Sebastian Vettel romps to pole in Hungary as Red Bulls continue qualifying dominance

By Sportsmail Reporter

Domination: Sebastian Vettelromped to his seventh pole in twelve races


Red Bull destroyed their rivals in qualifying ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix by sweeping to their sixth all-front row of the year spearheaded by pole king Sebastian Vettel.

Vettel claimed his seventh pole of the season and fourth in a row with a crushing lap at the Hungaroring of one minute 18.773secs, just over four tenths of a second quicker than Mark Webber.

It is Red Bull's 11th pole in the 12 races this season, but this was by far their most impressive, with third-on-the-grid Fernando Alonso in his Ferrari a staggering 1.2secs adrift.

Alonso is joined on the second row by team-mate Felipe Massa, who suffered a
near-fatal accident in qualifying on this track just over a year ago.

Championship leader Lewis Hamilton again performed superbly in a below par McLaren to claim fifth ahead of Nico Mercedes' Rosberg, but will have to go some to make it three wins in four visits here.


Battler: Lewis Hamilton will start fifth


For the first time this season Vitaly Petrov finally out-qualified team-mate Robert Kubica, with the duo seventh and eighth.

They are followed by Pedro de la Rosa in his Sauber, equalling his best performance of the season, and Williams' Nico Hulkenberg.

For the second time in the last three races Jenson Button failed to make it into Q1, and the sixth time in the last seven grands prix he has now been out-qualified by Hamilton.

The 30-year-old missed out on a place in the top 10 by 0.017secs, and now faces a fight to gain any respectable points tomorrow to hold on to his second place in the standings.


Under the bridge: Jenson Button will start a disappointing 11trh


It would appear only rain can help Button tomorrow, as in 2006 when he started from 14th before going on to clinch his maiden victory.

Joining Button on the sixth row of the grid is former Honda and Brawn GP team-mate Rubens Barrichello, now with Williams.

It is an all-German seventh row with Force India's Adrian Sutil ahead of Michael Schumacher in his Mercedes who has now failed to make it into Q3 four times in the last races, finishing 0.8secs behind team-mate Rosberg.

The Toro Rossos of Sebastien Buemi and Jaime Alguersuari are 15th and 17th, with Vitantonio Liuzzi in his Force India providing the filling.

The odd man out at the end of the initial 20-minute qualifying run was Sauber's Kamui Kobayashi for the third time in the last five races, with the Japanese starting 18th.


Top of the pile: Fernando Alonso (left) will have his work cut out to keep up with the Red Bulls of Vettel (centre) and Mark Webber


The chasm between the more established teams and those in their rookie seasons was significantly underlined around this track as its tight, twisty nature ensured they struggled.

Virgin Racing's Timo Glock was the best of the newcomers, albeit a yawning 1.8secs adrift of Kobayashi, but at least acquiring some personal satisfaction in finishing ahead of the two Lotuses.

Glock will start 19th, with Heikki Kovalainen and Jarno Trulli 20th and 21st, the duo sandwiching the Virgin boys as Lucas di Grassi is 21st.

Propping up the grid will be the Hispania Racing pair of Bruno Senna and Sakon Yamamoto, a staggering six seconds off Vettel's pace.



source :dailymail

Greene pips British team-mate Williams to claim gold in the 400m hurdles at the European Championships

By Sportsmail Reporter

Done it: Britain's David Greene celebrates after winning the Men's 400m Hurdles final


Dai Greene clinched Britain’s fourth gold medal of the European Championships here with a storming run in the 400metres hurdles final last night with fellow Welshman Rhys Williams taking the silver.

The result was never in doubt even before the starting gun was sounded, such was Greene’s dominance in Europe this year, and he did not disappoint, reaching the first hurdle in front and never relinquishing his lead.

By the time the 24-year-old cleared the final hurdle his lead was substantial, and his time, 48.12sec, was the fastest of the season in Europe. Williams managed to pip Stanislav Melnkyov, from the Ukraine, to finish second with a personal best of 48.96.

Mo Farah and Chris Thompson in the 10,000m earlier in the week may beg to differ but this was the most impressive performance by two British athletes in the same race inside the Olympic Stadium.

Greene came to prominence only last year when he broke through on to the senior scene with a seventh place in the world championships final in Berlin.

This year he came to Barcelona as Europe’s No 1-ranked 400m hurdler, having posted the five fastest times of the season.

He had chosen a career in track and field ahead of football, having been on Swansea City’s books right up until the age of 17 when he decided to switch sports.

Ironically, for a man born in rugby-mad Llanelli, and who played on the wing for his school team, his idol was neither Welsh rugby icon Ieuan Evans nor Welsh athletic star Iwan Thomas but the Wales and Manchester United footballer, Ryan Giggs.

On his only visit to Spain as a footballer, aged 14, he managed to score a penalty in a shoot-out against Real Madrid and believes to this day that if he had put his mind to it he would now be playing at the Liberty Stadium on the left wing for the Swans.


Delight: Greene also recorded a personal best

‘I kept getting injured and being shouted at by the coach, and back then I wasn’t as strong mentally as I am now,’ he said.

‘I wasn’t enjoying myself so I walked out. The lessons I’ve learned from the experience have made me hungrier to succeed in athletics. Now I like being shouted at and I have a very strong work ethic.’

Football’s loss was athletics’ gain, which is why he found himself at the Olympic Stadium in Barcelona last night and in the company of his good friend Williams, who followed up a bronze at the 2006 European Championships at Gothenburg by finishing second behind his practice partner.

It turned into a local training session for the two boys from west Wales. Williams is best-known for being the son of the legendary Welsh and Lions rugby winger JJ Williams, although many more performances like last night and soon JJ will become simply, ‘Rhys’s Dad’.

Not that Williams Jnr minds. ‘He deserves all the accolades he has received for what he achieved in sport,’ he said. ‘If it wasn’t for his help I probably wouldn’t have achieved half the things I have, nor the attention I’ve received.’


Heads down: Great britain's Michael Rimmer takes silver in 800m

Thirty minutes earlier Michael Rimmer took Britain’s 12th medal of these Championships with silver in the 800m, following a rich vein of success in this event at these championships that included wins for Sebastian Coe in 1986, in a British 1-2-3, and for Tom McKean in 1990.

Throw in Steve Ovett, Steve Cram, Peter Elliott and David Sharpe and for many years Britain dominated this event at all championships.

Rimmer, who qualified fastest for last night’s final, and second fastest in terms of personal bests, was disappointed immediately afterwards, despite his first major medal.


The 24-year-old, sporting his lucky T-shirt under his vest, felt forced to take the lead with a full 300m remaining because Spain’s Luis Marco, who finished seventh, was setting too slow a pace.

It was a brave move by Rimmer who still led as the field turned the final corner but in the home straight Poland’s Marcin Lewandowski overtook him to win in a slow 1.47.07. Rimmer finished in 1.47.17.

‘I’m gutted,’ he admitted. ‘The Pole put me under pressure but I still thought I had enough. Maybe I tightened up a little. He was just a bit stronger than me on the day. I don’t know what more I could have done.

‘I’m going to hate standing on that podium hearing someone else’s national anthem. I wanted to win it for Britain as it’s been 20 years since we last did it. I want to apologise to everyone who was watching.’

For the former disc jockey from Liverpool this was still the crowning moment of a career that had promised much but, until last night, delivered little, certainly when it came to major championship medals. This morning he may realise life is not quite so bad after all.





source :dailymail

Mo Farah continues Great Britain's gold rush by adding 5,000m title to 10,000m crown

By Sportsmail Reporter

Double act: Mo Farah added the 5,000m European crown to the 10,000m title he won on Tuesday


Mo Farah completed an historic long-distance double on a night of triple gold for Britain at the European Championships in Barcelona.

Farah, who won the 10,000 metres title on the opening night of competition, added the 5,000m tonight to become the first British athlete to do the double, and the first since Italy's Salvatore Antibo in 1990.

The Somalia-born 27-year-old took up the running with three laps to go and powered away from the field to win by almost two seconds from Spain's Jesus Espana, the man who denied him the title by just 0.09secs four years ago.

It took Britain's medal tally to 16 and completed a brilliant night which also saw Jessica Ennis and Dai Greene claim gold.


Too good: After leading for much of the race, Mo Farah notched his second gold of the European championships with a trademark sprint finish


Ennis added the European heptathlon crown to the world title she won last year with a hard-fought victory over Olympic champion Nataliya Dobrynska of Ukraine, winning by just 45 points.

And Dai Greene led Britain's second one-two of the championships, claiming victory in the 400 metres hurdles ahead of team-mate Rhys Williams.



source: dailymail

Golden girl Jessica Ennis sprints to heptathlon title with dominant victory in the 800m

By Sportsmail Reporter

No sign of flagging: Jessica Ennis stormed to the heptathlon title with a dazzling two laps of the track


Jessica Ennis claimed gold for Britain on the penultimate night of competition in the European Championships in Barcelona.

Ennis added the European heptathlon crown to the world title she won last year with a hard-fought victory over Olympic champion Nataliya Dobrynska of Ukraine, winning by just 45 points.

Ennis led from start to finish over two gruelling days of competition, as she had done in Berlin last year, but this time was pushed all the way by Dobrynska.


The 24-year-old from Sheffield only had an 18-point lead (or cushion of around 1.3 seconds) going into the 800m, and Dobrynska briefly tried to wipe that out as she took the lead with 250m to go.

But Ennis was having none of it and quickly reclaimed the lead before powering to victory in two minutes 10.18 seconds.

A time of 2:09.59 would have been enough to see Ennis break the 10-year-old British record of 6,831 points held by former Olympic champion Denise Lewis, but she came up nine points short on 6,823.


No doubt: Jessica Ennis blitzed the field on her way to victory in the 800m


The haul was a new personal best and championship record for Ennis, who said: 'It's unbelievable to have won this event again.

'I had to raise my game at every level today and yesterday so to come out on top is unbelievable.

'It would have been good to have broken the record but before the 800 I just wanted to win, do everything I could to stay in the lead and get the gold medal - and I have.


Personal best: Jessica Ennis raised the bar in Barcelona with a personal best of 49.25m in the javelin


'There's a lot of pressure and expectation but I'm so happy with myself for dealing with it.

'Watching the team get so many medals has been inspiring and put me under a lot more pressure.'





source: dailymail

James' glove story: Keeper completes shock move to aid City's Premier push

By Simon Cass

City slicker: England international keeper James has signed for the Robins


Little over a month ago David James was between the sticks for his country as England crashed out of the World Cup.

But after turning down the advances of Celtic and Sunderland, his next competitive game will be against Millwall for Bristol City next Saturday.

James completed his surprise move yesterday, signing a one-year deal - with an option of a further season at Ashton Gate - that will earn him around £15,000 a week after collecting a signing-on fee in the region of £500,000.

The veteran keeper, who reaches the milestone of 40 tomorrow, will be paraded today prior to City's preseason friendly at home against Blackpool and his decision will doubtless shock many.

But James has a long-held ambition to help a club from the region to the Barclays Premier League promised land.

Before joining Portsmouth, that club was almost Plymouth Argyle. As James revealed in the summer of 2006 as he was pondering a move away from Manchester City:

'I had decided I was going to join Plymouth Argyle. My missus was in Devon; I would go down there and get them promoted to the Premier League - the first South West club in the league. They never knew anything about it, but it had to be Plymouth.'

There comes a time in every man's life when priorities must be re-examined. If you can shave an hour off your commute to work, all the better.

James tied the knot with his childhood sweetheart Amanda Salmon last weekend and while it might not be pipe and slippers time yet, it is clear he had no desire to uproot his family from their mansion in Chudleigh, Devon.


And Bristol City fans will be pleased to hear James' ambitions have not been dulled with the passage of time.

'I've had offers to stay in the Premier League but it is more important that I play football - which I love - for the right club and be a family man. I know all about the plans for a new stadium and desire to win promotion to the Premier League,' he said.

'The club is ambitious and that's what I am. The south west has not had a club in the Premier League and that needs to change.'

Fitness permitting, James intends to carry on keeping until he is 45. Plenty of time to achieve his ambition of making it Premier League appearance number 574 with City.


source: dailymail

Team GB have golden (and silver and bronze) day at European Championships... and there's more to come

By Neil Wilson in Barcelona

Golden touch: Andy Turner hits the line first to win 110m hurdles in Barcelona


Gold for Andy Turner, silvers for Christian Malcolm and Michael Bingham, bronzes for Martyn Rooney, Jenny Meadows and Perri Shakes-Drayton - last night was one of those nights for Britain that athletes dream of.

Saturday promises to be another at the European Championships when the spirits soar and thoughts turn to another Olympic arena in London in two years with Mo Farah, hurdler Dai Greene and heptathlete Jessica Ennis all likely to add to the 11 medals Britain have now. Only Russia have more.

Turner, a couple of months shy of 30, was the great surprise. He had been taken off National Lottery funding because he had fallen so short of expectations during the past two years.

Yet he grabbed his chance after a mistake by Czech favourite Petr Svoboda and executed his 10 flights of hurdles with near perfection.

Svoboda, leading to seven, hit it hard, wobbled and never recovered. ‘I made less mistakes. That was the key,’ said Turner.

‘I walked round the stadium the other day and I stood by the rostrum and looked at the gold medal position and I thought “I want to stand on that so bad”. I’ve dreamed of doing that, just crossing the line and winning.

‘It’s been a tough two years but all those lows have been worth it. I can forget about them now. I’m lost for words.’

Turner’s gold and Malcolm’s silver was evidence that the withdrawal of Lottery funding for poor performances works.

Both lost it - Malcolm has yet to have it restored - and both are hungrier as a result.





Triple victors: Michael Bingham (L), Perri Sakes-Drayton (C) and Christian Malcolm (R) all won medal on a memorable day for British athletics


Malcolm,31, led Frenchman Christophe Lemaitre, winner of the 100metres, for all but the last two strides. Lemaitre won it on the line.

‘I missed the dip because I really thought I’d got it. I didn’t even hear him coming,’ said Malcolm, who provided a second medal of the Championship for Dan Pfaff, the American imported at great expense to direct the training centre at Lee Valley in London.

Lemaitre won his second gold by one-hundredth of a second, 20.37 to 20.38sec. It was hard to know whether to be disappointed or ecstatic.

Malcolm has had a modest two years since his fifth place in Beijing and few would have tipped him to be runner-up here.

The men’s 400m brought two more medals. Not a return to the glory days when Britons won the title at four straight championships but a close run thing given that Rooney had drawn the nightmare inside lane and Bingham the next worst, lane eight.

They were beaten by the Belgian Kevin Borlee and it was the first time for 35 years that his country has won a gold.

Borlee clocked 45.00sec, while Bingham and Rooney shared the same time of 45.23sec.

‘It was difficult to run in eight. I couldn’t see anyone until I got to the finish line,’ said Bingham, who was born in the US but qualifies because of a British father who lives in Nottingham.


In the medals: Jenny Meadows celebrates her bronze in the 800m


Bronze medals came in rich profusion. Shakes-Drayton, 21, is a real prospect at 400m hurdles. From the end of her street in Bow, East London, you can see the Olympic Stadium being built.

She managed to change legs on each of the first four hurdles and was well beaten by the Russian Natalya Antyukh in a championship record of 52.92, the fastest by a European this year, and by Bulgarian Vania Stambolova.

Yet her time of 54.18sec was her best yet, and it represented a big improvement.
‘This is wicked,’ she said. ‘I said fifth would be great. I did loads wrong hurdling-wise but still got a bronze. If I continue the progress I have made every year since I was a junior, then I should be there or there abouts in that stadium in 2012.’

The final bronze of the evening went to Jenny Meadows, a silver medallist in the world championships last year but not in that form all summer.

‘Even three days ago before the heats it was not something I was expecting,’ she admitted after finishing a little more than a second behind the winner Mariya Savinova in 1:59.39.

‘It’s confirmed that I can start believing in myself. I’ve got two world medals and now a European. Maybe now I have to take myself seriously.’


Hanging on: There are more medal hopes to come for Team GB on Saturday


The one great disappointment was the failure of all three Britons in the 1500m final to win anything, a failure made worse in the presence of the greatest of all British middle distance runners, Sebastian Coe.

The locals had something to cheer. Spain’s team captain made a public apology for their performances 24 hours ago but Arturo Casado won gold and Manuel Olmedo bronze as the British challenge faded, Tom Lancashire finishing 10th, Colin McCourt ninth and Andy Baddeley sixth.

As the last event it took some of the shine off the night but with two days of these championships to go, Britain have exceeded the bottom line of 10 medals set by their paymasters at UK Sport.








source: dailymail

Jessica Michibata makes a pit stop as she joins Jenson Button at the Hungarian Grand Prix

By Mail Online Reporter

Back together: Jenson Button and Jessica Michibata arrive at the Hungaroring circuit in Budapest, Hungary earlier today


They've only just reconciled after splitting two months ago.

But Japanese lingerie model Jessica Michibata shows her romance with Jenson Button is very much back on track as she joined him in Budapest ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix.

The couple were spotted soaking up the pre-race atmosphere in the Hungarian capital.

Looking casual in baby pink dress and gold gladiator sandals, the 25-year-model model looked thrilled to be her driver beau's side.

She was also carrying a sought-after £4,200 Hermes Birkin bag - popular with celebrities such as Victoria Beckham, Katie Holmes and Lady GaGa.

The racing driver, 30, had split up with Michibata in May after 18 months together because he was struggling to maintain their long distance relationship.

But after time apart, it appeared the couple missed each other and reconciled earlier this month.


Can't take my eyes off you: Button gazes at his stunning model girlfriend


Writing on her Twitter page today, Jessica said: 'Nice weather in Hungary! catching up with everyone ;-) So good to be here.'

She also posted a photo of her with Button and his McLaren teammate Lewis Hamilton.

Michibata missed out on Button's race at the German Grand Prix last weekend because she was at home in Japan, but will be watching him from the pit stop on Sunday.

Monaco-based Button confirmed they were an item again last week, saying: ‘Jessica will be with me for the Hungarian Grand Prix next weekend. We are back together.’


Friendly: The couple with Button's McLaren teammate Lewis Hamilton


source: dailymail

Super Mario Balotelli can win title for Manchester City, admits Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti

By Leo Spall

Super Mario: Carlo Ancelotti fears Balotelli will help Manchester City claim Chelsea's Premier League crown


Carlo Ancelotti has predicted Manchester City will challenge for the Premier League title if they add the 'crazy talent' of Mario Balotelli to their bulging squad.

The Chelsea manager is an admirer of the eccentric young forward - nicknamed 'Super Mario' and rated at £25million - and believes he will be a huge hit in England.

City are locked in negotiations with Balotelli's club Inter Milan over the fee.

However, the player's agent, Mino Raiola, flew into Manchester to discuss the Italian's personal terms.

Ancelotti said: 'With him, Manchester City will challenge for the title, not just fourth. The Barclays Premier League is ideal place for him. Mario is a crazy talent.'

Balotelli has divided opinion in Italy after producing some skilful performances and clashing with former manager Jose Mourinho and team-mates. The 19-year-old incensed opposition supporters with alleged gamesmanship, but Ancelotti believes fans' prejudices made life tough for him.

Ancelotti told La Stampa newspaper: 'There is too much pressure on young players in Italy but there is almost no racism to contend with in England.'

Chelsea were linked to Balotelli but have since targeted Benfica's Brazilians Ramires and David Luiz, who also interests City.


Two to tango: Chelsea want to turn the heat up on City with a double raid for Benfica pair David luiz and Brazil midfielder Ramires


Roman Abramovich hoped to complete a £20m deal for Ramires this week but the Portuguese are playing hardball and the midfielder has pleaded with them to let him go.

Ramires said: 'There has been a bid for me from Chelsea.'

'To play for the best team in the Premier League and for a club with so much history, it would be my dream.

'I've had a fantastic year at Benfica but this is a dream that I cannot let go.'


source: dailymail

World Cup winner Xabi Alonso advises young Liverpool striker Daniel Pacheco on Anfield exit

By Sportsmail Reporter

Kop out: Promising Spain Under 19 striker Daniel Pacheco is contemplating a move away from Liverpool this summer


Xabi Alonso is aiding Liverpool striker Daniel Pacheco as he gets set to quit Anfield.

Despite impressing for Spain at the Under 19 European Championship in France, the 19-year-old thinks he has little chance of breaking into Roy Hodgson's team and is tempted by a move to Real Sociedad.

The Basque club are keen and Pacheco admitted he had been guided by Real Madrid midfielder Alonso, who played for five years at Sociedad before joining Liverpool in 2004.

'Playing for Sociedad appeals to me. I have heard good things about the club, the city and the people. He (Alonso) has been helping and advising me,' said Pacheco.


Good to talk: Former Anfield favourite Xabi Alonso is advising Pacheco over a move to Real Sociedad

'I've been told good things about the coach. They say he bets on youngsters who have character.'


source: dailymail

Phillips Idowu wins triple jump gold after personal best blitzes the field in Barcelona

By Neil Wilson from Barcelona

High flyer: Phillips Idowu leapt to 17.81m - eight centimetres clear of his personal best - to win gold


Phillips Idowu succeeded where Dwain Chambers failed by crushing a young French challenger with the performance of his life.

Idowu emulated Jonathan Edwards by completing the set of World, European and Commonwealth titles when he beat Teddy Tamgho with a triple jump that landed eight centimetres beyond his life-time best at 17.81 metres.

It was a magnificent climax to a remarkable series of highly consistent jumps into a cool head wind on a runway wetted by a storm. An Olympic gold in Idowu's home city at London 2012 would crown an international career that has already lasted 13 years.

'I'm just missing one - the Olympics,' said Idowu. 'It feels fantastic to have jumped my best and so consistently.'

Idowu said before last night: 'Have you noted the cities I have won medals in. All are beginning with B – Beijing, Berlin, Birmingham.'


Number one: Idowu added European gold to his burgeoning medal collection


Now there is a fourth. This was Groundhog Day, another anglo-French affair like the previous day's 100 metres. Again it was youth versus experience.

Idowu, at 31 a left-over from the days of Edwards, Tamgho just 21. The red-haired Idowu the world champion, Tamgho the world indoor champion and this year's leading jumper.

Idowu said: 'Teddy is a talented kid. He has made our event so exciting. He keeps me on my toes, which is why I knew I had to jump a lifetime best.'

Idowu's instructions from veteran coach Aston Moore were simple: 'Hit him hard and his stress will settle it.'

The Londoner obeyed to the letter. He had the better of the initial exchanges, 17.46m to Tamgho's 17.12m in the first round, 17.47m to his 17.42m in the second and 17.40m when Tamgho fouled the board on the third.


Stellar performance: And now Idowu is targeting Olympic gold


The Frenchman looked threatening if he could put the elements together. Instead, it was Idowu who clicked, executing hop, step and jump perfectly off a powerful run. It was measured at 17.81m, eight centimetres more than the jump which won him the world title last year.

A disheartened Tamgho was overtaken for second place in the fifth round by Romanian Marian Oprea with a jump of 17.51m.


Britain won a second medal, a bronze, in the men's high jump which started in heavy rain during an electrical storm.

Martyn Bernard did his warm-up exercises under an umbrella, dancing a few steps when the loudspeakers offered a chorus of Singing in the Rain.

But he almost followed team-mate Tom Parsons straight out, failing twice before clearing his opening height. Then the rain stopped and Bernard, jumped 2.29m after electing to go straight to the greater height. He had failed once to clear 2.23m.

The jump, a year's best, put him into the lead but three failures at 2.31m left him with bronze, Britain's fourth medal. He then used the BBC to send his mother birthday wishes. Russia's Alek Shustov won gold with 2.33m.

Bernard watched last year's World championships on television in Ibiza after ankle surgery and last night he needed a painkilling injection in a bruised heel before the competition.

'It's good to come back from injury with a medal. Feels good! Any medal is good,' said the Londonbased Liverpudlian.


Parsons did not clear the bar in any of his three attempts. 'I could feel the water in my spikes but I can't use that as an excuse because others managed,' he said.

Dai Greene and Rhys Williams look nailed on for Britain's second one-two of the championships in the 400m hurdles tomorrow. They each won semi-finals, Greene in 49.48sec and Williams in 49.61 in what Greene described as 'pretty horrendous conditions'.

Mo Farah, the 10,000m gold medallist, was in such control of his 5,000m semi that he will start co-favourite for a second gold with Spain's defending champion Jesus Espana, who edged Farah out of gold in 2006 but followed him across the line last night.

Michael Rimmer, 24, from Southport, won his semi to reach tomorrow's 800m final, not won by a Briton since 1990.


source: dailymail

Christine Bleakley's red hot date with Frank Lampard... but The One problem is their terrible fake tans

By Jody Thompson

Future's bright: Christine Bleakley glows in the dark as she leaves posh London restaurant Scalini last night


They recently returned from a summer break in Italy, looking golden brown and refreshed.

But judging by their appearance last night, it would seem Christine Bleakley and boyfriend Frank Lampard have been topping up their tans from the bottle - in earnest.

The couple looked distinctly orange on a night out in London as they were spotted leaving Italian restaurant Scalini, not far from 32-year-old Frank's Chelsea Football Club.

Former One Show host Christine, 31, and England star Frank returned from their Sardinia break a couple of weeks ago.

But if the Irish-born presenter, who stepped out in a short red dress last night, was hoping to hold on to her summer glow, it would be fair to say she went a shade too far.

Christine's mahogany look wasn't helped by the fact she appears to have overdone the under eye concealer too, giving her an 'inverse panda' effect.



Fake tan disaster: But following their recent break in Sardinia, it appeared the couple have been topping up their tans in earnest from the bottle


Television viewers across the nation can only hope that the searing shade of her skin pales before she hits her screens again with Adrian Chiles on the re-launched GMTV show Daybreak on September 6, or we'll all be reaching for our sunglasses.

As the Daily Mail revealed earlier this week, the former One Show Christine is also set to take over the reins of The X Factor next year as part of her new £4million deal with ITV.

The 31-year-old presenter is being lined up by Simon Cowell and producers on the television talent show to replace host Dermot O'Leary.


Panda car: The former one show host has odd-looking white half-circles under her eyes as her boyfriend buckles up


In reverse: Frank's tight shirt looks like it's about to pop open as he settles into the passenger seat


A senior television source told the Mail at the time: 'Dermot has made it clear that he would like to move to America full time.

'His girlfriend Dee Kopang is already working as a TV producer in Los Angeles, so he would like to try his luck in Hollywood. He is already spending the majority of his time out there with Dee, so it would make sense.'

Christine, meanwhile, appears to be clearly in the driving seat, not just in her own career, but in her relationship.


Tangerine dream: The bronzed Irish presenter is set to return to our screens in September on new GMTV show Daybreak with Adrian Chiles


At Liberty: Christine leaves her lover's Chelsea house in sportswear and flipflops with a carrier bag from the posh department store before driving off


Work out: The now WAG defeats the object by driving her white Audi mere yards from her boyfriend's house to the gym at Stamford Bridge


Despite wearing an eye-wateringly skin-tight red dress and nude-coloured Louboutin skyscraper heels, the presenter still managed to get behind the wheel of their sleek black limo and drive off into the night.

Let's hope £120,000 a week Frank, whose tight shirt last night looked dangerously close to popping open, wasn't drinking though. Chelsea's first match of the Premier League's new season is only a few days away.

They play Manchester United at home on August 8.

This morning however, Christine had changed from her figure-hugging frock into a tracksuit and flipflops as she drove away from her lover's swanky Chelsea pad.

She was on her way to the exclusive £190-a-month Chelsea Club gym at Stamford Bridge, where she now regularly works out. Perhaps she was hoping to work off all that pasta from last night...


source: dailymail

I was betrayed! Sacked Argentina boss Diego Maradona accuses former bosses of lying to him

By Sportsmail Reporter

Fighting back: Diego Maradona accused the Argentina FA of lying to him


And the World Cup winner claims they knew full well it was a stipulation he would never agree to - and tantamount to sacking him.

Diego Maradona has accused Argentinian Football Association president Julio Grondona and director of national teams Carlos Bilardo of forcing him out of his job as coach.

Maradona, whose side suffered a humiliating defeat by Germany in the quarter-finals of the World Cup this summer, met with Grondona on Monday to discuss his future and a possible renewal of his contract.

He was told at the meeting the board were only prepared to keep him in if he changed substantial numbers of his backroom team, something Maradona was unprepared to do.


Early exit: Argentina failed to make it beyond the quarter-finals at the World Cup

'After the elimination, Grondona told me in dressing room that he was very happy with my work and wanted me to continue. There were witnesses and players there. 'When we were back in Argentina, things became darker.

'On Monday, I met Grondona and after five minutes he told me he wanted me to continue, but seven of my staff should not go on.

'If he told me that, it meant he did not want me to keep working. 'He knows that it would be impossible for me to continue if my assistants didn't continue too. I defend all of them.

'Maybe some of the people who made this decision thought I would betray them. Maybe it was because they would betray their assistants if they were me. But I will not do that.'






source: dailymail

Christophe Lemaitre blitzes Dwain Chambers as Mark Lewis-Francis is top Brit with stunning silver

By Neil Wilson in Barcelona

In the blink of an eye: Lemaitre crosses the line ahead of Lewis-Francis


There is a new force in European sprinting and he's French.

Dwain Chambers lost the 100 metres final last night to Christophe Lemaitre, a dozen years his junior. He was beaten by the first white man to win this title for 28 years and the first to run under 10 seconds.

Chambers was not even among the medallists after the contest that had been built around the two.

That honour went, remarkably, to compatriot Mark Lewis-Francis, who was added to Britain's selection only last week. 'Oh, my God, I am over the moon. Underdog is an understatement,' exclaimed Lewis-Francis, one of the 2004 Olympic gold-winning relay team.

Chambers shared a time of 10.18sec with Lewis-Francis but after a long examination of the finish photo he was adjudged to be fifth behind third-placed Frenchman Martial Mbandjock and Portugal's Francis Obikwelu, all awarded the same time.

All though were well beaten by Lemaitre. His time of 10.11sec was a disappointment given that he broke 10 seconds less than three weeks ago but this was a contest where only winning mattered.


Sympathy: Lewis-Francis, who won silver, consoles Chambers about missing out on a medal


It was in this iconic Olympic Stadium in 1992 that Linford Christie won his Olympic gold, and the man Chambers says first inspired him was back there last night close to the finish.

Instead of greeting a triumph by the man he once managed, Christie was hugging Lewis-Francis, the one he has coached and motivated back from the abyss of losing his Lottery funding and coming close to retirement.

'A big thank you to Linford Christie - if it wasn't for you I wouldn't be here now,' Lewis- Francis said to his mentor. 'I got to the final on a lucky star and I got to these championships on a lucky star. I am the happiest man in the world. I never thought I'd beat Chambers. But Linford says, "Whatever happens, happens".'

The stadium was half full but for the followers of athletics this was seen as the race of the championships, a true contest of equals from different generations in the event that has always held the greatest fascination.


Over the line: Christophe Lemaitre finishes in 10.11secs to win European gold


The Catalan parliament banned bull fighting in Barcelona hours before the race but this gladiatorial confrontation was a blood sport itself.

Young French cock challenges gnarled British bulldog, and one reputation was bound to be left bloodied and bruised in the arena.

While Chambers, at 32, has been enjoying a late summer of life as a sprinter, a few sunny moments after the dark days of his doping ban, Lemaitre, 20, is the new kid on the blocks, an arrival from the unlikely setting of Annecy in the French Alps.


Mutual respect: Chambers congratulates Lemaitre at the end of the 100m final in Barcelona


The city is bidding for the 2018 Winter Olympics and has made Lemaitre its Olympic Ambassador. Chambers, of course, is banned by the BOA from competing in his home city in 2012.

Lemaitre became known when he won the world junior 200 metres champion in 2008 and the European junior 100 championship last year when he broke the under-20 record set by Chambers in winning the same title in 1997.

What gave his name a more distinctive place in the history books was a performance this month in the French championships when he became the first white man to run 100 metres under 10 seconds, a feat that persuaded the French sports paper L'Equipe to devote its first three pages to it in the midst of the Tour de France.

Their Anglo-French rivalry has been diplomatic all summer, an entente cordiale between men who respect each other. 'He's a good kid. He's going places,' said Chambers. 'He's a great sprinter,' said Lemaitre in return.

Lemaitre won the first semi in 10.06sec into a breeze, while Lewis-Francis only qualified in third in a year's best of 10.21sec.

Chambers, up next, won in 10.10 into a lesser breeze but he reined back in the last five strides. So they were as good as equal going into the final. 'Experience is the one ace I have,' said Chambers.

It was not enough. Youth won it for Lemaitre.



source: dailymail

Anders Lindegaard eyed by Manchester United as Edwin van der Sar's successor

By Sportsmail Reporter

Big shoes to fill: But Van der Sar will be 40 in October


Manchester United are monitoring Danish goalkeeper Anders Lindegaard as they look for a long-term successor to Edwin van der Sar.

The 26-year-old plays for Norwegian side Aalesunds and and could take the place of Ben Foster, who was sold to Birmingham for £6m this summer.


source: dailymail

Sparky's back: Premier League return for Mark Hughes as he agrees to take Fulham job

EXCLUSIVE By Simon Cass

Back in business: Mark Hughes will be appointed Fulham manager in the next 24 hours


Mark Hughes will be announced as Fulham’s new manager within the next 24 hours after last night accepting club owner Mohamed Al Fayed’s offer to replace Roy Hodgson at Craven Cottage.

Sportsmail revealed on Saturday how, after initial contact, Hughes had re-emerged as the leading contender following Fulham’s failure to lure Ajax manager Martin Jol to west London.

Following further talks with Al Fayed on Tuesday evening, Hughes spent yesterday mulling over Fulham’s offer before delivering the answer they had been anxiously waiting for.

The Welshman, who has been out of work since being sacked by Manchester City in December, will be handed the same £2million-a-year salary that was offered to Jol and can expect a transfer kitty in the region of £20m.

His appointment represents a considerable coup for Fulham, especially after the disappointment of failing to land Jol, given that just two years ago he was entrusted with the task of turning City into a top-four outfit and was handed a multi-million pound budget to achieve that aim.

And, although the funds on offer at Fulham are extremely modest by comparison,
Hughes still faces a tough task to improve on the achievements of Hodgson last season after he guided the club to a comfortable 12-placed finish in the league and
the Europa League final.

It had been reported that the number of backroom staff that Hughes would want to bring to Craven Cottage could prove to be a stumbling block.


Swift turnaround: After Martin Jol (right) opted to stay at jax, Fulham moved quickly to approach the out-of-work Hughes


But sources close to the 46-year-old insist that he is ready to make concessions on that front even though he is highly likely to want to bring in assistant Mark Bowen, who has been by his side during his time with Wales, Blackburn and City.

Fulham, however, are determined to retain the services of Ray Lewington, who has been acting as caretaker manager.

Hughes is understood to have pondered long and hard whether Hodgson’s spectacular achievements of last season had seen Fulham advance as far as they could go. In addition, Hughes has given plenty of consideration to the subject of disrupting his family’s settled life in Cheshire in favour of a move to the capital.


Spectacular season: Under the guidance of Hodgson (right), Fulham fell to Atletico Madrid in the Europa League final


However, the Welshman clearly feels that, with Al Fayed’s backing, he can build on the success of the previous campaign.

Despite Sven Goran Eriksson being consistently linked with the post, the former England manager was never approached by Fulham, while other candidates such as
Ottmar Hitzfeld and Alan Curbishley were also discounted.

Hughes had been linked with the Aston Villa job as speculation grew over Martin O’Neill’s future, a situation which prompted him to reject the chance to replace Gianfranco Zola at West Ham.

But with the start of the Premier League season less than three weeks away, the timing is perfect for both Hughes and Fulham.


source: dailymail