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 [...]
Fergie writes off Man City’s title ambition July 20, 2009 MANCHESTER UNITED manager Sir Alex Ferguson has written off big-spending Manchester City’s hopes of mounting a serious Premier League title challenge. City have put champions United in the shade with an £80m summer spree on established stars Carlos Tevez, Emmanuel Adebayor, Roque Santa Cruz and Gareth Barry. But Ferguson insists his local rivals will struggle [...]
City continue Terry courtship July 19, 2009 FOOTBALL: The Premier League last night confirmed it had received no official complaint from Chelsea over Manchester City’s public pursuit of John Terry, despite City boss Mark Hughes continuing the chase yesterday. Chelsea are angry with City’s courtship despite having a £30m offer turned down last week. And Hughes continued yesterday by saying: “He’s a [...]
Downing: Villa move will aid my World Cup dream July 16, 2009 ENGLAND winger Stewart Downing insists he had to quit Middlesbrough for Aston Villa in order to boost his prospects of playing in next summer’s World Cup. Downing completed a £12m transfer yesterday, signing a four-year contract with Martin O’Neill’s improving Premier League outfit. It ended the left winger’s long association with his hometown club, which [...]
Chelsea get Terry boost but Cole injury setback July 16, 2009 CHELSEA and England midfielder Joe Cole will miss the club’s pre-season trip to America after suffering a setback in his recovery from a knee injury. Cole had hoped to return to first-team action next month, shortly after the start of the new Premier League season, but now looks likely to be out until September. The [...]
Villa in 12m Downing deal July 15, 2009 ASTON VILLA are closing in on the £12m signing of Middlesbrough winger Stewart Downing after the clubs agreed a fee yesterday. Downing, who has been ruled out until October with a foot injury, spent the afternoon in the midlands discussing personal terms with Villa. Relegated Boro have admitted they are ready to sell their most [...]
Flintoff: My body has told me it’s time to quit Tests July 15, 2009 ENGLAND’S Ashes preparations took a shock turn yesterday when talismanic all-rounder Andrew Flintoff announced the current series would be his last in Test cricket. Ahead of today’s second clash with Australia at Lord’s, Flintoff said persistent injury problems over the last four years had forced him to reduce his workload. The 31-year-old will continue to [...]
Mega-rich City could overtake United July 14, 2009 THE bottomless pit of cash that Manchester City are mining this summer has already seen them snatch Carlos Tevez away from their more prestigious local rivals. And it is far from unthinkable that their spending spree could even see them poach Manchester United’s place in the top four too. Tevez has followed Gareth Barry and [...]
Jenas bait in Tottenham’s Vieira swoop July 14, 2009 TOTTENHAM manager Harry Redknapp is ready to use England midfielder Jermaine Jenas as bait in a sensational deal for Patrick Vieira. Inter Milan are reportedly willing to let Vieira, former captain of Spurs’ arch-rivals Arsenal, leave the club for a fee of around £3.5m. Tottenham are among a host of clubs chasing the 33-year-old Frenchman’s [...]
Flintoff set to recover for second Ashes Test July 14, 2009 TALISMANIC England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff is expected to shake off a knee injury in time for tomorrow’s second Ashes Test against Australia. Head coach Andy Flower is waiting until today to make a decision on Flintoff, who felt pain after England snatched a draw in the first Test on Sunday. Flintoff needed an injection on [...]