How Everton’s £30m loan gamble may be about to pay off March 27, 2014 Everton’s surge towards a precious Champions League place is not just the latest twist in a tortuous campaign, it’s also the climax to an audacious gamble by Roberto Martinez. The Spaniard has relied heavily on three players this term, according to analysis by Kickdex – none of whom are contracted to be at the club [...]
Premier League: We’re loving life at the top, says Rodgers March 26, 2014 LIVERPOOL 2 SUNDERLAND 1 LIVERPOOL boss Brendan Rodgers admitted last night his title-chasing team are enjoying proving their doubters wrong after they moved to within a point of the Premier League summit. Goals from captain Steven Gerrard and Daniel Sturridge earned the Reds their seventh straight league victory, despite Sunderland substitute Ki Sung-Yueng heading in [...]
Premier League: Allardyce angry as supporters greet West Ham win with jeers March 26, 2014 WEST HAM UNITED 2 HULL CITY 1 FRUSTRATED West Ham boss Sam Allardyce last night hit back at supporters who booed his team as they climbed nine points clear of the relegation zone against 10-man Hull. An own goal from Tigers defender James Chester handed the Hammers a valuable win, following three straight defeats, after [...]
Three Lions to be in top tier of new Nations League tournament March 26, 2014 A NEW biennial international football tournament contested by European countries and given a working title of the Nations League is expected to be confirmed today. The competition would consist of up to four divisions of around 14 teams, with promotion and relegation, and could offer qualification places for the World Cup and European Championships. England [...]
Premier League: Moyes wants United to hit City’s heights March 25, 2014 MANCHESTER UNITED 0 MANCHESTER CITY 3 MANCHESTER United boss David Moyes conceded last night his team must aspire to match the level their “noisy neighbours” are at or risk falling behind the Premier League’s elite for seasons to come. Two goals from Edin Dzeko and Yaya Toure’s late strike lifted Manchester City to second place, [...]
Rodgers: Reds ready to win title March 25, 2014 LIVERPOOL manager Brendan Rodgers believes his squad have the required character to overcome their title rivals and secure a first league crown for 24 years. The Reds take on struggling Sunderland tonight knowing a seventh straight Premier League win will close the gap on leaders Chelsea to one point. Rodgers said: “There is no doubt [...]
Seven points to save West Ham March 25, 2014 WEST Ham require another seven points from their final eight matches to achieve Premier League survival, according to boss Sam Allardyce. Three straight defeats have moved the Hammers from the comfort of mid-table safety to looking precariously over their shoulder ahead of tonight’s visit from Hull. Allardyce, whose team are six points clear of 18th-placed [...]
Premier League: We’re left looking over our shoulder, admits Wenger March 25, 2014 ARSENAL 2 SWANSEA CITY 2 ARSENAL manager Arsene Wenger admits his team have been sucked into another scrap for fourth place after an injury-time own goal from Mathieu Flamini cost them two much-needed points last night. Two second-half goals in 66 seconds from Lukas Podolski and Olivier Giroud appeared to have erased Wilfried Bony’s early [...]
Premier League: Perfect Everton have eyes on top four finish March 25, 2014 NEWCASTLE UNITED 0 EVERTON 3 THE PERFECT away performance, according to Everton boss Roberto Martinez, saw the Toffees take full advantage of Arsenal’s slip up against Swansea to close in on a top-four place. A stunning first-half goal from England international midfielder Ross Barkley, was followed by strikes from Romelu Lukaku and Leon Osman to [...]
Clubs face cap on squads under amended FFP rules March 24, 2014 SPOTLIGHT ON financial fair play in FOOTBALL CLUBS could be forced to enter weakened squads for the Champions League next season if they are deemed to have made excessive financial losses, after European chiefs Uefa made late changes to financial fair play (FFP) rules. The punishment can be levied on teams who have lost more [...]