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 [...]
No, Greg Dyke: There is no justification for government intervention in the FA December 13, 2016 These are not great times for the Football Association (FA). There has been criticism for years over the Premier League’s dominance, wasteful spending on Wembley and the failed Lilleshall School of Excellence, and underfunding of grassroots football. This has been reinforced this year by England’s risible performance in the Euros and new manager Sam Allardyce’s [...]
Jose Mourinho expresses relief at Manchester United’s Europa League draw, while Tottenham handed Gent test December 12, 2016 Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho expressed his relief after his side were pitted against French outfit Saint-Etienne in the last 32 of the Europa League. Tottenham, meanwhile, who secured their passage to the knockout phase of the competition with a 3-1 victory over CSKA Moscow in their final Champions League group match, will play Gent. [...]
Cristiano Ronaldo targets fifth Ballon d’Or award after latest crowning as world’s best player December 12, 2016 Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo has promised to go in pursuit of a fifth Ballon d’Or in 2017 after being crowned the world’s best player for the fourth time in his career. Ronaldo has so far netted 48 goals in 52 matches for club and country during 2016, a year which has seen the 31-year-old win the [...]
How Arsenal , Manchester City and Leicester City reacted to the Champions League last 16 draw December 12, 2016 Arsenal chiefs believe this could be the season they end their dismal run against Bayern Munich after being drawn to play the German giants in the Champions League last 16 for the third time in five years. The Gunners’ hopes that winning their group might secure an easier opponent in the knockout stage ran aground [...]
Jurgen Klopp hits out at Gary and Phil Neville after former Manchester United duo criticise Liverpool goalkeeper Loris Karius December 12, 2016 Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has launched a scathing attack on former Manchester United duo Gary and Phil Neville and questioned the validity of the former’s opinions given his unsuccessful spell as manager of Valencia. Gary Neville had criticised under-fire Reds goalkeeper Loris Karius, a £4.7m summer signing from Mainz, in a newspaper article on Friday [...]
Contrasting fortunes for Arsenal, Leicester City and Manchester City in today’s Champions League round of 16 draw December 12, 2016 The Champions League draw for 2016 was made just a few minutes ago, and there will be mixed feelings for the three remaining Premier League sides. Arsenal were rewarded for finishing top of their group by being paired with Bayern Munich, but they will at least benefit from a home second leg advantage. Arsenal played [...]