Strict Strauss lays down law to troops August 17, 2010 CAPTAIN Andrew Strauss has warned his England troops of their off-the-field responsibilities after coming close to losing Graeme Swann for today’s third Test with Pakistan at The Oval. Spinner Swann missed Monday’s practice session after appearing in a Nottingham court to answer a drink-driving charge. Swann told the court he had returned from birthday celebrations [...]
Selectors are right to give Cook time August 17, 2010 ALASTAIR COOK is clearly lacking in confidence at the moment but the England selectors are right to keep faith with him. He is struggling to make his mind up which deliveries to play and which to leave, and the ones he is playing he is doing so with hesitancy. But upsetting the applecart now, with [...]
Ferguson blasts rivals for kamikaze spending sprees August 17, 2010 MANCHESTER United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has launched a thinly-veiled attack on Manchester City by accusing some Premier League clubs of “kamikaze” spending. Ferguson did not mention the Sheikh Mansour-backed Eastlands outfit by name as he railed against mega-rich owners splashing their millions with little restraint. But it is widely believed he was referring to [...]
Mancini finally signs Milner and defends ‘rebel’ Balotelli August 17, 2010 MANCHESTER City manager Roberto Mancini insists Mario Balotelli does not deserve his notoriety and has backed the Italian prodigy to take England by storm. Mancini introduced Balotelli to the press yesterday, after finally landing Aston Villa’s James Milner and letting Craig Bellamy join Cardiff on loan. Balotelli, 20, was quick to dismiss the reputation he [...]
Anelka’s international career in tatters with 18-match ban August 17, 2010 NICOLAS ANELKA was last night hit with an 18-match international suspension by the French Football Federation for his involvement in France’s World Cup debacle. Les Bleus’ campaign descended into farce after Chelsea striker Anelka was sent home following an altercation with coach Raymond Domenech, prompting the rest of the squad to go on strike. The [...]
Mourinho gets his man as Ozil joins for £12m August 17, 2010 JOSE MOURINHO yesterday added to his star-studded list of Galacticos at Real Madrid by completing the signing of German World Cup star Mesut Ozil. The 21-year-old is to undergo a medical at the Bernabeu today after agreeing to move from Werder Bremen for a €15m (£12.6m) fee. Ozil, also a target for Manchester United, established [...]
Berbatov on target as Red Devils cruise to opening win August 16, 2010 MANCHESTER UTD (3) vs NEWCASTLE UTD(0) MANCHESTER United manager Sir Alex Ferguson praised Paul Scholes after the evergreen midfielder masterminded a nonchalant dissection of Newcastle. Dimitar Berbatov, Darren Fletcher and substitute Ryan Giggs enjoyed goal-scoring glory as United began their Premier League campaign in ominous fashion. But it was 35-year-old Scholes who orchestrated wave after [...]
Martin would have done his country proud August 16, 2010 IT must be something they put in the water there because Martin Kaymer’s US PGA victory at Whistling Straits was so typically Germanic. The young man handled himself magnificently and was as solid as a rock for the final 36 holes en route to his maiden Major title, which was encapsulated by his birdie on [...]
Woods must wait on Ryder Cup wild card spot August 16, 2010 TIGER WOODS must rely on a wild card pick from captain Corey Pavin if he is to make the US Ryder Cup team this year. The world No1 tied for 28th in the US PGA Championship at Whistling Straits at the weekend – not enough to propel him into the eight automatic qualifying places. As [...]
Spurs begin Investec deal with Young Boys fixture August 16, 2010 TOTTENHAM have signed an innovative two-year deal with Investec that will see the bank sponsor their shirts in cup matches only. Spurs’ jerseys will bear the Investec name for the first time this evening, when they take on Young Boys of Bern in the first leg of a Champions League qualifying tie. It is not [...]