Guzan the hero as Villa beat Black Cats October 27, 2009 RESERVE goalkeeper Brad Guzan saved four penalty kicks to help Aston Villa into the Carling Cup fifth round at the expense of Sunderland. The two sides were locked at 0-0 until American Guzan kept out Kenwyne Jones’ late penalty in normal time to force the extra half hour. He then saved three more penalties as [...]
Coach Gatland blasted for ‘weak Premiership’ rant October 27, 2009 PREMIERSHIP chiefs have hit back at Wales coach Warren Gatland after he criticised the standard of the English top flight. Gatland said he had not picked Sale prop Eifion Lewis-Roberts for next month’s Test against New Zealand because the Premiership was “weak”. But Premier Rugby chief executive Mark McCafferty yesterday responded by accusing Gatland of [...]
CITY MOVES WHO’S SWITCHING JOBS October 26, 2009 KPMGThe accountancy firm’s forensic practice has recruited Nigel Layton, the founder of specialist corporate investigations firm Quest, as a director in the corporate intelligence team. Layton set up Quest in 1995 and has since built up its reputation via cases including an inquiry for the Premier League into allegations of irregular payments surrounding certain football [...]
Shareholders back cash call at Ladbrokes October 26, 2009 BOOKMAKER Ladbrokes yesterday announced its shareholders have agreed to buy more than 95 per cent of the shares offered in its underwritten £275m cash call. Ladbrokes, which runs 2,700 betting shops, unveiled a surprise rights issue earlier this month to pay down debt after revealing revenue had dived by 15 per cent in its third [...]
Strachan: I know I’ll get time at Boro October 26, 2009 GORDON STRACHAN has vowed to lead Middlesbrough back into the Premier League after taking charge at the Riverside Stadium yesterday. Strachan, who has been out of work since stepping down as Celtic manager last summer, has signed a four-year contract with Boro. “I feel I can make the people I work with better and if [...]
Clichy aims blast at misfiring Gunners October 26, 2009 ARSENAL defender Gael Clichy has warned his team-mates they must rediscover their winning habit before tackling two big games in the space of four days. The Gunners threw away the chance to close in on Premier League leaders Chelsea when they squandered a two-goal lead at West Ham on Sunday. That slip-up came just days [...]
UNDER THE HAMMER October 25, 2009 PREMIER League club West Ham is thought to have been put up for sale by its Icelandic owners CB Holdings. Rothschild and Standard Bank have been hired to find a new backer. Former Birmingham owner David Sullivan and a consortium headed by Wall Street executive Jim Bowe are interested.
Benitez facing crisis as Reds lurch to fourth loss in a row October 20, 2009 LIVERPOOL (1) vs LYON (2) LIVERPOOL boss Rafael Benitez admits his side’s three remaining Champions League Group E fixtures have taken on must-win status after last night’s dramatic injury-time defeat at home to Lyon. The Reds went ahead when Yossi Benayoun finished just before half time, but Maxime Gonalons equalised with 18 minutes left and [...]
William Hill revenue dips on sport wins October 19, 2009 Bookmaker William Hill yesterday reported a three per cent drop in third-quarter revenues after a punter-friendly season knocked results. Football results went against the bookies this August and September – by the end of last month there had been just four draws in the Premier League. Draws normally represent 25 per cent of outcomes. Most [...]
Let’s make it tough but fair, insists Wenger October 19, 2009 ARSENAL manager Arsene Wenger maintains there is a place for tough tackling in English football – but is calling for dangerous challenges to be stamped out. The Gunners make the trip to Holland for tonight’s Champions League clash with AZ Alkmaar without winger Theo Walcott, who suffered knee ligament damage following a hefty challenge from [...]