Our cup runneth over: Five reasons why the FA Cup has been a treat this season February 17, 2019 If unpredictability is at the heart of the FA Cup’s appeal then there is much to love about how this season’s competition is unfolding and the composition of the last eight. For the first time in five years – and only the second time in a decade – there will be just two teams from [...]
AFC Wimbledon v Millwall: The FA Cup tie neither team wanted as giant-killers meet at Kingsmeadow February 14, 2019 If the FA Cup is a competition most loved for its giant-killings, then Millwall are its best proponents. In the entire history of the world’s oldest cup tournament the Lions have produced 25 giant-killings – defined as victories over a top-flight side by one in a lower division – the joint most alongside Southampton. And [...]
On the up and in the cup: Frank Lampard has turned Derby County into giant-killers as they look to claim third Premier League scalp February 14, 2019 Earlier this week Frank Lampard brushed off talk that he could be the man to replace Maurizio Sarri at Chelsea, anid speculation over the Italian’s future following a turbulent start to 2019. The notion that Lampard could be ready to take on such a big challenge at his former club is testament to the job [...]
Go away, Jose: Mourinho and his team receive £19.6m pay off from Manchester United February 14, 2019 Former Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho and his coaching team received a £19.6m payoff after getting sacked from the club, its accounts reveal. The club’s quarterly accounts list the £19.6m payment under exceptional items describing it as “compensation to the former manager and certain members of the coaching staff for loss of office”. Mourinho was [...]
Tottenham 3-0 Borussia Dortmund: Son Heung-min and Jan Vertonghen lead perfect second-half performance for Spurs February 13, 2019 As the Tottenham fans funnelled into the depths of Wembley at half-time last night there would have been nerves. Spurs had fashioned just one opening in the first 45 minutes as they continually ran up against the yellow wall of Borussia Dortmund. The passes weren’t sticking up front, the midfield were struggling to penetrate and [...]
Chelsea face a season-defining fortnight starting with a Europa League trip to Malmo, but they are yet to win away in 2019 February 13, 2019 On the back of Chelsea’s worst defeat in Premier League history, Maurizio Sarri faces a battle to galvanise his side for a season-defining fortnight. The Blues meet Manchester United in the FA Cup fifth round on Monday night, Manchester City, who humiliated them 6-0 last weekend, in the EFL Cup final a week on Sunday, [...]
Italian football club Juventus enlist Morgan Stanley to help in €175m bonds sale February 13, 2019 Italian footballing giants Juventus have ramped up their efforts to raise money after paying €100m to buy Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo last summer, issuing bonds to investors. The club originally planned to offer €150m (£131.4m) worth of bonds maturing in around five years at a 3.5 per cent yield, but City A.M. understands this has increased to €175m. Read more: [...]
Manchester United 0-2 Paris Saint-Germain: Ruthless French champions hand Ole Gunnar Solksjaer his first setback February 12, 2019 This was billed as the perfect time to play Paris Saint-Germain. No Neymar. No Edinson Cavani. No Thomas Meunier. A half-fit Marco Verratti. Defenders playing in midfield. A dip in form. A manager speaking openly about implementing “Plan D”. But despite all the positivity of the Ole Gunnar Solskjaer era and the away wins over [...]
Trevor Steven: Goalscoring genius Sergio Aguero is my leading striker of the Premier League era February 12, 2019 Ian Rush got it right this week when he said that we have Sergio Aguero to thank for reminding us what it means to be an old-fashioned centre-forward. Rarely do you see Aguero on the flanks or even outside of the width of the penalty area. He is too focused on scoring goals; that is [...]
Manchester United v Paris Saint-Germain: French champions face crunch time in the Champions League amid difficult spell February 11, 2019 It’s crunch time for Paris Saint-Germain. With the Champions League knock-out stage about to begin February is the month which traditionally makes or breaks the French club’s season. When PSG were drawn against Manchester United in the last 16 on 17 December they might have been quietly pleased with their lot. But the sacking of [...]