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[Rutashubanyuma]

Reds break club record to sign Carroll

Updated Jan 31, 2011 6:37 PM ET
Liverpool broke the club's transfer record Monday by signing England striker Andy Carroll for a reported 35 million pounds ($56 million) on a 5 1/2-year contract from Newcastle.
The British media said the fee would be a record for a British player, beating the 29.1 million pounds (then $44.5 million) Manchester United paid Leeds for defender Rio Ferdinand in 2002.

TRANSFER SPECIAL

Keep up with all the biggest moves around the globe with our 2011 January transfer gallery.

Liverpool's previous biggest fee was spending 20.3 million pounds (then $40.6 million) in 2007 for Fernando Torres, who moved to Chelsea for a British-record fee reportedly worth 50 million pounds ($79.5 million) on the final day of Europe's January transfer window.
Earlier, Uruguay striker Luis Suarez moved to Liverpool from Ajax for €26.5 million ($36 million), meaning the Reds' transfer record was smashed twice in the space of a few hours.
"Andy Carroll has tonight completed his transfer from Newcastle United to Liverpool FC and signed a 5 1/2-deal that will keep him at Anfield until 2016," a Liverpool statement read.
The 22-year-old Carroll, who signed an improved five-year deal with Newcastle in October, has scored 11 goals in 19 Premier League games this season.
His superb form for Newcastle led to an England call-up and he made his national-team debut against France last November, his only cap so far.
Carroll has also attracted attention for his off-field behavior this season. In October, he was charged with assaulting an ex-girlfriend and granted bail on condition he lived with Newcastle captain Kevin Nolan. The charges were dropped in December.
In a separate incident, he was fined in October after admitting assaulting a man in a nightclub in December 2009.
Liverpool is currently seventh in the Premier League after having recovered from its worst start to a season for 56 years, which cost Roy Hodgson his job as manager.
The club's new owners, Fenway Sports Group, brought in Kenny Dalglish as a replacement for a second spell in charge and has now backed the former Scotland striker in the transfer market.

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

Konchesky joins Forest on loan


RivalsDM








Updated Jan 31, 2011 2:55 PM ET
Out-of-favour Liverpool defender Paul Konchesky has joined Nottingham Forest on loan just five months after arriving at Anfield.
The 30-year-old was signed on transfer deadline day in August by Roy Hodgson but struggled to win over fans and has been unable to shake off his association with the former Reds boss and the club's poor start to the season.
Konchesky has featured just once - as an unused substitute - in Kenny Dalglish's squad for the five matches he has been in charge with right-back Glen Johnson preferred on the left.

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

Chelsea loses $114M despite trophies

13 comments »

Updated Jan 31, 2011 2:26 PM ET
LONDON (AP)

Chelsea lost 70.9 million pounds ($113.7 million) last season despite winning the Premier League and FA Cup.
Announcing its financial results Monday for the 12 months to June 30, 2010, the west London club said turnover increased by 1.2 percent to 205.8 million pounds ($330 million) but that a reduction in the value of its squad was the main reason for the loss.

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Sunderland vs. Chelsea
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Wed., Feb. 2​

Birmingham vs. Man City
Blackburn vs. Tottenham
Blackpool vs. West Ham
Bolton vs. Wolves
Fulham vs. Newcastle
Liverpool vs. Stoke City

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Chelsea chief executive Ron Gourlay highlighted the fact that the club has become cash positive, with a surplus of 3.8 million pounds ($6.1 million) compared to an outflow of 16.9 million pounds ($27.1 million) for the previous season.
"The reduction in operating losses and increased sales in 2009-10 shows that we are moving in the right direction, especially when viewed against the difficult macroeconomic environment," Gourlay said. "The club is in a strong position to meet the challenges of UEFA 'financial fair play' initiatives, which will be relevant to the financial statements to be released in early 2013."
UEFA will ban clubs from its European competitions, including the lucrative Champions League, from 2012 if they go into debt on football-related business.
"That the club was cash generative in the year when we recorded a historic FAPL and FA Cup double is a great encouragement and demonstrates significant progress as regards our financial results," chairman Bruce Buck said.
Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich has bankrolled Chelsea since his 2003 takeover, earning three English titles and three FA Cups. In 2009, he converted 340 million pounds ($541 million) of interest-free loans into equity to make the club debt-free.
Chelsea's chances of retaining its Premier League title have been derailed by its worst run of results for 15 years, while its finances could be hit if it completes the signing of Spain striker Fernando Torres from Liverpool.
Torres will reportedly cost Chelsea a British-record 50 million pounds ($79.5 million).

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

• Sport
• Football
• Blackpool

Charlie Adam left distraught after Blackpool reject £10m Liverpool bid

• Tottenham fail to complete late move for Scotland midfielder
• Blackpool put £14m asking price on player who cost £500,000

• Ewan Murray
• guardian.co.uk, Monday 31 January 2011 23.53 GMT <li class="history">Article history
  
  Blackpool turned down a £10m bid from Liverpool for Charlie Adam. Photograph: Carl Recine/Action Images Charlie Adam has been left distraught by Blackpool's unwillingness to sell him to Liverpool after heated talks between the player and club officials at Bloomfield Road tonight.
  Adam, who had been targeted by the Liverpool manager, Kenny Dalglish, made it clear to Blackpool that he was keen on a move to Anfield by submitting a transfer request last week.
  However, the Premier League newcomers steadfastly refused to sell their captain and key player of this campaign. That matter will leave the Blackpool manager, Ian Holloway, with at best a frustrated, and at worst disgruntled, player for the remainder of this campaign at least.
  Tottenham also made a last-ditch attempt to take Adam to White Hart Lane. Harry Redknapp is a long-time admirer of the midfielder, although he confirmed that the offer came to late. "We pushed on and tried to do it. Daniel [Levy, the Tottenham chairman] was confident he could get it through. It went to the wire but we missed out by minutes," Redknapp said. "Apparently the boy was definitely up for coming &#8230; apparently the chairman couldn't get hold of two shareholders who had to sign the forms as well. It's just one of those things."
  On a frantic final day of the transfer window, Blackpool are understood to have rejected offers from Liverpool of £8.5m and £10m for the Scotland international &#8211; the latter bid arriving as late as 8pm. Blackpool have valued Adam at £14m, despite paying just £500,000 to sign him from Rangers in 2009.
  Adam held discussions with the Blackpool chairman, Karl Oyston, in an effort to secure his dream move and a huge salary increase but to no avail. The playmaker believes he should have been allowed to join Liverpool as a show of gratitude from Blackpool for the part he has played in their rapid rise to top-flight prominence and that the valuation placed on him is unrealistic.
  Blackpool contest that Adam's worth to them is significant with Premier League survival in mind. The Scot has 18 months remaining on his contract.
  Oyston said: "What we've got to consider isn't so much valuation &#8211; obviously that's a consideration &#8211; but its what's at stake for us and the fact that we really don't want to lose momentum or part of our spirit or affect things badly.
  "Looking back on other Premier League newcomers if they lose the manager or lose some key players that's when things really tend to start to fall apart.
  "The offer was nowhere near what we could even begin to consider and more importantly we'd gone past the stage &#8211; and I did flag this up to them a fair while ago &#8211; that if they were seriously interested then they'd better put their best offer on the table."
  

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

• Sport
• Football
• Blackpool

Charlie Adam left distraught after Blackpool reject £10m Liverpool bid

• Tottenham fail to complete late move for Scotland midfielder
• Blackpool put £14m asking price on player who cost £500,000

• Ewan Murray
• guardian.co.uk, Monday 31 January 2011 23.53 GMT <li class="history">Article history
  
  Blackpool turned down a £10m bid from Liverpool for Charlie Adam. Photograph: Carl Recine/Action Images Charlie Adam has been left distraught by Blackpool's unwillingness to sell him to Liverpool after heated talks between the player and club officials at Bloomfield Road tonight.
  Adam, who had been targeted by the Liverpool manager, Kenny Dalglish, made it clear to Blackpool that he was keen on a move to Anfield by submitting a transfer request last week.
  However, the Premier League newcomers steadfastly refused to sell their captain and key player of this campaign. That matter will leave the Blackpool manager, Ian Holloway, with at best a frustrated, and at worst disgruntled, player for the remainder of this campaign at least.
  Tottenham also made a last-ditch attempt to take Adam to White Hart Lane. Harry Redknapp is a long-time admirer of the midfielder, although he confirmed that the offer came to late. "We pushed on and tried to do it. Daniel [Levy, the Tottenham chairman] was confident he could get it through. It went to the wire but we missed out by minutes," Redknapp said. "Apparently the boy was definitely up for coming … apparently the chairman couldn't get hold of two shareholders who had to sign the forms as well. It's just one of those things."
  On a frantic final day of the transfer window, Blackpool are understood to have rejected offers from Liverpool of £8.5m and £10m for the Scotland international – the latter bid arriving as late as 8pm. Blackpool have valued Adam at £14m, despite paying just £500,000 to sign him from Rangers in 2009.
  Adam held discussions with the Blackpool chairman, Karl Oyston, in an effort to secure his dream move and a huge salary increase but to no avail. The playmaker believes he should have been allowed to join Liverpool as a show of gratitude from Blackpool for the part he has played in their rapid rise to top-flight prominence and that the valuation placed on him is unrealistic.
  Blackpool contest that Adam's worth to them is significant with Premier League survival in mind. The Scot has 18 months remaining on his contract.
  Oyston said: "What we've got to consider isn't so much valuation – obviously that's a consideration – but its what's at stake for us and the fact that we really don't want to lose momentum or part of our spirit or affect things badly.
  "Looking back on other Premier League newcomers if they lose the manager or lose some key players that's when things really tend to start to fall apart.
  "The offer was nowhere near what we could even begin to consider and more importantly we'd gone past the stage – and I did flag this up to them a fair while ago – that if they were seriously interested then they'd better put their best offer on the table."
  

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

Sturridge joins Bolton on loan

2 comments »

Updated Jan 31, 2011 4:42 PM ET
BOLTON, England (AP)

Daniel Sturridge has left defending Premier League champion Chelsea to join Bolton on loan until the end of the season.

TRANSFER SPECIAL

Keep up with all the biggest moves around the globe with our 2011 January transfer gallery.

The England under-21 international hasn't started a league match for Chelsea this season and would have found first-team opportunities even more limited with the impending arrival of Fernando Torres from Liverpool.
Bolton manager Owen Coyle says the former Manchester City striker "is a terrific young talent and one of the most exciting strikers in the country."
Bolton is currently 11th in the Premier League standings.
Sturridge has scored nine goals in 41 appearances for Chelsea since moving to Stamford Bridge in 2009.




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• Report Abuse BluesFan7
  
  • 1/31/2011 6:59:45 PM
  Good move for everyone. Sturridge is gonna score some goals.
  
• Report Abuse RedForce
  
  • 1/31/2011 4:42:16 PM
  What an interesting day this has turned out to b
  

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

Chelsea striker Daniel Sturridge signs for Bolton Wanderers on loan

&#8226; 'Sturridge a terrific talent,' says Bolton manager Coyle
&#8226; 'It's been a busy and exciting day,' says Sturridge

• Press Association
• guardian.co.uk, Monday 31 January 2011 22.39 GMT <li class="history">Article history
  
  Daniel Sturridge, the 21-year-old striker who joined Chelsea from Manchester City in 2009, has left for Bolton Wanderers on loan. Photograph: Nick Potts/PA The Bolton Wanderers manager, Owen Coyle, has strengthened his attacking options by signing the Chelsea striker Daniel Sturridge on loan until the end of the season.
  Sturridge goes straight into the squad to face Wolverhampton Wanderers on Wednesday after seeing his first-team opportunities limited at Stamford Bridge.
  Coyle is delighted to have the 21-year-old on board after missing out in his pursuit of Arsenal's Carlos Vela, who opted to join West Bromwich Albion.
  He said: "I am really pleased to have Daniel with us. He is a terrific young talent and one of the most exciting strikers in the country. We are all looking forward to working with him."
  The Birmingham-born Sturridge was part of the Chelsea squad that won the Double last term after beginning his career at Manchester City.
  Sturridge said: "I spoke with the manager and he outlined what he hopes to achieve and his plans. It was an easy decision to sign for Bolton and I am looking forward to linking up with the squad on Tuesday.
  "It has been a very busy and exciting day. I found out that the club were interested in me over the weekend and everything has happened fairly quickly."
  

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

Chelsea striker Daniel Sturridge signs for Bolton Wanderers on loan

• 'Sturridge a terrific talent,' says Bolton manager Coyle
• 'It's been a busy and exciting day,' says Sturridge

• Press Association
• guardian.co.uk, Monday 31 January 2011 22.39 GMT <li class="history">Article history
  
  Daniel Sturridge, the 21-year-old striker who joined Chelsea from Manchester City in 2009, has left for Bolton Wanderers on loan. Photograph: Nick Potts/PA The Bolton Wanderers manager, Owen Coyle, has strengthened his attacking options by signing the Chelsea striker Daniel Sturridge on loan until the end of the season.
  Sturridge goes straight into the squad to face Wolverhampton Wanderers on Wednesday after seeing his first-team opportunities limited at Stamford Bridge.
  Coyle is delighted to have the 21-year-old on board after missing out in his pursuit of Arsenal's Carlos Vela, who opted to join West Bromwich Albion.
  He said: "I am really pleased to have Daniel with us. He is a terrific young talent and one of the most exciting strikers in the country. We are all looking forward to working with him."
  The Birmingham-born Sturridge was part of the Chelsea squad that won the Double last term after beginning his career at Manchester City.
  Sturridge said: "I spoke with the manager and he outlined what he hopes to achieve and his plans. It was an easy decision to sign for Bolton and I am looking forward to linking up with the squad on Tuesday.
  "It has been a very busy and exciting day. I found out that the club were interested in me over the weekend and everything has happened fairly quickly."
  

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

Tottenham deny striker links




13 comments »

Updated Jan 31, 2011 4:37 AM ET
Harry Redknapp insists he expects Tottenham to do little business ahead of Monday's transfer deadline despite being linked with Sergio Aguero.
Spurs have been linked with a host of strikers this month, and the departure of Robbie Keane to West Ham has opened up a space in Spurs' 25-man squad that could be filled by the 22-year-old Argentinian.
Reports suggest that the north London outfit have met the £38.5million asking price for Aguero but tax laws have prevented the deal from going ahead.

TRANSFER SPECIAL

Keep up with all the biggest moves around the globe with our 2011 January transfer gallery.

Tottenham's lack of firepower was exposed on Sunday as they crashed out of the FA Cup at the fourth round stage with a shock 4-0 hammering at London rivals Fulham.
Andy Carroll is also thought to have been on Redknapp's radar for some time now and the Spurs boss admitted that Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy could have made a fresh bid for the Newcastle striker.
Redknapp said: "I never made a bid for Andy Carroll. Maybe the chairman did but I never did. Nobody has told me we've made a bid."
Athletic Bilbao's Fernando Llorente is another potential target but Redknapp denied suggestions he had made a bid for the player despite reports in Spain suggesting otherwise.
"Fernando Llorente? No chance. I'm not going back to Spain any more. Definitely not," said Redknapp, referring to his mugging before watching last week's Madrid derby.
Spurs' shortcomings at the back were exposed at Craven Cottage as Fulham ran out comfortable winners against a Spurs side rocked by the first-half dismissal of captain Michael Dawson.
Dawson will now be missing for the next three games and Younes Kaboul has been ruled out for six weeks after Redknapp revealed the centre-half will need an operation on his knee.
Apart from Dawson, that leaves the Spurs boss with Sebastien Bassong as his only fit first-team centre-back as long-term absentees Ledley King and Jonathan Woodgate are out and William Gallas is struggling with a hip problem.
Redknapp, who landed Rafael van der Vaart in an 11th hour deal from Real Madrid on the previous deadline day, says he does not intend to make any last-ditch attempts to sign a defender before Monday night's 11pm deadline.
"We are struggling at the moment because we are down to two central defenders," Redknapp said.
"We have one spare defender on our books in Vedran Corluka.
"There is no-one else who can play in the back four.
"It's not ideal but we're not going to find somebody tomorrow. Who is going to find someone good enough to play in the Premier League before Monday night?"

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

Property developer suspends work on Tiger Woods golf complex

&#8226; Decision based on market conditions, says Dubai Properties
&#8226; Doubts whether the project will be completed

• Lawrence Donegan
• guardian.co.uk, Monday 31 January 2011 15.42 GMT <li class="history">Article history
  
  Tiger Woods has lost his form, his No1 world ranking and now his golf and property development has been suspended. Photograph: Mike Blake/Reuters The Tiger Woods "brand", reeling after several sponsors abandoned the former world No1 in the wake of personal scandal, suffered yet another setback today when developers announced work on his first golf course design had been suspended indefinitely.
  The Tiger Woods Dubai, a $1.1bn golf and property development, was due to open in late 2009 but as the global financial crisis struck and property prices in the desert emirate crashed its opening was postponed several times. Dubai Properties, the government-controlled company behind the project, continued to insist throughout that the course would open sooner rather than later.
  In a statement today, however, the company confirmed it had suspended the project. "This decision was based on current market conditions that do not support high-end luxury real estate," it said. "These conditions will continue to be monitored and a decision will be made in the future when to restart the project." The company said it would maintain its commercial agreement with Woods and his organisation.
  No date was given for resumption of work on the golf course project, although with countless high-end developments being abandoned in Dubai last year, there are doubts that it will ever be completed. Reports today suggested a decision had been taken to stop watering the six holes that had been built &#8211; a move which means the property will return to desert within a matter of months.
  In November last year the Observer revealed construction work on the 292 residential properties had never started and that most of the staff employed at the development had been laid off months earlier. Those who remained were waiting for confirmation that the project was being allowed to "return to nature". Over the last 10 years a number of golfers, including Ernie Els and Colin Montgomerie, have been paid to "design" high-end courses as the desert emirate sought to expand its tourist industry.
  Even by Dubai's gilded standards, the Woods-endorsed development was opulent with "mansions" and "palaces" for sale, some of them priced at $25m. The project was also to feature a boutique hotel and a Michelin-starred restaurant.
  Sources suggest that up to 30% of the properties on the development had been pre-sold, with buyers having put down a deposit to secure the purchase. It is not known what will happen to these deposits.
  Woods is reported to have received a $10m fee for "designing" the course, as well as royalties on real estate sales and his choice of mansion on the development once it was completed. The former world No1 &#8211; now ranked third &#8211; is due to travel to Dubai next week to play the Dubai Desert Classic. Woods made his first appearance of the 2011 season at the PGA Tour event in San Diego, where he finished a disappointing 44th.
  Afterwards, he was asked about the status of his Dubai project. "It's been put on hold for right now. A lot of projects are out there," he told the Associated Press. "It's still there. We've got six completed holes and a few that were about to be grassed before construction was halted. Everything is on hold."
  In the 14 months since his infamous car crash outside his Florida home, Woods has endured a tough time on and off the course. He endured the first winless season of his career in 2010 and saw his form dip as he embarked on swing changes under a new coach, Sean Foley.
  He also lost many of his biggest commercial sponsors, including the American telecommunications company AT&T and the financial firm Accenture. In November last year his agent, Mark Steinberg, suggested he was close to agreeing new sponsorship deals for his client. Since then, Woods has been dropped by Gillette and by Golf Digest.
  

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

Property developer suspends work on Tiger Woods golf complex

• Decision based on market conditions, says Dubai Properties
• Doubts whether the project will be completed

• Lawrence Donegan
• guardian.co.uk, Monday 31 January 2011 15.42 GMT <li class="history">Article history
  
  Tiger Woods has lost his form, his No1 world ranking and now his golf and property development has been suspended. Photograph: Mike Blake/Reuters The Tiger Woods "brand", reeling after several sponsors abandoned the former world No1 in the wake of personal scandal, suffered yet another setback today when developers announced work on his first golf course design had been suspended indefinitely.
  The Tiger Woods Dubai, a $1.1bn golf and property development, was due to open in late 2009 but as the global financial crisis struck and property prices in the desert emirate crashed its opening was postponed several times. Dubai Properties, the government-controlled company behind the project, continued to insist throughout that the course would open sooner rather than later.
  In a statement today, however, the company confirmed it had suspended the project. "This decision was based on current market conditions that do not support high-end luxury real estate," it said. "These conditions will continue to be monitored and a decision will be made in the future when to restart the project." The company said it would maintain its commercial agreement with Woods and his organisation.
  No date was given for resumption of work on the golf course project, although with countless high-end developments being abandoned in Dubai last year, there are doubts that it will ever be completed. Reports today suggested a decision had been taken to stop watering the six holes that had been built – a move which means the property will return to desert within a matter of months.
  In November last year the Observer revealed construction work on the 292 residential properties had never started and that most of the staff employed at the development had been laid off months earlier. Those who remained were waiting for confirmation that the project was being allowed to "return to nature". Over the last 10 years a number of golfers, including Ernie Els and Colin Montgomerie, have been paid to "design" high-end courses as the desert emirate sought to expand its tourist industry.
  Even by Dubai's gilded standards, the Woods-endorsed development was opulent with "mansions" and "palaces" for sale, some of them priced at $25m. The project was also to feature a boutique hotel and a Michelin-starred restaurant.
  Sources suggest that up to 30% of the properties on the development had been pre-sold, with buyers having put down a deposit to secure the purchase. It is not known what will happen to these deposits.
  Woods is reported to have received a $10m fee for "designing" the course, as well as royalties on real estate sales and his choice of mansion on the development once it was completed. The former world No1 – now ranked third – is due to travel to Dubai next week to play the Dubai Desert Classic. Woods made his first appearance of the 2011 season at the PGA Tour event in San Diego, where he finished a disappointing 44th.
  Afterwards, he was asked about the status of his Dubai project. "It's been put on hold for right now. A lot of projects are out there," he told the Associated Press. "It's still there. We've got six completed holes and a few that were about to be grassed before construction was halted. Everything is on hold."
  In the 14 months since his infamous car crash outside his Florida home, Woods has endured a tough time on and off the course. He endured the first winless season of his career in 2010 and saw his form dip as he embarked on swing changes under a new coach, Sean Foley.
  He also lost many of his biggest commercial sponsors, including the American telecommunications company AT&T and the financial firm Accenture. In November last year his agent, Mark Steinberg, suggested he was close to agreeing new sponsorship deals for his client. Since then, Woods has been dropped by Gillette and by Golf Digest.
  

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

Tiger Woods admits he has work to do after poor start to 2011 PGA Tour

&#8226; Former world No1 struggles to finish 44th in California
&#8226; Bubba Watson edges out Phil Mickelson in dramatic finish

• Agencies
• guardian.co.uk, Monday 31 January 2011 00.57 GMT <li class="history">Article history
  
  Tiger Woods shows his disappointment in a poor final round in the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines. Photograph: Donald Miralle/Getty Images Tiger Woods began his 2011 PGA Tour campaign with high hopes at the Farmers Insurance Open but he ended his week on a bitterly low note as he limped home in 44th place with a three-over-par 75 in yesterday's final round in California.
  Despite launching his season at one of his most successful venues, Woods struggled with his swing for most of the final round while he also battled with his putting.
  Woods, a seven-times winner at Torrey Pines since turning professional in 1996, was a shadow of his former dominant self as he finished the tournament with a one-under total of 287, well out of contention.
  "I hit a lot of good shots early in the week and then it progressively got worse," said Woods after recording only his third over-par score at the event in 47 rounds.
  "Today was nice starting out. I hit it just as pure as can be and then it got worse as the day went on. I hit so many good putts that didn't go in today. So I have a week to get ready and have got a lot of work to do."
  Woods, who totalled 32 putts on the day, has next week off before heading for the European Tour's Dubai Desert Classic.
  An opening round of 69 had left Woods feeling optimistic heading into the weekend before he tumbled out of contention, repeatedly shaking his head in frustration after hitting errant shots.
  "The old motor patterns are still there, and that is the thing," said Woods, who embarked on the fourth swing change of his career with the Canadian coach, Sean Foley, in August.
  "I'm going to have to fight through that. I've done it before and there's no reason I can't do it again. It takes reps and it takes reps under competition. You can't be afraid to go ahead and try it."
  Asked how close he was to completing his swing overhaul, he replied: "Oh, it's progressing. I don't know. It's one of those things where I don't know where the end is. You never know where the end is until you're done with your playing career."
  Woods, who has not won a tournament since the Australian Masters in November 2009, finished the 2010 PGA Tour season without a title for the first time in 15 years as a professional.
  Meanwhile in a dramatic finish at Torrey Pines Bubba Watson edged out Phil Mickelson after his birdie on the 18th proved the decisive shot and enough to clinch his second career title.
  Watson sank a 15-foot putt on the final green to leave Mickelson needing to chip in for an eagle to tie and force a play-off. But Mickelson left his shot three feet short and Watson was the winner.
  

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

Tiger Woods admits he has work to do after poor start to 2011 PGA Tour

• Former world No1 struggles to finish 44th in California
• Bubba Watson edges out Phil Mickelson in dramatic finish

• Agencies
• guardian.co.uk, Monday 31 January 2011 00.57 GMT <li class="history">Article history
  
  Tiger Woods shows his disappointment in a poor final round in the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines. Photograph: Donald Miralle/Getty Images Tiger Woods began his 2011 PGA Tour campaign with high hopes at the Farmers Insurance Open but he ended his week on a bitterly low note as he limped home in 44th place with a three-over-par 75 in yesterday's final round in California.
  Despite launching his season at one of his most successful venues, Woods struggled with his swing for most of the final round while he also battled with his putting.
  Woods, a seven-times winner at Torrey Pines since turning professional in 1996, was a shadow of his former dominant self as he finished the tournament with a one-under total of 287, well out of contention.
  "I hit a lot of good shots early in the week and then it progressively got worse," said Woods after recording only his third over-par score at the event in 47 rounds.
  "Today was nice starting out. I hit it just as pure as can be and then it got worse as the day went on. I hit so many good putts that didn't go in today. So I have a week to get ready and have got a lot of work to do."
  Woods, who totalled 32 putts on the day, has next week off before heading for the European Tour's Dubai Desert Classic.
  An opening round of 69 had left Woods feeling optimistic heading into the weekend before he tumbled out of contention, repeatedly shaking his head in frustration after hitting errant shots.
  "The old motor patterns are still there, and that is the thing," said Woods, who embarked on the fourth swing change of his career with the Canadian coach, Sean Foley, in August.
  "I'm going to have to fight through that. I've done it before and there's no reason I can't do it again. It takes reps and it takes reps under competition. You can't be afraid to go ahead and try it."
  Asked how close he was to completing his swing overhaul, he replied: "Oh, it's progressing. I don't know. It's one of those things where I don't know where the end is. You never know where the end is until you're done with your playing career."
  Woods, who has not won a tournament since the Australian Masters in November 2009, finished the 2010 PGA Tour season without a title for the first time in 15 years as a professional.
  Meanwhile in a dramatic finish at Torrey Pines Bubba Watson edged out Phil Mickelson after his birdie on the 18th proved the decisive shot and enough to clinch his second career title.
  Watson sank a 15-foot putt on the final green to leave Mickelson needing to chip in for an eagle to tie and force a play-off. But Mickelson left his shot three feet short and Watson was the winner.
  

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

Suarez joins Reds on 5 1/2 year deal

6 comments »

Updated Jan 31, 2011 5:02 PM ET
LIVERPOOL, England (AP)

Uruguay striker Luis Suarez has joined Liverpool from Ajax in a transfer worth &#8364;26.5 million ($36 million).

TRANSFER SPECIAL

Keep up with all the biggest moves around the globe with our 2011 January transfer gallery.

Suarez has signed a 5 1/2-year contract with the Reds, who are also on the brink of recruiting Newcastle striker Andy Carroll for a reported fee of about 35 million pounds ($56 million).
Fernando Torres, however, is set to leave Anfield after Liverpool and Chelsea agreed a fee for the Spain striker.
The 24-year-old Suarez scored 111 goals in 159 matches for Ajax, which he joined in 2007.
He was one of the stars of last year's World Cup in South Africa, scoring three times, but his performance was overshadowed by deliberate handling the ball on the line near the end of the quarterfinal against Ghana.

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

Gudjohnsen in Fulham loan move




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Updated Jan 31, 2011 6:32 PM ET
Eidur Gudjohnsen has joined Fulham on loan from Stoke until the end of the season.
The Potters gave the go-ahead for the Iceland international to make the move shortly before the 11pm transfer deadline.
The 32-year-old former Chelsea and Barcelona striker then agreed personal terms with the Cottagers and passed a medical, which was organised locally so that he could complete the paperwork in time.

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

Newcastle signs Ireland from Villa

Updated Jan 31, 2011 7:17 PM ET
NEWCASTLE, England (AP)

Newcastle has bolstered its midfield by signing Stephen Ireland on loan from Premier League rival Aston Villa until the end of the season.
The 24-year-old Irishman has failed to establish himself in Villa's first team this season after joining from Manchester City last year.
Newcastle manager Alan Pardew says "I think Stephen feels he can deliver more than he's shown at Villa so far."
The northeast club has moved to strengthen its attacking options with top scorer Andy Carroll on the verge of joining Liverpool for a reported fee of about 35 million pounds ($56 million).

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

Dos Santos loaned to Racing Santander

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Updated Jan 31, 2011 8:17 PM ET
SANTANDER, Spain (AP)

Mexico forward Giovani Dos Santos has been loaned from Tottenham to Spain's Racing Santander until the end of the season.

TRANSFER SPECIAL

Keep up with all the biggest moves around the globe with our 2011 January transfer gallery.

The loan deal Monday includes an option for Racing to buy his rights.
The signing is the first for Racing's new owner Ahsan Ali Syed since the Indian businessman acquired the club on Friday.
The 21-year-old Dos Santos, who played for Mexico at last year's World Cup, came up through Barcelona's youth system before joining the English club in 2008.
This is Dos Santos third loan stint after moving to Tottenham. He appeared in five games for Spurs this season but none since Sept. 25.

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

Torres joins Liverpool for British-record fee

Updated Jan 31, 2011 8:22 PM ET
LONDON (AP)

Spanish forward Fernando Torres joined Chelsea for a British-record fee said to be 50 million pounds ($79.5 million) on Monday as big-spending English clubs concluded a record-breaking spending spree during the January transfer window.
More than 215 million pounds ($345 million) was spent in the month by Premier League teams, breaking the previous high of 181 million pounds ($290 million) in 2009.
Torres' move from Liverpool is the third-most expensive transfer in the soccer history, bettered only by Real Madrid's purchases of Cristiano Ronaldo from Manchester United for 80 million pounds ($131 million) and Kaka from AC Milan for 65 million euros ($92 million). It is similar to the fee received by Inter Milan when the Italian team sold Zlatan Ibrahimovic to Barcelona the same year, a deal that sent Samuel Eto'o to Inter.
Liverpool replaced Torres by breaking the club's transfer record twice in the space of a few hours to acquire Andy Carroll from Newcastle and Luis Suarez from Ajax - for a combined fee of 58 million pounds ($93 million).
Chelsea was also ready to spend a reported 25 million pounds ($40 million) to sign Brazilian defender David Luiz from Portuguese side Benfica, bringing the total figure of those four transfers alone to 133 million pounds ($213 million).
Previous transfers this month have seen Edin Dzeko join Manchester City from Wolfsburg for about 27 million pounds ($42 million) and Darren Bent move to Aston Villa from Sunderland for a fee that could rise to 24 million pounds ($38.5 million).
Among Americans, midfielder Michael Bradley was loaned to England's Aston Villa from Germany's Borussia Moenchengladbach until the end of the season; American forward Robbie Findley received international clearance to sign with second-tier English club Nottingham Forest; and forward Jozy Altidore was loaned from Spain's Villarreal to defending Turkish champion Bursaspor for the rest of the season.
''Michael is a very hard-working midfielder who can score goals and is versatile,'' Villa manager Gerard Houllier said. ''I saw him play four times at the World Cup in South Africa. I saw him once on TV, but four times at the games for the national team, so in terms of scouting you cannot say the work has not been done.''
Chelsea's g outlay of about 75 million pounds ($120 million) came on the day the club announced losses of 70.9 million pounds ($113.7 million) last season, despite winning the Premier League and the FA Cup.
Such was the frenzied activity at Liverpool, comfortably the busiest mover on deadline day, that the club even had to temporarily change the layout of its webpage to safeguard its stability. The Reds had unprecedented levels of traffic on the site, with 1.1 million fans having visited it by evening, generating a record 8.5 million page impressions.
Manchester City forward Carlos Tevez was widely recognized as being the previous most expensive transfer within British soccer after moving from Manchester United for about 47 million pounds (then $76 million) in 2009.
Liverpool signed Carroll for a reported 35 million pounds ($56 million) after the forward had a transfer request accepted by Newcastle. The Reds had earlier finalized the signing of Suarez for 26.5 million pounds ($36 million).
Torres joins a Chelsea roster that already includes forwards Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka. Torres could make his Blues debut Sunday at Stamford Bridge against Liverpool
''I am very happy with my transfer to Chelsea and I am looking forward very much to helping my new team-mates this season and for many years to come,'' said Torres, a World Cup winner last year and the scorer of the winning goal in the European Championship final against Germany in 2008.
In other Premier League deals, Aston Villa loaned midfielder Stephen Ireland to Newcastle; Blackburn signed playmaker Mauro Formica from Newell's Old Boys and striker Ruben Rochina from Barcelona; and struggling Birmingham brought in striker Obafemi Martins on a six-month loan from Rubin Kazan.
Brazilian striker Andre joined Bordeaux from Dynamo Kiev on a six-month loan deal, and Villarreal loaned winger Jefferson Montero.
AC Milan acquired Nicola Legrottaglie from Juventus, signing the defender until the end of this season. Juventus signed striker Alessandro Matri on loan from Cagliari.

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

Altidore says he is being loaned to Bursaspor

Updated Jan 31, 2011 7:26 PM ET
VILLARREAL, Spain (AP)

American forward Jozy Altidore has joined defending Turkish champion Bursaspor on loan from Spanish club Villarreal for the rest of the season.
Altidore said Monday on his Twitter account that he will be at Bursaspor for six months, a move confirmed by his agent, James Grant Sports.
Altidore has appeared as a substitute in two league matches this season for Villarreal, which loaned Jefferson Montero to Levante on the last day of the January transfer window. Altidore's only goals this season were two against Poli Ejido in the fourth round of the Copa del Rey.

 

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