Hodgson: Carroll could still go to World Cup February 27, 2014 ENGLAND manager Roy Hodgson insists West Ham striker Andy Carroll could yet go to this summer’s World Cup in Brazil, despite yesterday’s omission from the 30-man squad to face Denmark at Wembley Stadium on Wednesday. Highly-rated Southampton left-back Luke Shaw is the only uncapped player selected by Hodgson for the last friendly before the end [...]
The Black Cats won’t block City’s path to cup success February 27, 2014 BEN CLEMINSON AND BILL ESDAILE WITH THE BEST FOOTBALL AND RACING BETS FAILURE is unthinkable for Manchester City in Sunday’s Capital One Cup final against Sunderland – but they know as well as anyone that favourites don’t always win at Wembley. Last season’s FA Cup final is a perfect case study of David toppling Goliath after Wigan’s shock 1-0 victory [...]
Charts: Man Utd stars are playing 18 per cent worse under David Moyes February 27, 2014 Manchester United’s season is littered with statistics to make even ashen-faced manager David Moyes grimace, but these may be the most damning yet. A comparison of how players have performed relative to last season, using Kickdex, shows that United’s first-team regulars are on average 18 per cent less effective under Moyes than they were in [...]
Sherwood: Soldado’s time is now February 26, 2014 TOTTENHAM boss Tim Sherwood has challenged misfiring Roberto Soldado to fill the Jermain Defoe-sized hole at White Hart Lane, starting tonight against FC Dnipro. A hamstring injury leaves Defoe unavailable to help Spurs overturn a 1-0 deficit in their Europa League last-32 second leg, so the England striker will say farewell to supporters at half-time [...]
Ticket row latest blow to United but club resist calls to axe Moyes February 26, 2014 MANCHESTER United were forced to defend their ticket policy last night after fans complained of being threatened with bans unless they bought seats for next month’s return leg against Olympiacos. Some season-ticket holders received messages warning they would be barred from the Premier League derby against Manchester City at Old Trafford on 25 March if [...]
Mourinho denies Eto’o falling out over unguarded age comments February 25, 2014 CHELSEA manager Jose Mourinho went on the offensive on the eve of tonight’s Champions League match against Galatasaray, accusing a French television channel of being unethical for broadcasting his unguarded remarks about Blues striker Samuel Eto’o. Mourinho called it “a disgrace” that Canal Plus had shown footage of him saying “the problem is I lack [...]
Chelsea won Euro title so why can’t we, says Rooney February 24, 2014 MANCHESTER United striker Wayne Rooney believes attaining a second Champions League winners medal is not beyond his troubled side this season and has cited Chelsea’s 2012 triumph as their inspiration. United resume their European campaign at Greek champions Olympiacos for the first leg of their last-16 tie tonight, having suffered embarrassing exits in both domestic [...]
Redknapp defends QPR league position and denies sacking talk February 24, 2014 UNDER-FIRE Queens Park Rangers manager Harry Redknapp has dismissed suggestions that his job is on the line as the club’s bid to return to the Premier League at the first attempt threatens to unravel. Saturday’s late defeat to London rivals Charlton was a third loss in a row and has left Rangers in fourth place, [...]
We can get at nervy United, claims Carroll February 24, 2014 FORMER Manchester United goalkeeper Roy Carroll believes current employers Olympiacos can capitalise on the Premier League champions’ frailties and reach the Champions League quarter-finals. United travel to the Karaiskakis Stadium in Greece tonight, where their hosts have a 100 per cent winning record in the Super League this term and are a mammoth 20 points [...]
Premier League: Spurs’ dream of fourth spot dented, says boss Sherwood February 23, 2014 NORWICH CITY 1 vs TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 0 TOTTENHAM manager Tim Sherwood admitted his team’s Champions League aspirations were dented by yesterday’s defeat at Carrow Road, after they slipped six points behind fourth-placed Liverpool. Spurs had gone into the game boasting the best away record in the Premier League with nine wins from 13 matches, but [...]