Manchester still holds edge September 1, 2011 United and City’s title rivals are now stronger, but are they strong enough? TRANSFER deadline day was even more frenzied than usual this year as Premier League managers scrambled to reinforce their squads for a campaign that already looks like being hugely competitive. Particularly busy in the final days were those clubs initially billed as [...]
Terry: United novices are ready September 1, 2011 BULGARIA vs ENGLAND MANCHESTER UNITED youngsters Chris Smalling, Tom Cleverley and Phil Jones are ready to make their international debuts in tonight’s crunch European Championship qualifier in Bulgaria, according to England skipper John Terry. The trio have played a significant part in United’s barnstorming start to the defence of their Premier League crown and have [...]
Greene machine strikes gold at last for Britain September 1, 2011 WELSHMAN Dai Greene produced a masterful performance to the win the 400m hurdles final at the World Championships in Daegu and revealed the golden glow will help him get through months of painstaking winter training ahead of next summer’s Olympics. The 25-year-old’s heroics followed the surprise silver won by Hannah Edwards in the 5,000m on [...]
Focused Murray ready to go up a gear September 1, 2011 BRITISH No1 Andy Murray accepts he must improve if he is to avoid becoming the first high-profile casualty at the US Open when he faces Dutchman Robin Haase in their second round clash today. Murray got off to a sluggish start in his victory over India’s Somdev Devvarma on Tuesday and will need to raise [...]
Spending rises spark concerns clubs ignoring fair play rules September 1, 2011 CLUBS across Europe are jeopardising their participation in continental competitions by continuing to ignore new rules on spending, football finance experts fear. The summer transfer window, which closed on Wednesday night, saw a £125m rise in gross outlay by Premier League sides, who splashed £485m on signings. Spanish and Italian leagues witnessed even bigger relative [...]
SPORT | IN BRIEF September 1, 2011 Swann eager to turn the screw CRICKET: England spinner Graeme Swann insists he and his team-mates are far from done with tormenting India yet. England head into the five-match one-day series on the back of an overwhelming 4-0 Test victory which they followed up on Wednesday night with victory in a one-off Twenty20 clash at [...]
Bewitched value at 16/1 to sprint back to form September 1, 2011 THE winners of the two six furlong sprints run so far in the QIPCO British Champions Series meet in tomorrow’s Betfred Sprint Cup at Haydock Park, with July Cup winner Dream Ahead heading up most lists at around 7/2 David Simcock’s three-year-old was hugely impressive that day and will take some pegging back if reappearing [...]
Frankie’s Thoughts September 1, 2011 DELEGATOR hasn’t had much luck recently but gets his ideal conditions tomorrow in the Sprint Cup. He’s a horse that needs plenty of cover and for that reason I’m pleased with his draw in stall 5, as we wouldn’t have wanted to be drawn out wide on either flank. The likes of Masamah will ensure [...]
Deadline day drama August 31, 2011 Chelsea swoop to sign Meireles from Liverpool in £12m deal with just minutes to spare after failing to persuade Tottenham to let Modric join Crouch and host of others in leaving the Lane £10m Arteta finally leaves Everton for Arsenal after a day of haggling as Gunners move to replace Fabregas and Nasri with Spaniard [...]
Benayoun and Arteta arrive at Arsenal August 31, 2011 London clubs leave it late to buy ARSENAL manager Arsene Wenger underlined his new-found appreciation of experience when he finally completed late deadline day swoops for midfielders Mikel Arteta and Yossi Benayoun last night. Neither are the superstars that some fans might have hoped for after seeing captain Cesc Fabregas and midfield starlet Samir Nasri [...]