Jermain Defoe dreaming of Russia 2018 World Cup after earning long-awaited England recall March 20, 2017 Evergreen Sunderland striker Jermain Defoe admits he is desperate to capitalise on his second chance with England by earning a place in Gareth Southgate’s squad for next year’s World Cup in Russia. Defoe’s decision to leave the Premier League for Toronto and Major League Soccer in 2014 appeared to have dealt his international career a [...]
Leyton Orient winding-up order adjourned until June as owner Francesco Becchetti vows to inject £1m March 20, 2017 Leyton Orient have avoided administration – for now, at least – after the League Two club’s controversial owner Francesco Becchetti staved off a winding-up order brought by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC). Becchetti settled the unpaid tax bill but, at a High Court hearing today, was given until 12 June to pay off four other [...]
Six Nations 2017: France and Ireland show cunning to outfox Wales and England March 20, 2017 Scrum to France, final play, 5m out. France five points ahead and frothing with Gallic trickery. Monstrous prop, Uini Atonio suddenly needs a head injury assessment which sees France return their top tighthead, Rabah Slimani, to the field. As a prop there is no scenario of greater importance than a defensive scrum 5m from one’s [...]
Rory McIlroy may not be winning but I’m sure he’s on the cusp of another prolific run March 20, 2017 He may have been beaten to the Arnold Palmer Invitational by a great finish from Marc Leishman, but Rory McIlroy looked magnificent once again over the past few days at Bay Hill. It could have been a different result if Rory had been able to apply more pressure on the back nine on Sunday, but [...]
Bring on New Zealand, insists England head coach Eddie Jones as he backs RFU stance to face All Blacks March 19, 2017 England head coach Eddie Jones insists his side are itching to face world champions New Zealand after backing governing body the Rugby Football Union’s (RFU) stance on arranging an out-of-window match between the two heavyweights. The teams are not scheduled to play each other until the autumn of 2018 but the RFU confirmed last week [...]
“Our model has a bright future” – Manchester City’s owners eye China and India as next outpost for burgeoning football empire March 19, 2017 Last week the Abu Dhabi-owned Manchester City became the first Premier League club to announce an official shirt sleeve sponsor, unveiling a deal with a Korean company at an event attended by their Spanish manager Pep Guardiola and German midfielder Ilkay Gundogan. The multi-year agreement with existing partner Nexen Tire — the first of its [...]
Manchester City 1, Liverpool 1: Pep Guardiola hails City’s draw with Liverpool as one of most special moments of his managerial career March 19, 2017 Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola insisted his side’s draw with Liverpool in a pulsating Etihad Stadium clash ranked as one of the happiest moments of his managerial career. During an attack-fuelled showdown in which both sides were guilty of missing gilt-edged chances, City claimed a point as Sergio Aguero cancelled out James Milner’s penalty for [...]
Manchester City parent company eyeing China and India for next clubs, says City Football Group commercial chief Tom Glick March 19, 2017 China and India are the most likely locations of future additions to City Football Group’s (CFG) international network of clubs, chief commercial officer Tom Glick has told City A.M. Manchester City’s parent company CFG already owns New York City FC in the United States and Melbourne City in Australia, as well as a minority stake [...]
Tottenham Hotspur 2, Southampton 1: Versatile Dele Alli fires Spurs to 10th consecutive home Premier League win March 19, 2017 Tottenham Hotspur 2, Southampton 1 Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino hailed Dele Alli’s versatility after the attacking midfielder fired the club to a 10th consecutive Premier League home win. Alli’s 18th goal of a prolific season cemented Spurs’ grip on second place, as top-four rivals Manchester City and Liverpool drew, and kept the north Londoners 10 points [...]
Kent’s Sam Northeast hits century as South beat North to claim inaugural one-day series March 19, 2017 Kent skipper Sam Northeast struck an unbeaten century as South beat North by 47 runs to seal victory in the inaugural one-day series between the two sides in Dubai. Northeast finished 118 not out as South racked up 346-6 from their 50 overs, while Middlesex batsman Dawid Malan and Hampshire all-rounder Liam Dawson hit half-centuries [...]