Lukaku speaks out as Anelka charged by FA January 21, 2014 CHELSEA striker Romelu Lukaku became embroiled in the growing row over Nicolas Anelka’s controversial “quenelle” gesture yesterday, after the West Brom player was formally charged by the Football Association. Lukaku, 20, who is on a season-long loan at Everton, defended Anelka’s use of the gesture, which has been called anti-Semitic, and said the Frenchman, who [...]
Sponsors ditch West Brom over Anelka gesture January 20, 2014 PROPERTY website Zoopla has taken the extraordinary step of ending its sponsorship of West Brom following the row over striker Nicolas Anelka’s controversial “quenelle” celebration. Anelka’s gesture, which has been associated with anti-Semitism, is believed to have upset Zoopla’s Jewish co-owner Alex Chesterton, and the company yesterday said it would not renew its £1.5m per [...]
Premier League: United too far behind to win the title now, says Mourinho January 19, 2014 AT STAMFORD BRIDGE CHELSEA 3 vs MANCHESTER UNITED 1 MANCHESTER United’s chances of retaining their Premier League title were written off by Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho yesterday, after the Reds suffered a seventh league defeat of the season. Striker Samuel Eto’o rolled back the years to hit a clinical hat-trick, taking full advantage of United’s [...]
Sport Comment: Rich owners really can tell fans to go to Hull January 19, 2014 ONE day you suspect Roman Abramovich will get tired of owning a football club and the Kings Road will be the scene of the first demonstration in this country by die-hard fans begging a billionaire owner not to leave. “Never mind the manager and the players,” the Chelsea faithful will chant. “We need your money.” [...]
Premier League: Adebayor staves off Sherwood’s Spurs job fears January 19, 2014 SWANSEA CITY 1 vs TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 3 TOTTENHAM boss Tim Sherwood still fears for his job beyond May, despite revitalised Emmanuel Adebayor’s two goals inspiring a fifth win from six Premier League games yesterday at Swansea. The victory, which also featured an own goal by Swansea defender Chico Flores and a late consolation from Wilfried [...]
Injured Torres set to miss Man City showdown January 19, 2014 CHELSEA striker Fernando Torres is set to miss next month’s trip to Premier League title favourites Manchester City after injuring his knee in yesterday’s 3-1 victory over Manchester United. Torres started and scored in each of Chelsea’s last two league matches, though was dropped to the bench by manager Jose Mourinho, who felt replacement Samuel [...]
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 [...]