Reds roll the dice in £16m Balotelli bid August 21, 2014 LIVERPOOL could hand Mario Balotelli a debut in Monday’s top-of-the-table Premier League clash against former club Manchester City after closing in on a £16m deal for the controversial AC Milan star yesterday. Balotelli is expected to sign a contract worth around £90,000 per week at Anfield, where it is hoped the Italy striker will ease [...]
Don’t write off my Test career yet, warns Prior August 21, 2014 FORGOTTEN man Matt Prior is refusing to bow out of the international picture and intends to fight for the billing of England’s No1 wicketkeeper with highly-rated newcomer Jos Buttler. The Sussex man faces surgery next month on an achilles injury which forced his withdrawal from the series with India after England’s 95-run defeat at Lord’s [...]
Donaldson eyes Ryder Cup spot August 21, 2014 WELSHMAN Jamie Donaldson moved closer to sealing a European Ryder Cup place after posting a first round 66 to hold a one-shot lead in the Czech Masters yesterday. The 38-year-old holds the eighth of nine automatic places for Gleneagles due to his world points list position although victory in Prague would see him qualify via [...]
Europa League: Lamela spark sees Tottenham secure Europa advantage August 21, 2014 AEL 1 TOTTENHAM 2 TOTTENHAM boss Mauricio Pochettino praised the impact of his super subs as Spurs overturned a half-time deficit to secure a narrow first-leg lead in their Europa League qualifier against AEL last night. England Under-21 forward Harry Kane netted the winner with 10 minutes remaining after Spanish striker Roberto Soldado cancelled out [...]
Mackay denies extent of offensive messages August 21, 2014 UNDER-SIEGE former Cardiff boss Malky Mackay has denied accusations he is racist, sexist and homophobic and insists the offensive messages he did send – which dashed his hopes of landing the Crystal Palace job – were isolated cases. Palace sporting director Iain Moody resigned yesterday following allegations offensive texts were shared with former colleague Mackay [...]
Taghrooda loses unbeaten record August 21, 2014 TRAINER Aidan O’Brien enjoyed a second major success in as many days at York yesterday when 8-1 shot Tapestry shocked 1-5 favourite Taghrooda to win the Darley Yorkshire Oaks. Previously unbeaten Taghrooda took the lead two furlongs out but was tracked by Tapestry, and Ryan Moore conjured an extra kick from the filly in the [...]
Djokovic lurking for Murray at US August 21, 2014 FORMER Wimbledon champion Andy Murray will face Holland’s Robin Haase in the first round of the US Open, which starts at Flushing Meadows on Monday. The 27-year-old Scot, who won the New York grand slam in 2012, is seeded eighth this year with the draw paving the way for a potential meeting with world No1 [...]
Celebrate with a Pale Mimosa at York August 21, 2014 BILL ESDAILE PREVIEWS TODAY’S ACTION AT YORK ON day three of the Ebor meeting, York plays host to two races within the QIPCO British Champions Series, the first being the Group Two Lonsdale Cup (2:30pm). Dermot Weld has always been known for his shrewd placement of horses, so PALE MIMOSA’s trip across the Irish Sea [...]
A draw is best buoyant Arsenal can hope for at Goodison Park August 21, 2014 BEN CLEMINSON PREVIEWS THE PREMIER LEAGUE ACTION AND BILL ESDAILE GIVES US HIS RACING BETS FOR TOMORROW ARSENAL fans have every right to be optimistic at the moment. The once tight-fisted Arsene Wenger splashed the cash again – on Alexis Sanchez, Mathieu Debuchy, David Ospina and Calum Chambers – and the Gunners have made a [...]
Niven can prove he’s one Clever Cookie by landing the Ebor August 21, 2014 THE final day of York’s Ebor meeting features the richest handicap in Europe and the festival’s punting highlight, the Betfred Ebor (3:50pm). Such a prize always draws a high-class field, to the extent that the race has even come to be considered a trial for the Melbourne Cup. A trainer vying to win this lucrative [...]