Real deals: The transfers that look like happening January 10, 2011 THE JANUARY transfer window is slowly clicking into gear. With time running out for managers to bolster their squads here are three deals likely to beat the deadline. STEVEN PIENAAR The South Africa international (right) is one of a quartet of Everton midfielders who would comfortably slot into a top four side. With Harry Redknapp’s [...]
Breakthrough series sets up England hero for bumper windfall January 9, 2011 ENGLAND hero Alastair Cook’s record-breaking Ashes displays have hugely boosted his earning potential, with sports marketing experts predicting “the sky is the limit” for a man dubbed the “sponsor’s dream”. The Essex opener arrived in Australia desperately struggling for form and fighting to keep his place in the team, but plundered three centuries and a [...]
Men against Tractor boys doesn’t fool Ancelotti January 9, 2011 CHELSEA (7) vs IPSWICH TOWN (0) CHELSEA manager Carlo Ancelotti admits he remains unhappy at his side’s current predicament despite an emphatic return to goalscoring form in the FA Cup. The holders extended their unbeaten run in this competition to 14 matches with a demolition of managerless Championship outfit Ipswich Town, who sacked Roy Keane [...]
Dalglish: I’ll cope with the pressure January 9, 2011 MANCHESTER UTD (1) vs LIVERPOOL (0) LIVERPOOL manager Kenny Dalglish is confident he can restore the club to its rightful position amongst the Premier League elite, despite seeing his sensational comeback end in defeat at Old Trafford. The 59-year-old Scot (right) took his place in the Reds’ dugout for the FA Cup third round reversal [...]
Desperate Carlo asks Roman for stay of execution January 5, 2011 WOLVES 1 vs CHELSEA 0 CHELSEA manager Carlo Ancelotti insists he is still capable of delivering the silverware that owner Roman Abramovich craves, despite seeing his side’s confidence take another buffeting at relegation threatened Wolves. The champions were unable to respond to the blow of Jose Bosingwa’s fifth minute own goal which decided last night’s [...]
Boring tag no concern for satisfied Mancini January 5, 2011 EMIRATES STADIUM ARSENAL 0 vs MANCHESTER CITY 0 MANCHESTER CITY boss Roberto Mancini shrugged off ‘boring’ chants from Arsenal fans after his side’s negative tactics kept the Gunners behind them in third place. Robin van Persie and Cesc Fabregas both hit the post as City survived an onslaught, leaving Arsene Wenger’s men four points behind [...]
Grant remaining positive despite Toon horror show January 5, 2011 NEWCASTLE 5 vs WESTHAM 0 BELEAGUERED West Ham manager Avram Grant blamed a “bad day at the office” after a debut hat-trick from Leon Best plunged the Israeli’s tenure to a new low. Grant (right) looks destined to be sacked after the Hammers sank back to the foot of the Premier League table, thanks to [...]
United go three points clear in race for title January 4, 2011 MANCHESTER UNITED 2 vs STOKE CITY 1 MANCHESTER UNITED manager Sir Alex Ferguson has told his players to ignore the criticism and focus on recapturing the Premier League title. Splendid goals from Javier Hernandez and Nani, which came either side of Dean Whitehead’s surprise equaliser, helped United open up a three point lead over Manchester [...]
City stars brawl ahead of Arsenal trip January 4, 2011 FRESH cracks have broken out in Manchester City’s mutinous squad ahead of tonight’s crunch visit to Arsenal after team-mates Kolo Toure and Emmanuel Adebayor brawled during training. Yesterday’s skirmish appeared to be sparked by Adebayor’s reaction to a tackle from Toure and had to be broken up by concerned team-mates including Patrick Vieira and Vincent [...]
Hughes sleeps easier as Davies show lifts Fulham January 4, 2011 FULHAM 3 vs WEST BROM 0 FULHAM boss Mark Hughes urged his side to build on their recent revival after an emphatic second win in three games hoisted them out of the Premier League relegation zone and up to the heady heights of 13th. Goals from Simon Davies, Clint Dempsey and Brede Hangeland earned Hughes’s [...]