England end tour with a whimper but Strauss hails trip as a success January 17, 2010 ENGLAND captain Andrew Strauss refused to blame controversy over the decision review system after his side were denied a memorable series victory by a thrashing from South Africa in the final Test. The hosts clinched a draw in the four-match series by sealing an emphatic victory in Johannesburg by an innings and 74 runs before [...]
Rovers end winless streak after Fulham lose Dempsey January 17, 2010 FULHAM boss Roy Hodgson is unlikely to buy in January despite losing influential midfielder Clint Dempsey to a suspected serious knee injury. Hodgson saw Dempsey limp off as his side slumped at Ewood Park to goals from Blackburn defensive pairing Christopher Samba and Ryan Nelsen. The in-form American midfielder is due to face England at [...]
O’Neill in supporter row as Zola eases drop fears January 17, 2010 WEST HAM boss Gianfranco Zola insists he is trying to ignore the uncertainty surrounding the club’s ownership after clawing out of the relegation zone at Villa Park. A battling draw against high-flying Aston Villa lifted the Hammers to 16th in the Premier League, albeit only goal difference above 18th-placed Hull. And Zola is hopeful the [...]
SELBY TAKES REVENGE ON RONNIE January 17, 2010 FORMER champion Mark Selby summoned a superb comeback to upset favourite Ronnie O’Sullivan 10-9 in a thrilling Masters final at Wembley last night. Selby, who lost to O’Sullivan in last year’s final, trailed 5-3 heading into the evening session and then slipped to 9-6. But he rallied, winning four frames in a row, and said: [...]
Irish left red faced by late Scarlets rally January 17, 2010 LONDON Irish coach Toby Booth insists his team will bounce back after a spectacular second-half collapse against the Scarlets left their Heineken Cup hopes hanging by a thread. The Exiles led 22-10 at half-time, thanks to tries from Tom Homer, David Paice and Chris Hala’ufia, but ended up 31-22 down to the Scarlets, who lie [...]
Pompey sue threat leaves League cold January 17, 2010 PREMIER LEAGUE chief Richard Scudamore has dismissed Portsmouth’s threat to take legal action if their transfer embargo is not lifted. Bottom club Pompey have demanded the removal of the ban – for failing to settle debts to other clubs – so they can buy players in the January transfer window. They have even threatened to [...]
Zaki claims Hull loan move January 17, 2010 FOOTBALL: Hull are set to sign Egypt forward Amr Zaki on loan until the end of the season, according to the player. Zaki shone on loan at Wigan last season but the move ended in acrimony when he fell out with boss Steve Bruce. The 26-year-old, who is contracted to Zamalek in his homeland, has [...]
Henry to face handball inquiry January 17, 2010 FOOTBALL: France striker Thierry Henry will today face world governing body Fifa over his infamous handball which helped deny the Republic of Ireland a place at the World Cup. The incident, which set up William Gallas’ decisive goal in November’s play-off, sparked global outcry. But Henry could escape sanctions as Fifa’s disciplinary code only allows [...]
Hatton not keen on Khan bout January 17, 2010 BOXING: Former two-weight champion Ricky Hatton says his farewell fight is unlikely to be against fellow Englishman Amir Khan. The 31-year-old, beaten by Manny Pacquiao in May, is planning one more fight this summer before retiring. “Amir Khan has still to do it at two weights and win four more world titles like I have,” [...]
Trio of injuries deepen Reds’ misery January 14, 2010 LIVERPOOL’S traumatic week went from terrible to cataclysmic yesterday when a glut of fresh injuries saw top scorer Fernando Torres ruled out for at least six weeks. Under-fire Reds manager Rafael Benitez must have wondered how circumstances could get much worse on Wednesday night after watching his side’s FA Cup hopes die with a third-round [...]