Butterfield’s the toast as Premier sides crash out February 2, 2010 CRYSTAL PALACE 3 WOLVES 1 DANNY BUTTERFIELD enjoyed the night of his life as his seven-minute hat-trick earned cash-strapped Crystal Palace a money-spinning tie with Aston Villa. The Eagles were docked ten league points after slipping into administration last week, but Butterfield, who hadn’t scored in over a year before last night, handed his side [...]
Ferdinand risks Cup final with new ban appeal February 2, 2010 MANCHESTER United have launched a fresh appeal against defender Rio Ferdinand’s four-match ban for violent conduct. Ferdinand was suspended for swinging an arm at Hull’s Craig Fagan last month and then saw the Football Association extend his ban to four games because they deemed his initial appeal “frivolous”. An appeal board will hear the 31-year-old’s [...]
Grant slams Pompey chief for breaking promises February 2, 2010 PORTSMOUTH boss Avram Grant has slammed the club for the broken promises which have left them walking a Premier League tightrope. The Israeli claims he was told he would be in the position to add four new faces to his struggling Pompey side in the January window, but instead saw two of his best players [...]
Schumacher’s neck still raises doctor concerns February 2, 2010 FRESH concerns over the long-term fitness of Formula One comeback king Michael Schumacher surfaced yesterday after his personal doctor was seen monitoring his progress during testing in Valencia. Schumacher, 41, completed 40 laps in his Mercedes on his first return to F1 on Monday, showing no signs of the neck injury which prevented him from [...]
RUGBY UNION | In Brief February 2, 2010 O’Gara returns for Ireland opener IRELAND’S legendary fly-half Ronan O’Gara will reclaim the No10 shirt in the opening game of their Grand Slam defence, against Italy on Saturday. O’Gara comes in for Jonathan Sexton, who starred in the November win over world champions South Africa but misses out with a dead leg. Leinster flanker Kevin [...]
RUGBY UNION | In Brief February 2, 2010 Paterson gets nod for Les Bleus SCOTLAND’S record points scorer Chris Paterson has been recalled as one of six changes for his side’s Six Nations clash with France on Sunday. Paterson will win his 99th cap as a full-back replacement for the injured Rory Lamont, joining Glasgow centres Max Evans and Graeme Morrison in a [...]
New points system for F1 February 2, 2010 FORMULA ONE is to get a new points system for the 2010 season following an agreement between the world governing body, the FIA, and the teams. From now, drivers will be awarded 25 points for every race win – seven points more than for secondplace. F1 bosses believe this will create a “race-to-win” attitude. The [...]
Bolland given £15m mission to save M&S February 1, 2010 THE OUTGOING boss of supermarket chain Morrisons is set for a “golden hello” worth up to £15m after accepting one of the toughest missions on the high street – to turn around Marks and Spencer. Dutch Marc Bolland will receive the package in pay, bonuses and compensation for giving up his previous job when he [...]
Myners: 50pc tax rate won’t raise much February 1, 2010 THE government has “significantly reduced” the level of revenue it expects to generate from the new 50p income tax band, City minister Lord Myners admitted yesterday. In a tacit recognition that high earners will find ways to evade the higher rate of tax, Lord Myners said he was doubtful the Treasury would haul in the [...]
Blankfein will not get $100m February 1, 2010 INVESTMENT bank Goldman Sachs yesterday moved to quash speculation among rival bankers that its chief executive Lloyd Blankfein may be in line for a bumper bonus of up to $100m (£62.8m), claiming the figure had been distorted out of hand. “Although the board has yet to determine executive compensation, given everything we have said and [...]