Jose Mourinho expresses relief at Manchester United’s Europa League draw, while Tottenham handed Gent test December 12, 2016 Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho expressed his relief after his side were pitted against French outfit Saint-Etienne in the last 32 of the Europa League. Tottenham, meanwhile, who secured their passage to the knockout phase of the competition with a 3-1 victory over CSKA Moscow in their final Champions League group match, will play Gent. [...]
Cristiano Ronaldo targets fifth Ballon d’Or award after latest crowning as world’s best player December 12, 2016 Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo has promised to go in pursuit of a fifth Ballon d’Or in 2017 after being crowned the world’s best player for the fourth time in his career. Ronaldo has so far netted 48 goals in 52 matches for club and country during 2016, a year which has seen the 31-year-old win the [...]
How Arsenal , Manchester City and Leicester City reacted to the Champions League last 16 draw December 12, 2016 Arsenal chiefs believe this could be the season they end their dismal run against Bayern Munich after being drawn to play the German giants in the Champions League last 16 for the third time in five years. The Gunners’ hopes that winning their group might secure an easier opponent in the knockout stage ran aground [...]
Jurgen Klopp hits out at Gary and Phil Neville after former Manchester United duo criticise Liverpool goalkeeper Loris Karius December 12, 2016 Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has launched a scathing attack on former Manchester United duo Gary and Phil Neville and questioned the validity of the former’s opinions given his unsuccessful spell as manager of Valencia. Gary Neville had criticised under-fire Reds goalkeeper Loris Karius, a £4.7m summer signing from Mainz, in a newspaper article on Friday [...]
Why Warren Gatland’s decision to hire Rob Howley could come back to haunt the British and Irish Lions on next summer’s tour to New Zealand December 12, 2016 The British and Irish Lions coaching set-up was finalised last week with the trio of Rob Howley, Steve Borthwick and Andy Farrell appointed to assist Warren Gatland on next summer’s tour to New Zealand and there must have been an interesting conversation between Gatland and Howley, given that the latter was only recruited as “option [...]
Alastair Cook to consider future as England captain after talking up readiness of Joe Root to lead and India drubbing December 12, 2016 England skipper Alastair Cook admits the severity of his side’s hammering during the fourth Test in Mumbai and series drubbing against India will force him to consider his future as captain. Cook, who has led England since 2012, plans to hold talks with director of cricket Andrew Strauss in the New Year and, should he [...]
Sam Brazel’s surprise win in Hong Kong is a heart-warming tale but defeat will hurt for Rafa Cabrera Bello December 12, 2016 For an illustration of the vagaries of golf you need look no further than the Hong Kong Open, where unheralded Australian Sam Brazel saw off some illustrious rivals to land the biggest win of his career on Sunday. Brazel, a 37-year-old journeyman who started the week ranked 480th in the world and had never finished [...]
Contrasting fortunes for Arsenal, Leicester City and Manchester City in today’s Champions League round of 16 draw December 12, 2016 The Champions League draw for 2016 was made just a few minutes ago, and there will be mixed feelings for the three remaining Premier League sides. Arsenal were rewarded for finishing top of their group by being paired with Bayern Munich, but they will at least benefit from a home second leg advantage. Arsenal played [...]
Branding a sports star: How Wasserman create social media prodigies December 12, 2016 Sports stars want to be rock stars, and rock stars want to be sports stars,” says Lenah Ueltzen-Gabell, executive vice president for Europe, the Middle East and Africa at Wasserman. We’re sitting in its newly refurbished headquarters at Aldwych House, an ultra-modern, open space of reductive design, coated with memorabilia gleaned from years of representing [...]
Liverpool 2-2 West Ham United: Anfield point has laid foundations for our surge up Premier League, says Slaven Bilic December 11, 2016 West Ham boss Slaven Bilic believes his relegation-threatened side have paved the way for a surge up the Premier League after preying on Liverpool’s defensive frailties to leave Anfield with a priceless point. A Dimitri Payet free-kick and smart Michail Antonio finish cancelled out an opener from England midfielder Adam Lallana, only for a Darren [...]