Late Marouane Fellaini goal eases Manchester United fears as Memphis Depay shines August 19, 2015 Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal admitted that his side’s route to the Champions League group stages was looking precarious until substitute Marouane Fellaini’s last-gasp intervention calmed their nerves last night. Club Brugge had taken a surprise lead through Michael Carrick’s own goal before £31m forward Memphis Depay kickstarted his Old Trafford career with a [...]
Jose Mourinho’s John Terry treatment defies logic August 19, 2015 I'd love to hear a convincing explanation why Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho substituted his captain John Terry when 1-0 down at half-time away to Manchester City on Sunday because I just don’t get it. The problem with the visitors’ performance was not so much Terry as what was going on directly in front of [...]
Premier League: Debate rages on offside as Benteke nets August 18, 2015 LIVERPOOL 1 BOURNEMOUTH 0 LIVERPOOL manager Brendan Rodgers questioned the merits of the new offside rule despite his side benefitting from a contentious winner to maintain their perfect opening to the season against Bournemouth last night. The Reds are now unbeaten in their opening home match in each of the last 12 Premier League seasons [...]
Louis Van Gaal denies Wayne Rooney worries as Manchester United bid to rejoin European elite August 17, 2015 Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal has dismissed concerns over skipper Wayne Rooney’s lack of goals so far this season as his side prepare for their Champions League play-off against Club Brugge at Old Trafford tonight. Despite United recording back-to-back Premier League victories, England captain Rooney has failed to register a shot on target in [...]
Sardinia: an ancient, strangely empty idyll August 17, 2015 Elle McPherson was being photographed wearing a tiny white string bikini as she waterskied off the coast of Sardinia when I arrived. There was also breaking news that Silvio Berlusconi, currently hosting Vladimir Putin, had just sold his 68 room Bunga-Bunga palace – where he once entertained Tony Blair – to the Saudi Royal Family [...]
Premier League: Rampant City cap bad week for Mourinho August 16, 2015 MANCHESTER CITY 3 CHELSEA 0 CHELSEA manager Jose Mourinho bemoaned a “fake” scoreline after finishing the most difficult week of his second spell at the club with a galling defeat by Premier League title rivals Manchester City. An early goal from striker Sergio Aguero was compounded by late efforts from captain Vincent Kompany and midfielder [...]
Premier League: Wenger relieved to register opening victory August 16, 2015 AT SELHURST PARK CRYSTAL PALACE 1 ARSENAL 2 RELIEVED Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger admitted that irreparable damage could have been caused to his side’s season had they not bounced back from opening day defeat with victory at Crystal Palace. An own goal from Palace skipper Damien Delaney ensured that Selhurst Park remains a happy hunting [...]
Was Tottenham’s £21m flop Roberto Soldado the worst value striker in Premier League transfer history? August 14, 2015 You could forgive Tottenham fans for being a little giddy when Spanish international and leading La Liga scorer Roberto Soldado arrived at White Hart Lane for £21m in 2013. Read more: Tottenham set to cut transfer losses on Roberto Soldado after goal-shy spell But two seasons and just seven Premier League goals later, Spurs now appear [...]
Aston Villa v Manchester United: Expect goals galore at Villa Park August 14, 2015 The after work drinks crowd will come face-to-face with an unusual sight tonight: Premier League football. A one-off for this season it will give a flavour of things to come next year, when Friday evening fixtures are part of the new TV deal for 2016-17. The clash between Aston Villa and Manchester United looks an [...]
Tottenham set to cut transfer losses on Roberto Soldado after goal-shy spell August 13, 2015 Tottenham are set to cut their losses on goal-shy forward Roberto Soldado as the Spaniard moved closer to finalising a move to La Liga outfit Villarreal. Soldado has failed to live up to his billing since Spurs paid Valencia £26m for his services in August 2013. The 30-year-old has netted just seven Premier League goals [...]