CHELSEA August 11, 2011 CURRENT MOOD Cautiously optimistic. Andre Villas-Boas (right) has great credentials to succeed at the Bridge, while his youth may bring the fresh approach they seem to need, although this is by far his biggest challenge yet. TRANSFERS IN: Lucas Piazon (Sao Paulo), Thibaut Courtois (Genk), Romelu Lukaku (Anderlecht); OUT: Thibaut Courtois (Atletico Madrid, loan), Jeffrey Bruma (Hamburg, [...]
Baggies to prove tough nut to crack for United August 11, 2011 FOOTBALL TRADER BEN CLEMINSON TAKES A LOOK AT THE BEST FOOTBALL BETS OF THE WEEKEND SUNDAY – 4.00PM SKY SPORTS SIR ALEX Ferguson will have been delighted with Manchester United’s performance against local rivals Manchester City in the Community Shield last weekend. There were some defensive lapses in the first half, but they showed their [...]
STOKE vs CHELSEA August 11, 2011 A TRIP to the Britannia Stadium as his first experience of Premier League management perhaps wouldn’t have been top of Andre Villas-Boas’ wishlist when he first agreed to become manager at Chelsea. Stoke have developed into a proper top flight side and that is mainly due to their form at home in front of a [...]
Redknapp hopes Tottenham clash gets green light August 10, 2011 SPURS manager Harry Redknapp expects his side’s Premier League opening day fixture against Everton at White Hart Lane to go ahead, despite the rioting which has caused havoc throughout the capital this week. Tottenham has been one of the worst affected areas, with arson and looting devastating N17, but Redknapp last night spoke out, underlining his [...]
SPORT | IN BRIEF August 10, 2011 Torres injury fears played down FOOTBALL: Fernando Torres faces a race to be fit for Chelsea’s Premier League opener against Stoke after limping out of Spain’s friendly against Italy last night. The striker was substituted after 15 minutes with what looked like an ankle injury but Spanish coaching staff later confirmed that he had suffered a [...]
RIOTS THREATEN SPORTING CHAOS August 9, 2011 • Fears grow over start of Premier League season • Eight London matches in danger of being axed • FA promise refund after England game called off POLICE will today decide whether London’s Premier League and Football League fixtures are safe to go ahead at the weekend after the rioting ravaging the capital plunged the sporting [...]
Olympic chiefs keep faith despite violence August 9, 2011 THE International Olympic Committee remain confident London will prove safe and secure hosts of next summer’s Games, despite the riots which have wreaked chaos across the capital since Saturday. The timing of the clashes could not have been more embarrassingly timed as the violence coincided with the arrivals of two senior members of the IOC [...]
Riots spark concerns for England game at Wembley August 8, 2011 International under threat as Carling Cup games at West Ham and Charlton postponed on police advice FEARS were growing last night that England’s friendly against Holland tomorrow at Wembley may have to be called off after violent rioting spread throughout London and beyond. Carling Cup fixtures at West Ham and Charlton due to take place [...]
Miller deals a dose of reality to Allardyce August 7, 2011 WEST HAM UTD (0) vs CARDIFF CITY (1) WEST HAM manager Sam Allardyce lamented some wasteful finishing as his tenure began with a dispiriting last-minute defeat against Cardiff. A summer of steady and shrewd investment saw the Hammers installed as pre-season favourites to make an instant return to the Premier League, following their relegation in [...]
City to emerge from the shadows of bitter rivals August 4, 2011 THE city of Manchester dominated English football last season with Manchester United winning the Premier League and making the final of the Champions League, while MANCHESTER CITY collected the FA Cup, their first trophy in 35 years. The gap is narrowing between the two clubs and although United are the favourites to win a 13th [...]