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 [...]
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 [...]
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, [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]