Stoke avoid Crawley slip-up February 19, 2012 Stoke recovered from an early red card to end Crawley Town’s FA Cup run and book their own quarter-final place against Liverpool. Rory Delap was dismissed in the 17th minute for a tackle on David Hunt, but goals either side of half-time from Jon Walters, a penalty, and Peter Crouch prevented the League Two side [...]
Chelsea at odds over Villas-Boas February 16, 2012 Manager admits squad is divided over his approach as Blues battle to finish in top four UNDER-FIRE Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas admits he is battling a divided dressing room – but insists owner Roman Abramovich still has faith in him. Villas-Boas is under increasing pressure, with the Blues on course to miss out on Champions [...]
Valencia out for a month as injury sours United march towards last 16 February 16, 2012 AJAX 0 vs MAN UNITED 2 MANCHESTER UNITED boss Sir Alex Ferguson admitted to mixed feelings last night after taking a huge step towards the Europa League last 16 but losing winger Antonio Valencia to injury. Ferguson was “delighted” at a comfortable win, earned by second-half goals from winger Ashley Young and striker Javier Hernandez, [...]
City in racism complaint as Aguero grabs late winner February 16, 2012 PORTO 1 vs MANCHESTER CITY 2 MANCHESTER CITY are set to complain to European chiefs that Yaya Toure and Mario Balotelli suffered racial abuse as the Premier League leaders earned a valuable comeback win last night. Striker Sergio Aguero’s late winner capped a second-half recovery from the visitors, aided by an own goal by Alvaro [...]
Ladbrokes beats the stakes February 16, 2012 BRITAIN’S second-biggest bookmaker Ladbrokes reported a better-than-expected full year operating profit yesterday as strong growth in revenue from gambling machines helped its retail business to perform strongly despite tough market conditions. The company, which has around 2,100 shops in Britain, said yesterday group operating profit fell by 0.4 per cent to £193.5m. The average forecast [...]
Black Cats to taste victory with second bite of cherry February 16, 2012 SUNDERLAND vs ARSENAL TOMORROW – 5.15PM ITV 1 HAVING watched Arsenal’s disastrous trip to the San Siro on Wednesday, Sunderland might be licking their lips in anticipation of progressing to the quarter-finals of the FA Cup. Arsenal were abject against AC Milan in their midweek Champions League clash, the 4-0 result becoming Arsene Wenger’s worst [...]
Redknapp ready to take England job part-time February 15, 2012 TOTTENHAM boss Harry Redknapp admits he would be willing to take the England job part-time until the end of the season, while remaining in charge at White Hart Lane. But the overwhelming favourite to succeed Fabio Capello insists he would not take the job now if it meant having to abandon Spurs’ hugely promising season. [...]
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE TIPPING February 14, 2012 A real mouthwatering tie in prospect here with two sides that have underachieved in recent years but are still two of the biggest clubs in European football. AC Milan cruised through the group stages this time around and really held their own in two games against the mighty Barcelona. Last season’s Serie A champions are [...]
KNOW YOUR ENEMY: AC MILAN February 14, 2012 CURRENT FORM AC Milan sit top of Serie A, having returned to the summit at the weekend with a 2-1 win at Udinese. Since the end of the Champions League group stage they have looked strong, winning eight and drawing two in 13 games, although they have lost two and won just one from their [...]
Will the real Abramovich please stand up? February 14, 2012 POPULAR wisdom has it that Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas is facing his moment of truth, but the next week promises to tell us at least as much about the man who hired him, Roman Abramovich. Villas-Boas swept into Stamford Bridge in the summer at a cost of £28m armed with a reputation as the next [...]