American billionaire closes in on Palace deal October 27, 2014 AMERICAN tycoon Josh Harris is poised to enter a period of due diligence as his proposed takeover of Crystal Palace gathers pace. A deal in the region of £70m with the Premier League club appears close after progressive talks between billionaire Harris and Palace co-chairman Steve Parish accelerated the chances of an imminent agreement. Should [...]
Ex-Liverpool boss Christian Purslow joins Chelsea in new commercial role October 27, 2014 Chelsea have hired former Liverpool managing director Christian Purslow to run the club's global commercial activities Purslow is not a direct replacement for chief executive Ron Gourlay who departed Stamford Bridge last week, with chairman Bruce Buck and director Marina Granovskaia assuming his responsibilities. “The club has ambitious plans to build the Premier [...]
Premier League: Mourinho riled by ref Dowd as late RVP strike denies Chelsea October 26, 2014 MANCHESTER UNITED 1 CHELSEA 1 CHELSEA manager Jose Mourinho made clear his displeasure with referee Phil Dowd after Robin van Persie’s 94th-minute equaliser denied his 10 men victory at Old Trafford yesterday. Manchester United’s late equaliser came seconds after the Blues had been weakened defensively by the sending off of right-back Branislav Ivanovic for a [...]
Ferguson: Dutch tactician correct choice to lead United October 26, 2014 FORMER Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson says this season has been case of “one step forward and two steps back” but insists Louis van Gaal is the right man for the Old Trafford hot-seat. United snatched a last-gasp draw against Premier League leaders Chelsea yesterday but it has been a difficult first few months [...]
Van Gaal fury as saviour earns stupid caution October 26, 2014 HE MIGHT have saved the day with a dramatic late leveller, but that was not enough to spare Manchester United striker Robin van Persie from the wrath of boss Louis van Gaal. Taskmaster Van Gaal labelled Van Persie “stupid” for taking off his shirt in celebration at snatching a late point against Chelsea, thereby earning [...]
Premier League: Spurs surrender perplexes Poch October 26, 2014 AT WHITE HART LANE TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 1 NEWCASTLE UNITED 2 STUNNED Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino insists his toughest task is to improve the mindset of his players after Spurs’ second-half capitulation gifted Newcastle their first away win of the campaign yesterday. A double substitution at the break from counterpart Alan Pardew laid the platform for [...]
Premier League: Ruthless Eto’o brace fires improving Everton October 26, 2014 BURNLEY 1 EVERTON 3 PROUD Everton manager Roberto Martinez hailed evergreen Samuel Eto’o after the striker’s two goals earned the Toffees back-to-back Premier League wins for the first time since April. Record signing Romelu Lukaku also netted for the visitors, while a first of the season for Danny Ings was insufficient to end Burnley’s wait [...]
Taarabt is still in my QPR plans, says Redknapp October 26, 2014 QPR boss Harry Redknapp insists Adel Taarabt holds a Loftus Road future despite this week engaging in a public spat with the Moroccan play-maker. Redknapp described Taarabt as “the worst professional I have ever come across” while Taarabt retaliated by criticising the training methods employed by the former Tottenham manager. And while be is unlikely [...]
Football Comment: Far too early for Chelsea to think of invincibility October 26, 2014 Chelsea looked really strong yesterday and, if everything goes their way, Jose Mourinho’s side should go on and win the title. But we all know the Premier League does not work that way. I don’t think rival managers would have been sitting at home hoping Chelsea didn’t win because a six-point gap at the summit [...]
Europa League: Spurs romp but Pochettino left with bitter taste October 23, 2014 TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 5 ASTERAS TRIPOLIS 1 DISPLEASED Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino admits he was riled by aspects of his side’s showing despite thrashing Greek minnows Asteras Tripolis at White Hart Lane last night. Homegrown striker Harry Kane notched his first career hat-trick before taking over in goal following Hugo Lloris’ dismissal and conceding the first [...]