Arsenal shine as lights fail in Belgrade September 28, 2010 PARTIZAN (1) vs ARSENAL (3) ARSENAL manager Arsene Wenger hailed his team after they overcame floodlight failure, a boisterous crowd and two penalties to plunder maximum points with a nervy Champions League triumph in Belgrade. A power cut plunged dressing rooms into darkness before kick-off and threatened to postpone the game, but play commenced with [...]
You’ve lost your aura, McIlroy tells Woods September 28, 2010 RYDER CUP newcomer Rory McIlroy last night fanned the flames ahead of this week’s contest by declaring that America’s Tiger Woods has lost his “aura”. United States captain Corey Pavin has warned McIlroy he risks goading the best out of world No1 Woods, who is without a top-three finish in what has been a traumatic [...]
Chelsea ease way back into winning habit September 28, 2010 CHELSEA (2) vs MARSEILLE (0) CHELSEA captain John Terry admitted his relief after helping the Blues bounce back from successive defeats to maintain their 100 per cent European record. It took Terry just seven minutes to ease any nerves around Stamford Bridge, the centre-back meeting Gael Kakuta’s corner with a faint toe-poke that crept in [...]
Harrington’s eagles cheer Montgomerie September 28, 2010 EUROPE captain Colin Montgomerie insists Padraig Harrington’s sparkling form in practice has already justified his contentious selection. Harrington hit three eagles yesterday at Celtic Manor as both teams began their final preparations for this week’s eagerly-anticipated contest. Such form represents a huge improvement on his indifferent performances this year, which meant he failed to qualify [...]
Sorry Saracens sweat on ERC decision September 28, 2010 SARACENS say they are yet to hear from Heineken Cup chiefs after captain Steve Borthwick controversially skipped the competition’s launch in order to join his team-mates at the Munich beer festival. The Premiership club yesterday issued a public apology, insisting the decision had been taken by management rather than Borthwick himself and reaffirming their “total [...]
England blow as Rooney is ruled out for three weeks September 28, 2010 VALENCIA vs MANCHESTER UTD ITV1, ko 7.45pm ENGLAND will be without striker Wayne Rooney against Montenegro next month after Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson revealed he needs up to three weeks to recover from an ankle injury. Rooney’s setback is a blow to Ferguson ahead of tonight’s Group C trip to Valencia, with evergreen [...]
Redknapp tips Bale for top but faces defensive headache for Twente visit September 28, 2010 TOTTENHAM vs FC TWENTE Sky Sports 2, ko 7.45pm TOTTENHAM manager Harry Redknapp expects Gareth Bale to become the world’s best left-back – but is happy to wait while he terrorises defences himself. Bale, 21, has carried last season’s scintillating form into the current campaign and will be expected to pose much of the Spurs [...]
Donald has vindicated Monty’s faith September 27, 2010 LUKE DONALD got his big chance to vindicate his place on the European Ryder Cup team at the weekend – and he took it with both hands. Colin Montgomerie’s biggest dilemma in selecting his 12-man team for Celtic Manor was who to pick from Donald, Paul Casey and Justin Rose. Omitting the world’s No7 player [...]
an Unknown quantity to world star in 12 months September 27, 2010 AS the children of the Catholic University School in Dublin picked up their sticks for their bi-weekly hurling lesson, there was one lad standing in line looking slightly lost. It was the class of 1998 when professional cricket in Ireland was light years away. But Eoin Morgan was a young man with a dream and [...]
Ancelotti plays down Blues slump September 27, 2010 CHELSEA VS MARSEILLE CHELSEA manager Carlo Ancelotti insists he has not demanded a reaction from his team despite seeing their air of invincibility corroded by back-to-back defeats. Enforced absences have also hit Ancelotti’s preparations, with midfielder Frank Lampard among a number of injured players and striker Didier Drogba suspended for the visit of his former [...]