Football news  

Owen in last chance saloon

The Manchester United striker will need to make an impression against Chelsea if he wants to join the England squad

• How the big two measure up

• The view from Stamford Bridge

City open talks with Benfica over £27m Di Maria

Argentine international is seen as a direct replacement for Robinho, who is now eager to return to Spanish football

• McDonald pegs back City back again

• Hughes happy with record next to 'Big Four'

Carew powers Villa past Bolton

Aston Villa 5 Bolton 1: Norway striker rampant as he scores one goal and creates two more against poor visiting defence

• Rover and out as Norwich class shines through

• Sousa stays calm as Swans edge derby

Roberts leads Blackburn's fightback

Blackburn 3 Portsmouth 1: half-time substitute transforms Rovers' fortunes in crucial clash at bottom of the table

• Wiser Lawrence steps into the real world

• Church answers Reading's prayers

Rugby news  

Australia wallop England to spoil Wilkinson's return

England 9 Australia 18: England fly half produces a superb performance but the exceptional visitors deservedly take Cook Cup

Carter helps stretch All Blacks domination

Wales 12 New Zealand 19: fly half leads All Blacks to a comfortable win over Wales at the Millennium Stadium

Excuses come thick and fast

Martin Johnson insists England will learn from their defeat against Australia and improve before the match with Argentina

Lievremont hoping to find a turning point

The French coach believes his new framework will pay dividends against the world champions in run-up to 2011 World Cup

Cricket news  

Pietersen has a point to prove

Back from months of injury, the England batsman faces doubts about his technique and competition from Jonathan Trott

Flintoff off crutches but recovery remains slow

The England all-rounder’s return from knee surgery is now likely to be next spring in the World Twenty20

England take ruthless stance in South Africa

Tour to concentrate on power hitting and greater athleticism in field in attempt to reverse years of underachievement

Tendulkar’s endeavours prove in vain

The India superstar made an outstanding 175 but his side came up short against Australia by three runs chasing 351

More Sport news  

Dyson: smelling the coffee

The golfer gave up alcohol, then caffeine, but the sacrifice has been worth it and a Ryder Cup debut may be his reward

England into final of the Four Nations

England 20 New Zealand 12: Tony Smith's men beat the world champions to set up a rematch against Australia at Elland Road

Home is where the heart is for Federer

The Swiss dominates in Basel as the competition for a Barclays ATP World Tour Finals place in London hots up

Snow queen aims for gold in Vancouver

Zoe Gillings has the talent and drive to put Britain on the snowboarding map at the Winter Olympics in 2010

More sport news  

Haye hits the top

The Briton realised his childhood dream when he beat the ‘Beast from the East’ to lift the world heavyweight crown

Haye ready to face heaviest hitters

The formidable Klitschko brothers, who hold the WBC, IBF and WBO versions of the title, stand in the way of a happy ending

Woods averts China crisis

Top players make allowances for high spirits from the packed galleries at the HSBC Champions event in Shanghai

Murray fights through pain to beat Verdasco

A thigh injury was not enough to prevent the Briton from reaching the final of the Valencia Open by beating the Spaniard

Racing and Betting News  

Raiders seek big haul in California

A strong European challenge, including Conduit, pictured, should have no excuses when the Breeders' Cup concludes on Saturday night

Breeders’ Cup is all about the girl

European wins are eclipsed by Zenyatta’s astonishing run in the £2m Classic which brought the mare another comfortable win

Jack puts on cracking show

A barren day of racing at Sandown Park is lit up by the Arkle Chase favourite - to the delight of trainer Emma Lavelle