Rooney rules but Beckham steals show
David Beckham delivered the perfect publicity coup for the Manchester United green-and-gold campaign last night, leaving the Old Trafford pitch with one of the campaign's scarves draped around his neck after United had smashed Milan 4-0 to storm into the Champions League quarter-finals.
Thu, 11 Mar 2010 00:00:01 +0000 Wilkinson aims to play off the cuff
When Jonny Wilkinson, a player for whom the rugby "game plan" might have been invented, starts talking about playing more instinctively, it is time for England to start worrying. The World Cup-winning outside-half ? nice boot, shame about the decision-making ? has tacitly confessed to the shortcomings that have earned him a reputation as the most robotic of international playmakers, but it may be that his coaches would prefer him not to start experimenting this weekend. Not at Murrayfield, of all places in Christendom.
Thu, 11 Mar 2010 00:00:01 +0000 Senior receives fine but escapes suspension for World Club tirade
The Leeds centre Keith Senior has been fined £1,000 for his verbal attack on the referee Richard Silverwood.
Thu, 11 Mar 2010 00:00:01 +0000 Dwain Chambers: 'I realise what I almost lost ? that kills me'
It has taken eight years, a great deal of heartache and not a little shame, but Dwain Chambers has finally made a completely clean break from his drugs-tainted past. The fastest man in Europe begins his chase for World Indoor Championship gold in Doha tomorrow with the full blessing of UK Athletics rather than as the curse of the domestic governing body of track and field. The reason? Chambers has severed all contact with Victor Conte, the Californian chemist who fuelled him with a Frankenstein-like cocktail of drugs through the summer track seasons of 2002 and 2003.
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Poulter targets second win in a row buoyed by backing of greats
Ian Poulter begins his campaign to win back-to-back World Golf Championship events today spurred on by the well-wishes of some of the game's biggest names. Arnold Palmer, Greg Norman, Nick Faldo and even Colin Montgomerie contacted Poulter after he became the first Englishman to win a WGC event at the Accenture Match Play in Tucson last month.
Thu, 11 Mar 2010 00:00:01 +0000 £80,000-a-week footballers fail to take pay cuts to save club cleaners
The reputation of football's playing fraternity was not enhanced yesterday when it emerged that 85 people had been shown the door by financially stricken Portsmouth while only two players had offered to take pay cuts to save the fate of the less well-off.
Thu, 11 Mar 2010 00:00:01 +0000 Love before cricket: star's priorities outrage Australia
She is being called the Yoko Ono of the cricket world. Lara Bingle, a 22-year-old swimsuit model, stands accused of jeopardising the career of the Australian cricketer Michael Clarke. The vice-captain's decision to desert a one-day series in New Zealand has outraged fans and commentators, with some calling for him to be sacked.
Thu, 11 Mar 2010 00:00:01 +0000 Teamwork holds key to title, says Button
With the most keenly-anticipated British double act since Graham Hill and Jim Clark teamed up for Lotus more than 40 years ago only three days short of their first race, Jenson Button has underlined the need for him and Lewis Hamilton to work together if one of them is to claim a second world title.
Thu, 11 Mar 2010 00:00:01 +0000 Australia include Clarke in squad
Vice-captain Michael Clarke has been named in Australia's Test squad for the tour of New Zealand despite returning home during the current one-day international series for personal reasons.
Thu, 11 Mar 2010 00:00:01 +0000 Life in the fast lane and the long run
Ahead of him strolled his four rivals, with their trademark swagger, flexing whips against their boots as they headed for the parade ring: Tony McCoy, Ruby Walsh, Richard Johnson, Jamie Moore. And then a child broke out of the Kempton crowd, approached the rider of the favourite and asked for his autograph.
Thu, 11 Mar 2010 00:00:01 +0000 Fulham fans dare to dream of toppling the Old Lady
Fourteen years ago Fulham finished 85th in the English league set-up, the position currently occupied by Barnet. Tonight they play Juventus, one of European football's most illustrious clubs, in the last 16 of the Europa League.
Thu, 11 Mar 2010 00:00:01 +0000 Spotlight on the main contenders: Netherlands
Regular challengers, but never yet winners, the Dutch will be contenders again in South Africa after an unusually harmonious squad produced a perfect record in qualifying. The feel-good factor continued with Bert van Marwijk extending his contract to the 2012 European Championship before last week's largely comfortable victory over the United States.
Thu, 11 Mar 2010 00:00:01 +0000 Nugent rallies Burnley for fight to the finish
A point at home to mid-table opposition is hardly likely to strike fear into Burnley's relegation rivals but Brian Laws' side at least demonstrated against Stoke City last night that they have the stomach for the fight to stay in the Premier League.
Thu, 11 Mar 2010 00:00:01 +0000 United's future burns too brightly for ageing Milan
There are very few people capable of upstaging Manchester United when they have just scored four goals at home against one of the most famous clubs in Europe, but it just so happens that David Beckham is one of them.
Thu, 11 Mar 2010 00:00:01 +0000 Beckham show inspires Neville to roll back years
The years rolled back as he strolled down the touchline and took the applause he was so accustomed to seven years or so ago.
Thu, 11 Mar 2010 00:00:01 +0000 Manchester United v Milan: Man-for-man marking
Manchester United
Thu, 11 Mar 2010 00:00:01 +0000 James Lawton: World game's summit beckons as Rooney nears peak of his powers
It was the certainty of it that was so compelling, the sense of someone who had removed all the clutter from his game, all the doubts, and was utterly on top of everything he was doing.
Thu, 11 Mar 2010 00:00:01 +0000 Pjanic stuns Madrid's dream team
Cristiano Ronaldo crashed out of the Champions League last night as Real Madrid made it six years of failing to get beyond the last 16 of the competition. The former Manchester United man appeared to be heading into the quarter-finals along with his old team, but after a whirlwind start Real went out with a whimper, Lyons' Miralem Pjanic equalising with 15 minutes to go. Defeat means that there will be no third consecutive final for the Portugal international.
Thu, 11 Mar 2010 00:00:01 +0000 Benitez faces battle to lift morale for tricky Lille tie
The Europa League is proving no sanctuary for Liverpool, a side so short on confidence that their goal-scoring legend Ian Rush suggested yesterday that unless they lift their spirits they might struggle to finish in the top six of the Premier League, let alone one of next season's Champions League places.
Thu, 11 Mar 2010 00:00:01 +0000 Staggered finish to the season riles Capello
Fabio Capello fears the convoluted conclusion to the club season could impact on his preparations for the World Cup finals in South Africa.
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