England’s Wright in dengue scare May 7, 2012 England and Sussex all-rounder Luke Wright is suffering from suspected dengue fever, caught while playing for Indian Premier League side Pune Warriors. He has undergone blood tests to determine whether he has the virus, the symptoms of which include fever, headache and joint pain. “Can’t remember feeling as bad as I have the last few [...]
Hodgson ticks all boxes for England post, says Curbishley May 3, 2012 FORMER West Ham and Charlton manager Alan Curbishley has backed Roy Hodgson to succeed as England’s new boss, but says a major overhaul of the national coaching set-up is long overdue. Curbishley, out of management since resigning from West Ham in 2008, also admits he misses day-to-day involvment in the game and revealed to City [...]
Mikel: Forget the league, we want the cups May 3, 2012 CHELSEA midfielder Jon Obi Mikel has urged his team-mates to forget the disappointment of missing out on the Premier League’s top four before it consumes their hopes of a famous Champions League and FA Cup double. Wednesday evening’s 2-0 defeat at home to Newcastle effectively ended any chance Chelsea had of domestically securing Champions League [...]
Cup kings Chelsea set for another win at Wembley May 3, 2012 CHELSEA vs LIVERPOOL Saturday – 5.15pm, ITV 1 TRADITION might have gone out the window when it comes to the scheduling of the FA Cup final, but there is still no other game quite like it. Playing the final a week early affected both Chelsea’s and Liverpool’s midweek Premier League fixtures, although at least it [...]
Cisse wonder goal halts Chelsea’s top-four bid May 2, 2012 Striker continues scoring streak to inspire Newcastle victory CHELSEA 0 vs NEWCASTLE 2 CHELSEA manager Roberto di Matteo admits his side’s hopes of qualifying for the Champions League hinge on winning the trophy after Newcastle, and Papiss Cisse’s goal of the season contender, tore their top-four hopes to ribbons. Red-hot Cisse’s extraordinary double, capped by [...]
Masterful Modric stirs Spurs win May 2, 2012 BOLTON WANDERERS 1 vs TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 4 TOTTENHAM manager Harry Redknapp conceded his hopes of one day managing England are over after a clinical performance from Spurs sent them back into fourth in the Premier League, edging Bolton closer to relegation to the Championship. “[The England job] has never bothered me since day one,” said Redknapp. [...]
Bent return to boost England’s striking options at Euro 2012 May 2, 2012 ENGLAND manager Roy Hodgson has received a timely boost after Aston Villa boss Alex McLeish revealed striker Darren Bent may yet recover in time to play at this summer’s European Championship. Bent, 28, was ruled out for around three months after rupturing his ankle ligaments during Villa’s 0-0 Premier League draw against Wigan in February, [...]
I’m ready for the pressure, insists Hodgson, as he prepares to inherit England job’s poisoned chalice May 1, 2012 ENGLAND’S new manager Roy Hodgson insists he is strong enough to handle the pressure of the most high-profile role of his lengthy career, after completing a whirlwind 48 hours by signing a four—year deal yesterday. Hodgson’s appointment came in for criticism before it was even confirmed, with questions raised about why Tottenham’s Harry Redknapp, the [...]
Di Matteo: Cup places available May 1, 2012 CHELSEA interim manager Roberto di Matteo has urged his fringe players to force their way into his FA Cup final plans by beating Newcastle to strengthen their hopes of a top-four Premier League finish. The Italian insists his side are focused on tonight’s game, in which they could climb two places from sixth, though he [...]
Fortress Anfield breached again May 1, 2012 LIVERPOOL 0 vs FULHAM 1 LIVERPOOL’S preparations for Saturday’s FA Cup final took a blow as their poor home form continued to allow Fulham to win their first game at Anfield and draw level with them in the Premier League. “I don’t think it can be described as a performance,” said unhappy Liverpool manager Kenny [...]