More Englishmen does not improve England’s results May 8, 2014 PLANS to improve the England team by increasing the number of Englishmen playing in the Premier League are fundamentally flawed and may even damage the national team’s results, according to a new study. Football Association chairman Greg Dyke insists England can win the World Cup by 2022 if his vision for populating the top flight [...]
Football Comment: City and Liverpool deserve trophies but Chelsea don’t May 8, 2014 THEY are the two teams who have played the best football and been the most entertaining to watch, so it only seems right that Manchester City and Liverpool have been neck and neck at the top of the Premier League as the season’s final weekend looms. Surely City will win the title now – it [...]
Derby gain first leg advantage May 8, 2014 DERBY took a giant stride toward the Championship play-off final last night with a 2-1 semi-final first-leg victory at Brighton. Jesse Lingard, on loan from Manchester United, put Brighton in front, but Chris Martin levelled from the penalty spot and goalkeeper Tomasz Kuszczak was credited with an own goal. Steve McLaren’s side are bidding to [...]
Expect no surprises on league’s final day May 8, 2014 BEN CLEMINSON AND BILL ESDAILE WITH THE WEEKEND’S TOP WAGERS HAVING gone from top gear to reverse in just over a week, Liverpool have been overtaken by Manchester City in the title race, and they look to have no chance of catching Manuel Pellegrini’s men. Only a West Ham win at the Etihad will let [...]
One of Greg Dyke’s core claims about English players doesn’t stack up May 8, 2014 English Football Association chairman Greg Dyke has outlined his vision for English teams to develop more England players. Highlighting a decline in the number of English players in the Premier League's top four clubs, much of the 84 page report rests on a core assumption: That more English players in top flight football will mean [...]
Premier League: Entertainers City on edge of title glory May 7, 2014 MANCHESTER CITY 4 ASTON VILLA 0 MANCHESTER City manager Manuel Pellegrini is thrilled his side have scored their way to the brink of becoming Premier League champions after moving to the summit last night for the first time since January. A second-half brace from Edin Dzeko, plus goals from substitute Stevan Jovetic and Yaya Toure [...]
Monk named Swansea boss May 7, 2014 SWANSEA revealed a “back to basics” approach was the key to Garry Monk’s appointment as manager yesterday on a three-year deal. Monk, 35, succeeded Michael Laudrup as boss on a temporary basis in February and has guided the Swans to Premier League safety with 15 points from 13 games in charge. Chairman Huw Jenkins said: [...]
Premier League: Sunderland make miracle escape May 7, 2014 SUNDERLAND 2 WEST BROMWICH ALBION 0 JUBILANT Sunderland manager Gus Poyet insists he now believes in miracles after his team clinched an extraordinary feat of Premier League escapology last night. First-half goals from Jack Colback and Fabio Borini downed West Brom and earned the Black Cats a fourth consecutive win, effectively relegating Norwich simultaneously. Less [...]
Van Gaal hopes to be United’s new manager May 7, 2014 HOLLAND boss Louis van Gaal declared his desire to become the next Manchester United manager last night, labelling the club the “biggest in the world”. The 62-year-old is set to leave his post following this summer’s World Cup in Brazil and is keen to succeed David Moyes at Old Trafford, so long as United want [...]
Long row in prospect as Man City reject Uefa deal May 7, 2014 MANCHESTER City are on course for a summer-long battle with European governing body Uefa over their proposed punishment for breaking new financial fair play (FFP) rules. Uefa have offered City a settlement comprising a €60m (£49m) fine and a restriction on the size of squad they can use in next season’s Champions League – but [...]