Spellbinding Djokovic reminds us all exactly why we love sport January 20, 2013 IT’S sometimes important to put these things in context. This column, in its original form, was all about the current descent into mediocrity of Australian sport. How the ridiculous anointing of Bernard Tomic as the successor to Rod Laver died a horrible death on Saturday night when Federer showed him who was boss. Three straight [...]
Spurs can slow down United’s title charge January 17, 2013 TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR MANCHESTER UNITED Sunday 4.00pm THERE’S no doubting who the Premier League’s form team is at the moment. Having taken 28 points from the last 30 available, Manchester United sit seven clear at the top of the table and the bookies have all but given up on the chasing pack. Sir Alex Ferguson’s outfit [...]
Guardiola’s snub causes Premier three a headache January 16, 2013 UNCERTAINTY over who will be in charge at England’s three biggest clubs next season deepened dramatically last night after German giants Bayern Munich won the race to hire sought-after former Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola. Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United had all made enquiries about appointing the 41-year-old, while continental superpowers Paris Saint-Germain and AC [...]
Chelsea home woes continue as Saints hand Benitez timely blow January 16, 2013 CHELSEA 2 SOUTHAMPTON 2 CHELSEA boss Rafael Benitez demanded a transformation in his team’s faltering home form after squandering a two-goal lead and wasting the chance to close on the Premier League’s top two. First-half goals from Demba Ba and Eden Hazard seemed to put the Blues on course for a first win at Stamford [...]
United chief issues warning to rebels over financial fair play January 16, 2013 MANCHESTER United chief executive David Gill has warned Premier League clubs that they will have to accept European-style financial fair play (FFP) rules if they want to introduce a cap on wage increases. England’s top 20 sides are close to deciding on historic moves to curb spending, but fissures have emerged among chairmen over exactly [...]
QPR coup as Redknapp nears £16m double deal January 15, 2013 WEST BROMWICH ALBION 0 QUEENS PARK RANGERS 1 QUEENS Park Rangers manager Harry Redknapp confirmed he is poised to complete an audacious £16m double swoop for France stars Loic Remy and Yann M’Vila last night, after booking a place in the FA Cup fourth round. The Hoops, who won at West Brom to set up [...]
Remy on verge of U-turn over Newcastle as QPR hijack deal January 14, 2013 RELEGATION threatened Queens Park Rangers have emerged as contenders to hijack Newcastle’s bid for Marseille striker Loic Remy. The France international was set to have a medical in Newcastle yesterday after a fee in the region of £8m had been agreed between the clubs on Sunday night as Magpies manager Alan Pardew looks to replace [...]
Gunners self destruct and hand City a title lifeline January 13, 2013 ARSENAL 0 vs MANCHESTER CITY 2 ARSENAL manager Arsene Wenger last night insisted he was not angry at his defenders, despite admitting they handed a victory to Manchester City that keeps the champions in the Premier League title race. Defender Laurent Koscielny’s 10th-minute sending-off hampered the Gunners, and though striker Edin Dzeko failed to convert [...]
Ferguson hails resilient United performance January 13, 2013 MANCHESTER UNITED 2 vs LIVERPOOL 1 MANCHESTER United boss Sir Alex Ferguson hopes yesterday’s hard-fought victory against bitter rivals Liverpool will prove crucial in his team’s bid to reclaim the Premier League crown. Robin van Persie’s 21st goal of the season and a Nemanja Vidic header put United two up at Old Trafford, yet Liverpool [...]
QPR M’Vila swoop could pave way for Mbia to join Chelsea January 13, 2013 CHELSEA could make a surprise move for Queens Park Rangers midfielder Stephane Mbia, if the Premier League’s basement club succeed in luring France and Rennes star Yann M’Vila. Rangers manager Harry Redknapp has made public his interest in M’Vila, who is available this month for a cut-price £10m and is also thought to be wanted [...]