Great Scot Masters Federer August 15, 2010 BRITAIN’S Andy Murray boosted his hopes of finally breaking his Grand Slam duck at the US Open by successfully defending the Rogers Cup last night. Murray beat Roger Federer 7-5, 7-5 in Toronto to become the first man to win the Canadian Masters series event in successive years since Andre Agassi in 1995. The Scot’s [...]
FA: Next England boss will be English August 15, 2010 ENGLAND chiefs have fuelled speculation over who will succeed Fabio Capello by confirming that the next manager of the national team will be an Englishman. Capello, already under pressure following a dreadful World Cup campaign, attracted fresh criticism last week for clumsily declaring David Beckham’s international career over. Team England managing director Adrian Bevington admits [...]
Cook backed to serve up improvement as selectors stick with winning team August 15, 2010 ENGLAND selector Geoff Miller admits Alastair Cook’s current struggle with the bat has plunged the opener into the biggest challenge of his career. Cook has only scraped 41 runs from the first two Tests against Pakistan, and juts 100 in total from his last seven matches. His toiling at the crease has even led some [...]
Maradona interest in Aston Villa job August 15, 2010 DIEGO Maradona’s agent insists the former Argentina captain and coach would love to succeed Martin O’Neill as Aston Villa manager. Caretaker boss Kevin MacDonald is currently in charge at the Midlands club after O’Neill walked out last week following a breakdown in relations with owner Randy Lerner. MacDonald enjoyed the perfect start to his reign [...]
World Cup star Ramires itching to begin career as Chelsea kick off in style August 15, 2010 CHELSEA’S latest signing, Brazil midfielder Ramires, admits he is raring to get stuck into the Premier League after completing his protracted move from Benfica. Ramires did not sign in time to feature on Saturday as the champions began their defence in style with a 6-0 thumping of top-flight newcomers West Brom. And the 23-year-old admits [...]
SPORT | IN BRIEF August 15, 2010 Johnson mulling Stevens recall RUGBY UNION: Martin Johnson has left the door open for Matt Stevens to make a controversial return to the England squad. Johnson insists Stevens will be considered for next year’s World Cup if he proves his form and fitness after his two-year drugs ban expires in January. “He has got to [...]
Carrick warns United as Toon opener looms August 15, 2010 MANCHESTER United midfielder Michael Carrick has warned his team-mates they cannot afford to make as many mistakes as last season. United host Premier League newcomers Newcastle tonight in their opening match as they begin their campaign to retrieve the title from Chelsea. And Carrick, who was born on Tyneside, said: “Last season was a bit [...]
WINNERS & LOSERS August 15, 2010 A WEEKEND is a long time in sport, as this lot will attest. But while for some it was a few days to remember, others may wish they had never set foot out of the house. WINNER IAN HOLLOWAY Few begrudged Olly a crack at the top flight after a career managing in the lower leagues, [...]
London clubs set for boom season August 12, 2010 LAST year was a boom year for Premier League fortunes in the capital – and I expect this season to be even more successful in some ways. It may be unlikely that we get more than three London clubs finishing in the top four, as we did in May with Chelsea joined by Arsenal and [...]
Uncompromising Poulsen joins Reds in £4.5m transfer August 12, 2010 LIVERPOOL manager Roy Hodgson has paved the way for Javier Mascherano to leave Anfield by signing experienced midfielder Christian Poulsen. Poulsen completed a £4.5m switch from Juventus yesterday, penning a three-year contract to become Hodgson’s fourth acquisition of the summer. The Denmark international, 30, has played in the other three top European leagues and was [...]