Hughton hails high-flying Magpies as Newcastle land Premier League return April 5, 2010 NEWCASTLE boss Chris Hughton last night spoke of his “incredible feeling” after celebrating the club’s return to the Premier League at the first attempt. The Magpies were guaranteed a top-two place without kicking a ball after Nottingham Forest drew 0-0 with Cardiff. It capped a remarkable turnaround for the club, whose 16-year stay in the [...]
United relief as Rooney gets away with suspected sprain March 31, 2010 MANCHESTER United defender Nemanja Vidic insists the club’s challenge for silverware will not be stymied by Wayne Rooney’s suspected sprained ankle. Rooney is expected to be out for three to four weeks after limping off during United’s Champions League defeat at Bayern Munich on Tuesday. In that time the striker, who has scored 34 goals [...]
Ofcom feels the heat over sports ruling March 31, 2010 OFCOM faced a fierce backlash to its landmark ruling yesterday as broadcasters and sporting bodies rounded on the embattled regulator. BSkyB vowed to carry out its threat to fight the ruling through the courts, hiring high powered City law firm Herbert Smith. The decision means the wholesale prices Sky is allowed to charge rivals including [...]
UNITED CAN STRIKE TITLE BLOW WITHOUT ROONEY March 31, 2010 MANCHESTER UNITED vs CHELSEA SATURDAY, 12.45PM SKY SPORTS 1 THIS has been the closest Premier League title race for a number of years and a win for either of these sides would make them hot favourites to go on and land the crown. United comfortably saw off Bolton at the Reebok last weekend, while Chelsea’s [...]
Nation holds its breath as Rooney hit by injury scare March 30, 2010 BAYERN MUNICH V/S MANCHESTER UTD ENGLAND’S worst World Cup fears were in danger of being realised last night after Wayne Rooney limped off in agony with an ankle injury. The 33-goal striker had to be helped off the field deep into injury time following a collision with Bayern’s Mario Gomez in the build-up to Ivica [...]
Villa scotch O’Neill quit rumours amid talk of boardroom bust-up March 30, 2010 ASTON VILLA last night dismissed reports that Martin O’Neill had quit as manager of the club amid claims of a bust-up with owner Randy Lerner. Earlier reports suggested O’Neill had clashed with Lerner over his transfer budget for next season and opted to end his four-year spell at Villa Park. O’Neill’s odds to be the [...]
Brilliant Tevez fires City back to fifth with quickfire treble March 29, 2010 MANCHESTER CITY 3 V/S WIGAN ATHLETIC 0 CARLOS TEVEZ blasted a 12-minute hat-trick as Manchester City boosted their chances of a Champions League place with victory over 10-man Wigan. Tevez punished Wigan with a clinical second half treble which came after Latics defender Gary Caldwell was sent off for a two-footed tackle on the Argentinian [...]
Defiant Zola vows to save Hammers March 29, 2010 WEST HAM manager Gianfranco Zola insists he will return to England this week and steer the club to safety, having spent the last 48 hours mulling over his future. The Italian sought refuge in his native Sardinia after Saturday’s defeat to Stoke – their sixth on the trot – left them just goal difference off [...]
Platini welcomes Labour plans to boost fan power March 29, 2010 EUROPEAN chief Michel Platini has thrown his support behind Labour proposals to give fans greater rights to own stakes in their clubs. Under plans set be included in the government’s manifesto for this year’s election, clubs could be forced to hand up to 25 per cent of shares to supporters. Fans would be given first [...]
Sports bodies ready for ruling March 28, 2010 SPORTING bodies and TV networks are gearing up for an Ofcom ruling, expected this week, that could cap the wholesale price Sky can charge its rivals for Premier League matches. Bodies such as the Premier League and the Rugby Football Union have voiced concern their revenues could be hit by the ruling. However, analysts are [...]