Betting: Baggies to continue revival over improving United December 15, 2016 Tony Pulis was, at times, close to the axe last season with many West Brom supporters calling for his head. But how times have changed at The Hawthorns. The Baggies, now in seventh place, are just three points behind Manchester United, who they face tomorrow. Jose Mourinho’s men are beginning to find their feet under the [...]
Europe’s big guns fire back at Gianni Infantino’s World Cup expansion plans December 15, 2016 Fifa's plans to expand the World Cup to 48 teams have been met with fierce opposition from Europe's biggest clubs who say their stars are already playing too many games. Proposals to expand the World Cup in 2026 from 32 to 48 teams are being backed by Fifa president Gianni Infantino, who favours a format that would [...]
Sunderland 0, Chelsea 1: Conte urges Blues to build unassailable lead after 10th successive Premier League victory December 15, 2016 Chelsea boss Antonio Conte has urged his side to build an unassailable lead at the Premier League summit after surging six points clear with victory over a stubborn Sunderland. Former Arsenal skipper Cesc Fabregas, making only his second start since September, notched a first-half winner as the Blues chalked up their 10th successive league victory. [...]
Adam Lallana at the double as Liverpool leapfrog Arsenal, while West Ham move clear of relegation zone December 14, 2016 England midfielder Adam Lallana netted twice as Liverpool recorded an emphatic 3-0 victory against struggling Middlesbrough to leapfrog Arsenal and move second in the Premier League. Lallana was joined on the scoresheet by in-form striker Divock Origi as the Reds returned to winning ways after disappointing results against Bournemouth and West Ham. The Reds are [...]
Mauricio Pochettino thanks Christian Eriksen for taking scoring burden off Hary Kane in 3-0 destruction of Hull December 14, 2016 Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino praised Christian Eriksen for reducing the scoring burden on Harry Kane with a brace in a 3-0 win over Hull City at White Hart Lane. Eriksen scored twice and assisted another for Victor Wanyama as Tottenham recovered from defeat at Manchester United on Sunday with a comfortable victory. "I’m very pleased for his performance today, [...]
Football’s new arms race: leading clubs looking to sell shirt sleeve sponsorship for £10m a year ahead of Premier League rule change December 14, 2016 They routinely adorn the biceps of Lionel Messi and Neymar and flutter on the jerseys of Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain, yet until now they have been forbidden in the Premier League. Sponsors’ logos on football clubs’ shirt sleeves are on their way to England’s top division from next season, however, as teams look to [...]
Everton 2, Arsenal 1: Lack of steel cost Gunners, admits Wenger as defeat paves way for Chelsea to open up six-point lead December 13, 2016 Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger admitted his side were guilty of wilting under Everton’s physicality after his side wasted the opportunity to return to the Premier League summit at Goodison Park. Centre-half Ashley Williams handed Everton only their second league win in 11 matches with a late header after Seamus Coleman nodded home to cancel out Alexis [...]
Yaya Toure accepts drink-driving charge but denies intentionally consuming alcohol December 13, 2016 Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure pleaded guilty to drink-driving and has apologised to the club’s supporters despite insisting he did not intentionally consume alcohol. The 33-year-old, a practising Muslim, was fined £54,000 and banned from driving for 18 months after admitting the charge at Barkingside Magistrates Court, having been arrested on 28 November while more than two [...]
Chelsea escape points deduction following Etihad Stadium brawl, while Blues defender signs new deal December 13, 2016 Chelsea have avoided a points deduction after being slapped with a £100,000 fine following the mass brawl which concluded their Premier League victory at Manchester City earlier this month. The ugly scenes prompted the Stamford Bridge club’s fifth charge of failing to control their players in 19 months, which brought with it the threat of [...]
Manchester City’s problems are self-inflicted but Pep Guardiola can solve them by changing his tactics December 13, 2016 Pep Guardiola is insistent that Manchester City’s recent deterioration won’t make him abandon his philosophy, but there is no denying that things are not going to plan at the Etihad Stadium. Guardiola’s perfect start of 10 wins from 10 games is a distant memory, with City managing just four victories from 15 fixtures since. Defence has [...]