Erik Lamela hat-trick helps Tottenham to Monaco romp and easier path in Europa League December 10, 2015 TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 4, MONACO 1 Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino hailed Erik Lamela after the Argentinian’s whirlwind hat-trick swept Spurs into the Europa League’s last 32 as group winners last night at White Hart Lane. Midfielder Tom Carroll scored the other – his first for the club – as the north Londoners continued their fine start to [...]
Ian Bell will benefit from being dropped by England for South Africa tour, says Alastair Cook December 10, 2015 He may have been axed from the Test team for the winter tour to South Africa, but England captain Alastair Cook insists batsman Ian Bell’s international career is far from over. Cook said he had been struck by Bell’s determination to win back his place since it was announced last month that he would not [...]
Karim Benzema sex tape blackmail plot allegations: France could be without striker for Euro 2016 after they ban him indefinitely December 10, 2015 Euro 2016 hosts France have been plunged into turmoil just months before the tournament after they suspended striker Karim Benzema indefinitely over his alleged involvement in a sex-tape blackmail plot. Real Madrid star Benzema, who spearheads the team’s attack and has scored 25 goals in 80 internationals, is accused of being part of an attempt [...]
Anthony Joshua v Dillian Whyte: Joshua has the hype, but is he really ready for a world heavyweight title fight? December 10, 2015 Less than an hour after Tyson Fury beat Wladimir Klitschko to become heavyweight champion of the world last month, the name of another British pugilist had joined him on Twitter’s trending list: Anthony Joshua. No sooner had Fury claimed the biggest prize in his sport than boxing fans were immediately lining up Joshua to take [...]
Bolton receive winding up petition from HMRC over unpaid tax bills December 10, 2015 Bolton Wanderers have received a winding-up petition from HMRC over unpaid PAYE and VAT tax bills. The Championship club is believed to be losing £1m per month and has outstanding bills owed to HMRC worth around £600,000. Its playing squad, currently positioned bottom of the Championship, went unpaid in November as owner Eddie Davies and [...]
Fired-up Arsenal to extend run over miserable Aston Villa December 10, 2015 The last time Aston Villa beat Arsenal at home, the Spice Girls were top of the charts and Bill Clinton was being impeached. Even more remarkably, Villa were first in the top-flight table. Since that match in December 1998, the Gunners have taken 26 victories from 35 meetings in all competitions. Villa have managed only one. [...]
Muhammad Ali v Donald Trump: Legendary boxer takes on presidential candidate over comments towards Muslims December 10, 2015 Boxing legend Muhammad Ali has taken aim at Donald Trump's recent comments towards Islam and extremists who commit violence in its name. In a statement addressed to "presidential candidates proposing to ban Muslim immigration to the United States" Ali claimed political leaders had been guilty of misrepresenting the religion. Trump recently called for a "total [...]
Jose Mourinho tips Chelsea to thrive as Champions League dark horses December 10, 2015 CHELSEA 2, PORTO 0 Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho insists his side will relish their underdog status in the Champions League after they secured a place in the knock-out stages with victory over Porto last night. An own goal from Ivan Marcano and a second-half strike from Willian earned the Blues – in the midst of [...]
Olivier Giroud inspires Arsenal Champions League great escape as Gunners pip Olympiacos to place in knockout stage December 10, 2015 OLYMPIACOS 0, ARSENAL 3 Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger toasted one of the greatest European nights of his long tenure after Olivier Giroud scored a hat-trick to complete a Champions League great escape in Greece last night. France striker Giroud’s first treble for the club earned the convincing win over Olympiacos required to snatch second place in [...]
Gary Neville’s Valencia crash out of Champions League against Lyon in former England and Manchester United defender’s managerial debut December 9, 2015 Former England and Manchester United defender Gary Neville’s managerial career got off to the worst possible start on Wednesday night as his Valencia team lost and crashed out of the Champions League. Lyon’s 2-0 win in Spain, earned by goals either side of half-time by Maxwell Cornet and Alexandre Lacazette, ended Valencia’s slim hopes of [...]