Forget No1, England face battle to be No2 August 21, 2012 ANY remaining euphoria associated with being the world’s top Test team seeped away this week when England ceded that status to South Africa. A first home series defeat since 2008 followed two difficult tours and adds to the pressure on Andrew Strauss to raise their game again. What lies ahead, however, is a frankly difficult [...]
Adebayor arrives at Spurs as transfer window comes to life August 21, 2012 TOTTENHAM yesterday confirmed the £5m signing of Emmanuel Adebayor, the exit of Sebastien Bassong, and are considering a £5.5m offer from Queens Park Rangers for defender Michael Dawson. Negotiations surrounding Adebayor’s transfer from Manchester City had been as steady as those surrounding the ongoing exit of midfielder Luka Modric to Real Madrid, but if there [...]
Hazard can be the new Zola August 21, 2012 CHELSEA manager Roberto Di Matteo believes £32m summer signing Eden Hazard has the ability to become the inspirational Gianfranco Zola figure of his ambitious, modern side. The European champions tonight welcome Reading to Stamford Bridge in what is likely to be Hazard’s second Premier League start and though conceding it is perhaps too early to [...]
Ainslie targets Rio 2016 to add to olympics sailing medal haul August 21, 2012 Four-time Olympic gold medallist Ben Ainslie is set to compete at the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, after initially saying that London 2012 may have been his last. “I’d love to be in Rio if it’s possible,” he said. “I’d like to be involved in the next Games.”
Care commits to Harlequins August 21, 2012 RUGBY UNION: England scrum-half Danny Care has signed a three-year contract extension with Harlequins to keep him at the club until 2016. “I’m enjoying being part of a talented squad that plays attractive rugby,” Care said.
Lawrie pleased at Ryder return August 21, 2012 GOLF: Scotland’s Paul Lawrie has admitted his delight at qualifying for the Ryder Cup.
Celtic seal European advantage August 21, 2012 FOOTBALL: Celtic last night beat Swedish side Helsingborgs 2-0 away in the first leg of their Champions League qualifier.
Ferguson feels Fellaini’s force as United lose face August 20, 2012 EVERTON 1 vs MANCHESTER UNITED 0 MANCHESTER United manager Sir Alex Ferguson refused to blame his makeshift defence after Everton began their season in uncharacteristically promising fashion with a vital home victory. A headed goal from the immensely impressive Marouane Fellaini gave David Moyes’s men a well-deserved win on a night where their uninspirational visitors [...]
Strauss vows to remain captain despite England’s dethroning August 20, 2012 CAPTAIN Andrew Strauss insists he is the right man to return England to the top of the Test rankings after their stirring attempt to keep that title out of South African clutches ended in defeat at Lord’s yesterday. A 51-run loss confirmed a 2-0 series reverse, a first at home since 2008, and came despite [...]
Mourinho ‘no’ to Three Lions August 20, 2012 REAL Madrid manager Jose Mourinho has ruled out taking the England job one day, saying the only international team he would coach is his native Portugal. The ex- Chelsea boss flirted with the role in 2007 and has stated his desire to work in England again, but said: “It’s a job that makes people proud, [...]