Pochettino vows not to sacrifice Europa League in bid to preserve Premier League title tilt February 17, 2016 Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino has dismissed suggestions that he could sacrifice the Europa League to concentrate on his side’s bid to secure a first top-flight title since 1961. Second-placed Spurs closed the gap on Premier League leaders Leicester to two points with victory at rivals Manchester City at the weekend, while they host Crystal Palace [...]
Ezequiel Lavezzi to become one of the highest paid players in the world after swapping PSG for Hebei China Fortune February 17, 2016 For Argentina forward Ezequiel Lavezzi, Hebei China Fortune certainly live up to their name. The Chinese Super League club have made the former Paris Saint-Germain man one of the highest paid players in world football after handing him a two-year contract worth £400,000-a-week. Lavezzi, 30, joins former Premier League players Stephane M'Bia, Gervinho and Gael Kakuta at [...]
Premier League clubs could be offered cash incentives to take the Europa League seriously February 17, 2016 The Premier League is considering offering its clubs in the Europa League cash incentives to take the competition seriously in order to retain its Uefa coefficient ranking. English clubs are in danger of losing one of their four Champions League spots to Italy following recent under-performance in Uefa competition from Premier League clubs. Tottenham Hotspur [...]
Relegation-haunted Sunderland to reduce cost of season tickets February 16, 2016 Relegation-threatened Sunderland have followed the lead of fellow Premier League side West Ham by announcing reductions to season-ticket prices for the 2016-17 campaign. Adult season tickets at the Stadium of Light next term will start at £350, down by £20, and the move follows widespread supporter unrest at the growing cost of attending top-level matches in [...]
The FA Cup: Midweek games and no replays proposed for tournament by Premier League powers February 16, 2016 Football's oldest competition could be set for a major revamp to invigorate it for the modern era. Proposals to adopt a format similar to the League Cup, by moving games to midweek and scrapping replays altogether, have been discussed by Premier League representatives and the FA according to reports. The League Cup itself could also be [...]
Champions League: Chelsea boss Guus Hiddink warns Eden Hazard to forget possible Paris Saint-Germain move as teams prepare to meet again February 15, 2016 Chelsea manager Guus Hiddink has urged Eden Hazard to forget any prospect of a big-money move to Paris Saint-Germain and focus on proving he is fit again by helping to halt the in-form French champions. Hazard appeared to give his suitors fresh hope when he said it would “difficult to say no to PSG” in a [...]
FA Cup final tickets to be cut by £5 each as Football Association responds to growing fan unrest at match-day costs February 15, 2016 Football Association chiefs have cut ticket prices for this year’s FA Cup final and semi-finals amid supporter unrest at the growing cost of attending top-level matches. All tickets for the 21 May showpiece have been reduced by £5 while seats at the two semi-finals in April, which are also held at Wembley, have been cut [...]
Manchester City 1, Tottenham Hotspur 2: Pochettino grants Spurs fans permission to dream of Premier League title glory February 14, 2016 Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino granted his side’s supporters permission to start dreaming of a first top-flight crown since 1961 after they asserted their title credentials with victory at fading Manchester City. Playmaker Christian Eriksen struck a late winner after teenage substitute Kelechi Iheanacho had levelled to cancel out Harry Kane’s opener from the penalty spot following [...]
Arsenal 2-1 Leicester: Arsene Wenger hails Danny Welbeck return as super-sub strikes winner in title duel on comeback from 10-month injury lay-off February 14, 2016 Arsenal 2-1 Leicester Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger toasted an 11th-hour decision to include fit-again Danny Welbeck after the striker climbed off the bench to head a stoppage-time winner against title rivals Leicester on Sunday. Welbeck marked his first appearance following a 10-month injury lay-off with his first Premier League goal since December 2014 after fellow sub [...]
Arsenal 2-1 Leicester: Proud Ranieri gives players a week off despite defeat in top-of-the-table clash February 14, 2016 Leicester boss Claudio Ranieri has given his team a week’s holiday to recover from a morale-sapping blow to their hopes of completing a fairytale Premier League title triumph. A 2-1 defeat at rivals Arsenal cut their lead to just two points with 12 games remaining, as the Gunners and second-placed Tottenham stepped up their chase of [...]