Mourinho to extend superb home record January 16, 2014 BEN CLEMINSON AND BILL ESDAILE WITH THE BEST FOOTBALL AND RACING BETS DESPITE the gloom around Old Trafford at the moment, it’s interesting to note only local rivals Manchester City and Sunday’s opponents Chelsea are on better runs in the Premier League than the reigning champions. David Moyes’ men might have suffered three straight reverses [...]
Fulham facing tap-up probe over Morrison January 15, 2014 FULHAM could face a fine after the Premier League confirmed last night it was investigating a complaint from West Ham over what they believe equates to the tapping up of Ravel Morrison by their relegation rivals. Cottagers boss Rene Meulensteen, who worked with the midfielder at Manchester United, said on Tuesday that a bid for Morrison [...]
FA Cup: City storm to 99 not out but Pellegrini content to drop one of his star strikers January 15, 2014 MANCHESTER CITY 5 vs BLACKBURN ROVERS 0 MANCHESTER City boss Manuel Pellegrini is unconcerned about axing one of his in-form strikers, after the trio all netted in last night’s FA Cup third round replay. Sergio Aguero came off the bench after eight games out with a calf injury and took less than a minute to [...]
Matic hails boss Mourinho as Chelsea seal his £21m return January 15, 2014 NEW Chelsea midfielder Nemanja Matic branded boss Jose Mourinho the world’s best yesterday, after completing his £21m return to Stamford Bridge. Matic moved to Benfica from Chelsea three years ago as part of the deal which saw defender David Luiz move the opposite way. But the 25-year-old, who worked under Carlo Ancelotti during his first [...]
Hull owner threatens to quit if Tigers name change is blocked January 14, 2014 CONTROVERSIAL Hull City owner and main financial backer Assem Allam has warned he will walk away from the football club if he is not permitted to change their name to Hull Tigers. Allam has defied some supporters of the Premier League side by lodging an official request with the Football Association to change their name. [...]
Holt completes Villa loan switch while Stoke seal double swoop January 14, 2014 NEW Aston Villa striker Grant Holt is relishing a return to the Premier League after completing a surprise loan switch from Wigan yesterday. Holt has struck just two goals in 21 matches since his £2m summer move from Norwich to the FA Cup holders. But Villa boss Paul Lambert has swooped to bring in the [...]
Giant-killing Kidderminster set up Sunderland tie in round four January 14, 2014 NON-LEAGUE Kidderminster set up an FA Cup fourth round trip to Premier League strugglers Sunderland with a 3-2 win at Peterborough last night. Tommy Rowe opened the scoring for Peterborough, sixth in League One, in the third round replay, but goals from Michael Gash and Jack Byrne shortly after half-time put Harriers ahead. Britt Assombalonga [...]
Townsend close to Spurs return January 14, 2014 FOOTBALL: Tottenham winger Andros Townsend, who has missed the last six matches with a hamstring injury, scored during a 45-minute cameo appearance as Spurs beat Newcastle 4-1 in an Under-21s Premier League match yesterday.
Premier League: Arsenal back on top with Villa victory January 13, 2014 ASTON VILLA 1 vs ARSENAL 2 ARSENAL manager Arsene Wenger has told his players to forget what is going on elsewhere and focus on winning after they returned to the top of the Premier League last night. Two first-half goals in less than a minute from midfielder Jack Wilshere and striker Olivier Giroud were enough [...]
Ronaldo beats Messi to world player award January 13, 2014 A TEARFUL Cristiano Ronaldo paid tribute to his Real Madrid and Portugal team-mates upon receiving the Ballon d’Or for 2013 yesterday, ending Lionel Messi’s four-year reign as governing body Fifa’s world player of the year. The 28-year-old gained 1,365 points in the vote cast by national captains and coaches, plus members of the global football [...]