Chelsea acted properly in Kakuta deal, insists scout September 22, 2009 CHELSEA’S French scout has defended the club’s conduct in the controversial signing of youngster Gael Kakuta. The Blues were this month banned from signing players until 2011 after Kakuta’s former club Lens complained to governing body Fifa that the Premier League club had induced him to break his contract. But Guy Hillion, who spotted and [...]
Owen tips rivals City for the top September 21, 2009 HIS injury-time winner may have taken them down a peg or two in Sunday’s thrilling derby, but Manchester United striker Michael Owen expects rivals City to keep upsetting the Premier League’s elite. City announced their intention to break the Big Four’s stranglehold on the Champions League places with a £120m summer spending spree on some [...]
Ancelotti’s made us patient and so deadly, insists Ballack September 21, 2009 CHELSEA midfielder Michael Ballack believes their ruthless start to the season stems from a fresh approach instilled by new boss Carlo Ancelotti. The Blues have gained maximum points from their opening six Premier League matches, setting a record 11th straight win in the process and bagging 15 goals to boot. The German has excelled [...]
Sir Bobby honoured at star-studded memorial September 21, 2009 STARS flocked to Durham cathedral yesterday for a moving tribute to former England manager Sir Bobby Robson, who died in July after a battle with cancer. Gary Lineker and Paul Gascoigne, key figures in Robson’s 1990 World Cup squad, were joined at the service by Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson and current England head [...]
Zola hoping Franco factor gives Hammers cup boost September 21, 2009 NEW West Ham signing Guillermo Franco is set to be thrust into action as Gianfranco Zola looks to ignite his side’s stuttering start to the season in the Carling Cup. The Hammers have struggled thus far in the Premier League, winning one from five, and sit just above the drop zone on goal difference. Franco, [...]
Drogba dazzles but injury mars milestone victory September 20, 2009 CHELSEA manager Carlo Ancelotti insists his side can cope without Didier Drogba after the talismanic striker was carried off in the win over London rivals Tottenham. Drogba continued his impressive early season form, setting up Ashley Cole for the opener and scoring himself to seal a club-record 11th successive Premier League victory that keeps Chelsea [...]
Chelsea can continue amazing home record September 17, 2009 CHELSEA vs TOTTENHAMSunday 4pm, Sky Sports 1 CHELSEA V BOLTON, Saturday 13th December 2003, won’t resonate with most football fans, but that was the last time Chelsea tasted defeat in the league at Stamford Bridge against non Big Four opposition. They are now unbeaten at home against such teams in an astonishing 91 Premier League [...]
United easier without Ron, taunts Micah September 17, 2009 MANCHESTER CITY defender Micah Richards has fanned the flames ahead of Sunday’s local derby by insisting Manchester United miss Cristiano Ronaldo. United sit second in the Premier League but have yet to find top gear this season, since selling £80m winger Ronaldo to Real Madrid over the summer. And Richards believes that makes them ripe [...]
SPORT IN BRIEF September 17, 2009 Four-midable Hagen marches onCYCLING: Norway’s Edvald Boasson Hagen swept to his fourth successive stage win to extend his lead in the Tour of Britain. The Team Columbia finished ahead of Martin Reimer and Britain’s Russell Downing to claim the sixth stage, from Frome to Bideford to extend his overall lead to 19 seconds. Stage seven [...]
Early hurdles cleared just September 16, 2009 IT’S crucially important to get a good start in the Champions League group stages, but it is also devilishly difficult – as English teams ably demonstrated this week. All won, but by a single goal, and all made heavy weather of games that, on paper at least, looked straightforward. Arsenal particularly will analyse their poor [...]