Betting: Manchester United to continue their winning run over Liverpool on Sunday January 12, 2017 No Premier League game provokes more passion, excitement and emotion than the North-West derby between Manchester United and Liverpool. With the ultra-competitive race for points at the top of the table providing no margin for error, the meeting between the two heated rivals at Old Trafford on Sunday comes with more than its fair share [...]
Betting: Another draw on the cards as Everton host Manchester City January 12, 2017 Recent form has helped buoy Ronald Koeman and Pep Guardiola, who took over Everton and Manchester City respectively in the summer, though the jury is still out on both of their reigns so far. They go head-to-head on Sunday at Goodison Park knowing a positive result could help swing any unconvinced fans their way. City have [...]
West Ham refuse to sell Dimitri Payet despite midfielder’s refusal to play for Hammers January 12, 2017 West Ham boss Slaven Bilic insists the club will not sell Dimitri Payet despite the France midfielder refusing to play in tomorrow’s Premier League clash with Crystal Palace. Payet, a £10.7m signing from Marseille in 2015, is thought to be the subject of renewed interest from former side Marseille. The 29-year-old signed a bumper new [...]
Why the rise in footballers’ image rights values mean clubs and players are locked in contract negotiations for longer January 12, 2017 When David Beckham was asked in 2002 why his contract negotiations with Manchester United, which eventually took a year to complete, were taking so long, he was frank in his response. “It’s not the salary that’s a problem,” he admitted. “It’s just the image rights that needed a little perking.” Go onto any football social [...]
Manchester United and Uber strike multi-year deal to provide Old Trafford taxi stop for fans January 12, 2017 Manchester United have become Uber’s first ever global sports partner, after the Silicon Valley firm struck a multi-year deal providing it with designated travel routes to Old Trafford. The taxi-hailing app will “enhance fans’ match-day experience at Old Trafford” according to United, who will set up an Uber-dedicated pick-up and drop off zone outside their stadium [...]
Southampton 1, Liverpool 0: Saints march on but let Reds off the hook January 11, 2017 Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp urged his side to make the most of their reprieve after admitting the Reds were fortunate to escape their EFL Cup semi-final first leg at Southampton with only a slender one-goal deficit. A first-half strike from forward Nathan Redmond kept Southampton on course to reach their first League Cup final since Lawrie [...]
Manchester City charged by Football Association over anti-doping rules January 11, 2017 Manchester City have been slapped with a Football Association (FA) charge of infringing anti-doping rules. The two-time Premier League champions, who have until 19 January to respond to the charge, are accused of breaching FA rules concerning players’ whereabouts for the purposes of facilitating drug-testing. Clubs are required to provide the FA with up-to-date details [...]
Manchester United 2, Hull City 0: Jose Mourinho questions celebrations, while United agree to sell midfielder January 10, 2017 Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho believes his side are within touching distance of Wembley despite admitting his irritation at over-zealous celebrations after their opening goal against Hull in their EFL Cup semi-final first leg. United took a significant step towards the first major final of the Mourinho era courtesy of second-half strikes from Juan Mata and [...]
Fifa president Gianni Infantino insists inclusion – not $1bn revenue boost – is behind World Cup expansion January 10, 2017 Fifa president Gianni Infantino insists the decision to expand the World Cup to 48 teams is motivated not by a projected $1bn revenue boost but by a desire to make the competition more inclusive. The football governing body’s council on Tuesday unanimously voted to approve controversial but highly lucrative proposals to increase the number of [...]
Why I think expanding the World Cup to 48 teams is a good idea January 10, 2017 Wembley, October 1987: I remember playing for England as we thrashed Turkey 8-0 in a European Championship qualifier, Gary Lineker scoring a hat-trick. It was our second eight-goal win in three years against Turkey, who at that stage had made it to just one major international tournament. Those days are gone. Turkey have reached the [...]
