Football news  

Beckham withdraws from England squad

The midfielder will miss the friendly with Brazil on Saturday so that he can play for LA Galaxy in an MLS play-off final

• Owen fails to gain nod from Capello

• Galaxy run puts Beckham in doubt for Brazil

Rooney escapes with warning from FA

United striker warned over future conduct after appearing to mouth words 'twelfth man' in reference to referee's performance

• Ferguson's rant masks United's deficiencies

• Sir Alex Ferguson screams blue murder

Injury-time winner eases pressure on Brown

Hull City 2 Stoke City 1: Vennegoor of Hesselink hits stoppage-time goal as Phil Brown's side come from behind

• Win against Stoke not essential, says Brown

• Cull at Hull planned to reduce £40m wage bill

Everton seize narrow win over West Ham

West Ham 1 Everton 2: Louis Saha and Dan Gosling secure win to leave West Ham languishing in bottom three

• Injury-time winner eases pressure on Brown

• Dempsey makes Wigan pay the penalty

Rugby news  

Australia heap pressure on Johnson

England 9 Australia 18: team manager badly needs victory over Argentina on Saturday after seeing his side well beaten

Cooper sets the example for Geraghty to follow

Australia’s No 12 puts opposite number in the shade as England newcomer finds the international arena an unforgiving place

Wales impress but must learn from All Blacks

The latest defeat by New Zealand represented a step forward but much hard work still lies ahead of Warren Gatland's team

Carter faces disciplinary hearing after citing

New Zealand fly half may miss match against Italy after being reported for alleged dangerous tackle against Wales

Cricket news  

Hoggard signs for Leicestershire

Former England bowler agrees to three-year deal as captain after being 'shocked and disappointed' with release by Yorkshire

Broad fires warning to ECB over player burnout

Bowler warns that key players in the England team should be told to rest against weaker nations such as Bangladesh

England wrap up resounding win

Andrew Strauss and Joe Denly lead the England charge with half-centuries to give their side their second tour win

Pietersen has a point to prove

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

More Sport news  

Murray family fortunes soar higher

British No 1's victory in Valencia is matched by win for his brother, Jamie, in Challenger doubles event in Kazakhstan

Mickelson leaves Woods firmly in background

American claims dramatic victory in the WGC-HSBC Champions tournament, pursued not by the world No1, but by Ernie Els

Federer loses hometown tournament to Djokovic

The top seed falls 6-4, 4-6, 6-2 to Novak Djokovic in the Swiss Indoors final as the Serb takes his fourth title of the season

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 slays Valuev to rule the world

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

Charisma brings the greatest compliment

The comparison comes from David Haye’s US promoter, but being mentioned alongside Muhammad Ali is a big help to Haye

England determined to have final word

Tony Smith's men defeat New Zealand in a manner that suggests they need not fear Australia in Four Nations decider

Smith rewarded for investing in youth

England 20 New Zealand 12: Inexperienced half backs Kyle Eastmond and Sam Tomkins help to inspire famous victory

Racing and Betting News  

Sundays remain weak link

Alan Lee says that Sunday racing in Britain is lost in a fog of mediocrity and argues that Jimmy Fortune deserved greater loyalty

Zenyatta shows girl power in Classic success

The Europeans enjoyed an excellent time at the Breeders' Cup but it was the American mare who stole the show

Mitchell hopes double will boost numbers

Dorset-based trainer savours "surreal day" but says that he will have to review career unless his stable can attract more horses