Football news  

United facing a Real problem after shock defeat

European football's big guns lie in wait after loss to Besiktas puts chances of winning Champions League group in jeopardy

• Ferguson to put striker search on hold

• Foster suffers another uncomfortable night

Shearer defends health of World Cup bid

Former England striker says changes to campaign team will strengthen country's chances of hosting tournament in 2018

• Triesman under fire over World Cup bid

• Premier League chief quits World Cup bid

Anelka swoops late as Chelsea stroll

Porto 0 Chelsea 1: Didier Drogba makes quick return from rib injury as Nicolas Anelka’s goal ensures Chelsea finish as group winners

• Terry: Chelsea have rivals running scared

• Terry urges Chelsea to splash out in January

Beaten United find solace in Liverpool humbling

Man Utd 0 Besiktas 1: Rodrigo Tello’s long-range effort leaves home fans to comfort themselves with exit of arch-rivals

• Foster suffers another uncomfortable night

• Ferguson fears Vidic’s head has turned

Rugby news  

Cockerill handed four-week ban for abuse

Leicester head coach guilty of unacceptable behaviour towards officials at LV Cup match against Newport Gwent Dragons

• Burns steps up to help Gloucester stop rot

• Cockerill attributes maturity to French polish

England’s rut forms part of wider malaise

This season’s famine of entertainment may yet be a blip but it falls to those on and off the pitch to elevate the game

• Cockerill handed four-week ban for abuse

• The Rolling Maul: Johnson must prove he's a leader

Sexton replaces O’Gara against Springboks

Choice of Sexton to face South Africa confirms that the Munster veteran finally has rival for the fly half jersey

Beale leads the procession for Wallabies

Cardiff's record of never having lost to Australia ended with a comprehensive defeat at the hands of the touring team

Cricket news  

Broad hopes he is in the clear from injuries

The fast bowler is optimistic that he will be able to make his first appearance for England since the Champions Trophy

• Broad fires warning to ECB over player burnout

• Warne: why England are going to ruin Broad

Test cricket dying in India

Pitches that favour batsmen and reduce bowlers to second-class citizens are killing the game on the sub-continent

• The pitch battle that must be won

• Bold Collingwood gives command performance

Morgan and Trott chase IPL riches

Franchises make contact with representatives of England batsmen after dazzling recent performances in limited-overs game

Referral system approved for England series

Controversial umpire scheme to be used in South Africa but doubts remain over what gadgets will be used and who pays

More sport news  

Nadal crashes out as workload takes its toll

Spaniard looks a shadow of the player he can be at the top of his game, suffering second defeat to Nikolay Davydenko

• Soderling victory would burst London's bubble

• Out-of-sorts Nadal succumbs to Söderling

Lauda dismisses talk of Schumacher comeback

Legendary driver does not believe fevered gossip linking seven-times world champion with a return to the sport with Mercedes

• Mercedes sustain Schumacher speculation

• Schumacher silent over return rumours

Adlington and Jackson sign up for dream team

Swimming: British rivals join European line-up preparing to take on the cream of the United States in Manchester

• Phelps hungry to put body back on the line

• Europe could face duel without biggest guns

England aim to blood new talent before 2012

Hockey: Jason Lee has called up an 18-year-old and a 20-year-old to the England squad for the Champions Trophy

• London calling: measuring Britain’s progress

• Britain's hockey heroes remember glory of Seoul 1988

Racing and Betting News  

Byrnes plays down claims of Solwhit

Trainer is sceptical about his horse claiming the scalp of Binocular, pictured, in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle

Riled jockeys keen to throw book at Dunwoody

Ex-rider suggests Richard Johnson might have had a better chance of being champion with a different agent

Moore wins recognition with ride on Cappa Bleu

In-form jockey gets Hennessy call-up from Evan Williams as opposition to top weight Denman takes shape