Sports News from Times Online

Jermain Defoe's return sparks Tottenham
Jermain Defoe rejoined Tottenham Hotspur yesterday and after missing out on two cup finals last season he is likely to step out at Wembley within weeks as his new employers put one foot into the Carling Cup final with a 4-1 win over Burnley in last night’s semi-final, first leg at White Hart Lane. The England striker was paraded on the pitch before kick-off after Portsmouth and Tottenham agreed terms to return him to North London for about £15 million, less than a year after he was sold.
Wed, 07 Jan 2009 00:00:06 GMT

Manchester City include Michael Johnson in deal to sign Scott Parker
West Ham United were in talks last night to sell Matthew Etherington to Stoke City and are considering Manchester City’s revised offer for Scott Parker, which includes Michael Johnson moving in the opposite direction.
Wed, 07 Jan 2009 00:00:52 GMT

Kevin Pietersen and Peter Moores both resign after row, say reports
Reports have suggested Kevin Pietersen, the England captain, and coach Peter Moores have both resigned after one of the most bizarre weeks in English cricket.
Wed, 07 Jan 2009 11:15:40 GMT

Carlos Tevez 'has no issue' with Sir Alex Ferguson
Kia Joorabchian attempted to placate Sir Alex Ferguson yesterday by insisting that Carlos Tévez has no issue with the Manchester United manager. However, the Argentina forward’s representative has accepted that his client could leave Old Trafford as rival clubs prepare to take advantage of the uncertainty surrounding the player’s future.
Wed, 07 Jan 2009 00:00:24 GMT

Stricken yachtsman Jean Le Cam swims to safety during Vendée Globe race
After 18 hours stuck in his capsized yacht 200 miles west of the notorious Cape Horn, a French yachtsman was rescued tonight after a calculated gamble in which he braved near-freezing waters and 12ft waves to swim to safety.
Wed, 07 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Jamie O'Hara inspires Spurs to brink of Wembley
It is just as well that Harry Redknapp has more faith in his players than the thousands of Tottenham Hotspur fans who booed their side off as the team trailed at half-time to a well-worked goal from Martin Paterson. Unlike the punters the manager refused to panic, assessed the evidence of a disappointing 45 minutes and made a substitution that brought two goals in the space of six minutes to take the doubting supporters closer to a second successive Carling Cup final.
Wed, 07 Jan 2009 00:00:15 GMT

Robbie Savage in from the cold at Derby County
A player named Savage has just been invited to join Manchester United. Seriously. You may recall a long-haired midfield player in his mid-30s being frozen out by Paul Jewell from the Derby County team that recorded the lowest points tally in Premier League history last season, but this is a new year, a time for new beginnings and, after being approached by Liverpool and Manchester City, Charlie Savage, aged 5, most recently of Alderley Edge Nomads Under-7s, has opted for United.
Wed, 07 Jan 2009 00:00:29 GMT

Tony Adams facing up to his two toughest tests
Tony Adams faces the two biggest tests of his brief spell as manager of Portsmouth in the coming weeks after the sale of Jermain Defoe to Tottenham Hotspur yesterday. First he must argue for as big a share of the proceeds as possible to spend this month. And then he must spend it wisely.
Wed, 07 Jan 2009 00:00:34 GMT

Micah Richards resigned to shift from centre
Micah Richards, the Manchester City defender, has urged Mark Hughes, his manager, to stop playing him at centre half after conceding that he is struggling to cope with the demands of the position.
Wed, 07 Jan 2009 00:00:02 GMT

Paranoia next on Sir Alex Ferguson's fixture list
The so-called hairdryer has nothing to do with Sir Alex Ferguson's tendency to bawl out his players from close range and everything to do with the fact that the vast majority of what he spouts is hot air.
Wed, 07 Jan 2009 00:00:23 GMT