How Everton’s £30m loan gamble may be about to pay off March 27, 2014 Everton’s surge towards a precious Champions League place is not just the latest twist in a tortuous campaign, it’s also the climax to an audacious gamble by Roberto Martinez. The Spaniard has relied heavily on three players this term, according to analysis by Kickdex – none of whom are contracted to be at the club [...]
Premier League: Allardyce angry as supporters greet West Ham win with jeers March 26, 2014 WEST HAM UNITED 2 HULL CITY 1 FRUSTRATED West Ham boss Sam Allardyce last night hit back at supporters who booed his team as they climbed nine points clear of the relegation zone against 10-man Hull. An own goal from Tigers defender James Chester handed the Hammers a valuable win, following three straight defeats, after [...]
Seven points to save West Ham March 25, 2014 WEST Ham require another seven points from their final eight matches to achieve Premier League survival, according to boss Sam Allardyce. Three straight defeats have moved the Hammers from the comfort of mid-table safety to looking precariously over their shoulder ahead of tonight’s visit from Hull. Allardyce, whose team are six points clear of 18th-placed [...]
Premier League: Perfect Everton have eyes on top four finish March 25, 2014 NEWCASTLE UNITED 0 EVERTON 3 THE PERFECT away performance, according to Everton boss Roberto Martinez, saw the Toffees take full advantage of Arsenal’s slip up against Swansea to close in on a top-four place. A stunning first-half goal from England international midfielder Ross Barkley, was followed by strikes from Romelu Lukaku and Leon Osman to [...]
Stoke romp to first away win since August March 23, 2014 STOKE boss Mark Hughes hailed his team’s change of style after the Potters won their first away game in the Premier League since August. Christian Benteke’s early strike earned Aston Villa the lead yesterday, but goals from Peter Odemwingie, Peter Crouch and Steven Nzonzi put the visitors ahead at half-time before Geoff Cameron’s late effort [...]
Sherwood hits out at Van Gaal over interest in his Tottenham job March 19, 2014 TOTTENHAM manager Tim Sherwood last night made plain his displeasure at comments from Holland coach Louis van Gaal stating his desire to manage in the Premier League next season. Sherwood signed an 18-month contract in December, but has failed to reinvigorate Spurs’ season since succeeding Andre Villas-Boas and Van Gaal is favourite with the bookmakers [...]
Everton coach blasts Moyes’s Toffees tenure March 17, 2014 EMBATTLED Manchester United manager David Moyes’s troubles deepened yesterday when he came under fire from one of his former Everton coaching colleagues, who accused the Scot of ignoring young players. Kevin Sheedy, the former Toffees winger who now runs their under-18 team, made the claim and also criticised United’s playing style under Moyes in posts [...]
Premier League: Sherwood set for a summer of big change at Tottenham March 16, 2014 AT WHITE HART LANE TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 0 ARSENAL 1 TOTTENHAM boss Tim Sherwood conceded yesterday’s defeat all but ended their chances of a top-four finish and revealed he plans a radical overhaul of his squad in the summer in order to achieve that goal next season. A sublime second-minute strike from midfielder Tomas Rosicky was [...]
Europa League: Tottenham on the brink of Euro exit after Benfica’s masterclass March 13, 2014 TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 1 BENFICA 3 TOTTENHAM boss Tim Sherwood conceded his team were outclassed by Benfica, as their heaviest ever home defeat in the Europa League left Spurs on the brink of elimination in the last-16. Rodrigo opened the scoring in the first half and two goals from defender Luisao, sandwiching Christian Eriksen’s sublime freekick, [...]
How has Tim Sherwood got Tottenham winning more when they’re playing worse? March 13, 2014 Tottenham manager Tim Sherwood may have divided opinion this week by publicly castigating his players but one thing about his fledgling tenure is undeniable: results have improved. Spurs have taken 20 per cent more points per Premier League game since Sherwood replaced Andre Villas-Boas in December. Even though Sherwood’s greater emphasis on attack has seen [...]