Villa’s MacDonald unfazed by top-flight job pressure August 31, 2010 ASTON VILLA caretaker manager Kevin MacDonald insists he has not taken lightly the decision to put himself forward for the job on a permanent basis. MacDonald reached his decision after bouncing back from a demoralising 6-0 defeat at Newcastle with Sunday’s 1-0 victory over Everton. “I know that managers, from week to week, if they [...]
Spurs boss Harry warns off Hammers in Keane pursuit August 30, 2010 HARRY REDKNAPP says he would be reluctant to let Robbie Keane leave White Hart Lane for a third time after West Ham boss Avram Grant confirmed his interest yesterday. The Republic of Ireland captain has been linked with a move away from Spurs this summer after failing to hold down a starting place in Harry [...]
Wembley braced for a Spanish invasion August 26, 2010 CHAMPIONS LEAGUE 2010-11 The road to Wembley has been mapped out for England’s representatives in the Champions League with the biggest obstacles, La Liga giants Barcelona and Real Madrid who head the betting at 3/1 and 5/1 respectively, kept out of harm’s way for now. Fourth favourites Manchester United will be pleased with their group [...]
Hard to separate sides in key Villa Park clash August 26, 2010 ASTON VILLA vs EVERTON SUNDAY – 4.00PM SKY SPORTS 1 ASTON VILLA and Everton were involved in arguably the most exciting tussle in the Premier League last year, the race for the fourth Champions League place. Both ultimately fell short – Everton finishing eighth behind Villa’s sixth. Two weeks into the new season then and [...]
Hat-tricks for London and Crouch as Tottenham revel in historic night August 25, 2010 TOTTENHAM (4) vs NEWCASTLE(0) TOTTENHAM finally took their place at the top table of European football last night – and ensured London has three clubs in the Champions League for the first time – but all manager Harry Redknapp wanted by way of celebration was a bacon sandwich. A hat-trick from Peter Crouch and a [...]
Magpies dodge giant-killing as ruthless Fulham and Everton show no mercy August 25, 2010 ACCRINGTON (2) vs NEWCASTLE(3) PREMIER League heavyweights Newcastle needed a second-half resurgence to avoid an upset at League Two Accrington. Ryan Taylor looked to have put the underdogs in their place when his long-range strike gave an under-strength Magpies side the lead late in the first half. But a spectacular equaliser from Ray Putterill ensured [...]
Parker’s late show spares Grant blushes August 24, 2010 WEST HAM UNITED (1) vs OXFORD UNITEDM (0) PRICELESS captain Scott Parker struck the winner in the third minute of stoppage time to spare Avram Grant’s blushes and snatch his first win as West Ham manager. The Premier League side largely failed to assert their superiority over a team currently ranked 86th in the country [...]
Another investor mulling Liverpool bid, says Harris August 24, 2010 A MYSTERY would-be buyer has already completed due diligence on Liverpool and is weighing up whether to make a bid, according to high-profile financier Keith Harris. Chinese businessman Kenny Huang last week ended his flirtation with buying the club, which has debts of around £280m, after emerging as the latest interested party. But Harris, who [...]
Blackpool rocked by late Dons winner August 24, 2010 AN EXTRA-TIME winner from Lewis Guy earned MK Dons a third-round place with a shock 4-3 victory over top-flight newcomers Blackpool. Tangerines boss Ian Holloway raised eyebrows by skipping a game in which his men became the competition’s first Premier League scalp. The visitors twice came from behind in Milton Keynes to ensure it finished [...]
Champions League money soars higher August 24, 2010 CHAMPIONS League revenue has rocketed once again, ensuring the richest teams in the world continue to get even richer. Liverpool, who were humiliatingly knocked out of the tournament in the group stages this year, received €28.6m (£23.4m) in prize money and TV revenue. When they stunned the footballing world in 2005 by coming from three [...]