No, Greg Dyke: There is no justification for government intervention in the FA December 13, 2016 These are not great times for the Football Association (FA). There has been criticism for years over the Premier League’s dominance, wasteful spending on Wembley and the failed Lilleshall School of Excellence, and underfunding of grassroots football. This has been reinforced this year by England’s risible performance in the Euros and new manager Sam Allardyce’s [...]
Jose Mourinho expresses relief at Manchester United’s Europa League draw, while Tottenham handed Gent test December 12, 2016 Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho expressed his relief after his side were pitted against French outfit Saint-Etienne in the last 32 of the Europa League. Tottenham, meanwhile, who secured their passage to the knockout phase of the competition with a 3-1 victory over CSKA Moscow in their final Champions League group match, will play Gent. [...]
Cristiano Ronaldo targets fifth Ballon d’Or award after latest crowning as world’s best player December 12, 2016 Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo has promised to go in pursuit of a fifth Ballon d’Or in 2017 after being crowned the world’s best player for the fourth time in his career. Ronaldo has so far netted 48 goals in 52 matches for club and country during 2016, a year which has seen the 31-year-old win the [...]
How Arsenal , Manchester City and Leicester City reacted to the Champions League last 16 draw December 12, 2016 Arsenal chiefs believe this could be the season they end their dismal run against Bayern Munich after being drawn to play the German giants in the Champions League last 16 for the third time in five years. The Gunners’ hopes that winning their group might secure an easier opponent in the knockout stage ran aground [...]
Jurgen Klopp hits out at Gary and Phil Neville after former Manchester United duo criticise Liverpool goalkeeper Loris Karius December 12, 2016 Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has launched a scathing attack on former Manchester United duo Gary and Phil Neville and questioned the validity of the former’s opinions given his unsuccessful spell as manager of Valencia. Gary Neville had criticised under-fire Reds goalkeeper Loris Karius, a £4.7m summer signing from Mainz, in a newspaper article on Friday [...]
Contrasting fortunes for Arsenal, Leicester City and Manchester City in today’s Champions League round of 16 draw December 12, 2016 The Champions League draw for 2016 was made just a few minutes ago, and there will be mixed feelings for the three remaining Premier League sides. Arsenal were rewarded for finishing top of their group by being paired with Bayern Munich, but they will at least benefit from a home second leg advantage. Arsenal played [...]
Liverpool 2-2 West Ham United: Anfield point has laid foundations for our surge up Premier League, says Slaven Bilic December 11, 2016 West Ham boss Slaven Bilic believes his relegation-threatened side have paved the way for a surge up the Premier League after preying on Liverpool’s defensive frailties to leave Anfield with a priceless point. A Dimitri Payet free-kick and smart Michail Antonio finish cancelled out an opener from England midfielder Adam Lallana, only for a Darren [...]
Manchester United 1, Tottenham Hotspur 0: Mauricio Pochettino keeps faith in title challenge despite Spurs slipping 10 points behind leaders Chelsea December 11, 2016 Manchester United 1, Tottenham Hotspur 0 Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino believes his team can still catch runaway leaders Chelsea despite a second defeat in three Premier League matches leaving them 10 points off the pace. A ferocious first-half strike by Henrikh Mkhitaryan proved decisive on Sunday as Manchester United recorded a first top-flight victory at [...]
Chelsea 1, West Brom 0: Blues boss Antonio Conte labels threat of points deduction “a joke” December 11, 2016 Chelsea boss Antonio Conte insists it would be laughable should his title-hunting side be slapped with a points deduction following the mass brawl which marred their victory at Manchester City last week. Both clubs have been charged by the Football Association with failing to control their players – Chelsea’s fifth such indiscretion in 19 months [...]
Henrikh Mkhitaryan comes in from the cold to fire Manchester United into Europa League last 32 – but Southampton crash out in late drama December 8, 2016 Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has praised the resilience of Henrikh Mkhitaryan after the playmaker’s first goal for the club ushered them into the last 32 of the Europa League with a 2-0 win at Zorya Luhansk on Thursday night. Mkhitaryan – making only his only fifth start, having struggled to win over Mourinho following a [...]