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. [...]
Ferguson not interested in making Sneijder his next summer purchase July 14, 2011 MANCHESTER UNITED manager Sir Alex Ferguson has denied he is interested in making Inter Milan’s Wesley Sneijder his headline summer signing amid speculation that a £35m deal is close to being agreed. Ferguson has already spent in excess of £50m during the close season following the arrivals of Ashley Young, Phil Jones and David de [...]
Pyrenees find out struggling champ Contador July 14, 2011 DEFENDING champion Alberto Contador lost further ground on the first mountain stage of this year’s Tour de France. The three-time winner began yesterday’s 12th stage across the Pyrenees over four minutes behind race leader Thomas Voeckler. And although he remains a similar distance adrift of the Europcar rider, crucially he is now 2mins 11secs, 1:54 [...]
Baldini to quit England role July 14, 2011 FOOTBALL: Franco Baldini will leave his job as England’s general manager at the end of the Euro 2012 qualifiers to take up a similar role with Italian side Roma. But he would be willing to work with the team on a short-term basis should they qualify for next summer’s tournament.