League chiefs to defend stance on freeze victims January 10, 2010 THE Premier League is ready to vigorously fight their corner if the decision to postpone the majority of matches this weekend is questioned. Only two top-flight matches, the games at Arsenal and Birmingham, survived the big freeze, sparking fears of a fixture pile-up. Questions have been raised after pictures showed the surrounding areas of Upton [...]
Liverpool to begin their climb back up the table January 7, 2010 LIVERPOOL vs TOTTENHAM SUNDAY – 4.00PM SKY SPORTS LIVERPOOL put in another lacklustre display when they were outplayed by struggling Reading in the FA Cup last weekend and things are still not right at Anfield. However, they notched back-to-back Premier League successes for the first time since September when they won at Villa Park over [...]
Fixture chaos as big freeze hits weekend January 7, 2010 UNCERTAINTY hangs over what remains of the weekend’s sporting schedule after heavy snow and sub-zero temperatures claimed more fixtures yesterday. Four of tomorrow’s Championship football matches have already been called off, the League One and League Two programmes have been decimated, and all 10 Scottish Cup games have been postponed. Rugby union’s Premiership and Magners [...]
Ballack criticises Blues policy January 7, 2010 CHELSEA midfielder Michael Ballack admits the club’s quest for glory has been hampered by its ruthlessness towards managers – but is confident current boss Carlo Ancelotti will steer them to silverware. Blues owner Roman Abramovich has dispensed with four managers since Ballack arrived at Stamford Bridge three-and-a-half years ago – in which time they have [...]
Portsmouth deny player fire sale January 7, 2010 PORTSMOUTH chief executive Peter Storrie insists there will be no mass exodus of players in the January transfer window despite the club’s financial problems. The troubled Fratton Park outfit face a winding-up order from Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs and are also subject to a transfer embargo for unpaid player fees. The club paid its [...]
City poised to land Vieira as Veron shuns England return January 6, 2010 MANCHESTER City are on the brink of completing a loan deal for one former Premier League star in Patrick Vieira but have failed in a bid to sign another in Juan Sebastian Veron. Inter Milan manager Jose Mourinho has confirmed that former Arsenal captain Vieira, 33, is on the brink of sealing a return to [...]
Ferguson takes charge of Posh January 6, 2010 FOOTBALL: Former Peterborough manager Darren Ferguson is aiming to join his father in the Premier League with Preston North End. The 37-year-old, son of Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson, was unveiled as Preston’s new boss yesterday after signing a three-year deal at Deepdale. “It’s a fantastic football club and I can’t wait to get [...]
Football, racing and rugby hit by big freeze January 6, 2010 HEAVY snowfall continued to wreak havoc on the sporting calendar yesterday, with last night’s scheduled Premier League clash between Arsenal and Bolton the most high-profile event to be called off. Horse racing was also severely hit, while several of the weekend’s rugby union fixtures have already been put back. Arsenal had been hopeful earlier in [...]
Coyle rapped by Burnley for sideways switch to Bolton January 6, 2010 BURNLEY chairman Barry Kilby has aimed a dig at outgoing manager Owen Coyle’s decision to join Bolton, calling the switch to their relegation rivals a “sideways” move. Coyle, who is on gardening leave while compensation is thrashed out, has chosen to leave Burnley having guided them to 14th place in the Premier League. Bolton, meanwhile, [...]
Sheikh owner wipes slate clean at City January 6, 2010 MANCHESTER City have recorded a net loss of £92.6m in the first year since the arrival of new owner Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al-Nahyan – but the billionaire has written off the debt. The club’s financial results for the 12 months ending 31 May, 2009 show the high price the club is paying in its [...]