Flintoff fit to play his part in England’s perfect storm August 19, 2009 FIT-AGAIN Andrew Flintoff will return to the England side for today’s deciding Ashes Test, and captain Andrew Strauss is backing the iconic all-rounder to inspire them to a famous victory and reclaim the urn. Flintoff, who was forced to sit out the fourth Test drubbing at Headingley, has convinced medics his chronic knee injury will [...]
Blake stuns United as Burnley end 33-year wait August 19, 2009 BURNLEY (1) vs MANCHESTER UTD (0) MANCHESTER UNITED boss Sir Alex Ferguson was aghast after Burnley stunned the champions and recorded their first top-flight win for 33 years. Veteran Robbie Blake volleyed the decisive goal but the Premier League newcomers were equally indebted to goalkeeper Brian Jensen for saving Michael Carrick’s penalty. “We’re disappointed,” said [...]
Defoe treble keeps up flying start and sends Spurs to top August 19, 2009 HULL (1) vs TOTTENHAM (5) ENGLAND hero Jermain Defoe scored the first Premier League hat-trick of the season as Tottenham ensured there was no repeat of last season’s horror start. Spurs bagged just two points from their first eight games of last season, but have enjoyed a storming start to this campaign by following up [...]
Gender controversy teen claims world 800m gold August 19, 2009 SOUTH AFRICAN teenager Caster Semenya put the controversy surrounding her true gender to one side and stormed to World Championship gold in the 800m last night. Britain’s Jenny Meadows finished brilliantly to take bronze, but all eyes were on Semenya, who has been asked by world chiefs to take a test to prove she is [...]
Lucky breaks usher Arsenal towards the Euro big time August 18, 2009 CELTIC (0) vs ARSENAL (2) ARSENAL manager Arsene Wenger insisted his side merited two large slices of luck that helped them take a huge step towards the Champions League group stage last night in Glasgow. The Gunners dominated at Celtic Park but only breached a resolute home rearguard, and took a stranglehold on this two-legged [...]
RFU could hit Richards with further punishment August 18, 2009 FORMER Harlequins boss Dean Richards, still reeling after being handed a three-year ban for faking an injury to one of his players, has been warned he could face further punishment. The Rugby Football Union says it will look into claims that emerged during Monday’s hearing that Richards, 46, had fabricated injuries on four previous occasions. [...]
Chelsea claw back to defeat Black Cats August 18, 2009 SUNDERLAND (1) vs CHELSEA (3) THE new Premier League season may be only four days old, but Chelsea, many pundits’ tips for the title, are already sitting pretty at the top of the table after rallying to sweep aside Sunderland. Black Cats summer signing Darren Bent gave the visitors a scare by pouncing to notch [...]
Flintoff: 2009 win would beat 2005 August 18, 2009 ENGLAND all-rounder Andrew Flintoff believes a series-clinching victory in this week’s final Ashes Test would eclipse even the achievements of the class of 2005. Flintoff, part of the side that beat Australia to claim the urn four years ago, expects to be fit enough to take the field tomorrow for the decider at the Oval. [...]
Britain’s Idowu leaps best ever for world title August 18, 2009 BRITAIN’S Philips Idowu claimed the World Championship title in Berlin last night with a personal best leap of 17.73 metres. Idowu’s third-round leap earned him revenge over Portugal’s Nelson Evora, who beat the Londoner at last summer’s Olympics but could only jump 17.55m. Idowu, 30, broke down in tears after Evora’s final jump fell short. [...]
SPORT IN BRIEF August 18, 2009 Wolves spoil Martinez homecomingFOOTBALL: A header from Andy Keogh gave newly-promoted Wolves a 1-0 victory at Wigan and their first away win in 30 Premier League matches. The Republic of Ireland forward nodded in off the post in the sixth minute to spoil Roberto Martinez’s first home game in charge since returning to the Latics [...]
