Lacklustre Watson out of US Open after thrashing at hands of Cirstea August 26, 2014 BRITISH No1 Heather Watson set her sights on consolatory doubles success after being dumped out of the US Open singles draw in the first round by Romanian Sorana Cirstea. Watson lasted just 54 minutes and won just 12 per cent of points on her second serve as she lost 6-1, 6-1 to Cirstea, who at [...]
Losing place among Euro elite not unthinkable, says Wenger August 26, 2014 MANAGER Arsene Wenger is banking on Arsenal’s Champions League pedigree giving them an edge in tonight’s make-or-break play-off clash against Besiktas at Emirates Stadium. The Gunners approach a tie poised at 0-0 from last week’s torrid first leg in Turkey without suspended top scorer Aaron Ramsey and injured striker Olivier Giroud and captain Mikel Arteta. [...]
More cash may need spending to keep Old Trafford star shining August 26, 2014 IT WAS meant to be a day to rekindle optimism among Manchester United fans, with confirmation of the British record £59.7m signing of Angel di Maria. Instead it ended in a new low for Louis van Gaal’s brief reign and raised further questions about how many more exorbitant fees might need to be sanctioned to [...]
Penalty woe as Blades gain Tevez revenge August 26, 2014 OLD foes Sheffield United returned to haunt West Ham after Ecuador striker Enner Valencia’s missed spot-kick sent Nigel Clough’s side through to the Capital One Cup third round at Upton Park last night. There has been bad blood between the two clubs ever since the Carlos Tevez ownership saga of 2007, and Hammers defender Winston Reid [...]
Premier League: Mario signing risky, admits Rodgers after City claim win August 25, 2014 MANCHESTER CITY 3 LIVERPOOL 1 LIVERPOOL boss Brendan Rodgers admits the signing of Mario Balotelli represents a gamble after Manchester City delivered a statment of intent and issued an early hammer blow to their title rivals thanks to a double from Montenegro hitman Stevan Jovetic at the Etihad Stadium last night. The former Fiorentina frontman [...]
Skipper backs more rugby joy as England’s women turn pro August 25, 2014 WORLD Cup-winning captain Katy McLean is confident full-time contracts will keep English rugby at the top of the women’s game after the sport’s governing body confirmed top female players will be paid for the first time. England Women’s Sevens side will now operate on a professional basis and the Rugby Football Union has issued 20 [...]
Balotelli feels the English top flight is home August 25, 2014 ITALY striker Mario Balotelli savoured his return to English football last night and revealed his regret at quitting the Premier League for an 18-month spell at AC Milan. Balotelli watched from the stands as his new club Liverpool were defeated 3-1 by his former team Manchester City, hours after his £16m had been confirmed. The [...]
United poised to push summer spending to £140m with Di Maria August 25, 2014 MANCHESTER UNITED were last night attempting to finalise the British record signing of Argentina winger Angel di Maria in a deal that would take the club’s summer spending close to the £140m mark. The Old Trafford side are believed to have agreed a fee of £59.7m with European champions Real Madrid, with United keen to [...]
Murray battles cramp to rescue US Open win August 25, 2014 GRITTY Andy Murray admits he was unsure whether the best strategy was to stick or twist after being engulfed by cramp, but powered through to beat Holland’s Robin Haase and avoid a shock first-round exit at the US Open at Flushing Meadows yesterday. The Briton is seeded eighth this year, which represents his lowest ranking [...]
Troubled Woods parts ways with Rose coach Foley August 25, 2014 FORMER world No1 Tiger Woods insists he is in no hurry to find a new coach after bringing to an end his four-year partnership with Canadian Sean Foley yesterday. Woods enjoyed a return to form under the tutelage of Foley, who also coaches England’s Justin Rose, winning eight titles and resuming his place at the [...]