Captain’s blast was just what we needed, admits Ballack October 20, 2009 MICHAEL BALLACK has revealed how Chelsea’s players held a training ground inquest into the defensive frailties which have threatened to derail their season. The Blues conceded two routine goals from corners in their 2-1 defeat at Aston Villa on Saturday, prompting an angry reaction from captain John Terry. Furious Terry ordered the team enquiry ahead [...]
Ferguson expects United to thrive on plastic pitch October 20, 2009 MANCHESTER UNITED boss Sir Alex Ferguson insists he is not worried about playing CSKA Moscow tonight on an artificial surface. United are looking to maintain a perfect start to their Champions League campaign in the Russian capital, where they won the trophy against Chelsea in 2008. That match was played on grass but this evening’s [...]
Sven rejects Sweden role October 20, 2009 SVEN-GORAN Eriksson has turned his back on the chance to coach the Sweden national team in order to stay with League Two Notts County. Eriksson headed a five-man list of suitors for the job vacated by Lars Lagerback last week. But the 61-year-old has decided he wants to carry on in his role as director [...]
PHIL’S ABSENCE A PAIN IN THE NECK October 20, 2009 WASPS prop Phil Vickery has added to England’s list of casualties after becoming the latest player to be ruled out of the autumn internationals with injury. The former captain, 33, requires neck surgery and will be out for at least three months. The news comes just 24 hours after England lost fellow forward Andrew Sheridan [...]
SPORT IN BRIEF October 20, 2009 Leics close in on Hoggard CRICKET: Former England seamer Matthew Hoggard has been offered a three-year deal with Leicestershire after being released by Yorkshire last month.Hoggard, 32, held talks Leicestershire coach Tim Boon and chief executive David Smith on Monday, but is also weighing up interest from Kent. Smith, however, said: “We are in the [...]
BRANSON PLANS SPACE-AGE PARTY AS BUTTON BRINGS HOME THE GOLD October 19, 2009 RICHARD Branson may have revealed that he’s unlikely to stump up the cash to sponsor Formula One team Brawn GP again next year after its spectacular season, but it doesn’t mean the canny entrepreneur is stepping back his involvement now that the team has won the championship. The Virgin tycoon was unable to make it [...]
Weary champ Button won’t be pushed on contract talk October 19, 2009 NEWLY-CROWNED world champion Jenson Button has put talks over his future on ice in order to savour his fairytale success. The British driver clinched his maiden title by putting in a superb performance to finish fifth in Sunday’s Brazilian Grand Prix. But the 29-year-old’s future at F1 newcomers Brawn GP remains in doubt, with the [...]
Brawn: I too doubted Button talent October 19, 2009 JENSON BUTTON finally silenced his doubters by clinching a maiden world championship on Sunday, but his boss Ross Brawn has admitted that he too needed to be convinced of the Englishman’s ability. Button failed to realise youthful promise during his first nine years in F1, winning just a single grand prix from 155 attempts and [...]
Let’s make it tough but fair, insists Wenger October 19, 2009 ARSENAL manager Arsene Wenger maintains there is a place for tough tackling in English football – but is calling for dangerous challenges to be stamped out. The Gunners make the trip to Holland for tonight’s Champions League clash with AZ Alkmaar without winger Theo Walcott, who suffered knee ligament damage following a hefty challenge from [...]
Benitez: Gerrard will lead Reds charge October 19, 2009 BOSS Rafael Benitez is backing fit-again Steven Gerrard to lead Liverpool’s Champions League charge at Anfield tonight. The Reds welcome back their inspirational skipper for the visit of French side Lyon, but Benitez must again do without star striker Fernando Torres, who has a groin injury. Like Torres, Gerrard missed Saturday’s 1-0 defeat at Sunderland, [...]