Lethal Torres has Liverpool firing again March 28, 2010 LIVERPOOL (3) vs SUNDERLAND (0) LIVERPOOL manager Rafael Benitez revelled in a vindication of his tactics after seeing his team reignite their charge for a Champions League spot with a devastating attacking display. Striker Fernando Torres, whose return to fitness could yet prove a major factor in deciding who finishes in the much-coveted fourth place, [...]
Swashbuckling Chelsea strengthen Carlo’s claims March 28, 2010 CARLO ANCELOTTI’S unshakeable confidence less than a week ago that he would still be Chelsea manager next season provoked raised eyebrows among some observers. The doubters are biting their tongues for now, however, after the Blues ran riot for a second successive game, tearing Aston Villa to shreds 7-1 on Saturday. That romp came just [...]
Wenger: We want to win for Eduardo March 25, 2010 ARSENAL boss Arsene Wenger admits Eduardo is still traumatised by the career-threatening injury he suffered more than two years ago, as the striker prepares to return to the scene of the horror tackle for the first time. The Croatian has struggled to recapture his best form since spending more than a year on the sidelines [...]
Hammers get stadium boost March 25, 2010 WEST HAM’S hopes of relocating to the Olympic Stadium have been boosted after City A.M. learned that 2012 legacy chiefs are open to the club selling naming rights for the ground. The Hammers hope to increase matchday revenue by moving into the £537m stadium in Stratford after the Games and have opened talks with Newham [...]
Title blow for Chelsea as Carvalho out for a month March 25, 2010 CHELSEA’S title charge suffered a major blow last night after defender Ricardo Carvalho was ruled out for at least four weeks with an ankle injury. The 31-year-old suffered ligament damage in the 5-0 victory at Portsmouth on Wednesday night and may now require surgery. Carvalho will definitely miss the key fixtures against Aston Villa and [...]
Portsmouth deny player exodus despite special league ruling March 24, 2010 PORTSMOUTH were yesterday granted special permission to sell players outside of the transfer window to ease their financial crisis. Cash-strapped Pompey, who were deducted nine points for going into administration last month, can now offload players with immediate effect – but they will not be able to play for any other Premier League club until [...]
Sky worried despite likely revenue boost March 23, 2010 BSkyB could generate additional revenue of more than £700m if it is allowed to sell Premier League football through Freeview. In a move described by Sky as a “sop”, Ofcom is likely to allow the broadcaster to go ahead with a project dreamed up in 2007 codenamed “Picnic”. This would involve setting up a subscription [...]
Ancelotti: Chelsea won’t sack me March 23, 2010 CHELSEA manager Carlo Ancelotti is convinced he will still be in charge next season, irrespective of whether the team’s Premier League and FA Cup challenges flourish or flounder. It cannot have escaped the self-confessed fan of statistics, however, that Roman Abramovich has dispensed with coaches with better records than his. Ancelotti takes his side to [...]
Tigers chief urges salary cap overhaul March 23, 2010 LEICESTER TIGERS director Peter Wheeler last night called for a major review of the salary cap system in order to help English rugby compete with Europe’s elite. The Guinness Premiership has suffered from an exodus of players heading for the bright lights and big wages of the French Top 14 league, including the world’s best [...]
First Lady of Football Brady eyeing last laugh at embattled West Ham March 22, 2010 ANYONE willing to succeed the much-loved Margaret Mountford as Alan Sugar’s sidekick on The Apprentice is clearly on first-name terms with daunting tasks, but Karren Brady may have surpassed herself with the role of vice-chairman at West Ham. Among the Premier League’s most illustrious clubs but staring down the barrel of financial ruin, they are [...]