Lampard bullish ahead of Reds showdown October 1, 2009 CHELSEA midfielder Frank Lampard has hit back at critics who say the Blues are yet to click under new boss Carlo Ancelotti. The west Londoners head into Sunday’s crunch clash with Liverpool off the back of a scrappy win at Apoel Nicosia and a shock defeat at Wigan. But with nine wins under their belt [...]
Rolling subs is the way forward, says Johnson October 1, 2009 ENGLAND team manager Martin Johnson is backing the introduction of rugby league-style rolling substitutes to ensure that the Harlequins fake-blood scandal never happens again. The proposal is one of 16 being considered by the Rugby Football Union (RFU) to restore the sport’s reputation. And Johnson admitted he agreed with the views of the RFU’s Image [...]
Pompey fail to pay players after Al-Fahim takeover hits cash-flow October 1, 2009 PORTSMOUTH insist the squad will be paid today after the club failed to transfer players’ wages earlier this week. The Premier League’s basement outfit blamed the failure on cash-flow problems caused by Sulaiman al-Fahim’s takeover and subsequent refinancing project. Portsmouth said in a statement: “There was a delay in the transfer of funds but the [...]
JOHNSON NETS TOP AWARD October 1, 2009 AUSTRALIAN fast bowler Mitchell Johnson edged out England captain Andrew Strauss to be named ICC Cricketer of the Year in Johannesburg last night. Johnson, who took 80 Test wickets in the year from August 2008, beat Strauss and India duo Gautam Gambhir and Mahendra Dhoni to the top award. Gambhir took the Test award while [...]
Azam cited for Borthwick kick October 1, 2009 RUGBY UNION: Gloucester’s Olivier Azam has been cited for kicking Saracens’ Steve Borthwick during their Guinness Premiership match last weekend. The Frenchman will appear before an RFU disciplinary hearing in Bristol on 6 October along with team-mate Adam Eustace who has also been cited for stamping on Justin Marshall in the same match.
Murray out of Japan Open October 1, 2009 TENNIS: Britain’s Andy Murray has pulled out of next week’s Japan Open in order to preserve his fitness for the ATP World Tour Finals in London. World No3 Murray has been suffering from a wrist injury and said: “There’s a big tournament in London next month and I want to make sure I’m fit for [...]
Button not expecting glory October 1, 2009 FORMULA ONE: World championship leader Jenson Button says he is not expecting to clinch the title at this weekend’s Japanese Grand Prix. The Englishman will sew it up if he wins five points more than closest rival and team-mate Rubens Barrichello. But the Brawn driver said: “I don’t come into the race thinking I am [...]
Gunners will never sack Wenger October 1, 2009 FOOTBALL: Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has a job for life, says Gunners director Ken Friar. Wenger yesterday became the longest-serving manager in the club’s history and Friar said: “We will never have enough of him and he will be welcome here forever.”
Aussie T20 side eye Flintoff October 1, 2009 CRICKET: England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff is wanted by Victoria Bushrangers for the Australia Twenty20 Big Bash, which starts in December. They may move for Flintoff if Sri Lankan marquee signing Muttiah Muralitharan, is ruled out by international commitments.
Bjorn takes overnight lead October 1, 2009 GOLF: Denmark’s Thomas Bjorn fired a superb eight-under-par 64 to take the overnight lead after the first round of the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship. Bjorn, seeking his first European Tour win since May 2006, fired six birdies and an eagle in a faultless round at Kingsbarns. England’s Ross McGowan and Gareth Maybin are a further [...]