Arabs snatch Robinho as they buy City from Thaksin September 2, 2008 Manchester City’s new owners Abu Dhabi United Group (ADUG) showed the rest of the football world they mean business by snatching Real Madrid star Robinho from under the nose of rivals Chelsea for a British record transfer fee of £34m last night. Earlier, ADUG revealed it had agreed a multi-million takeover with owner Thaksin Shinawatra. [...]
Wright-Phillips enjoys dream debut as ambitious City rally September 1, 2008 Shaun Wright-Phillips was hailed by his new Manchester City boss Mark Hughes after capping a dream debut with two goals at the Stadium of Light. The England international struck twice in eight second-half minutes, wasting no time in re-paying the £10m transfer fee paid to Chelsea just three days ago. “I’m delighted for Shaun. It’s [...]
Chelsea hit back as Real point finger September 1, 2008 Chelsea last night hit back at criticism from Real Madrid over their pursuit of striker Robinho as the on-going transfer saga turned nasty. Real earlier lashed out at Chelsea’s behaviour over their public courting of the Brazilian, in particular the selling of replica shirts with Robinho’s name printed on the back. But while the Blues [...]
Resilient Spurs make a point to leave Scolari frustrated September 1, 2008 Chelsea boss Luis Felipe Scolari admitted Tottenham deserved their away draw after he saw his 100 per cent win record come to an end. Scolari’s Blues enjoyed the majority of possession but couldn’t break down a resilient Spurs defence as Juande Ramos’s side earned their first point of the season. Juliano Belletti gave the Blues [...]
Bullard sent in to bring smiles back to England September 1, 2008 Fun-loving Londoner Jimmy Bullard will be looking to put smiles back on the faces of long-suffering England fans this week after being handed a shock World Cup call-up by boss Fabio Capello. The popular Fulham man, 29, has been drafted into the international arena for the first time to strengthen an England midfield which is [...]
Flintoff inspires England as whitewash remains in sight September 1, 2008 Andrew Flintoff continued his devastating form with both bat and ball as England’s hopes of recording a first-ever major one-day series whitewash stayed in tact. Flintoff followed up his brilliant 78no at The Oval on Friday with a swashbuckling 31 from just 12 balls to guide England to a seven-wicket win in a rain-affected fourth [...]
Poulter: ‘I’ll justify Faldo’s faith in me’ September 1, 2008 Ian Poulter has promised to bring “excitement, flair and passion” to the European Ryder Cup team after being handed a controversial wild card place by captain Nick Faldo last night. Flamboyant Poulter upset many of his fellow contenders by pulling out of this weekend’s Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles, opting instead to stay in America [...]
Chelsea set for a showdown with Real after replica Robinho shirts go on sale August 29, 2008 Chelsea have sparked a row with Real Madrid by advertising replica Robinho shirts – even though the Spaniards insist he is still their player. Blues chief executive Peter Kenyon announced on Wednesday that the club were close to completing the signing of the Brazilian striker and were “ever confident” the deal would be done before [...]
SWP capture inspires City to Cup escape August 29, 2008 Mark Hughes believes Manchester City have landed a transfer coup in luring Shaun Wright-Phillips back to Eastlands. Hughes finally landed the England international from Chelsea for around £9m yesterday – just three years after City sold him to the Blues for £21m. The 26-year-old winger started only 43 games for Chelsea in those three years [...]
United drawn with Celtic in British battle August 29, 2008 Holders Manchester United will lock horns with Celtic in another Battle of Britain as the Champions League season began with a fascinating group stage draw in Monaco. Sir Alex Ferguson’s side, who edged out Chelsea to take the trophy last season, will meet the Scottish champions for the second time in three seasons in Group [...]