Hughes upset at Mancini gesture February 27, 2011 FULHAM manager Mark Hughes accused Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini of disrespect after a draw that all but ended any Premier League title hopes at Eastlands. City striker Mario Balotelli fired home from outside of the box, but Damien Duff levelled when he turned in Andrew Johnson’s cross. And Hughes said: “Maybe I misread it [...]
Blues chief McLeish savours his finest hour after glorious upset February 27, 2011 BIRMINGHAM manager Alex McLeish toasted the greatest achievement of his career after seeing his underdogs snatch late glory against Arsenal. McLeish won seven trophies with Rangers, including two Scottish Premier League titles, but rates yesterday’s triumph as his finest. “Relatively speaking, it is my greatest achievement,” he said. “With Glasgow Rangers I was expected to [...]
Captain Fabregas ruled out of Carling Cup final February 24, 2011 ARSENAL captain Cesc Fabregas faces a race to be fit for next month’s emotional homecoming Champions League clash at Barcelona after admitting defeat in his quest to play in Sunday’s Carling Cup final. Fabregas was last night ruled out of leading the Gunners at Wembley as they go in search of a first trophy for [...]
WIN AND A PRAYER February 23, 2011 ARSENAL1 vs STOKE 0 ARSENAL captain Cesc Fabregas last night vowed to win his race to be fit for Sunday’s Carling Cup final after injuries to him and Theo Walcott soured a victory over Stoke that lifted the Gunners to within one point of Premier League leaders Manchester United. Fabregas (right) was taken off with [...]
Cech: Blues still on for a double February 23, 2011 CHELSEA goalkeeper Petr Cech is refusing to give up on an unlikely Champions League and Premier League double this season, despite the Blues’ four-month malaise. Europe’s biggest prize has consistently eluded the west Londoners even during their trophy-laden recent years, while Carlo Ancelotti’s men are as close to mid-table as they are top-flight leaders Manchester [...]
Walk in the Parken February 22, 2011 FC COPENHAGEN 0 vs CHELSEA 2 CHELSEA manager Carlo Ancelotti claimed his big-name strikers are comfortable with being part of a rotation policy after a Nicolas Anelka double all but booked his side’s place in the quarter-finals of the Champions League. Since the arrival of Fernando Torres, Ancelotti has unsuccessfully attempted to harness the Spaniard, [...]
Harry stunned as Spurs strikers fluff their lines February 22, 2011 BLACKPOOL 3 vs TOTTENHAM 1 TOTTENHAM manager Harry Redknapp lambasted his toothless strikeforce after their hopes of holding onto a Champions League spot suffered a major blow with defeat to struggling Blackpool. A Charlie Adam penalty and further goals from DJ Campbell and Brett Ormerod brought the visitors down to earth following last week’s win [...]
Van Persie injury curse hits Arsenal February 22, 2011 ARSENAL could close to within one point of Premier League leaders Manchester United tonight but will have to do so without their most in-form attacker, Robin van Persie, after the Dutchman’s injury curse struck again. Van Persie, who has 11 goals in eight games, and centre-back Laurent Koscielny are both sidelined for the visit of [...]
Four-match ban for Milan skipper Gattuso February 21, 2011 AC MILAN captain Gennaro Gattuso has been banned for an additional four matches by Uefa for his headbutt on Tottenham coach Joe Jordan during last week’s Champions League defeat at the San Siro. Meanwhile, Spurs have suffered a blow ahead of tonight’s Premier League trip to Blackpool after forward Rafael van der Vaart was ruled [...]
Der Hammer finally announces himself at Upton Park as Burnley are thrashed February 21, 2011 WEST HAM 5 VS BURNLEY 1 WEST HAM manager Avram Grant believes the return to fitness of Thomas Hitzlsperger could be the turning point in the club’s season. The Premier League strugglers cruised into the last eight of the FA Cup following an easy win over Burnely, with Hitzlsperger opening the scoring via a trademark [...]