s cash crisis could force him to sell star duo Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres. The Spaniard has always said he would never consider a bid for either of his star men, but confessed for the first time yesterday that a lack of funds may force his hand. [...]
Desperate Smith looking to make home advantage count January 10, 2010 SOUTH AFRICA have urged Wanderers groundsman Chris Scott to seize home advantage as they look to level the Test series with England this week. The Proteas must win the fourth and final Test in Johannesburg to avoid back-to-back home series defeats after losing to Australia last year. The hosts were frustrated with last week’s pitch [...]