Allardyce questions knee-jerk decision to dismiss Di Canio September 23, 2013 WEST Ham boss Sam Allardyce has questioned the logic in the sacking of the club’s former striker Paolo Di Canio by Sunderland on Sunday. Allardyce prepares to take charge of his 100th Hammers game against Cardiff in the Capital One Cup tonight and has sympathy for Di Canio, who was in the Sunderland hot-seat for [...]
Jol vows to pick strongest team as Fulham target overdue win September 23, 2013 OTHER Premier League managers may use Capital One Cup ties to rotate their team, but Fulham boss Martin Jol says he has no intention of doing so at home to Everton tonight with his side in desperate need of a victory. The Cottagers only triumph since the opening day of the season came in the [...]
Mata returns to Chelsea team September 23, 2013 CHELSEA midfielder Juan Mata is set to make just his third start of the season at Swindon in tonight’s Capital One Cup third round tie. Defenders David Luiz, Ryan Bertrand and Cesar Azpilicueta, plus midfielder Michael Essien are also expected to start and assistant boss Steve Holland believes Mata is ready to prove his worth. [...]
Suarez “champing at bit” after bite ban September 23, 2013 LIVERPOOL boss Brendan Rodgers says striker Luis Suarez is “champing at the bit” to get back out on the pitch against Manchester United tomorrow night, after completing his 10-match ban for biting Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic last season. Rodgers failed to confirm, however, whether the Uruguayan would go straight into the starting line-up.
Hamilton leaps to Vettel’s defence September 23, 2013 FORMULA ONE: Britain’s Lewis Hamilton has told racing fans not to resent World Championship leader Sebastian Vettel’s continued success. The Red Bull driver is closing in on his fourth consecutive world title, but was booed as he took to the podium to celebrate Sunday’s Singapore Grand Prix win. But Hamilton said: “No-one should be booed [...]
Tomkins set for world record move September 23, 2013 RUGBY LEAGUE: Wigan have agreed a world record fee to sell full-back Sam Tomkins to New Zealand Warriors at the end of the season. Tomkins, 24, has signed a three-year contract in a move that eclipses the £450,000 Wigan paid Bradford for Stuart Fieden in 2006.
Premier League: Best to come from our star creator Ozil, says Wenger September 22, 2013 AT EMIRATES STADIUM ARSENAL 3 vs STOKE CITY 1 ARSENAL boss Arsene Wenger has warned his Premier League rivals that there is even more to come from Mesut Ozil, after the club’s £42.5m record signing created all three of their goals during yesterday’s win against Stoke. The Gunners took the lead just five minutes in, [...]
Premier League: Villas-Boas joy after Paulinho late flourish lifts Spurs to second September 22, 2013 CARDIFF CITY 0 vs TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 1 RELIEVED Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas believes his team’s 93rd minute winner was richly deserved for their persistence in Cardiff yesterday. Spurs, missing striker Jermain Defoe due to a groin problem, carved out 29 chances as they dominated for much of the 90 minutes, but were continually thwarted by [...]
Sport Comment: Cosseted players can learn from loyal fans September 22, 2013 EVERY football team has supporters like the two I met on a train on Saturday evening coming back from Newcastle, but just occasionally you wonder if a “meet the fans” evening at every professional club wouldn’t help focus the minds of some players who regard their job as a right and not a privilege, and [...]
Grant: I don’t understand exclusion of Mata September 22, 2013 FORMER Chelsea manager Avram Grant insists owner Roman Abramovich has never interfered with team selection, but admits he too is mystified by the continued exclusion of midfielder Juan Mata. Blues boss Jose Mourinho did not even name Mata on the bench for Saturday’s 2-0 win over Fulham. The Spaniard was Chelsea’s outstanding player last term [...]