EXTRA TIME FOR SHIRT DEAL January 18, 2010 NORTHERN ROCK has signed a new four-year sponsorship with Newcastle United, worth up to £10m. The nationalised bank will only pay the full amount if the club, currently in the Championship, play in the Premier League for the duration of the contract, which begins next season. The Rock said the deal was good value for [...]
Chelsea rocked by Essien injury blow January 18, 2010 CHELSEA have been hit by another injury blow to midfield star Michael Essien. The Ghanaian suffered a partially torn ligament in his left knee in a training ground accident and has been ruled out of action for at least a month. Not only does that rule the 27-year-old out of the Africa Cup of Nations, [...]
Walcott returns as Arsenal target top January 18, 2010 ARSENAL boss Arsene Wenger has been boosted by the return of winger Theo Walcott and midfielder Denilson for tomorrow’s crunch visit of Bolton. The Gunners will leapfrog Chelsea and Manchester United to go top of the Premier League if they can win their second clash against the Trotters in four days by at least two [...]
SPORT | IN BRIEF January 18, 2010 Tigers coach loses a finger RUGBY LEAGUE: Castleford Tigers head coach Terry Matterson is recovering after losing a finger in a freak training ground accident. The 42-year-old Australian got his wedding ring caught on a fence as he went to retrieve a ball in training in Perpignan. He was rushed to hospital and was held [...]
Northern Rock in £10m Newcastle shirt deal January 17, 2010 NEWCASTLE United has signed a new £10m sponsorship deal with Northern Rock. The four-year agreement will see the nationalised bank remain as Newcastle’s sponsor from season 2010/11 to 2014. Northern Rock’s chief executive Gary Hoffman hailed the renewed sponsorship as a good deal for taxpayers. The bank, which is based in Newcastle, was taken into [...]
Fab Gunners stay in chase January 17, 2010 ARSENAL boss Arsene Wenger has warned his title rivals that Cesc Fabregas is only getting better after the skipper’s return inspired a hard-fought but crucial victory. Fabregas crowned his return from a three-match injury lay-off with a goal and a hand in Fran Merida’s clincher as the Gunners stayed on the heels of the Premier [...]
Rovers end winless streak after Fulham lose Dempsey January 17, 2010 FULHAM boss Roy Hodgson is unlikely to buy in January despite losing influential midfielder Clint Dempsey to a suspected serious knee injury. Hodgson saw Dempsey limp off as his side slumped at Ewood Park to goals from Blackburn defensive pairing Christopher Samba and Ryan Nelsen. The in-form American midfielder is due to face England at [...]
O’Neill in supporter row as Zola eases drop fears January 17, 2010 WEST HAM boss Gianfranco Zola insists he is trying to ignore the uncertainty surrounding the club’s ownership after clawing out of the relegation zone at Villa Park. A battling draw against high-flying Aston Villa lifted the Hammers to 16th in the Premier League, albeit only goal difference above 18th-placed Hull. And Zola is hopeful the [...]
Pompey sue threat leaves League cold January 17, 2010 PREMIER LEAGUE chief Richard Scudamore has dismissed Portsmouth’s threat to take legal action if their transfer embargo is not lifted. Bottom club Pompey have demanded the removal of the ban – for failing to settle debts to other clubs – so they can buy players in the January transfer window. They have even threatened to [...]
Trio of injuries deepen Reds’ misery January 14, 2010 LIVERPOOL’S traumatic week went from terrible to cataclysmic yesterday when a glut of fresh injuries saw top scorer Fernando Torres ruled out for at least six weeks. Under-fire Reds manager Rafael Benitez must have wondered how circumstances could get much worse on Wednesday night after watching his side’s FA Cup hopes die with a third-round [...]