A sporting week in review..

Just a new feature I'll be giving a whirl, it's all very Ronseal really - a review of the sporting week just gone. So, without further ado..

--

Monday:

Maybe it was just too good to be true. After defeating the world's best player in Raphael Nadal in comprehensive fashion, we all though it was Andy Murray's time to shine. The US Open was his. He'd be the first Brit to win a Slam since 1939. It was written in the stars.

Erm, we were wrong.

The young Scot was outclassed and outplayed by a rejuvinated Roger Federer, who played his best tennis in years to win in straight sets 6-2, 7-5, 6-2. And they said the king is dead?

Still, a tournament to remember for Murray, who at 21 has a very bright future indeed. And the Yanks still love him, which isn't suprising really. He may as well be American, what with his total arrogance and love for all things American. Just look at him, mingling with the likes of Will Ferrell. I await the fake American accent with baited breath, ala Joss Stone. I preferred him when he was Scottish and miserable, quite frankly.

In football, Rio Ferdinand declared himself fit for battle in England's crucial World Cup qualifier against Croatia for Wednesday. A big boost indeed for a match where England will have to be at their very best defensively against a dangerous Croatia side. I predict a 0-0, for the record. And David Beckham called for experience in the key clash. Not at all angling for a first team spot, eh David?

Tuesday:

Cricket took prominence today, as the England squad for the $20m Stamford Super Series was announced, and there was no real suprises. Steve Harmison was in, after recently completing a U-turn on his one day international retirement. I'm sure the $1m had nothing to do with it. In all fairness though, Harmy looks as good as ever, and his good form definately warrants his selection.

And also in Cricket, Michael Vaughan retained his central contract for a further 12 months, and was given selector Geoff Smith's endorsement. A class act on and off the field, it's a decision that should have Andrew Strauss should be looking over his shoulder, that's for sure. An in-form Vaughan is an asset to England, so let's hope he gets there.

Wednesday:

Well, all the talk was about football, and more specifically, England. And for once, it wasnt all apathy and doom and gloom. Oh no..

Croatia 1-4 England. And they said Capello was a hard nosed pragmatist? It was brilliant stuff from England, who produced their first great performance since 'that night in Munich', all of seven years ago. So, there we have it. The World Cup is now ours. Consider yourselves on notice, rest of the world.

Elsewhere in the UK, Scotland perhaps got more than they bargained for in Iceland, with a great 2-1 win to get their campaign underway, and Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland achieved respectable 0-0 draws against the Czech Republic and Montenegro respectively. Unfortunately, Wales let the side down, going down 2-1 to Russia in Moscow. But never mind, Wales are building for 2018, dont you know..

Thursday:

Football again, and it's the appointment of Gianfranco Zola at West Ham that has people talking. And with good reason. Probably because it's yet another ludicrious appointment in Football. No real managerial experience, no real say in who will be coming and going, a rather inpatient and deluded fanbase to please..it's doomed to failure. But hey, dont worry West Ham fans! You'll get that attacking football that you craved, and thats all that matters, right? Results are just an irrelavance.

Prediction: Wet Sham to get relegated.

Elsewhere, the snooker caught my eye, as the Premier League of Snooker started again in that oh so attractive venue..Grimsby. Way to make snooker look more exciting and accessible to the younger folk, guys. With the 25 second shotclock in place and a World Championship already under his belt, Rocket Ronnie O'Sullivan has to be the favourite for this tournament, and he did his chances no harm with a hard-fought 3-3 draw against former world champion, John Higgins.

Friday:

They say some things in life are worth fighting for. Love, friendship, happiness..and, erm, Dwight Yorke. Sunderland boss Roy Keane and Fifa vice-president Jack Warner engaged themselves in a war of words over the veteran Sunderland star (and I use the term star loosely), with Warner accusing Keane of "disrespecting the smaller countries", after Keane allegedly withdrew Yorke from his international duties. Keane's riposte? "Yorke is retired. I've told Jack what I think of him and where to go. He's a clown, a disgrace."

Right then. And the fued intensified further later in the day, with Walker having a sly dig at Keane for walking out on the Ireland squad on the eve of the 2002 World Cup. Handbags at dawn or what? What next? My dad's bigger than your dad?

And in Rugby, it was the return of Jonny Wilkinson from shoulder surgery that made headlines. Great news for Newcastle and England, and a timely return indeed for Wilkinson, with fellow fly half and young pretender to the throne Danny Cipriani out until at least November with ankle troubles.

Saturday:

Speaking of Rugby, the tri-nations finished today, and it was New Zealand who triumphed, beating Australia by 28-24 in a winner takes all affair. A welcome return to form for New Zealand, and a result that eases the pressure on All Blacks coach Graham Henry somewhat, after an awful performance in the World Cup last year. Ah, we all know they'll flatter to decieve when the World cup comes around anyway. It's what New Zealand do best.

And of course, being a Saturday, football deserves a cheeky mention. With so much going on in the footballing calendar, I'll just focus on one result, and that has to be Shrewsbury's 7-0 mauling of Gillingham, equalling their record league win from 1955 in the process. Sitting pretty in 4th place, things certainly look good for Paul Simpson's men in League Two.

Ok, so I lied, but I had to mention Torquay United. A last gasp winner from Wayne Carlisle gave the Gulls the win over high flying Cambridge in the BSP, and apparantly they played passing football and everything. More performances like this, and Buckle simply has to go. What a clown.

And finally in F1, Sebastian Vettel achieved pole position in the Italian Grand Prix, with Lewis Hamilton only able to qualify in 15th. And there wasnt a stewarding scandal in sight, this was all down to strategic errors and bad weather. But how refreshing is it to see no Ferrari's or Mclaren's in the front row? Was this an indication of things to come? And they say F1 is predictable..

Sunday:

Formula 1 on the agenda first, and yesterday's shock qualifying result certainly was a sign of things to come. It was Sebastian Vettel who triumphed at a wet Monza, giving himself and his Toro Rosso team their first win in F1. Great stuff from the young man. It was certainly an exciting race, with the wet conditions resulting in much unpredictability and drama. After a barren and predictable few years in the sport, it's good to see F1 exciting people again, and just in time for the move back to the BBC, too.

Only one game in the footballing calendar, with Stoke hosting Everton. It was the Merseysiders who prevailed, winning 3-2, but the real story has to be Rory Delap and his ridiculously long throws that helped Stoke towards two more goals. He could rival Ashley Young for assists at this rate.

Continuing on the football theme, and stop the presses, Mike Ashley is selling up at Newcastle! Apparantly 50,000+ Geordies baying for your blood is just too much, so he's decided to cut his losses. It's a bit of a shame really, because it looked a good move on paper with Ashley wiping out the club's debts and being more prudent with the finances, but you just dont mess with the messiah where Newcastle fans are concerned..

And finally, athletics, and Sanya Richards gained a small measure of revenge for her Beijing defeat in the 400m, defeating Christine Ohuruogu in the World Athletics final. But still, we have the one that matters, right?