BT Sport could be bruised as Sky bending it like Beckham to woo football fans August 17, 2016 In past years, I’ve discussed BT Sport’s gradual journey from new challenger to a genuine force in televised sports. As the new football season starts, it’s a good time to look at how Sky Sports, its principal rival, has adapted its campaigns and messaging in an attempt to dissuade subscribers migrating to BT. Once again, [...]
Steaua Bucharest 0, Manchester City 5: Mission accomplished declares Pep Guardiola after City move to within striking distance of Champions League group stages August 16, 2016 MANCHESTER City boss Pep Guardiola declared it mission accomplished after his side hammered Romanian outfit Steaua Bucharest to all but seal their passage to the Champions League group stages. Prolific striker Sergio Aguero netted his eighth hat-trick for last season’s semi-finalists, although not before he had missed two penalties, while playmaker David Silva and Nolito [...]
Liverpool steal big three’s thunder on opening weekend as worrying signs emerge for Leicester August 16, 2016 Some managers insist you shouldn’t read anything into results until 8-10 games into the season, but while you can’t draw sweeping conclusions from the Premier League’s first weekend, there are signs of what could be to come – and it’s distinctly more promising for some than others. Rampant Reds Liverpool produced the most impressive display in [...]
Arsenal identify alternative transfer targets as negotiations with Valencia for Shkodran Mustafi hit a snag August 16, 2016 Arsenal have identified two alternative centre-backs to target after transfer negotiations for Shkodran Mustafi appeared to have hit a snag. Arsene Wenger is on the hunt for defensive reinforcements after captain Per Mertesacker and fellow centre-back Gabriel were both ruled out with injury for four months and six to eight weeks respectively. German international Mustafi is the Gunners' priority but they are yet [...]
Chelsea 2 – 1 West Ham: Slaven Bilic claims Diego Costa would have been sent off “nine times out of 10” after striker escapes punishment for Adrian challenge and earns Antonio Conte a debut win August 15, 2016 West Ham manager Slaven Bilic believed Chelsea were fortunate to still have Diego Costa on the field after the striker escaped punishment for a foul on goalkeeper Adrian before scoring a late winner at Stamford Bridge. Costa was free to rifle home in the 89th minute to give Antonio Conte three points in his first match [...]
Tributes pour in for ex-Premier League striker following Taser death August 15, 2016 Tributes have poured in for ex-Aston Villa and Sheffield Wednesday striker Dalian Atkinson who died in the early hours of this morning after being Tasered by police. The 48-year-old was pronounced dead at about 3am, approximately 90 minutes after being hit by a stun gun. West Mercia officers had been called to the house of [...]
Arsenal 3, Liverpool 4: Gunners not ready physically to compete in Premier League, admits boss Arsene Wenger August 14, 2016 Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger conceded his side were simply not physically ready for a match of such stature after Liverpool consigned the Gunners to defeat in an opening-day thriller. Liverpool instigated a four-goal backlash inside 20 minutes through a Philippe Coutinho double and strikes from Adam Lallana and debutant Sadio Mane before substitute Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain [...]
Bournemouth 1, Manchester United 3: Juan Mata plays his way into Jose Mourinho’s good books as United set the Premier League pace August 14, 2016 Bournemouth 1, Manchester United 3 Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has given Juan Mata fresh hope that he still has an Old Trafford future after the midfielder helped them make a winning start to the Premier League. England captain Wayne Rooney and summer signing Zlatan Ibrahimovic added to the Spaniard’s first-half opener in the second period [...]
Arsenal boss Arsener Wenger predicts transfer fees will hit £200m but warns clubs not to lose identity and values August 13, 2016 Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger believes football clubs could soon be spending as much as £200m on a single player due to the sport's burgeoning popularity around the world. Rivals Manchester United have broken the world transfer record with the £89m capture of Paul Pogba from Juventus this summer, while Premier League spending has already crossed the £800m mark [...]
Chelsea boss Antonio Conte says striker Bertrand Traore to be loaned to Ajax while Nemanja Matic will stay put August 12, 2016 Chelsea striker Bertrand Traore will spend next season on loan at Ajax, manager Antonio Conte has confirmed. The 20 year old forward has just signed a new three year contract at Stamford Bridge but will spend the 16/17 season playing in the Eredivisie as he "continues his development". Unable to offer Traore enough game time, Conte said [...]