Liverpool stunned by Jovetic brace September 29, 2009 FIORENTINA (2) vs LIVERPOOL (0) LIVERPOOL boss Rafa Benitez blamed a shambolic first half showing for his side’s first away defeat in the Champions League for almost 18 months. Teenager Stevan Jovetic struck a quick-fire brace to hand Fiorentina a shock victory over the Reds, who had not lost on the road since their semi-final [...]
Black Caps end England’s purple patch September 29, 2009 ENGLAND captain Andrew Strauss shrugged off his side’s emphatic defeat to New Zealand, insisting it would have no bearing on their Champions Trophy chances. The Black Caps’ four-wicket victory in Johannesburg ensured they reached the semi-finals by winning Group B and consigned England to their first loss of the tournament. Already assured of a last-four [...]
Massa targeting comeback at season’s final grand prix September 29, 2009 FERRARI’S Felipe Massa hopes to race for the first time since his life-threatening crash in little more than four weeks’ time at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The Brazilian, who spent days in a coma following the horror smash in July, had not been expected to return to F1 before next season. But Massa has [...]
Ancelotti urges Blues to fix Wigan mistakes September 29, 2009 CHELSEA boss Carlo Ancelotti insists his side will bounce back from a shock defeat at Wigan against Apoel Nicosia tonight. The Blues lost their 100 per cent start to the season in convincing fashion, losing 3-1 to the Latics at the DW Stadium on Saturday. But Ancelotti says that setback is behind them, and expects [...]
Star Vainikolo’s relief as GBH charge is dropped September 29, 2009 ENGLAND winger Lesley Vainikolo has admitted his relief after charges of causing grievous bodily harm were dropped yesterday. The former rugby league star, 30, was accused of punching Jake Aliker outside a Bath nightclub in the early hours of 26 October 2008. But a jury failed to reach a verdict at the Gloucester player’s trial [...]
Ferguson: Rooney as good as Kaka, Ronaldo and Messi September 29, 2009 MANCHESTER UNITED manager Sir Alex Ferguson believes striker Wayne Rooney has the ingredients to rival the biggest megastars in the world game. The 23-year-old is set to make his 50th appearance in the Champions League tonight when United host German title winners Wolfsburg. Rooney was electric on his European debut, hitting a hat-trick in a [...]
Pietersen vows he’ll be fit for SA Tests September 29, 2009 ENGLAND batsman Kevin Pietersen is refusing to take no for an answer as he races to be fit to board the plane for South Africa. The 29-year-old has been frustrated by setbacks in his recovery from Achilles surgery and has not played since the second Ashes Test at Lord’s in July. But he is hoping [...]
London 2012 hopefuls given 10m cashback from Visa September 29, 2009 BRITISH chiefs believe they will be able to unleash their strongest team ever at the London 2012 Games after receiving a significant cash injection from Visa. The credit card provider is believed to have paid around £10m to be Team 2012’s presentation partner, giving them promotional rights to more than 1,000 British athletes. That represents [...]
Selling Cahill would be suicidal, insists Megson September 29, 2009 BOLTON boss Gary Megson has categorically ruled out selling star defender Gary Cahill this season. The 23-year-old has impressed for the Trotters ever since his move from Aston Villa in January 2008. And his eye-catching performances have not gone unnoticed with rumours rife that Tottenham and Italian giants AC Milan and Juventus are contemplating a [...]
McAllister ‘No’ to Portsmouth No2 position September 29, 2009 PORTSMOUTH boss Paul Hart admits he is bitterly disappointed at the club’s failure to appoint Gary McAllister as his assistant. Former Leeds manager McAllister, who last week turned down the chance to become Scotland No2, could not agree terms to move to Fratton Park. The 44-year-old played at Elland Road at the same time as [...]
