Sunderland increase Wigan woe January 3, 2012 FOOTBALL: Sunderland climbed into the top half of the Premier League table after a 4-1 win at struggling Wigan last night. Craig Gardner struck Sunderland’s first with a 30-yard free-kick and James McClean nodded in a close-range second, his first goal for the club. Hugo Rodellega reduced the deficit but late goals from Stephane Sessegnon [...]
Warnock and Barton rage at red card January 2, 2012 QPR (1) vs NORWICH (2) QPR manager Neil Warnock defended captain Joey Barton after he was controversially sent off in a defeat that pushed Rangers deeper into trouble. Barton gave the home side the lead but was then shown a straight red card following a clash with Norwich’s Bradley Johnson, who indicated he had been [...]
Late Lampard breaks Blues’ win drought January 2, 2012 WOLVES (1) vs CHELSEA (2) CHELSEA hero Frank Lampard admits he was lucky to still be on the pitch to snatch the late goal that earned the Blues a first win in five matches. Lampard volleyed home Ashley Cole’s 89th-minute cross after Stephen Ward’s equaliser, just moments earlier, appeared to have rendered Ramires’ opener redundant. [...]
Rooney set to return at Toon January 2, 2012 Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney is back in contention for tomorrow’s Premier League trip to Newcastle. The England star was dropped for Saturday’s defeat to Blackburn and fined amid suggestions he enjoyed a night out on Boxing Day. Defender Jonny Evans and midfielder Darron Gibson, who joined Rooney for a meal, were disciplined by United [...]
Toothless Wolves won’t worry Wenger’s boys at the Emirates December 22, 2011 INDUSTRIAL action by London Underground staff means Arsenal versus Wolves has been postponed 24 hours, but that shouldn’t stop the Gunners continuing the run which has saved their season from going down the tube. Arsene Wenger’s men have won eight of their last 10 Premier League outings, during which time Wolves have accumulated just eight [...]
Terry charged December 21, 2011 England skipper unwilling to relinquish armband Chelsea stalwart faces maximum fine of £2,500 CPS confident enough evidence for conviction CHELSEA skipper John Terry is understood to be determined to hang on to the captaincy of the national side despite the Crown Prosecution Service declaring its intention to charge him with racially abusing QPR’s Anton Ferdinand. [...]
United stroll provides a major headache for Jol December 21, 2011 FULHAM 0 vs MAN UNITED 5 FULHAM manager Martin Jol bemoaned a “horror scenario” after suffering the club’s heaviest home league defeat for 24 years as Manchester United kept up the pressure on their table-topping neighbours. Goals from Danny Welbeck, Nani, Ryan Giggs, Wayne Rooney and Dimitar Berbatov earned United a fourth successive Premier League [...]
Gunners back on track thanks to Benayoun December 21, 2011 ASTON VILLA 1 vs ARSENAL 2 ARSENAL manager Arsene Wenger hailed his side’s character after Yossi Benyaoun’s 87th minute header secured a valuable win in their quest to finish in the top four. Robin van Persie equaled Thierry Henry’s club record of 34 Premier League goals in a calendar year with a 17th minute penalty, [...]
City slickers ease past sorry Stoke December 21, 2011 MAN CITY 3 vs STOKE 0 MANCHESTER CITY maintained their 100 per cent home record in the Premier League this season with a comfortable victory over Stoke that ensured they lead the top flight at Christmas for the first time since 1929. Stoke boss Tony Pulis omitted his most creative players, Jermaine Pennant and Matthew [...]
Much racism has been booted out but don’t give up December 21, 2011 AS FOOTBALL settles down to the news that two of its stars are being disciplined over racist epithets hurled on the field of play, it could seem like a return to the bad old days, when clear racism was a regrettably commonplace part of the game. The decision by an independent regulatory commission of the [...]