Roque on target in five-star City rout October 28, 2009 MANCHESTER CITY (5) vs SCUNTHORPE (1) STRIKER Roque Santa Cruz opened his account for Manchester City as the Blues booked their place in the quarter-finals in emphatic fashion. Scunthorpe put up initial resistance, Jonathan Forte equalising after Stepehen Ireland had given the home side the lead. But further goals from £18m summer signing Santa Cruz, [...]
Portsmouth hit with indefinite transfer ban October 28, 2009 PORTSMOUTH have been banned from making any new signings until they settle transfer debts owed to other clubs. The Premier League blocked Pompey boss Paul Hart from bringing free agent Eugen Bopp to the south coast on Monday. And the Fratton Park outfit will be unable to sign new players until further notice, raising fresh [...]
Merida earns high marks from Wenger October 28, 2009 ARSENAL (2) vs LIVERPOOL (1) ARSENAL manager Arsene Wenger cited Fran Merida as the perfect example of his club’s philosophy after the young midfielder propelled the Gunners into the Carling Cup last eight. The skilful Spanish 19-year-old set the home side on their way with his first senior goal, a rasping strike that beat Diego [...]
Keane spot on as Spurs ease past Toffees October 27, 2009 TOTTENHAM (2)EVERTON (0)TOTTENHAM manager Harry Redknapp challenged David Bentley to prove he deserves to be a regular after the out-of-favour midfielder helped Spurs reach the Carling Cup quarter-finals. Bentley set up Tom Huddlestone to half-volley the opener, before Robbie Keane added a second, the striker netting a rebound from his own penalty. It was a [...]
Ashley to sell naming rights after taking Toon off market October 27, 2009 NEWCASTLE owner Mike Ashley last night officially took the club off the market and appointed caretaker boss Chris Hughton as the team’s permanent manager. The announcement brought to an end months of extreme uncertainty, triggered by the club’s relegation from the Premier League in May and Ashley’s subsequent decision to put them up for sale. [...]
Players get swine flu spit warning October 27, 2009 HEALTH experts have warned players not to spit following the surge in swine flu cases among Premier League teams. Bolton manager Gary Megson yesterday admitted his club had seen five cases, just 24 hours after three Blackburn players were revealed to be suffering from the virus. And the Health Protection Agency said that cases could [...]
England reject Harmy looking to ‘move on’ October 27, 2009 FAST bowler Steve Harmison yesterday announced his intention to “move on” from international cricket by signing a new four-year deal with Durham. Harmison’s international career was left hanging by a thread after he was left out of England’s 16-man party for the four-Test series in South Africa this winter after saying he would not be [...]
Neville sent off as Owen hits target October 27, 2009 BARNSLEY (0)MANCHESTER UTD (2)HOLDERS Manchester United secured their place in the last eight of the Carling Cup – but not before suffering another sending off and looking suspect in defence again. Strikers Michael Owen and Danny Welbeck were employed in a three-man attack, and the pair both delivered with goals early in each half. But [...]
Guzan the hero as Villa beat Black Cats October 27, 2009 RESERVE goalkeeper Brad Guzan saved four penalty kicks to help Aston Villa into the Carling Cup fifth round at the expense of Sunderland. The two sides were locked at 0-0 until American Guzan kept out Kenwyne Jones’ late penalty in normal time to force the extra half hour. He then saved three more penalties as [...]
Coach Gatland blasted for ‘weak Premiership’ rant October 27, 2009 PREMIERSHIP chiefs have hit back at Wales coach Warren Gatland after he criticised the standard of the English top flight. Gatland said he had not picked Sale prop Eifion Lewis-Roberts for next month’s Test against New Zealand because the Premiership was “weak”. But Premier Rugby chief executive Mark McCafferty yesterday responded by accusing Gatland of [...]