Rio in race to be fit for final May 20, 2009 MANCHESTER UNITED defender Rio Ferdinand’s dream of making Champions League history hinges on this weekend’s trip to Hull City. Ferdinand could become the first player to captain a team to glory in the European final two years in a row – if he proves he is over a calf injury. And United manager Sir Alex [...]
Fergie will not be doing any favours May 20, 2009 WHEN Sir Alex Ferguson sits down to pick his team to visit Hull City for Sunday’s season finale, you can rest assured that the plight of Newcastle, Sunderland and Middlesbrough will not be entering his thought process. With the Champions League final against Barcelona just three days away, you can perfectly understand Fergie being deliberately [...]
O’Shea will face Barca, says Fergie May 20, 2009 UTILITY man John O’Shea has been assured of his place in Manchester United’s starting line-up for next week’s Champions League final against Barcelona. The Republic of Ireland international has filled in at right back for the injured Wes Brown and Gary Neville this season and has been described as “fantastic” by boss Sir Alex Ferguson. [...]
Ferrari: Cap will turn F1 into formula GP3 May 20, 2009 THE WAR raging between Ferrari and motorsport chiefs escalated yesterday after F1’s most famous team lost its legal bid to block plans for a budget cap. Governing body the FIA slammed Ferrari for attempting to win an injunction against the voluntary £40m cap, after a Paris court rejected the case yesterday. Ferrari, meanwhile, mocked the [...]
Brazilian Jadson earns Ukraine its first Euro champs May 20, 2009 WERDER BREMEN (1) vs SHAKHTAR DONETSK (2)AET, 1-1 after 90 minutes AN EXTRA-TIME winner from Brazilian midfielder Rodrigues Jadson earned Shakhtar Donetsk a dramatic but deserved victory in the last ever Uefa Cup final. The 96th-minute strike, which slipped through Werder Bremen goalkeeper Tim Wiese’s fingertips, also brought Ukraine their first European triumph since independence in [...]
Pietersen absence is simply a ‘precaution’, insist medics May 20, 2009 ENGLAND medics insist there is no need for concern over Kevin Pietersen’s Achilles injury, which has ruled him out of the one-day series with the West Indies. The Hampshire batsman has been ordered to rest after suffering a recurrence of the injury during the second Test victory at Durham last week. But any suggestion that [...]
Chelsea to tie Cole down as suitors hover May 20, 2009 CHELSEA are poised to offer defender Ashley Cole a new contract worth more than £100,000 per week in order to head off interest from Barcelona. The Spanish giants are thought to be ready to spend £20m on the England left-back, while super-rich Manchester City have also been linked. Cole, 28, already earns in the region [...]
Wenger exit talk is a joke, says Almunia May 19, 2009 ARSENAL goalkeeper Manuel Almunia has dismissed speculation that manager Arsene Wenger and the club’s star players could be set to leave, insisting he and his team-mates routinely laugh off such talk. Rumours that Wenger may end his 13-year reign have escalated sharply following stinging criticism from shareholders, with Real Madrid mooted as the Frenchman’s most [...]
Shearer turns to Sir Bobby to halt slide May 19, 2009 ALAN SHEARER admits he is seeking advice from fellow Newcastle legend Sir Bobby Robson in plotting the club’s Premier League escape route. The Magpies make the do-or-die trip to Aston Villa on Sunday needing a better result than either north-east rivals Hull City or Sunderland to retain their top-flight status. Shearer, 38, is serving his [...]
Ferrari wait on cap injunction verdict May 19, 2009 THE BUDGET-CAP row plaguing F1 will take its latest twist today when French legal authorities announce whether Ferrari’s bid to block the move has succeeded. The Italian team have applied for an injunction against governing body the FIA’s plans for a voluntary £40m cap, which is set to take effect next season. Representatives from both [...]