Sports News from Times Online

Mark Webber earns first career pole for German Grand Prix

Sat, 11 Jul 2009 14:56:58 GMT

England grateful for rain after losing early wickets

Sat, 11 Jul 2009 11:46:28 GMT

England found themselves 20-2 at tea in the second innings of the first Ashes Test in Cardiff after Australia took the early wickets of Alastair Cook and Ravi Bopara.

Peter Crouch next on Bruce's shopping list

Sat, 11 Jul 2009 00:00:56 GMT

Sunderland remain active participants in the transfer market and after completing the £3.5 million transfer of Fraizer Campbell from Manchester United today — the striker is due to have a medical on Wearside — they will renew their attempts to sign Peter Crouch.

John Terry summit meeting offers hope to Manchester City

Sat, 11 Jul 2009 00:00:51 GMT

John Terry is insisting on a meeting with Roman Abramovich, the Chelsea owner, to seek assurances about the club’s future as Manchester City were given fresh encouragement in their pursuit of the England defender.

We are still going for the win, says defiant Anderson

Sat, 11 Jul 2009 00:00:43 GMT

England insisted last night that they can make a winning start to the Ashes series despite falling behind on first innings and with Australia preparing to push on for victory themselves this morning.

England look to heavens for salvation

Sat, 11 Jul 2009 00:00:43 GMT

Is it cowardly to pray for rain? was the title of a delicious book about the Ashes here four years ago, the title reflecting the general hope that, with England ahead, the Brit Oval would be swamped under a deluge.

Uncertainty dogs Portsmouth as players return

Sat, 11 Jul 2009 00:00:34 GMT

A skeleton Portsmouth squad has returned to pre-season training as uncertainty about the immediate and long-term future continues to dog the club.

Newcastle short of just about everything

Sat, 11 Jul 2009 00:00:18 GMT

For Newcastle United, nothing has changed yet everything is different. At 3pm today, the team relegated from the Barclays Premier League on the final, harrowing afternoon of last season will play a football match, their first of the summer.

Carlos Tevez close to securing move to Manchester City

Sat, 11 Jul 2009 00:00:15 GMT

Manchester City expect to confirm the signing of Carlos Tévez on Tuesday to end their pursuit of the Argentina forward who has played for Manchester United for two seasons.

Alberto Contador scores telling blow on Lance Armstrong

Sat, 11 Jul 2009 00:00:14 GMT

He waited and waited. He let the stage lead go away from him, he let the yellow jersey go, too, but finally on Thursday, with just three kilometres of the climb to Arcalis to run, Alberto Contador struck his first telling blow in the contest that really matters right now. He snapped his heels and left Lance Armstrong, his team-mate and rival, fading into the distance behind.

Micah Richards catches swine flu on holiday

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 20:51:43 GMT

Micah Richards contracted swine flu while on holiday last weekend. The Manchester City defender is understood to be the first English professional footballer to be affected by the virus.

Manchester City pull out of move for Eto'o

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 20:51:43 GMT

Manchester City have pulled out of a move for Samuel Eto’o, the Barcelona striker.

Lewis Hamilton sets fastest time on first day of qualifying for German Grand Prix

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 15:15:09 GMT

Lewis Hamilton set the fastest time in the second free practice session at the Nurburgring ahead of Sunday's German Grand Prix.

American businessman Stan Kroenke increased Arsenal stake

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 11:40:01 GMT

American businessman Stan Kroenke, Arsenal’s largest shareholder, has increased his stake in the Premier League club.

Gary Neville backs Michael Owen to win England recall

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 09:41:11 GMT

Michael Owen’s move to Manchester United will rejuvenate the striker’s international prospects, according to his former England colleague and new club team-mate Gary Neville.

Rafael Benítez scolds Gareth Barry for chasing money

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 00:00:59 GMT

Rafael Benítez labelled Gareth Barry a “100 per cent” mercenary yesterday for joining Manchester City last month. The Liverpool manager also adopted a hostile position with regards to the increasingly uncertain futures of Xabi Alonso and Javier Mascherano.

Mark Wotte is sacked a day after Southampton takeover

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 00:00:53 GMT

Mark Wotte became the first casualty of the takeover of Southampton by Markus Liebherr yesterday when he was sacked as head coach shortly after praising the new owner.

Andrew Flintoff urges England to get up for the fight

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 00:00:47 GMT

Andrew Flintoff told his England team-mates to draw upon the spirit of 2005 after Australia took the upper hand in the first npower Ashes Test in Cardiff yesterday.

Problems still hamper South Africa's 2010 World Cup dreams

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 00:00:40 GMT

The five stadiums specifically built in South Africa for the 2010 World Cup

Sunderland closing in on £5m striker Fraizer Campbell

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 00:00:35 GMT

Steve Bruce is on the verge of completing his first signing as Sunderland manager, with Fraizer Campbell set to leave Manchester United for the Stadium of Light.

Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone faces backlash in Germany

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 00:00:34 GMT

Thank God for Jenson Button.

Andrew Flintoff rekindles memories of 2005 Ashes

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 00:00:31 GMT

Who’d be a talisman? Andrew Flintoff showed us yesterday how hard it is to carry the qualities that make for talismania. A talisman — Flintoff — is a player who makes things happen, who makes everybody around him play better, who makes everybody believe in the impossible and then set out to achieve it. A talisman has a gift instantly recognisable but beyond analysis.

Simon Katich and Ricky Ponting hit hundreds as Australia regain control

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 00:00:17 GMT

There was a time just after lunch yesterday when English cricket was transported back to 2005.

Mark Wotte dismissed by Southampton

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 17:33:04 GMT

Mark Wotte has been dismissed by Southampton. The South Coast club were taken over yesterday by Markus Liebherr, a wealthy Swiss, and the appointment of a new manager is high on his agenda.

David Millar just fails with brave breakaway

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 16:50:06 GMT

The crescendo of this Tour de France may peak on the long climb to Andorra on Friday when the peloton’s two heavyweight prizefighters finally get the chance to slug it out. It is only the first round, yet Alberto Contador has it in him to land a killer blow on Lance Armstrong and there is a sense here of months of speculation reaching a climax.