Football news  

Ferguson wary of Dzeko threat

Chief executive’s son Oliver Gill likely to earn place on the bench with impressive Wolfsburg striker eager to enhance his reputation

• Vidic adds to Ferguson's defensive problems

• Defensive woes cast shadow over United

Beattie warned after row with Pulis over party

Manager makes team aware of priorities after an altercation with his striker over the players’ Christmas celebrations

• Arshavin hits the heights for Arsenal

• Arshavin's central role in restoring winning ways

Tottenham must stop living in the past

Squad needs to improve mental strength and forget failures of recent years if they are to secure Champions League place

• Defoe penalty miss hands Everton vital point

• Defoe: giving it his best shot

Primus retires after losing battle with injury

Portsmouth defender, who played 219 games for Fratton Park club, calls time on his career after failing to overcome a knee injury

• Hreidarsson happy with points not plaudits

• Classy Kanu comes off bench to lift Grant

Rugby news  

Wasps cleared over refusal to play Sale

London club excused of decision to pull out of game but unhappy that Mark Evans, of Harlequins, sat on case panel

Habana hat-trick ends All Blacks' unbeaten run

Barbarians 25 New Zealand 18: thrilling encounter at Twickenham sees All Blacks fall to a hat-trick of tries from Bryan Habana

Saracens savour view from the summit

Saracens 15 Sale Sharks 13: Derick Hougaard kicks all of Saracens' points as they extend their lead at the top of the table

Manchester rely on woman’s touch to stem tide

Elaine Vassie has taken on arguably the hardest job in rugby: head coach at a side hopelessly out of their depth

Cricket news  

Anderson out of England tour match

Knee injury rules fast bowler out of match against South African Airways XI, but it is hoped he will return for first Test next Wednesday

Pietersen racing to get up to speed on tour

England batsman admits he needs more time in the middle to rebuild his confidence before facing South Africa’s pace attack

Benson's allies insist that umpire is no quitter

ICC says Mark Benson withdrew from second Test between Australia and West Indies for health reasons

Sport in brief: free-to-air Ashes get backing

Culture Secretary gives provisional agreement to protect series; European Tour expands; Junior WItter’s injury blow

More sport news  

O’Sullivan shows maturity to ease past Stevens

Snooker: game's most popular figure overcomes tough rival to enter second round of Pukka Pies United Kingdom Championship

Silverstone eyes rich rewards from big gamble

Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton delighted as a 17-year deal for British Grand Prix is agreed with Bernie Ecclestone

Cup runneth over to give Taylor soaking

Darts: the Power finds himself in the line of fire from a refreshed Scottish audience after clinching home international

Saints work overtime to match Colts

American football: New Orleans struggle to beat Washington Redskins to claim 12th straight win

Racing and Betting News  

Kinane bows out on high after 34 years in saddle

Jockey who rode Sea The Stars to six group one wins this year, including the 2,000 Guineas-Derby-Arc treble, says time is right to retire

• Kinane leaves a dazzling legacy and no regrets

• Kinane's triumphs provide inspiration

Nicholls seeks aid for Celestial Halo

Champion trainer is anxious for decent gallop and may run Oslot as a pacemaker in the Boylesports.com International Hurdle on Saturday

Budget reductions paint gloomy picture

Alan Lee says that significant cuts at Channel 4 point to regular terrestrial television coverage hanging by a fraying thread

Knight back in spotlight as Somersby takes plaudits

Trainer famous for her exploits with Best Mate has another gifted chaser in which she can look forward to lofty days