Tag Archives: resistance

Newcastle United fans pay homage to new French arrivals in Premier League match at Aston Villa

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Vive la Revolu-TOON! Newcastle fans celebrate the new boys with French flags, berets and even a few onions

By
Adam Shergold

PUBLISHED:

20:42 GMT, 29 January 2013

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UPDATED:

01:09 GMT, 30 January 2013

It's not the most likely of places for a modern-day French Revolution – but the locals seem to be willing to give it a chance.

Newcastle United fans who have made the journey to Aston Villa for tonight's crucial Barclays Premier League match have certainly embraced the influx of FIVE French or French-speaking players in the January transfer window.

They've turned up at Villa Park armed with their Gallic Tricolores, berets, moustaches and onions to herald the new arrivals.

French fancy: These travelling Newcastle United fans heralded the arrival of their five new French signings in the away end at Villa Park tonight

French fancy: These travelling Newcastle United fans heralded the arrival of their five new French signings in the away end at Villa Park tonight

Enough to make you weep: This fan wore a string of onions while waving a French Tricolore

Enough to make you weep: This fan wore a string of onions while waving a French Tricolore

Gallic flair: These lads certainly looked the part in their berets and cravates

Gallic flair: These lads certainly looked the part in their berets and cravates

It started on January 4, when Mathieu
Debuchy arrived in a 5m move from Lille, but Alan Pardew's French
resistance against the threat of relegation has continued.

In the space of four days from January 22, four more cross-channel imports joined The Toon.

They were Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa from
Montpellier, Yoan Gouffran from Bordeaux, Massadio Haidara from Nancy
and Moussa Sissoko from Toulouse.

Pardew will hope they will prove the difference between Premier League survival and a drop into the Championship.

Flag day: This fan holds up a French flag before kick-off at Villa Park

Flag day: This fan holds up a French flag before kick-off at Villa Park

‘When you’re looking for players and
you’re trying to find the secret ingredient for your team, it’s not
always easy for them to come and fit as well as they did in the first
half,’ he said.

‘I was a little bit surprised if I’m
honest. Sissoko really grabbed the game by the horns and that’s what we
needed because with Demba Ba’s departure from a team that hasn’t been
winning, we really needed him for this game.

‘We worked really hard this week on integrating the players. They’re not here to save us, they’re here to help us.’

'Allez': These supporters had a message for the boys as they chased three crucial points

'Allez': These supporters had a message for the boys as they chased three crucial points

New colours: Many French flags were in evidence in the Newcastle end

New colours: Many French flags were in evidence in the Newcastle end

He continued: ‘In the second half we got nervous and the French lads ran out of legs and steam but we hung on and showed the other side.

‘We know what we’ve been missing. Sissoko was magnificent in the first half and I have to pay tribute to the captain and the other established players for giving the new boys the welcome they got.

‘They (Gouffran and Sissoko) are both in wheelchairs at the minute – they’ve got cramp!

‘We lost such an important game against Reading, we couldn’t really afford to lose tonight; we couldn’t afford to draw, once we’d gone 2-0 up.’

Australian Open 2013: David Ferrer beats Kei Nishikori 6-2, 6-1, 6-4

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Ferrer sees off Japan's Nishikori in three sets as Spaniard eyes first Grand Slam title

By
Steven Donaldson

PUBLISHED:

04:51 GMT, 20 January 2013

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UPDATED:

04:51 GMT, 20 January 2013

Fourth seed David Ferrer used all of his cunning and exploited Kei Nishikori's nagging knee injury to advance to the quarter-finals of the Australian Open with a 6-2, 6-1, 6-4 victory.

Japan's Nishikori, who had entered the tournament with a knee injury, needed to have his left leg re-strapped in the second set of the two hour, 10-minute match, and his normally fluid movement appeared to be slightly hampered.

Looking good: David Ferrer celebrates winning his fourth round match against Kei Nishikori

Looking good: David Ferrer celebrates winning his fourth round match against Kei Nishikori

David Ferrer

Kei Nishikori

Mixed emotions: David Ferrer celebrates a point as Kei Nishikori looks dejected

Baseline specialist Ferrer took full advantage of the 16th seed's injury, working him around the court and waiting for the 23-year-old to make one of his 65 errors, though the Japanese number one did put up some resistance in the third set.

The Spaniard will next play the winner of the fourth round encounter between eighth-seeded Serbian Janko Tipsarevic or 10th seeded compatriot Nicolas Almagro in the quarter-finals.

India beat England by nine wickets, first Test, Ahmedabad

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Cook and Prior heroics not enough as India crush England by nine wickets in first Test

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UPDATED:

07:41 GMT, 19 November 2012

Alastair Cook's heroic resistance ended in empty anti-climax as England lost the first Test to India by nine wickets at the Sardar Patel Stadium.

The chances of a brave rearguard being commuted into a famous stalemate in this first match of four centred on Cook (176) and Matt Prior (91) on the final day.

But they could augment their combined defiance by only 16 more runs this morning – and with their stand of 157 broken, England lost their last five wickets for only 50 in a lunchtime 406 all out.

Long stand: Cook was in the middle for nine hours, but couldn't save his team from defeat

Long stand: Cook was in the middle for nine hours, but couldn't save his team from defeat

India v England

Click here for full scorecard

India's resulting target of 77 was
then treated with near contempt by Virender Sehwag and Cheteshwar
Pujara, whose aggression put paid to any fanciful notion that Graeme
Swann's off-spin might yet make life difficult on a worn pitch.

Sehwag was well caught by Kevin Pietersen on the long-on boundary off Swann, with only 20 more runs required.

But India's unbeaten first-innings
double-centurion Pujara – opening in place of the absent Gautam Gambhir -
made no mistake and took his and Sehwag's shared match aggregate to
almost 400 runs to help finish the contest in only 15.3 overs. Cook and
Prior had given England hope where none previously existed, after
following on 330 runs behind two days ago.

But both were gone in the first hour, as Pragyan Ojha (four for 120) took his match haul to nine wickets.

Easy does it: Sehwag helped knock-off the required runs to secure victory in the first Test

Easy does it: Sehwag helped knock-off the required runs to secure victory in the first Test

India v England – Pictures

We are unable to carry live pictures from the First Test in Ahmedabad due to a dispute between the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and international news organisations.

The BCCI has refused access to Test venues to established picture agencies Getty Images and Action Images and other Indian photographic agencies.

MailOnline consider this action to be a strike against press freedom and supports the action to boycott BCCI imagery.

The hugely admirable sixth-wicket
stand ended, after exactly four hours, when Prior laid back to hit a
short ball but was undone by a lack of pace and looped a simple catch
back to Ojha.

He had occupied 225 balls and given
Cook much-deserved and lasting support, but still England needed more to
prevent India completing a victory which most thought surely theirs
ever since the tourists were bowled out for just 191 on Saturday
afternoon.

Even Cook could not quite provide it. It was fitting too that it should be Ojha who finally got him.

After almost nine and a half hours,
India found a way past the England captain when he went fatally back to
his 374th ball – which turned and kept low to beat his hurried defence
and bowl him off his pad.

Futile effort: Prior was caught in the 90s

Futile effort: Prior was caught in the 90s

In a spin: Ojha took nine wickets in the match

In a spin: Ojha took nine wickets in the match

Stuart Broad poked back the second caught-and-bowled of the day, also off the back foot, to Umesh Yadav (three for 70).

Tim Bresnan and Swann ensured England were not quite done with yet, keeping India at bay for 35 more minutes.

But there was double and terminal disappointment for the tourists just before lunch.

First, Swann aimed a reverse-sweep at R
Ashwin – who had replaced Ojha – and was bowled middle-stump; then
Bresnan was last out, caught at cover off Zaheer Khan.

Swann's in particular was a
frustrating departure, just as he and Bresnan were beginning to revive
hope of at least setting India a three-figure target.

But the real damage, of course, was
done long ago – in a first innings Prior neatly summed up as a
“shocker”, and by a middle order who in their eight collective attempts
to make the substantial runs for which they were picked could mustered
only 68 between them.

England must come up with some
effective solutions to that problem – and several others, such as the
balance and personnel of their bowling attack – if they are to be
competitive in the second Test, starting in Mumbai on Friday.

Eddie Howe appointed Bournemouth manager

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Bournemouth snap up former boss Howe from Burnley despite resistance

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UPDATED:

14:59 GMT, 12 October 2012

Back again: Manager Eddie Howe

Back again: Manager Eddie Howe

Bournemouth have appointed former manager Eddie Howe despite Burnley's unwillingness to let him go.

Howe was in charge of the Cherries for two years before moving to Turf Moor last January and was linked with a return following Paul Groves' exit from Bournemouth.

The club have settled on a fee with Burnley for the manager.

Burnley confirmed a package had been agreed, saying in a statement that the 34-year-old had left 'for personal and family reasons'.

Bournemouth chairman Eddie Mitchell felt a deal was 'close' to bring Howe back to Dean Court, despite earlier rebuttals from both Hoos and Howe himself.

But Hoos said in a statement: 'Bournemouth have made an unsolicited and unwanted approach for manager Eddie Howe.

'Burnley Football Club would like to stress that no agreement has been reached and Eddie Howe is still Burnley manager.

'No permission has been granted for Bournemouth to speak to Eddie.'

Howe is contracted to Burnley until the summer of 2014.

The last time a manager left a Championship club to take a job in the division below was when Simon Grayson moved to Leeds from Blackpool in 2008.

Jacques Kallis and JP Duminy steer South Africa to seven-wicket victory in T20 opener

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Kallis and Duminy steer South Africa to seven-wicket victory in T20 opener

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UPDATED:

16:56 GMT, 8 September 2012

England repeated familiar mistakes as they switched formats and venues, but again came up short against South Africa in the first NatWest Twenty20 at Emirates Durham ICG.

As at Trent Bridge, where England posted an under-par total on the way to NatWest Series defeat against the same opponents three days ago, so it was here as a string of frontline batsmen fell to soft dismissals.

A vulnerable 118 for seven resulted before, in another echo of Nottingham, England's new-ball attack took three early wickets – and then an old hand, this time the returning Jacques Kallis (48no), took over in company with JP Duminy (47no) to see South Africa home with seven wickets and an over to spare.

Fluent: JP Duminy (47no) and Jacques Kallis (48no) shake hands after steering South Africa to a comprehensive victory

Fluent: JP Duminy (47no) and Jacques Kallis (48no) shake hands after steering South Africa to a comprehensive victory

On a pitch of decent pace, but with spin available for Johan Botha and Robin Peterson, England's highest partnership was captain Stuart Broad and Graeme Swann's unbroken 33 for the eighth wicket.

Until then, early promise foundered alarmingly as Peterson and Botha shared four wickets – with minimal resistance – and England registered the third-lowest total in their Twenty20 history. Alex Hales began the innings with boundaries from the second and third balls he faced, a sweep and front-foot push past point in the first over off Peterson.

Top scorer Craig Kieswetter clubbed Lonwabo Tsotsobe for England's only six over long-on, but the first-wicket stand ended unsatisfactorily when Hales over-committed himself for a single into the leg-side off his partner's thick inside-edge and could not beat Kallis' direct hit as he tried to dive back.

Unbeaten Both Kallis (top) and Duminy (bottom) were in fine fettle, punishing some loose England bowling

Unbeaten Both Kallis (top) and Duminy (bottom) were in fine fettle, punishing some loose England bowling

Safe hands: JP Duminy hit an unbeaten 47 as South Africa chased down England's total with ease

Kieswetter stayed long enough to help England to 40 for one in powerplay, only to go lbw to the first ball of the next over – Botha striking immediately with a big off-break which hit the batsman just on off-stump.

Out-of-form Ravi Bopara stayed that way after AB de Villiers recalled Dale Steyn, kept a slip in and duly saw England's number three go again to a compliant outside-edge.

Botha and Peterson's spin variations soon did for two of England's biggest hopes.

Eoin Morgan was bowled by Botha, attempting a hybrid leg-side swipe, and Jos Buttler advanced to Peterson but missed one that turned.

Jonny Bairstow picked out long-on with regrettable precision, off Albie Morkel – and Samit Patel was well-caught by a diving Kallis at long-off off Peterson.

In a rut: Ravi Bopara's woes continued, with England's No 4 making six off 11 balls

In a rut: Ravi Bopara's woes continued, with England's No 4 making six off 11 balls

Broad and Swann therefore had to try to rescue a worthwhile total, from 85 for seven in the 16th over, after a procession of six wickets for the addition of only 45 runs.

Swann hit Peterson to deep mid-wicket, for England's first boundary in nine overs, and he and Broad at least pushed their team into three-figures.

Top scorer: Craig Kieswetter made 25

Top scorer: Craig Kieswetter made 25

When South Africa faltered to 29 for three after four overs, it seemed England's bowlers might somehow salvage the situation after all.

But that was a fleeting misconception.

Steven Finn bowled especially well, rewarded only with the wicket of debutant Faf du Plessis – stuck on the crease lbw.

Jade Dernbach had already had opener Richard Levi well-caught high at slip by Swann, and home hopes were truly raised when De Villiers edged the same bowler behind as he tried to force off-side runs off the back foot.

But Kallis, back after his sabbatical during the drawn 50-over series, was still standing in England's way.

He and JP Duminy duly shared an unbroken stand of 90, a record for the fourth wicket by any team against England in this sprint format.

South Africa did not quite complete the task with the conspicuous ease they had in the midlands. But once again, England's faulty batting had given them the freedom to play without risk.

Broad and Swann, in particular, bowled economically. But wickets were the required currency to make a game of it – and despite Finn's early recall, they never came.

US Open 2012: Anne Keothavong loses to Angelique Kerber

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Another Brit bites the dust as Keothavong crashes out of US Open to Kerber

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UPDATED:

20:40 GMT, 28 August 2012

Great Britain's Anne Keothavong could offer little resistance as she lost to sixth seed Angelique Kerber in the first round of the US Open.

It was a tough draw for the Londoner against a player who has rocketed up the rankings in the last year and Kerber was far too strong, winning 6-2 6-0.

Out: Anne Keothavong was soundly beaten by Angelique Kerber

Out: Anne Keothavong was soundly beaten by Angelique Kerber

The German was ranked outside the top 100 last summer before a surprise run to the semi-finals at Flushing Meadows, and she has not looked back, winning two titles this year and reaching the last four at Wimbledon.

Keothavong began brightly, trading well with her opponent off the ground, and she even had a break point in the first game, which Kerber saved.

The British No 2 held serve twice but, once she dropped serve for the first time in the sixth game with a poor drop shot, the floodgates opened.

Too much: Kerber cruised to victory inside an hour against the Brit

Too much: Kerber cruised to victory inside an hour against the Brit

Kerber did not lose another game, racing through to the second round – where she is likely to face Venus Williams – in only 54 minutes.

Keothavong, 28, has now lost seven straight matches since reaching the second round of Wimbledon in June.

London 2012 Olympics: Basketball – Dream Team win gold

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United States 107 Spain 100: Dream Team secure Olympic gold

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UPDATED:

16:20 GMT, 12 August 2012

The United States overcame some fierce resistance from Spain to land their fifth basketball gold in six Olympic Games since the start of the 'Dream Team' era.

It was the closest final since Yugoslavia beat the Americans 51-50 40 years ago, and the second closest in Olympic history.

Golden moment: The 'Dream Team' celebrate their win over Spain

Golden moment: The 'Dream Team' celebrate their win over Spain

Kevin Durant scored 30 points to lead the Americans while LeBron James had 19 and Kobe Bryant 17.

More to follow…

Nasser Hussain: Anderson is the key to trapping stubborn Chanderpaul

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Anderson is the key to trapping stubborn Chanderpaul

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UPDATED:

22:07 GMT, 17 May 2012

I know England weren't able to budge Shiv Chanderpaul but I think Andrew Strauss will have settled for that. When you look at some of the recent Test scores at Lord's, a total of 243 for nine is no great shakes from West Indies.

In fact, I'd say England bowled pretty well yesterday considering they had to adapt to home conditions following five Tests in a row in Asia. Jimmy Anderson in particular bowled beautifully with the new ball and Stuart Broad came back well late in the day.

Token resistance: West Indies batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul

Token resistance: West Indies batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul

But they're going to need to review how they bowl to Chanderpaul. Early on they went round the wicket with a 7-2 off-side field and tried to keep the ball away from his pads.

I can understand why: he's merciless through the leg side. But by doing that you're removing the option of getting him lbw – and he's a definite candidate. Among batsmen who have played at least 100 Test innings, only Mike Gatting, Younus Khan and Graham Gooch have a higher percentage of lbw dismissals.

Late in the day, when Broad had the second new ball, he showed how best to bowl to Chanderpaul. He pitched a ball up and swung it back into the left-hander, hitting his pads. Hawk-Eye showed the ball pitched outside leg stump, but you could see Chanderpaul wasn't comfortable.

Success: England's Jimmy Anderson dismisses Kieran Powell

Success: England's Jimmy Anderson dismisses Kieran Powell

If I were the captain, I'd back Anderson to attack his pads early and bowl stump to stump from over the wicket. Sure, he might get clipped for a few boundaries, but you can't risk allowing Chanderpaul to get in because he'll bat until the cows come home.

They could also have attacked Darren Bravo more early on. He aimed an airy drive at his second ball and nicked it at catchable height between third slip and gully. I realise you can't always have four or five slips, but I'd like to see more aggressive fields set to the new batsman.

The bowler on that occasion was Anderson, who looks the real deal every time he bowls. The key is the late swing he gets, which makes him look nippier on the slow pitch than Broad or Tim Bresnan – and makes him a nightmare to face. But, as the pitch quickened later, Broad became more of a threat.

If England can hone their method of attack to Chanderpaul, they really will have control of this series.

Everton want Steven Pienaar permanently

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Everton make Pienaar the priority as they prepare for new season

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UPDATED:

21:30 GMT, 29 April 2012

Everton will make re-signing Steven Pienaar a priority at the end of this Premier League season.

Pienaar, a catalyst in the club’s push for an eighth top-eight finish in David Moyes’ decade in charge, is currently on loan from Tottenham, having quit for White Hart Lane 15 months ago.

Sportsmail understands that the South Africa playmaker’s permanent return will be sanctioned if Spurs recoup their 3million outlay.

Return: Steven Pienaar has excelled during his second spell at Goodison Park

Return: Steven Pienaar has excelled during his second spell at Goodison Park

Pienaar, 30, has made just five league starts for the north London club and his virtuoso display against Fulham suggested his heart remains on Merseyside.

He had a hand in all four of the goals — the assist for Tim Cahill’s volley on the hour the piece de resistance — as Everton registered four goals in three consecutive league games for the first time since 1964.

‘After the season finishes, we’d like to keep him,’ admitted Everton manager David Moyes. ‘I actually think Steven would like to stay. If that’s the case, there’s a chance we could make it happen.

‘He was terrific. He looks as if he enjoys his football here. What he does is exceptional.’

Fulham forward Clint Dempsey is also on Moyes’s summer wishlist but the American was overshadowed by Nikica Jelavic, whose double took his tally to 10 goals in as many starts since a 5m switch from Rangers in January.

It has been a prolific opening to the Croat’s career in England but Moyes was modest when asked if he had made the signing of the season.

Superb: Nicika Jelavic has been a great signing

Superb: Nicika Jelavic has been a great signing

‘That’s for other people to decide but he has given us a real lift,’ he said.

‘To sign a centre forward who scores goals in the Premier League would normally cost you a bundle of cash.

‘I remember thinking, “Will he, won’t he What would 5m get you in the Premier League, in terms of a centre forward”

‘You could try to get the best centre forward in the Championship but that might cost you more.’

eve

WORLD SNOOKER CHAMPIONSHIP 2012: Graeme Dott out

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Former Crucible champion Dott dumped out in first round by Perry

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UPDATED:

10:32 GMT, 25 April 2012

Down and out: Dott could only win one frame

Down and out: Dott could only win one frame

Graeme Dott suffered his heaviest defeat at the Betfred.com World Championship on Wednesday morning as Joe Perry completed a 10-1 demolition of the Scot.

The 34-year-old Larkhall cueman, world champion in 2006, had been 8-1 down overnight and offered little resistance when play resumed at the Crucible.

Perry goes on to play Stephen Maguire in the last 16.

Dott was frank about his performance, admitting it was a shocking display.

'I played terrible. I don't think I've played worse, not only at the Crucible but as a professional. I just couldn't pot a ball,' the three-time finalist said.

'I've not really played well all season. But normally when I come here I play pretty well, but you can't rely on playing well here all the time. You're eventually due a stinker. But to play as bad as that is hard to understand, it's demoralising.

'I couldn't have cared less if it was a whitewash, what difference would it make Ten-nil or 10-1, it's still a drubbing. I lost 10-7 to Joe Perry here once and he played fantastic, I couldn't give him any more high praise.

'But he's beaten me 10-1 there and he's played rubbish. Joe's not played well at all there. I'm sure he'll say he needs to play a lot better to win his next match.'

Marching on: Perry is into the second round

Marching on: Perry is into the second round

Perry accepted he had not played well – his highest break was just 59 – so to win so emphatically came as a surprise.

The Cambridgeshire player said: 'It is the worst I have ever seen Graeme play, we all know what a good player he is and one who won't throw the towel in.

'It was such a strange game, it was difficult yesterday seeing Graeme struggling and it started to affect me in the end, I felt for him and lost concentration.

'I know what it is like, I have been there myself, and I was just happy to get out with such a big lead at 8-1.

'I wasn't happy with my own game, and was just trying not to feel sorry for my opponent. As a professional sportsman you can't do that but it was tough.

'I wouldn't have particularly wanted to whitewash Graeme.'