AVB still defiant after his nightmare week October 31, 2011 Chelsea boss stands by his methods as QPR star Ferdinand reveals “strong feelings” over his clash with Terry, by James Goldman CHELSEA manager Andre Villas-Boas admits he and his side have endured “a disastrous week” but insists he is still on course to produce a side capable of winning the Premier League. The past eight [...]
Garcia’s glory caps Europe’s stunning year October 31, 2011 IT HAS been a momentous year for European golf to say the least and Sergio Garcia’s return to winning ways is certainly among one of the many highlights. For its poignancy, and to an extent the surprise nature of it, you’d be hard pressed to look past Darren Clarke’s achievement of winning The Open as [...]
Newcastle up to third after Ba hat-trick October 31, 2011 STOKE (1) vs NEWCASTLE (3) NEWCASTLE’S remarkable start to the season continued last night with a fine win over Stoke achieved largely thanks to striker Demba Ba’s second hat-trick of the season. The Senegal international, who arrived on a free in the summer after he was released by West Ham, nearly joined Stoke last January, [...]
Exiles explore idea of staging Premiership match in Boston October 31, 2011 PREMIERSHIP side London Irish have announced they are exploring the possibility of following the lead set by capital rivals Saracens and hosting a fixture abroad. In a bid to open fresh revenue streams, the Exiles have already identified Boston, Massachusetts as a potential location to stage a Premiership or Heineken Cup tie. Last season Wasps [...]
Van der Vaart boasts Spurs have taken over as the top team in north London October 31, 2011 TOTTENHAM forward Rafael van der Vaart believes his side remain the dominant force in north London and has warned Arsenal not to get carried away by Saturday’s win over Chelsea. After a shaky start to the season Arsenal moved back to within three points of a Champions League place following their stunning win at Stamford [...]
City blasted by PFA chief Taylor over ‘strange’ Toure disciplinary hearing October 31, 2011 PLAYERS’ chief Gordon Taylor has labelled Manchester City’s decision to hold a disciplinary hearing with Kolo Toure over his failed drugs test as “strange”. Taylor, chief executive of the Professional Footballers’ Association, attended the hearing with Toure this afternoon and the outcome of the gross misconduct charge is expected later this week. Toure, who has [...]
Wenger: There’s more to Arsenal than reliant Robin October 31, 2011 ARSENAL vs MARSEILLE ARSENAL manger Arsene Wenger insists there’s more to his side’s recent resurgence than the remarkable goalscoring exploits of Robin van Perise. The Dutch striker took his tally for the calendar year to a remarkable 28 goals in 27 matches with a hat-trick in Saturday’s epic 5-3 win over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. [...]
Ivanovic defends AVB right to read riot act to Chelsea flops October 31, 2011 GENK vs CHELSEA CHELSEA defender Branislav Ivanovic has admitted Andre Villas-Boas had every right to read the riot act to his players after his side shipped five goals at home for the first time in 22 years on Saturday. Blues boss Villas-Boas denied delivering a “rant” to his squad during Sunday’s post-mortem of Saturday’s 5-3 [...]
Henry steps down as Kiwi coach October 31, 2011 World Cup-winning coach Graham Henry has stood down as All Blacks boss after an eight-year reign. The 65-year-old was in charge for 103 Tests and saw his side narrowly beat France 8-7 in the World Cup final earlier this month to claim their second title. He said: “I’ve had enough, it’s been an enormous privilege [...]
Funding cut fair, says Sotherton October 31, 2011 Former Olympic bronze medallist Kelly Sotherton says she has no problem with having her funding cut and she hopes to compete in the heptathlon in 2012. “I’m not angered by the decision, I don’t feel it was unfair,” said Sotherton, who lost her UK Athletics second-tier “podium relay” funding this month. “I had my funding [...]