Di Matteo stunned at his sacking February 6, 2011 ROBERTO DI MATTEO admitted he was “surprised and disappointed” after being sacked by West Bromwich Albion. The former Chelsea midfielder was placed on gardening leave yesterday with the Baggies outside the relegation zone on goal difference. A statement released by Di Matteo through the League Manager’s Association read: “I was extremely surprised and disappointed to be relieved of [...]
Chelsea recruit Luiz relieved to have Torres on his side February 3, 2011 CHELSEA’S latest Brazilian recruit David Luiz admits he is glad he’ll be lining up alongside rather than facing Fernando Torres in the Premier League. Luiz played against Torres in last season’s Europa League quarter-final when the World Cup winner scored twice in a 4-1 victory for Liverpool at Anfield, and is therefore well aware of [...]
HISTORY IN reverse February 3, 2011 THE ESSENTIALS of what makes a mechanical watch tick have barely changed in 400 years. Back then, it was the British who were leading the way in the world of cogs, escapements and balance wheels, and the thread of that history can still be found in many watches produced today. We’ve covered that on page [...]
Sky may lose out in Pub TV football case February 3, 2011 THE Premier League’s battle with a Portsmouth-based publican suffered a major setback yesterday. A senior advocate from the European Court of Justice (ECJ) threw her weight behind landlady Karen Murphy in a landmark case, paving the way for a decision that could change the landscape of sports distribution rights in Europe and cost Sky £70m [...]
FERNANDO WHO? February 2, 2011 LIVERPOOL 2 vs STOKE CITY 0 LIVERPOOL manager Kenny Dalglish tipped Luis Suarez to take the Premier League by storm after the £23m deadline-day signing scored just 17 minutes after climbing off the bench for his debut. Suarez wasted no time in filling the void left by former Kop darling and new Chelsea recruit Fernando [...]
Keane the spark for Irons February 2, 2011 BLACKPOOL 1 vs WEST HAM 3 On-loan striker scores on his Hammers debut as Grant insists January signings can fire his side to Premier League safety WEST HAM’S headline January signing Robbie Keane marked his debut with a goal in a victory which his new manager Avram Grant believes signifies the turning point in the [...]
Redknapp throws in the towel in race for fourth place and tips Chelsea for title tilt February 2, 2011 BLACKBURN 0 vs TOTTENHAM 1 TOTTENHAM boss Harry Redknapp all but gave up on finishing in the Champions League places despite seeing Peter Crouch get them back to winning ways. Redknapp believes Chelsea – three points ahead of Spurs in fourth place – could be impossible to catch after their £71m spree on Fernando Torres [...]
Duff strike eases relegation fears February 2, 2011 FULHAM 1 vs NEWCASTLE 0 FULHAM winger Damien Duff’s first Premier League goal of the season lifted Mark Hughes’ side five points clear of the drop zone. Duff, relegated as a Newcastle player two years ago, struck in the 67th minute to extend Fulham’s unbeaten home run to five matches. Defeat capped a turbulent few [...]
Gardner dents City title hopes February 2, 2011 BIRMINGHAM 2 vs MANCHESTER CITY 2 BIRMINGHAM midfielder Craig Gardner struck a late penalty to deny Manchester City three precious points in the Premier League title race. An opportunistic strike from Carlos Tevez put the visitors ahead in the fourth minute, but Nikola Zigic restored parity 20 minutes later when he got the slightest of [...]
Arsenal show appetite for a title fight February 1, 2011 ARSENAL 2 vs EVERTON 1 And Wenger slams Abramovich spending spree ARSENAL manager Arsene Wenger poured scorn on big-spending Chelsea’s disregard for looming financial fair play rules after seeing his team give the strongest indication yet that they have the stomach for a title challenge. Andrey Arshavin and Laurent Koscielny both scored in five second-half [...]