Johnson given assurances over 2011 World Cup November 22, 2009 ENGLAND chiefs are standing firm behind under-fire manager Martin Johnson, insisting his job is secure despite a turbulent autumn. Johnson’s England were beaten 19-6 by New Zealand on Saturday, a result that followed defeat to Australia and a narrow win over Argentina this month. And yet despite a record of eight defeats from his 14 [...]
Murray and Federer enjoy winning starts at O2 November 22, 2009 BRITAIN’S Andy Murray hailed his tactics after beating US Open champion Juan Martin del Potro in the opening match of the ATP World Tour Finals. The world No4 came through 6-3, 3-6, 6-2 in front of 17,000 fans at London’s O2 Arena to make the ideal start in Group A of the eight-man tournament. The [...]
Saracens stroll past Wasps to bridge the gap November 22, 2009 SARACENS cemented their place at the top of the Premiership with a comfortable 22-6 win over Wasps at Vicarage Road. A converted Schalk Brits try and Derick Hougaard’s drop-goal, either side of a Dave Walder penalty, made it 10-3 and Saracens led 13-6 at the break. Hougaard added another drop-goal as well as two penalties [...]
Rovers’ first away points perfect gift to Allardyce November 22, 2009 BLACKBURN gave their unwell manager Sam Allardyce the perfect tonic by beating his former club Bolton. Midfielder David Dunn curled the opener and the three points were sealed when Samuel Ricketts headed an own goal from 20 yards out. The result ensured the visitors picked up their first points away from home and assistant manager [...]
Fuller punishes former club as James suffers fresh injury blow November 22, 2009 PORTSMOUTH manager Paul Hart played down fears over England goalkeeper David James’ World Cup fitness after a defeat that kept them anchored to the bottom of the Premier League. Stoke striker Ricardo Fuller scored the only goal against his former club, who had the best of the chances and missed a penalty. To make matters [...]
Irish clamour for replay set to be rejected out of hand November 19, 2009 DEJECTED Republic of Ireland coach Giovanni Trapattoni has conceded there is no chance of their hugely controversial World Cup play-off with France being replayed. The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) have demanded world governing body Fifa stage a re-run, after Thierry Henry admitted handling the ball in the build-up to William Gallas’s decisive extra-time goal. [...]
Henry’s handball was no Maradona. I should know November 19, 2009 ON THE BALL WITH TREVOR STEVEN HAVING been in the England team on the day we were dumped out of the 1986 World Cup by the original Hand of God goal, I know exactly what the Ireland lads will be going through. All that any player wants is to represent their country at the World [...]
Unjust goal makes me ashamed, says Ginola November 19, 2009 FORMER Tottenham star David Ginola has called Thierry Henry’s handball “a pure injustice”, admitting the unsavoury episode has left him ashamed to be French. Politicians and press across the Channel roundly condemned the hotly-disputed extra-time goal that broke Irish hearts on Wednesday night. And Ginola, who played for Les Bleus, Spurs, Newcastle and Aston Villa, [...]
Monye: Put faith in me to bounce back November 19, 2009 UGO MONYE has told how a church blessing has helped him put last week’s “absolute stinker” of a performance against Argentina behind him. The Harlequins back filled in as a makeshift full-back at Twickenham last Saturday but was horrendously exposed by the Pumas’ incessant kicking game. Committed Christian Monye was ultra-critical of his display and [...]
Button: I took a pay cut to join McLaren November 19, 2009 JENSON BUTTON has denied his move to McLaren was motivated by money – insisting he even took a pay cut to make the switch. The 29-year-old clinched his first world championship with Brawn GP this season, but has signed a three-year deal to join fellow Brit Lewis Hamilton at the Woking-based McLaren outfit. Brawn were [...]