Alisher Usmanov denied suggestions he has plans to sell Arsenal stake and bankroll Everton instead August 18, 2016 Arsenal shareholder Alisher Usmanov has denied suggestions that he is considering selling his 30 per cent stake in the club. Usmanov acted in response to speculation that he would offload his company Red and White Holdings' interest and instead plough his money into Everton, where long-term business partner Farhad Moshiri bought a 49 per cent stake [...]
The time has come for the Olympic Games to be held in the same venue every four years August 18, 2016 Team GB are having quite a party in Rio, grabbing medals left, right and centre. After last night’s events, our men and women sat near the top of the overall medal table, second only to the USA. Unfortunately the Olympics hasn’t been such a success for the host city. Rio is a wondrous location in [...]
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 [...]