Young Spurs pass a test of character September 16, 2011 PAOK SALONIKA (0) vs TOTTENHAM (0) TOTTENHAM manager Harry Redknapp was full of pride as his makeshift side clung on to claim a point amid the white-hot atmosphere of PAOK Salonika’s notorious Toumba Stadium. With a view to Sunday’s Premier League showdown against fellow Champions League aspirants Liverpool, Redknapp made 10 changes to his side, [...]
Home advantage should give champions the edge September 15, 2011 MANCHESTER UNITED vs CHELSEA SUNDAY – 4.00PM SKY SPORTS IT has been an incredible start to the Premier League season for Manchester United with four straight wins, 18 goals scored and only three conceded. They bounced back to earth slightly against Benfica on Wednesday night, but the 1-1 draw wasn’t a bad result and they [...]
Selfish City are stalled on their big night September 14, 2011 MANCHESTER CITY (1) vs NAPOLI (1) MANCHESTER CITY manager Roberto Mancini accused his players of putting personal glory before the team after Napoli held the Premier League pace-setters to a draw on their Champions League debut. City needed a free-kick from Aleksandar Kolarov to rescue a point from their first match against Europe’s elite for [...]
Rooney can be as good as Pele, says Ferguson September 13, 2011 BENFICA vs MANCHESTER UNITED MANCHESTER UNITED manager Sir Alex Ferguson claims Wayne Rooney can be England’s answer to Pele. Fresh from scoring back-to-back hat-tricks in the Premier League, Rooney will spearhead United’s attack in Lisbon tonight against Benfica, as last year’s runners-up begin their Champions League campaign. Benfica manager Jorge Jesus’ admitted in his pre-match press conference [...]
Chelsea boss to quiz Torres September 12, 2011 Villas-Boas to take embattled striker to task over apparent criticism of colleagues CHELSEA vs BAYER LEVERKUSEN MISFIRING record signing Fernando Torres’ Chelsea future has been plunged into doubt after the club launched an investigation into an interview in which he appeared to criticise his team-mates’ “slow” play. Blues manager Andre Villas-Boas has vowed to quiz [...]
New signings give Warnock cause for hope September 12, 2011 QPR (0) vs NEWCASTLE (0) QPR manager Neil Warnock heralded the start of a new era after his overhauled side outclassed Newcastle but failed to crown their dominance with a winning goal. Controversial recent signing Joey Barton captained Rangers on his debut and Shaun Wright-Phillips stole the show with a dazzling display. His and Adel [...]
Kroenke: Arsenal got transfers right this summer September 11, 2011 ARSENAL majority shareholder Stan Kroenke has broken his silence over the club’s summer of crisis, insisting they were right not to cave into pressure and blow their entire transfer kitty. Gunners manager Arsene Wenger had an estimated £80m at his disposal following the sales of star duo Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri. But the Frenchman [...]
Toon set for Barton QPR bow September 11, 2011 CONTROVERSIAL midfielder Joey Barton is expected to make his QPR debut tonight when they welcome his former club, Newcastle United, to Loftus Road. Barton, one of a clutch of late signings by Rangers boss Neil Warnock in the transfer window, was allowed to leave on a free transfer after criticising Magpies chiefs, despite being one [...]
Hoilett hurt after Zamora saves Fulham September 11, 2011 FULHAM (1) vs BLACKBURN (1) BLACKBURN manager Steve Kean accused Mark Schwarzer of a “nasty challenge” after Rovers midfielder Junior Hoilett was left unconscious and needing stitches during the battle of the early-season strugglers. The injury to Hoilett came as the visitors pressed for a winner in stoppage time at Craven Cottage, where they took [...]
Baggies off the mark courtesy of opportunistic Odemwingie September 11, 2011 NORWICH (0) vs WEST BROM (1) NORWICH are still searching for their first Premier League win of the season after Peter Odemwingie’s strike saw West Brom take all three points from their visit to Carrow Road. The Nigeria international produced the decisive moment in the third minute when Ritchie De Laet failed to intercept Nicky [...]