Neville: "I think I get on their nerves"
Football story by sport.co.uk, Tue, 03 Aug 2010 11:22:07GMT

Everton captain Phil Neville has admitted to trying to persuade star teammates such as Mikel Arteta and Steven Pienaar on a daily basis that their immediate futures should lie at Goodison Park. This summer has seen plenty of speculation linking South Africa midfielder Pienaar and Spanish playmaker Arteta with moves away from David Moyesrsquo; Toffees - while defender Phil Jagielka has been the subject of an eight-figure bid - but Neville says that he has been keen to impress upon his coveted...

Ambitious Pienaar gives Toffees major boost
Football story by sport.co.uk, Tue, 03 Aug 2010 11:22:05GMT

Coveted Everton midfielder Steven Pienaar has given the Toffees a major boost by returning to the first-team fold with the stated ambition of securing Champions League football this season. The South Africa international made his first appearance since the World Cup as a substitute in Evertonrsquo;s 4-2 friendly win at Norwich and, despite having been heavily linked with a number of Europersquo;s top clubs throughout the summer, Pienaar spoke of his satisfaction at being back amongst the blue half of Merseyside. Pienaar has...

Krasic edges closer to Juve switch
Football story by sport.co.uk, Tue, 03 Aug 2010 11:22:03GMT

CSKA Moscows Serbia international winger Milos Krasic is moving closer to joining Juventus, having definitely decided against trying his luck in England with Manchester City.The 25-year-old has made it known that Juve is his preferred destination, even though a deal is taking some time to be agreed.Krasics agent, Dejan Joksimovic, told Tuttosport: "There hasnt been direct contact in the last week, but the situation is now favourable."Milos cant wait to be able to sign his contract with Juventus. He has been...

Hammers snap up Ben Haim on loan
Football story by sport.co.uk, Tue, 03 Aug 2010 11:22:02GMT

West Ham United have completed the signing of Portsmouth central defender Tal Ben Haim on loan until the end of the year.The 28-year-old Israel international rejoins former Pompey boss Avram Grant at Upton Park, having made 24 appearances for the South Coast outfit last season before suffering a groin injury.Ben Haim first arrived in England in the summer of 2004 to link up with Bolton Wanderers, showing up well with the Trotters and earning a move to Chelsea three years later.However,...

Mersey hero Ablett diagnosed with cancer
Football story by sport.co.uk, Tue, 03 Aug 2010 11:22:00GMT

Former Liverpool and Everton defender Gary Ablett is in hospital having been diagnosed with non-Hodgkinrsquo;s lymphoma, a blood cancer. The 44 year-old was about to join Roy Keanersquo;s coaching staff at Ipswich Town on a one-year contract when he was taken ill at the clubrsquo;s training ground last week. Ablett remains the only player to have won the FA Cup with both Liverpool and Everton, in a career that also took in stints at Birmingham City and Blackpool. A statement on Ipswich Townrsquo;s official...

Bendtner: Id like to forget Wigan match
Football story by sport.co.uk, Tue, 03 Aug 2010 11:21:58GMT

Arsenal striker Nicklas Bendtner has admitted that the Gunners 3-2 defeat away at Wigan Athletic at the tail end of last season is the one game of his career which he would love to forget. The Danish international played the full 90 minutes as the north London side stormed to a 2-0 advantage before conceding three late goals in a match which all but destroyed Arsene Wengerrsquo;s title hopes. Asked by his own official website to reveal his worst ever match experience, Bendtner...

City spending is a "motivational tool" says Neville
Football story by sport.co.uk, Tue, 03 Aug 2010 11:21:56GMT

Everton captain Phil Neville has spoken of his belief that the Merseyside club is on the verge of something ldquo;really specialrdquo;, despite their inability to compete with their main rivals in the transfer market. The Toffees have had to spend the summer fending off interest from other clubs in the likes of Mikel Arteta, Steven Pienaar and Phil Jagielka, but Neville is confident that Everton can keep the squad intact and push hard for Champions League qualification this season. Neville pointed to Evertonrsquo;s...

Boss hits out at transfer policy criticism
Football story by sport.co.uk, Tue, 03 Aug 2010 11:21:55GMT

Martin Orsquo;Neill has hit out at criticism for his lack of transfer activity so far and hinted that there was still time for Aston Villa to make new signings before September. The Villans, who finished sixth last season in the Premier League, face another tough year trying to keep pace with Englandrsquo;s other top clubs with high profiles arrivals bolstering the likes of Arsenal, Liverpool and particularly Manchester City. Speaking to the Birmingham Mail about his patient approach to the transfer market, Orsquo;Neill...

Toffees skipper rues Gosling flight
Football story by sport.co.uk, Tue, 03 Aug 2010 11:21:53GMT

Everton captain Phil Neville has spoken of his disappointment at the manner in which Dan Gosling left Goodison Park to join Newcastle United. After an administrative error allowed Gosling to walk out of Everton for nothing, the England U21 midfielder joined Chris Hughtonrsquo;s Magpies despite having previously verbally agreed a new contract to stay at the Toffees. The saga, which eventually went in front of a tribunal, left David Moyes fuming as Goslingrsquo;s worth in the transfer market was estimated to be up...

Delight for Hodgson as Torres falls in line
Football story by sport.co.uk, Tue, 03 Aug 2010 11:21:52GMT

Liverpool striker Fernando Torres has followed the example set by Steven Gerrard by committing his immediate future to the Merseyside club. The World Cup winning striker has been strongly linked with a move to Liverpoolrsquo;s Premier League rivals Chelsea and Manchester City, but following his return to Melwood yesterday, the 26-year-old appears ready to stay at Anfield and help the club fight their way back in to Englands top four under new boss Roy Hodgson. Torres described Liverpool as ldquo;the best club in...