England played out a 1-1 draw with Italy in their first match of this season's FA International U17 Tournament, and a point was the very least they deserved from a match they dominated for large spells.

Simone Magnaghi gave the Italians the lead after 27 minutes, but England equalised with just over a quarter of an hour remaining, courtesy of an own goal from Italian 'keeper, Nicola Leali.

The Italians were composed in possession and resolute in defence, with Leali looking particularly impressive - albeit with an own goal against his name - though it was England who created the clearer and more frequent chances.

John Peacock's side produced an assured performance and they will head into Friday's match against Turkey confident they can better tonight's result. 

Chuks Aneke had the first shot of the match as the hosts started brightly. They penned the visitors in their own half and Josh McEachran's clipped ball forward after just two minutes fell to Aneke, but he could only drag his effort wide.

The England midfield took control of the game early on with McEachran, Aneke, Ravel Morrison and George Thorne enjoying a lot of the ball in the opening stages. Skipper Luke Garbutt and Bruno Pilatos offered width and support from the full back positions and England's dominance was personified by the fact that Sam Johnstone's first touch of the ball came in the 19th minute. Furthermore, Italy's solitary counter attack in the first ten minutes was mopped up well by Louis Laing, who outpaced Magnaghi to clear the danger.

England will feel they should have taken the lead just after the 20 minute mark, but they found Leali in inspired form for the first time on the night. First, he saved well from William Keane after the Manchester United man had benefited from a loose Dario Cascione pass. Barely a minute later, Benik Afobe climbed highest to meet a McEachran corner, but Leali parried from point blank range and then clawed away Afobe's immediate rebound.

Against the run of play, Italy took the lead just four minutes later. They built a rare attack down the right and Andrea Romano's cross was swept home from 12 yards by Magnaghi.

Not to be perturbed, the hosts continued to press. McEachran was again the architect of a fine England move and his through ball found Afobe on the right of the Italy box but the front man was stretching and shot over.

England began the second period as they finished the first, forcing Italy on the back foot, but it was the Italians who had the first shot of the half. Nicola Quaggiotto found some space on the right wing and he centred for the goalscorer who was arriving at the near post, but Magnaghi's volleyed effort whizzed narrowly wide of the target.

The Young Lions then galloped down the other end and came within the width of a post from equalising. Jake Bidwell, who impressed after coming off the bench, released Afobe down the left and his cut back was met by the on-rushing Morrison, but his side footed effort thumped against the woodwork with Leali, for once, beaten.

On 52 minutes, England's front two combined from a Morrison corner, however Afobe's knock down was prodded over by Keane. An equaliser would certainly have been merited. It came in the 64th minute.

A goalmouth scramble produced another save from Leali, though the subsequent injury he suffered might have hindered him when he came to collect McEachran's corner. Under pressure from Keane, Leali could only watch despairingly as his punched clearance spun behind him and into the net.

With parity restored, England went for the juggular and a minute later Pilatos fired a shot wide.

It was then the goalkeepers' turn to trade saves, as Johnstone lept to collect the ball from the feet of Romano before Leali proved Afobe's nemesis once more, foiling the England no.9 when he was through one-on-one.

Substitutes Jake Fowler and Saido Berahino shot over and wide respectively in the final minute and they were the final chances of an enjoyable encounter at the Pirelli Stadium.

The FA International Tournament

7pm, Wednesday 26 August

The Pirelli Stadium, Burton Albion FC

England

1 Sam Johnstone, 2 Bruno Pilatos, 3 Luke Garbutt (C), 4 George Thorne (12 Liam Moore, 80), 5 Louis Laing, 6 Nathaniel Chalobah, 7 William Keane, 8 Chuks Aneke (14 Jake Bidwell, 41), 9 Benik Afobe, 10 Ravel Morrison (17 Saido Berahino, 58), 11 Josh McEachran (18 Jake Fowler, 80)

Substitutes not used

13 Jack Butland, 15 Tom Thorpe, 16 Josh Rees

Head Coach

John Peacock

Italy

1 Nicola Leali, 2 Paolo Dametto (13 Andrea Montresor, 56), 3 Dario Cascione, 4 Lacopo Galimberti, 5 Matteo Solini, 6 Simone Pecorini, 7 Nicola Quaggiotto (15 Giovanni Cristofari, 73), 8 Andrea Romano 9 Simone Magnaghi, 10 Giuseppe Iuliano, 11 Antonio Gammone

Substitutes not used

12 Luca Nuziata, 14 Mattia Valoti, 16 Angelo Chiavazzo, 17 Alberto Melis, 18 Matteo Borlini

Head Coach

Pasquale Salerno

Text: THEFA.COM

Celtic midfielder Massimo Donati says Uefa should ban Eduardo after the Arsenal striker was accused of diving in the Champions League qualifier.

Eduardo scored a controversial penalty in the 3-1 win over Celtic at the Emirates on Wednesday.

"If it is clear on TV, then Uefa must act and ban him," said Donati.

"I think he should get a two-match ban because it wasn't a penalty. I told him that and everyone in the Celtic team told him that."

There appeared to be no contact between Crotian forward Eduardo and Celtic goalkeeper Artur Boruc but referee Manuel Gonzalez still gave a penalty midway through the first half that Eduardo converted.

Celtic had travelled to the Emirates 2-0 down from the first leg in Glasgow, when Arsenal had been the better side but had scored with a deflection and an own goal.

The first goal in London, then, was likely to be crucial and Celtic's Polish keeper Boruc was incensed when Eduardo appeared to dupe the referee into pointing to the spot.

Donati believes Eduardo should be treated the same way as Lithuania striker Saulius Mikoliunas, who cheated to earn a penalty against Scotland at Hampden Park in September 2007.

After that occasion Uefa used video evidence to punish Mikoliunas with a two-match ban.

Speaking after the match, Celtic defender Glenn Loovens also offered his thoughts on Eduardo and his penalty claim.

"I don't think he even speaks English so there was no point talking to him," said the Dutch centre-half.

"It is very disappointing but that is football. It's sad it happened to us.

"I don't think it is really fair. But it helped his team take the lead. There is a referee and a linesman to see those kind of things."

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger acknowledged Celtic goalkeeper Artur Boruc did not bring down Eduardo in the penalty incident but claimed his forward was taking evasive action.

Following the Gunners' eventual 3-1 win, Wenger said: "I do not go as far to say Eduardo dived.

"He went down, for what reason I do not know. Having seen it again on television, it doesn't look a penalty.

"I do not think he (Eduardo) would have complained if the penalty was not given."

Text: BBC SPORT

Arab businessman Sulaiman Al Fahim has completed his takeover of Premier League strugglers Portsmouth.

The 32-year-old has become the club's new sole owner after a buy-out believed to be worth £60m.

"Sulaiman Al Fahim welcomes this agreement and looks forward to helping the club build on its impressive history," his spokesman said.

Al Fahim had already been named Pompey chairman after passing the Premier League's fit and proper person test.

Portsmouth released a statement saying: "The chairman of the club would like to extend his gratitude to the players, staff and supporters of Portsmouth FC who have shown an extraordinary level of commitment and loyalty to this great club."

A source close to outgoing owner Alexandre "Sacha" Gaydamak told the BBC: "Sacha is delighted the deal has been finalised and is really pleased the club can now move forward in the best possible way.

"He would also like to thank Portsmouth's supporters for their continuing loyalty to the team and wishes them all the best for the future."

The news of Al Fahim's takeover comes a week after the club revealed it was in talks with a new consortium led by chief executive Peter Storrie.

Storrie said he was disappointed that his consortium had missed out on the chance to takeover the club.

"My group is very unhappy," he told radio station 107.4 The Quay. "A meeting was scheduled for 8.30am, but Sacha called me and asked to reschedule for 12. I asked him if there was a problem, as my people were getting nervous and he said 'no'.

"I am very, very disappointed, but its Sacha's club. He decides."

Storrie pledged to continue working on some transfer deals but said he would take some time to evaluate his own position following Wednesday's developments.

He suggested co-operation with Al Fahim might be tricky.

"I really don't know whether that would be possible, but we just have to wait for everyone to calm down," he said.

Al Fahim agreed to buy Pompey from Gaydamak in May after the Franco-Russian announced he wanted to sell because he was unable to devote sufficient time to club.

Al Fahim finally completed a period of financial and commercial due diligence of the club last month.

He takes over a club in turmoil both on and off the field.

Paul Hart's men have lost all three of their league games this season, scoring just one goal.

The club were forced to sell England internationals Glen Johnson and Peter Crouch this summer to reduce a reported debt of £44m, while centre-back Sylvain Distin is believed to be on the verge of a move to Everton.

Al Fahim was the initial figurehead of the Abu Dhabi United Group when they took control of Manchester City in the summer of 2008, although he is no longer involved at Eastlands.

Text: BBC SPORT

Britain's Andy Murray has been seeded second for the US Open, which begins on Monday, 31 August in New York.

Seeding for the tournament at Flushing Meadows follows the ATP world rankings.

Five-time defending champion Roger Federer is therefore seeded first in the men's draw, with Spaniard Rafael Nadal seeded third.

Dinara Safina is the women's top seed, followed by defending champion Serena Williams and her sister Venus, herself a two-time US Open champion.

The US Tennis Association has stuck to its policy of strictly following the world rankings when assigning seedings, even though this has resulted in Safina, who has yet to win a Grand Slam ranked ahead of Serena, who has won three of the past four Grand Slams and 11 overall.

"The US Open has the prerogative of altering its seedings but it's something we have not availed ourselves of in quite some time," said tournament director Jim Curley.

"We certainly spoke about it, but it never got to the point where we were seriously intending to not follow the rankings."

Other notable seeds in the women's draw include Beijing Olympics gold medallist Elena Dementieva (4), 2008 US Open runner-up Jelena Jankovic (5) and 2006 champion Maria Sharapova (29).

One major champion in the field but not seeded is the 2005 winner Kim Clijsters, who recently came out of retirement and received a wild card from the USTA.

In the men's draw, 2007 US Open runner-up Novak Djokovic is seeded fourth and 2003 US Open champion and 2009 Wimbledon runner-up Andy Roddick is 5th.

The draw for the tournament will take place on Thursday.

Qualifying is already under way with a healthy British contingent competing.

Josh Goodall suffered a first-round exit when he was forced to retire against Igor Sijsling of the Netherlands.

The British number four was trailing 7-6 2-6 2-4 when he withdrew with injury, while Alex Bogdanovic, Dan Evans and James Ward are in action later on Tuesday.

Third seed Katie O'Brien has already booked her place in the second round of women's qualifying courtesy of a 6-3 6-2 victory over Austrian Nikola Hofmanova.

"It went better than I expected to be honest," said O'Brien. "I haven't felt great in the last few weeks so it's great to come through today.

"I will definitely have to play better in my next one but this is a really good start."

Georgie Stoop was a first-round loser, beaten 6-1 1-6 6-7 (6-8) by Polish 32nd seed Marta Domachowski.

Also in the women's draw are Elena Baltacha (seeded second), Laura Robson (courtesy of a wildcard) and Mel South.

Men:

1. R Federer (Switzerland) 2. A Murray (Great Britain) 3. R Nadal (Spain) 4. N Djokovic (Serbia) 5. A Roddick (United States) 6. J M del Potro (Argentina) 7. J-W Tsonga (France) 8. N Davydenko (Russia) 9. G Simon (France) 10. F Verdasco (Spain) 11. F Gonzalez (Chile) 12. R Soderling (Sweden) 13. G Monfils (France) 14. T Robredo (Spain) 15. R Stepanek (Czech Republic) 16. M Cilic (Croatia) 17. T Berdych (Czech Republic) 18. D Ferrer (Spain) 19. S Wawrinka (Switzerland) 20. T Haas (Germany) 21. J Blake (United States) 22. S Querrey (United States) 23. P Kohlschreiber (Germany) 24. J C Ferrero (Spain) 25. M Fish (United States) 26. P-H Mathieu (France) 27. I Karlovic (Croatia) 28. V Hanescu (Romania) 29. I Andreev (Russia) 30. V Troicki (Serbia) 31. L Hewitt (Australia) 32. N Almagro (Spain)

Women:

1. D Safina (Russia) 2. S Williams (United States) 3. V Williams (United States) 4. E Dementieva (Russia) 5. J Jankovic (Serbia) 6. S Kuznetsova (Russia) 7. V Zvonareva (Russia) 8. V Azarenka (Belarus) 9. C Wozniacki (Denmark) 10. F Pennetta (Italy) 11. A Ivanovic (Serbia) 12. A Radwanska (Poland) 13. N Petrova (Russia) 14. M Bartoli (France) 15. S Stosur (Australia) 16. V Razzano (France) 17. A Mauresmo (France) 18. L Na (China) 19. P Schnyder (Switzerland) 20. A Medina Garrigues (Spain) 21. Z Jie (China) 22. D Hantuchova (Slovakia) 23. S Lisicki (Germany) 24. S Cirstea (Romania) 25. K Kanepi (Estonia) 26. F Schiavone (Italy) 27. A Kleybanova (Russia) 28. S Bammer (Austria) 29. M Sharapova (Russia) 30. A Bondarenko (Ukraine) 31. E Vesnina (Russia) 32. A Szavay (Hungary)

Text: BBC Sport

The Football Association is to investigate the violence that marred Tuesday's Carling Cup clash between West Ham and Millwall at Upton Park.

One man was stabbed as fans clashed outside the ground and there were three pitch invasions during the game.

"We absolutely condemn all of the disorder that has occurred at Upton Park," said an FA spokesperson.

"We will be working with all parties, the police and clubs, to establish the facts surrounding these events."

"Swift action will be taken as soon as possible, with life bans for anyone responsible for the disturbance," a statement from the club read.

Hammers chief executive Scott Duxbury added: "We will leave no stone unturned in rooting out the perpetrators."

FA director of communications Adrian Bevington said it was too early to decide whether the clubs themselves would face sanctions, amid concerns of inadequate stewarding at the game.

"We have to understand exactly what measures were put in place last night," he told BBC Radio 5 live.

"I am not going to condemn West Ham or Millwall football clubs for any of their actions - certainly not at this stage.

"We know there have been huge efforts on the parts of all our clubs to try to eradicate the problems and we've had a history of success on that.

"However, we have to make sure that the individuals concerned face such tough actions that they can't go to football again."

This was the first time London rivals West Ham and Millwall had played each other since April 2005 and hundreds of fans were involved in the disorder.

Eyewitness reports suggested opposing fans threw bottles and bricks at each other and starting small fires as police moved in to try and quell the disturbances.

Inside the stadium, police and stewards battled to remove fans from the pitch throughout the match, which West Ham won 3-1 in extra time.

The first pitch invasion was after Junior Stanislas' equaliser, while the second more serious encroachment occurred after the same player slotted a penalty to give the Hammers the lead.

Play was briefly suspended when referee Paul Taylor decided to take the players off the pitch.

It took officials about six minutes to clear about 50 people from the pitch and police had to redeploy within the stadium to tackle the invasion.

Hammers boss Gianfranco Zola condemned those responsible for the trouble after the match and said they were not fans of football.

"I've played seven years in England and I've never seen it like this," he said.

"It's certainly not good for football, I was completely shocked. Totally. I knew it was a game that meant a lot for the two sets of supporters but I didn't imagine it like this.

"What can I say? I'm a sport man. I love the game. I love to go on the pitch and try to make it exciting for the supporters and enjoyable for everybody to watch. This was beyond my powers."

Millwall boss Kenny Jackett said: "I didn't fear for my own safety. There were no Millwall fans on the pitch, they stayed where they were supposed to."

Sports Minister Gerry Sutcliffe gave his full support to the FA's investigation, adding: "We have made great progress in the past 20 years in tackling football hooliganism in this country and will not tolerate any return to the dark days of the 70s and 80s when it plagued the game."

The Football League, which organises the Carling Cup, condemned the scenes and promised to help identify and punish those involved.

Malcolm Clarke, chairman of the Football Supporters Federation, told the BBC he expected to discuss the violence at a routine meeting with FA chief executive Ian Watmore on Wednesday.

"I can assure you the vast majority of Millwall and West Ham supporters will be as horrified by events that occurred as everybody else."

Text: BBC Sport

Everton have signed Russia midfielder Diniyar Bilyaletdinov from Lokomotiv Moscow for an undisclosed fee.

The 24-year-old, who has been capped 28 times for his country, has signed a five-year deal at Goodison Park.

Bilyaletdinov will now return to Russia to complete the formalities of a visa application to enter the UK.

He is ineligible for Thursday's Europa League play-off, second leg with Sigma Olomouc and is unlikely to be available for Sunday's home game against Wigan.

Everton officials met with Bilyaletdinov and his representatives in Hamburg on Monday because he is permitted to enter Germany with a Russian passport without a visa.

The 6ft 1in left-footed player is set to arrive in the UK in early September for Russia's World Cup qualifier against Wales and he will probably join up with his Goodison Park team-mates for the first time ahead of the trip to Fulham on 13 September.

"We are delighted to have secured the services of Diniyar," Everton chief executive Robert Elstone told his club's website. "I know David Moyes has wanted to bring him to Goodison for some time and we look forward to welcoming him."

Bilyaletdinov broke into the Lokomotiv team in 2004 and is known for his direct running style and leadership skills, which resulted in him being made captain.

He helped Lokomotiv clinch their second Russian league title in his debut season and was rewarded with the league's young player of the year award.

Bilyaletdinov made his debut for Russia as a 20-year-old in 2005 and featured in every game during his nation's run to the Euro 2008 semi-finals.

He played in 10 of Russia's 12 qualifying matches for the tournament, including the two games against England.

Text: BBC Sport

Usain Bolt has revealed he may compete in the long jump after dominating the sprint events in the World Championships and at the 2008 Olympics.

Bolt set five world records on his way to winning the 100m, 200m and 4x100m in Berlin and in Beijing before that.

"I'd love to try the long jump before I retire because I think I'd be very good at it," said the 23-year-old Jamaican.

Bolt has also floated the possibility he could compete in the 400m at the London Olympics in 2012.

"I don't want to do it, but if my coach decides I'm dominant over 100m and 200m and says 'Let's try something new', I'll definitely put my heart and soul into it," he added.

Mike Powell, who holds the current long jump record with a leap of 8.95m, believes Bolt could be the man to break the 9m mark.

He said: "I can show him how to jump nine metres. With his height he is the type who would scare me.

"We are dealing with a freak of nature athlete. He is off the charts."

Attempting a move into the long jump would see Bolt join the likes of athletics legend Carl Lewis and Jesse Owens, as sprinters with the capacity to thrive in jumping events.

One thing Bolt did categorically confirm is that he will not be pursuing any further world records this season.

Text: BBC Sport

Two men have been arrested over the stabbing of West Ham United footballer Calum Davenport and his mother, police have said.

Mr Davenport, 26, had emergency surgery on both legs following the attack at their home in Kempston, near Bedford.

A 25-year-old man has been arrested in Derby on suspicion of attempted murder, and is being brought to Bedford, Bedfordshire Police said.

A man, 19, who was arrested earlier, remains in police custody.

Police said the mother and son were set upon in the early hours in Springfield Avenue.

West Ham said its thoughts were with the player and his family.

Mr Davenport is reportedly being treated at Bedford Hospital South Wing, with his girlfriend Zoe at his bedside.

Reports of shouting

A West Ham spokesman said Mr Davenport's mother, 49, was recovering but the player was in a serious condition.

The road has been cordoned off as police carry out house-to-house inquiries and a forensic examination of the scene.

Ann Desics, 61, who lives in Springfield Avenue, said she was woken by people arguing in the road outside the house shortly before 0500 BST.

"I just thought it was people passing by but then the ambulances came," she said.

"I didn't see the incident, I just heard all this shouting. The main person shouting had a very strong Caribbean accent."

She added that the street was cordoned off for some time after Mr Davenport was taken to hospital and there was "quite a lot" of blood on the road.

Another neighbour said: "The police would not tell us what was going on, but I saw a lot of blood."

A neighbour, who did not want to be named, said: "There was some sort of row early this morning.

"We heard some shouting. He was stabbed in the leg several times. His mum was there and was attacked as well."

The former England under-21 international defender joined West Ham from Tottenham for £3m in 2007.

He did not figure in West Ham's first game of the season at Wolves last week and had been linked to a move away from the club after struggling to maintain a first-team place.

He had a spell on loan at Sunderland last season and has also played for Coventry City. He also had loan spells at Norwich City and Southampton while at Tottenham.

A West Ham spokesman said: "The club's medical team are in contact with hospital staff.

"The thoughts of everyone at West Ham are with Calum and his family and, due to the on-going investigation, no further information will be released."

Text: BBC Sport

Jamaican sprint superstar Usain Bolt claimed yet another world record as he recorded a stunning victory in the 200m final at the World Championships.

Bolt set a time of 19.19 seconds to demolish the previous record of 19.30 he set in winning Olympic gold last summer in Beijing.

The 22-year-old finished well clear of the field, with silver medallist Alonso Edward finishing in 19.81.

Wallace Spearmon of the United States took bronze.

Bolt, who also smashed the 100m record in Berlin on Sunday, is now the first man to hold the 100 and 200m World and Olympic titles at the same time.

After a nervy opening which saw Frenchman David Alerte false start, Bolt streaked off the blocks and took the lead within 20m.

He put on the afterburners around the bend to leave the chasing pack trailing in his wake and after storming over the line, Bolt glanced down to the electronic display and pointed at his historic time.

Earlier in the week Bolt had said he did not think a 200m record was on after missing a month of training earlier this year following a car crash in Jamaica.

And after the 200m Bolt told BBC Sport: "I can definitely say I didn't expect that because I was a little bit tired.

"I said let's try because people are really looking out for this, I said it won't hurt to try. So I tried really hard and now I'm really tired.

"Maybe next time I should just run the 200m or the 100m alone. My form was going backwards. I wasn't running upright. It wasn't a good race but it was a fast one."

Bolt, who completed his 200m win a day before his 23rd birthday, set three world records when winning his Olympic golds in Beijing last summer and his breathtaking performances in Berlin have enhanced his reputation as the best sprinter of all time.

"I definitely showed people that my world records in Beijing were not a joke," he said.

And Bolt said he is closing in on his aim of becoming a sprinter the world will never forget.

"I keep telling you guys my aim is to become a legend," he added. "I don't think about records. I don't put myself under pressure. I know what to do and I go and execute.

"I did well for myself and I am on my way to becoming a legend so I am just happy."

America's Shawn Crawford, who finished fourth, admitted he was left in awe by Bolt's display.

"Just coming out there, I'm just waiting for the lights to flash 'game over,' because I felt like I was in a video game," said Crawford. "That guy was moving - fast."

TEXT BBC Sport

New world 800m champion Caster Semenya has been asked to take a gender test, according to athletics' governing body.

The International Association of Athletics Federations says it demanded the test three weeks ago amid fears she should not be able to run as a woman.

IAAF spokesman Nick Davies said the "extremely complex, difficult" test results were not due for several weeks.

The South African athletics federation insists it is "completely sure" that Semenya, 18, is a female.

"We would not have entered her in the female competition if we had any doubts," said a statement.

Semenya won gold in impressive fashion on Wednesday, leaving her rivals trailing as she won in a time of one minute, 55.45 seconds.

Defending champion Janeth Jepkosgei was second, a massive 2.45 seconds adrift, with Britain's Jenny Meadows taking bronze.

Semenya did not attend a post-race news conference following her success, but IAAF secretary general Pierre Weiss did appear before the media.

"We know you want to talk to her, but she is young, she is inexperienced and she is not able to reply properly to all your questions," he said.

"I will answer for her. The decision not to put her up was taken by the IAAF and the South African federation.

"I repeat, she was not prepared for a situation like this."

Weiss insisted the IAAF had handled the situation as best as it could and defended the timing of the announcement to test Semenya.

"She was unknown three weeks ago," he said. "No one could have anticipated this. We are fast but we are not a lion."

He added: "If it is proved that she is not a female, she will be withdrawn and the medals revised. At the moment, the athlete must be given the benefit of the doubt."

Semenya burst on to the world stage when she ran 1.56.72 in Bambous last month, smashing her previous personal best by more than seven seconds.

She also broke Zola Budd's long-standing South African record and arrived here as the newly-crowned African junior champion.

"In the case of this athlete, following her breakthrough in the African junior championships, the rumours, the gossip was starting to build up," said Davies.

"The gender verification test is an extremely complex procedure. The situation today is that we do not have any conclusive evidence that she should not be allowed to run."

A group of doctors, including an endocrinologist, a gynaecologist, an internal medicine expert, an expert on gender and a psychologist, have started the testing procedure but it is uncertain when the results will be known.

Weiss said testing was being done in Berlin and South Africa but admitted it was a complex issue.

"At this stage, it's confusing," he said. "Personally I have no clue what's going on. I rely on and trust our doctors. We would have preferred not to have had a controversy."

After the race, Meadows said: "It's up to the IAAF to sort it out. You can't do anything about who is out there.

"There's just eight people on the track and you just have to make sure you're in the first three to get a medal."

Text: BBC Sport

Burnley manager Owen Coyle believes his side's 1-0 win over Manchester United will make their critics think again.

"I think anybody who looked at our set of fixtures would have thought that Burnley will have zero points after five matches," he said.

"I thought Wayne Rooney and Ryan Giggs were just outstanding for them tonight but our players went toe-to-toe and tried to match up.

"Robbie Blake's goal was terrific and a fitting to win any game."

An explosive volley from Blake was the difference between the champions and the Premier League new boys and Coyle said the forward has always had the ability to score such goals.

"He has that in his locker. We encourage him to be positive," he added.

Blake himself paid tribute to the 20,872-strong Turf Moor crowd.

"They are full of voice and encourage the players and they are going to be our 12th man this season and hopefully we can send them home each week happy," he said.

"It's all about the three points, I would have taken anyone scoring, but it was one of those special ones which you don't even feel come off the boot."

Coyle's Manchester United counterpart Sir Alex Ferguson saw Michael Carrick miss a penalty just before half-time and believes his side could have spoiled the party.

"Fate's fate, you can't deny them their victory. Their players have worked their socks off and their fans were fantastic. It was great occasion for them.

"We were too frivolous with our chances, taking too many touches rather than shooting quickly and in the second half we got hurried in our passes."

Text: BBC Sport

SAM Lifestyle, the new concierge service from boutique sports agency, Sports Asset Management, was hired by PACE Sports Management recently to provide support to members of the Jamaica track team, including triple Olympic Champion and World Record holder Usain Bolt, during their training camp in the UK. The athletes were finalising their preparations for the IAAF World T&F Championships in Berlin.

SAM Lifestyle provides practical assistance to athletes, managers and sports executives 24/7 assisting in all areas off the field, allowing clients the time to focus on what they do best.

For further information on SAM Lifestyle please contact Daren O'Dea on +44 (0) 7795 970 970.

UNITED have been put on red alert after reports in Spain claimed Nemanja Vidic is eyeing a move to Barcelona.

The Serbian interntional's agent, Paolo Fabbri, was reported as saying it was Vidic's dream to move to the European Champions.

He has since denied the claims, but it is yet more unwanted speculation about the 27-year-old's future.

Vidic has been linked with moves to Barca and Inter Milan in the last six months, but Sir Alex Ferguson has so far resisted any attempts to lure him from Old Trafford.

And after losing Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez this summer, the United boss will not welcome more speculation about another one of his stars.

Fabbri is reported to have told Radio Catalunya: "It would be a dream for Vidic to play for Barcelona as he wants to play in La Liga.

Decision

“But if we are realistic United have just lost Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez and don't want to lose another key player.”

He has since denied the comments, saying: "Nemanja is happy in Manchester. If Barcelona do make an offer for him then it is up to United to make a decision."

Vidic has been a resounding success since moving to United in 2006 in a £7m deal from Spartak Moscow. But he has made it clear that he has struggled to settle in Manchester, with his wife, Ana, keen to live elsewhere.

Barcelona would be his preferred destination, but any suggestion that he wants to leave United would spark a clamour from Europe's top clubs.

Though Ferguson will not sanction a move this summer, he could be ready to do business at the end of the season, particularly with the emergence of Jonny Evans at the heart of United's defence.

TEXT MEN

The dust had barely settled on his stunning 100m victory at the World Championships, but already Usain Bolt was setting his sights on another incredible achievement.

Having just clocked a time of 9.58 seconds to smash his own 100m world record by 0.11, the 22-year-old Jamaican could be found assuring any who would listen that he was capable of running 9.4.

And, according to one sprint expert, that prospect is wholly possible.

"I got the impression from his interviews and his face when he saw the clock that he wasn't overly surprised to run 9.58," Raphael Brandon, head of strength and conditioning at the English Institute of Sport, told BBC Sport.

"I work with sprinters and you can predict from your training sessions what you'll do in a race.

"One of the common things they do in training is 100m off a 10m rolling start and that gives you a very good guideline as to what you're capable of in a race situation.

"If he says 9.4sec is on then it's probably on."

The breakdown of Bolt's gold medal-winning 100m at the Olympic Stadium in Berlin on Sunday makes for interesting reading.

He was faster than all his opponents over every sector bar reaction time off the blocks.

Bolt completed his first 30m in 3.79sec, went through 20m-40m in 1.75, 40m-60m in 1.67, 60-80 in 1.61 and 80-100 in 1.66.

With any athlete committing a false start to be immediately disqualified from 2010, the reaction times are unlikely to drop but that does not mean he cannot make up time elsewhere.

"His time to 30m was relatively 'normal' for a world record-breaking performance and maybe he could take a few hundredths off that," said Brandon.

"He might also look to shave a few hundredths off the final 10m. We didn't see any chest pumping, but he did look around with his head, which probably provided a negative momentum that would slow him down a bit.

"Shave a few hundredths off the first 30m and last 10m and then you've got 9.4."

The phrase 'easier said than done' would normally spring to mind but when it comes to Bolt - the 100m, 200m and 4x100m relay world record holder - seemingly anything is possible.

After all, this is a 6ft 5in athlete who specialises in sprinting, a discipline which has traditionally seen taller individuals left floundering.

A study by the Journal of Sports Science and Medicine found that world champion sprinters ranged between 5ft 9in to 6ft 3in but Bolt has turned such evidence on its head.

"The two critical elements of a 100m performance are stride frequency and stride length," said Brandon.

"Previously, taller athletes would find their stride frequency was slower, but Bolt has a similar stride frequency to most of his rivals.

"On top of that, he has a longer stride than everyone else, which results purely from his anatomy - the longer your muscle fibres are the easier it is for them to contract at speed."

Bolt needed 41 strides to win gold on Sunday while Tyson Gay, who claimed silver with a magnificent time of 9.71, took 44½ strides.

If Gay is to challenge Bolt's world record it would appear he needs to improve his stride length while maintaining his stride frequency - which is easier said than done when travelling upwards of 27mph.

Brandon feels there is little reason why taller athletes, provided they have the correct attributes and are not channelled into other sports, cannot shape the future of top-level sprinting.

"Maybe it was obvious and maybe there are some biomechanists or sprint specialists who have known this for years but, like everything, it always seems so simple after the event," he said.

"The attitude was always: tall guys, long stride but slow; small guys, short stride but quick. But Bolt has shown you can be both tall and quick via long strides.

"There have been and there are very tall athletes, they just aren't in athletics.

"Michael Jordan is one of the fastest and most coordinated athletes of all time, but he played basketball, and there are numerous other examples, especially in America."

Bolt now turns his attention to the 200m, with the heats on Tuesday and the final on Sunday.

Gay will not defend his 200m title this time after pulling out of the event because of a groin injury. He will turn his attentions to the 4x100m instead.

Bolt will bid to join Gay, Justin Gatlin and Maurice Greene as the only men to achieve the 100m and 200m double in the same world championship and few would bet against him breaking the 19.30sec world record he set at last year's Beijing Olympics.

"He can win that 200m gold medal at 90% so he just has to decide whether he's going to try to do what he did at the Olympics (winning the 100m and 200m double in world record times)," added Brandon.

"He is obviously capable of doing it."

TEXT BBC Sport

Golden girl Jessica Ennis insists she can handle the pressure of being The Face of British athletics heading into the London Olympics.

Heptathlon glory in Berlin has catapulted the Sheffield star with the winning smile into the public eye.

Her heroics make Ennis a surefire bet to be named BBC Sports personality of the Year in her home city in December.

And no less a figure than Olympic heptathlon legend Denise Lewis reckons she has what it takes to lift the sport to new heights.

Even Prime Minister Gordon Brown emailed his congratulations yesterday, saying the 23-year-old had done the Steel City proud.

Ennis said: "This weekend I've learned that I had a lot of pressure and a lot of expectation from everyone, and I was able to control that and deliver.

"That's great practice for 2012. Hopefully I can do the same in London."

Ennis won $60,000 for her gold-medal performance, but that is peanuts to what she can expect to make in endorsements.

Not only does she have an exceptional talent at seven different sporting disciplines, she can charm the birds from the trees. Her success is remarkable given that, at just 5ft 4in, she is one of the smallest heptathletes of all time.

But she has one of the biggest hearts and it was her courage and iron will, first seen when she fought back from a career-threatening injury last year, which brought her gold.

"When she was injured last year Jess learned what it takes to be a champion, what you must overcome," said Lewis. "She is ready to take the mantle on, and take it beyond where I could."

Ennis withdrew from the 100m hurdles yesterday, citing aching limbs. "My legs feel so heavy," she said. "I feel really tired - but I can't stop smiling."

Text The Mirror

Triple Olympic champion Usain Bolt is targeting the 9.4 second barrier for the 100m after setting a new world record at the World Championships.

The 22-year-old recorded a time of 9.58 seconds as he raced to a sensational victory in Berlin on Sunday.

Bolt shaved 0.11 off the time he set at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing

"I think it will stop at 9.4 but you never know," said the Jamaican. "I don't run for world records. I'll just keep on working."

American Tyson Gay finished second in a time of 9.71, with Jamaica's Asafa Powell claiming bronze in 9.84.

"The aim was just to come and execute because it was going to be a tough race," added Bolt, who will also compete in the 200m.

"I got a pretty good start. I was there at 20 metres and that was it."

Gay, the previous 100m world champion, was not surprised that Bolt broke the 9.6 seconds barrier.

"I've been telling you someone could run 9.5. I'm happy he did it," said the American, who has been troubled by a groin injury.

"It showed a human can take it to another level. Unfortunately, I wasn't the one to do it but I still have confidence I can do it one day."

Gay's time in the final was the fastest by an American - and he added: "I ran the best I could but it was not enough.

"I believe I put in a championship performance and I am very pleased with the national record."

"I showed a lot of heart. I didn't complain about my groin injury. I put it together the best I could."

If Gay's groin injury does allow him to compete in the 200m he is expected to come up against Bolt again in Thursday's final.

The heats start on Tuesday and Bolt, world record holder at that distance, said: "There'll be no partying for me ahead of Tuesday. I'll rest up as always."

Text: BBC Sport

Blackburn midfielder David Dunn has warned big-spending Manchester City that Rovers will "kick lumps" out of their star players on Saturday.

City, who have spent almost £100m on players this summer, begin their Premier League campaign at Ewood Park.

"It's important we do our best and kick lumps out of them - fairly of course," Dunn said.

"We must be strong and organised. The main thing is we will have to be really aggressive and knock them about a bit."

He added: "That's what the manager will be asking from our lads. We have to make Ewood Park a place no-one wants to come to again.

City manager Mark Hughes, who left Blackburn to take charge at Eastlands in June 2008, is expected to field several of his new multi-million pound signings on the opening day of the new season.

While former Rovers striker Roque Santa Cruz is not in contention to face his old club because of injury, Carlos Tevez, Emmanuel Adebayor, Gareth Barry and Kolo Toure are all expected to feature.

Dunn feels they could need time to settle, and hopes Blackburn can take advantage.

"I think it is a good time to play City," he added.

"Unfortunately we don't have the same resources. But what we do have is an even level on that pitch and as soon as the lads cross the white line the money doesn't really matter. It's about how much you want it."

Blackburn boss Sam Allardyce also feels Hughes might struggle to bed in his new players into his expensively assembled side.

"A whole group of new players, or five or six new players, is certainly something that causes you a few problems," Allardyce explained.

"I've suffered it in the past myself at previous clubs where nine or 10 new players have come in and we've tried to play them all at the start of the season.

"While they have been very good players, there has been some disruption there.

"I hope that might be the case against Manchester City on Saturday. If it is, then we have to try and take advantage of that."

Expectations are high at City ahead of the new season but Allardyce is keen to give them as difficult a time as possible in their first game.

"Everybody will expect success instantly at Manchester City, that's the pressure they have got to live with," he said.

"For us it's about trying to spoil their party, being that they think that they can come to a place like Blackburn Rovers and beat us comfortably with that kind of spending.

"We're certainly going to go all out to make sure that's not the case."

Text: BBC Sport

Women boxers will have the chance to fight for gold at the 2012 Olympics.

International Olympic Committee chiefs voted on Thursday to lift the barrier to the last all-male summer sport.

Three women's weight classes will be added to the Olympic programme for 2012 Games in London, with one of the 11 men's classes dropped to make room.

"Women's boxing has come on a tremendous amount in the last five years and it was time to include them," said IOC president Jacques Rogge.

Women will fight at flyweight (48-51kg), lightweight (56-60kg) and middleweight (69-75kg).

The IOC's decision was described as "historic" by Olympics minister Tessa Jowell.

"It will be a landmark moment come London 2012 when for the first time every sport will have women participating in it," she said.

"There are still major disparities in the number of medals women can win compared to men but this is a step in the right direction.

"In this country women's boxing has come on in leaps and bounds and is growing quickly at all levels.

"London 2012 will now create the first-ever generation of boxing heroines and hopefully inspire even more women to take up the sport."

Women's boxing came close to being included at the 2008 Beijing Games but the IOC ruled it would not offer added value to the Olympic programme.

Fears were that the sport was not competitive in enough countries, which could lead to potentially dangerous mismatches.

But participation has since boomed with 120 international federations having female boxers. There are now nearly 600 registered female boxers in England, up from 50 in 2005.

Amanda Coulson, a three-time ABA champion and long-time trail-blazer for British women's amateur boxing, expects the whole sport to benefit from the IOC's decision.

"It's fantastic news, I'm over the moon," she said. "Women's boxing can only progress from here - participation numbers will go through the roof, especially after 2012.

"The sport will keep growing but not just female boxing, the numbers overall will increase because of the added exposure."

England women's coach Mick Gannon expects the popularity of female boxing to explode following its inclusion in the Olympics.

"It's fantastic," he said. "What we'll see now is young ladies knocking down the doors at boxing gyms.

"Numbers-wise it has increased by about 700% in five or six years.

"Like any sport you have a drop-off but now they will have the opportunity to go on and become superstars."

British sports minister Gerry Sutcliffe added: "This move is a massive boost for women's boxing.

"It will give female boxers the chance to showcase their talents on the biggest sporting stage.

"I am sure that our British talent will relish the opportunity to compete in front of a home crowd in 2012 and will help raise the profile of women's boxing at all levels."

The move was criticised by the British Medical Association, which represents more than 140,000 doctors and medical students.

A BMA spokesman said the sport should "play no part in a modern Olympic games".

He added: "Irrespective of their gender, during the course of a fight boxers can suffer acute brain haemorrhage and serious damage to their eyes, ears and nose.

"Throughout their career, boxers will receive thousands of blows to the head. Each blow received results in the brain being shaken within the skull.

"The cumulative affect of a lifetime in the ring can be irreversible brain damage. Unlike other sports the aim of boxing is to inflict bodily harm on an opponent."

The politician, who has tabled two private members' bills to get boxing banned, said: "This is a foolish act. I'm very disappointed to see it's being presented as something to do with women's rights."

He added: "If anyone still believes boxing is a healthy sport there's two words for them - Muhammad Ali."

British boxer Amir Khan, an Olympic silver medallist in 2004, said: "Deep down I think women shouldn't fight. That's my opinion.

"When you get hit it's very painful. Women can get knocked out."

However, he told BBC Radio 5 live: "I am going to be supportive. I'll be cheering on the British fighters and hoping they win the medals."

Although the head is not a target zone in amateur boxing, one organisation expressed concern at further promoting the sport of boxing as a whole.

Peter McCabe, chief executive of brain injury association Headway, said: "We believe all forms of boxing should be banned with immediate effect.

"Introducing women's boxing at the Olympics will simply serve to glamorise a dangerous and irresponsible sport to a new audience and lead to more young women putting their health at risk."

Khan admitted he had never seen a women's fight, whereas former WBC super-middleweight world champion Richie Woodhall, now a coaching consultant to the British Amateur Boxing Association, says the change is deserved.

"I have seen at first hand the massive improvements that have taken place in competitive women's amateur boxing over the last few years," he said.

Sue Tibballs, chief executive of the Women's Sport and Fitness Foundation, welcomed the shift towards equality at the Olympics.

"In Beijing, 165 medals were available to men versus 127 to women," she said. "Women were first allowed to compete in the Olympic stadium in 1922 - 90 years on, we hope London 2012 will show real progress for sportswomen."

In all, 17 sports submitted applications for changes to their programmes. Among them:

Canoe sprint - all men's 500m events will be shortened to 200m to make them "more spectacular"; men's canoe double 500m to be replaced by women's kayak single (K1) 200m.

Handball - all placement matches below the bronze-medal play-off will be removed.

Modern pentathlon - the new combined run/shoot format has been included.

Tennis - a mixed doubles event will be included, subject to confirmation from the International Tennis Federation that top singles players will take part.

Wrestling, Swimming, Cycling - all want new events, which will be allowed only if they replace current events and do not increase the number of athletes.

Final decisions on details will be made at the IOC executive board's December meeting in Lausanne.

Text: BBC Sport

Seven-time Formula 1 champion Michael Schumacher has abandoned his comeback with Ferrari because of a neck injury.

The 40-year-old, who retired at the end of 2006, was set to deputise for the injured Felipe Massa at the European Grand Prix in Valencia on 23 August.

"Unfortunately we did not manage to get a grip on the pain in the neck which occurred after the private F1-day in Mugello," Schumacher told his website.

Veteran Ferrari test driver Luca Badoer will now stand in for Massa.

Schumacher aggravated a neck injury he originally suffered in a bike accident in February whilst trying out a 2007 F1 car as he set about making his comeback.

"That is why my neck cannot stand the extreme stresses caused by F1 yet. These are the clear results of the examinations we did on the course of the past two weeks and the final examination on Monday afternoon.

"As there were no improvements after the day in Mugello, I decided at short notice on Sunday to do that thorough examination on Monday."

Schumacher contacted Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo and team boss Stefano Domenicali on Monday evening to tell them he had lost his fitness battle.

"I'm very sorry about the problem that will stop Michael returning to racing," Montezemolo said.

"His return would surely have done Formula 1 good and I'm certain we'd have seen him fighting for victory again.

Medi Abalimba has spent the last week training with Derby County FC. The Derby coaching staff were very happy with the way he conducted himself throughout the week and his ability on the field.

Derby are now locked in talks with Southend United to finalise a deal taking Medi to Pride Park.

“I have loved my time here and I'm just keeping my fingers crossed that the two clubs can come to some agreement," said Abalimba. "I just want to play football and be in the best environment for my career. I believe coming here will help me develop into the player I know I have the potential to become."