Canaries are a big price to continue recent hot streak December 20, 2012 ONLY Premier League leaders Manchester United have taken more points in their last 10 games than Norwich, and the Canaries look over-priced for their trip to West Brom tomorrow. The Baggies’ early form has fizzled out recently and their dull 0-0 draw with an under-strength West Ham on Sunday means they are without a win [...]
Five sign but Arsenal set to miss Huntelaar December 19, 2012 ARSENAL manager Arsene Wenger has declared his intention to build his team around a core of young British talent, after tying midfielder Jack Wilshere and four other players to new long-term contracts. Full-backs Kieran Gibbs and Carl Jenkinson and midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain – all full England internationals – and Wales star Aaron Ramsey have joined [...]
Rangers score debut goal on London listing December 19, 2012 SHARES in Scottish football giant Rangers closed at 76p after their first day of trading on the Alternative Investment Market (AIM) yesterday, signalling a dramatic comeback for the club. The previous company that owned Rangers fell into liquidation earlier in 2012, but the club was rescued by a re-birth led by chief exec Charles Green. [...]
Don’t bet on dreams of a Euro League turning into a reality December 19, 2012 SIR Alan Sugar once compared the money in football to “prune juice” – what goes in seems to be nice and healthy, but in fact just goes straight back out again. The figures appear to back up his claim. In 2010-11, Premier League clubs enjoyed an eye-watering £2.3bn in revenue, yet somehow still ended up [...]
Sunset+Vine scores BT contract December 19, 2012 ■ BT yesterday awarded a deal to produce its forthcoming sports channel to broadcaster Sunset+Vine, which produced Channel 4’s Paralympic coverage. Sunset+Vine will handle BT’s sports coverage, including Premier League football, from next season.
Uefa will ban clubs if it has to, says chief December 18, 2012 SPOTLIGHT ON financial fair play in FOOTBALL ONE OF Uefa’s top executives has told City A.M. that European football’s governing body will not shy away from banning clubs if they flout financial fair play (FFP) rules. Karen Espelund, one of president Michael Platini’s 15 executive committee (ExCo) members, said Uefa “cannot say ‘A’ and not [...]
Top flight cap on wage rise next season December 18, 2012 A CAP on Premier League clubs’ wage bill increases could take effect as soon as next season after chairmen agreed to pursue two-pronged cost-cutting plans yesterday. Proposals to introduce a break-even rule similar to European financial fair play requirements remain under discussion ahead of a likely vote in February. But while that could take years [...]
Tube strike to hit Arsenal’s West Ham tie December 18, 2012 ARSENAL’S Boxing Day London derby against West Ham at the Emirates Stadium is likely to be postponed due to the threat of a tube strike. London Underground drivers are planning a strike for 26 December, due to a dispute over Bank Holiday pay, which threatens to cause travel chaos across the capital. If the game [...]
Walcott striker cameo caps off Cazorla treble December 17, 2012 READING 2 vs ARSENAL 5 ARSENAL manager Arsene Wenger last night hinted he is ready to play Theo Walcott in his favoured central role more often after the experiment helped his beleaguered team rediscover devastating form. Midfielder Santi Cazorla scored a hat-trick while Lukas Podolski and Walcott netted the others as the Gunners tore through [...]
Tottenham don’t rely upon Bale to climb table, says Vertonghen December 17, 2012 TOTTENHAM defender Jan Vertonghen is adamant Spurs can succeed without injured winger Gareth Bale. The Welshman remains sidelined, having limped off during the 3-0 victory at Fulham a fortnight ago with a hamstring injury. Vertonghen, who scored his first Premier League goal for Tottenham during Sunday’s 1-0 win over Swansea, believes Clint Dempsey has proved [...]