Torres could face further ban but has Mata support September 29, 2013 CHELSEA midfielder Juan Mata has leapt to the defence of team-mate Fernando Torres, following a fiery display in the fiercely contested London derby with Tottenham on Saturday. The Spain striker was sent off 81 minutes into the 1-1 draw following an aerial collision with defender Jan Vertonghen, though was fortunate to have escaped a red [...]
Premier League: Suarez deserved comeback goals, insists Rodgers September 29, 2013 SUNDERLAND 1 vs LIVERPOOL 3 LIVERPOOL boss Brendan Rodgers feels striker Luis Suarez’s two goals on his return to Premier League action were just reward for months of hard graft. Suarez, making his first league appearance in more than five months following a 10-match ban for biting Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic, looked immediately accustomed to [...]
Sport Comment: Why won’t football learn lessons from rugby? September 29, 2013 THIS week’s column is the proverbial record that’s got stuck, for which apologies, but it’s a pretty safe bet it’s going to get re-written a fair few times in the future until things change. When will football, wonderful arrogant football, admit it can learn a few lessons from other sports? Having taken an eternity to [...]
Holtby plays down title chances September 29, 2013 TOTTENHAM midfielder Lewis Holtby believes talk of mounting a Premier League title challenge this season is unrealistic. Spurs have lost only one of their opening six league games and are third in the table, just two points behind pacesetters Arsenal, following Saturday’s 1-1 draw with London rivals Chelsea. With last season’s top two, Manchesters United [...]
Arsenal are still a long way from being champions, warns Laudrup September 29, 2013 SWANSEA manager Michael Laudrup has insisted that Arsenal remain a long way from becoming a title-winning team, despite watching the Gunners overcome his side 2-1 on Saturday. The win, courtesy of second-half goals from Serge Gnabry and Aaron Ramsey, gave Arsenal a two-point lead in the Premier League. Yet Laudrup, who has also faced Manchester [...]
Jol hits back at calls for sacking September 29, 2013 UNDER fire Fulham boss Martin Jol has warned the club’s fans to be careful what they wish for after chants calling for his exit were heard at Saturday’s 2-1 home defeat to Cardiff. “I will always be calm but I hate it when people are getting worried and nervous, especially if they ask the manager [...]
Hughton hails summer signings as Norwich steal points at Stoke September 29, 2013 NORWICH boss Chris Hughton believes his summer signings are starting to gel, having watched the Canaries climb away from the relegation zone with an important 1-0 victory at Stoke yesterday. Hughton had faced criticism following two straight defeats to Spurs and Aston Villa but was boosted by his team’s second Premier League win of the [...]
Talk of a crisis is premature, says United’s Buttner September 29, 2013 MANCHESTER United boss David Moyes faces an uphill struggle to turn around his team’s fortunes following the Red Devils’ worst start to a season for 24 years, yet full-back Alexander Buttner insists his side is not in crisis. Buttner started Saturday’s shock 2-1 home defeat to West Bromwich Albion, a result that leaves United floundering [...]
Saracens miss out on record but stay clear at top of table September 29, 2013 SARACENS director of rugby Mark McCall signalled a job well done after watching his side overcome Harlequins and extend their lead at the top of the Aviva Premiership Rugby table on Saturday. McCall took his team into the all-London clash at the Stoop looking to become the first top-flight team to begin a campaign with [...]
Froome hopes washed away in Florence storm September 29, 2013 BRITAIN’S Chris Froome admitted he had no excuse after his bid to become only the sixth man to follow Tour de France glory with victory in cycling’s Road World Championships failed yesterday in Italy. Froome quit the men’s elite race around 80km from the end of the 272.5km course as torrential rain caused multiple crashes [...]