Arsenal lead English clubs’ Champions League collapse September 30, 2015 Manager Arsene Wenger defended his omission of goalkeeper Petr Cech after a howler from understudy David Ospina left Arsenal’s Champions League hopes hanging by a thread last night. Never before had the Gunners lost their first two group games and they now face a desperate scramble to maintain their 15-year sequence of reaching the competition’s [...]
Worst ever Champions League start for English clubs as Arsenal lose opening two games for first time and Chelsea frustrated in Porto September 29, 2015 English clubs are enduring their worst ever start to the Champions League in its current format after both Arsenal and Chelsea lost tonight. Arsenal were defeated 3-2 at home by Olympiacos – the Greek side's first ever win on English soil – to condemn Arsene Wenger's men to two losses from their opening two Champions League [...]
Jose Mourinho: I got Chelsea reaction which was demanded September 29, 2015 Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho insisted his side had delivered the reaction he demanded despite suffering Champions League agony against his former club Porto last night. Porto skipper Maicon delivered the knockout blow in the second period after Andre Andre and Willian, who scored from a direct free-kick for the third game running, traded first-half strikes. [...]
Louis Van Gaal eyes Manchester United Euro swansong September 29, 2015 Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal insists reaching the Champions League final is a realistic objective for his side ahead of his planned departure from Old Trafford at the end of next season. Midfielder Michael Carrick has been ruled out of the home clash with Wolfsburg tonight, while Antonio Valencia and Ander Herrera are doubts [...]
Manuel Pellegrini calm over Vincent Kompany’s Manchester City absence September 29, 2015 Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini has downplayed the absence of skipper Vincent Kompany as his side look to ignite their Champions League campaign against Borussia Monchengladbach tonight. City began the season in imperious form and won their first five matches without conceding a goal, but have shipped seven in their last three matches without the [...]
Premier League: Lukaku inspires Everton fightback September 29, 2015 WEST BROM 2 EVERTON 3 EVERTON boss Roberto Martinez refused to be drawn on his side’s credentials to qualify for the Champions League despite £30m striker Romelu Lukaku sending the Toffees fifth after inspiring a stunning fightback at West Brom last night. Lukaku returned to haunt former club West Brom with a second-half double, either side [...]
Three Arsenal players and Leicester City’s Riyad Mahrez named as best in the Premier League in their position so far this season September 28, 2015 Despite the team's unsure start to the season, three Arsenal players have been named as the best-performing Premier League players in their respective positions so far. Read more: Arsenal 2014/2015 player stats Laurent Koscielny, Santi Cazorla and Mesut Ozil have been deemed to be the league's best performing players at centre-back, defensive midfield and attacking midfield respectively [...]
Crystal Palace boss Alan Pardew: Wilfried Zaha wanted to prove me wrong in Watford win September 27, 2015 Crystal Palace manager Alan Pardew praised Wilfried Zaha’s resolve after the winger responded to criticism with a match-winning intervention off the bench at Watford today. Read more: Pardew criticises Zaha Zaha’s trickery tempted Hornets full-back Allan Nyom into a tackle that gleaned a penalty and captain Yohan Cabaye stepped up to become the first away player [...]
Mark Lawrenson: Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers’ time could be up September 24, 2015 Under-fire Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers could face the axe should his side lose any of their next three matches, according to former Reds defender Mark Lawrenson. The Anfield club were winless in five games before needing penalties to scrape past League Two side Carlisle in the Capital One Cup on Wednesday. This bleak run of [...]
Capital One Cup: Chelsea could not afford to lose, says Jose September 24, 2015 WALSALL 1 CHELSEA 4 CHELSEA manager Jose Mourinho admitted that his side’s indifferent start to the season rendered the notion of a giant-killing unthinkable after the Blues eased into round four with a commanding victory at Walsall last night. The defending champions held a convincing two-goal lead courtesy of strikes from midfielder Ramires and France [...]