We won’t break bank to keep Yarde, new Exiles owners warn December 12, 2013 LONDON Irish’s new owners have vowed to boost their budget in an attempt to keep in-demand England wing Marland Yarde but warned they will not try to compete with the free-spending French. Interim chairman David Fitzgerald – part of a consortium led by waste management tycoon Mick Crossan that confirmed its takeover yesterday – has [...]
Football Comment: Premier showdown overshadows Euro tests for title rivals December 12, 2013 MISSING out on top spot in their Champions League groups is no disaster for Arsenal and Manchester City, though there’s no doubt they were distracted in Europe by the prospect of tomorrow’s meeting. Ideally the Gunners would have finished first but there’s no shame in losing at Napoli. They achieved their objective of qualifying for [...]
I’m sure West Ham will keep faith with me, says Allardyce December 12, 2013 UNDER-FIRE West Ham manager Sam Allardyce believes his job is safe despite an alarming dip in form that has pushed them to the brink of the relegation zone. Four defeats from their last five Premier League games mean the Hammers are just goal difference above 19th place, while all the teams below them have reacted [...]
Europa League: Soldado treble has Villas-Boas eyeing top four December 12, 2013 TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 4 VS ANZHI MAKHACHKALA 1 TOTTENHAM boss Andre Villas-Boas last night urged his team to use a confidence-boosting rout of Anzhi Makhachkala as a springboard to return to the Premier League’s top table. Striker Roberto Soldado ended his drought with a first Spurs hat-trick, while midfielder Lewis Holtby scored the pick of the [...]
QPR reveal further details of proposed move to Old Oak December 12, 2013 QPR last night revealed details of their ambitious plan to move from Loftus Road to a new 40,000-seater stadium in nearby Old Oak. The Championship club, whose current ground holds 18,360 and averages just under 17,000 spectators per match this season, hope the new stadium will be part of a major regeneration of Old Oak [...]
Intel pay £15m for logo inside Barca shirt December 12, 2013 BARCELONA have struck an innovative sponsorship deal with Intel that will see the computer chip company’s logo printed on the inside of the Spanish club’s shirts. The arrangement, said to be worth £15m over four and a half years, is devised to gain Intel exposure when a player lifts their shirt to celebrate a goal. [...]
Force India sign Perez December 12, 2013 FORMULA ONE: British driver Paul di Resta’s F1 career looks in doubt after Force India signed former McLaren racer Sergio Perez. German Nico Hulkenberg has the team’s other seat, leaving Di Resta, 27, without a drive.
Fans get say in Hull name change December 12, 2013 FOOTBALL: The Football Association has promised to consult Hull City fans before deciding whether to approve owner Assem Allam’s application to change the Premier League club’s name to Hull Tigers.
Oxford win Varsity Match again December 12, 2013 RUGBY UNION: The Varsity Match saw its first ever sending off as Oxford survived the dismissal of scrum-half Sam Egerton to beat Cambridge 33-15. Tries from captain John Carter, Henry Lamont, Egerton and Nicholas Gardner earned Oxford a fourth successive win.
Rampant City can put Gunners to the sword December 12, 2013 It is difficult to overstate the importance of tomorrow’s lunchtime kick-off between Manchester City and Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium. In what is one of the most open title races in years, the bookmakers still believe the Premier League trophy will end up at one of these clubs. Man City are 13/8 with Coral and [...]