Fired-up Cook plots England’s revenge July 29, 2008 Opening batsman Alastair Cook says England have banished the memories of their second Test drubbing by South Africa and are in the mood to gain revenge. A 10-wicket humiliation at Headingley last week left the hosts 1-0 down in the series ahead of the third Test at Edgbaston, starting tomorrow. England have gone one down [...]
Ryder Cup dream left in tatters for Donald July 29, 2008 Luke Donald’s hopes of gate crashing Europe’s Ryder Cup team seem to have diminished after he withdrew from next month’s US PGA Championship with injury. The 30-year-old is currently out of the automatic qualifying places and was in need of a decent showing at Oakland Hills to stand any chance of earning a wild card [...]
Olympic row brewing with Beijing shrouded in a haze July 29, 2008 The Beijing Olympics may be only 10 days away but event organisers are still facing a headache over rising pollution levels as the world’s top athletes descend on the city this week. As the sun rose above the city skyline, Beijing’s chronic pollution problem was all too evident yesterday as a mixture of vehicle exhausts, [...]
Fabregas denies remarks and commits to Arsenal July 29, 2008 Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas last night quashed reports that he plans to leave after becoming frustrated by a lack of silverware. The 21-year-old, who helped Spain win Euro 2008 last month, yesterday denied making remarks linking him with a move to Real Madrid. “I have not spoken to any media so it’s frustrating to read [...]
Inter call off Lampard chase as Kenyon demands loyalty July 29, 2008 Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard looks set to stay at Stamford Bridge after Inter Milan appeared to end their pursuit of the player. Inter say the £11m signing of Sulley Muntari from Portsmouth will be their last purchase of the summer, while the Blues have reiterated their determination to keep Lampard. “Muntari will be our last [...]
Levy furious as Reds sign £20m Keane July 29, 2008 Furious Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy hit out last night after being “forced” to sell striker Robbie Keane to Liverpool for a club record £20.3m. Spurs agreed a deal worth a guaranteed £19m, plus £1.3m depending on clauses – almost three times what they paid Leeds for Keane in 2002, and £1.7m more than they earned [...]
Fulham set to land Johnson July 29, 2008 Fulham are set to smash their transfer record with the £12m signing of Everton striker Andrew Johnson. The 27-year-old hitman was at Craven Cottage undergoing a medical yesterday and is expected to be unveiled as a Fulham player by boss Roy Hodgson in the next 24 hours. Hodgson is keen to pair Johnson with his [...]
Loyal Keegan hands bad boy Barton a lifeline at Newcastle July 28, 2008 Kevin Keegan has given Joey Barton a chance to resurrect his career at Newcastle. Barton is set to leave prison this week after serving a six-month sentence for assault and Keegan has vowed to stand by the England midfielder. “People have opinions, and you must respect those, but mine is to give him another chance [...]
Win trophies or I’m off, says Fabregas July 28, 2008 Cesc Fabregas has warned Arsenal he will leave to join Real Madrid if the club go another season without winning a trophy. Reports say Real president Ramon Calderon is preparing a big-money offer for the Spanish international after giving up hope of luring Cristiano Ronaldo from Manchester United. But while the 21-year-old insists he wants [...]
In-form Wright-Phillips has won the heart of Scolari July 28, 2008 Luiz Felipe Scolari says he wants to keep Shaun Wright-Phillips at Chelsea after admitting being impressed with his pre-season form. The England international has struggled to hold down a place in the Blues first-team since his £21m switch from Manchester City in 2005 and has been linked with an £11m summer move to Portsmouth. But [...]