No mercy from Van Persie against old friends November 1, 2012 MANCHESTER UNITED VS ARSENAL Tomorrow 12.45pm IT was a harsh lesson learned by the Arsenal fans who left the Madejski Stadium early during the Gunners’ incredible Capital One Cup comeback against Reading. But if the scoring at Old Trafford tomorrow lunchtime resembles anything like the pattern it followed when they last visited Manchester United, then [...]
Swansea vs Chelsea November 1, 2012 A more low-profile fixture will suit Chelsea this weekend, after last week’s goings on, and away from the live TV cameras in South Wales I expect Roberto Di Matteo’s men to prosper. The Premier League defeat to Manchester United was their first of the campaign and Chelsea’s consistency sees them top the table. Swansea, however, [...]
Chelsea choose to step up referee race row complaint October 31, 2012 CHELSEA last night stepped up their complaint against referee Mark Clattenburg for allegedly using a racial term towards Nigerian John Obi Mikel by lodging a formal complaint with the Football Association but dropped their claim that the official also spoke inappropriately towards fellow midfielder Juan Mata. The club said they had been unable to collate [...]
Mata did not hear referee’s remarks, says Blues colleague October 30, 2012 CHELSEA forward Juan Mata did not hear race-row referee Mark Clattenburg use alleged “inappropriate language” towards him, his team-mate Oriol Romeu said yesterday, as police launched a formal investigation into the incident. Spaniard Mata is one of two Blues players, along with Nigerian John Obi Mikel, that the club believes was verbally abused by Clattenburg [...]
Brave Bradford stun Premier League Wigan October 30, 2012 LEAGUE TWO Bradford City last night led the Capital One Cup’s surprise results after securing a 4-2 penalty shoot-out victory away to Premier League Wigan when the match had remained goalless after 120 minutes. Shaun Maloney fired his penalty over the bar, and Matt Duke saved from Jordi Gomez, after the home side – for [...]
Redknapp denies interest in Blackburn managerial vacancy October 30, 2012 FORMER Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp has denied having an interest in the vacant Blackburn Rovers job after heavy speculation arose linking him with the role. The former West Ham and Portsmouth manager has also been linked with Queens Park Rangers where, ironically, popular former Blackburn coach Mark Hughes is under pressure, and it continues to [...]
Ref Clattenburg given time off as FA examine race row claims October 29, 2012 REFEREE Mark Clattenburg has been stood down from this week’s fixtures after the Football Association launched an investigation into allegations that he used a racial slur towards Chelsea players. The Blues made an official complaint about Clattenburg using “inappropriate language” to two of their stars – believed to be John Obi Mikel and Juan Mata [...]
England turn to Pietersen for India tour start October 29, 2012 ENGLAND are to today recall the batsman Kevin Pietersen for the warm-up match against India A as his “reintegration” to the side comes to its conclusion. The 32-year-old was in August dropped from the international scene for the sending of “provocative” text messages to South Africa players as England’s Test series against the Proteas was [...]
Wenger hails miracle worker McDermott for Reading revolution October 29, 2012 ARSENAL manager Arsene Wenger has praised the work of Reading counterpart Brian McDermott and hailed last season’s Championship winning campaign as “a miracle”. McDermott followed 2011’s play-off final defeat to Swansea by inspiring his side to the 2012 Championship title despite the loss of influential striker Shane Long to West Bromwich Albion and losing five [...]
Rooney makes 23-man cut for Fifa’s Ballon d’Or shortlist October 29, 2012 ENGLAND and Manchester United forward Wayne Rooney has been included as the solitary British player among Fifa’s 23-strong list for the Ballon d’Or award for 2012’s best player. The Merseysider is among five Premier League based players – alongside United team-mate Robin van Persie and Manchester City’s Sergio Aguero, Mario Balotelli and Yaya Toure – [...]