Why dropping Mesut Ozil might be Arsenal’s best chance of getting a result at Bayern Munich February 14, 2017 Uncertainty reigns at Arsenal as they prepare for their latest Champions League meeting with Bayern Munich tonight. Will Arsene Wenger sign a new contract, and what about the futures of Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez? At the heart of it lies the fate of the manager, but it all feels a little unanswerable at the [...]
Betting: Barcelona to break PSG hearts on Valentine’s Day February 14, 2017 Barcelona travel to the city of love on Valentine’s Day to take on Paris Saint-Germain in the opening match of the Champions League knock-out stage. The Spanish giants won the 2006 edition of Europe’s premier competition in Paris, and the clash between two of the continent’s largest sides is sure to set hearts fluttering. Unusually [...]
Bournemouth 0, Manchester City 2: Pep Guardiola refuses to engage in title race despite City trimming Chelsea’s Premier League cushion February 13, 2017 Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola continued to douse his side’s chance of reeling in runaway leaders Chelsea despite cutting their rivals’ lead at the Premier League summit to eight points with victory at Bournemouth. City chalked up their third successive league win and seventh in 10 matches since mid-December courtesy of Raheem Sterling’s first-half strike [...]
Newly-appointed England Test captain Joe Root backed to eclipse predecessor Alastair Cook February 13, 2017 England cricket chief Colin Graves has backed newly-installed Test captain Joe Root to lead his country to loftier heights after he was confirmed as Alastair Cook’s successor. As expected, the 26-year-old was named as the nation’s 80th Test skipper, replacing Cook who oversaw two Ashes victories, impressive series wins in India and South Africa and [...]
Swansea City 2, Leicester City 0: Claudio Ranieri demands more determination after resurgent Swansea beat free-falling Foxes February 12, 2017 Swansea City 2, Leicester City 0 Leicester manager Claudio Ranieri accused his players of lacking determination after a fifth Premier League defeat in a row deepened the free-falling champions’ relegation worries on Sunday. Swansea centre-back Alfie Mawson’s sweet volley put the hosts ahead and left-back Martin Olsson blasted a second to clinch their fourth win [...]
Burnley 1, Chelsea 1: Antonio Conte refuses to rise to Jose Mourinho barbs after Blues drop points February 12, 2017 Burnley 1, Chelsea 1 Chelsea manager Antonio Conte refused to rise to barbs from predecessor Jose Mourinho after his team missed the chance to open up a 12-point lead at the top of the Premier League on Sunday. Winger Pedro’s seventh-minute goal looked to have set the Blues on course for a 16th win from [...]
It’s not the right time for Arsene Wenger to leave, says former Arsenal centre-half Martin Keown February 12, 2017 Former Arsenal defender Martin Keown believes it would be the inopportune moment for Arsene Wenger to leave the club should the Frenchman opt to end his 20-year association with the Gunners at the end of the season. Wenger, whose contract expires in the summer, continues to polarise opinion amongst Arsenal fans, having failed to deliver [...]
Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City are on the road to perfection, insists defender Vincent Kompany February 12, 2017 Manchester City centre-half Vincent Kompany insists his side are on the road to perfection as they bid to move second in the Premier League with victory at Bournemouth tonight. City, who are currently fifth, can cut runaway leaders Chelsea’s lead at the top to eight points with victory over the struggling Cherries, leap-frogging Arsenal and [...]
Have Manchester United reached peak noodle partner? Why the club’s status as football’s commercial kings may be under threat February 11, 2017 Manchester United’s commercial power could be plateauing. Figures revealed this week in the club’s second quarter report suggest United, who have been more effective at selling their brand to sponsors than any other football club in the world in recent years, may have finally reached peak noodle partner. United’s commercial income came in virtually unchanged compared [...]
Betting: Back a low-scoring draw as Liverpool face Tottenham February 9, 2017 Chelsea's title rivals may be dropping out the race like flies, but Tottenham will be hoping to keep pace with the league leaders when they face Liverpool at Anfield on Saturday. Closest challengers Spurs sit in second, nine points back from their London rivals. Mauricio Pochettino’s men are on a nine match unbeaten run, which included [...]
