Wales v Portugal could come down to duel between Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo July 5, 2016 Wales have been enormously impressive already at Euro 2016 and have a real chance to create more history when they face Portugal in the semi-finals on Wednesday. Gareth Bale says they feel it’s their time, and that bullishness shows the depth of their belief. I don’t think we all realised just how confident Wales were [...]
Wimbledon quarter-final preview: Andy Murray talks of hormones but history certainly on his side in battle against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga July 5, 2016 While Britain’s Andy Murray is hoping for hormone assistance, history would suggest the world No2 is entering tomorrow’s Wimbledon quarter-final tie against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga on much firmer ground. “I’ve played Jo-Wilfried Tsonga a couple of times at Wimbledon and they both came down to a few points at key moments, so let’s hope the adrenaline [...]
Jose Mourinho straight onto the front foot in first media appearance as Manchester United manager July 5, 2016 Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has wasted little time in going on the offensive in his new job, taking apparent swipes at the records of old foe Arsene Wenger and predecessor Louis van Gaal, and deriding as “a lie” his reputation as a coach who does not promote young players. In a prickly first media [...]
Andy Murray confident of success after rout of Australian Nick Kyrgios sets up battle with old rival Jo-Wilfried Tsonga July 4, 2016 Britain's Andy Murray is convinced that a third grand slam crown could be in the offing as long as he continues to showcase the form which saw him pummel Australian bad boy Nick Kyrgios on Centre Court Murray lived up to his billing as title favourite by crushing Kyrgios 7-5, 6-1, 6-4 to set up a [...]
Gareth Bale admits Wales are dreaming of the unthinkable – winning Euro 2016 July 4, 2016 Fairytale-chasing Wales forward Gareth Bale admits his side are dreaming of winning Euro 2016 as they prepare for their first ever major tournament semi-final against Portugal in Lyon on Wednesday. The clash represents Wales’s biggest match since a World Cup quarter-final showdown with Brazil in 1958 – a remarkable achievement considering the principality were ranked [...]
Spot-fixer Mohammad Amir stars on return to first-class cricket in England and boosts chances of Test recall July 4, 2016 Pakistan seamer Mohammad Amir claimed three wickets on his return to first-class cricket in England, six years after the spot-fixing scandal which led to a prison sentence. Amir served a jail term as well as a five-year ban from the sport after being found guilty of deliberately bowling no-balls during a Test match at Lord’s in [...]
Mark Cavendish takes second stage win of Tour de France – and yet another milestone July 4, 2016 Britain's Mark Cavendish struck a humble note after going joint-second on the all-time list of stage winners at the Tour de France. Dimension Data rider Cavendish pipped German Andre Greipel of Lotto-Soudal by 0.006 seconds in a photo finish in Angers on stage three of the world’s most prestigious race. The Manx sprinter’s second stage win [...]
Uefa urged to consider alternative format to liven up low-scoring European Championship July 4, 2016 Governing body Uefa is being urged to consider a radical shake-up of the European Championship following complaints that the existing system leads to more conservative play and a lack of goals. A Dutch mathematician has devised an alternative format for a 24-team Euros that promises to be both fairer and more entertaining, and Holland’s football [...]
Crystal Palace ready to shell out £45m on Christian Benteke and James Tomkins July 4, 2016 Crystal Palace are closing in on the double signing of Liverpool striker Christian Benteke – a player manager Alan Pardew last season accused of diving – and West Ham defender James Tomkins for combined fees of almost £45m. Palace are nearing agreement with the Reds over a fee for Benteke, after having an initial bid of £25m turned [...]
Leicester set to break transfer record – again – on Nigeria striker July 4, 2016 Champions Leicester are poised to break their transfer record for the second time in days by signing Nigeria striker Ahmed Musa from CSKA Moscow for £16.6m. The 23-year-old, who has scored 54 times in 168 appearances for the Russian side, is expected to travel to the Midlands this week to complete a long-anticipated move. “Everything [...]