Spending up on 2012 but shy of record January 31, 2013 PREMIER League clubs spent around £37m on deadline day, taking the total spend for the January transfer window to £125m. The overall figure is double last January’s meagre £60m outlay, and the fourth highest spend by top flight sides since the winter window’s introduction in 2003. But it was well short of the record £225m [...]
France hitting their peak at perfect time to land Six Nations January 31, 2013 WILLIAM CHRIMES AND BEN CLEMINSON PREVIEW THE SIX NATIONS AND PREMIER LEAGUE THIS YEAR’S Six Nations promises to be another thrilling northern hemisphere battle with England and France jostling for favouritism. Wales are the defending Grand Slam champions, yet have had a disastrous run of it with an almost record-breaking losing run of seven games. [...]
Baffled Benitez blasts his Blues after late collapse January 30, 2013 READING 2 vs CHELSEA 2 CHELSEA manager Rafael Benitez criticised his team’s late collapse after the Blues threw away the chance to close on the Premier League’s top two by allowing Reading’s Adam Le Fondre to score twice in the last five minutes. Benitez did not hide his frustration at succumbing to a fourth draw [...]
Wenger in no mood to buy despite Reds exposing frailties January 30, 2013 ARSENAL 2 vs LIVERPOOL 2 ARSENAL boss Arsene Wenger insists his squad can compete for football’s top prizes even if, as expected. he fails to add any talent before the transfer window closes tonight. Second-half strikes from Olivier Giroud and Theo Walcott earned the Gunners a draw against Liverpool last night, after Luis Suarez and [...]
Only 11th hour spree can save goal-shy QPR January 30, 2013 QUEENS Park Rangers might have pulled off an unlikely draw against champions Manchester City on Tuesday, but all is far from well at Loftus Road. I’ve never seen manager Harry Redknapp look more annoyed with a group of players, while chairman Tony Fernandes has even talked about walking away. Draws, even against big teams, are [...]
Spurs pass up chance to steal march on rivals January 30, 2013 NORWICH CITY 1 vs TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 1 TOTTENHAM manager Andre Villas-Boas admitted his side had missed a golden chance to tighten their grip on a top-four place after failing to win for a fourth consecutive match. Norwich had taken just one point from their previous six Premier League fixtures but took a surprise lead in [...]
Samba set to join Yun as QPR and Fulham eye late swoops January 30, 2013 QUEENS Park Rangers look certain to be the Premier League’s biggest players before tonight’s transfer deadline, with manager Harry Redknapp still working on several last-minute deals yesterday. A defender and a striker remain Redknapp’s priorities, despite the arrival of South Korea left-back Yun Suk-Young following the successful bid to obtain a work permit. Former Blackburn [...]
United seven points clear January 30, 2013 MANCHESTER UNITED 2 vs SOUTHAMPTON 1 ENGLAND striker Wayne Rooney made it nine goals in nine games as Manchester United survived a scare to extend their Premier League lead to seven points. Jay Rodriguez gave Southampton a shock lead at Old Trafford after just three minutes, when he beat goalkeeper David de Gea to Michael [...]
Berbatov celebrates birthday with goal as Fulham leapfrog freefalling Hammers January 30, 2013 FULHAM 3 vs WEST HAM UNITED 1 FULHAM eased their worries with only a third win in 16 games as West Ham’s season disintegrated further at Craven Cottage last night. Forward Dimitar Berbatov headed his eighth Premier League goal of the season, amid suspicions of offside, to give the home side the lead after just [...]
Crouch and Samba on Redknapp’s shopping list January 29, 2013 QUEENS PARK RANGERS 0 vs MANCHESTER CITY 0 QUEENS Park Rangers manager Harry Redknapp last night confirmed he is eyeing a fifth spell with former England striker Peter Crouch, after holding Premier League champions Manchester City to a draw. Redknapp wants to sign Crouch, 31, from Stoke and Russia-based former Blackburn defender Christopher Samba before [...]