January Transfers | Key points February 1, 2010 HARD-UP top-flight clubs tightened their belts in the January transfer window, spending a fraction of what they have in previous years. Premier League outfits spent a total of £30m in January, compared to the downturn-defying £170m splashed out just a year earlier. To illustrate the dramatic change this year, in 2008 teams spent £150m. This [...]
Fabregas ignoring Gunners’ critics as Chelsea clash looms February 1, 2010 ARSENAL captain Cesc Fabregas is refusing to accept their title challenge is over, and has urged his team-mates to prove the doubters wrong against Chelsea on Sunday. A crushing 3-1 loss at home to Manchester United at the weekend has left the Gunners five points behind the Blues, and feeling utterly deflated. Even Arsenal forward [...]
City stars show support for Team Bridge in Terry episode January 31, 2010 MANCHESTER CITY boss Roberto Mancini revealed three of his players wore shirts in support of Wayne Bridge as his side continued their assault on a top-four place with victory over cash-strapped Portsmouth. Stars Carlos Tevez, Nigel de Jong and Stephen Ireland all wore shirts bearing the words “Team Bridge” in support of the England left-back, [...]
Capello to take time over England captain decision January 31, 2010 ENGLAND head coach Fabio Capello is refusing to make a snap decision over Chelsea defender John Terry’s future as England captain. Terry’s role as skipper has been questioned following newspaper allegations that he had an affair with the ex-girlfriend of international colleague and former Blues team-mate Wayne Bridge. The Football Association has refused to be [...]
I won’t quit Reds for Italy, insists Benitez January 31, 2010 LIVERPOOL boss Rafael Benitez last night issued a statement quashing growing speculation that he is set to quit Anfield for Juventus. Reports in Italy suggested Benitez had agreed a deal to take charge of the Turin club in the summer, and that officials from the Serie A outfit would meet their Liverpool counterparts today to [...]
Wigan poised for £2.5m deadline-day deal for Crystal Palace prodigy Moses January 31, 2010 WIGAN look set to win the race for one of the hottest properties in the British game by signing Victor Moses from Crystal Palace. The Nigerian-born teenager, who can play on the wing or as a striker, is today expected to complete a £2.5m transfer deadline-day switch to the Latics. Moses, 19, has been linked [...]
Arsenal should have the edge in Emirates thriller January 28, 2010 ARSENAL VS MANCHESTER UNITED SUNDAY – 4.00PM, SKY SPORTS 1 THE next few weeks are absolutely crucial for Arsenal in their battle to win the Premier League title for the first time since 2004/05. They were disappointing at Stoke last weekend and although they hit the woodwork twice at Villa Park on Wednesday night, they [...]
Extended ban for Ferdinand January 28, 2010 MANCHESTER United defender Rio Ferdinand has been banned for four matches for violent conduct, meaning he will miss Sunday’s trip to Premier League title rivals Arsenal. Ferdinand received an extra one-game suspension on top of the standard three because the Football Association considered his appeal against the charge frivolous. That appeal allowed the England centre-back [...]
Mutu fails another drug test January 28, 2010 FORMER Chelsea striker Adrian Mutu is facing career ruin after failing another drug test, this time for sibutramine, a banned appetite suppressant. The 31-year-old, who served a seven-month worldwide ban for using cocaine while at Stamford Bridge, tested positive after playing for Fiorentina earlier this month. Mutu could be banned for four years if the [...]
Website taken down as Pompey reach new low January 28, 2010 PORTSMOUTH’S season of crisis took another farcical turn yesterday when their official website was taken offline because of an unpaid bill. Juicy, the company that runs the site, only made the site available again later in the day after Pompey had made them a payment. The club’s latest shambolic episode came as it emerged they [...]