Football asks bookies to help boost the integrity of the game October 20, 2016 Football’s global governing body has teamed-up with one of Europe’s largest online bookmakers in an attempt to better safeguard the integrity of the sport. Unibet has signed a co-operation agreement with a subsidiary of Fifa called Early Warning System (EWS), under which the gambling firm will “exchange information with EWS and will co-operate on efforts to improve [...]
Barcelona 4, Manchester City 0: Stop pressing self-destruct button – Guardiola issues Pep talk October 19, 2016 Deflated Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola demanded his side stop pressing the self-destruct button after enduring a miserable return to Catalonia as Barcelona ran riot at Camp Nou. Ballon d’Or holder Lionel Messi once again showcased his lethal and majestic talent by netting the 37th hat-trick of his Barcelona career before Neymar scored a late [...]
Arsenal 6, Ludogorets Razgrad 0: Mesut Ozil smashes hat-trick in Gunners’ Champions League rout October 19, 2016 Arsenal 6, Ludogorets Razgrad 0 Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger hailed arch-provider Mesut Ozil's new-found hunger for goals after the German's first career hat-trick crowned the Gunners' seventh successive win in all competitions. Alexis Sanchez, Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade Chamberlain also struck in a demolition of Bulgarian title-winners Ludogorets Razgrad that sent Wenger's men top of Champions League Group A. Read more: [...]
It would be extremely foolish to underestimate Bangladesh, says vice-captain Joe Root October 19, 2016 Vice-captain Joe Root admits it would be perilous for England to dismiss the potential of Bangladesh to spring a surprise during their two-Test series, which starts on Thursday in Chittagong. England have won all eight of their previous red-ball series with Bangladesh, a team ranked ninth out of 10 sides in the International Cricket Council’s official [...]
Spin will be a huge factor in Bangladesh but the role of England’s seam attack cannot be underestimated October 19, 2016 Spin is being touted as the main weapon during England’s two-Test series against Bangladesh, which starts on Thursday, and that is likely to be the case although the role the seamers have to play cannot be underestimated. The new ball is not going to stay hard for very long and it is vital that England’s [...]
Jose Mourinho coy over Manchester United team for Fenerbahce Europa League match October 19, 2016 Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho is remaining tight-lipped over his selection plans for Thursday’s Europa League clash with Fenerbahce. The Group A fixture comes just three days after Monday’s 0-0 draw at Liverpool and three days before another big Premier League fixture, against Mourinho’s former club Chelsea on Sunday. Temptation to rotate his squad is [...]
Bayer Leverkusen 0, Tottenham Hotspur 0: Mauricio Pochettino unruffled as goalkeeper Hugo Lloris rescues point for Spurs October 18, 2016 Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino refused to be downbeat despite witnessing his side cling on for a Champions League draw against Bayer Leverkusen in a match he described as “must-win”. Spurs appeared to be on course for victory during a dominant first half only for the pendulum to swing towards Leverkusen in the second period with [...]
Leicester City 1, FC Copenhagen 0: Claudio Ranieri demands Premier League improvement after European smiles widen October 18, 2016 Leicester boss Claudio Ranieri demanded Premier League improvement after his side moved to within touching distance of the Champions League knockout phase with victory over FC Copenhagen. Algeria playmaker Riyad Mahrez scored the only goal of the game five minutes before the break as Leicester became only the fifth side in history to win their first [...]
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola doubts whether he can conjure a plan to stifle Lionel Messi and the rest of Barcelona’s striking talent October 18, 2016 Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola admits he is unsure whether he can plot a game-plan to contain Barcelona’s striking trident – Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar – as he prepares for an emotional return to Camp Nou. Guardiola spent a trophy-laden four-year spell at Barcelona before leaving in 2012 and taking charge of Bavarian giants [...]
Jose Mourinho is entitled to play it safe while Manchester United rebuild after rocky patch, and why Pep Guardiola should send Manchester City out to attack Barcelona October 18, 2016 Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has had several more months working with his team than Jose Mourinho has had at Manchester United, and I think the way that Monday’s 0-0 draw played out illustrated that. Eight Premier League games into his reign at United, Mourinho does not feel he has an attacking style that he can [...]