Jul
31
Alonso asks to leave Liverpool
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Xabi Alonso’s Liverpool career appeared to be coming towards an end as he arrived for training.
The midfielder expects to hold talks with manager Rafael Benitez as Real Madrid are believed to be preparing a new, improved, bid for the 28 year-old.
A club source has now confirmed that Alonso has submitted a transfer request, with the Spanish player having previously only told Benitez verbally that he wanted to leave the club.
Now if Madrid produce an offer of at least £28million, the chances are that Benitez will agree to sell the man he signed from Real Sociedad for £10million in August 2004.
Alonso flew back from Spain, having spent three days with his family in San Sebastian, determined to end a summer-long saga over his future.
Benitez has defiantly refused to let Alonso leave, and Real’s only official bid of £24million was rejected. But a formal transfer request clearly changes the situation.
Since that first bid, both parties have been engaged in a war of words over the deal, with Real president Florentino Perez maintaining that Liverpool’s valuation was much too high.
Benitez had talks with Alonso during Liverpool’s Far East tour last week, and tried to convince the player to stay, underlining the fans’ delirious response to the player in Bangkok and Singapore as a reason to think again.
But on Liverpool’s return to the UK, Benitez told Alonso that he wanted the uncertainty around the player’s future to be sorted out before the weekend, one way or another.
Now the deadlock looks like being broken, just 24 hours after the two clubs agreed a £3.5million fee for Anfield full-back Alvaro Arbeloa to move to Real.
By the time that the Alonso fee is in Liverpool’s coffers, and also £4million for Andrea Dossena’s move to Napoli, Benitez will have around £40m to spend on the transfer market.
Benitez has already raised around £8million from the sales of Arbeloa, Sebastian Leto, Jack Hobbs and Paul Anderson.
He has been linked with Wigan midfielder Lee Cattermole, Hull defender Michael Turner, Valencia’s David Silva and Roma midfielder Alberto Aquilani.
Benitez is aware that the new Premier League season is little more than a fortnight away, and he needs to move quickly to find a replacement for Alonso otherwise the club’s preparation for the campaign will be disrupted.
Arbeloa’s move to the Bernabeu has been conducted with far less rancour.
The player passed a medical yesterday and has now signed a five-year contract.
He said of his time at Anfield: “Liverpool are a club with an impressive history, with lots of success.
“In England they are the team with the most titles, so I’ve already experienced that pressure and I hope that will help me now with this challenge, which is clearly the biggest in my career.
“I think I have become a better footballer and also matured. When you play at a club like Liverpool you have the chance to play with great players, I’ve also been called up by Spain and we’ve won the European Championships, so in these years I have learned a huge amount.
“It has made me a much better player and I hope to be able to show it, which in the end is the important thing.”
The transfer will see Arbeloa rejoin the club where he began his professional career after Real plucked him from Real Zaragoza’s youth set-up.
However, the full-back was restricted to just two senior run-outs during his first spell at the Bernabeu and he is determined to improve on that figure this time around.
He added: “My objective is to give it everything in training and try to win myself a place in the team, which is the objective of any player.
“And of course I want to help my team-mates and the team to win titles, which in the end is what counts.”
Jul
31
Tributes pour in for Sir Bobby Robson
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Tributes are pouring in for former England manager Sir Bobby Robson, who has died aged 76.
Tributes are pouring in for former England manager Sir Bobby Robson, who has died aged 76.
Sir Alex Ferguson, Manchester United manager:
“I was never too big or proud to ask him for advice which he gave freely and unconditionally. And I’m sure I am speaking for a lot of people when I say that.
“In my 23 years working in England there is not a person I would put an inch above Bobby Robson. I mourn the passing of a great friend; a wonderful individual; a tremendous football man and somebody with passion and knowledge of the game that was unsurpassed.
“His character was hewn out of the coal face; developed by the Durham County mining background that he came from.
“His parents instilled in him the discipline and standards which forged the character of a genuinely colossal human being. He added his own qualities to that which then he passed on to his sons.
“The strength and courage he showed over the past couple of years when battling against his fifth bout of cancer was indescribable. Always a smile; always a friendly word with never a mention of his own problems.
“The world, not just the football world, will miss him. Let’s hope it won’t be long before another like him turns up because we could never get enough of them.”
Jose Mourinho, Inter Milan coach who worked with Robson for five years at Sporting Lisbon, Porto and Barcelona :
“I hadn’t spoken to him in the last two months because it was hard for me,” he told Inter Milan’s official website.
“It was me who found it hard because I didn’t want to think that he was dying, that wasn’t the image that I wanted to keep with me forever of Bobby Robson, that wasn’t the voice I wanted to hear.
“I wanted to and I will keep with me always the Bobby Robson of every day, a person who had extraordinary passion for life and for football, with an extraordinary enthusiasm.
“Bobby Robson is one of those people who never die, not so much for what he did in his career, for one victory more or less, but for what he knew to give to those who had, like me, the good fortune to know him and walk by his side.
“My thoughts and embraces go to all his loved ones.”
Inter Milan added:
“The president (Massimo) Moratti and all at Inter Milan join in with Jose Mourinho’s grief and are by Sir Bobby Robson’s family’s side in recording one of the great masters of English and world football.”
Fabio Capello, England manager:
“Sir Bobby was a wonderful man, a real gentleman.
“It’s extremely sad that Sir Bobby has lost his final fight against cancer, but he will never be forgotten. He really was a great man.
“To manage the national team for so long was a remarkable achievement, and we all remember how close he came to leading England to the World Cup final in Italy.”
Glenn Hoddle, who played under Robson at the 1986 World Cup:
“It’s devastating, very sad. Our feelings and thoughts go out to Bobby’s family. Obviously for everybody in the football world it’s a very, very sad day,” he told , told Sky Sports.
“He’s the closest we’ve come to winning the World Cup (since 1966) - that’s how good Bobby was.
“In the 1990 World Cup with a little bit more luck and calmness in the penalty shoot-out, who knows what could have happened? He was right up there behind Sir Alf Ramsey in that sense. He was a football man, a very endearing man, quite comical.
“We had a fantastic squad certainly in ‘86 - who knows what could have happened if the ‘hand of God’ goal from Maradona didn’t happen?
“You can see how respected he was all around the world.
“He was a very open and very honest person. He and Don Howe were closely-knit together in my era of playing under Bobby. He was someone that would talk to you. The lads really did take to him and have respect for what he’s done not only in football but off the pitch. He was a very charming man but also a winner.
“I was absolutely amazed to see, when he went back to Newcastle, the passion he had for continuing at Newcastle when he’d done most jobs he wanted to.
“I met up quite a few times with him when he was Newcastle manager and that passion was still there. I think that was still there to this very day. He had a genuine, refreshing love the game. He’ll be sadly missed.”
Ray Clemence, former England goalkeeper:
“It’s a sad day for football and football people.
“He had such honesty and enthusiasm for the game as a player and manager. Even right up to the very end, when he spoke about football the enthusiasm still shone through how much he loved and cared about the game.
“Since Sir Alf Ramsey England have never been as close to winning the World Cup as we were with Bobby. At the top end of sport, these things are decided by the smallest issues and obviously it went to penalties.
“He certainly made the nation very proud because of the way the team played in that 1990 World Cup.”
Don Howe, Robson’s assistant as England boss:
“It is a sad day. When somebody is ill like that you realise what is happening but when it comes it is really shocking to your system.
“Having known him since the 1950s when he was transferred from Fulham to West Brom, where I was already, we just gelled together. We were both similar, we had both got big families to look after and wanted to be successful in football. That’s why we got on well together.
“He was a man of standards. Whatever he talked about or did, he had high standards to do the best he could possibly do and he lived his life that way.”
Steve McClaren, former England manager:
“I had a cup of tea with him a couple of months ago in his home. He was fighting as he always did but you could tell time was passing.
“To be so successful, but to be so loved by everybody throughout his career… that’s special and says something. The game will be worse for Bobby Robson leaving us.
“The passion was still there, it was unbelievable. His mind was still so sharp, so enthusiastic, even at that age and even though he had an illness.
“I saw a programme once on him and the great players around the world adored Sir Bobby Robson because of his sheer passion.
McClaren, now coaching FC Twente in the Dutch Eredivisie, added:
“I know in Holland he’s so loved by everybody. You’ve got to have passion and he had it in abundance.
“He did it the right way. Clubs loved working with him, players loved working with him - such a character.
“I became quite close to Bobby during my England career. I often had talks with him and he gave me great advice.
“He advised me to come over here to Holland, he said ‘Get over there, you’ll love it’. It’s the best advice I’ve ever had.”
Terry McDermott, former Newcastle assistant manager :
“It’s devastating.
“Everybody knew it was coming. The people who’ve seen him at the weekend at the charity game, you could see he wasn’t a well man. It shows the courage of the man to actually turn up in front of 33,000 people and get thefitting send-off he deserved because he’s a fantastic football person.
“Everybody knew he was in trouble and he was going to die but it’s still a shock to everybody. Everybody remembers him obviously for being a nice person but what a great football person as well.
“He’ll be sadly missed by everyone, not just Newcastle but football in general.”
Of his personal memories of Robson, McDermott added: “I’ve met Bobby on numerous occasions. Eighteen months ago I went to a function in Durham, one of his charity nights. and him and Alex Ferguson came on stage… it was beyond belief how ill he was.
“He just mesmerised everybody, it was a pleasure to be in his company. He always had a story to tell, a very amusing guy. Our hearts go out to his wife and all his family.”
Freddy Shepherd, former Newcastle chairman:
“His enthusiasm was unbelievable. He just loved Newcastle,” he told Sky Sports News.
“When he first joined us, we asked in London did he want the job? He said ‘yeah, I don’t want to talk about wages, I just want to be up there today’.
“His enthusiasm was fantastic.”
Robson was sacked in August 2004 - something Shepherd admits was not an easy task.
“It was a board decision, we were a plc so it was a collective thing and I had to go along with it. I certainly didn’t enjoy it. We stayed great friends, played golf etc. He was a great guy.
“He knew how to play me, there’s always friction there (between chairman and manager) - it’s part of the business but he knew how to play me and he’s done it very successfully!”
Sir John Hall, former Newcastle chairman:
“He’s a legend at Newcastle,” he told Sky Sports News.
“He’s probably our most successful manager in recent years. He took us into Europe.
“I often wonder what would the success of the club be like if people realise we approached him while he was manager of Barcelona.
“He wanted to come to the club but he said ‘I’ve got a contract at Barcelona, I’ve got to see it out’. That was a measure of the honesty of the man.
“If we’d got him two to three years before he came I reckon we would have had tremendous success. He was a great manager. He just knew the game, he was dedicated to it.”
Derek Llambias, Newcastle’s current managing director :
“Sir Bobby was one of the game’s true footballing legends, a unique, passionate man who gave so much to the game.
“He will be enormously missed by the whole football community worldwide and we extend our sincere condolences to his wife Elsie and family.
“We may never see his like again.”
Alan Shearer, former Newcastle striker:
“Sunday was a fitting tribute to him and he will be sadly missed by everyone, not just by people in the football world but from all walks of life,” Shearer said.
“It’s a very sad day for everyone, especially his family, his close friends and anyone who’s ever worked with him.”
Lee Clark, former Newcastle midfielder :
“It’s a very sad day for football and a very sad day for the country, because he was respected in all walks of life throughout the nation, Clark told the Huddersfield Examiner.
“I knew Sir Bobby well in my time at Newcastle United, I also came across him at times when I was in the England squads and he was always a fantastic man.
“He was so knowledgeable and so enthusiastic about football and that lasted until his very last day. He would love to talk about the game and his passion for football was unbelievable.”
Warren Barton, former Newcastle defender:
“It’s devastating news, he was a great manager and a great man. I hope his legacy continues, he was the best manager I had.
“He was black and white through and through.”
Stuart Pearce, England Under-21 coach who played under Sir Bobby for England:
“It is a massive loss, as a man, and to football.
“I cannot think of anyone in the game who was held in higher esteem. It was an absolute privilege and honour for me to work with him.
“My thoughts are with his family at this time.”
Gary Lineker, played under Robson at the 1986 and 1990 World Cups:
“I was deeply saddened to hear of Bobby Robson’s death. He was a great football man.
“He had a tremendous enthusiasm and passion for football and life and continued to retain this right to the last days of his life.
“He will be deeply missed by everyone, especially those who played for him. I have the fondest memories of playing for him at two World Cups.
“In recent years he undertook a great deal of work for his cancer charity and raised the profile considerably in addition to the monies raised.”
Paul Parker, part of Robson’s 1990 World Cup squad:
“When I was with the England side he was a fantastic person to play for. The way he asked you and told you do stuff…you really wanted to do it for the man,” Parker told 5Live.
“With his love and his drive you just wanted to perform for him. Everybody loved playing for Bobby, he was one of the few managers everybody took to. He was just a wonderful man to play for.”
Trevor Steven, a member of Robson’s 1990 World Cup squad:
“It is very sad news.
“I knew he was desperately ill, so in some ways it is not a surprise.
“Bobby was a very important man to me in my career, he gave me my first England cap.
“He was a 100 per cent football man, very enthususiastic and it is that enthusiasm that I will remember him best for, that was his most appealing trait.
“He had some tough times as an England manager but he stuck by his players and gave them his full backing.”
Ray Wilkins, former England midfielder
“Everyone had the utmost respect for him,” he told Sky News, adding that players were willing to “run through a brick wall” for him.
“He handled people in the right fashion and I think that was his major strength.
“He was a joy to be around.”
Harry Redknapp, Tottenham manager:
“He was a great football man, a real family man,” he told Sky Sports 2
“I was with him just a couple of weeks ago at a dinner, a charity weekend. He was there raising money for orphaned kiddies in Portugal as well as raising money for his cancer research. He was just amazing. He’ll be sorely missed.
“He was a fantastic football manager, probably the most enthusiastic football man I’ve ever met in my life.
“Look at the job he did at Ipswich, and all over the world. I’ve never met a man with more enthusiasm and passion for football.”
Howard Wilkinson, chairman of the League Managers’ Association:
“My best memories of Bobby are the funny ones, all the more funny because he remained blissfully unaware, nor offended that his faux pas became a source of such fun.
“At one England Under-21 gathering, I selected Shola Ameobi who was a young striker at Newcastle under him. Bobby had also bought at great expense Carl Cort, a striker from Wimbledon.
“Shola had about six Christian names, most of them, to me, unpronounceable and in an attempt to put him at his ease on his debut performance, I called the lad over and asked him what Bobby called him when he was at the club.
“With absolutely no sense of resentment, rather more with a sense of love and understanding, Shola said, ‘Carl Cort, mostly’.
“At a time when ‘great’ and ‘world class’ are sometimes too freely ascribed, the descriptions underscore Sir Bobby Robson. He was truly a great and world class person.”
Martin Jol, Ajax manager
“Bobby Robson was a real footballlegend.
“He had something special and he also almost always turned his teams into champions. That is exceptional.”
Jol also credited Robson with helping him secure a move to England in 1982 when he signed for West Brom from FC Twente.
“Afterwards I heard that Robson said positive things about me to a friend,” said Jol.
The Dutchman added: “Of course I knew that Bobby Robson was very sick. But the news about his death comes as a surprise nevertheless.
“He was a man who never gave up and over and over again he showed up in public. He was a striking personality.”
Alan Hansen, former Scotland international:
“Bobby took a lot of criticism in 1986 but if you looked at the sides England had in 1982, 2002 or 2006 the players they had in terms of ability were far above those Bobby had,” he said.
“Bobby could have won the World Cup in 1990 with what I thought was an average side.
“I had some dealings with him when filming documentaries and he was a bit like Bill Shankly.
“When you spoke with Bill or with Bobby you had a conversation for an hour and a half and you didn’t have to say anything.
“He poured the tea and then it was 40 minutes straight off talking about Barcelona or Newcastle or what he was planning. His passion was phenomenal.”
Simon Clegg, Ipswich chief executive
“This is a very sad day for Ipswich Town football club and the world of football in general.
“Sir Bobby was held in the highest esteem within the local community and in particular by generations of supporters of this football club.
“He will be greatly missed by all.
“On behalf of Ipswich Town, I would like to send our deepest sympathies to Sir Bobby’s family.”
Barcelona issued astatement:
“Barcelona is in mourning,” it said. “During his period with the club, Robson won the affection of all Cules (Barca supporters).
“He is a true legend of world football.”
PSV Eindhoven issued a statement on their website:
“PSV have heard about the sad news that former head coach Sir Bobby Robson passed away this morning at the age of 76 years,” the statement said.
“Robson was an icon from British football and he had enormous popularity among our fans.
“The last, warm, meeting between PSV and Robson took place last year in the summer in Newcastle, where PSV played a friendly match in the pre-season against the Magpies.
“Robson came and talked about his memories with everyone from the club, where he worked between 1990 and 1992 and from 1998 to 1999. Despite his already fragile health, Sir Bobby shone and enjoyed seeing PSV one more time.”
Ian Watmore, FA chief executive:
“The whole of football loved Bobby Robson as a player, a manager and an ambassador for the game.
“This is a sad day and on behalf of the Football Association I would like to send condolences to his family and thank him for all that he did for England and football in general.”
Prince William, president of the FA, said in a statement:
“I am deeply saddened to hear about Sir Bobby Robson’s death.
“His contribution to English football as a player, manager and superb ambassador for our national game has been immense.
“He will be sadly missed by football fans everywhere, and I am thinking about his family at this difficult time.”
Richard Scudamore, Premier League chief executive:
“It’s a real shame. Obviously our thoughts go out to his family.
“Anyone who spent any time in his company was enriched. The great thing about Bobby was he made you feel you knew him well.
“He always had time to speak to you and share his passion for the game.”
Jeremy Peace, West Brom chairman:
“Everyone at West Bromwich Albion is deeply saddened to hear of Sir Bobby’s Robson’s passing.
“He was a terrific servant for this football club, which always remained dear to his heart.
“He was a true gentleman in every sense and our sincere condolences go to his family.”
The Football Association of Ireland released a statement:
“It was with great sadness that the Football Association of Ireland today learned of the death of Sir Bobby Robson.
“A legend in the world of football, Sir Bobby acted as International Football Consultant for the FAI from January 2006 until November 2007, after which he continued as an Ambassador for the FAI.
“The FAI today expressed its sympathy to Sir Bobby’s wife, Lady Elsie, and their three sons.”
Jack Charlton, former Republic of Ireland manager:
“He was a dedicated man in finding out about other teams - he was always at footballmatches,” Charlton told Sky Sports News.
“I liked Bob - he was a good lad, a good friend of mine.”
David Blood, FAI president:
“Sir Bobby was a legend in the world of football and it was with great sadness that I learned of his passing this morning. We were honoured when Sir Bobby joined the association and throughout his time involved with the FAI his knowledge and passion for the game was invaluable.
“Aside from his many successes on the pitch, Sir Bobby will be best remembered for his humour, his decency and his well deserved reputation as one of the true gentlemen of the game.
“On behalf of the FAI, I would like to extend my sincerest sympathies to his family. Sir Bobby gave so much to the world of football and he will be greatly missed.”
John Delaney, FAI chief executive:
“Sir Bobby’s contribution to the sport of football is immeasurable. His success was rooted in the fact that he was a thoroughly genuine man and was at all times an absolute gentleman.
“Sir Bobby represented football and the FAI with the pride, passion and dignity which earned him a place in the hearts of football fans around the world. He will be sadly missed.”
Sunderland issued a statement:
“Sir Bobby, one of the north east’s favourite sons and a regular at Sunderland fixtures at the Stadium of Light, transcended the clubs he represented both on and off the field to become a respected figure across the entire world football community,
“The club would like to pass its sincere condolences to Lady Elsie and Sir Bobby’s family at this very sad time.”
Gordon Brown, Prime Minister:
“I was extremely saddened to hear of the death of Sir Bobby Robson,” Mr Brown said.
“I had the privilege of meeting Bobby on many occasions. He epitomised everything that is great about football in this country.
“His passion, patriotism, dedication and professionalism knew no equal during his time both as a player and a manager.
“His remarkable achievements as manager of Ipswich Town and then of England are among the most distinguished in English football history, and he was able to replicate that extraordinary success during his time at PSV Eindhoven, Porto and Barcelona.
“Over the past few years, he fought cancer with his characteristic tenacity and good humour.
“He will be sorely missed - not only in Newcastle and Ipswich, both of whom he served with such devotion, but by all sports fans in our country.
“My sincere condolences go to his wife Elsie and his family.”
Tony Blair, former prime minister :
“Sir Bobby was one of the nicest, most caring and genuine people I ever met - a real Geordie gentleman.
“He was, of course, an outstanding coach, but he was also immensely generous with his time and energy across a range of charitable activities.
“It was aprivilege to have known him.”
Gerry Sutcliffe, Minister for Sport:
“Sir Bobby Robson was one of the towering figures of English football.
“His record at club, European and international level speaks for itself.
“He was a much-loved and respected figure who lived and breathed football at every level , and in the right spirit, and his passion for the game was infectious. He will be sorely missed.”
Jul
31
Magnificent seven for England
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James Anderson and Graham Onions took seven wickets between them to decimate Australia on the second morning of the third npower Ashes Test. 
James Anderson and Graham Onions took seven wickets between them to decimate Australia on the second morning of the third npower Ashes Test.
Onions set the tone with three early wickets and Anderson produced a remarkable spell of four for four as the Australians slumped to a lunch score of 203 for eight at Edgbaston.
Durham fast bowler Onions began in stunning fashion from the city end with wickets from the first two balls of the day.
Lancashire paceman Anderson followed up with a quartet of victims shortly before lunch as Australia, who resumed on 126 for one, totally relinquished their overnight dominance.
Both men found themselves on hat-tricks but could not complete the feat despite the roars of the notorious Edgbaston crowd.
Onions bounced back strongly from his opening-day mauling to turn in a spell of 9-2-25-3.
He had been hammered out of the attack during an opening day restricted to only 30 overs by rain. So it was something of a bold decision for England captain Andrew Strauss to throw him the ball at the 11am start of play.
It paid immediate dividends as makeshift opener Shane Watson, surprisingly brought in as a replacement for Phillip Hughes, failed to add to his overnight 62.
Playing around a fullish delivery, Watson was rapped on the pads and gave umpire Aleem Dar an easy decision.
Onions’ next ball removed new batsman Michael Hussey, who shouldered arms to a delivery which angled back enough to clip the top of off-stump.
Australia vice-captain Michael Clarke arrived at the crease with Onions on a hat-trick but survived the next delivery, a short one which brushed the jumper as it flew down the leg-side.
Australia captain Ricky Ponting could only watch from the non-striker’s end but was soon acknowledging the crowd’s appreciation when, having resumed on 17, he registered the eight runs needed to become the highest run-scorer in Australian Test history and overhaul Allan Border’s tally of 11,174 runs.
He reached the milestone, which also took him to third on the list of the all-time run-scorers, by clipping Andrew Flintoff off his legs just wide of Ian Bell and silly mid-on for three in the fourth over of the morning.
But the bowlers looked a constant threat, and Onions finally got his reward in the ninth over of the morning to dismiss Ponting for 38.
Ponting had been quick to seize on any short deliveries but was surprised by a quicker one with extra bounce, which he attempted to hook and gained a feather-edge on its way through to wicketkeeper Matt Prior.
Onions was unfortunate not to claim another victim in his next over when he had a strong appeal for lbw against Clarke rejected by umpire Dar despite television replays suggesting the ball would have hit the stumps.
Clarke reached drinks unbeaten on 18 with fifth-wicket partner Marcus North still to get off the mark.
The left-hander did not do so until his 15th delivery but was prepared to be patient following a spell of three wickets for 37 runs.
It should have been four for Onions when he again had Clarke in trouble but Andrew Flintoff dropped a rare chance at second slip.
Clarke, on 20, initially declined to play at a delivery marginally outside off-stump but only succeeded in flashing the ball off the face of the bat to Flintoff, who failed to react in time to the sharpest of chances in front of his chest.
It did not prove too costly, however, as Anderson was gifted a first success by an inswinger to Clarke which was given out by South African official Rudi Koertzen despite the ball appearing to veer past leg-stump.
When North’s frustration at England persevering outside off-stump boiled over, a drive was hauled in one handed by wicketkeeper Prior.
Mitchell Johnson followed next ball, again to a contentious leg before decision when he was struck on the pads leaving an Anderson delivery alone.
Although Anderson, 27 yesterday, failed to convert the hat-trick opportunity he confirmed an early lunch when, operating from wide of the crease, he produced a perfectly-pitched outswinger which hit the off-stump of debutant Graham Manou.
Jul
29
Hamilton: McLaren on the up
Filed Under Formula One | Leave a Comment
Lewis Hamilton believes his first victory for nine months was just reward for his “completely knackered” team.
McLaren have burned the midnight oil these past few months in a bid to build a race-winning car again after spending the first half of the season towards the back of the grid, and it has paid dividends.
The rocket-red victory shirts, celebratory loud music and flowing champagne were all back in evidence inside the McLaren brand centre yesterday following Hamilton’s Hungarian Grand Prix triumph.
The success ended Hamilton’s five-race drought without a point, and 10 since the last time he took the chequered flag in China last October.
The world champion looked the part, and the relief was palpable as he said: “It’s been almost a year - such a long time that it felt surreal to win again.
“I couldn’t believe how well it all went. I love my car right now - the overall package is fantastic.
“It’s been a huge turnaround. At the start of the season, I said if anybody could do this, it would be us.
“You’ve seen ourselves and Ferrari stepping up our game, and if we’d had this car at the beginning of the season I reckon we’d have won more races.
“But we always said we were six months behind the top guys and, sure enough, six months later we’re back at the front.
“Things can now only get better for us. The updates we’ve introduced have made a huge difference and the car is a pleasure to drive.
“But we’ve still quite a few improvements to make to the car as there are areas we haven’t yet explored.”
The win, though, means McLaren can now enjoy their two-week break due to start next Monday, with the holiday enforced as part of new cost-saving initiatives amongst all the teams.
For one employee in particular, who McLaren recently highlighted had put in a 36-hour shift to aid the team’s cause, he is likely to be very happy.
“I know they’re all completely knackered,” added Hamilton, with the next race not until August 23 in Valencia.
“I hope they get a good break over the next couple of weeks so we can be ready to come back and get some more podiums.”
There was particular delight for Martin Whitmarsh, who has endured a tough few months since taking over as team principal.
The wretched car aside, Whitmarsh was forced to deal with the fall-out from the ‘lie-gate’ saga in Australia, as well as play a major role in the recent FIA-FOTA battle over the future of Formula One.
Whitmarsh certainly enjoyed standing on the podium yesterday at the Hungaroring and receiving his first constructors’ trophy as team boss.
“It was a fantastic feeling,” remarked Whitmarsh, who was doused in champagne on the podium by Hamilton.
“I’ve been on the podium before. I was there for Lewis’ first ever win, but to be up there again, it had to be a special one.
“I have to admit the second half of the race was nerve-racking because I, the team, Lewis, everyone, needed a victory.
“But no-one needed this win more than me, so it was great.”
With McLaren now clearly back on the pace, the belief is it will not be a one-off this season.
“I’m sure more than a few people were sniggering down their sleeves at the suggestion we could win in Hungary,” remarked Whitmarsh.
“But we believed it. We tried to be realistic and objective, and we proved we were, and it was very, very rewarding.
“This team has been at war on a few issues this year, but we have come through that and we now want to win some more races.”
Hamilton is due to attend the team’s factory in Woking tomorrow, which is certain to be a moment as special as when he returned as world champion last year.
“Lewis has been a fantastic asset, and he’ll be a better one,” enthused Whitmarsh.
“Lewis did a fantastic job (in Hungary) and he is a fantastic champion.
“He had already planned to come to the factory tomorrow, so for the whole team it will be a massive celebration on Tuesday.
“But once that is out of the way, then we’ll get on with things very quickly.”
Jul
29
More injections for Flintoff
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Andrew Flintoff needed two more injections and has been sleeping with an ice-pack around his right knee.
All the evidence suggests that the medical treatment is working and that the all-rounder will be ready to build on his man-of-the-match performance at Lord’s by taking on Australia again at Edgbaston in the third Test starting on Thursday.
An England team spokesman said that Flintoff was given a jab last Friday to lubricate his troublesome knee and received another dose of cortisone in the same area two days ago, ‘The Times’ reported.
Flintoff, who needed three injections before Lord’s, has also been wearing through the night a high-tech knee compression that is attached via tubing to a machine by his bedside that pumps water and ice around the joint to aid recovery.
“It gets in the way a little bit,” Flintoff said. “After the Lord’s Test my knee was a bit sore, but I have been icing it and getting treatment from Dave Roberts (the Lancashire physiotherapist). I bowled in some discomfort at Lord’s, but I still sent down my overs and got through.”
Although Flintoff sat out the game of football that precedes every practice, he was close to full pace on Tuesday when he bowled on the outfield afterwards under the supervision of Kirk Russell, the England physiotherapist.
Flintoff subsequently batted and bowled in the nets with a belt-and-braces approach to his knee, which was heavily strapped with crepe bandaging beneath a standard elasticated support.
Jul
29
Strauss: Oz no longer have the aura
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England captain Andrew Strauss says Australia have lost their previous aura and opposition teams are no longer in awe of them.
England are 1-0 ahead in the series after the heroics of Andrew Flintoff at Lord’s last week and are imbued with the belief that the Ashes can be regained this summer.
Strauss admitted that in previous series, even when England were in strong positions, the fear of Australia’s experienced match-winners meant they never felt truly comfortable.
“I don’t think this Australian side has an aura about it,” Strauss was quoted as saying in the ‘Daily Telegraph’. “We didn’t think so even before the series started.
“Not to be disrespectful, they still have some great players. The aura came from players like Glenn McGrath, Shane Warne, Matthew Hayden and Adam Gilchrist.
“A lot of the guys in this team are at the start of their Test careers and necessarily don’t have an aura yet.
“Playing Australia now feels like playing any other Test team.”
Jul
20
Gerrard in dock over affray allegations
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England midfielder Steven Gerrard was in the dock today as jurors waited to be called to try his affray case.
The Liverpool captain, 29, stood next to his six co-accused at Liverpool Crown Court in a dark grey suit and black suede shoes.
The millionaire star took his place behind the glass sealed dock in courtroom 4:1 as Judge Henry Globe QC, the Recorder of Liverpool, adjourned the hearing until 2.15pm for legal discussions.
The midfielder arrived early at court to meet his solicitor Richard Green for discussions ahead of the trial opening.
The father-of-two is accused of affray - which he denies.
It is alleged Gerrard was involved in a nightclub melee in Southport in the early hours of December 29 in which businessman Marcus McGee, 34, was injured.
Gerrard was celebrating Liverpool’s 5-1 demolition of Newcastle when trouble began.
Gerrard, of Formby, Merseyside, is jointly charged with Accrington Stanley goalkeeper Ian Dunbavin, 28, of Guildford Road, Southport and midfielder Robert Grant, 18, of Enstone Road, Litherland.
Also on trial are John Doran, 29, of Woodlands Road, Ian Smith, 19, of Hilary Avenue, John McGrattan, 33, of Rimmer Avenue, and Paul McGrattan, 31, of Linden Drive, all of Huyton, Merseyside.
Following further legal submissions, the case was adjourned again until tomorrow morning without a jury being sworn in.
The trial is scheduled to last between two and three weeks.
Jul
20
KP doubtful starter for third Test
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Kevin Pietersen’s participation in the third Ashes Test is under serious doubt because of his problematic Achilles tendon.
The star England batsman is schedule to meet his doctor for yet another injection into his problematic Achilles tendon.
Pietersen has been suffering from a lingering achilles heel for quite sometime and he himself admitted to have taken four cortisone injection before taking to the field in the second Test.
Pietersen has admitted his performance was affected due to the injury as it has limited his batting and fielding.
“It plays on my mind all day. People who have had injuries know that it definitely does affect the way they play. It doesn’t really affect my stroke play but running between wickets and diving around is problematic,” he wrote in the Daily Telegraph.
Pietersen has already had a homeopathic injection and a cortisone injection in the tendon. The next one will be a saline solution with a small percentage of cortisone, which is intended to cushion the movement of the tendon within its sheath.
The procedure is very unpredictable. It can provide a miracle cure, or prove completely ineffective. But the most likely result is that it will give temporary relief, ideally for three or four weeks, which could allow him to avoid surgery in the short term.
Jul
20
England register historic victory
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Andrew Flintoff claimed only the third five-wicket haul of his career as England completed their first Lord’s triumph over Australia for 75 years.
The 31-year-old all-rounder claimed five for 92 as Australia, chasing an unlikely victory target of 522, were dismissed for 406 shortly before lunch on the final day to seal England’s 115-run triumph.
It’s all about numbers
The emphatic victory, England’s first Ashes win at Lord’s since 1934, puts them 1-0 ahead in the five-Test series with three matches remaining and establishes them as firm favourites to emulate the success of 2005 and regain the Ashes.
Australia had resumed the final morning in front of a sell-out Lord’s crowd on 313 for five with high hopes of claiming the 209 more runs required to reach the world record victory target.
Michael Clarke and wicketkeeper Brad Haddin had forged an unbroken 185-run partnership overnight and with Lancastrian Flintoff clearly struggling with his right knee problems the previous evening, Australia were hopeful of setting up another drama like Edgbaston four years ago.
Top Performer: Andrew Flintoff
But Flintoff, playing his final Test at Lord’s following his announcement he is retiring from Test cricket at the end of this series, quickly shifted the balance in England’s favour by claiming the breakthrough with his third ball of the day.
Haddin had failed to add to his overnight 80 when he fished at a full-length delivery outside off-stump, which flew low to Paul Collingwood at second slip.
It gave England a flying start and with Flintoff generating speeds in excess of 90mph in a hostile, aggressive spell, Australia looked unlikely to challenge their victory target.
Click here to follow all the action as it unfolded
Flintoff demonstrated his threat by hitting Clarke, who resumed overnight on 125, on the shoulder with a short ball while new batsman Mitchell Johnson edged him just short of Collingwood at second slip.
Highlights of the fifth day’s play
But despite several other close escapes, Johnson provided determined support for Clarke to leave England once again anxious about Australia’s ability to claim an historic victory of their own.
The pair added a crucial 43 runs and it took the introduction of off-spinner Graeme Swann in the 13th over of the morning to finally break their stand with his second delivery.
Clarke, who had progressed to 136 after over five hours at the crease, came down the wicket to try to hit Swann down the ground but was beaten by the drift and the ball continued on to hit his off-stump.
Fifth day’s action in pics
Boosted by the removal of Australia’s only remaining recognised batsman, Flintoff seemed to run in with extra vigour and claimed his next victim in the next over when new batsman Nathan Hauritz shouldered arms and lost his off-stump.
Peter Siddle was dismissed in similar fashion, this time with a delivery which nipped back through his defences to hit middle stump, and Flintoff raised his arms to acknowledge his first five-wicket Test haul for England since his epic spell at The Oval four years ago.
Four overs later - and just 20 minutes before the scheduled lunch interval - Swann ended Australia’s resistance by bowling Johnson for a determined 63 when he attempted another big drive and missed, allowing the ball to shatter his stumps and seal England’s triumph.
Jul
17
Strauss happy to lead from front
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Andrew Strauss hopes his unbeaten century can inspire the rest of England’s line-up to reach a competitive first-innings score. 
The England captain resumes the second day at Lord’s unbeaten on 161 after hitting 22 boundaries during his six-hour stay at the crease and guiding his side to 364 for six.
It was a satisfactory display, but one tinged with slight disappointment that they failed to build on a 196-run opening stand - England’s highest against Australia at Lord’s after eclipsing the 182 forged by Herbert Sutcliffe and Jack Hobbs in 1926.
But Strauss is hoping his efforts as captain can help England secure their first Lord’s Test win over Australia since 1934.
“In terms of setting an example for the batsmen to go big when they get in, it was important,” said Strauss, who has now claimed four centuries in just nine Tests since succeeding Kevin Pietersen as captain.
“Also, as a captain, you don’t want to be scratching around not scoring runs because it adds more pressure when you don’t really need more pressure.
“It feels pretty good to have got those big runs and hopefully the rest of the guys will come out and put in some good performances with bat and ball in the remaining days.”
England’s final score after the opening day is similar to their position in the first Test at Cardiff when they reached 336 for seven and ended up clinging on desperately for a draw on the final day.
But Strauss believes the wicket at Lord’s offers more encouragement for bowlers, which gives England a better chance of pressing home their advantage if they record a competitive first-innings total.
“It’s slightly disappointing to be six down from 196 for nought but there are more wicket-taking opportunities here than there were in Cardiff,” he stressed.
“The ball swung around a little bit more and when it swung batting could get quite tricky but at the same time, in between that the opportunities to score were there.
“I think if we can get up to 450-odd then we’re in a pretty good position in the game, but we’ll probably have to bowl better than we did in Cardiff.”
“It was a pretty false start”
Australian wicketkeeper Brad Haddin, one of seven members of their line-up playing their first Test at Lord’s, admitted they may have been affected by the magnitude of the event.
“It was a pretty false start,” said Haddin. “Maybe the occasion got to a few of us - I certainly tensed up a little bit and the occasion of Lord’s got too big for a few of us.
“You put so much pressure on yourself to do well when you walk out at Lord’s - it is similar to playing the Boxing Day Test in Australia.”
Off-spinner Nathan Hauritz, who dislocated his right middle finger attempting to take a sharp return catch from Strauss when he was on 52, is hopeful of being fit to bowl later in the match.
Hauritz left the field straight after the incident to have medical attention and although he returned to the field later in the afternoon, he was unable to bowl.