Football news  

Kroenke moves closer to obligatory Arsenal takeover

American mogul increases stake to 29.9 per cent, just short of the threshold which would trigger obligatory takeover

• Fàbregas turns on style in dazzling show of class

• Fans wary as Kroenke increases Arsenal stake

Capello is key to glory, says Beckham

Former captain says the Italian has brought belief to England camp that they can end 44-year wait for World Cup triumph

• Beckham enjoying walk on wild side in LA

• England hopeful of seeding for World Cup

Neville: 'Players of today are too spoilt'

The Manchester United defender launches a sscathing attack on pampered stars who ‘can’t set up bank account’

• Relentless United push past Everton

• Football shorts: Beckham chasing hat-trick

Torres and Babel set to miss must-win match

Fernando Torres will not be fit enough to travel to Hungary for Liverpool’s crucial Champions League match against Debrecen

• Benítez: sell Torres and I quit Liverpool

• City pay the price for their timidity

Rugby news  

Johnson must go back to basics

England 6 New Zealand 19: England fail to capitalise on their scoring opportunities as All Blacks find weaknesses

• How the England players rated

• Loyal fans short-changed by lack of tries

Scotland’s bravery brings its reward

Scotland 9 Australia 8: Andy Robinson's men drive themselves to exhaustion in heroic defensive effort

• Robinson must try to maintain the momentum

• Steadman misses final act but salutes heroic defence

Saracens maintain their winning habit

Saracens 22 London Wasps 6: Wasps' expansive game comes unstuck in difficult conditions against powerful league leaders

• London Irish challenge lawmakers after defeat

• Hodgson’s accuracy lifts Sale Sharks

London Irish challenge lawmakers after defeat

London Irish 11 Newcastle Falcons 15: exiles' head coach Toby Booth says that rule changes have prohibited entertaintment

• Snobbery drove England's chariot into ditch

• Saracens maintain their winning habit

Cricket news  

Cook switched from one-day squad

England confident batsman will be fit for the start of the Test series after moving him into the Performance Programme

• Smith and Bosman batter England

• Captain Cook embarks on a voyage of discovery

The pitch battle that must be won

Test cricket is in danger from low, slow wickets that bring only draws: spectators want to see a decent contest

• England match washed out by rain

• What’s in a name? Lord’s may yet find out

Surrey to ask ECB to review salary cap

Surrey plan to follow Middlesex's lead of signing up foreign stars for the Friends Provident Twenty20 competition next season

• Davies: sending Prior a warning

• Chilly reception to early county start

Kallis out of one-day international series

South Africa all-rounder Jacques Kallis will miss the entire one-day international series against England because of a fractured rib

More sport news  

Federer takes some time to become his old self

Despite getting off to a slow start, the world No 1 wore down Fernando Verdasco to set up a match with Andy Murray

• Federer aware of pitfalls in London

• Federer: confessions of a tennis dad

McIlroy bows to new king Westwood

Englishman completes stunning victory at the Dubai World Championship to claim crown of European No 1 for the second time

• How Foster’s last orders helped seal triumph

• Westwood prepares to kick up desert storm

Froch lies in waits after Ward beats Kessler

Boxing: American emerges as Briton's rival in the Super Six supermiddleweight tournament after winning the WBA title

• Froch is up for Kessler after hard night

• Froch gets ready to hit the world for six

Meeke takes title after Bogie crashes

Rallying: Scot wins Intercontinental Rally Championship title after inaugural RallyScotland fizzles out following accident

• Subaru joins the exodus amid credit crunch

• McRae family seek to build rallying legacy

Racing and Betting News  

Nicholls breathes sigh of relief as Kauto Star gets disputed verdict

Alan Lee says nobody could have begrudged a dead-heat being called after photo-finish leaves runner-up's trainer in bewilderment

Vic Venturi books return ticket to Aintree

Nine-year-old has Grand National on agenda after defying top weight and market drift to land Becher Chase

Notre Pere helps revive Lynch

Jockey has shown great patience and determination to bounce back from serious injury suffered in a minor race at Ballinrobe