McCoy: Star looks unbeatable December 21, 2009 RACING: Champion jockey Tony McCoy believes Kauto Star will be “impossible to beat” in the King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day. Paul Nicholls’ brilliant nine-year-old is seeking a fourth successive victory in the Festive highlight and McCoy has no doubt as to the outcome. “As we all know, Kauto Star is going [...]
Tendulkar leads India again December 21, 2009 CRICKET: Sachin Tendulkar smashed a brilliant unbeaten 96 to help India to a seven-wicket win over Sri Lanka in the third one-day international in Cuttack. Sri Lanka were cruising at 165-1 at one stage but Ravindra Jadeja’s 4-32 led the fightback as they collapsed to 239. Tendulkar smashed 13 fours off 104 balls to lead [...]
Lampard saves sloppy Blues December 20, 2009 CARLO ANCELOTTI admitted his Chelsea side were feeling the pressure of a hectic winter schedule after being held by London rivals West Ham in a tale of two penalties. Alessandro Diamanti’s spot-kick on the stroke of half-time gave the Hammers a deserved lead before Frank Lampard rescued the Blues with a thrice-taken penalty after Matthew [...]
Onions and Colly keep cool to steer England to safety December 20, 2009 CAPTAIN Andrew Strauss spoke of his relief after his side survived a “crazy hour” to hang on desperately for a draw in the first Test with South Africa at Centurion. Strauss’ men looked to be cruising towards a share of the spoils after Kevin Pietersen and Jonathan Trott steered them to 172-3 early in the [...]
I didn’t see the axe coming, insists betrayed boss Hughes December 20, 2009 MARK HUGHES hit back at Manchester City chiefs last night, insisting he was given no warning of his ruthless sacking. Hughes’ 18-month reign as City boss came to an end after Saturday’s 4-3 victory over Sunderland with the club’s billionaire Arabic owners announcing Roberto Mancini as his successor. On reflection, Hughes’ demeanour during Saturday’s match [...]
Barneveld cruises through December 20, 2009 DARTS: World No2 Raymond van Barneveld strolled into the second round of the PDC World Championship with a 3-0 victory over New Zealand part-timer Warren Parry at Alexandra Palace. The Dutchman is joined in round two by last year’s BDO winner, Mark Webster, who opened his account with a 3-2 win over Mark Walsh. Scotland’s [...]
Kempton bid to beat big freeze December 20, 2009 RACING: Officials at Kempton remain hopeful the big freeze will not stand in the way of Kauto Star bidding for an historic fourth straight success in the King George VI Chase on Boxing Day. The weather has already claimed a number of National Hunt meetings this last week, but clerk of the course, Barney Clifford, [...]
Bollinger sees off Windies December 20, 2009 CRICKET: Doug Bollinger claimed the final wicket to settle a tense third Test with the West Indies in Perth and help Australia wrap up a 2-0 series victory. The tourists resumed on the final morning on 308-9 requiring another 51 for victory. But after Kemar Roach (13) and Gavin Tonge (21) had added 15, Roach [...]
Ramsay claims maiden title December 20, 2009 GOLF: Scotland’s Richie Ramsay beat India’s Shiv Kapur in a play-off to claim his first European Tour title at the South African Open. Ramsay shot a best-of-the-day 65 to join Kapur on 13-under-par before making birdie at the first extra hole to win. Delighted Ramsay said: “There’s no greater feeling than winning and I’m just [...]
Brum run is over while Moyes’ woe continues December 20, 2009 BIRMINGHAM’S five-match winning streak came to an end, while Everton’s problems at home continued as the pair fought out a hard-earned draw at Goodison Park. Diniyar Bilyaletdinov’s sixth-minute goal gave the Toffees the perfect start only for the Blues to equalise against the run of play through Sebastian Larsson 17 minutes later. Everton controlled the [...]