Sixth signing for West Ham January 30, 2014 WEST Ham manager Sam Allardyce has completed his sixth signing of the January transfer window after midfielder Abdul Razak signed a short-term contract yesterday. The Ivory Coast international made five Premier League appearances for Manchester City before joining Anzhi Makhachkala last summer. Razak made his last appearance for the cash-strapped Russian club in a 4-1 [...]
Newcastle held in fiery draw January 28, 2014 WASTEFUL finishing cost Newcastle all three points at Norwich last night, in a goalless contest that saw both sides finish with 10 men. The Magpies — poised to replace Paris Saint-Germain-bound Yohan Cabaye with Dutch forward Luuk de Jong — dominated but lost further ground on the top four. Striker Loic Remy hit the post [...]
West Brom face sponsor exodus January 22, 2014 WEST Brom could lose up to four additional sponsorship deals once the Football Association commission publishes its verdict on striker Nicolas Anelka’s “quenelle” gesture. The Frenchman yesterday urged the FA to drop the charges against him for the gesture made at West Ham last month, which led to principal sponsor Zoopla ending its £3m a [...]
City reach Wembley final with record win over sorry West Ham January 21, 2014 MANCHESTER City completed the biggest ever margin of victory in a Capital One Cup semi-final last night with a 3-0 second-leg triumph over West Ham wrapping up a 9-0 aggregate win. City, who last lifted the trophy in 1976, struck in the first half through Alvaro Negredo and Sergio Aguero, before Negredo netted his ninth [...]
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 [...]