Do we need rules to stop football teams like Man City from simply buying success? May 14, 2012 YES David Hellier Not before time, new rules are being introduced that should help keep Europe’s football clubs on the straight and narrow financially and prevent them, Manchester City or Chelsea-style, from buying the game’s top honours. The new rules will theoretically put an end to a period during which multi-millions have been spent buying [...]
Drama reigns as City snatch title at death May 13, 2012 MANCHESTER CITY (3) vs QUEENS PARK RANGERS (2) SUNDERLAND (0) vs MANCHESTER UNITED (1) STOKE CITY (2) vs BOLTON WANDERERS (2) Aguero’s winner caps rollercoaster day as United pipped by rivals on goal difference MANCHESTER City manager Roberto Mancini caught his breath long enough to salute a “crazy season” after his team snatched their first [...]
Hughes: Barton hasn’t ruined day May 13, 2012 RELIEVED QPR manager Mark Hughes refused to condemn captain Joey Barton for earning a red card that threatened to derail his team’s bid to avoid relegation from the Premier League. Bolton’s failure to hold onto a lead at Stoke saved QPR, despite Rangers shipping two goals in a frenetic finale at Manchester City’s coronation, who [...]
Arsenal win secures third place to leave Spurs sweating on final May 13, 2012 WEST BROMWICH ALBION (2) vs ARSENAL (3) TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR (2) vs FULHAM (0) EVERTON (3) vs NEWCASTLE (1) ARSENAL manager Arsene Wenger hopes the lure of Champions League football will be enough to keep captain Robin van Persie after their nervy victory at West Brom secured third place in the Premier League. Goals from Andre [...]
Chelsea delay decision on Di Matteo future May 10, 2012 CHELSEA interim boss Roberto di Matteo remains in the running to land the job permanently, despite suggestions the Italian is resigned to missing out at the end of the season, say club chiefs. The Blues could yet make history by winning the Champions League for the first time and chief executive Ron Gourlay is adamant [...]
Wenger: Arsenal not interested in landing France star M’Vila May 10, 2012 ARSENAL manager Arsene Wenger has rubbished suggestions he is poised to sign Yann M’Vila, saying he has not made an offer for the sought-after France midfielder. Rennes star M’Vila has been tipped to become Wenger’s second early summer purchase, following the £10m acquisition of Germany and Cologne forward Lukas Podolski. But he said: “It is [...]
Kean promises exciting times ahead at crisis hit Blackburn May 9, 2012 BLACKBURN’S season sank deeper into farce yesterday when under-fire manager Steve Kean insisted “exciting times” lay ahead for the club, whose relegation has been compounded by internal fighting. Kean also insisted his future at Ewood Park was safe, despite failing to safeguard their Premier League status, and issued a robust defence of Venky’s, saying the [...]
Di Matteo gamble fails to pay as Chelsea’s top-four hopes die May 8, 2012 PREMIER LEAGUE LIVERPOOL 4 Vs CHELSEA 1 CHELSEA interim manager Roberto di Matteo conceded Liverpool deserved to end their hopes of a top-four Premier League finish after making eight changes from the side that beat the Reds in Saturday’s FA Cup final. Goals from Jordan Henderson, Daniel Agger and Jonjo Shelvey followed Michael Essien’s own [...]
Kean: Rovers can return from our relegation May 7, 2012 BLACKBURN ROVERS (0) vs WIGAN ATHLETIC (1) DEFIANT Blackburn manager Steve Kean vowed to inspire a Premier League return after defeat to Wigan sealed their relegation to the Championship amid another chorus of criticism from the club’s deeply unhappy fans. Antolin Alcaraz’s late winner was enough to separate the sides and leave Blackburn six points [...]
Blues veterans can play to 40, says Di Matteo May 7, 2012 CHELSEA interim manager Robert di Matteo believes his ageing side’s FA Cup triumph shows they are more than capable of further success and are not the declining force they appeared until his appointment. Since Di Matteo replaced Andre Villas-Boas in March, Chelsea’s form has improved so much that they won the FA Cup with Saturday’s [...]