Sunday, November 1, 2009

New Hull chief backs boss Brown

Under pressure Hull boss Phil Brown
Brown says he expects to be Hull boss in the top flight next season

New Hull City chairman Adam Pearson has said manager Phil Brown will be in charge for Sunday's game against Stoke.

But Pearson, back at Hull after a two-year absence, did not give assurances over Brown's long-term future, with the club lying 18th in the Premier League.

"Phil will be manager on Sunday but there's no point me saying he's got a job for life, that's not the case," Pearson told BBC Radio Humberside.

"We need results, quickly, and that puts pressure on everyone at the club."

Pearson begins work at Hull on Monday after replacing Paul Duffen as chairman following a two-year spell at Championship side Derby County.

606: DEBATE
Do you think Phil Brown should be kept on as Hull manager?

The Tigers have won only twice in the league this season and are in the relegation zone, two points adrift of safety.

Pearson conceded that if Brown does not start to change things he may find himself under pressure to keep his job.

"How secure is the manager? That's a tricky one, I think if we don't get results then that security goes down," added Pearson.

"Phil knows that, it's the business we're in. It's been a difficult year and we need to achieve results quickly.

"We're all in this together but we'll have to see what happens over the next couple of weeks."

The luck will change - Brown

Hull's future was thrown into doubt last week after auditor Deloitte warned the Tigers could go out of business if they are relegated at the end of the season.

Deloitte said Hull need £23m "to meet current liabilities" and, if they go down, losing the £7m they get from the Premier League would be a major blow.

Pearson believes the situation at the KC Stadium is not as bad as has been suggested but admitted Hull do need to restructure their finances.

"The wage bill is far too high for the value we've got in there," he stated.

"The club is trading and it's solvent and it can be sorted out but there are too many costs surrounding it which seem to have become a little superfluous. What's the phrase - maybe a little too much champagne, maybe not enough ale!"

о 10:04 PM 0 коментарі

Injured Radcliffe vows to race on

Paula Radcliffe

Radcliffe breaks down in New York

Britain's world record holder Paula Radcliffe has vowed to continue running despite suffering more injury problems during Sunday's New York Marathon.

Radcliffe, 35, finished fourth in the race but was plagued by knee trouble throughout, having only just returned from six months out after toe surgery.

But Radcliffe allayed fears over her long-term fitness and future in the sport despite her injury history.

"I don't feel the injury will impact on the future," she told BBC Radio 5 live.

"I'm not even tired and that is the frustrating thing so I don't think it is the end of my career."

The women's elite race was won by two-time Olympic 10,000m champion Derartu Tulu of Ethiopia, who saw off Russia's Ludmila Petrova in the final kilometre.

Radcliffe attributed the problem to tendinitis in the back of her left knee, which put pay to her attempts to win a fourth New York title, and a third in a row.

"It will go with rest," she stated.

"I'm not concerned about the next marathon I am just disappointed because I wanted to win and I put the hard work in, but unfortunately I was unable to capitalise on that.

"We knew it was a risk but I wanted to come out and race but it wasn't to be. My body almost hung out but didn't."

As well as bunion surgery Radcliffe has had an injury-hit year with tonsillitis and a hamstring injury causing her to miss both the World Championships and world half-marathon championships.

But Radcliffe also dismissed suggestions she is coming to the end of her career and felt had it not have been for the tendinitis she would have won the race.

Radcliffe also revealed she had had a cortisone injection last week to help ease the problem.

606: DEBATE
Have your say on the New York marathon

"I'm just very disappointed," added Radcliffe.

"The really frustrating thing is I don't even feel tired now but my legs just couldn't go any quicker.

"I honestly don't think it (the end) is happening to me yet, I just need to take a little time out and let my body recover and get strong.

"I totally believed that if it (tendinitis) hadn't come that I had a chance, and I think I could have won the race.

"It wasn't won in a really fast time. I think had things carried on to go how they did the first 10 miles I would have been fine."

о 9:43 PM 0 коментарі

Yankees close to World Series joy

Mark Teixeira and Alex Rodriguez
Mark Teixeira and Alex Rodriguez celebrate their victory

The New York Yankees are just one win away from clinching their 27th World Series title after beating Philadelphia 7-4 in game four to lead 3-1.

The Phillies levelled at 4-4 going into the ninth innings after solo homers from Chase Utley and Pedro Feliz.

But Alex Rodriguez and Jorge Posada drove in the crucial runs with two outs to move the Yankees to within touching distance of victory over the Phillies.

And closer Mariano Rivera sewed up the contest with an eight-pitch innings.

It was heartbreaking for the Phillies who had fought back to level through Utley and Feliz at Citizens Bank Park before reliever Brad Lidge had the Yankees on the brink in the ninth with two outs.

606: DEBATE
Have your say on the game

But Johnny Damon got a base hit, his third of the night, before stealing second and third in the same play as the Phillies got jittery.

Lidge then hit Mark Teixeira before giving up the go-ahead run when Rodriguez fired one bounce into the left-field wall for Damon to get home.

The game was up for the defending champions soon after when Posada drove into centre field to bring Teixeira and Rodriguez over home plate.

The Yankees can clinch their first World Series victory since 2000 with a victory in game five on Monday night when southpaw Cliff Lee, the game one winner, will pitch for the reigning champions against Yankee game-two winner AJ Burnett.

"It would be great to get a win," said Yankee star Damon.

"We loved the way AJ threw the ball in game two."

Teams with a 3-1 edge have won the World Series 34 of 40 times, the most recent failure being when St Louis dropped the last three games to Kansas City to lose the 1985 Series.

New York's victory on Sunday night marked a remarkable turnaround after Philadelphia had won the opener in the Bronx before the Yankees levelled matters in the second match on their home turf.

о 8:41 PM 0 коментарі

Monday's gossip column

Transfers Other gossip And finally

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Chelsea will make a £33m bid for Valencia striker David Villa - but the Spain international would prefer a move to Manchester United.
Full story: Daily Mirror

United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has identified Schalke goalkeeper Manuel Neuer as the candidate he believes is best qualified to succeed Edwin van der Sar at Old Trafford.
Full story: Daily Mail

Manchester City manager Mark Hughes is keen to sign Osasuna's £10m-rated right-back Cesar Azpilicueta.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Coventry striker Leon Best, whose contract ends next summer, is a target for Middlesbrough manager Gordon Strachan.
Full story: Daily Mirror

OTHER GOSSIP

Former Liverpool midfielder Ronnie Whelan believes Reds manager Rafael Benitez's days at the club "have got to be numbered".
Full story: The Sun

Benitez's future at Anfield will be determined over the next three games amid growing concern from potential investors over Liverpool's worst sequence of results for more than 50 years.
Full story: Daily Mail

Arsenal striker Robin van Persie is desperate to face former team-mate Emmanuel Adebayor, who was banned for three matches after catching the Dutchman with his boot earlier this season, when the Gunners meet Manchester City in the Carling Cup quarter-finals.
Full story: The Sun

Hull manager Phil Brown will be given 90 minutes to save his job after new chairman Adam Pearson told him he will be in charge for Sunday's match against Stoke. Brown's side are currently third from bottom in the Premier League.
Full story: The Sun

The Football Association are examining the situation of Werder Bremen forward Aaron Hunt, who was born in Germany and has represented them a Under-16, Under-17 and Under-21 level but would qualify to play for England through his English mother.
Full story: Daily Mail

Midfielder Alan Smith has revealed how an angry meeting of Newcastle players after the club's pre-season defeat at Leyton Orient, at which want-away stars were told to leave, was "a massive turning point" for the Championship club.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Peterborough manager Darren Ferguson was called to a meeting with his bosses on Sunday night as fears grew that he would be sacked for his side's poor start to the Championship season.
Full story: Daily Mirror
Dennis Wise is the favourite to replace Russell Slade, who was sacked as Brighton manager on Sunday.
Full story: Various

AND FINALLY

Arsenal winger Theo Walcott has splashed out on a new car for his girlfriend Melanie Slade's 21st birthday - upgrading her Volkswagen Beetle for a £140,000 Ferrari.
Full story: The Sun

о 8:00 PM 0 коментарі

Cardiff 1-1 Nottingham Forest

Cardiff   1 - 1   Nottm Forest


Lewis McGugan fired an injury-time leveller to rescue a point for Nottingham Forest at Cardiff City.

The ex-England youth international came off the bench to smash home a left-foot pile-driver to maintain Forest's unbeaten away record this season.

Cardiff were heading top of the Championship after Jay Bothroyd rounded off a free-flowing move on 63 minutes.

But McGugan's late, late show ruined Cardiff's day and extended Forest's unbeaten run to seven games.

Cardiff had sat back, inviting late pressure from their visitors and when the ball ricocheted off captain Mark Hudson, McGugan made no mistake with a crisp half-volley.

Bothroyd would have been particularly sickened, as the Cardiff striker capped a superb display with an equally deadly finish from a sublime Cardiff move, but Forest could argue they deserved a point.

Forest boss Billy Davies' inspired substitutions paid dividends, as it was striker Dele Adebola who set up fellow replacement McGugan to produce his emphatic finish.

The visitors certainly played the more attractive football, but Bluebirds boss Dave Jones will be fuming as Cardiff squandered decent goal-scoring chances and showed a lack of concentration when they needed it most.

Both Cardiff and Forest, though, certainly showed why they are two of the Championship's form teams.

Davies' men felt aggrieved they did not get an early penalty as Paul Anderson was bundled over in the box.

Their appeals for a penalty seemed justified as Anderson was caught by Cardiff's teenage right-back Adam Matthews, only for referee Graham Salisbury waved away the appeal.

But Forest had goalkeeper Lee Camp to thank for keeping the scores level, as he made a superb double-save from Peter Whittingham and then Joe Ledley on the quarter-hour mark as Cardiff started to pressurise.

Winger Whittingham is the Championship's form player with nine goals in six games and the former Aston Villa man certainly showed he is oozing in confidence half-way through the first period.

His beautiful drive with the outside of his left boot brought the best out of a flying Camp, diving to his left as the Forest stopper acrobatically tipped the shot wide.

But it was former Swansea City favourite Anderson who was causing Cardiff - and their 17-year-old full-back Matthews - trouble down the Forest left flank and he should have fired them into a half-hour lead.

David McGoldrick's flick caught a statuesque Cardiff defence asleep and Anderson had time to pick his spot.

But the former Liverpool trainee dragged his shot just wide from 10 yards.

While the Bluebirds were enjoying the better chances, Forest were soon appealing for another penalty when Wes Morgan went sprawling in the box.

But referee Salisbury again turned away as any contact from Cardiff winger Joe Ledley was minimal at best.

The enthralling end-to-end spectacle was a cracking advert for the Championship until tempers flared just before half-time, after an innocuous yet committed clash between Forest full-back Chris Gunter and Whittingham.

The Cardiff winger tripped Wales international Gunter, a former Bluebirds fans' favourite, and an unnecessary 10-man melee ensued before Whittingham was booked for the initial misdemeanour.

The simmering undercurrent reared its head minutes later when Joe Garner was caught by a late Matthews challenge, but the officials ensured there was no similar stand-off.

Majewski ensured the focus quickly returned to quality football as Forest's Radoslaw Polish striker went close with a 25-yard free-kick that had Cardiff keeper David Marshall sprawling across his line.

And Majewski showed his worth at the other end in the first 10 minutes of the second half, as he cleared a Ledley's effort off the line.

The Wales international thought he had scored his first goal of the season as he guided an in-swinging Whittingham right-wing cross goalwards but Majewski was at the back post to hack clear.

But Forest could do little to prevent Cardiff's breakthrough in the 63rd minute, although Bothroyd's second goal in as many games seemed offside.

The former Arsenal trainee, however, cared little after rounding off a wonderful free-flowing Cardiff move in style, as his sublime finish from Ledley's delicate through-pass left Camp helpess.

Bothroyd had earlier failed to convert a one-on-one when he hesitated to allow Chris Cohen to cover, but the Cardiff striker showed no psychological ill-effects to score his fifth of the season.

Cardiff began to crank up the pressure but Marshall had to save the hosts as McGoldrick fired goal-wards, although the Scotsman had no chance with McGugan's late thunderbolt.

While the Bluebirds extend their unbeaten to six games, sitting second in the Championship behind West Bromwich Albion is not where Jones hoped after the four minutes of added on time - especially as top slot seemed theirs for the taking.

But Davies will be buoyed by Forest's never-say-die attitude as his team nestle nicely in the play-off slipstream.

Live text and stats

 

Sunday, 1 November 2009

Championship

Home Team Score Away Team Time
Cardiff 1-1 Nottm Forest R
(HT 0-0)
  • Bothroyd 63
  • McGugan 90+1

Cardiff

  • 01 Marshall
  • 05 Hudson
  • 15 Gerrard
  • 03 Kennedy
  • 07 Whittingham yellow card
  • 10 McPhail (Rae 26)
  • 11 Burke
  • 16 Ledley
  • 27 Matthews
  • 08 Chopra yellow card
  • 09 Bothroyd

Substitutes

  • 20 Enckelman,
  • 06 Gyepes,
  • 14 Quinn,
  • 04 Rae,
  • 18 Taiwo,
  • 26 Feeney,
  • 44 McCormack

Nottm Forest

  • 01 Camp
  • 05 Morgan
  • 06 Wilson yellow card
  • 16 Gunter
  • 07 Anderson
  • 15 Cohen
  • 18 McKenna
  • 19 Moussi (McGugan 77)
  • 28 Majewski (Adebola 62)
  • 14 Garner (McCleary 66)
  • 17 McGoldrick

Substitutes

  • 21 Smith,
  • 02 Perch,
  • 04 Chambers,
  • 33 Lynch,
  • 08 McGugan,
  • 09 Adebola,
  • 12 McCleary
Ref: SalisburyAtt: 20,413
CARDIFF
NOTTM FOREST

Possession

  • Cardiff 54%
  • Nottm Forest 46%

Shots on target

  • Cardiff 9
  • Nottm Forest 5

Shots off target

  • Cardiff 3
  • Nottm Forest 6

Corners

  • Cardiff 8
  • Nottm Forest 3

Fouls

  • Cardiff 17
  • Nottm Forest 6
  • Final Result
  • Full Time
  • 90:00+5:19 The final whistle goes and the game is over.
  • 90:00+4:11 Centre by Adam Matthews.
  • 90:00+3:51 Corner taken by Chris Burke from the left by-line.
  • 90:00+3:37 Peter Whittingham takes a shot. Blocked by Paul McKenna.
  • 90:00+2:30 Lee Camp restarts play with the free kick.
  • 90:00+2:30 Booking Michael Chopra is cautioned by the ref for unsporting behaviour.
  • 90:00+2:19 Foul by Michael Chopra on Lee Camp, free kick awarded.
  • 90:00+0:39 GOAL - Lewis McGuganCardiff 1 - 1 Nottm Forest Lewis McGugan finds the back of the net with a goal from just inside the area to the top right corner of the goal. Cardiff 1-1 Nottm Forest.
  • 87:05 The ball is swung over by Peter Whittingham, save made by Lee Camp.
  • 85:40 Corner taken left-footed by Chris Cohen from the right by-line, Kelvin Wilson has an effort at goal from close in which goes wide left of the target.
  • 85:00 Left-footed shot by Joe Ledley went wide left of the target.
  • 83:24 Corner taken right-footed by Chris Burke, free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Lee Camp by Jay Bothroyd. Lee Camp takes the free kick.
  • 83:15 The ball is delivered by Chris Burke.
  • 82:50 Corner taken right-footed by Chris Burke from the right by-line, Dele Adebola manages to make a clearance.
  • 82:29 Gavin Rae takes a shot. Blocked by Garath McCleary.
  • Correction - 81:59 Free kick awarded for a foul by Dele Adebola on Anthony Gerrard. David Marshall takes the free kick.
  • 81:59 Dele Adebola gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Anthony Gerrard. David Marshall restarts play with the free kick.
  • 81:15 Jay Bothroyd concedes a free kick for a foul on Wes Morgan. Wes Morgan restarts play with the free kick.
  • 79:25 Inswinging corner taken left-footed by Chris Cohen played to the near post, Jay Bothroyd manages to make a clearance.
  • 76:29 Substitution Lewis McGugan replaces Guy Moussi.
  • 75:24 A cross is delivered by Garath McCleary, Anthony Gerrard manages to make a clearance.
  • 74:35 Jay Bothroyd challenges Chris Gunter unfairly and gives away a free kick. Free kick taken by Paul McKenna.
  • Correction - 73:33 Unfair challenge on Chris Burke by Chris Cohen results in a free kick. Free kick crossed right-footed by Adam Matthews.
  • 73:33 Chris Cohen gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Chris Burke. Free kick taken by Adam Matthews.
  • 71:53 David McGoldrick takes a shot. David Marshall makes a save.
  • 69:44 The ball is sent over by Jay Bothroyd, clearance made by Chris Cohen.
  • 68:54 Chris Burke crosses the ball, clearance made by Chris Gunter.
  • 67:41 Lee Camp fouled by Jay Bothroyd, the ref awards a free kick. Free kick taken by Lee Camp.
  • 66:58 Unfair challenge on Chris Burke by Guy Moussi results in a free kick. Free kick crossed left-footed by Peter Whittingham, save made by Lee Camp.
  • 65:25 Substitution Garath McCleary joins the action as a substitute, replacing Joe Garner.
  • 62:53 Assist on the goal came from Joe Ledley.
  • 62:53 GOAL - Jay BothroydCardiff 1 - 0 Nottm Forest Goal scored by Jay Bothroyd from inside the penalty box to the bottom left corner of the goal. Cardiff 1-0 Nottm Forest.
  • 62:30 Paul McKenna delivers the ball, clearance by Mark Hudson.
  • 62:15 The ball is swung over by Paul Anderson, Gavin Rae manages to make a clearance.
  • 61:24 Inswinging corner taken right-footed by Paul Anderson from the left by-line, clearance made by Mark Hudson.
  • 61:02 Substitution Dele Adebola on for Radoslaw Majewski.
  • 60:34 David McGoldrick takes a shot. Save by David Marshall.
  • 58:28 Radoslaw Majewski takes a shot. David Marshall makes a save.
  • 57:42 Unfair challenge on Kelvin Wilson by Jay Bothroyd results in a free kick. Lee Camp takes the direct free kick.
  • 56:27 Inswinging corner taken from the right by-line by Peter Whittingham, Joe Ledley takes a shot. Radoslaw Majewski manages to make a clearance.
  • 56:03 Inswinging corner taken from the left by-line by Chris Burke, save by Lee Camp.
  • 55:53 Michael Chopra takes a shot. Blocked by Chris Gunter.
  • 54:43 Shot from just outside the box by Radoslaw Majewski goes over the bar.
  • 52:10 Jay Bothroyd has an effort at goal from outside the area which goes wide right of the goal.
  • 51:53 Guy Moussi takes a shot. Blocked by Mark Hudson.
  • 51:46 A cross is delivered by David McGoldrick.
  • 50:01 Michael Chopra concedes a free kick for a foul on Wes Morgan. Direct free kick taken by Lee Camp.
  • 47:02 The ball is delivered by Radoslaw Majewski, David Marshall makes a save.
  • 45:01 The referee gets the second half started.
  • Half Time
  • 45:00+4:40 The referee calls an end to the first half.
  • 45:00+3:10 Foul by Mark Kennedy on David McGoldrick, free kick awarded. Shot on goal comes in from Radoslaw Majewski from the free kick.
  • 45:00+1:17 Jay Bothroyd gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Paul McKenna. Chris Cohen delivers the ball from the free kick left-footed from right channel, Jay Bothroyd makes a clearance.
  • 45:00+0:38 Lee Camp takes the direct free kick.
  • 45:00+0:38 Booking The referee cautions Peter Whittingham for unsporting behaviour.
  • 44:14 Foul by Peter Whittingham on Chris Gunter, free kick awarded.
  • 43:08 The ball is sent over by Mark Kennedy, Chris Cohen makes a clearance.
  • 41:33 Jay Bothroyd gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on David McGoldrick. Kelvin Wilson takes the free kick.
  • 40:48 Shot from outside the area by Paul Anderson misses to the left of the target.
  • 36:57 Peter Whittingham has an effort direct from the free kick, blocked by David McGoldrick.
  • 36:57 Booking Booking for Kelvin Wilson.
  • 36:20 Unfair challenge on Jay Bothroyd by Kelvin Wilson results in a free kick.
  • 34:25 Paul McKenna concedes a free kick for a foul on Chris Burke. Adam Matthews takes the free kick.
  • 34:02 Peter Whittingham takes a shot. Lee Camp makes a save.
  • 31:24 Outswinging corner taken left-footed by Peter Whittingham, Wes Morgan makes a clearance.
  • 31:19 The ball is sent over by Joe Ledley, clearance by Wes Morgan.
  • 29:43 Foul by Peter Whittingham on Chris Gunter, free kick awarded. Free kick crossed left-footed by Chris Cohen, Mark Kennedy makes a clearance.
  • 28:54 The assistant referee flags for offside against Michael Chopra. Lee Camp takes the free kick.
  • 25:30 Substitution Gavin Rae comes on in place of Stephen McPhail.
  • 24:06 The ball is sent over by Michael Chopra.
  • 22:46 Foul by Joe Ledley on Paul McKenna, free kick awarded. Wes Morgan takes the direct free kick.
  • 20:59 Corner taken left-footed by Peter Whittingham to the near post.
  • 20:39 Volleyed left-footed shot by Peter Whittingham. Save made by Lee Camp.
  • 20:25 The ball is crossed by Chris Gunter, save by David Marshall.
  • 17:17 Centre by Jay Bothroyd, save by Lee Camp.
  • 16:58 Michael Chopra sends in a cross.
  • 16:43 Joe Ledley takes a shot. Save by Lee Camp.
  • 16:29 Peter Whittingham takes a shot. Save made by Lee Camp.
  • 15:47 Effort from inside the area by Paul Anderson misses to the left of the goal.
  • Correction - 15:37 Paul Anderson produces a cross, Mark Kennedy makes a clearance.
  • 15:37 The ball is crossed by Peter Whittingham, clearance by Chris Cohen.
  • 14:48 The assistant referee flags for offside against Jay Bothroyd. Wes Morgan restarts play with the free kick.
  • 14:15 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Paul McKenna by Michael Chopra. Lee Camp takes the direct free kick.
  • 10:18 Corner taken by Peter Whittingham from the right by-line, free kick awarded for a foul by Mark Hudson on Lee Camp. Lee Camp takes the direct free kick.
  • 9:10 Kelvin Wilson gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Jay Bothroyd. Peter Whittingham takes the free kick.
  • 5:52 Stephen McPhail concedes a free kick for a foul on Paul McKenna. Kelvin Wilson takes the free kick.
  • 4:52 Close range effort by David McGoldrick goes over the bar.
  • 3:47 Jay Bothroyd gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Chris Cohen. Direct free kick taken by Paul McKenna.
  • 2:49 A cross is delivered by Paul Anderson, save made by David Marshall.
  • 0:00 The referee gets the game started.

Live text and data provided by The Press Association.

о 8:05 AM 0 коментарі

Murray set to return in Valencia

Andy Murray
Murray is building up to the season finale in London later this month

World number four Andy Murray will return to action for the first time in six weeks when he faces Spain's Daniel Gimeno-Traver at the Valencia Open.

The 22-year-old Briton has been struggling with a wrist injury and last played in Great Britain's Davis Cup defeat by Poland on 20 September.

He has slipped from a career-high of second in the world in August to his current fourth place in the standings.

The Scot is the top seed in Valencia, while Gimeno-Traver is a wildcard.

The 24-year-old Spaniard is ranked 75 in the world and has never played Murray before.

Murray will finish the season by playing at this month's Paris Masters and ATP World Tour Finals in London.

606: DEBATE
Who will win in Valencia and Basle?

And the race for the two remaining places at the season-ending tournament at the O2 Arena will hot up in Valencia, with Nikolay Davydenko, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Fernando Verdasco, Gilles Simon and Gael Monfils all in contention.

Valencia is hosting an indoor tournament for the first time after it was moved from its position as a spring clay-court event in the 2009 schedule.

Meanwhile, Roger Federer lines up alongside Novak Djokovic, Fernando Gonzalez and Marin Cilic at the Swiss Indoors in Basel as he returns to action for the first time since a Davis Cup tie the week after his US Open final defeat by Juan Martin del Potro.

"I've been back practising and training now for some time and all is going well," said three-time defending champion Federer.

"I feel much better. I'm looking forward to playing my hometown tournament."

о 7:47 AM 0 коментарі

Button vows to improve next year

Sebastian Vettel

Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in 90 seconds

Jenson Button believes he will be a stronger driver next year after winning the world championship in 2009.

The Brawn driver, who clinched the title in Brazil two weeks ago, finished his season on a high with third in Abu Dhabi, his first podium for four races.

"What I've been through this season I haven't experienced before. Mentally it's been tough," he told BBC Sport.

"I've learnt a lot. I'll for sure be a stronger driver when I get on the grid for the first race in Bahrain."

Button dominated at the start of the season, winning six of the first seven races, but his charge hit the buffers as a run of 11 points in five races allowed team-mate Rubens Barrichello and Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel to close the gap.

However, a daring performance in Brazil earned him the necessary points to seal his maiden world title, and it was a relaxed Button who moved up from fifth on the grid to finish third in Abu Dhabi - and had an entertaining duel with Vettel's team-mate Mark Webber for second.

"It was so much fun," Button said of his battle with Webber.

We wanted to finish the season on a high and I think we have done that

Sebastian Vettel

"Getting on the podium here was what I came to achieve. The Red Bull was just a little bit too fast for us, but this race is a bit of a bonus for me.

"After winning the world championship, I came here to have a bit of fun and really enjoy myself and that's exactly what I did."

Button must now decide where his F1 future lies.

The Englishman, 29, is thought to want an improved deal to stay at Brawn after he took a pay cut to help the team to survive following Honda's withdrawal from the sport.

With no agreement yet in place, he has emerged as a possible contender for the second seat at McLaren alongside Lewis Hamilton, his predecessor as world champion.

However, Button denied that money was his motivation.

"For me winning the world championship has always been my dream since I was a little boy," he said.

"The next dream is to get out there and challenge the rest of the drivers for the championship next season. That's the most important thing."

There's going to be a big battle at the front next year, with four teams fighting it out

Jenson Button

Button said he expected the battle at the front to be even tougher in 2010, with Ferrari and McLaren joining Brawn and Red Bull.

"Ferrari and McLaren are going to be competitive next season," he said.

"They have the resources, they have the expertise, they have competitive drivers. For sure they are going to be quick.

"They've had a different approach over the last few races. If you look at Ferrari, they've said that they've had no development which is unusual to hear, as there's not much that changes for next season [in terms of the rules].

"But it seems that McLaren have thrown everything at the car and have been very competitive over the last couple of races.

"So going into next year, they're going to be quicker compared to the start of this season but I don't think they're suddenly going to be stronger than Red Bull and Brawn.

"I think there's going to be a big battle at the front which is going to be a new thing for all of us, because having four teams fighting it out at the front, that hasn't happened [for a while]."

Brawn team principal Ross Brawn has said he is "99%" confident that Button will sign - and he has promised that the team will carry their form into 2010.

"It's going to be far more difficult next season as by the second half of this year the teams caught up," Brawn told BBC Sport.

"But we've got every reason to believe we can be competitive. We are quietly confident about next year."

However, Red Bull also head into 2010 with confidence high after winning the last three races of the season, with Vettel and Webber making it a fourth one-two of the year in Abu Dhabi.

JAKE HUMPHREY'S BLOG

"We didn't succeed with the world championship but I think we can be proud of what we achieved," said Vettel, who finished 11 points behind Button in second place in the drivers' standings.

"There has been a lot of positives this year - we wanted to finish the season on a high and I think we have done that.

"There are also a lot of lessons to learn. We made some mistakes but very quickly we understood them.

"Now in the winter we have plenty of time to analyse, look back again and come back stronger for next year."

о 6:18 AM 0 коментарі

Serena ends Venus reign in Doha

Venus and Serena Williams
Both Williams sisters went into the final with strapping on their left legs

Serena Williams beat her sister and defending champion Venus Williams to win the Sony Ericsson Championships.

The younger sister won a low-key final 6-2 7-6 (7-4) as both players struggled for fitness in Doha.

Venus, 29, had heavy strapping on her left knee, while Serena, 28, had similar taping around her left thigh.

But Serena, who will end the year as world number one, took charge of the season finale from the outset and came through in one hour 25 minutes.

It was the second time in four days that the Williams sisters had played each other, but the final came up well short of Serena's three-set win in the Maroon Group on Wednesday.

The tournament was beset by injury problems throughout, with world number one Dinara Safina withdrawing after just two games of her opening match, and her replacement Vera Zvonareva then pulling out after her only tie.

Victoria Azarenka retired due to cramp in her final group encounter, while Caroline Wozniacki was in tears at one point during her last round-robin match due to cramp and could not complete her semi-final against Serena Williams.

606: DEBATE
Your thoughts on the Doha final

So it was appropriate that the two finalists emerged onto court looking like they had come straight from the physio room, each with heavy strapping on their left legs.

Serena could still crank up the power, however, and broke serve in game three, while her elder sister was unable to call on her usual athleticism around the baseline.

Despite repeatedly wincing in pain, Serena rolled through the first set in half an hour and looked on course for a swift victory.

Venus was not about to give up her title lightly and raised her game considerably in a much better second set, but Serena was imperious on serve, dropping just two points as she forced a tie-break.

The 2001 champion appeared to be wobbling when she was pegged back from 5-1 up to 5-4, but an ace and a thumping forehand closed out her 13th win in 23 matches against her sister.

Victory in Doha completes a superb year for Serena that has included wins at the Australian Open and Wimbledon, and reclaiming the world number one spot.

There remains one more obstacle to overcome as the WTA will decide this month what action to take over Serena's outburst during the US Open semi-final against Kim Clijsters, with a Grand Slam ban of some sort a possibility.

о 5:56 AM 0 коментарі

GB stars race to three more golds

WORLD CUP SERIES, MANCHESTER
Venue: Manchester Velodrome Dates: 30 Oct - 1 Nov
Coverage: Watch live on BBC Two, the red button and BBC Sport website (UK only); live commentary on BBC 5 live sports extra

Victoria Pendleton

Watch live: Cycling World Cup from Manchester

Sir Chris Hoy led his sprint team to victory as Britain clinched three more gold medals on the final day of the Track World Cup in Manchester.

Hoy, Ross Edgar and Jamie Staff, in Team Sky+HD colours, were 0.395 seconds ahead of their Team GB rivals.

Gold sealed Hoy's clean sweep of wins in the sprint, keirin and team sprint.

GB's men and women won team pursuit gold, women's trio Joanna Rowsell, Lizzie Armitstead and Wendy Houvenaghel setting a world record.

Prior to the competition, 33-year-old Hoy said making sure he reached the World Championships next March was his "main priority".

Gold medals in each of his three events, earning qualification for the Worlds in the process, ensure he has achieved his goal in style.

"The legs are really tired now and it's been hard work but it's really encouraging," Hoy told BBC Sport.

"Hopefully we can build from here and have success next March.

As a team we've really come together. To pull out a time like that was really, really special

Lizzie Armitstead

"Those team sprint times were really competitive on a world level. For two teams to go under 44 seconds is incredible."

Hoy's team-mate Staff added: "The team's done phenomenally this weekend. Chris is in better form than he was at the Olympics and he's the strongest one of the bunch."

Younger British riders Jason Kenny, Matt Crampton and David Daniell took silver behind Team Sky+HD's winning time of 43.423 seconds, while Germany won the race for bronze.

The British women's team pursuit trio of Armitstead, Rowsell and Houvenaghel produced a stunning world record to obliterate a German team who probably could not have delivered a better race.

GB's performance was in a different league, crashing through the world record barrier to set a new mark of three minutes 21.875 seconds.

"I'm so chuffed," said Armitstead. "As a team we've really come together. To pull out a time like that was really, really special."

Armitstead has made the change from road cycling to compete as part of the track pursuit team, with the women's event likely to be included in the Olympics for the first time at London 2012.

"I've really had to step up and be motivated and carry on through the track - and it's worked," she said.

Moments earlier, Britain's four-man pursuit team of Steven Burke, Ed Clancy, Andrew Tennant and Geraint Thomas had easily dispatched their Spanish rivals.

They then carried on to set the second-fastest time in the event's history, stopping the clock in a track record three minutes and 54.395 seconds.

Tennant replaced Ben Swift for the team pursuit final, after Swift had helped the remaining three men cruise through qualifying in the morning.

"It felt brilliant," said Tennant. "Ben Swift rode a fantastic race to qualify with the boys but I got my chance and hopefully I've done a good job."

606: DEBATE
BBC Radio 5 live's Alex Murray

Thomas, picking up his second gold of the three-day competition, added: "It was alright, wasn't it? We knew we were on good form and we wanted a track record.

"We were just floating out there, the crowd carried us around."

Victoria Pendleton, world champion in the women's keirin in 2007, proved unable to repeat the achievement in front of a home crowd.

The 29-year-old, who won sprint gold on Friday, left herself too much to do on the outside in the closing stages of Sunday's keirin final, finishing fifth as Lithuania's Simona Krupeckaite took gold.

Stockton 36-year-old Chris Newton finished seventh in the men's scratch race, a lap down on Russian winner Ivan Kovalev.

British cyclists have racked up 10 gold medals over the three days of competition in Manchester.

Team Sky+HD: Ross Edgar, Chris Hoy, Peter Mitchell, Victoria Pendleton, Jamie Staff

Team GB: Lizzie Armitstead, Steven Burke, Ed Clancy, Matt Crampton, David Daniell, Wendy Houvenaghel, Rebecca James, Jason Kenny, Chris Newton, Joanna Rowsell, Ben Swift, Andy Tennant, Geraint Thomas, Jess Varnish

о 5:44 AM 0 коментарі

Slade sacked as Brighton manager

Russell Slade
Slade was appointed as Brighton manager in March

Brighton & Hove Albion have sacked manager Russell Slade after eight months in charge following their 3-3 draw with Hartlepool on Saturday.

The League One club are one place above the relegation zone having won only three games so far this season.

Slade, 49, was appointed manager in March after the departure of Micky Adams as the Seagulls avoided the drop.

Assistant manager Dean White and first-team coach Bob Booker have also left the Withdean.

Director of football Martin Hinshelwood has been put in temporary charge and will be assisted by Steve Brown and Charlie Oatway.

Slade previously had spells in charge of Yeovil Town, Scarborough, Sheffield United and Grimsby Town.

Russell is a good man, which made it an even harder decision to take, but it is one which has been made in the club's best interests

Brighton chairman Tony Bloom

He told the club's website he was sad to be leaving after a relatively short spell in charge.

"I am extremely sad that things have not worked out but we have parted on good terms.

"I felt we were progressing through a much-needed and vital rebuilding process that was never going to be easy with the large turnover of players during the close season."

Chairman Tony Bloom added: "It is not a decision we have taken lightly and one taken with a heavy heart.

"Russell is a good man, which made it an even harder decision to take, but it is one which has been made in the club's best interests.

"Like all Albion fans I am extremely grateful for Russell's achievements at the end of last season, as he kept us in League One against the odds."

о 5:33 AM 0 коментарі
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)