Sponsors ditch West Brom over Anelka gesture January 20, 2014 PROPERTY website Zoopla has taken the extraordinary step of ending its sponsorship of West Brom following the row over striker Nicolas Anelka’s controversial “quenelle” celebration. Anelka’s gesture, which has been associated with anti-Semitism, is believed to have upset Zoopla’s Jewish co-owner Alex Chesterton, and the company yesterday said it would not renew its £1.5m per [...]
Holt completes Villa loan switch while Stoke seal double swoop January 14, 2014 NEW Aston Villa striker Grant Holt is relishing a return to the Premier League after completing a surprise loan switch from Wigan yesterday. Holt has struck just two goals in 21 matches since his £2m summer move from Norwich to the FA Cup holders. But Villa boss Paul Lambert has swooped to bring in the [...]
Premier League: Penalty call was harsh on Stoke, admits Rodgers January 12, 2014 STOKE CITY 3 vs LIVERPOOL 5 LIVERPOOL boss Brendan Rodgers admitted his side were fortunate to gain the pivotal second-half penalty which gave them the edge in yesterday’s eight-goal thriller. Having thrown away an early two-goal advantage, captain Steven Gerrard restored Liverpool’s lead from the spot after Raheem Sterling tumbled in the box with defender [...]
Tough-talking Allardyce vows to lead troubled West Ham to safety January 9, 2014 UNDER pressure West Ham manager Sam Allardyce came out fighting yesterday and vowed to turn his team’s season around in the face of growing frustration from supporters. Those who travelled to Manchester City on Wednesday night vented their anger at the Hammers boss during the 6-0 thrashing, while former captain Julian Dicks said he felt [...]
West Brom agree terms with Mel as managerial hunt ends January 9, 2014 PREMIER League strugglers West Brom have appointed Spaniard Pepe Mel as head coach ending their month-long search to replace former boss Steve Clarke. Mel has signed an 18-month deal and will watch from the stands tomorrow as the Baggies, four points clear of the relegation zone, travel to out-of-form Southampton. The 50-year-old had initially held [...]
City’s killer instinct to prove too much for Newcastle January 9, 2014 BEN CLEMINSON AND BILL ESDAILE WITH THE WEEKEND’S BEST FOOTBALL AND RACING BETS BOOKIES believe it is Manchester City’s title to throw away this year and the 2012 champions are doing their bit to repay the layers’ faith at the moment. Manuel Pellegrini’s men are the top flight’s form side, having taken 25 points from [...]
Capital One Cup: Fans turn on Allardyce as West Ham are hit for six by slick City January 8, 2014 MANCHESTER CITY 6 vs WEST HAM UNITED 0 BELEAGUERED West Ham boss Sam Allardyce believed there was no disgrace in seeing his makeshift team become the fourth side this season to ship at least six goals at the Etihad Stadium. A hat-trick from £16m summer signing Alvaro Negredo, plus a brace from strike partner Edin [...]
FA Cup: Moyes fears transfer trouble as Swansea add to United’s woes January 5, 2014 MANCHESTER UNITED 1 vs SWANSEA CITY 2 MANCHESTER United manager David Moyes fears he may fail to make “urgent” reinforcements to his squad after the champions’ faltering form continued with yesterday’s FA Cup third round humbling. A 90th-minute header from striker Wilfried Bony earned Swansea their first ever victory at Old Trafford and inflicted a [...]
Tottenham keep faith with Sherwood as De Boer focuses on Ajax December 19, 2013 TOTTENHAM interim manager Tim Sherwood is set to remain in charge for Sunday’s trip to Southampton despite suffering a Capital One Cup exit to London rivals West Ham in his first match. Sherwood confirmed after the midweek 2-1 defeat that he hoped to keep the job, while admitting he was unsure he would remain in [...]
Zola resigns as Watford manager December 16, 2013 FOOTBALL: Gianfranco Zola last night blamed “a variety of reasons” for his decision to resign as Watford manager. Zola, who leaves the club 13th in the Championship but had lost his last five home games, said: “I feel it’s in the best interests of the team somebody new is given the chance.”