SPORT IN BRIEF
Blades crash out of Carling Cup
FOOTBALL: League Two minnows Port Vale caused the shock of the night in the Carling Cup first round after beating Sheffield United 2-1 at Bramall Lane.
A costly error from Blades keeper Ian Bennett allowed Marc Richards to notch a brace and hand Vale a famous victory against the Championship title chasers. Rotherham United also pulled off a surprise result, beating Nigel Clough’s Derby 2-1, while League One Gillingham put paid to Plymouth.
Roy Keane’s young Ipswich side were taken to penalties after a 3-3 draw at Shrewsbury before coming through 4-2, while Charlton crashed 1-0 at Hereford after extra time.
Lescott bid rejected
FOOTBALL: Defender Joleon Lescott is set for a showdown with Everton bosses after the club turned down his transfer request yesterday. The Toffees have already rejected offers of £15m and £18m from Manchester City for the centre-half, inset, who is currently on England duty in Amsterdam.
Manager David Moyes said: “I have always said that we are not selling any players and that has not changed.”
Murray eases through
TENNIS: Andy Murray enjoyed a winning comeback after he swept into the third round of the Rogers Cup in Montreal.
Playing in his first match since Wimbledon, the world No3 secured breaks of serve in the opening game of both sets before coming away with a 6-4, 6-2 victory over brave Frenchman Jeremy Chardy.
Murray now takes on either Gael Monfils or Juan Carlos Ferrero in the third round.
Williams handed an appeal
RUGBY UNION: Harlequins winger Tom Williams will attend an appeal hearing on Monday against the length of his ban for feigning a blood injury.
Williams was handed a 12-month ban by Heineken Cup organisers, European Rugby Cup, following the incident in April. The incident also led to the Quins receiving a £215,000 fine and contributed to the resignation of director of rugby Dean Richards last weekend.
Hatton hints at Khan bout
BOXING: Ricky Hatton has given the strongest hint yet that he would be willing to fight Amir Khan – but insists he would have to promote it himself.
“The Hitman” is still to decide whether to fight again after his second-round knock-out against Manny Pacquiao in May, but said: “If I choose to fight again and he’s still up there – which I certainly hope he is, as a personal friend – then it’s a possibility.
“But with the greatest of respect, it would only be if I promoted it.”