Karim Benzema sex tape blackmail plot allegations: France could be without striker for Euro 2016 after they ban him indefinitely December 10, 2015 Euro 2016 hosts France have been plunged into turmoil just months before the tournament after they suspended striker Karim Benzema indefinitely over his alleged involvement in a sex-tape blackmail plot. Real Madrid star Benzema, who spearheads the team’s attack and has scored 25 goals in 80 internationals, is accused of being part of an attempt [...]
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. [...]
Wavering Manchester United ripe to be picked off by Cherries December 10, 2015 When Eddie Howe’s Bournemouth sealed promotion to the Premier League in May, the visit of Manchester United would have been one of the first fixtures Cherries fans looked out for. Howe’s men come into Saturday's clash full of belief that they can beat the drop, especially after their eye-catching victory at Chelsea last time out. United, [...]
Wash down the caviar with Champagne in Saturday’s big race at Cheltenham December 10, 2015 The biggest betting race of the weekend is the Caspian Caviar Gold Cup (Saturday 1.50pm) which features plenty of those that ran in last month’s Paddy Power Gold Cup. Annacotty did this column a favour in that race, but this is a very hard double to pull off. Buywise is respected, as he will surely win a big [...]
Any Currency will do when picking up your winnings December 10, 2015 Bill Esdaile previews the best of the action from Cheltenham’s December meeting We've been treated to some great stories already this jumps season and the bandwagon rolls on to Cheltenham next for their two-day December meeting. Now, I wouldn’t normally lead one of these articles with the Cross Country Chase (Friday 2.20pm), but when there’s [...]
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 [...]
Rejuvenated Cue Card ready to tackle King George and hunt £1m bonus December 9, 2015 Some National Hunt horses truly capture the hearts of the public and Cue Card is one of them. Colin Tizzard’s nine-year-old appears to have been around forever. A winner of the Champion Bumper at 40/1 on just his second start in 2010, his last trip to Cheltenham was in March 2013 when he demolished his Ryanair [...]
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, [...]