Blues must be patient to complete a comeback March 14, 2012 A FORTNIGHT ago you would have given Chelsea little chance of overturning a two-goal deficit against this vibrant Napoli side, but the sacking of Andre Villas-Boas has changed the atmosphere inside the club and complexion of this tie. The temptation will be for Chelsea to mimic Arsenal’s gung-ho approach against AC Milan last week, but [...]
Gerrard’s derby day hat-trick helps Liverpool rediscover winning habit March 14, 2012 LIVERPOOL 3 vs EVERTON 0 LIVERPOOL captain Steven Gerrard insists last night’s morale-boosting victory in the Merseyside derby will count for nothing unless his side can discover a level of consistency that will turn them into Champions League contenders. Gerrard became the first player to score a hat-trick in this fixture since Ian Rush scored [...]
Arsenal leave it late to close gap on Spurs March 12, 2012 Last-gasp Vermaelen strike sees Gunners win fifth straight Premier League game and move to within a point of arch rivals ARSENAL 2 vs NEWCASTLE 1 ARSENAL manager Arsene Wenger lauded a “relentless effort” after unlikely hero Thomas Vermaelen’s 94th-minute winner swept his side to within a point of rivals Tottenham. The centre-back finally made Gunners [...]
Premiership rights may spark bid war March 11, 2012 PREMIER league football clubs could rake in three times as much if “a real bidding war between broadcasting giants” breaks out when the sale of the broadcast rights to the football premiership kicks off next month. Having already entered the French market, Al Jazeera has been touted as a serious challenger to the supremacy of [...]
Fergie surprised as Rooney brace dethrones City March 11, 2012 MAN UNITED (2) vs WEST BROM (0) MANCHESTER UNITED manager Sir Alex Ferguson insists he is nonplussed about returning to the summit of the Premier League for the first time in five months, after Wayne Rooney’s brace dethroned bitter rivals Manchester City. Rooney touched in forward partner Javier Hernandez’s shot to open the scoring and [...]
Swansea inflict further woe on Mancini’s flops March 11, 2012 SWANSEA (1) vs MAN CITY (0) MANCHESTER CITY manager Roberto Mancini denied Mario Balotelli and Yaya Toure were involved in a half-time tunnel bust-up during yesterday’s damaging defeat at Swansea, but admitted his players are beginning to feel the strain after relinquishing top spot in the Premier League. Luke Moore’s 83rd-minute header condemned City to [...]
Arsenal ready to close gap on faltering Spurs March 11, 2012 ARSENAL can move to within a point of north London rivals Tottenham and advance their hopes of qualifying for next season’s Champions League with victory against Newcastle at Emirates Stadium tonight. Spurs slipped to their third Premier League defeat in a row at Everton on Saturday and are on the brink of losing the 13-point [...]
Wigan remain bottom of table March 11, 2012 Wigan remain glued to the bottom of the Premier League despite coming from behind to draw 1-1 at Norwich yesterday. Victor Moses struck 13 minutes time to move the Latics to within one point of safety. Wes Hoolahan had put Paul Lambert’s men into a ninth minute lead.
Bilbao Basque in the glory of Old Trafford masterclass March 8, 2012 MANCHESTER UTD 2 vs ATHLETIC BILBAO 3 MANCHESTER UNITED manager Sir Alex Ferguson admitted he would be forced to risk the creaking body of veteran centre-half Rio Ferdinand if his side are to prolong their involvement in the Europa League, following last night’s sobering first leg defeat against Athletic Bilbao at Old Trafford. Managed by [...]
Kompany calf strain adds to City concerns March 8, 2012 SPORTING LISBON 1 vs MANCHESTER CITY 0 MANCHESTER CITY manager Roberto Mancini hopes his captain Vincent Kompany will make a quick recovery from the injury that saw him hobble off during the early exchanges of last night’s Europa League defeat in Lisbon. Brazilian Xandao’s impudent back-heel ended City’s run of six consecutive victories in all [...]