Kevin Pietersen ready to switch allegiances and play Test cricket for South Africa April 10, 2016 Controversial former England skipper Kevin Pietersen has floated the possibility of making a sensational return to international cricket with his native South Africa. The Pietermaritzburg-born batsman made his England debut during the 2005 Ashes series and proceeded to score 8,181 runs in 104 Tests, at an average of 47.28, for his adopted country. Pietersen was [...]
Football betting: Harry Kane able to help Tottenham Hotspur end home hoodoo against Manchester United April 7, 2016 Nothing better sums up Tottenham’s Premier League home record against Manchester United than one of their most memorable encounters 15 years ago. After the hosts raced into a 3-0 first half lead over the Red Devils in 2001, it only took a few words from Sir Alex Ferguson at the interval to rejuvenate his side, [...]
West Ham v Arsenal: Arsene Wenger defends Jack Wilshere’s dedication following nightclub controversy April 7, 2016 Aresnal manager Arsene Wenger has defended Jack Wilshere’s dedication after the injury-plagued England midfielder was caught up in an apparent row at a West End nightspot last weekend. Wilshere, 24, is yet to play this season after fracturing his calf bone in August but is set to make his comeback for the club’s under-21s on [...]
Newcastle financial results: Magpies enjoy £32m profit but chiefs admit fans won’t care April 6, 2016 Newcastle chiefs have conceded that an increase in profits to £32.4m is likely to be of little comfort to supporters contemplating possible relegation from the Premier League. The Magpies – second bottom of the table and six points from safety with seven games remaining – enjoyed a 73 per cent rise in profit for the [...]
Pellegrini vows to attack in Champions League battle of continent’s big spenders April 5, 2016 Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini shrugged off suggestions that Paris Saint-Germain have underestimated his side, while insisting the Citizens will go for the jugular in Wednesday's battle of the continent’s big spenders. PSG counterpart Laurent Blanc had earlier admitted his relief that the French champions had avoided “ogres of European football” Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Real [...]
Chelsea will be Antonio Conte’s toughest job yet but winning is in Italian’s blood April 5, 2016 Antonio Conte, the new broom set to sweep through Chelsea this summer, is no stranger to big jobs, but at Stamford Bridge the current Italy coach and former Juventus manager is surely facing his toughest assignment yet. Something in the Blues’ squad seems to have become infected during this traumatic season. Conte’s task is nothing [...]
English football clubs have never been in better financial health, says study April 4, 2016 English football clubs have left their overspending days behind them and have never been in better financial shape, according to a new study by insolvency firm Begbies Traynor. Increasing revenues from television contracts allied with so-called financial fair play rules, which have forced clubs to live within their means, have slashed the number of teams [...]
Italy boss Conte plots Juventus-style domination at Chelsea after appointment confirmed April 4, 2016 Newly-appointed Antonio Conte has set his sights on creating a Juventus-like dynasty at Stamford Bridge after being announced as Jose Mourinho’s permanent successor as manager of Chelsea yesterday. The 46-year-old has signed a three-year contract and will start work in west London after this summer’s European Championship in France, which will be his last act in [...]
With ex-Arsenal footballer Sol Campbell coming out in favour of a Brexit, the Leave camp must now tackle mixed messages April 4, 2016 Sol Campbell is used to dividing opinion among Londoners. Many of our city’s football fans worship the former Arsenal star for helping to deliver several Premier League titles and FA Cups to Highbury – and yet thousands of others still resent him for walking out on Tottenham Hotspur to join their fierce local rivals. A [...]
Manchester United 1, Everton 0: Anthony Martial keeps Louis van Gaal’s men on tails of Manchester City April 3, 2016 Manchester United 1, Everton 0 Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal diverted praise to teenager substitute Timothy Fosu-Mensah after his introduction helped inspire a win over Everton that boosted his team’s Champions League prospects. Van Gaal threw on the 18-year-old left-back for struggling Argentina defender Marcos Rojo at half-time and the switch paid off as [...]