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 [...]
It’s business as usual for Rangers, say administrators February 14, 2012 ADMINISTRATORS insist Rangers’ fixture against Kilmarnock on Saturday will go ahead despite the club entering into administration yesterday. The Scottish champions became the biggest British club yet forced to take the step, which carries an immediate 10-point penalty in the Scottish Premier League. Paul Clark, of London-based administrators Duff and Phelps, said the move would [...]
Mancini treated me like a dog, says returning Tevez February 13, 2012 MANCHESTER CITY exile Carlos Tevez has jeopardised his fragile hopes of a rapprochement by launching a fresh attack on manager Roberto Mancini, who he accused of treating him like a dog. Tevez, who is due back at the club today following four months of bad blood, revealed he once nearly came to blows with Mancini [...]
Sponsors urged Reds action February 13, 2012 Standard Chartered complained to Liverpool over Suarez LIVERPOOL sponsor Standard Chartered has confirmed it raised concerns with Reds chiefs over striker Luis Suarez’s latest flashpoint with his Manchester United nemesis Patrice Evra. The Anfield club issued a flurry of apologies on Sunday after severe criticism of Suarez’s refusal to shake hands with Evra before Saturday’s [...]