Villa order captain Barry not to come back as Liverpool transfer row deepens July 3, 2008 Liverpool target Gareth Barry looks to have played his last game for Aston Villa after the club disciplined their captain and ordered him not to report for pre-season training. Villa took action after Barry criticised manager Martin O’Neill during a newspaper interview in which the England midfielder reaffirmed his desire to leave the club for [...]
Murray: I’ve shown I’m as good as Nadal July 2, 2008 British No1 Andy Murray insists he has what it takes to cause a huge upset and knock world No2 Rafael Nadal out of Wimbledon today. Murray thrilled Centre Court with a five-set win over Richard Gasquet on Monday, but goes into his first Grand Slam quarter-final as the underdog, having lost his three previous matches [...]
Chelsea sign Portugal’s Deco July 1, 2008 Chelsea last night completed the £8m signing of Portugal midfielder Deco from Barcelona, as Frank Lampard edged closer to leaving Stamford Bridge for Inter Milan. Deco, 30, has reportedly agreed a two-year contract, and follows his former Portugal coach Luiz Felipe Scolari to Chelsea. Scolari built his Portugal team around Deco and the playmaker insists [...]
Gunners ease through November 3, 2005 Arsenal eased their way into the last 16 with a 3-0 win over Sparta Prague. Goals from captain Thierry Henry and two from sub Robin van Persie saw the Gunners through with two games to go. Arsenal dominated from the start and Dennis Bergkamp almost broke the deadlock in the 14th minute, but hit the [...]
Chelsea feel pain in Spain November 2, 2005 Chelsea suffered a first defeat in open play for six months, and damaged their Champions League chances in the process, as Real Betis ambushed Jose Mourinho’s side in Spain. It was a far cry from last month’s reverse fixture at Stamford Bridge when Chelsea went top of Group G with a 4-0 win. The Spanish [...]
Villa’s price surges on news of takeover talks November 1, 2005 Shares in Aston Villa surged yesterday after it confirmed takeover talks that could value the Midlands club at £64m. The Aston Villa board said yesterday that it had received a preliminary approach from Birmingham businessman Michael Neville, who is thought to be the front man for brothers Luke and Brian Comer, who run Irish property [...]
Owen brace sees off WBA October 31, 2005 Two goals for Michael Owen helped Newcastle move into the top half of the table with victory over West Bromwich Albion at the Hawthorns. Alan Shearer came on as a substitute to add the third in what was Graeme Souness’s side’s fourth win in their last six Premiership matches. Despite the defeat, West Brom remain [...]
Brussels meddlers will ruin the Premiership October 28, 2005 The Barclays Premiership is widely regarded as the best football league in the world. A key ingredient of the Premier League’s success has been its ability to attract the top players. Top stars cost big bucks, and the money that the media companies have pumped in has helped the clubs to compete in the market [...]
£1.7m success for Rooney’s off-field team October 28, 2005 The success of footballer Wayne Rooney seems to be reflected in his management company Formation Group, which reported a strong set of full-year results. The sports marketing and management business reported an 11 per cent increase in pre-tax profits before amortisation to £1.7m for the 12 months to 31 August on sales of £14.9m compared [...]
Holders Chelsea crash out October 27, 2005 Charlton knocked holders Chelsea out of the Carling Cup but only after a penalty shoot-out at Stamford Bridge. It was the Blues’ first taste of defeat this season, coming on the back of their first dropped points in the Premiership at Everton’s Goodison Park last weekend. Defender Robert Huth was the only player to miss [...]