Beating United is City’s last chance, says Mancini April 29, 2012 MANCHESTER City manager Roberto Mancini admits tonight’s Premier League summit derby may represent their last chance to overtake neighbours and title rivals Manchester United. Victory over the holders in the most eagerly-anticipated Manchester derby in recent memory would lift Mancini’s team, who are seeking the club’s first top-flight championship since 1968, level on points with [...]
Celtic win adds to Rangers’ misery April 29, 2012 Scottish Premier League champions Celtic beat financially stricken rivals Rangers 3-0 with goals from Charlie Mulgrew, Kris Commons and Gary Hooper, yesterday. “It’s been a great day for the players, club and supporters,” said Celtic manager Neil Lennon, whose side are now 21 points clear of their closest challengers.
Tackling football too hard over tax nets an own goal April 26, 2012 IT SEEMS that barely a week goes by at present without a dispute between Premier League football and HMRC. High-profile stories have included HMRC sending detailed questionnaires to all Premier League clubs on employment tax compliance, Manchester United, Chelsea and Newcastle United settling outstanding image-rights liabilities, the ongoing football creditor case at the High Court [...]
It’s just too close to call in title decider April 26, 2012 It is likely to be a hard fought contest between the two Manchester rivals GAMES simply don’t come any bigger than this. Sir Alex Ferguson has said that Monday’s Manchester derby is the most important in his 26-year reign as Manchester United boss. The cross-city rivals have dominated the Premier League this season and whoever [...]
Saha: I’m playing for my Spurs future April 26, 2012 4 Goals scored by Saha, who has made just six starts for Spurs TOTTENHAM’S Louis Saha admits he could be forced out of the club in the summer, just four months after his arrival, but is nevertheless desperate to ensure they claim the Champions League spot he insists they deserve. The much-travelled French striker only [...]
Slump is fault of Redknapp, says Corluka April 26, 2012 TOTTENHAM will miss out on Champions League qualification because of fatigue caused by an under-rotated squad, believes exiled defender Vedran Corluka. A run of three wins in 14 games has taken Spurs from Premier League title contention to fifth place, behind Arsenal and Newcastle, and outside of the top-four placing required to reach the Champions [...]
Handshake cancelled over fears Terry trial could be prejudiced April 26, 2012 PREMIER League chiefs have cancelled the pre-match handshake at Sunday’s clash between Chelsea and QPR in order to avoid inflaming the race row surrounding John Terry and Anton Ferdinand. The League stepped in after QPR defender Ferdinand was advised by lawyers that shaking hands or snubbing Blues captain Terry could prejudice the latter’s criminal trial, [...]
Lampard pledges Terry role in final April 25, 2012 CHELSEA’S Frank Lampard insists captain John Terry will have an important role to play in the Champions League final, despite being banned for his reckless red card in the semi-final defeat of holders Barcelona. Lampard revealed his sympathy for Terry, who was dismissed in the 2-2 draw that sent the Blues into a final against [...]
Give Robbie job, Grant tells Roman April 25, 2012 FORMER Chelsea manager Avram Grant has urged Blues owner Roman Abramovich to hand interim boss Roberto di Matteo the job on a permanent basis, after the Italian led them to the Champions League final. But Grant admits even reaching the most prestigious match in club football might not be enough for Abramovich, as the Israeli [...]
New financial model braces Championship clubs for fines April 25, 2012 CHAMPIONSHIP clubs run the risk of receiving damaging fines or being placed under a transfer embargo under new financial regulations to be imposed from next season. The financial model, based on Uefa’s financial fair play regulations, was voted for by 21 of the Championship’s 24 clubs and means that any team that records total losses [...]