Villas-Boas plans to keep spending after landing Courtois July 17, 2011 CHELSEA manager Andre Villas-Boas has vowed that Belgian goalkeeping prodigy Thibaut Courtois will not be his last signing of the summer. Courtois, 19, is expected to complete his £8m move from Genk this week, becoming the first player to arrive since Villas-Boas took charge last month. The Portuguese is not finished there, with Tottenham playmaker [...]
STRAUSS’S TAUN-TON: SKIPPER BACK IN THE RUNS July 17, 2011 ENGLAND captain Andrew Strauss laid down a significant marker ahead of the upcoming Test series against India with an unbeaten century against the tourists for Somerset at Taunton. Strauss, who struggled against Sri Lanka earlier this summer, finished unbeaten on 109 not out to add to his first innings 78. India, chasing a nominal 441 [...]
Daley disappointment in China July 17, 2011 Britain’s Tom Daley and Pete Waterfield had to settle for sixth place in the 10m synchro final at the Fina World Championships in Shanghai. An illness to Waterfield disrupted their preparation for a competition won by China, with Germany second.
Mancini hits back at Wenger July 17, 2011 Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini has defended his pursuit of Samir Nasri, after Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger accused the Italian of unsettling his player. “I said only that Nasri [is a] good player and I said also that Nasri is under contract with Arsenal,” said Mancini. “I don’t know why he’s upset, but only this.”
Dettori snatches Irish Oaks July 17, 2011 Frankie Dettori led Newmarket 1000 Guineas winner Blue Bunting to a dramatic late victory in the Irish Oaks at the Curragh yesterday. The 5-2 shot, from Sheikh Mohamed’s Godolphin stable, pipped Jim Bolger’s Banimpire at the post, with the favourite, Wonder of Wonders, in third place.
Samoa stun Aussies in Sydney July 17, 2011 Australia’s Tri-Nations preparations suffered a major blow yesterday when they lost to Samoa on home soil for the first time ever. Leicester winger Alesana Tuilagi scored the first try for Samoa in a 32-23 win at Sydney’s Olympic Stadium.
MCILROY WHO? July 14, 2011 THE 2011 OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP AT ROYAL ST GEORGE’S • US Open champion fails to get off to a flying start and is upstaged by English amateur Lewis • 20-year-old shares the first round lead with Danish veteran Bjorn BRITISH amateur Tom Lewis stole Rory McIlroy’s thunder on the opening day of The Open by grabbing a share [...]
Rory’s taking the patient approach after slow start July 14, 2011 NORTHERN IRELAND’S Rory McIlroy admits he has had “about four” hangovers since his runaway US Open victory, but he will not be adding his slow start to the Open to the list. The 22-year-old fell to two over par after only three holes but limited the damage with a solid round of 71 to leave him [...]
Arsenal legend Vieira retires July 14, 2011 FORMER Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira has announced his retirement and has accepted a newly-created position as Manchester City’s football development executive. The 35-year-old Frenchman hung up his boots yesterday, 18 years after making his debut for Cannes, following a glittering career that has brought him World Cup and European Championship winners’ medals as well as seven [...]
Trott: I had a drink problem July 14, 2011 ENGLAND batsman Jonathan Trott has revealed that his staggering accomplishments of the last two years would never have happened had he succumbed to the alcohol problem that threatened to derail his career. The South African-born batsman has been a revelation since making a century on debut in the deciding Test of the 2009 Ashes series. [...]