Mancini key to City results August 19, 2010 ROBERTO MANCINI may have kept Craig Bellamy out of the clutches of his Premier League rivals, but he’s also thrown Cardiff City into the spotlight. Bellamy’s shock loan move to his hometown club makes perfect sense for both clubs. Mancini keeps a tight grip on him while protecting his title chances, while Dave Jones at [...]
Blackpool buck the spending trend as agents rake in record £12.7m in fees August 18, 2010 BLACKPOOL are living proof that big money payments to agents don’t necessary bring success. Ian Holloway’s (right) men sealed a shock promotion to the Premier League last May after beating Cardiff in the Championship play-off final. But new figures released by the Football League yesterday showed the Seasiders achieved it with their house well and [...]
Ferguson blasts rivals for kamikaze spending sprees August 17, 2010 MANCHESTER United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has launched a thinly-veiled attack on Manchester City by accusing some Premier League clubs of “kamikaze” spending. Ferguson did not mention the Sheikh Mansour-backed Eastlands outfit by name as he railed against mega-rich owners splashing their millions with little restraint. But it is widely believed he was referring to [...]
Mancini finally signs Milner and defends ‘rebel’ Balotelli August 17, 2010 MANCHESTER City manager Roberto Mancini insists Mario Balotelli does not deserve his notoriety and has backed the Italian prodigy to take England by storm. Mancini introduced Balotelli to the press yesterday, after finally landing Aston Villa’s James Milner and letting Craig Bellamy join Cardiff on loan. Balotelli, 20, was quick to dismiss the reputation he [...]
Berbatov on target as Red Devils cruise to opening win August 16, 2010 MANCHESTER UTD (3) vs NEWCASTLE UTD(0) MANCHESTER United manager Sir Alex Ferguson praised Paul Scholes after the evergreen midfielder masterminded a nonchalant dissection of Newcastle. Dimitar Berbatov, Darren Fletcher and substitute Ryan Giggs enjoyed goal-scoring glory as United began their Premier League campaign in ominous fashion. But it was 35-year-old Scholes who orchestrated wave after [...]
Spurs begin Investec deal with Young Boys fixture August 16, 2010 TOTTENHAM have signed an innovative two-year deal with Investec that will see the bank sponsor their shirts in cup matches only. Spurs’ jerseys will bear the Investec name for the first time this evening, when they take on Young Boys of Bern in the first leg of a Champions League qualifying tie. It is not [...]
Ban stands for Cole as Reds decline appeal August 16, 2010 JOE COLE will miss Liverpool’s next three Premier League matches after the club opted not to appeal his sending off against Arsenal on Sunday. Debutant Cole saw red for a reckless challenge on Laurent Koscielny during first half injury-time of the 1-1 draw at Anfield. Meanwhile the Reds are poised to complete the signing of [...]
BT has signed up as few as 60,000 to its sports package, say insiders August 15, 2010 BT’S offering of Sky Sports 1 and 2 was hailed as a lynch-pin of the firm’s transformation into a big player in the pay-TV market. But industry insiders estimate that it has only signed up around 60,000 sports customers, despite spending tens of millions promoting the service. BT Vision has struggled to compete with the [...]
Reina howler lets Gunners off the hook August 15, 2010 LIVERPOOL (1) vs ARSENAL (1) LIVERPOOL boss Roy Hodgson refused to blame Pepe Reina after the goalkeeper’s late howler ensured Arsenal shared the spoils of an absorbing Premier League opener at Anfield. Reina spilled the ball into his own net during stoppage time, just as it seemed David Ngog’s strike would hand Hodgson a major [...]
Maradona interest in Aston Villa job August 15, 2010 DIEGO Maradona’s agent insists the former Argentina captain and coach would love to succeed Martin O’Neill as Aston Villa manager. Caretaker boss Kevin MacDonald is currently in charge at the Midlands club after O’Neill walked out last week following a breakdown in relations with owner Randy Lerner. MacDonald enjoyed the perfect start to his reign [...]