Cristiano Ronaldo targets fifth Ballon d’Or award after latest crowning as world’s best player December 12, 2016 Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo has promised to go in pursuit of a fifth Ballon d’Or in 2017 after being crowned the world’s best player for the fourth time in his career. Ronaldo has so far netted 48 goals in 52 matches for club and country during 2016, a year which has seen the 31-year-old win the [...]
Jurgen Klopp hits out at Gary and Phil Neville after former Manchester United duo criticise Liverpool goalkeeper Loris Karius December 12, 2016 Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has launched a scathing attack on former Manchester United duo Gary and Phil Neville and questioned the validity of the former’s opinions given his unsuccessful spell as manager of Valencia. Gary Neville had criticised under-fire Reds goalkeeper Loris Karius, a £4.7m summer signing from Mainz, in a newspaper article on Friday [...]
Alastair Cook to consider future as England captain after talking up readiness of Joe Root to lead and India drubbing December 12, 2016 England skipper Alastair Cook admits the severity of his side’s hammering during the fourth Test in Mumbai and series drubbing against India will force him to consider his future as captain. Cook, who has led England since 2012, plans to hold talks with director of cricket Andrew Strauss in the New Year and, should he [...]
Liverpool 2-2 West Ham United: Anfield point has laid foundations for our surge up Premier League, says Slaven Bilic December 11, 2016 West Ham boss Slaven Bilic believes his relegation-threatened side have paved the way for a surge up the Premier League after preying on Liverpool’s defensive frailties to leave Anfield with a priceless point. A Dimitri Payet free-kick and smart Michail Antonio finish cancelled out an opener from England midfielder Adam Lallana, only for a Darren [...]
Chelsea 1, West Brom 0: Blues boss Antonio Conte labels threat of points deduction “a joke” December 11, 2016 Chelsea boss Antonio Conte insists it would be laughable should his title-hunting side be slapped with a points deduction following the mass brawl which marred their victory at Manchester City last week. Both clubs have been charged by the Football Association with failing to control their players – Chelsea’s fifth such indiscretion in 19 months [...]
Alastair Cook urged to stay as Test captain despite England slipping to brink of series drubbing December 11, 2016 England seamer James Anderson has called on Alastair Cook to remain as skipper despite leading his side to the brink of a series drubbing against India. The tourists slumped to 182-6 in their second innings of the fourth Test in Mumbai and still require another 49 runs in order to make their dominant hosts bat again [...]
FA Cup third round: Pep Guardiola’s first taste of tournament to come against West Ham at the London Stadium December 5, 2016 Serial domestic trophy winner Pep Guardiola will mark his first taste of FA Cup action with an all-Premier League tie after Manchester City were handed an away trip against West Ham in the third round. Guardiola guided Barcelona to two Copa del Rey titles during his four-year managerial stint at Camp Nou before twice winning the [...]
Money can’t buy you love, Arsene Wenger tells Arsenal duo Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil December 5, 2016 Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has urged Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil to consider more than financial rewards when deciding whether to commit their long-term futures to the Gunners. Both Sanchez and Ozil have a little more than 18 months remaining on their current deals and are believed to want financial parity with the highest paid [...]
Sergio Aguero could face Celtic in Champions League despite Pep Guardiola confirming changes will be made December 5, 2016 Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has hinted that striker Sergio Aguero could spearhead his side’s attack despite confirming a raft of changes are likely to be made for Tuesday’s Champions League dead rubber against Celtic. The Football Association yesterday confirmed that Aguero will serve a four-match domestic suspension for his sending off against Premier League leaders [...]
I knew from our first team meeting that Eddie Jones would turn England into a force, says scrum-half Ben Youngs December 4, 2016 England scrum-half Ben Youngs has paid tribute to head coach Eddie Jones for the unstinting belief he has engendered within the squad which has translated into a perfect record of 13 victories during 2016. The 27-year-old has flourished under Jones, who has said that Youngs could become as inspirational for England as Fourie du Preez [...]
