England U19s out of Euros July 27, 2010 FOOTBALL: England’s Under-19s crashed out of the European Championships after a 3-1 semi-final defeat to Spain. Noel Blake’s side fell behind early on when Liverpool youngster Dani Pacheco notched for Spain, and Keko soon strolled through the defence to make it two. Tottenham midfielder John Bostock’s fine volley reduced the arrears before half-time but a [...]
Villa play hard ball in Milner chase after ‘amicable’ talks July 26, 2010 ASTON VILLA have sent Manchester City a hands-off message over their pursuit of James Milner after holding showdown talks with the England midfielder. Villa described discussions with the player as “amicable” after he returned to training yesterday for the first time since the World Cup. But they warned they plan to take Milner on a [...]
Balotelli closes in on City move July 26, 2010 MARIO BALOTELLI’S agent has dismissed speculation the striker has signed a deal with Manchester City – but expects the transfer to be completed in the next couple of days. Reports in the Italian press claimed that the Inter Milan youngster had already put pen to paper on a five-year deal with the mega-rich Eastlands club, [...]
Schumacher backs Ferrari in orders row July 26, 2010 MICHAEL SCHUMACHER has backed former team Ferrari in the team orders row, which marred Sunday’s German Grand Prix. The Italian team were fined $10,000 by the FIA for asking Felipe Massa to make way for team-mate Fernando Alonso to pass and lead home a Ferrari 1-2 at Hockenheim. But Schumacher, who was involved in a [...]
I can lead Britain’s Euro gold rush, insists fit-again Ennis July 26, 2010 JESSICA ENNIS says she’s fit and ready to lead a Great Britain gold rush in the European Championship, starting today. The 24-year-old world heptathlon champion arrives in Barcelona as one of Britain’s best medal hopes after recovering from an ear infection. Ennis has been made captain of a British team looking to achieve a record [...]
Real great Raul leaves door open to England swansong July 26, 2010 REAL MADRID legend Raul insists he could yet make a surprise switch to the Premier League after bringing down the curtain on his glorious spell at the Santiago Bernabeu. The 33-year-old, who began his career at Real and went on to win 16 titles with the Spanish club, yesterday denied a widely-anticipated transfer to German [...]
Mascherano poised to quit Liverpool as Hodgson’s powers of persuasion fail July 26, 2010 LIVERPOOL midfielder Javier Mascherano looks set to shatter the fragile optimism surrounding Roy Hodgson’s reign by quitting Anfield. The Argentina midfielder is thought to have been told he can leave after holding talks with Hodgson upon his return form holiday yesterday. Mascherano is wanted by Inter Milan, where Rafael Benitez, the man who signed him [...]
Time to go back to basics July 26, 2010 AFTER a desperately disappointing Seniors Open Championship at the weekend, it’s high time I took a rest from the game and go back to basics. I knew my game was struggling, hence the three-hour trip across Scotland to see my dad in the build-up to Carnoustie. It saw me through the first day, helping me [...]
Goodwood Rip ride for top jockey Moore July 26, 2010 RYAN MOORE will ride Rip van Winkle in his bid for back-to-back victories in the Sussex Stakes at Glorious Goodwood tomorrow. The three-time champion jockey takes the reigns of the Galileo colt as he looks to emulate his Group One success of 12 months ago. The Aidan O’Brien-trained four-year-old was rated the second best miler [...]
Hammers manger Grant pledges to keep spending July 26, 2010 WEST HAM manager Avram Grant insists his summer spending is not finished as he prepares for his first season in charge at Upton Park. Grant has already enticed German midfielder Thomas Hitzlsperger, French striker Frederic Piquionne and Mexican World Cup star Pablo Barrera to east London. But the Israeli still hopes to land his former [...]