Tottenham are in with a shout of winning the Premier League but their reliance on Harry Kane worries me November 24, 2015 Tottenham have been quietly growing in confidence this season and recent results, culminating in Sunday’s 4-1 drubbing of West Ham, show they currently have no reason to fear anyone. Spurs tick all the boxes you want from an effective team. They are technically very good, the team is well balanced, and spirit appears to be [...]
Jermain Defoe sinks Crystal Palace as Sunderland punish Scott Dann error to end wait for an away win November 23, 2015 Result: Crystal Palace 0, Sunderland 1 Crystal Palace manager Alan Pardew refused to blame Scott Dann after the defender’s late blunder allowed Jermain Defoe to snatch Sunderland’s first away win of the season at Selhurst Park on Monday night. Dann, the hero last time out as Palace won at Liverpool, hesitated as he attempted to shepherd [...]
Chelsea ease Financial Fair Play fears after revealing £23.1m loss for Premier League title-winning season November 23, 2015 Chelsea insist they remain compliant with European Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules after revealing that they made a loss of £23.1m last season, despite winning the Premier League. The figure represents a swing of more than £40m from the previous year’s £18.4m profit and came despite the second highest annual turnover figure in the club’s [...]
Mauricio Pochettino eyes top four finish after Harry Kane fires Tottenham back into Champions League contention November 22, 2015 Tottenham Hotspur 4, West Ham 1 Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino could not hide his pride after Spurs blew away West Ham to move to within two points of the Premier League’s top four and north London rivals Arsenal on Sunday. England striker Harry Kane’s brace, plus goals from defenders Toby Alderweireld and Kyle Walker lit up [...]
Arsenal injuries: Midfield options further depleted as Francis Coquelin and Mikel Arteta injured during West Brom defeat November 21, 2015 As if a first Premier League defeat in seven games wasn't enough of a blow, Arsenal were left to rue injuries to Francis Coquelin and Mikel Arteta during a 2-1 reversal at West Bromwich Albion that leaves them short of options in midfield. During another bruising encounter with a Tony Pulis side, Joel Campbell staked [...]
Uefa relents: Manchester City escape punishment for fans booing Champions League anthem November 20, 2015 Manchester City have escaped punishment after Uefa opened disciplinary proceedings into their fans booing the Champions League anthem. A match delegate reported the crowd's hostile response to Uefa for review following their match with Sevilla at the Etihad Stadium last month. Disciplinary proceedings were subsequently opened, triggering much derision and condemnation including from captain Vincent [...]
Arsene Wenger considers dropping Laurent Koscielny from Arsenal team because France defender was “deeply affected” by Paris terror attacks November 19, 2015 Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger fears that defender Laurent Koscielny has been so deeply affected by the Paris terrorist attacks that he may need time away from the team. Koscielny was in the France side whose friendly with Germany was targeted, largely unsuccessfully, by suicide bombers last Friday night, when 129 people were killed across the [...]
Depleted England call-up Manchester United rookie Jesse Lingard for France friendly November 15, 2015 Injury-hit England have called up Manchester United rookie Jesse Lingard for tomorrow’s friendly against France at Wembley despite him clocking up just 193 minutes of Premier League action for the Old Trafford club. Three Lions boss Roy Hodgson opted to swell his already depleted England party after Lingard’s club-mate Michael Carrick and top-flight leading scorer [...]
Josh Harris: What can Crystal Palace fans expect from the next American billionaire to invest in the Premier League? November 13, 2015 Crystal Palace look set to be the next Premier League club to welcome foreign investment, with American private equity tycoons Josh Harris and David Blitzer on the cusp of buying an 18 per cent stake each in the Croydon club. The pair co-own National Hockey League franchise the New Jersey Devils, while Harris' interest in sport [...]
Manchester United reveal record revenue as Adidas kit deal triggers 186 per cent rise in merchandise income November 12, 2015 Manchester United's earnings rocketed over 100 per cent to a new record thanks to its lucrative shirt sponsorship deal with Adidas and a return to the Champions League. The figures Revenues at Old Trafford hit £123.6m in the quarter ended 30 September – a 39.3 per cent rise from £88.7m a year ago. Earnings before [...]