Mind games must be taken with a pinch of salt July 24, 2008 Well, we’re not even at the end of July and already the mind games have started. This promises to be a fascinating Premier League season. Luiz Felipe Scolari has barely hung up his suit on the back of his office door at Chelsea and already he has been given a pleasant ‘welcome’ to English football [...]
Calzaghe will recover for a November date with Jones July 24, 2008 Joe Calzaghe has quashed fears regarding the seriousness of his hand injury, insisting he will be back to fight Roy Jones Jnr in November. The undefeated Welshman was forced to postpone the scheduled 20 September showdown at New York’s Madison Square Garden on Tuesday, after damaging his right hand in training. But after seeing a [...]
Scolari starts with win but snubs Fergie July 24, 2008 Chelsea boss Luiz Felipe Scolari refused to rise to taunts from Manchester United after getting his tenure off to a winning start in China. Unsettled midfielder Frank Lampard underlined his value with a fine chipped goal, while new signings Deco and Jose Bosingwa made their debuts in a comfortable 4-0 victory over Guangzhou. But the [...]
Tevez: Let Ronaldo join Real July 24, 2008 Manchester United striker Carlos Tevez has broken ranks and backed team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo’s desire to move to Real Madrid. Tevez says he understands why Portugal winger Ronaldo is tempted to join Real and that United should respect his wishes. “I understand Cristiano Ronaldo. Every footballer wants to play for Real Madrid,” said Tevez. “Nevertheless I [...]
Moores: Door not yet shut on Harmison July 24, 2008 Under-fire coach Peter Moores insists England outcasts Matthew Hoggard and Steve Harmison still have Test futures despite his part in the selection row which has split English cricket. Moores came under scrutiny afterAustralian-raised seamer Darren Pattinson was drafted into the side for the second Test against South Africa, ahead of the centrally-contracted duo. Captain Michael [...]
Raikkonen considering quitting sport when Ferrari deal runs out next year July 24, 2008 World champion Kimi Raikkonen has sensationally admitted he could walk away from the sport next year. The paddock has been rife with speculation that the Ferrari driver is on the verge of retiring from the sport at the age of 28. Raikkonen insists he has no intention of breaking his £20m-a-year contract with the Italian [...]
I’m Peking just in time for Games, says Idowu July 24, 2008 British triple-jumper Phillips Idowu is desperate to extend his unbeaten streak this weekend at Crystal Palace. Londoner Idowu heads to the Olympics as clear favourite to claim gold, having dominated the event since winning the World Indoor title earlier this year. The 29-year-old has won all four of his Beijing warm-ups in the last two [...]
Essien urges Drogba to sign July 23, 2008 Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien has called on team-mate Didier Drogba to follow his lead and sign a new contract at Stamford Bridge. The Ghanaian international agreed a new five-year deal yesterday as the Blues prepare for their opening preseason match in China this morning. He follows goalkeeper Petr Cech and left-back Wayne Bridge in penning [...]
Crusaders and Salford get the nod to contest new-look Super League July 23, 2008 Rugby Football League chief Richard Lewis admitted selecting licenses for the new-look Super League was a “difficult decision” after several top clubs missed out. All 12 of the existing Super League clubs retained their place in the 14-club top-flight, joined by National Leaguers Salford City Reds and Celtic Crusaders. Licenses run until 2011, with no [...]
Seve tips Padraig to be a Ryder Cup star July 23, 2008 Five-time Major winner Seve Ballesteros has backed Open champion Padraig Harrington to spearhead another European Ryder Cup victory. Harrington confirmed his status as the continent’s leading player of recent years with a superb defence of the Claret Jug at Royal Birkdale last weekend. And Spanish great Ballesteros, who won the Open three times, says it [...]