Overthinking approach fatal, admits Watson August 31, 2015 BRITISH No1 Heather Watson admitted she was guilty of over-thinking her approach to her tussle with America’s Lauren Davis after suffering a straight sets defeat in the opening round of the US Open yesterday. Watson, 23 places better off in the world rankings than her opponent, crashed out of the tournament 7-6 (7-3), 7-6 (7-0) [...]
Rugby World Cup: Warren Gatland turns spotlight onto rivals August 31, 2015 Wales coach Warren Gatland has turned up the heat on England and Ireland ahead of their clash at Twickenham this weekend after naming his squad for the Rugby World Cup yesterday. New Zealand-born fly-half Gareth Anscombe was omitted from the principality’s 31-man party after suffering an ankle injury in training last week, while wing Alex [...]
Transfer news and deadline day 2015: Premier League clubs smash records with £750m spend August 31, 2015 Premier League clubs will today set a new record for summer transfer window spending, after Manchester United agreed a £36m deal for Monaco teenager Anthony Martial yesterday. Clubs had already shelled out around £730m – fractionally short of last year’s record of £737m – last night, when United’s signing of the forward was still to [...]
Chelsea close on shock deal for £3m Djilobodji August 31, 2015 CHELSEA are poised to address their defensive worries with the surprise signing of unheralded Senegal international Papy Djilobodji from French club Nantes. The 26-year-old centre-back, who has 12 caps, is expected to complete a £2.7m transfer today after the off-form Premier League champions failed to prise top target John Stones from Everton. Djilobodji is in [...]
Manchester United and Manchester City account for over a third of all Premier League transfer spend August 31, 2015 Manchester will be the source of a third of all Premier League transfer expenditure so far this summer, following the record-breaking deals struck for Kevin de Bruyne and Anthony Martial by City and United respectively. Read more: Van Gaal's Manchester United spending soars past £200m mark Over £247m will have been spent by the two [...]
Mourinho and Arsenal set to face familiar foes August 28, 2015 CHELSEA manager Jose Mourinho faces a reunion with the club where he made his name after his team were grouped with Porto on a day of mixed fortunes for English clubs in the Champions League draw. The Blues will also meet Ukrainian title winners Dynamo Kiev – a fixture that necessitates a 2,600-mile round trip [...]
Gunners can kick-start season against Magpies August 28, 2015 BEN CLEMINSON PREVIEWS THE BEST OF THE WEEKEND’S PREMIER LEAGUE ACTION ARSENE WENGER was right to describe his side as “very average” after Liverpool held Arsenal to a 0-0 draw on Monday night, but after the dreadful opening day performance versus West Ham it would have been a huge relief to avoid another home defeat [...]
Kodi Bear to prove he’s different class in Celebration Mile August 28, 2015 BILL ESDAILE PREVIEWS THE BEST OF THE WEEKEND’S RACING CLIVE COX has trained some smart sorts over the years so it’s interesting that he’s named KODI BEAR as the best horse he’s ever had. The progressive three-year-old was second in the Dewhurst last year but missed the 2000 Guineas with a setback. Patience has been [...]
Stuart Lancaster: No risk in taking wildcard Sam Burgess to Rugby World Cup 2015 August 28, 2015 England head coach Stuart Lancaster insists the selection of Sam Burgess does not represent a gamble after naming the rugby league convert in his 31-man World Cup squad yesterday. Burgess switched codes less than a year ago and only made his international debut in England’s opening warm-up match against France at Twickenham earlier this [...]
Bolt undecided on 2017 title defence in London August 28, 2015 SIX-TIME Olympic champion Usain Bolt admitted he is undecided on whether he will defend his twin sprint titles at the 2017 World Athletics Championships in London after securing 200m gold in Beijing yesterday. Bolt won his fourth successive 200m world crown by defeating American rival Justin Gatlin, just as he did in the 100m on [...]