football updates

On EPL
Sold out: Box Office closes on first Premier game

Chelsea vs Manchester City this Sunday, the club’s first Premiership game of the season, has sold out.

Capacity this season is 42,091, down a few hundred due to facilities improvements made in the Family Section.

Chelsea will be looking to win [their] fifth consecutive first game of the season. The previous four have been: 2002/3, 3-2 at Charlton; 2003/4, 2-1 at Liverpool; 2004/5, 1-0 at home to Manchester United; and 2005/6, 1-0 at Wigan.


LIVERPOOL AGREE FEE FOR KUYT
Liverpool are poised to sign Holland striker Dirk Kuyt from Feyenoord after agreeing a fee for the 26-year-old.

The Reds did not reveal details of the fee in Thursday’s announcement, but they appear to have beaten Newcastle United in the race to land Kuyt.

He said: “For me, Liverpool is sure to be the dream club I was looking for.

“There was more interest from abroad, but for me there was nothing of the calibre of Liverpool, a brilliant club with an enormous reputation, fantastic support and a fabulous history. It is an honour to play for a club like that.

Feyenoord chairman Jorien van den Herik told his club’s official website: “Many clubs have tried to contract Dirk over the recent period, but he’s said 'no' to clubs every time because they were not appealing enough, despite there being some very renowned clubs among them.

“That characterises Dirk’s attitude: either Feyenoord or my dream club.”

On England:
Lampard delighted
Frank Lampard hailed the start of a new era under Steve McClaren, but warned against getting too carried away.

After notching his 12th goal for the Three Lions, more than any other player in the squad against Greece, Lampard was delighted with the team performance.

"The big games are coming in the future and we mustn't rest on that performance. Tonight we set the standard and we can't get carried away with what we can do.

"It's just the beginning and we're so pleased because we've had a good few days of training, the new ideas were drilled into us and it came out so well."

McClaren 'delighted' by win
Steve McClaren was a very satisfied man after watching England romp to a 4-0 win over Greece in his first game in charge.

"I'm absolutely delighted," he said. "Particularly with the first half performance when the players did everything that we asked from them."

The result was a perfect start to McClaren's tenure, but the manner in which the victory was achieved pleased the new Head Coach the most.

"I was most pleased with the way we controlled the game through everyone being comfortable on the ball, keeping things simple and passing the ball well. We got our periods when we could rest, counter attack and score goals."

England win the friendly against Greece with a sweep. Four nil. The first goal was scored by Terry on the 14th, Lampard on the 30th and two more from Crouch within the next 12 minutes.