Tag Archives: limelight

Wolves 1 Cardiff 2 – match report: Fraizer Campbell scores both goals for Championship leaders

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Wolves 1 Cardiff 2: Campbell bags brace for leaders as Molineux misery continues

By
Neil Moxley

PUBLISHED:

16:10 GMT, 24 February 2013

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UPDATED:

22:06 GMT, 24 February 2013

Frazier Campbell’s headed double ensured Cardiff would have something to crow about this weekend as Dean Saunders’ nightmare start as Wolves manager showed little sign of ending.

Former Manchester United trainee Campbell pounced in each half to extend his side’s advantage over the Championship’s chasing pack to eight points on an afternoon when rivals Swansea grabbed the limelight at Wembley.

Campbell, a 650,000 signing from Sunderland in January, took his tally to five goals in as many games for his new club on a weekend when Cardiff increased their lead at the top of the division following Hull City’s demise at Bolton.

Brace: Fraizer Campbell scored two goals as the Championship leaders won at Molineux

Brace: Fraizer Campbell scored two goals as the Championship leaders won at Molineux

MATCH FACTS

Wolverhampton: Ikeme, Batth (Ebanks-Blake 46), Johnson, Gorkss, Doherty (Foley 78), Doumbia (Doyle 46), Henry, O'Hara, Robinson,
Sako, Sigurdarson.

Subs Not Used: De Vries, Edwards, Ward, Davis.

Booked: Doherty.

Goals: Sako 70.

Cardiff: Marshall, Connolly, Hudson (McNaughton 75), Turner, Taylor, Conway, Whittingham, Cowie (Kim 80), Gunnarsson, Bellamy, Campbell (Helguson 82).

Subs Not Used: Lewis, Noone, Mutch, Mason.

Booked: Whittingham.

Goals: Campbell 20, 67.

Att: 20,930

Ref: Stuart Attwell (Warwickshire).

Championship table, fixtures and results

Cardiff manager Malky Mackay said he was not surprised by his signing’s impact. ‘Fraizer needed to get football back into his life,’ said Mackay. ‘The quality of the boy I remember scoring goals for Hull City has not diminished. He needed us and we needed him.

‘Did I expect him to hit the ground running Yes, I did.’

Saunders’ use of a five-man defence backfired in the first half, with Cardiff establishing a grip in the 20th minute. Aron Gunnarsson’s long throw was flicked on by Ben Turner and Campbell headed home from inside the six-yard box.

Saunders brought on Kevin Doyle and Sylvan Ebanks-Blake at half-time, but Craig Bellamy’s inswinging cross in the 67th minute left Wolves keeper Carl Ikeme stranded in no man’s land after leaving his line and Campbell finished at the far post.

Bakary Sako’s deflected free-kick three minutes later made a game of it and Ebanks-Blake sidefooted a shot into the ground and over the bar with the goal gaping following Sako’s 70-yard run late on.

Lead: Campbell heads past Wolves goalkeeper Carl Ikeme

Lead: Campbell heads past Wolves goalkeeper Carl Ikeme

Saunders, yet to win in eight games
since arriving at Molineux but hoping to sign Reading striker Simon
Church on loan, said: ‘We made two catastrophic mistakes. We conceded a
goal from a long throw — and I walked them through how to defend it
yesterday. As a manager, it’s the sort of thing that keeps you awake at
night.’

Hope: Bakary Sako scored for Wolves with 20 minutes to play at Molineux

Hope: Bakary Sako scored for Wolves with 20 minutes to play at Molineux

Wilfried Zaha steals the show for Palace as Manchester United close in on deal

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Zaha steals the show for Palace as Fergie closes in on deal

By
Ian Ridley

PUBLISHED:

23:54 GMT, 19 January 2013

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UPDATED:

23:54 GMT, 19 January 2013

Manchester United
target Wilfried Zaha showed why Sir Alex Ferguson is leading the chase
for his considerable talents with a virtuoso display that nearly ruined
Dougie Freedman's return to Selhurst Park.

The Premier League giants are in
talks with Crystal Palace to try to force through a deal for the
20-yearold England international before the end of the transfer window.

Zaha is ready to travel north to
meet United boss Ferguson and discuss terms once the two clubs have
agreed a fee but so far negotiations have failed to produce a deal.

Dazzling: Wilfried Zaha in action for Crystal Palace

Dazzling: Wilfried Zaha in action for Crystal Palace

He showed precisely why he is being
courted by the Premier League leaders, leaving former Palace manager
Freedman fortunate to escape with a point.

Zaha, born in Ivory Coast but raised
in South London, hit the post with a snap shot and laid on a host of
chances, the best of them sliced wide by Glenn Murray from 10 yards.

The chances came as a result of
Zaha's skilful, pacy wing play that Freedman did so much to develop
before he left Palace to take over at Bolton last October.

'Goodness gracious me, was he
exhilarating' said Ian Holloway, Freedman's successor as Palace
manager, before answering his own question.

Exhilarating: Palace boss Ian Holloway was full of praise for Wilfried Zaha

Exhilarating: Palace boss Ian Holloway was full of praise for Wilfried Zaha

'Yes he was. Some of the best teams
in the world are talking about him and it is difficult when you are not
used to the limelight and you are a nice kid as he is.

'But the boy can do all sorts of
things and is learning what being a good footballer is all about. He was
consistent today, which is not easy when you are a wide man.'

United have restricted their
valuation of Zaha to 7million, believing there are no other credible
bidders Palace can turn to in January.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has
also declared an interest in Zaha, who supported the Gunners as a boy,
but has not yet entered the race, prioritising Theo Walcott's new
contract, signed on Friday, instead.

Palace chairman Steve Parrish has
dropped his original asking price from 20m but is still looking for a
deal that would ultimately be worth 12m to his Championship club.

Big future: Wilfired Zaha looks to be on his way to the Premiership

Big future: Wilfired Zaha looks to be on his way to the Premiership

With time ticking down to the end of January, United are threatening to delay their interest until the summer but with both sides continuing to discuss the matter, a deal could still be struck in the next fortnight.

Palace would like Zaha to stay at Selhurst Park on loan for the season regardless of which club he joins, something the player is comfortable with, and United could use that as a bargaining tool, charging a 1m loan fee that would effectively be taken off the price of the transfer.

Palace survived early Bolton pressure when Chris Eagles looked lively and twice went close with shots, to extend their unbeaten home record to 13 matches but they should have gone on to take all three points to continue their push for promotion.

Instead, Adam Bogdan kept out Alex Marrow's late drive to send Freedman home happy with his day, but with just five win in 17 games in charge he would surely love to have a player of Zaha's calibre in his squad.

Wilfried Zaha exclusive: I"m ready for the Premier League

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EXCLUSIVE: I'm ready for the Premier League, says United, Arsenal and Spurs target Zaha

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UPDATED:

22:39 GMT, 29 December 2012

Perched on the sofa, Wilfried Zaha resembles any normal 20-year-old being gently ribbed by his older brother, smiling widely but also wondering what is coming next. ‘Remember the time you refused to come swimming with us because you had training the next morning’ teases Kel, one of Zaha’s eight siblings. ‘Even Mum was telling you to come, we thought you were being a killjoy. But you knew the dedication you needed, and you were right – at only nine years old.’

The warm family scene in south London is the calm before the storm. In just 48 hours on New Year’s Day, the starting pistol in the January transfer window will be fired and, from relative anonymity, Zaha, of Crystal Palace and England, will become the most talked about player in the country with clubs like Manchester United, Arsenal and Tottenham chasing his signature.

King of the Palace: Wilfried Zaha relaxes at his south London home

King of the Palace: Wilfried Zaha relaxes at his south London home

If Zaha is nervous about being thrust into the limelight, he is doing well to hide it. Unlike his footballing idol Ian Wright, a natural extrovert who thrived on a bling-bling image, Zaha is quiet by nature, the eighth of nine children who came to England from the Ivory Coast as it was about to erupt into civil war, and sends a portion of his 3,000-a-week wages at Selhurst Park to charity projects back home.

But far from being intimidated if Palace get an offer they cannot refuse in January from Sir Alex Ferguson, Arsene Wenger or Andre Villas-Boas, Zaha would relish the challenge, fuelled by a desire to join his friends and England team-mates Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Raheem Sterling in the big time.

‘I’m not a teenager any more,’ he says firmly. ‘I’ve played more than 100 first-team games and this year is crucial to develop my football career. I want to establish myself in the Premier League and in international football.

‘I’ve played a lot in the Championship so having that new challenge in the Premier League, where everyone wants to be, would be great. To be honest, if I had the chance in January and Palace agreed, it’s something I’d want to go for.’

Hotshot: Zaha lashes home against Huddersfield last weekend

Hotshot: Zaha lashes home against Huddersfield last weekend

Hotshot: Zaha lashes home against Huddersfield last weekend

Zaha’s progress has been staggering; quick, direct and with enough tricks and ‘skills’ to give any defender twisted blood. Ferguson had a front-row seat when he tormented Chris Smalling, Jonny Evans and twins Rafael and Fabio to help Palace to a shock League Cup win at Old Trafford last season. This term Zaha has led Palace, pre-season favourites for relegation, towards the top of the Championship with their fans creating a new chant in his honour: ‘He’s just too good for you.’

His England debut against Sweden in November made him the first lower division outfield player since David Nugent in 2007 to win a cap. That experience opened Zaha’s eyes. If he wants to be selected by Roy Hodgson for the Brazil friendly in February and World Cup qualifiers the following month, he may have to step up in his club football.

‘The little bits we did in training with England were more intense than I’d been used to,’ he admitted.

‘Playing with Premier League players tested me, it was a great challenge but I felt comfortable in that company. Steven Gerrard’s shooting made the biggest impression on me. I don’t know how he got that amount of sheer power, it was impressive!’

International recognition: Zaha appeared for England against Sweden in November

International recognition: Zaha appeared for England against Sweden in November

International recognition: Zaha appeared for England against Sweden in November

Significantly, his best friend with England is Sterling, two years younger but already with a long-term contract at Liverpool in the bag. ‘I have a good relationship with Raheem, he’s 18 and I can joke around with him. We have that understanding,’ said the Palace player.

‘There was an article where people thought I was comparing myself to Ronaldo and Messi.

‘He was bantering with me about it, saying, ‘‘You think you are better than those guys!” We laughed about it, because he just knew that wasn’t my personality at all really.

‘We’re on PlayStation, and I wish him good luck before games and things.

‘Some of my friends, who play in the Premier League, joke around and ask me what is taking me so long. I just tell them I will be there at some stage.’

The Zaha story shows that England has become as much a land of opportunity as the USA. His parents, Tiende and Delphine, arrived in London with all their children, including four-year-old Wilf in tow, to seek a better and safer life.

Rolling back the years: Zaha as a seven-year-old

Rolling back the years: Zaha as a seven-year-old

Tiende worked for the railway to support his family. The children all spoke English in school and French at home, and Delphine became active in the local church.

It became clear from an early age that Wilfried possessed special talent with a football. He started training with Palace at eight, and Dad ensured he did not blow the chance.

‘He would take me training whatever the weather. If the car was acting up, we would take public transport,’ recalled Zaha.

‘We had an old Rover Metro that cost 500 and was always breaking down. When I was 11, I had to get out the car and give it a push to get home for dinner.

‘Luckily, I was wearing a club tracksuit and some Palace fans spotted me.

‘One of them joked, “I will help you because you are a Palace player”. I wish I knew where he was now – I’d give him two match tickets! He got the car started and we were off.

Wing wizard: Zaha takes on Nottingham Forest's backline on Saturday

Wing wizard: Zaha takes on Nottingham Forest's backline on Saturday

‘My parents helped me so much. Some other kids were as good as me, but they wouldn’t turn up to training or their parents wouldn’t drop them off. I’ve seen so many wasted talents. Now Mum and Dad are in their sixties and thinking about going home to retire. All I want to do until then is give them the best, do whatever I can in football to make them feel proud.’

Of course, Zaha is a Palace player and until chairman Steve Parish and manager Ian Holloway receive an offer they think acceptable, he will remain at Selhurst Park.

Parish has reportedly valued the winger-cum-forward at 20million, a steep opening gambit for a player with no top-flight experience. But the moment of truth will come if any of the suitors offers a more realistic 10m, particularly as the Londoners are currently in a play-off position. Parish admitted on Saturday that Palace may do business. ‘You can never say never, 1,000 per cent. It depends on the deal,’ he said.

Bold ambition: Zaha believes he is ready for the Premier League

Bold ambition: Zaha believes he is ready for the Premier League

Arsenal and Spurs are interested but are likely to bid 7m to begin with. Ferguson is a fan but already has plenty of talented wide players at Old Trafford, so his January activity may depend on the future of Nani.

One option is that United sign Zaha then loan him back until May, as they did previously with Chris Smalling and Fulham.

Zaha, a boyhood Arsenal fan who is now in contact with his first hero ‘Wrighty’, has to weigh up several factors; will he get enough first-team matches, does the club’s style of play suit him and so on. If he remains at Palace beyond February 1, he will do as much as he can to help them overcome a recent wobble and fight for promotion.

But if he does seal his dream move, he promises: ‘I’ve done a lot of learning in the Championship. Now I’m ready for the Premier League.’

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Scott Quigg ready for Rendall Munroe on Ricky Hatton undercard

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Quigg plans to take centre stage in rematch with Munroe on Hatton undercard

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UPDATED:

16:13 GMT, 20 November 2012

Scott Quigg is ready to upstage his mentor Ricky Hatton on Saturday when he meets domestic rival Rendall Munroe in a fascinating battle for global honours.

Quigg and Munroe square off five months after their original bout ended in an anti-climactic technical draw when a clash of heads left Munroe with a cut which forced a premature finish.

They do so in the limelight of Hatton's much-hyped comeback, with the Hitman seeking redemption by taking on former welterweight champion Vyacheslav Senchenko at the Manchester Arena.

Head to head: Scott Quigg (right) takes the next step on his way to a world title against Rendell Munroe

Head to head: Scott Quigg (right) takes the next step on his way to a world title against Rendell Munroe

While Hatton's return to action will undoubtedly be fascinating, purists will be similarly intrigued by the crossroads fight between Bury's Quigg and Leicester southpaw Munroe for the WBA 'interim' super-bantamweight belt.

The winner will earn a shiny belt of debatable worth to strap around his waist but also, more importantly, open the door to fights with the likes of 'proper' WBA champion Guillermo Rigondeaux.

Quigg, 24, is just grateful to be appearing on such a huge stage – but admits it would be nice to steal the limelight.

'I can't think of anything bigger in boxing at the moment than Ricky Hatton's comeback so for my fight to be on the undercard is great,' he said.

'The publicity I'm going to get through it being such a big event, I wouldn't have got that anywhere else.

Let's try again: Quigg and Munroe first met in June but the fight ended when the latter was badly cut

Let's try again: Quigg and Munroe first met in June but the fight ended when the latter was badly cut

'For people to say this fight might end up being the fight of the night is great.

'I think it could upstage Ricky's fight and it would be a great achievement to be in a fight such as that.

'It's going to be a cracking fight. Rendall is world class, he's fought at world level when he boxed for the WBC title and did so well.

'I'm getting in there with a world-class fighter on Saturday and the job I do on him and the way I win will show whether I'm ready or not. I'm confident I am ready to move onto big things in 2013.'

Reflecting on their unsatisfactory three rounds in June, the Lancastrian said: 'It's a disappointment for both of us how the last fight ended because we'd both trained hard but I'm just glad it's been made again.

'His eye has healed quickly apparently so it's a fight I'm looking forward to.

'I was feeling comfortable in the first fight, I saw things that were working for me but I'm expecting a better Rendall Munroe because I think he might have underestimated me first time around.'

Clash: Quigg and Munro will fight on the undercard of Ricky Hatton's comeback in Manchester

Clash: Quigg and Munro will fight on the undercard of Ricky Hatton's comeback in Manchester

Munroe, who challenged Toshiaki Nishioka for the WBC super-bantamweight title in Tokyo in 2010 and gave a good account of himself, has shrugged off the fact many are tipping Quigg to win.

'Obviously they're looking at Scott Quigg as the young prospect rather than focusing on the quality of fighters I've boxed,' said the 32-year-old former bin man.

'I don't watch others, I just do what I've got to do. It's been very frustrating for me because I proved myself as an elite athlete against Nishioka but I proved myself too much because since then, nobody will give me a chance.'

A quality undercard also sees St Helens' former world title challenger Martin Murray bid to claim the WBA's 'interim' middleweight belt against Jorge Navarro while Gary Buckland defends his British super-featherweight title against Stephen Foster Jr.

European champion Sergey Rabchenko, who is trained by Hatton, defends his belt against Cedric Vitu.

Stewart Downing offers Raheem Sterling advice on England

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He's a Sterling performer! Downing backs Liverpool team-mate to shine for England

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UPDATED:

12:16 GMT, 11 September 2012

Liverpool winger Stewart Downing has advised rising young star Raheem Sterling to take on board as much advice as he can from team-mates and managers to help him progress.

The 17-year-old received a surprise call-up to the England squad to provide cover after the withdrawal of Theo Walcott and concerns over Daniel Sturridge's fitness.

Having been a couple of outings last season Sterling has found himself thrust into the limelight in new manager Brendan Rodgers' first campaign at Anfield and Downing sees similarities with his own career.

Senior service: Sterling is swapping the Under 19s for the full squad

Senior service: Sterling is swapping the Under 19s for the full squad

'Credit where credit is due, he's a good player,' said the England winger, who missed out on selection for this round of World Cup qualifiers after ironically losing his first-team place to Sterling.

'He deserved his chance and he's done well in two difficult games (against Manchester City and Arsenal).

'We weren't great against Arsenal but I thought he was one of our stand-out players.

'He's very mature for his age. He listens and he's got a good future. He's got a lot of experienced players around him and that is similar to how it was for me at Middlesbrough when I was young.

'I played with a lot of top professionals like Paul Ince and Gareth Southgate and had good people around me who could help.

'Raheem's certainly in good company here and I think in terms of advice I would tell him to listen and learn and just keep doing what he's doing at the moment.

Edged out: Downing has lost his place in the England set-up

Edged out: Downing has lost his place in the England set-up

'Take advice from the manager and listen to the players who are on the pitch on the day.'

Downing's own focus is to regain his place in the starting line-up, having been used as a stop-gap left-back on a couple of occasions.

'I just want to play. I think for me it's a case of being adaptable and playing anywhere,' he told liverpoolfc.com.

'In the modern game you have to be able to play in two or three positions.

'First and foremost I'm an attacking player but if the manager needs me to help out at the back then I'm willing to do so.

'It
(playing left-back) has been demanding. I was up and down the wing and
it involved a lot of running but as long as you are involved in the game
and get plenty of the ball you tend to enjoy it more.

'I played there a few times at Aston Villa but I played there during the UEFA Cup campaign with Middlesbrough (in 2005-06).

'I was playing wing-back, similar to how I have done in recent games here at Liverpool, so I think that's what the manager has seen and maybe he thinks I can do the job there.'

Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard warn England to expect tough Ukraine test after Euro meeting

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Revenge mission: Lampard and Gerrard warn of tough Ukraine test after Euro meeting

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UPDATED:

14:08 GMT, 8 September 2012

Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard have warned England to expect a tougher test from Ukraine on Tuesday than was evident when demolishing Moldova in their opening World Cup qualifier.

Lampard netted the first two goals in England's 5-0 win in Chisinau, with Jermain Defoe, Leighton Baines and James Milner also on target.

But Lampard and skipper Gerrard know Ukraine will be a different proposition at Wembley.

Lampard said: 'Ukraine are a quality team, they showed that in glimpses in the game during the European Championships.

Tough test: Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard are watchful of Ukraine

Tough test: Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard are watchful of Ukraine

'It was a pretty impressive performance and a tough match for the team even though we got the win.

'They are certainly going to come to Wembley with intentions to make it difficult for us and show what they are about, so we will have to be on top form.

'We need to rest up, prepare right and try and keep the level of performance we are producing.'

Gerrard, who set up Lampard's second goal, said: 'It will be a different test on Tuesday. With all due respect to Moldova, Ukraine are a fantastic team as they showed in the Euros. I'm sure it will be a lot tougher test.'

Lampard is relishing being back in the international limelight at the age of 34 and determined to enjoy every minute.

Brace ace: Lampard hit two in Moldova

Brace ace: Lampard hit two in Moldova

He said: 'It was great. I really enjoyed it. I've enjoyed the whole week and being part of it. The older you get, the more you appreciate it.

'It won't go on forever so I'm just enjoying playing at the moment with exciting young players around.

'When you are part of a good performance and see the young players coming through, it gives a bit of excitement.'

Defender Glen Johnson said: 'We will look to start well again on Tuesday and hopefully get the same result.

'It is so important to start the campaign well. We knew Moldova wasn't going to be an easy place to come. We worked like we usually do, we tried to start well and were fortunate to get a couple of early goals.'

Last time out: John Terry hacks Marko Devic's shot away in England's 1-0 win in Donetsk

Last time out: John Terry hacks Marko Devic's shot away in England's 1-0 win in Donetsk

Johnson found himself walking a disciplinary tightrope after being booked after only four minutes for kicking the ball away.

He said: 'I thought “if I'm getting booked for that, I can get booked for anything” so I was doing my best to stay away from a few people.

'I don't know what I was booked for to be honest. But we showed our discipline all over the park.'
end

Aston Villa sign Ashley Westwood from Crewe

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Seventh heaven for Villa as Crewe captain Westwood joins Lambert's revolution

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UPDATED:

20:52 GMT, 31 August 2012

Done deal: Ashley Westwood

Done deal: Ashley Westwood

Aston Villa have signed Crewe skipper and midfielder Ashley Westwood for an undisclosed fee, on a four-year contract.

The 22-year-old has put pen to paper on a deal which will keep him at Villa Park until the end of the 2015-16 campaign.

Westwood helped Crewe gain promotion to League One last season and is now relishing a crack at proving himself in the Barclays Premier League.

He said: 'I see myself as a Michael Carrick-type of player, someone who stays out of the limelight and keeps it simple, retaining the ball and laying it off to team-mates.

'From the conversations I've had with the new manager (Paul Lambert) I think that will fit in perfectly here.

'He said to me that he's looking for younger lads to work with him, step up and lift this club to the next level and I'm really looking forward to the challenge.

'This is a fantastic football club, a massive club and I can't wait to get started really. It's a bit surreal right now but I'll get out training with the lads tomorrow morning and take it in my stride.'

Westwood – a product of the Crewe Academy – is Villa's seventh signing of the summer.

Lambert said: 'Being captain of his football club at 21 years of age, I think that says a big thing about Ashley's quality, the responsibility he has taken on his shoulders and his temperament.

'He's also a terrific prospect for this football club – a real, real talent.

'He's had a really good grounding at Crewe and he will fit in with what we're looking to do here. He's a good player and he'll do fine.'

US Open 2012: Andy Murray not surprised by Laura Robson"s success

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Murray not surprised that Laura's shining in limelight after Clijsters scalp

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UPDATED:

22:27 GMT, 30 August 2012

Andy Murray could see the potential in Laura Robson long before they won silver together at the Olympics this summer.

So he was among those less surprised after a day of second-round matches at the US Open which had you pinching yourself at the sight — unprecedented in the modern era — of two British players winning matches on the main Arthur Ashe Stadium one after the other.

Within a few hours of Robson seeing off three-times champion Kim Clijsters in sensational fashion, Murray had marched into the last 32 of the men’s singles with an extremely sharp 6-2, 6-1, 6-3 dismissal of Croatia’s Ivan Dodig.

Shocked: Laura Robson celebrates after beating Kim Clijsters on Wednesday

Shocked: Laura Robson celebrates after beating Kim Clijsters on Wednesday

With a ranking of 89 already guaranteed to be heading into the seventies, Robson is the highest placed 18-year-old in the world.

And Brad Gilbert, coaching guru and Sportsmail columnist, believes that with further work on her fitness she has top five potential.

Murray, too, is full of praise for Robson. It is rare to find him overshadowed at a Grand Slam by the exploits of one of his compatriots but Robson managed it by hurrying Clijsters into singles retirement and setting up a meeting with Li Na.

You suspect Murray found it a welcome change to the status quo, and rather than focus on his approaching evening match he watched her second set.

Big win: Robson beat Clijsters in straight sets

Big win: Robson beat Clijsters in straight sets

Murray, 25, first got a good look at her when they represented Great Britain at the Hopman Cup mixed event in Australia two and a half years ago, and quickly identified the key to any future success.

‘Even when I first played with her I saw she has the potential to move fairly well,’ said Murray, whose own court coverage is phenomenally good.

‘She moved very well against Clijsters, and at the Olympics she was getting a lot of balls and she was moving much better than she had in the past.

‘You need to want to chase balls down and believe that you can get to them. She hits the ball great when she is in the right position. If she keeps improving then she’s going to be a very, very good player. She’s very good already, but she will get to the top quicker.

‘It’s going to take a bit of time to get the consistency but you saw when she was playing against some of the guys in the Olympics that she was returning the serve with ease sometimes.

At the double: Robson and Andy Murray won a silver medal in the mixed double during the Olympics

At the double: Robson and Andy Murray won a silver medal in the mixed double during the Olympics

‘She’s got very easy power and great timing, and if you look at how many teenagers there are in the top 100 compared with what there used to be she’s right up there with the best in the world.’

A crucial reason for her strong form is that Robson is finally on a run when she has not been laid low by injury. This is the first summer that she has been able to compete virtually uninterrupted by ailments that have usually been growth-related.

And there is unlikely to be any slacking on the fitness front with her demanding new coach Zeljko Krajan, the Croatian Davis Cup Captain who in his time with former charges Dinara Safina and Dominika Cibulkova, showed he can make quick gains.

Easing through: Murray eased into the third rounds after beating Ivan Dodig

Easing through: Murray eased into the third rounds after beating Ivan Dodig

Whether Robson can now meet last year’s French Open champion Li Na is an entirely different question.

The Chinese No 9 seed is having a fine hard court season and has already knocked out Heather Watson here, who was passing on any intelligence gleaned to the Robson camp.

Murray now has an encounter with old foe Feliciano Lopez, who has never beaten him.

Lopez was in good form yesterday in beating fellow Spaniard Pablo Andujar 6-4 6-1 check and this will be a repeat of last year’s US third round, which the Scot won for the loss of just seven games.

Meanwhile, Johanna Konta was trying to join her fellow Brits Murray and Robson at the same stage as she took on the world No 67 Olga Govortsova of Russia.

Darren Fletcher could be in Manchester United"s Champions League squad

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Fletcher in contention for shock inclusion in United's Champions League squad

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UPDATED:

21:49 GMT, 30 August 2012

Manchester United midfielder Darren Fletcher is waiting to see if he will be handed a surprise spot in Sir Alex Ferguson’s squad for the Champions League.

United must submit a 25-man pool to UEFA on Monday night and though Fletcher has not played a competitive game since November because of illness, there are two places up for grabs in Ferguson’s squad.

Comeback trail: Darren Fletcher has been out of action since November

Comeback trail: Darren Fletcher has been out of action since November

Fletcher was diagnosed with a rare bowel disorder earlier this year and at one stage his career looked to be in jeopardy. But the 28-year-old has played in a friendly and two reserve matches in the past three weeks and is now training fully every day.

Ferguson will be wary of pushing Fletcher too far too soon and may decide to keep the former Scotland captain out of the limelight.

One of the spare places in the squad will probably go to a striker such as Federico Macheda or Bebe to cover for the predicted absence of the injured Wayne Rooney.

After Kevin Pietersen saga, Andrew Strauss gets the start he merits, Nasser Hussain

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Centurion Strauss gets the start he merits

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UPDATED:

21:07 GMT, 16 August 2012

This was the sort of day Andrew Strauss needed and deserved. The build-up to this match should have been about him and his 100th Test, but he had the limelight taken away for obvious reasons, so he was due the luck he had when he lost the toss.

The England captain didn’t know what to do for the best if he had won it. I reckon he must have looked at the wicket four times during the course of the morning: firstly when it looked a bit green and the weather was cloudy; but then at 10am with Jimmy Anderson when the sun was shining and the pitch suddenly looked white.

A good toss to lose: England reacted brilliantly after being asked to bowl

A good toss to lose: England reacted brilliantly after being asked to bowl

It reminded me of the 1999 Test here against New Zealand when I decided to bat in glorious conditions but then saw it cloud over by 11am. We had to face the music with three lights on the old scoreboard. We were bowled out for 186.

Strauss would probably have batted if he had won it, but it turned out to be a good toss to lose because, even though there was not extravagant movement, there was a bit in it for the England bowlers. The day went well for them, particularly in the morning session.

Anderson was brilliant and Steven Finn, a good and brave selection, took three wickets before lunch without looking at his best.

Dangerman: Steven Finn removed Alviro Petersen, Hashim Amla and Jacques Kallis

Dangerman: Steven Finn removed Alviro Petersen, Hashim Amla and Jacques Kallis

It was very important that England made a good start because, by lunchtime, all the talk had turned from the man who is not here to those 11 who are playing for England.

The players looked almost visibly relieved that they were playing again, pleased to be out there trying to win a Test. A weight did seem to have been lifted from their shoulders.

This England side have never been about one individual — it has always been about the team, which is why the events surrounding Kevin Pietersen have been so strange.

Centurion: England played for their captain on his landmark day

Centurion: England played for their captain on his landmark day

It could easily have been the other way round if South Africa had bowled first — and we might all still have been talking about Pietersen and asking whether he would have made a difference.

England might well still be in need of Pietersen’s runs by the end of the game but for now that can wait. They have made a good start and, for that, I am delighted for their captain.