Robinho sure he is heading back to Brazil January 25, 2010 WANTAWAY striker Robinho believes he has played his last game for Manchester City and is “90 per cent certain” to return to former club Santos this week. The £32.5m hitman revealed in an interview on Sunday how he was desperate to return to Brazil after City directors ordered him out of the club. Boss Roberto [...]
Benitez passes buck in row with Bruce over Jones loan January 25, 2010 LIVERPOOL manager Rafael Benitez has rejected criticism from Sunderland manager Steve Bruce and focused his attention on reclaiming a place in the top four tonight. Bruce hit out at Benitez over their pursuit of Black Cats striker Kenwyne Jones last week, calling the Anfield club’s conduct “hugely disrespectful”. But the Spaniard yesterday insisted he had [...]
Sunderland target Cabanas critical after shooting January 25, 2010 PARAGUAY striker Salvador Cabanas, a recent target for Sunderland, was last night in critical condition after being shot in the head in a bar in Mexico City. Cabanas, a prolific scorer in the Mexican top flight for Club America, underwent life-saving surgery for seven hours at a Los Angeles hospital. Doctors prevented a fatal blood [...]
FOOTBALL | IN BRIEF January 25, 2010 Laws warns of derby destruction BURNLEY boss Brian Laws has warned his players against letting “all hell break loose” when his team visit former boss Owen Coyle’s new side, Bolton, tonight. More than 5,000 Clarets fans are expected to make the short trip across Lancashire to let their feelings known over Coyle’s defection earlier this [...]
Manchester United paid out £54m to raise £500m in controversial bond issue January 24, 2010 Manchester United’s controversial bond issue is understood to have cost the Premier League champions £54m. As part of the £500m in funds raised by United last week, the club is believed to have had to pay £15m in fees and expenses to investment bankers and lawyers. The club had also taken a £39m hit from [...]
Wenger ready for acid test January 21, 2010 ARSENAL boss Arsene Wenger has hailed the never-say-die spirit of his team, but warned them that the true test of their Premier League title credentials is still to come. The Gunners overtook Chelsea at the top of the table on Wednesday night after rallying from two goals behind to overcome Bolton 4-2. That victory resembled [...]
Stoke could prove tough nut to crack at Britannia January 21, 2010 STOKE CITY vs ARSENAL SUNDAY – 1.30PM, ITV1 ARSENAL did readers of this column a favour with their 2-0 win against Bolton at the Reebok last Sunday. It was a fairly comfortable victory for the Gunners, but they had to fight to come from two behind against the same opposition at the Emirates on Wednesday [...]
William Hill buoyed by earnings upgrade thanks to revenue surge January 20, 2010 High Street bookmaker William Hill looked attractive to punters yesterday, as shares closed up more than three per cent following a bullish trading statement. Earnings for the year are expected to be at the top end of predictions, with gross earnings of around £250m due to a four per cent increase in revenue. The company [...]
Gunners reach the summit January 20, 2010 ARSENAL (4) vs. BOLTON WANDERERS (2) ARSENE WENGER’S young Arsenal side showed the character of champions as they clawed their way back from two goals down to hit the Premier League summit. Gary Cahill and a Matthew Taylor penalty fired the visitors into a shock 2-0 lead inside the opening 28 minutes to leave the [...]
Double blow for United as debts rise to £716m and FA probe Neville gesture January 20, 2010 MANCHESTER United’s parent company saw its debts swell to £716.5m last year, increasing fears about the club’s financial safety. Latest accounts for Red Football Joint Venture Ltd, which is owned by Old Trafford chiefs the Glazer family and secures its debts against the club, show that debts for the year ending 30 June 2009 grew [...]