Stadium isn’t yours yet, Boris tells West Ham December 5, 2012 MAYOR Boris Johnson has warned West Ham that he will walk away from talks and reopen a football-free Olympic Stadium next summer if they cannot thrash out their remaining differences. The Hammers were yesterday named first-choice bidders for the centrepiece of the 2012 Games by the London Legacy Development Corporation (LLDC), but significant hurdles remain [...]
Lennon joy as Bhoys snatch a last 16 place December 5, 2012 CELTIC 2 SPARTAK MOSCOW 1 CELTIC manager Neil Lennon last night hailed a “monumental achievement” after his side defeated Spartak Moscow with a late penalty to qualify for the Champions League last 16 for the first time in five years. The Bhoys, who progressed as Benfica could only draw 0-0 at Barcelona, went ahead when [...]
Fergie: Rooney needs to play December 4, 2012 MANCHESTER United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has confirmed striker Wayne Rooney will start tonight at home to Cluj, despite already qualifying for the last 16 of the Champions League. Ferguson believes Rooney could benefit from a run-out to maintain his sharpness ahead of Sunday’s vital Premier League battle against neighbours Manchester City. “It has always [...]
City suffer final indignity of missing Europa League December 4, 2012 BORUSSIA DORTMUND 1 MANCHESTER CITY 0 MANCHESTER City manager Roberto Mancini admits his side have taken a step backwards after defeat to Borussia Dortmund last night saw them fail to even qualify for the Europa League. The lacklustre loss condemned City to a successive Champions League group stage exit, but this time without a single [...]
Roman’s Pep plan dented as PSG set sights on Guardiola December 3, 2012 CHELSEA’S managerial crisis deepened yesterday when it emerged that owner Roman Abramovich’s preferred choice to take charge next season, Pep Guardiola, is in talks with Paris Saint Germain. The Qatari-owned French club are one of the few who possess the financial muscle to compete with billionaire Abramovich, who is desperate to lure the former Barcelona [...]
I’d rather be us than Man City, says Wenger December 3, 2012 UNDER-FIRE Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger insists he would not swap places with high-flying Manchester City, despite the Gunners suffering their worst ever start to a Premier League season. Wenger has the distraction of a Champions League trip to Olympiacos tonight, but knows his team will progress to the last 16 regardless of the result, while [...]
Pardew fearing Ba departure as striker ends Magpies losing run December 3, 2012 NEWCASTLE UNITED 3 WIGAN ATHLETIC 0 NEWCASTLE manager Alan Pardew insists that striker Demba Ba wants to stay at the club after his brace helped the Magpies end a run of four Premier League defeats and beat 10-man Wigan. Ba struck from the spot in the 12th minute after Maynor Figueroa was sent off for [...]
Mancini wants Europa place December 3, 2012 MANCHESTER City manager Roberto Mancini has promised that his side are motivated to beat Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League tonight, despite already being eliminated. Mancini’s side will qualify for the Europa League if they win in Germany and Ajax fail to beat Real Madrid, but have the distraction of Sunday’s pivotal Premier League clash [...]
Beckham mulls next move after savouring a Hollywood ending December 2, 2012 FORMER England captain David Beckham insists he is no nearer to deciding his next destination after ensuring a Hollywood ending to his six-year stint at Los Angeles Galaxy on Saturday night. Beckham, 37, brought the curtain down on his American adventure by helping the Galaxy beat Houston Dynamo 3-1 to retain the Major League Soccer [...]
Hammers get United in pick of third round December 2, 2012 WEST Ham were handed the plum tie of the FA Cup third round yesterday, being drawn against Manchester United at home. The Hammers will face Sir Alex Ferguson’s men at Upton Park on the weekend of 5 January 2013. The tie has produced some thrilling cup drama in the recent past. In 2001 a Paolo [...]