Mourinho targets quick recovery

breakingnews.ie  - Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho believes his team can regain top spot in the Primera Division table from rivals Barcelona by Christmas.

Mourinho’s side lost 3-1 at home to Barcelona on Saturday and also gave up top spot on head-to-head results to the Nou Camp side, who have played a game more.

Reports: Anelka set for move to China

breakingnews.ie - Nicolas Anelka will leave Chelsea for Shanghai Shenhua next month on a two-year contract, according to the Chinese Super League club.

Anelka, 32, has reportedly agreed a deal worth in the region of £175,000 a week to the striker, who recently had a transfer request accepted by the Blues.

No Nadal for 2012 Davis Cup

sport24.co.za - Seville - Spain's fifth Davis Cup title party in 11 years fell flat when Rafael Nadal revealed he'd skip next year's title defence while brother-in-arms David Ferrer called time on his tournament duties.

World number two Nadal, who battled back from a set down to defeat Juan Martin del Potro and give Spain victory over Argentina in an epic clash on Sunday, insisted that the defence of his Olympic title must be a priority.

Ferrer, who defeated Del Potro in a marathon five-setter on Friday, said that at 29, his five-year tour of Davis Cup duty was virtually over.

The double blow, coupled with captain Albert Costa's uncertainty over his availability and the worrying decline of doubles pairing Feliciano Lopez and Fernando Verdasco, left Spain looking seriously under-powered for 2012.