Today's other stories in brief
New Tevez deal snag
West Ham United believe that the clause in Carlos Tevez' original contract that ascribed his "economic rights" to his agents, Media Sports Investment and Just Sports Inc (MSI-JSI), are unenforceable in law, by Matt Scott and Les Roopanarine.
This explains their tenacity on insisting on a fee for the player, whom Manchester United would like to sign, and their preparedness to fight a court case on the matter.
The London side's counsel, Jim Sturman QC, argued to the independent disciplinary panel that fined the club €8 million in April that elements of those contracts are "clearly invalid as being a restraint of trade".
According to Sturman the "predetermined damages" in the third-party agreements - fixed amounts payable upon breach of contract by the club or player - are "penalty clauses" that are also "unenforceable in law".
While the panel, led by the QC Simon Bourne-Arton, refused to accept this as a defence against charges of two breaches of Premier League rules he found that the arguments carried "considerable force".
West Ham will not now sanction Tevez' transfer to Old Trafford until formal negotiations are conducted and they receive the transfer fee. Talks between the clubs are expected to open today, since United have given up hope on an arrangement involving MSI-JSI being endorsed by West Ham.
Eriksson starts well
Sven-Goran Eriksson made a winning start to his managerial career at Manchester City as they came from behind to defeat Doncaster 3-1 at the Keepmoat Stadium on Saturday.
Rovers threatened to spoil the former England manager's first game in charge when Sean McDaid gave them the lead.
Bernardo Corradi levelled the scores with a powerful shot into the top corner before a fine individual effort from Micah Richards and Emile Mpenza's deflected strike ensured City began their pre-season with a win.
Blow for Denilson
An injury to Denilson put a dampener on Arsenal's first game without Thierry Henry as they secured a 2-0 victory at Barnet on Saturday. The Brazilian midfielder was carried off on a stretcher with an ankle injury late on following a heavy tackle.
Emmanuel Adebayor opened the scoring from Theo Walcott's 17th-minute cross and Nacer Barazite doubled the advantage with a ferocious strike from wide on the right after 66 minutes.
Liverpool limber up
Liverpool secured a second successive pre-season victory as goals from Lee Peltier, Peter Crouch and Ray Putterill earned a 3-0 win over Crewe at Gresty Road on Saturday.
There were no debuts for Fernando Torres, Yossi Benayoun and Ryan Babel but Ukrainian striker Andriy Voronin looked lively in his first appearance for the club.
Meanwhile, Fabio Aurelio is unlikely to be fit in time for the start of the season, according to Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez.
The 27-year-old Brazilian left back ruptured his Achilles tendon during a Champions League tie against PSV Eindhoven in April.
Benitez said: "Fabio isn't fit. It could be another month before he recovers. We knew it would be a long time when he got injured."
In brief . . .
Nwankwo Kanu (30) is to end months of uncertainty by committing himself to Portsmouth for the forthcoming season . . . Newcastle United are this week expected to sign Fulham's French left back Franck Queudrue (29) . . Striker Jermain Defoe will turn down interest from Aston Villa to stay and fight for his Tottenham place despite the €24 million arrival of Darren Bent . . . Alan Smith has been included in Manchester United's squad to tour the Far East, casting doubt on suggestions the striker set to leave Old Trafford.
