Soaring fees make Wenger wary about January spree November 27, 2012 ARSENAL manager Arsene Wenger insists it would cost him £60m to bow to mounting pressure from fans and splash out on a world-class player in January. An estimated transfer kitty of £50m has been topped up by the £150m sponsorship deal the club signed with airline Emirates last week. But Wenger has refused to commit [...]
Benteke rises to rescue Villa November 27, 2012 ASTON VILLA 1 vs READING 0 ASTON Villa striker Christian Benteke’s late header secured three points and lifted them out of the relegation zone. The Belgian headed the winner from a corner on 80 minutes to score his fifth of the season for Villa, who left Darren Bent out of the squad for the second [...]
Spurs a model for Rodgers November 27, 2012 LIVERPOOL manager Brendan Rodgers has identified Tottenham Hotspur’s progression into a top-four side as a blueprint for what his team can achieve, as the two sides prepare to meet tonight at White Hart Lane. The Reds boss acknowledged that emulating Spurs’s gradual growth into contenders for Champions League football was the most realistic route for [...]
No apology but Chelsea admit ref row regret November 27, 2012 CHELSEA chiefs last night admitted they were hasty in publicly accusing referee Mark Clattenburg of racially abusing John Obi Mikel – but stopped short of issuing an apology to the official. Clattenburg was cleared by the Football Association last week following an investigation that concluded the complaint – that he had called Mikel a “monkey” [...]
Robson rewarded for landmark year with best newcomer gong November 27, 2012 BRITAIN’S Laura Robson has been named WTA Tour newcomer of the year, after a breakthrough season for the 18-year-old tennis starlet. The British women’s No2, who narrowly saw off competition from compatriot and runner-up for the award Heather Watson, claimed the accolade following a season in which she won an Olympic silver medal, reached the [...]
Lawes return boosts fearless England squad November 27, 2012 NORTHAMPTON lock Courtney Lawes has handed England a timely boost by returning to the 23-man squad to face New Zealand at Twickenham on Saturday. Lawes was last capped for England in February against Wales during the Six Nations but damaged his knee playing for the Saints against Saracens in October. As a result he has [...]
Sarries lay groundwork for £20m move November 27, 2012 SARACENS have laid the first strips of artificial turf at their new 10,000-capacity home in Barnet as they count down to the move from Vicarage Road to £20m Allianz Park in February. The 2011 Aviva Premiership champions are set to become the first professional rugby union club to play their home games on a synthetic [...]
Sunderland fan in racism probe November 27, 2012 FOOTBALL: Police have launched an investigation after a Sunderland fan allegedly made a racist gesture at West Brom striker Romelu Lukaku during Saturday’s match at the Stadium of Light. Photos appear to show a fan making monkey gestures.
Dettori to learn drug test fate November 27, 2012 HORSE RACING: Jockey Frankie Dettori will learn on Tuesday what punishment he faces for failing a drug test earlier this year. French horse racing chiefs last week imposed a temporary ban on the former Champion Jockey and will reconvene next week to deliver their verdict.
Ponting backed for fifth Ashes November 27, 2012 CRICKET: Under-fire Australia batsman Ricky Ponting has been backed to face England on a fifth Ashes tour next year. The Aussies’ all-time leading Test run scorer has scored just 20 from his last three innings. But coach Mickey Arthur said: “We want him to go to the Ashes, there is no doubt.”
