Arsene Wenger says Olivier Giroud is at the top of his game as in-form striker fires Arsenal to top of Premier League December 13, 2015 ASTON VILLA 0, ARSENAL 2 Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger backed Olivier Giroud to keep confounding his critics after the striker capped a fine week by firing the Gunners to the top of the Premier League. Giroud’s first-half penalty and a breakaway second by midfielder Aaron Ramsey saw Wenger’s men overtake Manchester City and Leicester – until [...]
Euro 2016: England have a good chance of reaching the semi-finals, says Football Association chairman Greg Dyke December 13, 2015 Football Association chairman Greg Dyke has tipped Roy Hodgson to lead England to the semi-finals of Euro 2016 but insists suggestions of a new contract for the head coach are premature. Dyke famously foretold the Three Lions’ early exit from last year’s World Cup when he made a tongue-in-cheek throat-slitting gesture after they were drawn [...]
Anthony Joshua ready to wait for Tyson Fury after beating Dillian Whyte with seventh-round knockout December 13, 2015 Newly-crowned British heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua insists he is in no hurry for a world title fight despite coming through the sternest test yet of his credentials. Joshua took several blows and was taken more than twice as far as in any of his previous 14 professional bouts before knocking out former amateur rival Dillian [...]
Erik Lamela hat-trick helps Tottenham to Monaco romp and easier path in Europa League December 10, 2015 TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 4, MONACO 1 Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino hailed Erik Lamela after the Argentinian’s whirlwind hat-trick swept Spurs into the Europa League’s last 32 as group winners last night at White Hart Lane. Midfielder Tom Carroll scored the other – his first for the club – as the north Londoners continued their fine start to [...]
Ian Bell will benefit from being dropped by England for South Africa tour, says Alastair Cook December 10, 2015 He may have been axed from the Test team for the winter tour to South Africa, but England captain Alastair Cook insists batsman Ian Bell’s international career is far from over. Cook said he had been struck by Bell’s determination to win back his place since it was announced last month that he would not [...]
Karim Benzema sex tape blackmail plot allegations: France could be without striker for Euro 2016 after they ban him indefinitely December 10, 2015 Euro 2016 hosts France have been plunged into turmoil just months before the tournament after they suspended striker Karim Benzema indefinitely over his alleged involvement in a sex-tape blackmail plot. Real Madrid star Benzema, who spearheads the team’s attack and has scored 25 goals in 80 internationals, is accused of being part of an attempt [...]
Fired-up Arsenal to extend run over miserable Aston Villa December 10, 2015 The last time Aston Villa beat Arsenal at home, the Spice Girls were top of the charts and Bill Clinton was being impeached. Even more remarkably, Villa were first in the top-flight table. Since that match in December 1998, the Gunners have taken 26 victories from 35 meetings in all competitions. Villa have managed only one. [...]
Wavering Manchester United ripe to be picked off by Cherries December 10, 2015 When Eddie Howe’s Bournemouth sealed promotion to the Premier League in May, the visit of Manchester United would have been one of the first fixtures Cherries fans looked out for. Howe’s men come into Saturday's clash full of belief that they can beat the drop, especially after their eye-catching victory at Chelsea last time out. United, [...]
Wash down the caviar with Champagne in Saturday’s big race at Cheltenham December 10, 2015 The biggest betting race of the weekend is the Caspian Caviar Gold Cup (Saturday 1.50pm) which features plenty of those that ran in last month’s Paddy Power Gold Cup. Annacotty did this column a favour in that race, but this is a very hard double to pull off. Buywise is respected, as he will surely win a big [...]
Any Currency will do when picking up your winnings December 10, 2015 Bill Esdaile previews the best of the action from Cheltenham’s December meeting We've been treated to some great stories already this jumps season and the bandwagon rolls on to Cheltenham next for their two-day December meeting. Now, I wouldn’t normally lead one of these articles with the Cross Country Chase (Friday 2.20pm), but when there’s [...]