McLeish: We can stun Blues January 26, 2010 ALEX MCLEISH believes his Birmingham City high-fliers can derail Chelsea’s title charge at Stamford Bridge tonight. McLeish’s side are currently lying a creditable eighth in the Premier League following a club record run of 15 matches unbeaten. Carlo Ancelotti’s Chelsea can go back to the top of the table with three points tonight, but McLeish [...]
Fulham’s Smalling opts to join United over Arsenal January 26, 2010 MANCHESTER United pounced yesterday to pip Premier League title rivals Arsenal to the signing of £8m-rated Fulham youngster Chris Smalling. England Under-21 centre-back Smalling, who was playing for non-league Maidstone just 18 months ago, will remain at Craven Cottage until the end of the season before joining United in the summer. Arsenal had appeared favourites [...]
FOOTBALL | IN BRIEF January 26, 2010 Pompey free to sign players PORTSMOUTH boss Avram Grant faces a race against time to sign players after the club’s transfer embargo was lifted. The ban was imposed in October because of money the club owed but they are now allowed to make loan and free transfer signings until the window closes on 1 February. [...]
Robinho sure he is heading back to Brazil January 25, 2010 WANTAWAY striker Robinho believes he has played his last game for Manchester City and is “90 per cent certain” to return to former club Santos this week. The £32.5m hitman revealed in an interview on Sunday how he was desperate to return to Brazil after City directors ordered him out of the club. Boss Roberto [...]
Benitez passes buck in row with Bruce over Jones loan January 25, 2010 LIVERPOOL manager Rafael Benitez has rejected criticism from Sunderland manager Steve Bruce and focused his attention on reclaiming a place in the top four tonight. Bruce hit out at Benitez over their pursuit of Black Cats striker Kenwyne Jones last week, calling the Anfield club’s conduct “hugely disrespectful”. But the Spaniard yesterday insisted he had [...]
Sunderland target Cabanas critical after shooting January 25, 2010 PARAGUAY striker Salvador Cabanas, a recent target for Sunderland, was last night in critical condition after being shot in the head in a bar in Mexico City. Cabanas, a prolific scorer in the Mexican top flight for Club America, underwent life-saving surgery for seven hours at a Los Angeles hospital. Doctors prevented a fatal blood [...]
FOOTBALL | IN BRIEF January 25, 2010 Laws warns of derby destruction BURNLEY boss Brian Laws has warned his players against letting “all hell break loose” when his team visit former boss Owen Coyle’s new side, Bolton, tonight. More than 5,000 Clarets fans are expected to make the short trip across Lancashire to let their feelings known over Coyle’s defection earlier this [...]
Manchester United paid out £54m to raise £500m in controversial bond issue January 24, 2010 Manchester United’s controversial bond issue is understood to have cost the Premier League champions £54m. As part of the £500m in funds raised by United last week, the club is believed to have had to pay £15m in fees and expenses to investment bankers and lawyers. The club had also taken a £39m hit from [...]
Wenger ready for acid test January 21, 2010 ARSENAL boss Arsene Wenger has hailed the never-say-die spirit of his team, but warned them that the true test of their Premier League title credentials is still to come. The Gunners overtook Chelsea at the top of the table on Wednesday night after rallying from two goals behind to overcome Bolton 4-2. That victory resembled [...]
Stoke could prove tough nut to crack at Britannia January 21, 2010 STOKE CITY vs ARSENAL SUNDAY – 1.30PM, ITV1 ARSENAL did readers of this column a favour with their 2-0 win against Bolton at the Reebok last Sunday. It was a fairly comfortable victory for the Gunners, but they had to fight to come from two behind against the same opposition at the Emirates on Wednesday [...]