Spotlight
Golf Tiger Woods claimed a one-stroke advantage halfway through the Australian Open, leading a tournament overnight for the first time this year. The former world No1 was delighted with his round of 67 to reach the clubhouse at nine under par, a shot clear of …
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A 224-run partnership between VVS Laxman and the captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni put India well on top against West Indies on day two of the second Test in Kolkata. Centuries from Laxman and Dhoni, together with an opening-day ton by Rahul Dravid, enabled India to …
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1 England are capable of taking attack to opponents The unlikely victory over Spain on Saturday had been chiselled from a performance that rarely veered from blanket defence. England had surrendered the ball and territory, defended ruggedly, then converted a rare set piece to prevail. …
Entertainment
Chris Eubank was indignant, and not entirely for show. I’d apparently caused offence by referring to him as “that guy next to you” when asking his son, Christopher Jr, about living in such a large shadow. The audience was a small one, a few rows …
Business
Torch relay snubs: Aldershot incandescent Up and down the country councillors have been expressing their delight at being selected on the Olympic torch route, but what about those who missed out? There was disappointment, but also a decent line in self-deprecation, on the Firth of …
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East Thurrock United of the Ryman Premier League were left to regret a slew of first-half misses as an otherwise impressive performance by them ended in defeat by League Two Macclesfield. The Essex club had negotiated four preliminary rounds to set up their first meeting …
Entertainment
Less than three months after collecting his GCSE exam results, Harry Derham became part of the teenage invasion that could change the face of the weighing room in British jumps racing when taking the ?100,000 Greatwood Hurdle here aboard the 12-1 chance Brampour. Along with …
Money
Andy Murray’s 18-match winning run came to an end in the quarter-finals of the Paris Masters on Friday afternoon, as Tomas Berdych came from behind to secure a thrilling win against the world No3. Murray had won his past three tournaments to overtake Roger Federer …
Business
It is not all Martin Johnson’s fault. How can it be? When you work for the most dysfunctional employers in the country, you are fully entitled to a spoonful or two of sympathy. As Brian Ashton, Andy Robinson and even Sir Clive Woodward discovered before …
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The proliferation of Twenty20 cricket has “allowed some really bad people back into the game”, according to Lord Condon, who set up the International Cricket Council’s anti-corruption unit. The former Metropolitan Police commissioner, who led the ICC unit from 2000, also believes the vast sums …
Entertainment
Two England teams beat the world champions in their respective sports on Saturday night. But there the similarities end, the gulf epitomised by Jon Wilkin, the St Helens forward who celebrated an industrious and intelligent 80-minute performance by going for a quiet pint with his …
Business
During the buildup to the World Cup a debate raged in Spain. Should the national team coach, Vicente del Bosque, take Victor Valdes? Cases were made, arguments held and accusations flew. In the end, Valdes went. He was one of only two players that did …
Business
The head of the World Anti-Doping Agency has hit back at Britain’s Olympic chairman over his criticism of its record in detecting and punishing drugs cheats. John Fahey, the Wada president, said the British Olympic Association chairman Lord Moynihan’s comments were “misinformed and inaccurate”. Moynihan …
Features
Scotland’s captain, Darren Fletcher, says their friendly schedule will take on greater importance with their next competitive fixture almost a year away. Scotland face Cyprus on Friday night in the first of four games planned before they begin their World Cup qualifying campaign, almost certainly …
Entertainment
Jack Rodwell has praised the new wave of England players who have moved impressively into the senior side from the Under-21s. The midfielder’s first start for Fabio Capello, in Tuesday’s 1-0 win against Sweden, was a success. The 20-year-old joined the attack competently, and he …
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Sam Warburton finally got the French scalp he craved as the Cardiff Blues recorded a vital away win by 26-20 in the first match of their Heineken Cup campaign against Racing Metro at the Stade Yves Du Manoir. The Wales captain made his return to …
Business
A LOTTO RUBBISH If the Fiver weren’t the world’s most tea-timely tea-time take on the world of football at tea-time, it would like to have been only one thing: one of those bozos who does the commentary for the day-time lottery draws that bookies run …
Features
The highly-rated teenager Seyi Ojo has completed a move to Liverpool from MK Dons. Ojo, 14, has been signed by the Premier League club’s academy following four years with the Dons. The midfielder has been capped twice by England at Under-16 level during their recent …
Entertainment
12.15pm Cue Card and Grands Crus clash one to savour Will Hayler: Cheltenham appear to be saving the best ’til last on the opening day of the Open meeting on Friday with the fascinating clash between Cue Card, Champion Court and Grands Crus set to …
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Manchester United have moved for the promising Manchester City-supporting youngster Charlie Jackson after coaches spotted him wowing crowds in a local community training programme. “His idols are Joe Hart and Mario Balotelli,” said his father, Andy. “At first he was mortified at training with United. …
Entertainment
After a pulsating, controversial night at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas featuring two well-matched fighters, a mutinous crowd and one ringside judge who can expect a call from his optometrist, the most lucrative fight in boxing history is still on track. This was good …
Money
The Manchester United striker Javier Hernandez has revealed he almost quit football before joining the Premier League club. The Mexico international last month signed a new five-year contract at Old Trafford after making a huge impression in his first season at the club. Hernandez scored …
Environment
49ers are no longer underdogs; straight talking from Bill Belichick and Rex Ryan; and does Andrew Luck #SuckforLuck? are among the five things we learned from week ten of the NFL. The 49ers are no underdogs Jim Harbaugh enjoys defying our expectations. In his first …
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Great Endeavour lifts Paddy Power Gold Cup 2.55pm: Great Endeavour provided David Pipe with a first victory in the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham. In a race his father, Martin, used to dominate, Pipe’s grey survived a scare at the final fence to come …
Money
Kauto Star will have the benefit of his regular jockey Ruby Walsh in the saddle when he attempts to rediscover his best form in the Betfair Chase at Haydock Park on Saturday, Paul Nicholls, the gelding’s trainer, said. Walsh had possible alternative engagements at Ascot, …
Money
The Milan vice-president, Adriano Galliani, has revealed his club’s interest in the Chelsea strikers Nicolas Anelka and Didier Drogba. The Italian champions are looking to reinforce their attacking line in the winter transfer market, with Antonio Cassano ruled out indefinitely after undergoing a heart procedure …
Business
Jenson Button, having proved himself the better driver at McLaren this season if not in Saturday’s qualifying for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, now feels he can go one better and beat his team-mate Lewis Hamilton to a second world title next year. Button is …
Environment
Welcome to week 10 on the NFL Talkboard. Pick your winners from these six games and submit your choices below the line. This week’s live blog will be Giants @ 49ers – 4.15pm EST / 9.15pm GMT. Steve Busfield and myself will then be back …
Money
Mike Tindall warned Twickenham on Friday night that he would not allow them to end his England career without a fight and will appeal against the decision to fine him ?25,000 and throw him out of the Elite Player Squad. In a two-sentence statement the …
Business
The English Golf Union and the English Women’s Golf Association have agreed to merge on Wednesday at simultaneous general meetings of both organisations. The union will come into effect on 1 January and create England Golf, one national governing body to represent all amateur players. …
Business
Giovanni Trapattoni says he is certain to lead the Republic of Ireland into the 2014 World Cup campaign, describing signing a new contract as a “formality” and just reward for the job that he and his staff have done in steering the side to Euro …
Business
A 12-year-old Swindon Town midfielder has rejected the chance to join Chelsea, the League Two club have confirmed. Jordan Young, one of Swindon’s most promising players, has been the focus of attention of several bigger clubs but Chelsea made the first overtures. However, he has …
Entertainment
The expression on Gary Speed’s face changed when laughter greeted his suggestion that he would have struggled to get into the Wales side who have won four out of their last five matches under his management. “I’m serious. I don’t think I would have got …
Entertainment
Fabio Capello’s determination to have Phil Jagielka start Saturday’s friendly against Spain in place of John Terry may now extend to asking the Everton defender to undergo an injection in his broken toe to see him through the game at Wembley. The England manager wishes …
Environment
The head of the Montenegro Football Federation says the former national coach Zlatko Kranjcar was fired because of alcohol addiction. Dejan Savicevic told a local TV channel that Kranjcar “had a problem which we tried to hide, the alcohol problem”. Kranjcar, a former Croatia international, …
Money
So, there is a new World Series of Poker champion at last: Pius Heinz from Germany. He is part of the new wave of German wunderkinds, playing a reportedly “unexploitable” aggressive strategy (broadly: raising so much that he can’t be bluffed). His march to victory …
Business
With 33 minutes of this match played, nobody could have anticipated such a thrilling finale. Nor, indeed, the upset it produced. It had taken that length of time for Glasgow to piece together an attack that moved inside Bath’s 22 but by the final and …
Spotlight
Cristiano Ronaldo and Helder Postiga scored twice as Portugal reached the Euro 2012 finals with a 6-2 win over Bosnia-Herzegovina on a night of drama at Lisbon’s Estadio da Luz. The visitors, who had held on for a gallant goalless draw in the first leg …
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Pirelli has ruled out a structural failure of one of its tyres as the cause for Sebastian Vettel’s puncture in Sunday’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The incident occurred just two corners into the 55-lap race at the Yas Marina Circuit, forcing the double world champion …
Money
Bosnia and Portugal’s Euro 2012 play-off remained in the balance after a goalless stalemate on Friday on a barely playable pitch at the ramshackle Bilino Polje stadium. The Portuguese, who celebrated a 2-0 aggregate win over Bosnia at the same venue in their 2010 World …
Business
Ruby Walsh drives Rangitoto to victory at Cheltenham 3.10pm: Ruby Walsh and Rangitoto produced a stirring late run up the stands rails to thrill favourite backers in the Paddy Power Intermediate Hurdle. The 9-4 favourite was Walsh’s fifth winner of the three day Open meeting …
Entertainment
Phil Jagielka was the only absentee from training as England began their preparations for Saturday’s friendly international with Spain at Wembley. The Everton centre-back’s fractured toe will be monitored by England’s medical staff during the next 24 hours, but he will have to train on …
Entertainment
Roger Federer beat Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 6-1, 7-6 on Sunday to win the Paris Masters for the first time and clinch the 69th title of his career. The winner of 16 majors had never reached the final of this event but gave the sixth-seeded Frenchman little chance …
Features
Australia have won the first off-field battle ahead of the Four Nations final, as Matt Cecchin is set to be appointed to referee the game. Barring a late change of plan Cecchin, an Australian, will be selected by the tournament’s three-man technical committee ahead of …
Business
Kieren Fallon, whose disciplinary record has been excellent since his return to race-riding in September 2009 following a long ban for a positive drug test, will face a hearing at the British Horseracing Authority on Monday over his failure to appear in time for two …
Spotlight
Giovanni Trapattoni has guided Ireland to their first major tournament for a decade, yet there are still questions about his tactics. His basic approach barely needs further explanation from the diagram. There’s a standard back four, two hard-working central midfielders, two wingers who run with …
Business
The British Olympic Association may face a decisive court battle within three months to rule on whether the banned athletes Dwain Chambers and David Millar can compete at the London Games. Its chairman, Lord Moynihan, claimed there is no choice but to take the case …
Money
The Chelsea manager, Andre Villas-Boas, has denied a Football Association charge for comments he made after his side’s 1-0 defeat at Queens Park Rangers this month. The Portuguese admitted after the game that he had been “very aggressive” with the referee, Chris Foy, after accosting …
Business
Martin Johnson’s replacement as England manager must be prepared to work under Rob Andrew’s oversight after the Rugby Football Union’s rugby operations director defied calls to consider his position. Johnson announced at a Twickenham press conference on Wednesday that he will step down as England …
Features
A nation’s preparations for a major tournament can be derailed by many things: player unrest, poor results, political upheaval, to name the most likely. But as Poland moves ever closer to its defining moment of modern times – co-hosting Euro 2012 with Ukraine – its …
Environment
Chelsea are investigating allegations that their striker Daniel Sturridge has been the subject of racial abuse by their own fans. A club spokesman said: “We have had a new complaint from a fan that we are taking very seriously indeed. We are carrying out an …
Money
The Northampton director of rugby, Jim Mallinder, believes Munster will be under pressure to win Saturday’s Heineken Cup encounter between the teams at Thomond Park but he accepts there is an identical degree of expectancy surrounding his team as they target a flying start to …
Environment
Mike Tindall’s England career appears to be over after he was thrown out of England’s elite player squad and fined ?25,000 by the Rugby Football Union, following events in Queenstown during the World Cup. James Haskell and Chris Ashton have been handed suspended fines of …
Money
For more than a decade, since the heyday of Martin Offiah, Great Britain and more recently England have been the worthy plodders of international rugby league, capable of securing the odd stirring victory through a resolute pack, but lacking the attacking firepower to match the …
Business
One of the most poignant tales in English football belongs to Alf Fields, the former Arsenal centre-half, who has died aged 92. His Arsenal playing career spanned 16 years, but the second world war, a freak knee injury and the steadfast Leslie Compton (older brother …
Business
Guus Hiddink has not ruled out a return to Chelsea following the termination of his contract as Turkey coach by mutual consent. The Turkish Football Federation announced that Hiddink had left the role on Wednesday following the national team’s failure to reach next summer’s European …
Money
As no-contests go, this was about as enjoyable as they come. The Republic of Ireland’s supporters turned out in their droves to toast an exciting new dawn. The hard work had been done in the play-off first leg – the 4-0 win in Estonia representing …
Spotlight
This week’s NHL review features the Toronto Hall of Fame conspiracy; goals of the week, and do you love or hate Sean Avery? Return of a pest Remember Sean Avery? Of course you do. He’s back, though it’s a shame he missed the Rangers home …
Entertainment
Today’s best bets, by Will Hayler Ah, the inevitable Monday comedown after an interesting and competitive weekend of top-class jumps racing. Thankfully, David Pipe has wheeled out a couple of potential big guns at Plumpton to keep us entertained and, at around 8-13, Notus De …
Environment
Shielding the ball A player who is willing and able to shield the ball is one who is confident in possession. It is no surprise, then, that Spanish players do this often. While the English resort to kicking the ball away quickly and often in …
