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 [...]
Here’s how costly Manchester United’s Champions League exit could be to the club’s finances December 9, 2015 Manchester United will count the cost of failing to reach the Champions League knock-out stage after a 3-2 defeat in Wolfsburg shunted them into the Europa League. The club will now miss out on a possible £24m in prize money available from the Champions League knock-out stages – with a maximum of just £9.2m on [...]
Louis van Gaal and Manchester United suffer Champions League humiliation at hands of Wolfsburg December 8, 2015 Wolfsburg 3, Manchester United 2 Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal rued a “crazy” match after a dramatic defeat at Wolfsburg condemned his side to a humiliating Champions League group stage elimination on Tuesday night. Defender Naldo’s powerful 84th-minute header stunned United and, coupled with PSV Eindhoven’s late rally to beat CSKA Moscow in Holland, [...]
Gary Neville’s Valencia move is a fascinating gamble but he has a long way to go before he should get the Manchester United or England jobs December 8, 2015 There is more than just possible Champions League progress on the line on Wednesday night in Valencia, where Gary Neville is due to begin his managerial career in earnest. Everyone agrees Neville has been a brilliant pundit – fluent in football, a clear and creative thinker, and great at detailed analysis – but he is taking [...]