Pellegrini blasts Moscow pitch October 22, 2013 FOOTBALL: Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini has labelled CSKA Moscow’s pitch “unbelievable” ahead of tonight’s Champions League match. The Russians have not played there since August due to bad weather but it has been passed fit for use by European chiefs Uefa.
Arsenal are a different side now, Wenger warns Klopp October 21, 2013 ARSENAL manager Arsene Wenger has hailed his current team as far better than the Gunners side that beat Borussia Dortmund two years ago, as they prepare to renew hostilities this evening. Wenger’s men took four points from their Champions League group matches against the Germans in 2011, including a 2-1 win at Emirates Stadium, where [...]
Mourinho charged by FA following Cardiff sending off October 21, 2013 THE Football Association have charged Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho with improper conduct following his behaviour during Saturday’s 4-1 win over Cardiff. Mourinho, who will oversee his team’s Champions League trip to Schalke tonight, was sent away from the manager’s dugout at Stamford Bridge after complaining to referee Anthony Taylor about what he perceived to be [...]
Premier League: Kasami wonder goal has Jol purring and Holloway fearing for his future October 21, 2013 CRYSTAL PALACE 1 FULHAM 4 FULHAM manager Martin Jol paid tribute to midfielder Pajtim Kasami’s goal of the season contender that piled the pressure on Crystal Palace manager Ian Holloway last night. Palace took an early lead through Adrian Mariappa, but Kasami levelled with a spectacular volley, before goals from Steve Sidwell, Dimitar Berbatov and [...]
France must clear Ukraine hurdle as Europeans learn their road to Brazil October 21, 2013 FORMER World Cup winners France must overcome Ukraine in the European play-offs to reach the finals in Brazil next year. France, who won the tournament in 1998, finished second in their qualification group to holders Spain, while Ukraine were runners-up to England. Elsewhere, Portugal will play Sweden, Iceland meet Croatia and Greece take on Romania. [...]
Edberg backs Robson over decision to cut ties with coach October 21, 2013 BRITAIN’S Laura Robson has made the right decision in jettisoning a third coach in 18 months, according to former world No1 Stefan Edberg. The Swede, who won five of his six grand slam titles under British coach Tony Pickard, believes Robson, 19, can improve by focusing on honing her strengths rather than trying to eliminate [...]
Becker raises doubts over Federer’s Olympic ambition October 21, 2013 LONDON 2012 silver medallist Roger Federer hopes to play at the Rio Olympics in 2016, but former world No1 Boris Becker believes that ambition is “far fetched”. Federer reached the Swiss Indoors second round yesterday to maintain his charge towards the World Tour finals at the O2 Arena. But after a forgettable year for the [...]
Tottenham winger Townsend our new Bale, says Vertonghen October 21, 2013 TOTTENHAM winger Andros Townsend can emulate the world’s most expensive player and former team-mate Gareth Bale, according to defender Jan Vertonghen. Townsend followed up his back-to-back eye catching displays with England to net his first Premier League goal for Spurs in their 2-0 win at Aston Villa on Sunday. The 22-year-old was last week rewarded [...]
Police chief tells fans there is no place for flares in football October 21, 2013 LIGHTING flares inside stadiums cannot become part of the culture of English football, the game’s police chief Andy Holt has warned. Two men were arrested on Sunday and later bailed after a flare thrown from amongst travelling Tottenham supporters at Villa Park hit assistant referee David Bryan. And Holt is concerned a growing number of [...]
England to host Danes in March October 21, 2013 ENGLAND will host Denmark in March in what is likely to be their final home friendly before next summer’s World Cup, the Football Association confirmed yesterday. The match at Wembley on 5 March follows two friendly fixtures next month, against Chile on 15 November and old rivals Germany four days later. Roy Hodgson’s men are [...]