Sport

  • VAN’S DER MAN FOR ‘BEAUTIFUL’ SPURS
    Thursday, 2nd September 2010
    FOOTBALL
    JON COUCH
    RAFAEL van der Vaart insists he has joined a “beautiful” club in Tottenham and says he can’t wait to pit his wits in the Premier League. The dynamic Dutch midfielder was given the green light to join Spurs in a shock £8m move yesterday after the Premier League accepted that technical difficulties had hindered attempts to submit paperwork in time for Tuesday’s 6pm deadline. Spurs boss Harry Redknapp made a late move for the Real Madrid ace after only becoming aware of his cut-price availability just two hours before the window closed. The club then claimed, however, that computer server... [Read more]

  • Red-hot Murray sizzles in New York heat
    Thursday, 2nd September 2010
    US OPEN 2010
    JON COUCH
    ANDY MURRAY admitted his relief after cruising through to the second round of the US Open last night with a comfortable straight sets win over Lukas Lacko at a sweltering Flushing Meadows. In... [Read more]
  • Pietersen sorry for Tweet rant but fails to save Surrey
    Thursday, 2nd September 2010
    CRICKET
    JON COUCH
    KEVIN PIETERSEN last night apologised for his Twitter rant which followed his omission from England’s limited-over squads for the series with Pakistan. The out-of-form batsman broke the news of being... [Read more]
  • Spot-fixing trio locked in crisis talks
    Thursday, 2nd September 2010
    CRICKET
    JON COUCH
    THE three Pakistan cricketers at the centre of the spot-fixing controversy were locked in talks with top Pakistani cricket and government officials last night, while their futures hang in the balance... [Read more]

  • Crouch injury hits England qualifying preparations
    Thursday, 2nd September 2010
    FOOTBALL
    FRANK DALLERES
    ENGLAND boss Fabio Capello’s striking options for the Euro 2012 qualifying double header have shrunk after Peter Crouch pulled out of the squad. Tottenham frontman Crouch will miss Friday’s clash... [Read more]
  • It’s a weight off your mind
    Thursday, 2nd September 2010
    MARKETING COMMUNICATIONS
    OMAR ELHAG
    Age: 33 Best time: 31min 25secs Distance: 4 miles Average pace: 7.4min/mile FOR Omar Elhag, running the Garmin #4miler started off as a bit of fun – but has now triggered a mass health drive and... [Read more]
  • When heroes came out of the shadows
    Thursday, 2nd September 2010
    In an exclusive extract from his new book, Sam Torrance recalls his 2002 Ryder Cup captaincy
    SAM TORRANCE played one of the greatest masterstrokes in Ryder Cup history when, as captain in 2002 at the Belfry, he sprung a surprise on his American opponents ahead of the decisive singles... [Read more]
  • Bloodgate doc not struck off
    Thursday, 2nd September 2010
    RUGBY UNION: The doctor at the centre of the Bloodgate scandal has escaped being struck off and had her suspension lifted by the General Medical Council. Dr Wendy Chapman, who said the 18-month saga... [Read more]
  • Hammers clinch Jacobsen deal
    Thursday, 2nd September 2010
    FOOTBALL: West Ham’s deadline-day move for Blackburn’s Denmark defender Lars Jacobsen was rubber-stamped by the Premier League yesterday. Right-back Jacobsen, 30, arrives on a free transfer from... [Read more]
  • Holyfield calls out champ Haye
    Thursday, 2nd September 2010
    BOXING: Heavyweight veteran Evander Holyfield has challenged British WBA champion David Haye to what would be a high-profile title fight. The American, who turns 48 next month, said: “I’m looking at... [Read more]
  • Pakistan to defy calls to ban ‘spot-fix’ stars
    Wednesday, 1st September 2010
    CRICKET
    JON COUCH
    PAKISTAN are to defy calls from England to suspend the three players implicated in the ‘spot-fixing’ allegations. Professional Cricketers’ Association boss Angus Porter told yesterday how the England... [Read more]
  • Harry sweats on £8m coup for Real ace
    Wednesday, 1st September 2010
    PREMIER LEAGUE
    JON COUCH
    TOTTENHAM boss Harry Redknapp remained ‘hopeful’ of pulling off the biggest coup of transfer deadline day last night by luring Real Madrid ace Rafael van der Vaart to White Hart Lane in a cut-price £... [Read more]
  • Wenger’s lack of keeper activity beggars belief
    Wednesday, 1st September 2010
    ON THE BALL WITH
    TREVOR STEVEN
    Trevor Steven
    OF all the deals penned during another hectic deadline day yesterday, it was the one transfer that wasn’t completed which raised the eyebrows the most. With a scouting network to rival almost any... [Read more]
  • Theo: I blame myself for World Cup snub
    Wednesday, 1st September 2010
    INTERNATIONALS
    JON COUCH
    THEO WALCOTT doesn’t blame anyone else but himself for his World Cup omission – and insists England boss Fabio Capello has faith in him to succeed. Walcott, 21, was surprisingly left out of Capello’s... [Read more]
  • Black Cats purr at arrival of £13m Gyan
    Wednesday, 1st September 2010
    PREMIER LEAGUE
    JON COUCH
    SUNDERLAND boss Steve Bruce told of his delight last night after smashing the club’s record transfer fee to land Ghanaian striker Asamoah Gyan in a £13m deal. The powerful frontman spent all day in... [Read more]
  • Top-flight spend down £100m in a year
    Wednesday, 1st September 2010
    FOOTBALL FINANCE
    FRANK DALLERES
    CASH-CONSCIOUS top-flight clubs slashed their summer spending by 22 per cent in the quietest transfer window for four years. This year’s total spend of around £350m was £100m down on last summer’s... [Read more]
  • SUMMER SALES
    Wednesday, 1st September 2010
    FOOTBALL UPDATE
    Beausejour completes Blues trio BIRMINGHAM CITY boss Alex McLeish put the seal on a productive deadline day with the capture of Chilean international winger Jean Beausejour on a three-year deal. The... [Read more]
  • Tweet and sour: KP in f-word web rant at England snub
    Wednesday, 1st September 2010
    CRICKET
    FRANK DALLERES
    DROPPED England batsman Kevin Pietersen reacted with a foul-mouthed Twitter rant yesterday after learning that he had lost his place in the one-day and Twenty20 sides. Pietersen, who has also joined... [Read more]
  • Borthwick and Stevens will gatecrash England World Cup squad, says Venter
    Wednesday, 1st September 2010
    RUGBY UNION
    FRANK DALLERES
    SARACENS boss Brendan Venter is convinced Steve Borthwick and Matt Stevens will force their way back into the England squad for next year’s World Cup. Injury-hit Borthwick has gone from skipper to... [Read more]
  • Weary Djokovic survives five-set US Open thriller
    Wednesday, 1st September 2010
    US OPEN 2010
    JON COUCH
    THIRD seed Novak Djokovic survived a huge scare last night to limp into the second round of the US Open at Flushing Meadows. The 2007 finalist was forced to come back from two sets to one down and a... [Read more]
  • Unsettled Robinho seals £22m AC Milan switch
    Wednesday, 1st September 2010
    EUROPE
    ROBINHO yesterday spoke of his delight after ending his unsettled spell at Manchester City with a £22m move to AC Milan. The Brazilian striker joined the Eastlands club in a British record £32.5m... [Read more]
  • Villa’s MacDonald unfazed by top-flight job pressure
    Wednesday, 1st September 2010
    PREMIER LEAGUE
    ASTON VILLA caretaker manager Kevin MacDonald insists he has not taken lightly the decision to put himself forward for the job on a permanent basis. MacDonald reached his decision after bouncing back... [Read more]
  • Omitting Casey was a big call but I can see Monty’s logic
    Tuesday, 31st August 2010
    ON THE GREENS WITH
    SAM TORRANCE
    Sam Torrance
    WITH the number of top-class players he had at his disposal, there was always going to be controversy and the odd surprise in Colin Montgomerie’s three wildcard picks for the Ryder Cup. Indeed, the... [Read more]
  • WINNERS & LOSERS
    Tuesday, 31st August 2010
    WINNER LEWIS HAMILTON The McLaren ace roared back to the top of the drivers’ championship by three clear points after leading home title rival Mark Webber in a pulsating Belgian Grand Prix at Spa.... [Read more]
  • Murray says he’s too hot to handle in stifling New York
    Tuesday, 31st August 2010
    US OPEN 2010
    JON COUCH
    ANDY MURRAY insists the soaring New York heat will not stand in the way of his bid to break his Grand Slam duck at the US?Open. The British No1 kicks off his Flushing Meadows campaign against... [Read more]
  • Open joy for Britain as Baltacha exacts revenge
    Tuesday, 31st August 2010
    US OPEN 2010
    JON COUCH
    ELENA BALTACHA gave British tennis much-needed encouragement after storming into the second round of the US Open last night. The British No1 powered to a convincing 6-2, 6-2 victory over Petra Martic... [Read more]
  • Wenger may swoop after Robin blow
    Tuesday, 31st August 2010
    FOOTBALL
    JON COUCH
    ARSENAL boss Arsene Wenger admits he could be tempted to make a last-ditch dip into the transfer market after Robin van Persie’s injury jinx struck again. The 27-year-old, who missed five months of... [Read more]
  • Pakistan quartet warned: You won’t get away with it
    Tuesday, 31st August 2010
    ICC chiefs plot a ‘prompt and decisive’ match-fixing probe
    JON COUCH
    THE International Cricket Council last night warned the Pakistan cricketers locked in the centre of match-fixing allegations to expect “prompt and decisive” action if found guilty. As yet, the four... [Read more]
  • Is cricket damaged? You bet it is
    Tuesday, 31st August 2010
    AT THE CREASE WITH
    ANDY LLOYD
    Andy Lloyd
    THERE’S an old saying in life, which goes: “It’s just not cricket” – a phase which is testimony to the fair nature and traditional values of the game of cricket. But never has that been more... [Read more]
  • Spurs boss Harry warns off Hammers in Keane pursuit
    Tuesday, 31st August 2010
    FOOTBALL
    JON COUCH
    HARRY REDKNAPP says he would be reluctant to let Robbie Keane leave White Hart Lane for a third time after West Ham boss Avram Grant confirmed his interest yesterday. The Republic of Ireland captain... [Read more]
  • £20m Lucas won’t follow Mascherano out of Anfield
    Tuesday, 31st August 2010
    FOOTBALL ROUND-UP
    JAVIER MASCHERANO finally completed his £18m move from Liverpool to Barcelona last night after passing an arduous five-hour medical at Camp Nou. The Argentine international, 26, put pen-to-paper on a... [Read more]
  • Wembley ‘big incentive for London clubs’
    Friday, 27th August 2010
    CHAMPIONS LEAGUE 2010-11
    Frank Dalleres
    ARSENAL chief executive Ivan Gazidis believes a Wembley final will provide extra motivation for London clubs to go all the way in the Champions League after British sides learned their fates... [Read more]
  • Strauss falls as England denied by rain
    Friday, 27th August 2010
    CRICKET
    ENGLAND only faced 12.3 overs on a rain-hit first day of the fourth Test, but that was still enough time for Pakistan to dismiss captain Andrew Strauss. The skipper (right) has endured a modest... [Read more]
  • Kuyt rejects Inter talk as Reds qualify
    Friday, 27th August 2010
    FOOTBALL
    Frank Dalleres
    TRABZONSPOR (1) V/S LIVERPOOL (2) LIVERPOOL forward Dirk Kuyt pledged his future to the club after his goal helped them to a comeback win and a place in the Europa League group stage. The Reds,... [Read more]
  • Chiefs tighten up blood injury rules
    Friday, 27th August 2010
    RUGBY UNION
    Frank Dalleres
    TOP-FLIGHT chiefs are convinced there will be no a repeat of the Bloodgate scandal that shamed the sport after tightening up regulations for the new season. Aviva Premiership rules set to come into... [Read more]
  • SPORT | IN BRIEF
    Friday, 27th August 2010
    Molinari books Ryder Cup spot GOLF: Italy’s Francesco Molinari has secured his place in Europe’s Ryder Cup team after Ross McGowan pulled out of the Johnnie Walker Championship through injury.... [Read more]
  • VILLA MAKE RAPID EXIT
    Friday, 27th August 2010
    ASTON VILLA crashed out of Europe last night with a 3-2 defeat at home to Rapid Vienna. Stephen Ireland (above) set up Gabriel Agbonlahor to put Villa ahead in the play-off second leg and, following... [Read more]
  • Hat-tricks for London and Crouch as Tottenham revel in historic night
    Thursday, 26th August 2010
    CHAMPIONS LEAGUE PLAY-OFF
    FRANK DALLERES
    TOTTENHAM (4) vs NEWCASTLE(0) TOTTENHAM finally took their place at the top table of European football last night – and ensured London has three clubs in the Champions League for the first time – but... [Read more]
  • Ferdinand defends Capello and lambasts fickle critics
    Thursday, 26th August 2010
    FOOTBALL
    FRANK DALLERES
    “Before the World Cup he was the best thing since sliced bread,” reasons vexed England skipper ENGLAND captain Rio Ferdinand has leapt to Fabio Capello’s defence, insisting the head coach’s critics... [Read more]
  • Strauss: Our batsmen will shine at Lord’s
    Thursday, 26th August 2010
    CRICKET
    MARTIN CAPARROTTA
    CAPTAIN Andrew Strauss has vowed to lead by example when England take on Pakistan in the series showdown at Lord’s this morning. The hosts’ batting line-up has come under scrutiny following two... [Read more]
  • Injury hits Borthwick England hopes
    Thursday, 26th August 2010
    RUGBY UNION
    FRANK DALLERES .
    FORMER England captain Steve Borthwick’s prospects of returning to the national team this autumn have diminished after he tore a thigh muscle. The Saracens skipper is expected to be sidelined for... [Read more]
  • Magpies dodge giant-killing as ruthless Fulham and Everton show no mercy
    Thursday, 26th August 2010
    CARLING CUP
    ACCRINGTON (2) vs NEWCASTLE(3) PREMIER League heavyweights Newcastle needed a second-half resurgence to avoid an upset at League Two Accrington. Ryan Taylor looked to have put the underdogs in their... [Read more]
  • Monty: Westwood fit for Ryder
    Thursday, 26th August 2010
    GOLF: European Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie insists world No3 Lee Westwood will be fit in time for the Ryder Cup in October. Europe’s top player is currently recovering from a torn calf muscle... [Read more]
  • Semenya runs at Commonwealths
    Thursday, 26th August 2010
    ATHLETICS: World 800m champion Caster Semenya has been named in the South Africa team for October’s Commonwealth Games in Delhi following her return to competition last month. The 19-year-old, who... [Read more]
  • CITY RUNNER | GARMIN #4MILER
    Thursday, 26th August 2010
    Early birds avoid the crowd
    HOLLY CRACKNELL
    EUROPEAN CLIENT MANAGER THE DAY is young, the markets are still closed and tourists haven’t descended yet – and that’s just how Holly Cracknell likes it. Well, that’s when she prefers to pound the... [Read more]
  • Parker’s late show spares Grant blushes
    Wednesday, 25th August 2010
    CARLING CUP
    WEST HAM UNITED (1) vs OXFORD UNITEDM (0) PRICELESS captain Scott Parker struck the winner in the third minute of stoppage time to spare Avram Grant’s blushes and snatch his first win as West Ham... [Read more]
  • More than a series at stake in final Test
    Wednesday, 25th August 2010
    ANDY LLOYD
    Andy Lloyd
    AT THE CREASE WITH THE IMPORTANCE of a win for England in tomorrow’s deciding Test against Pakistan should not be underestimated. With an Ashes tour just months away, Andrew Strauss and his men would... [Read more]
  • Another investor mulling Liverpool bid, says Harris
    Wednesday, 25th August 2010
    PREMIER LEAGUE
    A MYSTERY would-be buyer has already completed due diligence on Liverpool and is weighing up whether to make a bid, according to high-profile financier Keith Harris. Chinese businessman Kenny Huang... [Read more]
  • Monty: Ryder Cup choice ‘impossible’
    Wednesday, 25th August 2010
    GOLF
    FRANK DALLERES
    EUROPEAN Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie has compared his selection dilemma with Fabio Capello’s headache over whether to take Theo Walcott to the World Cup. England football team boss Capello... [Read more]
  • Blackpool rocked by late Dons winner
    Wednesday, 25th August 2010
    CARLING CUP
    FRANK DALLERES
    AN EXTRA-TIME winner from Lewis Guy earned MK Dons a third-round place with a shock 4-3 victory over top-flight newcomers Blackpool. Tangerines boss Ian Holloway raised eyebrows by skipping a game in... [Read more]
  • Ex-Harlequins doctor ashamed at role in Bloodgate scandal
    Wednesday, 25th August 2010
    RUGBY UNION
    THE EX-HARLEQUINS club doctor at the centre of the ‘Bloodgate’ scandal yesterday admitted she was “very ashamed” of her involvement in the event. Dr Wendy Chapman, who confirmed she deliberately cut... [Read more]
  • Bolt’s record-breaking deal
    Wednesday, 25th August 2010
    ATHLETICS: Sprint superstar Usain Bolt has agreed track and field’s most lucrative sponsorship ever after extending his contract with Puma until 2013. Injured Bolt is thought to be netting £10m a... [Read more]
  • Hamilton fined for stunts
    Wednesday, 25th August 2010
    FORMULA ONE: McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton was yesterday fined £286 for performing driving stunts in Melbourne before the Australian Grand Prix in March. The 2008 world champion did not appear in court. [Read more]
  • Murray seeded fourth in US
    Wednesday, 25th August 2010
    TENNIS: British No1 Andy Murray has been seeded fourth for next week’s US Open in New York ahead of tomorrow’s draw. World No1 Rafael Nadal was named as the top seed and five-time Flushing Meadows... [Read more]
  • Sheikh treated as City turn on style and outclass Reds
    Tuesday, 24th August 2010
    MANCHESTER CITY (3) vs LIVERPOOL (0) SHEIKH MANSOUR finally made the trip to Manchester City to see what his millions had bought him – and was not disappointed as Roberto Mancini’s men delivered a... [Read more]
  • Casey edges Donald for my Ryder team
    Tuesday, 24th August 2010
    CRICKET
    SAM TORRANCE
    Sam Torrance
    INJURY-STRICKEN all-rounder Andrew Flintoff is convinced he can still cut it for England as he continues his lengthy recovery from knee surgery. Flintoff, who retired from Test cricket last year but... [Read more]
  • Ex-Quins doctor in Bloodgate admission
    Tuesday, 24th August 2010
    RUGBY UNION
    MARTIN CAPARROTTA
    FORMER Harlequins club doctor Wendy Chapman yesterday admitted to deliberately cutting winger Tom Williams’ lip after the infamous ‘Bloodgate’ Heineken Cup match last April. Chapman, who faces the... [Read more]
  • Gallas believes Spurs can challenge for league title
    Tuesday, 24th August 2010
    PREMIER LEAGUE
    FORMER Arsenal captain William Gallas admits he agonised over his decision to sign for arch-rivals Tottenham. But the French defender, who trained as a Spurs player for the first time yesterday, now... [Read more]
  • Flintoff: I’m still good enough for England limited overs side
    Tuesday, 24th August 2010
    CRICKET
    MARTIN CAPARROTTA
    INJURY-STRICKEN all-rounder Andrew Flintoff is convinced he can still cut it for England as he continues his lengthy recovery from knee surgery. Flintoff, who retired from Test cricket last year but... [Read more]
  • Jimenez swaps wedding plans for Gleneagles
    Tuesday, 24th August 2010
    GOLF
    SPAIN’S Miguel Angel Jimenez has performed an 11th-hour U-turn and decided to compete at Gleneagles this week in the hope of securing his Ryder Cup place. Jimenez had planned to skip the Johnnie... [Read more]
  • Man Utd must learn from Fulham slip, warns Vidic
    Tuesday, 24th August 2010
    PREMIER LEAGUE
    DEFENDER Nemanja Vidic has warned his Manchester United team-mates they must eradicate the sloppy mistakes that cost them victory at Fulham on Sunday. United came agonisingly close to securing three... [Read more]
  • Benayoun keen to earn Chelsea starting spot
    Tuesday, 24th August 2010
    PREMIER LEAGUE
    CHELSEA newcomer Yossi Benayoun insists he is ready to force his way into the starting line-up after starting his first three games on the bench. Benayoun, who endured a similarly peripheral role... [Read more]
  • Woods confirms divorce
    Tuesday, 24th August 2010
    GOLF: World No1 Tiger Woods last night confirmed his divorce from former wife Elin Nordgren. “We are sad that our marriage is over and we wish each other the very best for the future,” said the... [Read more]
  • GB name Commonwealth team
    Tuesday, 24th August 2010
    ATHLETICS: Double European champion Mo Farah was among the 100 athletes named in England’s team for the Commonwealth Games in Delhi in October. Farah, who won the 5,000m and 10,000m titles in... [Read more]