Middlesbrough 0, Watford 1: Aitor Karanka jibes laughed off by Hornets boss Walter Mazzarri October 16, 2016 Watford boss Walter Mazzarri brushed aside cries of a lack of sportsmanship from Middlesbrough counterpart Aitor Karanka after the Hornets bulldozed their way into the Premier League’s top half with victory at the Riverside Stadium. Karanka accused Watford’s players of time-wasting and being prone to simulation during a clash settled by a long-range effort from [...]
Adidas stand to profit as Manchester United’s Paul Pogba tops shirt bestseller list – but could Arsenal look for more from Puma? October 15, 2016 At first glance, Manchester United’s £75m-a-year kit deal with Adidas looked like a vast overpayment on the behalf of the German sportswear manufacturer. Back in 2014 when United’s commercial guru Ed Woodward secured the deal, United had just endured their worst season since the 1980s, the club had failed to attract some high profile transfer [...]
Slaven Bilic refuses to blame London Stadium for West Ham’s early season woe October 13, 2016 West Ham boss Slaven Bilic has refused to lay the blame for his side’s turbulent start to the season at the door of their new home, the London Stadium. The Hammers are currently marooned in the relegation zone having accrued just four points from their opening seven fixtures, while crowd trouble has marred some [...]
Mauricio Pochettino confirms when he expects Harry Kane to return to full training as key midfielder suffers injury setback October 13, 2016 Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino has confirmed that prolific marksman Harry Kane is set to return to full training next week as he continues his recovery from an ankle injury. Kane damaged ankle ligaments during his side’s Premier League victory over Sunderland last month and it was initially feared the England forward would be sidelined for up to [...]
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger urges Football Association to overlook big names and give England job to Gareth Southgate October 13, 2016 Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has urged the Football Association to overlook more glamorous names from the world of football management and give the England job to Gareth Southgate. Southgate is halfway through a four-game audition for the role, having been placed in temporary charge following the sudden departure of Sam Allardyce after just one match. [...]
Chelsea sign new kit deal with Nike thought to be worth close to £1bn October 13, 2016 Chelsea have confirmed a lucrative kit contract with Nike that stands to see the American sportswear manufacturer pay the Premier League club close to £1bn. The 15-year, £900m deal is due to start next season, when Nike will replace Adidas as the provider of kit for all of the Blues’ squads, from the academy through [...]
Betting: Foxes set for another tricky away day at Stamford Bridge October 13, 2016 HEAVY is the head that wears the Premier League crown – or at least according to the last two champions it is. After a meltdown at the start of the season that saw them drop as low as 16th last December, 2015 title winners Chelsea ‘recovered’ to finish in 10th. Leicester – the most unlikely [...]
Betting: Injuries will handicap Man City against solid Everton October 13, 2016 It was all going so well for Pep Guardiola until he visited White Hart Lane. After six wins from his first six Premier League games (part of a run of ten straight victories in all competitions) his Manchester City side were bought down to earth by a clinical Spurs, who won 2-0 before the international [...]
Sky believes in better future after quarter in which rivals benefited from Euro 2016, Olympics and Paralympics October 13, 2016 Sky has said it is “on track financially” despite the company suffering at the expense of rivals broadcasting Euro 2016, the Olympics and the Paralympics. The figures In the UK and Ireland, turnover was up five per cent to to £2.1bn in the quarter to 30 September, boosted by a June TV price rise. However, Sky [...]
Former Crystal Palace boss Steve Bruce vows to stop the rot after being appointed Aston Villa manager October 12, 2016 Newly-appointed Aston Villa boss Steve Bruce has vowed to arrest the club’s decline and rekindle past glories after being confirmed as manager of the seven-time top-flight champions. Bruce has replaced former Chelsea manager Roberto di Matteo, whose 12-match reign at Villa Park was ended last week with the Midlands outfit 19th in the Championship having [...]