Leicester players and fans should be rallying behind Claudio Ranieri – but the next two games could decide his fate February 7, 2017 They may still end up losing their next four games, but whether they do or not, Leicester’s public backing for manager Claudio Ranieri today was the right thing to do and I take my hat off to them. These are difficult times for the Foxes, whose Premier League-winning dream season has been followed by the rude awakening [...]
Troy Deeney interview: Watford’s captain on how prison spurred him to the Premier League February 7, 2017 For most players it’s a motivational pep talk, a successful loan move or a dramatic moment on the pitch that is the catalyst for propelling a career to new heights. But for Watford striker Troy Deeney, the script really begins at the moment the door to his cell in Warrington’s Thorn Cross prison slammed shut at [...]
European football clubs crush January transfer window spending record, splashing out €200m more than previous high February 7, 2017 The biggest leagues in European football spent more money than ever before in this year's January transfer window, crushing the previous record by more than €200m (£172.6m). According to research from academics at the CIES Football Observatory, clubs in the top divisions in England, France, Germany, Italy and Spain collectively spent €742m (£640.3m) in the four-week [...]
Antonio Conte on turning Chelsea from ugly ducklings into beautiful swans February 6, 2017 Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has revealed that he relied on his single-mindedness during a mixed start to his task of reviving the club's fortunes. The Blues seem set to sweep to the Premier League title in Conte's first season, but the Italian admits a stuttering start at Stamford Bridge tested his self-belief. “The start of [...]
Leicester City 0, Manchester United 3: Claudio Ranieri denies mutiny claims after champions’ relegation fears worsen February 5, 2017 Leicester City 0, Manchester United 3 Leicester manager Claudio Ranieri dismissed suggestions of a dressing-room mutiny after a fourth consecutive Premier League defeat deepened the champions’ relegation fears. Man-of-the-match Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Juan Mata struck as Manchester United won comfortbaly at the King Power Stadium to boost their Champions League qualification hopes. Read [...]
Manchester City 2, Swansea City 1: Pep Guardiola praises Gabriel Jesus after teenage striker’s late winner February 5, 2017 Manchester City 2, Swansea City 1 Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola praised the instant impact of Gabriel Jesus after the £27m teenager thrust them firmly back into the Champions League places. Jesus struck two goals, including a 92nd-minute winner, on his first home start to quash Swansea’s fightback and lift City ahead of Arsenal and [...]
London won’t host the Super Bowl anytime soon, but NFL will remain international in age of Trump and Brexit says league’s UK boss February 4, 2017 For NFL fans in London, watching the Super Bowl this Sunday night will follow a familiar routine of staying up late, finding a comfy position on the couch with plenty of snacks to keep you going, perhaps sneaking a quick snooze in at half-time and then fighting on through until the final down — just [...]
Marcel Desailly interview: Premier League title is Chelsea’s to lose, while Arsenal must win at Stamford Bridge to remain in race February 2, 2017 Former Chelsea skipper Marcel Desailly is adamant that the Premier League crown is firmly within his former side’s grasp and only a self-inflicted collapse will deny the Stamford Bridge club a sixth top-flight title. The Blues boast a nine-point lead at the top of the table following a draw against Liverpool at Anfield on Tuesday, while [...]
Betting: Chelsea to continue title charge with Arsenal win February 2, 2017 When Arsenal comfortably beat Chelsea 3-0 at the Emirates in September, it seemed the sort of result that would spur a side on to a title challenge, and it didn’t look like that side would be the Blues. However, since that humiliation at their rival’s hands, Chelsea boss Antonio Conte implemented a 3-4-3 formation that has [...]
Liverpool top the list as English clubs are paid €38m by Uefa for sending players to Euro 2016 February 2, 2017 Football clubs in England were paid €20m more than any other nation by Uefa for releasing players to play in Euro 2016, new figures reveal. English teams received a collective €38.2m (£33m) for providing players to the Euro 2016 qualifiers and tournament in France last year. Liverpool were the most heavily remunerated of all English clubs, [...]