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Goals galore for City Arsenal as United win again

​LONDON (AFP) - (AFP) - Goals rained down on the Premier League, with Arsenal beating Newcastle United 7-3 and champions Manchester City edging Norwich City 4-3 to keep pace with leaders Manchest

Mission impossible as Mourinho gives up title race

MADRID (AFP) - (AFP) - With Real Madrid trailing La Liga leaders Barcelona by 13 points, Jose Mourinho admits  that the title race is over. While Barcelona kept up their prolific form

Ozil strikes twice as Madrid fight back for win

​MADRID (AFP) - (AFP) - Mesut Ozil grabbed two goals as Real Madrid twice came from behind to defeat Valladolid 3-2 on Saturday to close to within eight points of Barcelona at the top of La Liga.

Fears for ice hockey over NHL lockout

ANAHEIM, United States / California (AFP) - (AFP) - Teemu Selanne weaves his way out of his own end and lofts a perfectly-timed pass up the middle of the ice through a tangle of sticks to Justin

Top spot still target for defiant Wenger

PARIS (AFP) - (AFP) - Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger insisted he still harbours aspirations of knocking rivals Schalke off their perch atop Group B as the final round of Champions League group sta

Barcelona make record start Real win derby

​MADRID (AFP) - (AFP) - Lionel Messi closed in on Gerd Mueller's scoring mark as Barcelona crushed Athletic Bilbao 5-1 to set a new record for the best ever start to a La Liga season and stay 11

Chelseas Benitez braced for Stamford Bridge return

​LONDON (AFP) - (AFP) - Chelsea interim manager Rafael Benitez will face the wrath of his new club's fans for the second time in four days on Wednesday when they tackle London rivals Fulham in th

FA open investigation into West Ham taunts

LONDON (AFP) - (AFP) - The Football Association (FA) announced on Monday that they have launched an investigation into reports of anti-Semitic abuse by West Ham United fans towards supporters of

History-maker Wiggins wins Tour de France

PARIS (AFP) - (AFP) - Bradley Wiggins has been crowned Britain's first Tour de France champion, becoming an instant sporting hero at home just ahea

Young ousted, Harrison hangs on at ATP Newport

NEWPORT, Rhode Island (AFP) - (AFP) - US seventh seed Donald Young crashed out in the first round of the ATP Hall of Fame Championships while Ameri

Federer driven on by fatherhood, age

LONDON (AFP) - (AFP) - Roger Federer believes becoming a father and celebrating his 30th birthday inspired him to a record-equalling seventh Wimble

Donaire beats Mathebula in unification bout

LOS ANGELES (AFP) - (AFP) - Nonito Donaire added Jeffrey Mathebula's International Boxing Federation super bantamweight title to his own World Boxi

Murray shoulders British hope and glory

LONDON (AFP) - (AFP) - Andy Murray hopes to make history Sunday by becoming Britain's first Wimbledon men's champion in 76 years, a landmark challe

I'm not done yet, Wimbledon champ Serena warns

LONDON, United Kingdom (AFP) - (AFP) - Serena Williams has warned her rivals that her emotional fifth Wimbledon title will act as a springboard for

Forget practising penalties, says Germanys Kopke

​GDANSK, Poland (AFP) - (AFP) - Ahead of Thursday's Euro 2012 semi-final against Italy, goalkeeping coach Andreas Kopke has said Germany will not be taking too many spot-kicks to prepare for a dr

Djokovic Sharapova power into Wimbledon 2nd round

LONDON (AFP) - (AFP) - Five-time Wimbledon champion Venus Williams suffered her worst All England Club defeat in 15 years, but draw cards Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer and Maria Sharapova powered

French hoping to end six years of group hell

KIEV (AFP) - (AFP) - France are looking to end a six year hiatus of failing to qualify for the knockout stages of a major finals on Tuesday and get

Didier Drogba set for China move: official media

BEIJING (AFP) - (AFP) - Former Chelsea striker Didier Drogba is set to sign for Shanghai Shenhua, joining Nicolas Anelka at the Chinese club, its c

Italy through as Spain edge Croatia at Euro 2012

POZNAN, Poland (AFP) - (AFP) - Italy put behind them a nightmare run-in both on and off the pitch to reach the Euro 2012 quarter-finals with a 2-0

Simpson stuns stars to win US Open

SAN FRANCISCO (AFP) - (AFP) -  Webb Simpson of the United States came from four shots back to win the US Open at San Francisco's Olympic Club, over

Ronaldo nails pointless Dutch, Germans down Danes

KHARKIV, Ukraine (AFP) - (AFP) - Holland exited Euro 2012 in humiliating fashion going out at the first hurdle just two years after they reached th

Zheng beats weather to reach Birmingham semi-finals

BIRMINGHAM, United Kingdom (AFP) - (AFP) - China's Zheng Jie reached the semi-finals of the Birmingham WTA grasscourt tournament on Saturday, but t

Blake wins in Olympic trials tuneup

EDMONTON, Canada (AFP) - (AFP) - Reigning 100-metre world champion Yohan Blake of Jamaica won the 100m crown at the Donovan Bailey Invitational on

Greece in Euro 2012 quarters after foiling Russia

WARSAW (AFP) - (AFP) - Veteran Greece captain Giorgos Karagounis halted Russia's Euro 2012 campaign in its tracks here on Saturday, as the underdog

Miami Heat oust Boston Celtics to reach NBA Finals

MIAMI (AFP) - (AFP) - LeBron James scored 31 points and grabbed 12 rebounds to power Miami over Boston 101-88 and give the Heat a berth against the

Rigondeaux retains WBA super-bantamweight belt

LAS VEGAS (AFP) - (AFP) - Cuba's Guillermo Rigondeaux retained his World Boxing Association super-bantamweight world title with a fifth-round techn

Euro 2012 moves to Ukraine, Danes beat Dutch

KHARKIV, Ukraine (AFP) - (AFP) - Denmark on Saturday pulled off the first major upset of Euro 2012, beating the much-fancied Netherlands 1-0 while Germany beat Portugal by the same scoreline,

All serene in Pacquiao camp as Bradley bout looms

LAS VEGAS (AFP) - (AFP) - Filipino fight icon Manny Pacquiao has sorted out tension in his camp and will have strength coach Alex Ariza in his corn

Anderson absence overshadows England-Windies finale

BIRMINGHAM, England (AFP) - (AFP) - A series where plenty of attention has been given to absent West Indies players concludes with the focus on Eng

Stosur sizes up Errani at French Open

PARIS (AFP) - (AFP) - Australia's Samantha Stosur is expecting a heavyweight French Open semi-final challenge from pint-sized Italian Sara Errani a

Djokovic, Federer survive epic French Open battles

PARIS (AFP) - (AFP) - Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer survived five-set struggles at the French Open on Tuesday to set up a mouth-watering semi-fi

Benzema at the double for France

LE MANS, France (AFP) - (AFP) - France thanked a brace from Real Madrid's Karim Benzema as they thumped Estonia 4-0 in an impressive Euro 2012 tune

Li crashes, Sharapova struggles into quarter-finals

​PARIS (AFP) - (AFP) - Defending champion Li Na crashed out of the French Open on Mond

Eden Hazard chooses Chelsea after Euro triumph

​LONDON (AFP) - (AFP) - Eden Hazard admits he decided to join Chelsea after watching h

Nadal, Murray into last eight at French Open

​PARIS (AFP) - (AFP) - Defending champion Rafael Nadal stormed into the French Open qu

Scott Dixon wins shortened IndyCar race

​DETROIT, Michigan (AFP) - (AFP) - Pole-sitter Scott Dixon of New Zealand won the Indy

Djokovic, Federer escape French Open booby traps

​PARIS (AFP) - (AFP) - Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer stayed on course for a mouth-w

Tiger Woods wins Memorial to tie Nicklaus

​DUBLIN, Ohio (AFP) - (AFP) - Tiger Woods birdied three of the last four holes, one wi

Hornets nab No. 1 pick in NBA draft lottery

​NEW YORK (AFP) - (AFP) - The New Orleans Hornets nabbed the top pick in next month's

Kings down Devils in NHL Stanley Cup opener

​NEWARK, New Jersey (AFP) - (AFP) - Anze Kopitar scored on a breakaway 8:13 into overt

Pacquiao aims to put on show vs Bradley

​LOS ANGELES (AFP) - (AFP) - Filipino fight king Manny Pacquiao wants to deliver somet

Camper swerves a whale during Volvo Ocean Race

​LISBON (AFP) - (AFP) - France's Groupama launched an 11th hour comeback in Leg 7 in t

Sleepless Razzano rests easy after Serena triumph

​PARIS (AFP) - (AFP) - Twelve months ago, Virginie Razzano arrived at Roland Garros mo

Serena in historic defeat, Nadal, Sharapova cruise

​PARIS (AFP) - (AFP) - Serena Williams suffered an historic Grand Slam defeat in the F

Tsonga, Del Potro take hard road at French Open

PARIS (AFP) - (AFP) - Jo-Wilfried Tsonga survived the weight of home expectations while dangerman Juan Martin Del Potro shrugged off an injury scare before triumphing on Sunday's sweltering first

PGA champion Donald tips Rose for US Open success

WENTWORTH, United Kingdom (AFP) - (AFP) - Luke Donald tipped Justin Rose to win a US Open despite coming home four shots clear of his compatriot in the PGA Championship that finished at Wentworth

Johnson edges Dufner to win at PGA Colonial

FORT WORTH, Texas (AFP) - (AFP) - Zach Johnson fired a two-over 72 that included a two-shot penalty at the final hole to win the Crowne Plaza Invitational, denying Jason Dufner a third US PGA vic

Heat roll over Pacers to lead series

​MIAMI (AFP) - (AFP) - Miami got their swagger back as they scored the opening three p

Britain field hockey team seek Olympic tune-up

​IPOH, Malaysia (AFP) - (AFP) - Favourites Great Britain will be looking for a success

Neill misses in penalty-kick drama as Al-Ahli advance

​DUBAI (AFP) - (AFP) - Former Australia skipper Lucas Neill missed a penalty in a dram

Unheralded Bass helps sink Sixers in NBA series

​BOSTON, Massachusetts (AFP) - (AFP) - Brandon Bass scored a game-high 27 points as th

Oliveira boosts Al Jazira in Asian Champions League

​SINGAPORE (AFP) - (AFP) - Former Brazil and AC Milan marksman Ricardo Oliveira is aim

IPL set for exciting Twenty20 cricket finale

​NEW DELHI (AFP) - (AFP) - The Indian Premier League heads for a thrilling climax this

Spain's Munoz wins LPGA Match Play crown

​GLADSTONE, New Jersey (AFP) - (AFP) - Spain's Azahara Munoz defeated Taiwan's Candie

Napoli end Juve run with Italian Cup triumph

​ROME (AFP) - (AFP) - Juventus' record-breaking 43-match undefeated run came to an end

Montpellier win maiden title on chaotic final day

​PARIS (AFP) - (AFP) - Montpellier claimed the first French league title in their hist

Former NFL star Junior Seau found shot dead

​LOS ANGELES (AFP) - (AFP) - Former NFL star Junior Seau was found dead of an apparently self-inflicted gunshot wound at his home north of San Diego, authorities said. Frank McCoy, ch

Premier League top four bid in tatters Di Matteo

​LONDON (AFP) - (AFP) - Roberto Di Matteo admits Chelsea's hopes of finishing in the Premier League's top four are in tatters after a sublime brace from Papiss Demba Cisse fired Newcastle to a 2-

Montpellier on brink of winning French league title

PARIS (AFP) - (AFP) - Montpellier are on the verge of winning the French title after a great weekend for the southern club, but they have little time to rest on their laurels as they host Evian o

Fergie accuses Mancini after City win title duel

​MANCHESTER (AFP) - (AFP) - Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson accused Roberto Mancini of attempting to influence officials after a furious touchline bust-up with the Manchester City bos

Dalglish won't let-up against Fulham in Premier League

​LIVERPOOL, United Kingdom (AFP) - (AFP) - Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish has insisted he will field a strong line-up for the Premier League meeting with Fulham at Anfield on Tuesday, even thou

Stuttgart title gives Sharapova French Open boost

STUTTGART, Germany (AFP) - (AFP) - Maria Sharapova said she was happy to open her clay-court season by winning Stuttgart's WTA tournament as part of her French Open preparations and to break her

History man Nadal builds towards seventh French Open

​BARCELONA (AFP) - (AFP) - Rafael Nadal is back on top of his mental and physical game after completing a fortnight of history-making with the Spanish king of clay adding another line for the rec

United, City braced for 'derby of all derbies'

​MANCHESTER (AFP) - (AFP) - The defining plot twist of the most enthralling title race in years could be written on Monday as Manchester City attempt to seize control of their Premier League dest

Barcelona look for Champions League salvation vs Chelsea

BARCELONA (AFP) - (AFP) - Chelsea are bracing for a Barcelona onslaught on Tuesday as the wounded Catalans bid to recover from domestic disappointment by reaching their third Champions League fin

Top China football officials face graft trials

BEIJING (AFP) - (AFP) - The former head of China's scandal-plagued football league and other top soccer officials went on trial Tuesday as an effort to stamp out rampant corruption in the Chinese

Shillingford shines for W. Indies in final cricket Test

ROSEAU, Dominica (AFP) - (AFP) - Shane Shillingford celebrated becoming the first Dominican to play Test cricket in his home country in style on Monday as the West Indies off-spinner took four Au

Depleted Miami Heat shoot down Houston Rockets

MIAMI (AFP) - (AFP) - The Miami Heat, led by LeBron James's 32 points, ended Houston's slim NBA playoff hopes with a 97-88 victory over the Rockets. The Heat were without stars Dwyane

Ferguson readies faltering United for vital derby

​MANCHESTER (AFP) - (AFP) - Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has said the upcoming clash with Premier League title rivals Manchester City represents the most important derby match of h

Curtis ends six-year PGA drought at Texas Open

SAN ANTONIO, Texas (AFP) - (AFP) - Former British Open champion Ben Curtis won his first US PGA Tour title since 2006, holding on for an emotional two-shot victory over Matt Every and John Huh.

Ferguson fears Everton backlash in Premier League

MANCHESTER, United Kingdom (AFP) - (AFP) - Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson fears an Everton backlash following the Merseyside club's heartbreaking FA Cup semi-final loss to Liverpool

Mutai, Keitany aim for Kenya London Marathon double

​LONDON (AFP) - (AFP) - Emmanuel Mutai will bid for back-to-back London Marathon titles Sunday as Kenyan runners look to dominate in the men's and women's races of the gruelling event.

Sporting stand in way of all-Spanish Europa final

PARIS (AFP) - (AFP) - Athletic Bilbao are looking to continue their remarkable continental campaign and set up an all-Spanish Europa League final as they prepare to take on Sporting Lisbon in the

Lyon seek reaction at Toulouse in Ligue 1

​PARIS (AFP) - (AFP) - Lyon have no time to brood on their League Cup final failure as Wednesday brings a taxing trip to Toulouse that threatens to end their hopes of a top-three finish in Ligue

Late Gomez strike gives Bayern win over Real

​MUNICH, Germany (AFP) - (AFP) - Bayern Munich are on course to reach next month's Champions League final at their Allianz Arena home after Mario Gomez hit a late winner to earn a 2-1 victory ove

Chelsea plotting Barcelona ambush in Champions League

LONDON (AFP) - (AFP) - Chelsea believe they can stymie the jaw-dropping goalscoring exploits of Lionel Messi and pull off an unlikely upset against Barcelona in the Champions League semi-finals W

Redknapp calls for technology after Cup howler

​LONDON (AFP) - (AFP) - Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp called for the swift introduction of goal-line technology after a key decision went against Spurs in their 5-1 FA Cup semi-final thrashing

Tigana quits China's Shenhua: report

​SHANGHAI (AFP) - (AFP) - Shanghai Shenhua head coach Jean Tigana has quit the club, Chinese state media said Monday even as the former Fulham boss himself denied he had resigned amid growing con

Ferguson expects Man United to respond after Wigan shock

MANCHESTER, United Kingdom (AFP) - (AFP) - Sir Alex Ferguson expects Manchester United to produce an immediate response to their shock defeat at Wigan when the Premier League leaders face Aston V

Brandao gives Marseille third straight League Cup

PARIS (AFP) - (AFP) - An extra-time goal by substitute Brandao gave Marseille a 1-0 win over Lyon at Stade de France on Saturday that allowed them to claim the French League Cup for a record thir

Grand National under fire after death of horses

LIVERPOOL, England (AFP) - (AFP) - The gruelling Grand National came under renewed fire after the "unacceptable" death of two horses at the notorious Becher's Brook fence prompted passi

Del Piero sends Juve back top

ROME (AFP) - (AFP) - Alessandro Del Piero rolled back the years with a peach of a goal to hand Juventus a 2-1 win over Lazio on Wednesday and keep the Turin giants top of Serie A. The

Ronaldo hat-trick keeps Real in control

MADRID (AFP) - (AFP) - A Cristiano Ronaldo hat-trick fired Real Madrid to a 4-1 derby win at Atletico Madrid on Wednesday to restore their four-point cushion over Barcelona at the top of the Prim

Wigan stun United to give City hope

LONDON (AFP) - (AFP) - Struggling Wigan breathed life into the Premier League title race with a stunning 1-0 upset of Manchester United on Wednesday as Manchester City romped to a 4-0 win over We

Barcelona pile pressure on Real with Getafe romp

MADRID (AFP) - (AFP) - Defending champions Barcelona upped the pressure on leaders Real Madrid on Tuesday as they moved to within a point of their bitter rivals after a 4-0 thumping of Getafe.

Manchester United urged to be wary of Wigan

MANCHESTER, United Kingdom (AFP) - (AFP) - Michael Carrick believes Manchester United's record against Wigan will count for nothing when Sir Alex Ferguson's team try to take another huge stride t

Carroll the hero as 10-man Reds sink Rovers

​BLACKBURN (AFP) - (AFP) - Andy Carroll struck a dramatic injury-time winner as 10-man Liverpool beat Blackburn Rovers 3-2 at Ewood Park in a rollercoaster Premier League clash here Tuesday.

Balotelli could face Euro snub

ROME (AFP) - (AFP) - Coach Cesare Prandelli has admitted that talented but troubled striker Mario Balotelli could be excluded from the Italy squad following his sending off at the end of Manchest

Guardiola remains dismissive of title talk

MADRID (AFP) - (AFP) - Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola reiterated on Monday that he thought it was virtually mission impossible for his side to overhaul bitter rivals Real Madrid and retain their L

Chelsea slip up in Champions League race

​LONDON (AFP) - (AFP) - Chelsea were left two points adrift of one of the four Champions League places on offer to English teams as Newcastle stole a march on their rivals for top-class European

United eight points clear as City lose to Arsenal

LONDON (AFP) - (AFP) - Manchester United all but sealed a 20th English title as they moved into an eight-point lead over Manchester City at the top of Premier League on Sunday with just six games

Real lead cut to four with Valencia stalemate

MADRID (AFP) - (AFP) - Stuttering Real Madrid have Barcelona breathing down their necks after their La Liga lead was cut to just four points following a 0-0 draw with third-placed Valencia on Sun

Record-breaking Messi sends Barca into semis

BARCELONA, Spain (AFP) - (AFP) - Lionel Messi scored two first-half penalties in a 3-1 win over AC Milan at the Nou Camp Tuesday to propel holders Barcelona to a fifth successive Champions League

Miami win buoys Djokovic for claycourt campaign

​MIAMI (AFP) - (AFP) - Novak Djokovic's third Miami Masters title had the world number one looking back fondly on his Florida triumphs, but more importantly looking ahead -- to the clay court sea

Oosthuizen leads by two at Houston Open golf

​HOUSTON, Texas (AFP) - (AFP) - South African Louis Oosthuizen posted a second straight 66 to take a two-shot lead over Hunter Mahan after three rounds of the US PGA Tour's $6 million Houston Ope

Phelps delivers blistering 200m medley win

​INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana (AFP) - (AFP) - Michael Phelps roared to victory in the 200m medley in 1min 56.32sec at the Indianapolis Grand Prix Saturday, almost two seconds faster than the Olympic sea

Monterosso leads home Godolphin 1-2 in Dubai World Cup

​DUBAI (AFP) - (AFP) - Monterosso led home a Godolphin one-two in the Dubai World Cup over 2000 metres at Meydan racecourse on Saturday when he swept past his stablemate, Capponi, to win the worl

Milan hold Barca to goalless stalemate

MILAN, Italy (AFP) - (AFP) - Pep Guardiola said his Barcelona team will need to score at least two goals at the Camp Nou next week if they are to oust AC Milan and reach the Champions League semi

Gomez and Robben sink troubled Marseille

MARSEILLE (AFP) - (AFP) - Bayern Munich took control of their Champions League quarter-final against Marseille with a 2-0 win at Stade Velodrome on Wednesday that condemned OM to an eighth defeat

Bartoli shocks Azarenka, Venus falls in Miami

MIAMI (AFP) - (AFP) - French seventh seed Marion Bartoli stunned previously unbeaten world number one Victoria Azarenka 6-3, 6-3 to reach the semi-finals of the ATP/WTA Miami hardcourt tournament

Kalou strikes as Chelsea down Benfica

​LISBON (AFP) - (AFP) - Chelsea took a huge step towards the last four of the Champions League here on Tuesday after scoring a 1-0 victory over Portuguese giants Benfica in their quarter-final fi

Benzema double all but ends APOEL fairytale run

​NICOSIA (AFP) - (AFP) - A Karim Benzema double helped nine-time winners Real Madrid to a 3-0 away win over Cypriot surprise package APOEL in their Champions League quarter-final first-leg clash

Djokovic, Nadal, Wozniacki, Sharapova win at Miami

​MIAMI (AFP) - (AFP) - Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal stayed on pace for a possible final showdown while Maria Sharapova and Caroline Wozniacki booked a semi-final match with triumphs at the Mia

Ibra sends Milan seven points clear

ROME (AFP) - (AFP) - Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored twice to earn AC Milan a 2-1 win over Roma on Saturday and send the rossoneri seven points clear at the top of Serie A. The title pressu

Five-goal Real restore six-point lead, snub media

MADRID (AFP) - (AFP) - Real Madrid beat Real Sociedad 5-1 on Saturday to restore their six-point lead over Barcelona at the top of La Liga and then staged a media blackout. Two goals

Djokovic Federer advance Clijsters crashes

MIAMI (AFP) - (AFP) - Defending champ Novak Djokovic and world No. 3 Roger Federer both advanced through the Miami Masters second round in straight sets, but crowd favourite Kim Clijsters crashed

Wenger warns resurgent Arsenal cannot relax

LIVERPOOL, United Kingdom (AFP) - (AFP) - Arsene Wenger warned his resurgent Arsenal players that they cannot afford to relax after moving into the Premier League's top three for the first time t

Nine-man Real Madrid see lead cut to six points

MADRID (AFP) - (AFP) - Nine-man Real Madrid saw their lead in La Liga cut to six points on Wednesday after they were held to a 1-1 draw by Villarreal. Cristiano Ronaldo scored his 33r

Osvaldo boosts Roma Champions League hopes

ROME (AFP) - (AFP) - Roma gave their outside hopes of a top-three finish in Serie A a shot in the arm on Monday night with a 1-0 win against Genoa thanks to an early strike from Pablo Daniel

Milan gunning to topple unbeaten Juve in Copa Italia

ROME (AFP) - (AFP) - AC Milan will need to become the first team to beat Juventus this season if they are to overcome their semi-final, first leg deficit and qualify for the Italian Cup f

Stricken Muamba breathing on his own - hospital

LONDON (AFP) - (AFP) - Bolton Wanderers player Fabrice Muamba was on Monday said by doctors to be breathing on his own again, although he remained in an intensive care unit after his on-f

Muamba still in 'critical condition'

LONDON (AFP) - (AFP) - Bolton Wanderers' Fabrice Muamba remained in a "critical condition" as he continued his fight for life on Sunday. Muamba was rushed to

Federer captures fourth Indian Wells title

INDIAN WELLS, California (AFP) - (AFP) - World No. 3 Roger Federer beat John Isner 7-6 (9/7), 6-3 in the Indian Wells final to capture his third tournament in a row and a record fourth In

Victorious Button warns Vettel

MELBOURNE (AFP) - (AFP) - Jenson Button warned Sebastian Vettel that he plans to end the days when the German's trademark bent-finger salute is seen at the end of Formula One grands prix.

HRT out of Australian Formula One GP

​MELBOURNE (AFP) - (AFP) - HRT failed in a bid to take part in Sunday's season-opening Australian Grand Prix, race stewards confirmed just hours before the event, as rumours of a technical row si

Isner, Federer power into Indian Wells final

INDIAN WELLS, California (AFP) - (AFP) - Hard-serving American John Isner's remarkable run continued as he stunned world No. 1 Novak Djokovic to book an Indian Wells final showdown with world No.

Thorpe fails to qualify for London Games

ADELAIDE, Australia (AFP) - (AFP) - Five-time Olympic swimming champion Ian Thorpe failed to qualify for the London Games but said he had no regrets about returning to the pool and vowed to conti

Rice, Trickett face early test at Aussie swim trials

​ADELAIDE, Australia (AFP) - (AFP) - Defending Olympic champion Stephanie Rice was fourth fastest into the final of the 400-metres individual medley at the Australian Olympic selection trials in

Chelsea victory inspires hope for rest of season

​LONDON (AFP) - (AFP) - Chelsea interim manager Roberto Di Matteo believes his team's nail-biting Champions League victory over Napoli can inspire the club to a successful season finale. <

Djokovic makes Indian Wells quarter-finals

INDIAN WELLS, California (AFP) - (AFP) - Rafael Nadal raced into the Indian Wells quarter-finals with a dominating win, while Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer needed three sets each to oust unsee

Walcott is Arsenal's secret weapon, manager claims

​LONDON (AFP) - (AFP) - Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger believes Theo Walcott is emerging as a key figure in the north London club's fight to finish third. The England winger provided v

Mild injury has Tiger hopeful for Palmer Invitational

MIAMI (AFP) - (AFP) - Tiger Woods said that he has suffered only a mild strain of his left Achilles tendon and that he is hopeful of playing in the US PGA Arnold Palmer Invitational next week as

Djokovic cruises, Fish ousted at Indian Wells

INDIAN WELLS, California (AFP) - (AFP) - World No. 1 Novak Djokovic continued his domination over Kevin Anderson, rolling over the South African 6-2, 6-3 in the third round of the ATP-WTA Indian

Djokovic eases through at Indian Wells

​INDIAN WELLS, California (AFP) - (AFP) - Novak Djokovic may not be off to another perfect start to the year, but he remains consistent when it comes to winning his opening match at Indian Wells.

Grand Slam seekers Wales calm ahead of France Test

​CARDIFF (AFP) - (AFP) - Wales head coach Warren Gatland is planning a low-key week for his players as they aim to match the superstars of the Seventies by making it three Grand Slams in eight se

Barcelona turn attentions to catching Real

MADRID (AFP) - (AFP) - Hailed as the greatest club side of all time after their European master class, Barcelona face humble Racing Santander Sunday, trying to hunt down Real Madrid, the best tea

Djokovic Wozniacki defend Indian Wells crowns

​INDIAN WELLS, California (AFP) - (AFP) - World No. 1 Novak Djokovic and fourth-ranked Caroline Wozniacki will defend their titles at the $11 million Indian Wells ATP and WTA hardcourt event that

Chelsea start life after Villas-Boas with FA Cup win

BIRMINGHAM, England (AFP) - (AFP) - Chelsea caretaker manager Roberto Di Matteo said a top-four Premier League finish was his priority after ducking questions about a long-term managerial role at

Milan through as brave Arsenal fall short

LONDON (AFP) - (AFP) - AC Milan advanced to the quarter-finals of the Champions League on Tuesday after Arsenal fell agonisingly short of a remarkable comeback despite an emphatic 3-0 victory ove

Sunderland's O'Neill ready for 'massive' Newcastle duel

​NEWCASTLE, England (AFP) - (AFP) - Sunderland will look to dent Newcastle's Europa League hopes and boost their own outside chances of playing in Europe next season when they travel to meet thei

Ferguson backs Redknapp ahead of clash at White Hart Lane

​LONDON (AFP) - (AFP) - Sir Alex Ferguson believes Tottenham's players will be unaffected by the links between manager Harry Redknapp and the England vacancy. Ever since Fabio Capello

Pressure is mounting for Villas-Boas as Chelsea lose

BIRMINGHAM, United Kingdom (AFP) - (AFP) - Andre Villas-Boas admits he is under increasing pressure following Chelsea's 1-0 defeat at West Bromwich Albion, but the beleaguered boss remains determ

Parker pens new chapter in award wins

LONDON (AFP) - (AFP) - Spurs midfielder Scott Parker collected his second award in a year on Monday when he was voted England player of the year by the national side's fans. The 31-ye

France must wake up for Six Nations clash against Ireland

​PARIS (AFP) - (AFP) - France cannot afford to let Ireland take the initiative next Sunday because there will be no way back unlike against the Scots and French dreams of a Six Nations Grand Slam

Excited Wales manager eyes Six Nations Grand Slam

​LONDON (AFP) - (AFP) - Warren Gatland was left contemplating the prospect of another Grand Slam after seeing his side edge England in a thrilling Six Nations Championship clash at Twickenham.

Liverpool back at Wembley for League Cup final

​LONDON (AFP) - (AFP) - Kenny Dalglish believes winning the League Cup may be a staging post to bigger things as Liverpool return to Wembley for the first time in 16 years to face Cardiff on Sund

Boxer Pacquiao embarrassed by Mayweather offer

LOS ANGELES (AFP) - (AFP) - Manny Pacquiao says the pieces were falling into place for a world title fight with Floyd Mayweather until the American boxer tried to low-ball him on the split of the

Terry blow means Chelsea defence must be reorganised

NAPLES, Italy (AFP) - (AFP) - The news that John Terry will likely be out for six weeks due to the need for exploratory knee surgery means Chelsea will have to reorganise their defence, admitted

Clouds gather over Wenger's Arsenal future

​SUNDERLAND, United Kingdom (AFP) - (AFP) - Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger remained defiant despite facing further questions about his future in the wake of their 2-0 defeat at Sunderland in the fift

Manchester duo face up to Europa League task

PARIS (AFP) - (AFP) - The city of Manchester were hoping to see their two football sides fight out the Champions League final but instead on Thursday both sets of fans will have to make do with t

Qualifiers book tennis matches with Monfils, Roddick

SAN JOSE, California (AFP) - (AFP) - Qualifiers Dimitar Kutrovsky and Denis Kudla booked matches against the highest seeds at the ATP San Jose Open with three-set triumphs at the $531,000 indoor

Lin lifts NY Knicks to dramatic NBA win over Toronto

TORONTO (AFP) - (AFP) - Jeremy Lin scored a game-high 27 points and a career-high 11 assists as the New York Knicks extended their win streak by rallying in the fourth quarter to beat Toronto 90-

Arsenal football star Henry hoping to go out with a bang

​MILAN, Italy (AFP) - (AFP) - Thierry Henry will be looking to give the club he loves a farewell gift as he makes his final appearance for Arsenal against AC Milan in the Champions League on Wedn

No Djokovic no problem as Serbia eye Spain's Davis Cup title

Serbia shrugged off the absence of Novak Djokovic to reach the Davis Cup last eight with the 2010 champions confidently setting their sights on dethroning Spain in November's final. Jank

Ronaldo hat-trick as Real Madrid go 10 points clear

Cristiano Ronaldo hit his sixth hat-trick of the season as Real Madrid took a huge step towards winning La Liga, coming from behind to beat Levante 4-2 and open a 10-point lead over Barcelona.

USA dump out Federers Swiss in Davis Cup tennis

Roger Federer's miserable return to Davis Cup first-round duty after an eight-year absence was completed when the United States knocked out Switzerland to reach the quarter-finals.  

Liverpool should sell Suarez, says Ferguson

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson said Liverpool should sell Luis Suarez and ensure he never plays for the club again after the Uruguayan snubbed Patrice Evra's handshake. Ferg

Contador vows to pursue career despite doping ban

PINTO, Spain (AFP) - (AFP) - An indignant two-time Tour de France champion Alberto Contador said on Tuesday he "totally disagreed" with his two-year doping ban and vowed to pursue his c

Formula One driver Raikkonen shakes off cobwebs in style

Finland's 2007 Formula One world champion Kimi Raikkonen set the fastest time in his Lotus-Renault during pre-season testing here on Tuesday. The 32-year-old Raikkonen - winner of 18 gra

Contador suspended, stripped of Tour de France win

LAUSANNE (AFP) - (AFP) - Spanish cyclist Alberto Contador on Monday received a two-year ban for doping during the 2010 Tour de France and was stripped of his victory in the race.  

Pakistan cricket team aim higher after England rout

DUBAI (AFP) - (AFP) - Pakistan's cricket team put its numerous problems behind them through consistent performances as they wiped out the world's best team England 3-0 with captain Misbah-ul Haq

Japan beat Slovenia in Fed Cup tennis

MIKI, Japan (AFP) - (AFP) - Japanese number one Ayumi Morita beat Polona Hercog on Sunday to give Japan an unbeatable 3-0 lead over Slovenia in the Fed Cup tennis World Group II first-round tie.<

Chavez retains boxing title with unanimous decision

LOS ANGELES (AFP) - (AFP) - Unbeaten Julio Cesar Chavez Jr retained his World Boxing Council middleweight title with a 12-round unanimous decision over Marco Antonio Rubio in San Antonio, Texas.<

Chelsea aim for Premier League title influence

​LONDON (AFP) - (AFP) - Andre Villas-Boas may have conceded Chelsea are out of the Premier League title race but his side's superb home record against Manchester United means they can still influ

Chelsea refuse to give up chase: Villas-Boas

​SWANSEA, Wales (AFP) - (AFP) - Andre Villas-Boas believes Chelsea are capable of closing the gap on the top three despite slipping seven points behind third-placed Spurs.  

Arsenal aim to back up Villa victory at Bolton

​ LONDON (AFP) - (AFP) - Arsenal's season has been marked by too many false dawns but Thomas Vermaelen believes the FA Cup victory over Aston Villa can help salvage the club's faltering challenge

Blame me for Man City defeat, says dejected Mancini

​Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini ,Man City,Man City Roberto Mancini LIVERPOOL, England (AFP) - (AFP) - Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini admitted he was to blame for th

Woods upbeat after Abu Dhabi golf challenge

ABU DHABI (AFP) - (AFP) - Tiger Woods was heading home to Florida with a mixed report card from his first foray into the 2012 golf season at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship. A sh

Nadal hungry for revenge over Djokovic at Aussie Open

​MELBOURNE (AFP) - (AFP) - Serbia's Novak Djokovic can Sunday seal his fourth grand slam in five and stamp his authority on the new tennis season, but blocking his way to the Australian Open titl

Kvitova, Sharapova set up Wimbledon re-run

​MELBOURNE (AFP) - (AFP) - Burgeoning superstar Petra Kvitova and glamorous Russian Maria Sharapova set up a hotly anticipated rematch of last year's Wimbledon decider in the Australian Open quar

Dalglish wants Liverpool response ahead of League Cup week

MANCHESTER, England (AFP) - (AFP) - Kenny Dalglish is demanding an immediate response from his Liverpool players ahead of a critical week in which they face two huge cup ties which could shape th

Squash great Shabana admits he nearly quit

NEW YORK (AFP) - (AFP) - Egyptian squash great Amr Shabana continued his brilliant start to the year before admitting that last month he almost quit the sport. The 32-year-old four ti

Copa clasico returns as sideshow to Liga glory hunt

MADRID (AFP) - (AFP) - Real Madrid and Barcelona resume their historic rivalry on Wednesday when the two teams meet in the first leg of the quarter finals of the Spanish Cup. The scen

Clijsters, Li race towards Aussie Open tennis showdown

MELBOURNE (AFP) - (AFP) - Belgium's Kim Clijsters and Chinese star Li Na blazed into the Australian Open's third round Wednesday to lie just one win away from a rematch of last year's final.

Transfer drama threatens to overshadow football derby

ROME (AFP) - (AFP) - As champions AC Milan prepare to host Inter, it has been transfers -- or rather the lack of them -- which have dominated the headlines in Italy in the build-up to this weeken