Prop Joe Marler set to retain place and face Italy despite Mako Vunipola’s return to fitness February 21, 2017 Harlequins prop Joe Marler is set to start ahead of Mako Vunipola in England’s Six Nations clash with Italy at Twickenham on Sunday despite the Saracens loosehead’s return to fitness. British and Irish Lion Vunipola only made his return to action for the Allianz Park club on Friday night, having been sidelined since December with [...]
Pep Guardiola fearful of Monaco “killers” and Manchester City’s chances of reaching Champions League quarter-finals February 21, 2017 Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola admits he is fearful of facing Monaco – and his side’s chances of reaching the Champions League quarter-finals. City host Ligue 1 leaders Monaco in their last-16 first leg clash on Tuesday. The visitors have eclipsed Paris Saint-Germain, who ruthlessly thrashed the mighty Barcelona last week, domestically this season. Les [...]
Badminton chiefs fume after UK Sport reject funding appeal February 20, 2017 Great Britain badminton chiefs have declared themselves “staggered” after UK Sport rejected their appeal against the funding cut imposed for the four years leading up to the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo. Six other sports – archery, fencing, goal ball, table tennis, weightlifting and wheelchair rugby – also failed to convince the governing body to reinstate their [...]
Ben Stokes ready to prove his worth after securing lucrative, life-changing Indian Premier League deal February 20, 2017 England's Test vice-captain Ben Stokes has backed himself to live up to the price tag after becoming the most expensive foreigner in Indian Premier League (IPL) history. Stokes attracted multiple bids from rival IPL franchises during Monday’s auction before the gavel came down in the final round following a bid of 145 million rupees (£1.74m) by [...]
Sutton United primed for their big moment against Premier League Arsenal February 20, 2017 Fifth-tier Sutton United and fame may be ships which pass in the night but, whatever happens against Arsenal on Monday, beacon-like memories have been made which will sparkle long after the limelight vanishes. The minnows have certainly made their mark during a giant-killing extravaganza which may or may not reach its conclusion in the fifth [...]
Wasps boss Dai Young denies complacency despite Sale Sharks setback February 19, 2017 Wasps director of rugby Dai Young denied suggestions of complacency after the Premiership leaders succumbed 34-28 at lowly Sale Sharks. Wing Denny Solomona scored a hat-trick for the north west outfit, taking his tally to seven tries in five matches since switching codes and joining Sale from Castleford Tigers. Sale led 31-9 at the break [...]
Fulham 0, Tottenham Hotspur 3: Spurs are back from the dead after FA Cup romp, insists Mauricio Pochettino February 19, 2017 Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino insists his side have reasserted themselves in the hunt for trophies after reaching the FA Cup last eight with victory over London rivals Fulham. Striker Harry Kane netted his fifth career hat-trick as Spurs recovered from successive defeats and uninspiring performances against Liverpool in the Premier League and Gent in Europe. [...]
Manchester United 3, Saint-Etienne 0: Ibrahimovic treble fails to save United from Mourinho blast February 16, 2017 Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho hit out at his players for having the wrong pre-match attitude despite them chalking up a commanding Europa League last-16 victory over Saint-Etienne. Striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored the 17th hat-trick of his career and his 17th goal against Saint-Etienne as United paved the way for a potentially comfortable second leg in [...]
KAA Gent 1, Tottenham Hotspur 0: Mauricio Pochettino admits Spurs suffering a mini-crisis of confidence February 16, 2017 Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino admits his side are suffering from a mini-crisis of confidence after slipping to a surprise defeat to Gent in their Europa League last-32 first leg clash. Spurs failed to respond to Pochettino’s rallying call following Saturday’s loss to Liverpool and, despite the Argentine naming a strong side, succumbed to a second-half [...]
Sutton United’s former Gunners ready to heap further misery on Arsenal and Arsene Wenger February 16, 2017 Former Gunners Roarie Deacon and Craig Eastmond are convinced that non-league Sutton United can capitalise on the disarray engulfing Arsenal and produce one of the greatest FA Cup shocks of all time. Fifth-tier Sutton, conquerors of Championship high-flyers Leeds in round four, host top-flight Arsenal in a fifth-round showdown on Monday at their 5,013-capacity Gander [...]