Forlan’s back to haunt Reds April 29, 2010 LIVERPOOL (2) v/s ATLETICO MADRID (1) Atletico win on away goals RAFAEL BENITEZ last night admitted it could take up to five new signings to turn Liverpool into trophy challengers next season after watching his side crash out of the Europa League semi-finals. The Reds looked favourites to set up an all-English final with Fulham [...]
Value of promotion to top flight up 50pc to £90m April 29, 2010 IT was already touted as the most lucrative prize in world football, but experts now estimate promotion to the Premier League to be worth £90m. The figure constitutes a 50 per cent increase on last year, owing to an increase in top-flight television revenues and parachute payments. Newcastle, having secured the Championship title, and West [...]
Making Barca look ordinary is Mourinho’s Real audition April 29, 2010 ON Wednesday night, Jose Mourinho earned the right to be in Madrid on 22 May, when he will pit his Inter Milan team against Bayern Munich in the Champions League final. He may want to familiarise himself with the city, however, as it looks increasingly likely to be his home next season. Barcelona have not [...]
Morgan gets them motoring April 29, 2010 EOIN MORGAN produced another batting masterclass to send England spirits soaring ahead of today’s start of the World Twenty20 in the Caribbean. The diminutive Irish-born left-hander added to his glowing reputation in limited-overs cricket with a match-winning knock to help England wrap up a five-wicket warm-up win over South Africa in Barbados. Morgan smashed 63 [...]
Duo can win through to all-Irish final April 29, 2010 WITH the Guinness Premiership taking a well-earned break a week before the final round of matches, all eyes are on the Heineken Cup semi-finals – and what an exciting couple of ties we have to look forward to. Munster are the old heads of European rugby. They boast quality players with experience and know how [...]
Upson tells Capello: I’m still your main back-up for Terry and Rio April 29, 2010 WEST HAM centre back Matthew Upson believes he is still Fabio Capello’s No1 contender to fill the boots of either John Terry or Rio Ferdinand should injury problems resurface at this summer’s World Cup. Upson, 31, has emerged as Capello’s first-choice to fill in for injury-plagued Ferdinand this season, but has now come under pressure [...]
More agony for Murray as classy Ferrer takes no mercy in Rome April 29, 2010 ANDY MURRAY’S recent woes continued after he crashed out to Spain’s David Ferrer in the third round of the Rome Masters last night. The world No5 dropped a service game in each set to go down 6-3, 6-4 to the 13th seed and succumb to his fourth defeat in five ATP Tour matches. Murray, 22, [...]
SPORT | IN BRIEF April 29, 2010 Dott shows first in semi SNOOKER: Graeme Dott, the 2006 world champion, was left eyeing another World Championship final after opening up a 5-3 lead in his semi-final with Mark Selby last night. In the other semi-final, Australia’s Neil Robertson surged into 5-0 lead over Ali Carter before holding on for a 6-2 lead after [...]
Europa League brings glory not bounty April 29, 2010 FULHAM’S Europa League adventure may have raised their profile and brought them several famous scalps, but it has not been a lucrative run. Estimates suggest the winners of the competition can expect to bank between £6.5m and £8.5m in prize money and television revenue. Runners-up take home at least £1m less, while teams who go [...]
St Nicholas Abbey to land O’Brien his sixth 2000 Guineas April 29, 2010 I was at Doncaster last season when ST NICHOLAS ABBEY spread-eagled a decent looking field in the Racing Post Trophy and thought then, as I do now, that I may have witnessed something special. It was the manner in which he effortlessly quickened away from his opposition that was so taking and if he lines [...]