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 [...]
WOLFIE’S ON TOP OF THE WORLD January 10, 2010 WILY Martin ‘Wolfie’ Adams held off a thrilling comeback from Dave Chisnall to become BDO World Darts Champion for a second time. Chisnall, 29, roared back from 3-0 down to level at 4-4, but Adams held his nerve to claim a 7-5 victory. At 53, he breaks his own record as the oldest champion in [...]
India seal final place January 10, 2010 CRICKET: India will face Sri Lanka in the final of the triangular series in Dhaka on Wednesday after beating the Sri Lankans by eight wickets. Kumar Sangakkara smashed nine fours in his 68 but had little support as Sri Lanka were dismissed for 213. Gautam Gambhir led the India charge with 71 before Virat Kohli’s [...]
Schwartzel wins home title January 10, 2010 GOLF: Home favourite Charl Schwartzel fired a final round 67 to clinch a one-stroke victory in the Africa Open in East London. Schwartzel started the final round two shots behind Thomas Aiken and Trevor Fisher Jnr, but four birdies in the opening seven holes brought him into contention. Further birdies at 11 and 14 put [...]
White bows out at Wembley January 10, 2010 SNOOKER: Wembley favourite Jimmy White crashed out of the UK Championship first round after going down 6-2 to No16 seed Mark King. The 47-year-old, who appeared on reality show ‘I’m A Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here’ recently, was handed a wildcard for the the tournament after slipping to 56 in the rankings. And, in truth, he [...]
Liverpool to begin their climb back up the table January 7, 2010 LIVERPOOL vs TOTTENHAM SUNDAY – 4.00PM SKY SPORTS LIVERPOOL put in another lacklustre display when they were outplayed by struggling Reading in the FA Cup last weekend and things are still not right at Anfield. However, they notched back-to-back Premier League successes for the first time since September when they won at Villa Park over [...]
13/2 Go Native and 16/1 Weapon’s Amnesty look likely Festival types January 7, 2010 OVER the next nine or so weeks between now and the start of this year’s Cheltenham Festival, we will continue to add to our ante-post portfolio that already contains Somersby for the Arkle at 20/1 (now as short as 13/2 with Boylesports). With heavy snow decimating this weekend’s racing action, I have picked out a [...]