MURRAY BACK IN THE GROOVE November 3, 2009 TOP seed Andy Murray swept to victory in his comeback match in Spain after beating home qualifier Daniel Gimeno-Traver 6-3, 6-1 at the Valencia Open. Playing his first match in six weeks, the British No1 was a little rusty, still clearly feeling the affects of a wrist injury. But the 22-year-old was still untroubled as [...]
Shocking win in Melbourne Cup November 3, 2009 HORSE RACING: British-trained Crime Scene was denied a historic victory in the Melbourne Cup by 9-1 shot Shocking. A UK-based runner has never won Australia’s biggest race but Crime Scene, trained by Godolphin’s Saeed bin Suroor in Newmarket, led into the final two furlongs. However, Shocking, ridden by Corey Brown, snatched the £3m prize by [...]
Barron sorry for failed dope test November 3, 2009 GOLF: American Doug Barron has apologised after becoming the first golfer to be banned for doping. The 40-year-old, who tested positive for an unnamed substance, said: “I apologise for any negative perception of the PGA Tour or its players resulting from my suspension. I did not intend to gain an unfair competitive advantage or enhance [...]
Haye promises big knockout November 3, 2009 BOXING: Britain’s David Haye has promised to make history by flooring giant Nikolai Valuev with a “jaw-dropping knockout”. The 7ft Russian has never been taken down in 51 contests, but Haye believes he can end that run in Saturday night’s eagerly anticipated WBA heavyweight title fight. “I truly believe it will be one of the [...]
Rangers and Palace share honours November 3, 2009 FOOTBALL: QPR missed the chance to go fourth in the Championship after being held to a 1-1 draw with London rivals Crystal Palace at Loftus Road. Rangers took a 19th minute lead through Akos Buzsaky’s penalty after Danny Butterfield hauled down Abel Taarabt, but Palace then levelled from the spot – Fitz Hall bringing down [...]
Drogba: I’m in the form of my career November 3, 2009 ATLETICO MADRID (2) vs CHELSEA (2) DIDIER DROGBA insisted he was in the form of his life as he powered Chelsea into the last 16 of the Champions League with a clinical double strike. The Ivorian hitman returned from a three-match European suspension to fire two goals in the last eight minutes and help the [...]
Wenger: Treat Alkmaar like Tottenham November 3, 2009 ARSENAL vs AZ ALKMAAR ARSENAL boss Arsene Wenger has ordered his players to approach tonight’s Champions League fixture with the same intensity as Saturday’s north London derby. The fired-up Gunners thumped Tottenham 3-0 at the weekend to keep the heat on Premier League pace-setters Chelsea and Manchester United. Qualification for Europe’s last 16 will be [...]
It’s not all Rafa’s fault, Reds have got it wrong as a club November 3, 2009 HE’S had some huge matches during his five-year reign, but tonight’s do-or-die encounter in Lyon is probably the biggest of Rafael Benitez’s time as Liverpool manager. They have lost six of their last seven games; another reverse in France will almost certainly see them crash to a humiliating exit at the group stage. Europe is [...]
Benitez remains hopeful over Torres hernia scare November 3, 2009 LYON vs LIVERPOOL LIVERPOOL boss Rafael Benitez is hopeful Fernando Torres will be able to avoid having a hernia operation. The Spanish striker has been playing though the pain barrier in recent weeks with some reports suggesting he may need surgery to correct the problem. But Benitez is expected to pick the hitman for tonight’s [...]
Ferguson in new ref rant as United frustrated November 3, 2009 MANCHESTER UTD vs CSKA MOSCOW MANCHESTER UNITED boss Sir Alex Ferguson continued his crusade against referees with a blast at Olegario Benquerenca as his side were held to a thrilling draw by CSKA Moscow at Old Trafford. Ferguson was furious United weren’t awarded a penalty by the Portuguese official after Darren Fletcher appeared to be [...]