Hodgson joy at Gerrard’s Reds pledge July 20, 2010 LIVERPOOL manager Roy Hodgson has hailed Steven Gerrard as his “best player” after the captain pledged his immediate future to the club. Gerrard said yesterday he was looking forward to teaming up with new signing Joe Cole, a move that appeared to end the prospect of him leaving Anfield this summer. The England midfielder, 30, [...]
First Spurs and Arsenal, now Hammers and Fulham outlaw World Cup irritant July 20, 2010 SIX more Premier League clubs, including West Ham, Fulham and Liverpool, have followed north London rivals Tottenham and Arsenal in announcing a ban on vuvuzelas. The Gunners yesterday confirmed they have outlawed the plastic horns at the Emirates Stadium with immediate effect, as exclusively revealed in City A.M. (right). That came after Spurs told fans [...]
Clarke gets Ryder Cup nod July 20, 2010 DARREN CLARKE, the tearful hero of Europe’s 2006 Ryder Cup triumph, has vowed to help win back the trophy from the United States after being named one of Colin Montgomerie’s vice-captains. Ulsterman Clarke was the surprise choice when skipper Montgomerie yesterday named his backroom team, which also includes Paul McGinley and Thomas Bjorn, for the [...]
Monty’s trio have just the right blend July 20, 2010 MONTY described them yesterday as the “best non-playing team Europe has ever assembled” – and it’s pretty hard to disagree with him. With British and European golf at its peak, it was important the captain chose three men who were not only well respected by their peers but also still playing on the Tour. He’s [...]
Ambitious Chelsea fail in £17m bid to land wonderkid Neymar July 20, 2010 CHELSEA last night failed in a £17m bid to sign Brazilian wonderkid Neymar. The 18-year-old scored 32 goals in 33 games for Santos last year and is seen as one of the most highly-rated young strikers in world football. West Ham have already had a £12m bid for Neymar turned down by the Brazilian club, [...]
Cottagers frustrated in Jol deal July 20, 2010 FULHAM’S attempts to land Martin Jol suffered a setback last night after Ajax refused to discuss a compensation package to allow the Dutchman to join the west London club. Jol, the former Tottenham boss, is said to have informed Ajax of his wish to move back to the Premier League and is said to be [...]
We won’t favour Lewis over Button, say McLaren July 20, 2010 MCLAREN insist they will not favour championship leader Lewis Hamilton over Jenson Button as the F1 title race builds up to a finale. Victories in Turkey and Canada, and second-place finishes in the European and British Grand Prix, has seen Hamilton take a 12-point lead over his team-mate at the top of the standings. Indeed, [...]
Adapting Morgan looks to seize his opportunity July 20, 2010 EOIN MORGAN admits he will need to seize his opportunity this summer if he is to break into England’s Test side for the Ashes series. The Dublin-born one-day specialist has been given a chance to impress selectors in the five-day format after Ian Bell was ruled out of the forthcoming series with Pakistan with a [...]
Contador retains yellow jersey July 20, 2010 CYCLING: Albert Contador held off rival Andy Schleck to retain the yellow jersey after a thrilling sprint finish in the 16th stage of the Tour de France. Defending champion Contador leads the Luxembourg rider by eight seconds with four stages remaining. Frenchman Pierrick Fedrigo won the stage after pipping an eight-man group, which included Lance [...]
Retiring Murali snares Tendulkar July 20, 2010 CRICKET: Muttiah Muralitharan claimed the prised scalp of Sachin Tendulkar in his final Test match as Sri Lanka gained the upper hand against India in Galle. Needing eight wickets to reach 800 in his career, the spinner bagged 1-31 as India finished day three on 140-3 – 380 runs adrift of Sri Lanka’s 520-8. Virender [...]