Dire England face scrap to avoid defeat July 31, 2008 England coach Peter Moores refused to condemn his side last night after another woeful batting display left them facing a series defeat against South Africa. Captain Michael Vaughan’s golden duck typified a miserable first day of the third Test for England, who managed just 231 runs before being dismissed by the tourists. Recalled one-day skipper [...]
Benitez dragging his heels in transfer saga July 31, 2008 The statement from Aston Villa insisting Gareth Barry will not be leaving the club does nothing but drag an already tedious situation on and on. I really can’t see why they just don’t get on with it. Villa say they have set a deadline but you can’t tell me that, if Liverpool boss Rafa Bentez [...]
Arshavin on ice but Spurs grab Bentley July 31, 2008 Tottenham have been warned they must significantly raise their offer for Andrei Arshavin if they want to make the Russia forward their second blockbuster signing of the week. Blackburn and England midfielder David Bentley will be presented as a Spurs player this morning, after the 23-year-old’s £15m switch was confirmed last night. The former Arsenal [...]
Villa pull plug on Barry deal after Liverpool miss deadline July 31, 2008 Aston Villa last night told captain Gareth Barry that his dream move to Liverpool is dead and will not be revived. Villa took the unusual step of announcing that Barry would definitely be staying at the club, after Liverpool failed to meet their £18m asking price by an agreed deadline. “This evening, Aston Villa can [...]
Gallant Paco overshadows Moore treble July 30, 2008 Paco Boy stole the thunder of top jockey Ryan Moore as he swept to victory in the big race of the opening day of Glorious Goodwood, the Betfair Cup. Ridden by Richard Hughes and trained by Richard Hannon, the 7-1 shot timed his run perfectly to pip Stimulation by a neck with Dunelight trailing in [...]
Finally England can unleash their best team July 30, 2008 Well, it took a rather calamitous second Test at Headingley to realise it, but England can now finally lock horns with South Africa this morning with their best team on show. With the top order batting the problem, dropping Paul Collingwood for the second Test was never the answer and it’s no surprise to see [...]
England boosted by Collingwood return July 30, 2008 England captain Michael Vaughan has told of his delight to have all-rounder Paul Collingwood back in the England side – just a week after dropping him. The Durham man was yesterday recalled to the side for the third Test at Edbgaston, starting this morning, after he was surprisingly omitted for the last Test at Headingley. [...]
Spurs in the driving seat to snatch £17m-rated Bentley July 30, 2008 Tottenham have stepped up their attempt to sign David Bentley from Blackburn after banking £20m from the sale of Robbie Keane. Talks have resumed between the two clubs about England midfielder Bentley, who has made no secret of his desire to leave Blackburn for a bigger club. However, Spurs are not thought to have yet [...]
Barry will be next signing, says Benitez July 30, 2008 Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez will redouble his efforts to sign Aston Villa captain Gareth Barry after welcoming his other principal target, Tottenham striker Robbie Keane, to Anfield yesterday. Benitez was forced to sell fringe players Peter Crouch, John Arne Riise and Scott Carson to fund the £20.3m deal for Keane, and admitted further sales would [...]
Scolari extends winning run July 30, 2008 Chelsea will head to Russia this week for the latest leg of the pre-season preparations with a 100 per cent record after ending their tour of Asia on a winning note yesterday. Striker Nicolas Anelka and fullback Ashley Cole scored in a 2-0 victory against a Malaysian League Select team as the Blues made it [...]