Champions League: We must win Euro group, says City boss November 5, 2013 MANCHESTER CITY 5 v CSKA MOSCOW 2 MANCHESTER City manager Manuel Pellegrini has challenged his side to win Group D, after sealing their qualification to the Champions League knockout stages with two games to spare last night. Fresh from hitting Norwich for seven in the Premier League, a hat-trick from Alvaro Negredo, plus a brace [...]
Wenger gunning for revenge in crunch meeting with Dortmund November 5, 2013 ARSENAL manager Arsene Wenger has urged his team to draw on the hurt of defeat to Borussia Dortmund last month when they seek revenge in Germany this evening. The Gunners’ adventurousness spilled over into recklessness in the first meeting, last year’s Champions League runners-up punishing them on the counter-attack in a 2-1 win. It has [...]
Spurs hit by criticism but say Lloris was fit to play on November 4, 2013 TOTTENHAM yesterday defended their decision to allow goalkeeper Hugo Lloris to continue playing after being knocked unconscious during Sunday’s goalless draw with Everton, despite staunch criticism. Lloris required lengthy treatment after an accidental clash with Toffees striker Romelu Lukaku, but appeared to defy initial advice from the Spurs medical department that he be substituted and [...]
Riether facing a three-game ban for Januzaj clash November 4, 2013 FULHAM defender Sascha Riether has until 6pm tonight to answer a Football Association charge of violent conduct following an apparent stamp on Manchester United winger Adnan Januzaj on Saturday. The incident, in the final minutes of Fulham’s 3-1 defeat at Craven Cottage, was not spotted by referee Lee Probert but subsequently reviewed by a panel [...]
Toure’s racism exaggerated and sanction went too far, insist CSKA November 4, 2013 CSKA Moscow last night risked reopening a racism row on the eve of their rematch with Manchester City by suggesting they had been the victims of a witch-hunt. The Russian team were last week ordered to close a section of their stadium for their next Champions League home game, after European governing body Uefa upheld [...]
Football Comment: Judgement day looming for London bosses at both ends November 4, 2013 FOR TWO managers of London clubs the moment of truth is drawing near, and this week could have a decisive impact on their fortunes. At Arsenal, Arsene Wenger is poised to discover just how realistic his side’s trophy aspirations are in two testing away fixtures, at Borussia Dortmund tomorrow and Manchester United on Sunday. Beating [...]
Premier League: Tottenham go fourth after brave Lloris defies doctors November 3, 2013 EVERTON 0 vs TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 0 TOTTENHAM manager Andre Villas-Boas praised the determination of goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, who defied medical advice to help secure his 11th clean sheet of the season at Goodison Park yesterday. The France captain needed four minutes of treatment after a heavy second-half collision with striker Romelu Lukaku left him unconscious [...]
There is no sporting comeback to rival Nadal’s, says Becker November 3, 2013 THE ASTONISHING rise from the verge of retirement to world No1 by Rafael Nadal following seven months out with a knee injury represents the greatest sporting comeback ever, according to six-time grand slam champion Boris Becker. Nadal, who begins his ATP World Tour Finals campaign this week, was sidelined by tendinitis following last year’s Wimbledon [...]
No excuses for loss, says Cech November 3, 2013 CHELSEA goalkeeper Petr Cech insists there can be no excuses for the Premier League title hopefuls’ surprise 2-0 away defeat at Newcastle on Saturday. Strong winds and rain made for tough conditions at St James’ Park, yet Cech said it should have been possible to break down the hosts. “Apart from the wind, we can’t [...]
Jol determined to save his job November 3, 2013 DEFIANT Fulham manager Martin Jol is not entertaining thoughts of the sack, despite home supporters at Craven Cottage turning against him during Saturday’s 3-1 defeat to Manchester United. Fans chanted “Jol out” as the Cottagers suffered their third defeat in a row and the Dutchman is favourite with bookmakers to be the next Premier League [...]