Football Leaks: Who is behind the whistleblowing platform and where does the information come from? November 8, 2018 Even if you’ve not heard of Football Leaks you will have read some of the stories which originated from the whistleblowing website. That’s because they’ve been nearly unavoidable, intermittently dominating news cycles worldwide for the last three years with subjects which go well beyond football. While things like transfer fees details and third-party ownership may [...]
Unai Emery is as animated as he is meticulous… he takes a different approach to every team-talk he gives November 8, 2018 Arsenal’s appointment of Unai Emery in May was met with uncertainty, but he has quickly shown English football what he is all about by reviving the Gunners’ fortunes. The Spaniard is as animated on the touchline as he is meticulous on the training ground – so it may not be a surprise to learn that [...]
Trevor Steven: Wayne Rooney’s England recall for USA game is a mystifying own goal by the Football Association November 6, 2018 Gareth Southgate says he supports plans to bring Wayne Rooney out of international retirement for a farewell England appearance in next week’s friendly against the United States. I don’t believe that for a minute. I would like to know who made the mystifying decision to recall Rooney – which is completely at odds with the [...]
Chelsea 3-1 Crystal Palace: Alvaro Morata growing out of “fragile” state into a more confident striker November 4, 2018 Normally when a striker spurns a one-on-one chance while clean through in the 93rd minute the reaction would be disappointment. And while that emotion, plus plenty of stronger ones, were present inside Stamford Bridge as Alvaro Morata missed a glorious opportunity against Crystal Palace, the overriding thought was different. With the score at 3-1 and with [...]
Five things we learned from the Premier League weekend: Manchester City, Manchester United, West Ham, Wolves and Richarlison November 4, 2018 1. Man City on course ot beat their own records Premier League records tumbled as Manchester City waltzed to the title last season, not least in the goalscoring stakes, with the Blues netting 106 times and finishing with a goal difference of +79 – both new bests. Dauntingly for those teams who aspire to rival [...]
Arsenal rise to Unai Emery’s challenge and show they are ready to take on Premier League’s big guns again November 4, 2018 Speaking 24 hours before Saturday’s riveting 1-1 draw with Liverpool, Unai Emery was clear about what he wanted to see from his Arsenal team against Jurgen Klopp’s Premier League title hopefuls. “The result tomorrow is very important but first I want to show them, to show you and to show everybody our best mentality in [...]
Arsenal v Liverpool preview: Goal machine Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang might have the combination to crack Reds’ air-tight defence November 1, 2018 There is no doubt that Unai Emery has guided Arsenal to an exceptional start to the post-Wenger era, but Saturday's clash with Liverpool will be an acid test of how far his side have actually come since opening the season with defeats. Arsenal have gone 13 games unbeaten since being undone by Manchester City and [...]
Four things we learned from the EFL Cup: Chelsea’s stuttering defence, Son’s welcome return, Guendouzi’s recklessness and Palace’s rut October 31, 2018 Given none have received regular minutes this season, it was hardly surprising that Chelsea’s second-string defence might look off the pace against Derby. Gary Cahill, given the captain’s armband, was at fault for the Rams’ first goal, playing a poor pass into Cesc Fabregas before slipping over to allow Jack Marriott in to finish. Alongside [...]
Chelsea v Derby County: Frank Lampard returns to Stamford Bridge plotting the downfall of his former side October 30, 2018 They say you should never go back. But for Frank Lampard tomorrow will undoubtedly be a pleasure as returns to Stamford Bridge for the first time as a manager. Of course the level and origin of that pleasure will be determined somewhat by Derby County’s result against his former side Chelsea in the fourth round [...]
Snakes and ladders: The Championship continues to prove itself as the most competitive league in the world October 30, 2018 No other country in the world can boast a second-tier league quite like the Championship. England’s second division is among the most competitive leagues in the world and is not only home to former European Cup-winning clubs, but also sees an average attendance of over 20,000 fans per game, week-in, week-out. With 15 games done [...]