Joe Cole: Better than Messi August 10, 2010 STEVEN GERRARD reckons his new Liverpool team-mate Joe Cole is even better than Lionel Messi. Cole, 28, was a bit-part player in England’s World Cup campaign and has been left out of the squad for tonight’s friendly with Hungary. But Gerrard, who was a key figure in persuading Cole to make the switch from Chelsea [...]
Carvalho heads to Madrid in €8m deal August 10, 2010 CHELSEA defender Ricardo Carvalho will link up with former boss Jose Mourinho at Real Madrid for a third time today after the two clubs agreed a fee of around €8m (£6.7m). The 32-year-old Portuguese centre-half will join the Spanish giants on a two-year deal. Carvalho first followed Mourinho to Chelsea from FC Porto in a £19.85m [...]
Early Warn-ing for Rangers as Vale wreck dream start August 10, 2010 QPR (1) v/s PORT VALE (3) QUEENS PARK RANGERS were brought back down to earth with a bump following last night after they crashed out of the Carling Cup to Port Vale. Neil Warnock’s men enjoyed a dream start to the new league campaign with a thumping 4-0 opening day victory over Barnsley at Loftus [...]
I back Cook to come good, insists Flower August 10, 2010 ENGLAND team boss Andy Flower is backing under-fire Alastair Cook to bat his way out of the firing line in next week’s third Test with Pakistan. Vice-captain Cook has averaged just 14 with the bat in four Tests this summer with a highest score of just 29. His form has been the only blip in [...]
Revitalised Woods plans not to fall back on Pavin wild card August 10, 2010 TIGER WOODS says he will play in the Ryder Cup – if he is offered a wild card by USA captain Corey Pavin. The world No1 questioned if he wanted to play on the American team at Celtic Manor in October after carding a career-worst 18 over par total at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational in Akon [...]
Sprint star Bolt to sit out rest of the season with recurring back injury August 10, 2010 SPRINT superstar Usain Bolt has confirmed he will not race again this year after doctors advised him to rest up following an injury to his lower back. The Jamaican double world record holder was told tightness in his back was “restricting his ability to generate power in his stride” by a medical team in Germany. [...]
Hampshire deliver a right Royal snub to Pietersen August 10, 2010 HAMPSHIRE have delivered one last snub to Kevin Pietersen for the Twenty20 Finals Day. Pietersen, 30, has played just seven first-class matches in six years at Hampshire but has been made available by England to play in Saturday’s Rose Bowl showpiece. But after announcing he is to leave the county at the end of the [...]
SPORT | IN BRIEF August 10, 2010 Simmonds leads British 1-2 SWIMMING: Lizzie Simmonds led Britain to a one-two finish in the 200m backstroke at the European Championships in Budapest yesterday. Gemma Spofforth took silver as Simmonds, the world No1 at 200m this year, sealed gold in a time of two minutes 7.04 seconds. Earlier in the day, Britain’s Liam Tancock battled [...]
Milner deal the final straw as O’Neill quits Villa helm August 9, 2010 FRUSTRATED Martin O’Neill finally lost patience with Aston Villa owner Randy Lerner yesterday and quit as manager just five days before the start of the new Premier League season. The Northern Irishman brought an abrupt end to his four-year tenure at Villa Park amid speculation the club were about to let midfielder James Milner join [...]
Capello denies England unrest after retirements August 9, 2010 FABIO CAPELLO yesterday refuted claims of a communication breakdown with his players despite the furore surrounding his latest squad selection. Since naming his 23-man party for tomorrow’s friendly with Hungary at Wembley, Capello has seen two of his included players, goalkeeper Paul Robinson and defender Wes Brown, announce their retirement from international football. And he [...]