Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham handed shot at revenge after being handed European rematches against Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain and Fiorentina December 14, 2015 Arsenal and Chelsea face familiar foes in the Champions League after they were once again drawn against their European nemeses Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain. Manchester City were dealt a kinder hand in the last 16, in the form of a tie with Dynamo Kiev, the away leg of which will be played behind closed doors [...]
Tottenham Hotspur 1, Newcastle United 2: Magpies snatch points and end Tottenham’s unbeaten run December 13, 2015 Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino blamed a series of basic errors for the demise of his side’s 14-match unbeaten Premier League run but refused to scapegoat goalkeeper Hugo Lloris for yesterday’s defeat to Newcastle. Substitute Aleksandar Mitrovic cancelled out Eric Dier’s first-half headed opener before fellow replacement Ayoze Perez, just as he did in this fixture [...]
Arsene Wenger says Olivier Giroud is at the top of his game as in-form striker fires Arsenal to top of Premier League December 13, 2015 ASTON VILLA 0, ARSENAL 2 Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger backed Olivier Giroud to keep confounding his critics after the striker capped a fine week by firing the Gunners to the top of the Premier League. Giroud’s first-half penalty and a breakaway second by midfielder Aaron Ramsey saw Wenger’s men overtake Manchester City and Leicester – until [...]
Euro 2016: Leicester City phenomenon Jamie Vardy a “very strong contender” for England, says Roy Hodgson December 12, 2015 England manager Roy Hodgson has admitted Jamie Vardy is a "very strong contender" to make his England squad for Euro 2016. The Leicester City striker is the top scorer in the Premier League with 14 goals so far this season and made history last month by becoming the league's first player to score in 11 consecutive games. Yet the former non-league [...]
Louis van Gaal tells Manchester United fans to stop expecting trophies every season December 12, 2015 Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has suggested the club's fans can no longer expect the same level of success they became accustomed to under Sir Alex Ferguson. With comments that risk angering already disaffected supporters, van Gaal suggested it was much harder for United to win every season as more clubs have lots of [...]
Erik Lamela hat-trick helps Tottenham to Monaco romp and easier path in Europa League December 10, 2015 TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 4, MONACO 1 Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino hailed Erik Lamela after the Argentinian’s whirlwind hat-trick swept Spurs into the Europa League’s last 32 as group winners last night at White Hart Lane. Midfielder Tom Carroll scored the other – his first for the club – as the north Londoners continued their fine start to [...]
Fired-up Arsenal to extend run over miserable Aston Villa December 10, 2015 The last time Aston Villa beat Arsenal at home, the Spice Girls were top of the charts and Bill Clinton was being impeached. Even more remarkably, Villa were first in the top-flight table. Since that match in December 1998, the Gunners have taken 26 victories from 35 meetings in all competitions. Villa have managed only one. [...]
Jose Mourinho tips Chelsea to thrive as Champions League dark horses December 10, 2015 CHELSEA 2, PORTO 0 Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho insists his side will relish their underdog status in the Champions League after they secured a place in the knock-out stages with victory over Porto last night. An own goal from Ivan Marcano and a second-half strike from Willian earned the Blues – in the midst of [...]
Olivier Giroud inspires Arsenal Champions League great escape as Gunners pip Olympiacos to place in knockout stage December 10, 2015 OLYMPIACOS 0, ARSENAL 3 Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger toasted one of the greatest European nights of his long tenure after Olivier Giroud scored a hat-trick to complete a Champions League great escape in Greece last night. France striker Giroud’s first treble for the club earned the convincing win over Olympiacos required to snatch second place in [...]
Gary Neville’s Valencia crash out of Champions League against Lyon in former England and Manchester United defender’s managerial debut December 9, 2015 Former England and Manchester United defender Gary Neville’s managerial career got off to the worst possible start on Wednesday night as his Valencia team lost and crashed out of the Champions League. Lyon’s 2-0 win in Spain, earned by goals either side of half-time by Maxwell Cornet and Alexandre Lacazette, ended Valencia’s slim hopes of [...]