Arsenal lead English clubs’ Champions League collapse September 30, 2015 Manager Arsene Wenger defended his omission of goalkeeper Petr Cech after a howler from understudy David Ospina left Arsenal’s Champions League hopes hanging by a thread last night. Never before had the Gunners lost their first two group games and they now face a desperate scramble to maintain their 15-year sequence of reaching the competition’s [...]
Why away teams are winning more in the Premier League this season: Only most clinical teams survive in counter-attack savvy top flight September 30, 2015 West Ham have beaten Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City away from home this season, which is typical of a wider trend You might not have noticed, but something strange is happening in the Premier League this season. All across the country, away teams are winning more frequently than home teams, and it’s stopping any single [...]
Worst ever Champions League start for English clubs as Arsenal lose opening two games for first time and Chelsea frustrated in Porto September 29, 2015 English clubs are enduring their worst ever start to the Champions League in its current format after both Arsenal and Chelsea lost tonight. Arsenal were defeated 3-2 at home by Olympiacos – the Greek side's first ever win on English soil – to condemn Arsene Wenger's men to two losses from their opening two Champions League [...]
Jose Mourinho: I got Chelsea reaction which was demanded September 29, 2015 Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho insisted his side had delivered the reaction he demanded despite suffering Champions League agony against his former club Porto last night. Porto skipper Maicon delivered the knockout blow in the second period after Andre Andre and Willian, who scored from a direct free-kick for the third game running, traded first-half strikes. [...]
Louis Van Gaal eyes Manchester United Euro swansong September 29, 2015 Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal insists reaching the Champions League final is a realistic objective for his side ahead of his planned departure from Old Trafford at the end of next season. Midfielder Michael Carrick has been ruled out of the home clash with Wolfsburg tonight, while Antonio Valencia and Ander Herrera are doubts [...]
Manuel Pellegrini calm over Vincent Kompany’s Manchester City absence September 29, 2015 Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini has downplayed the absence of skipper Vincent Kompany as his side look to ignite their Champions League campaign against Borussia Monchengladbach tonight. City began the season in imperious form and won their first five matches without conceding a goal, but have shipped seven in their last three matches without the [...]
Rugby World Cup: Will Carling refuses to end England verbal jousting September 29, 2015 Former England captain Will Carling has continued his verbal jousting with the England camp ahead of their must-win clash with Australia on Saturday and reiterated that harsh lessons must be learned quickly. Carling delivered a damning verdict in the wake of England’s 28-25 demise at the hands of Wales on Saturday, in particular accusing head [...]
Rugby World Cup: Australia are underdogs for England clash, insists Michael Cheika September 29, 2015 Australia coach Michael Cheika insists his side are the underdogs for Saturday’s pivotal Pool A clash at Twickenham despite England staring down the barrel of World Cup elimination following their calamitous defeat to Wales. Cheika’s preparations were dealt a blow yesterday after experienced No8 Wycliff Palu and giant second row Will Skelton were ruled out [...]
Wales stoked by sight and scale of celebrations September 29, 2015 WALES coach Warren Gatland insists the scale of the celebrations in the principality following their victory against England have spurred his squad on to all but secure qualification to the quarter-final with victory against Fiji tomorrow. Gatland has made three enforced changes for the clash against the Pacific Islanders at the Millennium Stadium amid a [...]
Boris Johnson: £35m cost to host 2017 Tour de France in London better spent elsewhere September 29, 2015 Mayor of London Boris Johnson has taken responsibility for the capital's decision not to host the start of the 2017 Tour de France, arguing that it would be too expensive. Read more: London pulls out of hosting Tour de France Grand Départ in 2017 London had trumped competition from Manchester and cities in Germany to win [...]