12/5 Powell to steal lightning Bolt’s thunder August 15, 2008 Usain Bolt is the 11/8 market leader to win the men’s 100m as the athletics gets underway in Beijing, but I prefer the chances of former world record holder Asafa Powell at 12/5, who can usurp his fellow countryman. In the 200m, Bolt is 1/10 and is clearly the man to beat, but I am [...]
Falling rents delay plans at Cheesegrater August 15, 2008 Analysts yesterday said they were not surprised by British Land’s decision to postpone the development of its flagship City skyscraper, the “Cheesegrater”. The developer, which saw the value of its portfolio slide by 5 per cent to £6.3bn in the three months to June, said it now expects the 225 metre tower in the heart [...]
Rights issue to fall flat at troubled B&B August 15, 2008 Bradford & Bingley’s attempt to raise cash could see a take up as low as 8 per cent Bradford and Bingley faces a meagre take-up of its rights issue when it closes at 11am today, with shareholder support expected to be minimal. Shares in the troubled mortgage lender have skirted the 55p issue price for [...]
United at 5/4 leaves no room at the top for big Phil Scolari August 15, 2008 It’s the big kick-off in the Premier League tomorrow and the “Big Four” are already starting to jostle for position. John Terry’s claim that Manchester United have “already peaked” may light the blue touch paper, but new Chelsea coach Luis Felipe Scolari could manage that all by himself. The 59-year-old Brazilian, nicknamed ‘wooden leg’ during [...]
Brace yourself for Bayor August 15, 2008 Emmanuel Adebayor may have been on the verge of leaving Arsenal this summer, but back the lanky forward to prove his newfound loyalty by ensuring West Brom endure a miserable return to the top flight. The Baggies face a daunting trip to the Emirates Stadium tomorrow as the Premier League season kicks off – and [...]
Barry exit scuppered as Villa win Euro match August 15, 2008 Aston Villa’s Gareth Barry all but resigned himself to another season at the club after setting them on their way to a European victory last night. The Liverpool target drastically reduced his chances of a dream move to Anfield by figuring against FH Hafnarfjordur, but put thoughts of a move to one side as he [...]
Mutu forced to pay Blues £13.7m for drugs shame August 15, 2008 Former Chelsea striker Adrian Mutu faces financial ruin this morning after being ordered to pay the club a world record £13.68m in damages for his drugs shame. The Romanian striker had his contract terminated by the Blues in October 2004 after testing positive for cocaine. But now the Fiorentina frontman will have to pay Chelsea [...]
Holmes: Gold rush will spur on track stars August 15, 2008 Double Olympic gold medallist Dame Kelly Holmes believes Great Britain’s athletes will be buoyed by the successes of their Team GB colleagues as they prepare for the start of today’s track and field events. Britain have so far landed seven medals at the Beijing Games including golds for swimmer Rebecca Adlington and cyclist Nicole Cooke. [...]
Wenger vows to strengthen ‘light’ Arsenal August 15, 2008 Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has promised to splash the cash on a new arrival by the end of the month after resigning himself to losing another of his young Guns. Wenger was without no fewer than nine of his first team stars for the hard-fought 2-0 Champions League win against FC Twente on Wednesday night [...]
I fancy Chelsea, but Spurs will trail again August 15, 2008 As a former darling of White Hart Lane, Chris Waddle is well placed to judge whether Tottenham are ready to break the iron grip of the Premier League’s big four. But on the eve of the new top-flight season, the former England winger has a stark warning for Spurs boss Juande Ramos. Waddle believes big-spending [...]
