Rio: Predator Owen will fire us to trophies July 21, 2009 MANCHESTER UNITED defender Rio Ferdinand believes shock summer signing Michael Owen has the killer instinct needed to deliver more silverware to Old Trafford. United manager Sir Alex Ferguson surprised most observers when he plucked a jaded Owen from the disarray of relegated Newcastle and signed him the striker a free transfer. Rejuvenated Owen has repaid [...]
Al Fahim completes Pompey takeover July 21, 2009 SULAIMAN AL FAHIM yesterday got the green light to complete his takeover of Portmsouth – and then promptly handed caretaker boss Paul Hart a new two-year deal. The UAE-based businessman became the first prospective club owner to pass the Premier League’s new fit and proper person test after having agreed, in principle, to take over [...]
Quins man’s 12-month ban ‘entirely disproportionate’ July 21, 2009 PLAYERS’ chief Damian Hopley has leapt to the defence of Harlequins winger Tom Williams, after he was handed a 12-month ban for faking a blood injury. Williams was found to have fabricated a cut to his mouth in order to allow Quins to make a late substitution during their Heineken Cup quarter-final defeat to Leinster [...]
Contador holds off Armstrong to stay in front July 21, 2009 SPAIN’S Alberto Contador remained in pole position in the race for the Tour de France yellow jersey after yesterday’s 16th stage in the Alps, from Martigny to Bourg-Saint-Maurice. The 26-year-old finished 10th in the Alpine stage and now leads seven-time champion Lance Armstrong by one minute and 37 seconds. Britain’s Bradley Wiggins remains in third, [...]
ERIKSSON SET FOR NOTTS LANDING July 21, 2009 FORMER England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson is being lined up for a sensational return to English football – with League Two side Notts County. The Magpies, who were recently taken over by Middle Eastern group Munto Finance have targeted the 61-year-old Swede to work in a director of football role as a sign of their ambition. [...]
Bolt’s fitness concerns July 21, 2009 ATHLETICS: Olympic sprint champion Usain Bolt admits he will not be fully fit when he faces Asafa Powell and Tyson Gay at next month’s World Championships in Berlin. Bolt, who won 100m and 200m Olympic gold last summer, and fellow Jamaican Powell will warm up by competing at the London Grand Prix at Crystal Palace [...]
Nadal makes tentative return July 21, 2009 TENNIS: World No2 Rafael Nadal has trained for the first time in almost two months. The Spaniard was unable to defend his Wimbledon title because of tendonitis in his knees but practised yesterday at his home in Mallorca. He said: “I am happy to return to training, to have the racquet in my hand and [...]
Brawn: We’ll bounce back July 21, 2009 FORMULA ONE: Team boss Ross Brawn insists his outfit will be back to its best at this week’s Hungarian Grand Prix after being eclipsed by Red Bull in the last two races. Runaway leaders Brawn GP have seen their lead chipped away at by Red Bull one-twos at the British and German Grands Prix. But [...]
AC Milan rule out Beckham bid July 21, 2009 FOOTBALL: AC Milan have denied offering England midfielder David Beckham an early escape route after his stint at Los Angeles Galaxy turned sour. Beckham, 34, was booed by Galaxy fans in his first match back from a loan spell at Milan, but the Italians have ruled out taking him back before the end of the [...]
Hero Flintoff’s still fighting fit July 20, 2009 ANDREW FLINTOFF eased concerns over his fitness for the rest of the Ashes series after firing England to an historic first win over Australia at Lord’s for 75 years. The 31-year-old all-rounder took a match-winning 5-92 to help the hosts claim a 115-run victory in the second Test and open up a 1-0 series lead.But [...]