Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini eyes champions League Group D top spot in bid to avoid European heavyweights November 24, 2015 Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini has highlighted the significance of his injury-hit side sealing top spot in their Champions League group when they face Italian rivals Juventus in Turin on Wednesday night. City have already secured their place in the Champions League knockout stages, although the focus has turned to finishing at the Group D summit [...]
Skipper Wayne Rooney is not an automatic pick for Manchester United despite training return, insists Louis van Gaal November 24, 2015 Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal has warned skipper Wayne Rooney that he is not guaranteed a starting berth against PSV Eindhoven in Wednesday's Champions League showdown despite returning to training following illness. Fellow forward Anthony Martial is also in contention to face PSV after a foot injury sidelined him for Saturday’s Premier League victory [...]
Arsenal’s November curse is no myth: History suggests Arsene Wenger’s men suffer a rough ride during the month November 24, 2015 Arsenal began November joint top of the Premier League with Manchester City, a day after swaggering to a 3-0 victory away at Swansea and not much more than a week after beating Bayern Munich to reignite their Champions League hopes. Arsene Wenger's men had picked up five league wins on the bounce, Mesut Ozil was [...]
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 [...]