A round-up of today's other Soccer stories in brief...
Adebayor signs new contract
EMMANUEL ADEBAYOR has signed a new contract with Arsenal.
The Togo international was the subject of much transfer speculation during the summer, with AC Milan and Barcelona showing a strong interest in the €50 million-rated striker.
However, the 24-year-old announced on the eve of the new campaign he would be staying with the Gunners and had agreed terms on an improved deal, which has now been completed.
Deadline extended
THE ENGLISH Premier League have confirmed that the summer transfer deadline will be extended to midnight on September 1st.
The window is usually scheduled to close 24 hours earlier but has been put back because August 31st falls on a Sunday, following normal league guidelines.
Teams will then have to wait until January to sign players.
Kavanagh raises spirits and sends Bray into last eight
BRAY WANDERERS beat Dundalk 3-1 in the FAI Cup fourth round replay in Oriel Park last night but midway through the second half it looked as though a nervous tussle might go to extra-time.
However, with the spectre of extra-time and penalties looming Bray's Paddy Kavanagh decided to put some finality on the occasion.
With few options available to him Kavanagh looked up and planted a stunning 25-yard drive into the top corner of Chris Bennion's net to seal Bray's passage into the last eight.
A late breakaway goal from substitute Jake Kelly merely embellished the gap between the top of the First Division and the bottom of the Premier.
Bray grabbed the opening goal just before half-time.Kavanagh chased down a deflected ball and whipped in a cross that captain Colm Tresson rifled home.
Dundalk emerged for the second period determined and Paul Crowley headed in David Crawley's corner four minutes after the resumption.
But Bray's quality was the deciding factor in the end as Kavanagh and Kelly ended the game as a contest.
DUNDALK: Bennion, Flanagan, Ryan, Marney (S Kelly 88), Crawley, Cassidy, Shields (O'Connor 62), Crowley, Duffy, Smyth, Vaughan.
BRAY WANDERERS: Gough, Pender, Whelan, Tresson, Cronin, Kavanagh, Cawley, Robson, Duggan, O'Keeffe (J Kelly 78), Rowe (Myler 90).
Referee: Ian Stokes.
Keane makes bid for Ferdinand
WEST Ham United yesterday confirmed they have accepted a €10 million bid from Sunderland for Anton Ferdinand but manager Roy Keane knows that persuading the 23-year-old central defender to move to Wearside may prove difficult.
FORMER USA coach Bruce Arena was yesterday named Ruud Gullit's successor as head coach at LA Galaxy, who are struggling in the MLS despite the presence of former England captain David Beckham.
CELTIC yesterday announced they have released former Denmark and Real Madrid midfielder Thomas Gravesen (32).
PORTSMOUTH manager Harry Redknapp yesterday confirmed he wants to sign Algerian left back Nadir Belhadj (26) on loan from French club Lens.
THE Republic of Ireland under-19 team produced a gallant performance last night in a friendly against Portugal at Flancare Park last night but lost 1-0.
Berbatov puts pressure on Spurs
DIMITAR BERBATOV wants his future sorted out as soon as possible but Tottenham appear in no hurry to force a deal despite the Bulgaria striker handing in a formal transfer request.
It is understood Berbatov (27) handed in his request on Friday to sporting director Damien Comolli and chairman Daniel Levy, the day before he was named on the bench in the 2-1 defeat at Middlesbrough.
Manchester United had a bid of €30 million rejected last month and have not made another formal offer, although Tottenham have insisted they do not want to sell.
However, the transfer saga has entered a crucial stage following Berbatov's request, followed by comments on his arrival for international duty with Bulgaria.
"I'm now in Tottenham but no one can disagree with me wanting to follow my dream," said Berbatov, who told reporters he wanted everything sorted by the end of the week.
