Southampton’s Europa League journey in jeopardy, admits worried Ronald Koeman August 20, 2015 Southampton boss Ronald Koeman admitted that his side face an uphill task to reach the competition’s group stages after failing to make the most of home advantage in their Europa League play-off first leg against FC Midtjylland last night. Danish champions Midtjylland surged into the lead on the stroke of half-time through former Southampton academy [...]
Pardew: Spurs Bolasie link ok August 20, 2015 CRYSTAL Palace manager Alan Pardew admits he would not be surprised if winger Yannick Bolasie’s head had been turned by suggestions of interest from bigger clubs including Tottenham. “Yannick is a player who will be linked with other clubs like Tottenham because he is an exciting player,” said Pardew. “If any of my players get [...]
Chelsea transfers: Pedro vows to continue winning habit with Blues August 20, 2015 Chelsea's newest signing Pedro has vowed to add to his stellar medal collection after choosing a switch to Stamford Bridge over pursuing interest from Manchester United. The 28-year-old won every club honour possible during seven all-conquering seasons at Barcelona, including three Champions Leagues, five Spanish La Liga titles and a Club World Cup. That success [...]
Tottenham transfers: Juventus targets Christian Eriksen and Erik Lamela not for sale, says Mauricio Pochettino August 20, 2015 Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino has told Juventus to forget signing Christian Eriksen or Erik Lamela because it would scupper his ambition of taking the Premier League title to White Hart Lane. Italian media have credited the Serie A champions with interest in both schemers but Pochettino is more concerned with strengthening his own attacking options [...]
Man City transfers: Nicolas Otamendi is La Liga’s finest, boasts Manuel Pellegrini August 20, 2015 He already has arguably the Premier League’s best striker in Sergio Aguero, and now Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini believes he has signed the leading defender in Spain in his Argentina colleague Nicolas Otamendi. Centre-back Otamendi, who also attracted attention from City’s neighbours Manchester United, yesterday completed a £32m transfer from Valencia to the Etihad [...]
IAAF World Athletics Championship: Usain Bolt rejects saviour tag and admits he can’t stop rival Justin Gatlin competing August 20, 2015 His sprinting feats may border on the superhuman but Usain Bolt insists he alone cannot rescue athletics from a crisis wreaked by a torrent of doping allegations. Bolt’s status as supposed saviour has been amplified by a simmering rivalry with drug cheat Justin Gatlin, his chief rival at the World Championships, which start in Beijing [...]
World Athletics Championships 2015 preview: Five Brits to follow in Beijing this week August 20, 2015 Amid bitter conflict over a slew of doping allegations and frantic politicking for the presidency of troubled world governing body the IAAF, it has been easy to forget the World Athletics Championships. Focus returns to matters on the track on Saturday, however, when competition at the Bird’s Nest stadium in Beijing begins – perhaps much [...]
There’s plenty to keep Ashes fires burning in final Test of series August 20, 2015 The final Investec Test of the summer against Australia may have no bearing on who wins the Ashes but there is plenty of motivation for England at the Kia Oval. Firstly, it provides a real opportunity to drive home their supremacy. England have never beaten Australia four times in a home series before so a [...]
Supreme queen muffles horn in juddmonte August 20, 2015 CHAMPION Jockey-elect Silvestre de Sousa engineered a huge upset aboard 50-1 shot Arabian Queen in the Juddmonte International Stakes at York’s Ebor Festival yesterday. A much-anticipated duel between 2,000 Guineas winner Gleneagles and unbeaten Golden Horn never materialised as the former was declared a non-runner due to soft ground, and the latter was beaten into [...]
West Ham set to take transfer gamble on Alex Song August 20, 2015 West Ham co-owner David Sullivan admits that re-signing Alex Song represents a gamble after confirming a deal is in place for the Barcelona midfielder, subject to him passing a medical. The Hammers have thrashed out a permanent three-year contract for the Cameroon international, who spent last season on loan at Upton Park. Song, who joined [...]