China's Yi Siling wins first gold of olympic games

Yi Siling of China won the first gold medal of the London 2012 Olympics with victory in the women's 10m air rifle at the Royal Artillery Barracks.


 The 23-year-old world number one and gold medal favourite beat Poland's Sylwia Bogacka into second, with Yu Dan of China taking bronze.


 Bogacka was leading until the eighth attempt of the 10-shot final when a wayward effort handed Yi first place.


 Defending champion Katerina Emmons of the Czech Republic finished fourth.

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Defoe rocked by death of another relative: Spurs striker exits States tour to return home

Jermain Defoe has been given leave to return home from Tottenham's tour of the United States following the death of his cousin.

 Hannah Defoe died while on holiday in St Lucia, it was revealed on the club's official website.

 'Everyone at the club sends their sincere condolences to Jermain and his family and all our thoughts are with them at this sad time,' read a statement.

 The club have granted the 29-year-old compassionate leave from the remainder of the tour following the death of his cousin, Hannah Defoe, who passed away while on holiday in St Lucia.

 The tragedy struck just weeks after Defoe left the England camp during Euro 2012 following the death of his father.

 Defoe returned to England during the tournament after his father Jimmy died following a long fight with throat cancer.

 And the Spurs striker was rocked by the death of his half-brother Jade in 2009.

 Jade Defoe, 26, fell into a coma following a street attack in Leytonstone, east London, and died in April 2009.

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Kompany commits to City : sign's long term deal

Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany has signed a new six-year contract with the Premier League champions.


 It is the longest deal handed out in the club's recent history and shows their faith in Kompany, who last season led City to their first top-flight crown since 1968.


 Kompany, 26, was delighted to sign the new contract and said it was his intent to deliver more trophies to Eastlands as the 'Man City project' continues.


 "Hopefully in the future I will have a bigger impact than I already have," the 26-year-old Belgium international said.


 "There are so many more trophies to win at this club that is why it makes it so special.


 He told City's official website: "For me if you are good somewhere then there is no reason to look elsewhere.


 Man City as a project is not just a project of the owners or the people employed by the club; it is also my project.


 "I have been here since the beginning and I have seen everything at the club change inside and out. I have the feeling that I have contributed to it too.


 It is good to know that I can be at City for another six years. It is a compliment that the club feels so highly of me."


 Kompany was signed by Mark Hughes from Hamburg in August 2008 and has helped transform City into one of the most high-profile clubs in Europe.


 And the City skipper believes the FA Cup and Premier League triumphs of the last two years are just the beginning of success at City.


 "Our title win was amazing and one of the best feelings ever for us and the fans," he declared.


 "That last game against QPR will be a very special part of City's history for the next 50 or 100 years but now is the time to look forward. "We have laid the foundations and now we want to win more.


 If we do that then we can be one of the most successful clubs for a long time to come and that is the aim.


 I can't wait to get started again. I am really excited about the season ahead."

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Chelsea increase Victor Moses bid

Chelsea have lodged a new bid for Wigan striker Victor Moses that could be worth up to £9million.

 Wigan have rejected three lower offers, which have also included taking Josh McEachran or Romelu Lukaku on loan from Chelsea.

 Moses, 21, has one year left on his contract and is valued at more than £10m by chairman Dave Whelan, who is interested only in a cash deal.

 It is understood the two clubs are close to reaching an agreement, with Chelsea prepared to pay £6m up front and another £3m in performance-related add-ons.

 Chelsea have bid for a number of attacking players over the summer, including Hulk, Willian, Andre Schurrle and Robert Lewandowski, but Moses appeals to them because of his potential and the fact he will also qualify as a home-grown player for the Champions League.

 Thorgan Hazard will join his older brother Eden at Stamford Bridge after Chelsea last night confirmed his signing from Lens.

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Werder Bremen in advanced talks with Chelsea over De Bruyne

The Champions League holders are looking to part with the creative midfielder on a temporary basis for another season, and he appears to be on his way to Germany.

 The German outfit believe that the 21-year-old attacking midfielder will be able to add creativity to their team, and they are confident that a deal will be sealed when the Blues return from their pre-season tour of the United States.

 "We have already had a number of meetings with club and player in the past few months and we're in advanced talks," Allofs was quoted as saying by Kicker.

 "Things are looking good, but it's not a done deal yet. We hope to wrap up the transfer next week when Chelsea are back from their pre-season trip in the USA."

 De Bruyne joined Chelsea from Genk in January 2012, and was immediately shipped out on loan back to the Belgian giants until the end of the season.

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Liverpool & Manchester City target Ramirez set for Premier League move

Bologna winger Gaston Ramirez is likely to move to the Premier League amid interest from Liverpool and Manchester City, according to his agent.

 The Uruguayan is currently in England with his country for the Olympic Games and his representative has indicated that he could stay there amid interest from the champions .

As revealed in May that City were leading the chase for the Uruguay international and his representative, Pablo Betancur, has revealed he is in talks with an English top-flight club.

 Speaking to calciomercato.com about Ramirez’s future, Betancur said: "I think it's always been more likely that Gaston says goodbye to Italy.

 So much so that now I'm in London to talk with a Premier League club.

 "I think Ramirez will leave. He is one of the best players and so there are many offers and, again, I think it's unlikely he will remain in Italy."

 The winger scored eight goals for Bologna in Serie A last season to help them to a ninth-placed finish and had attracted interest from the likes of Inter and Wolfsburg but Betancur admits Bologna’s asking price is too high for them.

 He added: "Inter like the player but we are very far off from what Bologna are asking for him - nearly €25 million (£19.5m).

 "The Wolfsburg interest? They were the first to move on Ramirez, but some of the figures are impossible for them too.”

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Redknapp wants to help Portsmouth: promises Kanu talk

Former Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp has told us that he will talk to Nwankwo Kanu in a bid to help save the club.

 Pompey face extinction after administrator Trevor Birch set a deadline of August 10 for them to get their finances in order.

 Kanu, 35, has lodged a claim for £3 million in pay while defender Tal Ben Haim, 30, is also owed a similar amount by the cash-strapped Fratton Park outfit.

 Redknapp signed Kanu from West Brom in 2006 during his time in charge on the South Coast, and is eager to speak to the Nigerian in the hope of reaching a comprimise that might help the club. He told us: "I will be ringing Kanu today to see if there is anything I can do.

 I signed him for Portsmouth on a one-year contract and Tony Adams told me: 'You must be mad, he is finished'. Six years later, he is still there.

 "In the case of Tal Ben Haim, if players have a contract and are owed money, you can see why they think they should get it. But if the club closes down they won't get a penny.

 They need to think hard about that.

" Redknapp also expressed hope that an investor to inject money into Portsmouth could be found, saying the club had spiralled since former owner Milan Mandric left Fratton Park.

 He continued: "Portsmouth has got to be saved. It's a great club with great traditions. It would be a disaster if this club went out of business.

 "It has great fans to the extent that, if you live in Portsmouth, you are a Portsmouth supporter.

 If you walk around in that town, you don't see people wearing Manchester United or Arsenal shirts.

 "It is soul-destroying to see them in this predicament, and there must be a group of people out there or someone who could take over the club so cheaply and save them.

 "I would love to see someone do that. Surely it cannot happen that Portsmouth go out of business.

 If someone did come in, the club could be resurrected quickly. It wouldn't take a lot to get it going again.

 "I remember when Milan came in and bought the club all those years ago, they were looking to lock the gates then and go into administration - but he turned it all around and made it work.

 "When he sold the club, it spiralled out of control.

 Balram Chainrai put a lot of money in, but he must think it is the worst investment he ever made in his life. But now it just needs some people who understand football and who can work with the players."

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