Young Guns get Greek outing December 7, 2009 ARSENAL boss Arsene Wenger has promised to give his young stars a chance to make amends for recent setbacks in tomorrow’s clash with Olympiacos. Wenger’s fringe players were well beaten 3-0 by a full-strength Manchester City in last week’s Carling Cup quarter-final. But the Frenchman is ready to unleash them on European competition, having already [...]
Bullard out for six weeks December 7, 2009 INJURY-PLAGUED Hull midfielder Jimmy Bullard has received a dose of festive cheer after learning his latest knee problem is not as bad as first feared. Bullard, who has twice suffered cruciate ligament damage, left the pitch in tears against Aston Villa on Saturday. It sparked fears that the 31-year-old had sustained another career-threatening injury, just [...]
European Open gets axe as six events join Tour December 7, 2009 THE EUROPEAN Open, a mainstay of the European Tour since 1977, has been axed from next year’s schedule. The 2010 season, which gets underway on Thursday, will feature six new tournaments but there is no place for the European Open, which has been held at the London Club in Kent for the past two years. [...]
SPORT IN BRIEF December 7, 2009 Ex-champs set for Open eventGOLF: Former Open winners will take part in a four-hole challenge on the eve of next year’s tournament to mark the 150th anniversary of the game’s oldest Major. All 32 living champions have been invited to play the first, second, 17th and 18th holes at St Andrews, with prize money being [...]
Spurs denied by late drama December 6, 2009 TOTTENHAM manager Harry Redknapp blasted his team after they dramatically blew a glorious chance to reclaim third place in the Premier League. In-form striker Jermain Defoe missed an injury-time penalty after Spurs had squandered a two-goal lead in the final 13 minutes. Goals from Defoe and defender Michael Dawson looked to have secured three points [...]
Hodgson in Zamora for England tip December 6, 2009 FULHAM manager Roy Hodgson tipped Bobby Zamora for a shock World Cup call-up after the forward hit back at his critics by downing Sunderland. Zamora, who has come under fire for his meagre strike rate, appeared to gesture at his own fans after nodding home in the seventh minute. It was only the former West [...]
Wasps take sting out of Tigers fightback December 6, 2009 WASPS boss Tony Hanks heaped praise on his forwards after they overcame scrummaging problems to beat Leicester for a fifth successive time. First-half tries from Paul Sackey and Steve Kefu earned the home side a win that pushed them to within a point of the Tigers in the Premiership play-off chase. And it might have [...]
Khan eyes Stateside bouts after 76-second demolition December 6, 2009 WBA light-welterweight champion Amir Khan has vowed to “shock the world” after retaining his title in emphatic style on Saturday night. The Bolton fighter took just 76 seconds to stop the previously unbeaten Dmitriy Salita and complete a successful first defence of his title. Victory in Newcastle took Khan’s record to 22 wins from 23 [...]
Gooch urges patience for misfiring KP December 6, 2009 ENGLAND batting coach Graham Gooch insists he is not losing any sleep over Kevin Pietersen’s sluggish return to the international arena. Pietersen is yet to post a big score since making his comeback from an Achilles injury, plundering just 85 runs from his five innings in South Africa. Such form is a far cry from [...]
Ancelotti keeps faith with Frank despite penalty flop December 6, 2009 CHELSEA manager Carlo Ancelotti has pledged to retain Frank Lampard as his side’s penalty taker despite the midfielder’s costly miss at Manchester City on Saturday. The normally-reliable Lampard saw his tame spot-kick saved by Shay Given as City inflicted a shock 2-1 defeat on the Premier League leaders.With second-placed Manchester United thrashing West Ham, the [...]