Gunners let it slip December 16, 2009 BURNLEY (1) VS ARSENAL (1) ERRATIC Arsenal missed out on the chance to close to within three points of second-place Manchester United after being held by plucky Burnley. Buoyed by their victory at Liverpool on Sunday, the Gunners started brightly and took just seven minutes the break down their hosts – Cesc Fabregas popping up [...]
Swann leaps to defence as Kallis hits out December 16, 2009 SPINNER Graeme Swann insists England were justified in their decision to bowl first on day one of the Test series with South Africa despite the hosts setting the platform for a big first innings total. Captain Andrew Strauss won the toss but controversially asked the hosts into bat first on a flat Centurion track – [...]
O’Shea lands top job at Quins December 16, 2009 FORMER Ireland full-back Conor O’Shea has seen off competition from several high-profile candidates to be named the new director of rugby at Harlequins. The 39-year-old beat off competition from the likes of British Lions coach Ian McGeechan, former Scotland coach Frank Hadden and Quins assistant coach Tony Diprose to land the top job at The [...]
SPORT | IN BRIEF December 16, 2009 Renault announce Genii tie-up FORMULA ONE: Renault have ended speculation as to their future in Formula One after forming a new partnership with Luxembourg-based management firm Genii Capital. The French manufacturer has sold a large stake – believed to be around 80 per cent – to Genii, but the team will still run under the [...]
United cruise as sad Wolves December 15, 2009 MANCHESTER UTD (3) VS WOLVES (0) MANCHESTER UNITED moved level on points with Chelsea at the top of the Premier League table – but the spotlight was focused on Wolves chief Mick McCarthy for his controversial team selection. McCarthy made no fewer than 10 changes from the side which surprisingly beat Tottenham at White Hart [...]
High-flying Milner guides Villa to third December 15, 2009 SUNDERLAND (0) VS ASTON VILLA (2) ENGLAND hopefuls Emile Heskey and James Milner ensured Aston Villa moved up to third in the Premier League table after comfortable win at Sunderland. Heskey broke the deadlock for the visitors on 24 minutes before Milner sealed an impressive win for Martin O’Neill’s side with a superb 25-yard strike [...]
Branson unveils Virgin Racing December 15, 2009 SIR RICHARD BRANSON yesterday launched his Virgin brand’s new Formula One venture after joining forces with one of the sport’s new teams in a multi-million pound deal. The business tycoon, who backed debutants Brawn GP to the constructors’ title last season, has now thrown his weight behind Manor GP – one of four new franchises [...]
SPORT | IN BRIEF December 15, 2009 India win through in a thriller CRICKET: India held off Sri Lanka by three runs to clinch a thrilling first one-day victory, which saw the second highest aggregate of runs in an ODI. Virender Sehwag smashed six sixes and 17 fours in his 146 as India posted an imposing 414-7. But Tillakratne Dilshan then smashed [...]
Strauss: We don’t need Flintoff to intimidate you December 15, 2009 ANDREW STRAUSS last night warned South Africa they are in for a shock if they think England can’t intimidate them without Andrew Flintoff. Strauss leads his Three Lions out in a Test for the first time this morning since famously reclaiming the Ashes at The Oval in August. Talismanic Flintoff has since retired from the [...]
England can end a fine year in style December 15, 2009 LOOKING back, you have to say 2009 has been a pretty successful year for the England cricket team. Bar the disastrous one-day series against Australia, which England lost 6-1, captain Andrew Strauss has seen his side reclaim the Ashes, perform well in the Champions Trophy and now beat South Africa in a one-day series in [...]