Football news

Everton have admitted defeat in their attempts to stop defender Joleon Lescott from leaving Goodison Park for Manchester City, manager David Moyes said.

The Premier League club have rejected a formal transfer request from the England defender and have also turned down two bids from City for him, with Moyes saying Lescott's attitude over his desire to leave had damaged team spirit.

"The situation means we have to sell him," Moyes said.

"That's been the main reason. It has jeopardised team spirit - you saw how we were against Arsenal."

Moyes said he had been forced to play Lescott in the season-opening 6-1 defeat by Arsenal, even though the player had told him before the game he did not want to play.

Two held after Davenport stabbing

Police have made two arrests in connection with the stabbing of West Ham defender Calum Davenport.

Bedfordshire police said a 25-year-old man had been arrested in Derby on suspicion of attempted murder after Davenport was attacked in the early hours of Saturday at his family home in Bedford.

A police spokeswoman said a 19-year-old man had also been arrested following the incident, in which the player was stabbed in both legs and his 49-year-old mother was also injured.

Davenport underwent emergency surgery but his injuries were not thought to be life threatening.

Real Madrid invite world beater Bolt

Self-confessed Real Madrid admirer Usain Bolt has received an invitation from the Spanish side to attend their opening match of the new season against Deportivo La Coruna next weekend.

Bolt, who captured his third gold medal of the world athletics championships in Berlin on Saturday, will have the chance to meet the team after the game, including his two favourite players - strikers Raul and Ruud van Nistelrooy.

Bolt, speaking at last year's Olympic Games in Beijing, said he would love to spend a day training with one of his preferred teams.

Owen delighted by goal breakthrough

Michael Owen admitted it was a relief to fire home his first Manchester United league goal as the defending champions handed Wigan a 5-0 mauling on Saturday.

The 29-year-old England striker came off the bench on 71 minutes and, after being put through by Nani, produced a vintage finish five minutes from time.

"I probably scored the hardest chance I've had," said Owen.

"I had two chances at Burnley and one against Birmingham, but this was the fourth real opportunity I've had."

Owen said he believes more goals will come.

"I'd be disappointed if people didn't think I could go on from here," said Owen.

"I believe I can and I certainly expect to score more goals."

Kyrgiakos aims to erase Euro misery

Liverpool's new signing Sotirios Kyrgiakos plans to use his shock move to Anfield to erase five years of pain.

The Greece defender was missing with a knee injury when his country produced one of the biggest shocks in international football history by winning Euro 2004. The former Rangers centre-back now hopes that he will more than make up for that disappointment by helping Liverpool win the title for the first time since 1990.

"It's something I would like very much," said Kyrgiakos, who could make his debut in today's Premier League match against Aston Villa at Anfield.

"When you are about to join a club like Liverpool you don't need any convincing at all."

Leonardo hails Milan win

Milan coach Leonardo said his team had produced an extraordinary response to a tricky pre-season by beating Siena 2-1 on Saturday in the Brazilian's first Serie A game in charge.

The rookie boss suffered defeats by Chelsea, Inter and Bayern Munich among others in the build-up to the new campaign.

Supporter unrest over the sale of Kaka and frustrations over bringing players in also clouded preparations for the league opener, but Alexandre Pato scored twice to seal the win after incisive passes from Ronaldinho.

"Losing is always difficult... it's hard because it creates doubt. But I believe the pre-season results were not important," Leonardo said.

"The base of everything is pride. The response in this sense has been extraordinary."

Southgate tells Boro to sharpen up

Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate warned his players that they need to be more ruthless despite moving top of the Championship after a 2-0 win against Doncaster at the Riverside Stadium.

An early strike from Tuncay Sanli and a second-half effort from Leroy Lita handed victory to Boro.

Southgate's men are looking to bounce back into the Premier League but the manager knows it will not be an easy task.

"We have set high standards in the opening few games and if we want to get back up where we want to be as a club then we must stick to them," Southgate said.

"That said, it is nice to be sat on the top with 10 points and be talking about the need to improve."