Manchester City’s Champions League progress can help save Newcastle from relegation, says Rafael Benitez April 18, 2016 Newcastle manager Rafael Benitez believes Manchester City’s unprecedented Champions League run could have a beneficial effect on his bid to save the Magpies from relegation. City travel to St James’ Park on Tuesday and Benitez expects some of the visitors to be preoccupied by thoughts of a first ever European semi-final against his former club Real [...]
Danny Willett Effect in evidence as Andrew Johnston leads English charge in wake of Masters with Spanish Open victory April 18, 2016 Nothing breeds success quite like success, and it is no coincidence that two Englishmen challenged for the week’s main titles on both sides of the Atlantic just days after Danny Willett’s Masters victory. Seeing a contemporary like Willett, 28, winning at Augusta last week, the likes of Andrew Johnston, just one year his junior, will [...]
Harlequins launch £7.5m bond to fund global growth ambitions April 18, 2016 Harlequins are today launching their first bond in an attempt to raise £7.5m to fund their ambition of becoming the best rugby team in Europe. Ahead of their 150th anniversary next season, the West London club is offering investors a 5.5 per cent annual return, paid semi-annually, over an initial five-year fixed term. The bond, which could be raised to [...]
Spurs out to settle scores against Stoke and set nerves jangling at Leicester’s King Power Stadium April 17, 2016 A first home win over Manchester United since 2001 may have maintained Tottenham’s Premier League title interest last week, but maximum points at Stoke on Monday night could heighten any jangling nerves at Leicester’s King Power Stadium. Victory in the Potteries would trim Leicester’s lead at the summit to five points after the 10-man Foxes required [...]
Snooker boss Barry Hearn calls for Steve Davis to be knighted after the six-time world champion announces retirment April 17, 2016 Snooker boss Barry Hearn has called for Steve Davis to be knighted after the six-time world champion announced his retirement. Davis lost to Ireland’s Fergal O’Brien on Saturday in the first round of qualifying for this year’s World Championship and decided to call time on a career which began in 1978. The 58-year-old dominated snooker [...]
Arsene Wenger frets over Arsenal’s Champions League qualification after home draw with Crystal Palace April 17, 2016 Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger admits his side are running the risk of missing out on Champions League qualification after failing to overcome a stubborn Crystal Palace. Leading through an Alexis Sanchez header, the Gunners would have regained third spot in the Premier League had forward Yannick Bolasie not conjured a late leveller for Palace. [...]
Leicester City 2, West Ham United 2: Tottenham don’t scare me, says Claudio Ranieri, after Foxes snatch point despite Jamie Vardy’s sending off for diving April 17, 2016 Leicester City 2, West Ham United 2 Leicester manager Claudio Ranieri insists his team are not worried about the growing threat of Premier League title rivals Tottenham despite dropping points at home to West Ham. Spurs could cut the gap to five points with four games remaining if they beat Stoke on Monday, yet Ranieri maintained [...]
Bournemouth 1, Liverpool 2: Jurgen Klopp refuses to offer Daniel Sturridge reassurance despite striker inspiring Reds to south coast stroll April 17, 2016 Bournemouth 1, Liverpool 2 Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has warned Daniel Sturridge that he still faces a fight for his place despite the England striker scoring one and making another at Bournemouth. Sturridge’s back-heeled shot forced Artur Boruc to parry into the path of Roberto Firmino for the opener, before he notched the second with [...]
London Irish staring first relegation for 20 years in the face after defeat in relegation showdown with Newcastle Falcons April 17, 2016 London Irish must win their last two Premiership games to have any chance of extending their 20-year stay in the top flight after losing 13-6 at relegation rivals Newcastle Falcons. Two penalties from fly-half Greig Tonks gave the Exiles a slender lead at Kingston Park, but his wayward pass allowed Falcons wing Marcus Watson to [...]
Chinese Grand Prix: Lewis Hamilton says car handled ‘like a four-poster bed’ after early collision sees him fall further behind Nico Rosberg in drivers’ championship April 17, 2016 World champion Lewis Hamilton complained his Mercedes handled “like a four-poster bed” as he slipped further behind team-mate Nico Rosberg in the drivers’ standings at the Chinese Grand Prix. Hamilton damaged his car in a collision at the first corner and could only finish seventh as Rosberg made it three wins from three this season [...]