Zidane keeping tabs on Chelsea title inspiration April 22, 2015 REAL Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane has cited Eden Hazard as one of his favourite players, fuelling speculation that the Spanish club could target the Chelsea and Belgium star. Hazard has been the driving force behind the Blues’ march towards a first Premier League title since 2010, earning nominations for both Player of the Year and [...]
Sky scopes out price hikes as loyalty increases April 21, 2015 BROADCASTER Sky opened the door to further price hikes for viewers yesterday as it reported the best customer retention numbers in 11 years. Sky boss Jeremy Darroch said there was scope to raise prices more in future as the group introduced better services and products for viewers. “We think generally the prospect for a little [...]
Klopp snub talk is nonsense and Big Sam still boss, say West Ham April 21, 2015 WEST Ham vice-chairman Karren Brady has rubbished suggestions that in-demand Borussia Dortmund coach Jurgen Klopp has turned down the chance to manage the Hammers next season. Brady also insisted there was nothing sinister in the delay to holding contract talks with current boss Sam Allardyce, who has just two months left on his current deal. [...]
Football Comment: Relegation battle alive but I fear for Burnley, QPR and Sunderland April 21, 2015 THE BEAUTY of this season’s battle to avoid relegation from the Premier League is that no team is adrift. With one win any of the sides scrapping for survival could take a big step towards safety. I think Newcastle and Aston Villa are safe, and that it’s between the bottom five. The Magpies have lost [...]
Manchester United, Newcastle and Aston Villa are the Premier League’s biggest underperformers judged against wage spend April 21, 2015 Manchester United, Newcastle United and Aston Villa have been three of the Premier League’s biggest underperformers in the last two seasons when judged against their respective wage bills. In the 2013/14 season, United spent more money on wages than any other Premier League team with a total wage bill of £215.8m yet finished seventh after [...]
Sky share price touches 14-year high as profit and customers jump after splashing billions on Premier League rights April 21, 2015 Shares in Sky jumped as much as five per cent in early trading, touching a 14-year high, after the firm announced it had grown profit, revenue and customers The figures For the nine months to the end of March, Sky operating profit was up 20 per cent to £1.025bn on revenue of £8.453bn, which also grew five per [...]
Chelsea facing striker crisis for Arsenal fixture April 20, 2015 CHELSEA could be without any of their senior centre-forwards for Sunday’s Premier League summit clash at Arsenal after Didier Drogba became their latest injury victim. Veteran Drogba, who has led the line in the last two Blues games while Diego Costa and Loic Remy have been sidelined, withdrew from a planned appearance in a charity [...]
Depay to cost United £15m+ April 20, 2015 Holland World Cup star Memphis Depay could be set to join former mentor Louis van Gaal at Manchester United after PSV Eindhoven revealed the Premier League club have enquired about the young forward. PSV technical director Marcel Brands said United had phoned the Dutch champions about former Tottenham target Depay, who has scored 20 goals [...]
FA Cup: Vibrant Villa end Gerrard final dream April 19, 2015 AT WEMBLEY STADIUM ASTON VILLA 2 LIVERPOOL 1 ASTON Villa manager Tim Sherwood insisted his tactics had “bamboozled” Liverpool counterpart Brendan Rodgers after guiding his side to a first FA Cup final since 2000 with victory over the Reds at Wembley yesterday. Sherwood has rejuvenated Villa during his 10 matches in charge and also invigorated [...]
Premier League: Kane told to buy team-mates dinner after landmark 30th goal April 19, 2015 NEWCASTLE UNITED 1 TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 3 TOTTENHAM manager Mauricio Pochettino hailed striker Harry Kane after the England newcomer yesterday became the first Spurs player to score 30 goals in a season since Gary Lineker in 1992. Kane’s late clincher saw off Newcastle, after Nacer Chadli’s opener for the visitors was cancelled out by Jack Colback, [...]