Premier League: Spurs rue slip up in race for top-four spot February 10, 2015 LIVERPOOL 3 TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 2 TOTTENHAM boss Mauricio Pochettino insisted his side warranted at least a point after the much-maligned Mario Balotelli climbed off the bench to dent Spurs’ Champions League aspirations at Anfield last night. Goal-shy Balotelli proved Liverpool’s match-winner with his first Premier League goal of the season after the Reds had twice [...]
Premier League: Wenger left to count cost of tainted victory February 10, 2015 ARSENAL 2 LEICESTER CITY 1 ARSENAL manager Arsene Wenger fears he could be without top scorer Alexis Sanchez and midfielder Aaron Ramsey for extended spells after injuries to the pair tainted the Gunners’ return to the Premier League’s top four last night. Goals from defender Laurent Koscielny and winger Theo Walcott gave Wenger’s men a [...]
Premier League: Ramsey revels in easing QPR’s travel sickness February 10, 2015 SUNDERLAND 0 QUEENS PARK RANGERS 2 QUEENS Park Rangers interim boss Chris Ramsey voiced his pride after guiding the Hoops out of the relegation zone as his side secured their first away victory of the season at fellow strugglers Sunderland at the Stadium of Light last night. On the day owner Tony Fernandes tweeted he [...]
Mourinho hints that Van Persie deserved a ban February 10, 2015 CHELSEA manager Jose Mourinho flirted with further sanctions yesterday when he appeared to suggest that his players receive unfavourable treatment from football’s authorities. Mourinho questioned why an unnamed Premier League player had escaped a ban for elbowing an opponent when Blues top scorer Diego Costa remains suspended, having been convicted retrospectively of violent conduct. He [...]
Prickly Van Gaal takes Allardyce to task over United long-ball jibes February 10, 2015 MANCHESTER United manager Louis van Gaal has hit back at West Ham boss Sam Allardyce’s long-ball taunts and insists he has statistical evidence that the Hammers are a more route one team. Van Gaal took the unusual step of producing four sheets of diagrams and tables at a press conference yesterday and urged reporters to [...]
Diarra set to bolster West Ham midfield February 10, 2015 WEST Ham boss Sam Allardyce has confirmed the Hammers are close to agreeing a short-term deal with former Real Madrid midfielder Lassana Diarra. Diarra, who has also played Premier League football for Arsenal, Chelsea and Portsmouth, is currently a free agent having seen his contract at Lokomotiv Moscow terminated last August. Allardyce insisted the 29-year-old [...]
England urged to build on their heroics in Wales February 10, 2015 ENGLAND forwards coach Graham Rowntree insists the new heights scaled by his side during their momentous victory over Wales at the Millennium Stadium will count for little should they fail to be replicated throughout the Six Nations. The Red Rose have named an unchanged matchday squad to face Italy at Twickenham on Saturday after second [...]
Rugby to use TV replays to detect concussion February 10, 2015 TELEVISION replays could be used in rugby union to identify players suffering from possible concussion following controversy over the treatment of Wales wing George North. Wales yesterday escaped punishment from World Rugby for failing to remove North during Friday’s Six Nations defeat to England after the Northampton player had appeared to be momentarily knocked out. [...]
Botham backs Morgan’s charges to make an impact at World Cup February 10, 2015 FORMER Test captain Sir Ian Botham believes England possess the armoury to claim their first-ever World Cup title during a wide-open competition Down Under. After an opening clash against co-hosts Australia in Melbourne on Saturday, England also face the much-fancied New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Scotland in Pool A. England have failed to [...]
Armitage facing suspended jail sentence February 10, 2015 FRENCH prosecutors have requested a five or six month suspended sentence and €5000 (£3,700) fine for Toulon’s Steffon Armitage after the 29-year-old appeared in court yesterday accused of assault. Armitage, who contests the charge, is alleged to have struck a 31-year-old in December. The court has reserved judgement until 24 February.