Murray canters home with US Open on horizon August 13, 2014 FORMER Wimbledon champion Andy Murray continued his preparations for a tilt at a second US Open title later this month with a commanding victory over Portugal’s Joao Sousa in the last 32 of the Cincinnati Masters yesterday. The 27-year-old reached the tournament’s third round after breaking his opposite number in the opening service game before [...]
England reach final in Paris August 13, 2014 CLASSY England out-gunned Ireland in Paris yesterday to reach the final of the Women’s Rugby World Cup for the fourth time in succession. The Red Roses have lost the previous three finals to New Zealand but will line up against Canada on Sunday after Gary Street’s side recovered from an early 7-0 deficit to maul [...]
Wickets fall as women slump August 13, 2014 ENGLAND slumped to their lowest ever total against India as wickets tumbled on day one of the women’s Test at Wormsley yesterday. Charlotte Edwards’ team were dismissed for just 92, an innings which featured a women’s Test record of seven LBW decisions before England hit back to reduce the tourists to 87-6 at the close.
Pellegrini frustration at City’s spending cap as Kompany commits August 13, 2014 MANCHESTER City manager Manuel Pellegrini admits he is unlikely to make any more signings this summer because financial fair play (FFP) sanctions have curtailed the Premier League champions’ spending power. City are limited to spending £49m net during this accounting year, and have already neared that threshold with deals for defender Eliaquim Mangala, midfielder Fernando [...]
Premier League 2014-15 Preview: Part three August 13, 2014 LAST SEASON: Defied doomsayers and opening-day defeat to spend more days at top of table than any other team, without ever really looking like winning the title. Embarrassed by top four rivals, but overall a year of improvement crowned by FA Cup win TRANSFERS: Key ins: Alexis Sanchez, Calum Chambers, Mathieu Debuchy, David Ospina. Key [...]
Spurs reinforce defensive ranks with Yedlin deal August 13, 2014 TOTTENHAM Hotspur have reinforced their future defensive ranks by sealing the transfer of United States international right-back DeAndre Yedlin from Major League Soccer side Seattle Sounders, for a fee said to be £2.5m. The 21-year-old has signed a four-year contract at White Hart Lane but will continue to play in America before linking up with [...]
Defiant Roy: I did not think of quitting job August 12, 2014 STEADFAST England manager Roy Hodgson has insisted the thought of quitting never entered his head despite the Three Lions enduring their most miserable World Cup for half a century in Brazil. Hodgson oversaw the national team’s worst World Cup campaign since 1958 with defeats to Italy and Uruguay preceding a goalless draw with Costa Rica [...]
Cricket Comment: Reaching Ashes without loss is England target August 12, 2014 A THIRD successive Test victory this week to round off the series and beat India 3-1 at the Oval would be a terrific way for England to cap a transformative few weeks, but it’s not vital. Defeat would puncture a fragile feel-good factor that has developed, but a draw would still be enough to take [...]
Costa at the double as Stamford Bridge welcomes prolific hitman August 12, 2014 SPANISH striker Diego Costa introduced himself to the Chelsea faithful with two goals as Jose Mourinho’s side rounded off their pre-season campaign with victory over La Liga side Real Sociedad last night. Costa took his goalscoring tally to four in Chelsea colours since a £32m summer move from Atletico Madrid, with two early strikes ensuring [...]
Hoddle in QPR coaching role August 12, 2014 FORMER England boss Glenn Hoddle has targeted Premier League survival after agreeing to join Harry Redknapp’s coaching staff at top-flight newcomers QPR. Hoddle, who has also led Tottenham, Southampton and Chelsea, has been out of management since quitting Wolves eight years ago but is eager to lend his expertise at Rangers, who begin the new [...]