Benitez: Gerrard will lead Reds charge October 19, 2009 BOSS Rafael Benitez is backing fit-again Steven Gerrard to lead Liverpool’s Champions League charge at Anfield tonight. The Reds welcome back their inspirational skipper for the visit of French side Lyon, but Benitez must again do without star striker Fernando Torres, who has a groin injury. Like Torres, Gerrard missed Saturday’s 1-0 defeat at Sunderland, [...]
In-form Dunn guides Rovers to derby win October 18, 2009 BLACKBURN (3) vs. BURNLEY (2) BLACKBURN boss Sam Allardyce hailed David Dunn after the midfielder inspired his side’s stunning comeback win over arch rivals Burnley. The 29-year-old capped a man-of-the-match performance with his fifth goal of the season to help lift Blackburn to 12th in the Premier League. Burnley had taken a shock lead through [...]
Beach ball goal shouldn’t have stood – Winter October 18, 2009 FORMER Premier League referee Jeff Winter is adamant that Sunderland’s winner against Liverpool should never have stood. Darren Bent’s fifth minute shot evaded goalkeeper Pepe Reina after it cannoned off a beach ball that had strayed onto the pitch and Winter says ref Mike Jones got it wrong. “The referee and his assistant knew something [...]
My dream to play for Barca, says Robinho October 15, 2009 MANCHESTER CITY striker Robinho has opened the door to a possible move to Barcelona by admitting he would love to play for the European champions. The Brazilian arrived at Eastlands in a £32m deal from Real Madrid last summer but has failed to properly settle in the Premier League amid constant rumours of an impending [...]
Classy Chelsea can teach O’Neill’s Villains a lesson October 15, 2009 ASTON VILLA vs CHELSEATOMORROW 12.45PM, SKY SPORTS 1IF I had said at the start of the season that come mid-October both Chelsea and Aston Villa would have lost to Wigan, I would have been laughed out of town. However, the Blues dropped their first points of the season at the DW Stadium a couple of [...]
Goal-shy Heskey vows not to quit Villa October 15, 2009 EMILE HESKEY has denied saying he is considering leaving Aston Villa in order to increase his chances of securing a place in England’s World Cup squad. Speaking after the qualifying defeat in Ukraine last Saturday, the 31-year-old questioned his future at Villa Park, fearing a lack of first-team action would jeopardise his place in South [...]
Sabres through after T&T stun IPL champions October 14, 2009 SOMERSET SABRES secured their place in the Super Eights of the inaugural Champions League after Trinidad & Tobago edged out Deccan Chargers in a thriller. Fast bowler Dwayne Bravo conceded just four runs from the final over to ensure the Indian Premier League champions fell three runs short of their victory target. Retired Australian Adam [...]
Phillips: Don’t over-hype the Three Lions October 13, 2009 FORMER England striker Kevin Phillips believes Fabio Capello’s men are primed for World Cup success in South Africa next summer – but has warned against over-hyping their chances. The Birmingham City front man says England boss Capello has a wealth of talent at his disposal, but knows from personal experience that it does not necessarily [...]
Barry backs Heskey’s Villa quit threat October 12, 2009 FORMER Aston Villa captain Gareth Barry has risked reigniting the wrath of his old fans by backing Emile Heskey’s threat to quit the Midlands side. Striker Heskey is considering asking for a January transfer unless he gets the Premier League minutes he needs to retain his place in the England team for next summer’s World [...]
Injury forces Rooney out of England date with Belarus October 11, 2009 ENGLAND striker Wayne Rooney last night pulled out of Wednesday’s final World Cup qualifier against Belarus after suffering a calf injury. Rooney picked up the knock during Saturday’s shock 1-0 defeat in Ukraine – their first loss in a competitive match under Fabio Capello. Head coach Capello is unlikely to call up a replacement for [...]