Chelsea feel pain in Spain November 2, 2005 Chelsea suffered a first defeat in open play for six months, and damaged their Champions League chances in the process, as Real Betis ambushed Jose Mourinho’s side in Spain. It was a far cry from last month’s reverse fixture at Stamford Bridge when Chelsea went top of Group G with a 4-0 win. The Spanish [...]
Villa’s price surges on news of takeover talks November 1, 2005 Shares in Aston Villa surged yesterday after it confirmed takeover talks that could value the Midlands club at £64m. The Aston Villa board said yesterday that it had received a preliminary approach from Birmingham businessman Michael Neville, who is thought to be the front man for brothers Luke and Brian Comer, who run Irish property [...]
Owen brace sees off WBA October 31, 2005 Two goals for Michael Owen helped Newcastle move into the top half of the table with victory over West Bromwich Albion at the Hawthorns. Alan Shearer came on as a substitute to add the third in what was Graeme Souness’s side’s fourth win in their last six Premiership matches. Despite the defeat, West Brom remain [...]
Brussels meddlers will ruin the Premiership October 28, 2005 The Barclays Premiership is widely regarded as the best football league in the world. A key ingredient of the Premier League’s success has been its ability to attract the top players. Top stars cost big bucks, and the money that the media companies have pumped in has helped the clubs to compete in the market [...]
£1.7m success for Rooney’s off-field team October 28, 2005 The success of footballer Wayne Rooney seems to be reflected in his management company Formation Group, which reported a strong set of full-year results. The sports marketing and management business reported an 11 per cent increase in pre-tax profits before amortisation to £1.7m for the 12 months to 31 August on sales of £14.9m compared [...]
Holders Chelsea crash out October 27, 2005 Charlton knocked holders Chelsea out of the Carling Cup but only after a penalty shoot-out at Stamford Bridge. It was the Blues’ first taste of defeat this season, coming on the back of their first dropped points in the Premiership at Everton’s Goodison Park last weekend. Defender Robert Huth was the only player to miss [...]
Liverpool are in reverse and Rafa is to blame October 27, 2005 If there were any remaining doubts that Liverpool’s post-Istanbul party was well and truly over, they were blown away at Selhurst Park on Tuesday night — the champions of Europe humbled by a Championship side. Well done, Crystal Palace but what on earth is going on at Anfield? The answer, for me, is simple: Liverpool [...]
Inamoto puts Brom through October 26, 2005 Former Fulham midfielder Junichi Inamoto scored the extra-time winner for West Brom after the home side had twice recovered from a goal down in an enthralling Carling Cup tie at Craven Cottage. Rob Earnshaw opened the scoring for the visitors after just three minutes. His goal, having capitalized on a mistake from the Fulham defence, [...]
Boro seal first win October 21, 2005 Middlesbrough made a competent, if somewhat nervy, start to the group stage with a win away at Grasshoppers. Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink was the only goal scorer in Zurich to give Steve McClaren’s side the start they were hoping for in UEFA Cup Group D. McClaren decided to play two up front — partnering the Dutchman [...]
Record return for King Henry October 19, 2005 Two goals for the returning Thierry Henry left Arsenal on the verge of qualification for the knockout rounds of the Champions League. The striker, not even sure of making the squad after returning from a groin injury, finished the match as the most prolific scorer in Arsenal’s illustrious history. Despite their domestic troubles, Arsene Wenger’s [...]