Spurs stunned after Chelsea hijack £30m Willian deal August 22, 2013 CHELSEA sensationally attempted to hijack Tottenham’s £30m move for Anzhi Makhachkala forward Willian last night, while Spurs manager Andre Villas-Boas obliviously watched his team secure a 5-0 victory over Georgian outfit Dinamo Tbilisi in the Europa League play-off first leg. The 25-year-old Brazilian underwent a medical with Spurs on Wednesday ahead of his club record [...]
Goode ready to lead revival of youthful Wasps August 22, 2013 LONDON Wasps summer signing Andy Goode insists his decision to move to Adams Park was a no-brainer and is confident he can help return the club to the upper reaches of the Aviva Premiership. The experienced fly-half, who scored 224 points for Worcester Warriors last year, is among 16 additions to a squad that slipped [...]
Smith puts Aussies in control August 22, 2013 AUSTRALIA’S Steve Smith hit his maiden Test century at the Oval yesterday to put the tourists in a commanding position going into day three, but concedes the travelling supporters have not seen the best of him this summer. In a rain-delayed start to the second day of the final Ashes Test of the series, Australia [...]
Murray learns path to US Open final August 22, 2013 BRITAIN’S Andy Murray will begin the defence of his US Open title against France’s Michael Llodra next week and his place in the same half of the draw as world No1 Novak Djokovic could mean the big hitting duo meet in the semi-final at Flushing Meadows. The Wimbledon champion, however, cannot play No2 seed Rafael [...]
Football Comment: Bale in world’s elite but overpriced by £50m August 22, 2013 A LONG summer of transfer speculation has revolved in no small part around north London and, with 10 days to go, Tottenham look to have managed it better than Arsenal, despite the imminent loss of their best player. Spurs have been understandably reluctant to part with Gareth Bale, but the money on offer from Real [...]
Europa League: Soldado at the double in Euro win August 22, 2013 DINAMO TBILISI 0 VS TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 5 RECORD £26m signing Roberto Soldado struck twice as Tottenham demolished Dinamo Tbilisi in the Europa League play-off first leg last night in Georgia. Spurs, who reached the quarter-finals of last year’s competition, took a giant stride towards the group stage with their biggest win under boss Andre Villas-Boas. [...]
Wenger turns to former Arsenal battler Flamini August 22, 2013 ARSENAL manager Arsene Wenger has moved to fulfill his promise of midfield reinforcements by offering a contract to former Gunner Mathieu Flamini, who is available on a free transfer. Flamini, who spent four seasons at the club before an acrimonious departure to AC Milan in 2008, has been training with Arsenal for the past two [...]
Robshaw extends Harlequins contract August 22, 2013 ENGLAND captain Chris Robshaw will stay with Harlequins until 2016 after signing a contract extension with the Aviva Premiership club. The 27-year-old back-row has scored 16 tries in 170 appearances and helped Quins win the Amlin Challenge Cup in 2011 and the Premiership title last year. Robshaw said: “It’s a fantastic club with huge aspirations.”
Southgate lands England job August 22, 2013 FOOTBALL: Former Crystal Palace defender Gareth Southgate has been named England under-21s manager, signing a three-year deal. The 42-year-old won 57 full international caps and managed Middlesbrough between 2006 and 2009.
Britain end 24-year wait for title August 22, 2013 EQUESTRIAN: Britain’s Olympic showjumping champions – Ben Maher, Michael Whitaker, William Funnell and Scott Brash – won their first European team title for 24 years in Denmark yesterday. Britain, however, failed to retain their dressage title.