Sergio Garcia ends European Tour drought at Dubai Desert Classic February 5, 2017 Spain’s Sergio Garcia toasted an early-season tonic after claiming his first European Tour title for three years at the Dubai Desert Classic on Sunday. Garcia carded a blemish-free final round of 69 to finish on 19 under par and complete a wire-to-wire victory. Open champion Henrik Stenson was Garcia’s closest challenger on 16 under par, [...]
England coach Eddie Jones puts faith in Maro Itoje to bruise Les Bleus in Six Nations opener February 2, 2017 England head coach Eddie Jones has tipped Maro Itoje to flourish on his first Test start as a back-row forward in Saturday’s Six Nations opener against France. Itoje – usually a lock – has been tasked with replacing Chris Robshaw, a key figure in England’s renaissance under Jones, at blindside flanker for the showdown with [...]
Deadline-day flurry takes Premier League January spending past £200m February 1, 2017 Southampton’s £14m signing of Italy forward Manolo Gabbiadini created the biggest splash on deadline day as Premier League clubs took their January spending to record-threatening levels. Burnley and Crystal Palace also invested heavily, bringing to a close a window in which the top-flight’s middle and lower ranked clubs out-spent their more celebrated peers. Total spend [...]
Liverpool 1, Chelsea 1: Antonio Conte pleased as Blues emerge from Anfield test with tighter grip on Premier League January 31, 2017 Liverpool 1, Chelsea 1 Chelsea manager Antonio Conte declared himself pleased after his side tightened their stranglehold on the Premier League summit despite wasting the chance to beat Liverpool on Tuesday night. The Blues moved nine points clear after a pulsating contest in which Liverpool midfielder Giorginio Wijnaldum equalised David Luiz’s opportunistic first-half free-kick. Read [...]
Bournemouth 0, Crystal Palace 2: Sam Allardyce relief as Eagles earn first win of his reign January 31, 2017 Bournemouth 0, Crystal Palace 2 Crystal Palace earned their first Premier League win under Sam Allardyce at the sixth attempt as goals from defender Scott Dann and striker Christian Benteke sank Bournemouth on Tuesday night. Dann fired the visitors into the lead early in the second half and Benteke headed a second in added time [...]
West Ham divide fans with Dimitri Payet shirt replacement offer as playmaker seals £25m Marseille return January 30, 2017 West Ham have divided supporters by offering to replace replica shirts emblazoned with the name of departed star Dimitri Payet – but only if they pay £25. Payet completed a £25m return to former club Marseille on Monday, having angered Hammers fans by agitating for a transfer just months after being made the highest-paid player [...]
Manchester united 4, Wigan Athletic 0: Jose Mourinho stays tight-lipped on Wayne Rooney future January 29, 2017 Manchester United 4, Wigan Athletic 0 Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has pledged to keep midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger until the end of the season but dodged questions about Wayne Rooney’s future. Schweinsteiger completed his improbable return to the United first-team picture with the fourth goal in a comprehensive FA Cup fourth-round win over Championship strugglers [...]
Fulham 4, Hull City 1: Slavisa Jokanovic not interested in glamour tie after downing Premier League Hull in FA Cup fourth round January 29, 2017 Fulham 4, Hull City 1 Fulham manager Slavisa Jokanovic conceded to hoping for an easy fifth-round draw after they inflicted top-flight Hull’s second cup elimination in the space of four days. Ex-Tigers forward Sone Aluko opened the scoring against his former team, and although Evandro equalised, Chris Martin put second-tier Fulham back in front after a [...]
Dimitri Payet set to complete Marseille return after West Ham accept £25m bid January 29, 2017 West Ham playmaker Dimitri Payet is set to rejoin former club Marseille in the next 48 hours after the Hammers accepted a £25m offer for the France international. Payet is believed to have travelled to Marseille on Sunday with a view to undergoing a medical examination on Monday and completing the transfer before Tuesday’s deadline. [...]
Only the career grand slam compares to winning the Australian Open on my return from a six-month injury lay-off, says Roger Federer January 29, 2017 Former world No1 Roger Federer toasted one of the most memorable wins of his glittering career after he defeated old foe Rafael Nadal in a gladiatorial Australian Open finale on Sunday. Federer’s 6-4, 3-6, 6-1, 3-6, 6-3 victory over Nadal in their ninth grand slam final brought the 35-year-old a record-extending 18th major title and [...]