Barclays set for Premier League sponsorship challenge June 23, 2014 The English Premier League is set to open up its sponsorship to bidders for the first time in 12 years, putting Barclays at risk of losing branding rights when its existing sponsorship ends at the close of the 2015-2016 season. Barclays currently pays £40m a year for the sponsorship, but Premier League clubs have voted [...]
Luis Suarez in stats: Just how good is he? June 20, 2014 As Luis Suarez's double last night seemingly crushed England's dreams of qualification from the World Cup's group stages, the Uruguayan's performance should hardly have come as a surprise. England's in-form forward Daniel Sturridge temped fate by publicly saying he would be happy to see his Liverpool teammate on the pitch in tonight's game between the two sides [...]
Suarez revels in chance to silence his haters June 19, 2014 URUGUAY striker Luis Suarez said his brace to virtually end England’s stay in Brazil was payback for his mistreatment while playing for Liverpool. The 27-year-old was named Players’ Player of the Year and Football Writers’ Player of the Year after a stellar season in the Premier League. But Suarez has endured a chequered past, serving [...]
World Cup in brief June 18, 2014 Portugal sweating on Ronaldo PORTUGAL forward Cristiano Ronaldo was unable to complete yesterday’s full training session as he continues to struggle with a knee injury. The Real Madrid star is doubtful for Sunday’s match against USA in Manaus and Portugal’s final Group G contest against Ghana. Vanishing spray given red card VANISHING spray being used [...]
City handed tough start to Premier League title defence June 18, 2014 CHAMPIONS Manchester City have been handed a tricky start to the 2014-15 Premier League season with head-to-heads against the rest of last season’s top four in their first five games. After travelling to Newcastle when the campaign kicks off on 16 August, City then host last season’s runners-up Liverpool in their opening game at the [...]
Kouyate enticed to West Ham by Carroll presence June 18, 2014 WEST Ham chairman David Sullivan has set manager Sam Allardyce the target of a top-10 Premier League finish after opening the chequebook again for Anderlecht’s Cheikhou Kouyate. The Senegal-born player, 24, can play at centre-back or as a defensive midfielder and is thought to have cost the Hammers in the region of £6m. Kouyate’s signing [...]
Premier League fixtures 2014-2015: How does your team do in the first game? June 18, 2014 Champions Manchester City will kick off the defence of their Premier League crown with a trip to Newcastle, while newly promoted Burnley host Chelsea in their first game back in the big time. Louis Van Gaal's opening match in charge of Manchester United sees him come up against Swansea at home, while Arsenal welcome Crystal [...]
Sturridge: I’ll be happy to see Suarez in crunch clash June 16, 2014 WITH Uruguay striker Luis Suarez having declared himself fit for Thursday’s win or bust clash with England, his Liverpool strike partner is relishing their head-to-head but has warned the two-time World Cup winners are by no means a one-man team. Suarez played no part in his country’s surprise defeat to Costa Rica due to recent knee [...]
Chelsea pounce after Gunners reject Fabregas June 12, 2014 WORLD Cup winner Cesc Fabregas has revealed former club Arsenal turned down a chance to bring him back to north London before Chelsea secured his services in a £27m deal. Fabregas, set to feature in Spain’s World Cup opener against Holland tonight, yesterday finalised a five-year contract at Stamford Bridge. When the 27-year-old moved from [...]
Homegrown factor (at Arsenal) makes Cesc Fabregas more useful to Chelsea June 12, 2014 It's not just incisive midfield play and experience on the big stage that make Cesc Fabregas attractive to Chelsea, who have today signed the former Arsenal captain from Barcelona for £30m on a five-year deal. Fabregas’s value to the Blues has increased markedly since the club decided to part company with two of its [...]