Hitzlsperger set for long Everton stay

Thomas Hitzlsperger has pledged to show manager David Moyes and Everton supporters he warrants a long-term deal at Goodison Park.

The former Aston Villa and West Ham midfielder was available after being released by Bundesliga outfit Wolfsburg in the off-season and signed a short-term deal until January on Friday.

However, the 30-year-old midfielder has already set his sights on an extended stay at the club.

First of all my focus is on the short term, the former Germany international told the club s official website.

There are not many games between now and January but I want to stay beyond January because I enjoy it so much here.

I think it is in my hands. I will get lots of opportunities to show what I can do in training and hopefully I will …

Spain football team vow to stretch world record

Spain warned on Sunday there are plenty more victories left in them after setting a new world record by beating South Africa 2-0 for their 15th consecutive win.

Goals from David Villa and Fernando Llorente were enough to tame the Confederations Cup hosts late Saturday and ensure the European champions top their group.

Real Madrid target Villa broke the deadlock in the 52nd minute and Athletic Bilbao s Llorente sealed the win with 18 minutes left.

They now play the runner-up in Group B, likely Italy or Egypt, in the semi-finals in Bloemfontein next Wednesday.

The win meant Spain have posted 15 victories in a row, surpassing the old record of 14 held by Australia, Brazil and France.

They also matched the 35-match unbeaten streak held by Brazil bet…

Ronaldo, Aubameyang and the other transfers that could go through on deadline day

It has been a record-breaking transfer window across Europe, and one that has thrown up more than a surprise or two on the continent with numerous big-name players making fresh starts.

While the likes of Robert Lewandowski, Sadio Mane, Erling Haaland and Gabriel Jesus have all made fast starts to life at their new clubs, for others their futures remain unclear heading into the final day of the window.

As any football supporter will know, some of the biggest deals can often be left to deadline day – and occasionally even after the cut-off point, as long as an agreement has been reached and ratified with the relevant authorities.

With less than 24 hours of the window to run across each of Europe s top five leagues, Stats Perform looks at the names that could yet…

Premiership is back with a bang

411,563 fans, 32 goals, one hat-trick and not a goalless draw in sight.

The Premiership returned from its summer break over the weekend with ten lively games that will hopefully set the tone for the season ahead. The entertaining start saw Chelsea romp to a 4-0 victory over Portsmouth, while Manchester United could only draw with Newcastle at Old Trafford. New boys Hull City came from behind to beat Fulham 2-1, although fellow promoted sides Stoke City lost 3-1 to Bolton and West Brom got beaten 1-0 by Arsenal. Liverpool were thankful for a late Fernando Torres goal to secure a 1-0 win at Sunderland as were Blackburn, who beat Everton 3-2. Perennial underachievers Tottenham Hotspur again flatted to deceive, going down 2-1 to Middlesbrough while West Ham triumphed over Wigan by …

New-look United set to run Chelsea close

After a busy close-season in the transfer market, Manchester United are looking to mount a concerted Premier League title challenge as they bid to return to the summit of English football.

Under Louis van Gaal last season, United repaired some of the damage done during the ill-fated David Moyes era, achieving a top-four finish to qualify for the UEFA Champions League.

However, they were still a long way behind champions Chelsea, who won the title by eight points ahead of Manchester City and finished 17 better off than United.

Van Gaal has laid down a marker in the transfer window, though, with the arrivals of Memphis Depay, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Morgan Schneiderlin a signal of the Dutchman s intent.

Chelsea, meanwhile, have added goalkeeper Asmir Be…

Leicester and Manchester United agree Maguire fee, Rodgers confirms

Leicester City and Manchester United have agreed a reported £80million deal for the transfer of defender Harry Maguire, Foxes manager Brendan Rodgers has confirmed.

Maguire, 26, has been the subject of transfer speculation since the 2018-19 campaign concluded, with United and Manchester City said to have been leading the race.

But with City reportedly ruling themselves out a while ago, United have had a clean run and look to have finally got their man despite Leicester holding out for a massive fee which is expected to see Maguire become the world s most expensive defender.

Speaking after Leicester s 2-1 friendly win over Atalanta, Rodgers confirmed an agreement has been reached between the clubs following negotiations.

Rodgers told Sky Sports: Until it …

Handball row left Henry devastated

Thierry Henry considered ending his international career following the furore that surrounded his handball against Ireland in the World Cup playoff in Paris last Wednesday.

Speaking to L Equipe newspaper, the Barcelona striker said that he felt abandoned and alone in the days after the game which saw the French qualify for South Africa on the back of a goal set up by Henry s sleight of hand.

Asked if he had considered calling time on his international career Henry replied: Oh yes. On Friday when everything had gone too far.

I was really upset, and not for the first time. After the World Cup in 2006, I considered that but it was too early.

After Euro 2008 also but it was not the right moment. There was a new generation who needed me. It just wasn t poss…

US seeks third-straight Gold Cup crown

The United States, fresh off a runner-up showing in the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup, will take an expanded roster into their first game of the CONCACAF Golf Cup on Saturday.

The US opens defence of the Gold Cup title begins with a game against Granada on Saturday at Qwest Field.

They will also face Honduras on July 8 and Haiti on July 11 in Washington, D.C. and Foxborough, Massachusetts.

Head coach Bob Bradley named his 23-man roster June 25 but that has since been expanded to 30 players.

The roster include a mix of Confederations Cup team members and players from North America s Major League Soccer.

Brian Ching and Michael Parkhurst are included this year and were also on the team that won the 2007 Gold Cup title.

The American are tryin…

Alisson back on Liverpool agenda?

have been linked with a host of goalkeepers even before the mistakes Loris Karius made in the Champions League final, but since then it s been a pure frenzy. The list of possible targets has been going longer every day, but the only keeper whose links with the Merseysiders has never been disputed is AS Roma s Alisson Becker.

It has been reported that Roma s asking price was deemed too steep and that Liverpool had informed Alisson s entourage not to expect a bid. The deal seemed dead as the likes of and more recently Chelsea took over as favourites for his services. Real seem to have cooled their interest and turned their attention towards Thibaut Courtois, which would open the door for Alisson at Chelsea.

However, now claim Anfield is the Brazil international s prefe…

Saints boss wants rivals Portsmouth to survive

Southampton manager Alan Pardew insists he wants local rivals Portsmouth to emerge unscathed from the cash crisis that threatens their existence.

Pardew s League One outfit host Portsmouth in an FA Cup fifth round tie on Saturday that offers the beleaguered Premier League team a welcome chance to concentrate on playing matters rather than their perilous financial situation.

Portsmouth, who won the FA Cup in 2008, were given a seven-day stay of execution from a winding-up order this week but the future of the Fratton Park club remains far from secure.

It is a situation all too familiar to many at Southampton as they were hours from going out of business last year after falling into administration following relegation from the Championship.

Under new owner…