GOATS, the first hoofed animals to be domesticated, are remarkable creatures. 

Ashley Young scored his first goal in over 19 months before setting up Patrice Evra to send Manchester United into the Capital One Cup semi-finals with victory over Stoke at the Britannia Stadium.

Alastair Cook admitted the rain slightly dampened England’s celebrations after they retained the Ashes when play was abandoned at a soggy Old Trafford yesterday.

It is easy to imagine the sense of awe that must have gripped the 1888 Lions as they embarked on what was essentially a voyage into the unknown.

Chelsea 2 Sunderland 1

Alcohol consumption during pregnancy has an even bigger impact on their future child than previously believed.

England’s new-look one-day international side survived a nervy batting display and a dangerous cameo from their Bangalore conqueror Kevin O’Brien to beat Ireland by 11 runs in the RSA Challenge at Clontarf this afternoon.

CRICKET IRELAND chief executive Warren Deutrom admits the board are putting in place contingency plans should coach Phil Simmons quit before the end of the year.

British scientists are hoping that a new £1.9m (€2.14m) supercomputer will help them unlock the secrets of the universe.

Referee Mark Clattenburg’s explanation of why he awarded Wigan a free-kick following Wayne Rooney’s clash with James McCarthy yesterday will determine whether the Manchester United striker ends up facing a three-match ban.

ANDY FLOWER is unrepentant about England’s management of the ball, despite South Africa’s transitory suspicions that tampering might have been afoot during the third Test.

ENGLAND are confident their surprise call-up of Warwickshire batsman Jonathan Trott for this week’s fourth Ashes Test will not backfire in a similar manner to last year’s shock selection for the Headingley Test.

ENGLAND are facing an anxious wait to determine whether they face another dilemma over the balance of their side after all-rounder Andrew Flintoff emerged as a doubt for the second Ashes Test.

The massive lake caused by the Chinese earthquake was still rising today despite military efforts to blast away the wall of debris that created it.

The head of Northern Rock today said it was “in the commercial interests” of the publicly-owned lender to continue sponsoring Premiership football team Newcastle United.

THE success of football teams wearing red shirts — such as Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal and Nottingham Forest — is no coincidence, according to academics.

Steve Harmison returns to first-class action tomorrow determined to regain his position as one of the most feared bowlers in the world.

BRAVE Ireland went down to England yesterday as Paul Collingwood delivered a match-winning performance to prevent England from suffering embarrassment and get their Super Eights campaign underway.

JONNY EVANS has a winning mentality at 19 — and Northern Ireland are reaping the benefits.

Paul Collingwood and Kevin Pietersen entered Ashes folklore today with big hundreds as England approached a formidable first-innings total in the second Test.

ENGLAND have just three days to come up with some answers after a crushing 277-run loss to Australia in the opening Ashes cricket Test at the Gabba yesterday.

ENGLAND have set their sights on finishing their summer with a flourish when they attempt to complete an emphatic victory over Pakistan in next week’s final Test.

PAUL COLLINGWOOD made partial amends for a costly error by becoming England’s unlikely candidate to halt Pakistan’s record-breaking march towards a major lead in the third Test yesterday.

JUST an hour’s play was possible yesterday on the second day of the second Test between India and England in Mohali due to bad light and rain.

ENGLAND had a great second day in the Edgbaston Test against Australia to give themselves a clear advantage yesterday.

ENGLAND are facing an anxious wait to determine whether captain Michael Vaughan is fit enough to feature in the second Ashes Test after sustaining another injury in the nets at Edgbaston.

ENGLAND have named an unchanged squad for the second Ashes Test against Australia starting at Edgbaston on Thursday.

Jason Molins etched his name alongside the heroes of Sion Mills as Ireland recorded another famous win over top-class international opposition.

England emerged from 61 days of torment and embarrassment to finally record their first victory of the tour and at last show the Australian public just a taste of the cricket they are capable of producing.

GRAHAM THORPE has described his inclusion in England’s 16-man party for this winter’s Ashes tour as ‘‘the biggest challenge’’ of his career after taking time out from cricket to resolve his personal life.

Drinks giant Guinness today defended an advertising campaign featuring cricketer Ian Botham, who has reportedly claimed it breaches his image rights.