Bid for 14-game record will not distract Chelsea from title charge, insists Antonio Conte January 3, 2017 Chelsea boss Antonio Conte insists the prospect of setting a new top-flight record of 14 successive wins in a single season will not distract his side from proving their Premier League title credentials against Tottenham on Wednesday. The Blues will bid to usurp Arsenal’s win record at White Hart Lane, having equalled the Gunners’ tally [...]
Premier League’s top six has never looked stronger – that might attract more stars to England but it doesn’t look good for the other teams January 3, 2017 Wednesday night’s clash between Tottenham and Chelsea is likely to be a key moment in the destiny of this season’s Premier League title race, but it is more than that. It is also a reminder of the formidable quality of the top six in England, which is currently as strong as I can ever remember [...]
West Ham United 0, Manchester United 2: Jose Mourinho unsympathetic as Slaven Bilic blasts referee Mike Dean for Sofiane Feghouli red card January 2, 2017 West Ham boss Slaven Bilic slammed the decision of referee Mike Dean to brandish attacker Sofiane Feghouli with a straight red card as Manchester United chalked up their sixth successive Premier League victory. The Hammers were forced to play 75 minutes with 10 men after Feghouli was dismissed for a tackle on United centre-half Phil [...]
Manchester City 2, Burnley 1: Mixed feelings for Pep Guardiola despite victory returning his team to third in the Premier League January 2, 2017 Manchester City 2, Burnley 1 Tetchy Pep Guardiola took a swipe at English officiating after his Manchester City side recovered from an early red card against Burnley to climb to third in the Premier League on Monday. City captain Fernandinho incurred his third sending-off in the space of six games with a two-footed tackle on Clarets [...]
Sunderland 2, Liverpool 2: Jurgen Klopp blames fixture pile-up after Black Cats offer bad omen for Reds’ Premier League title push January 2, 2017 Sunderland 2, Liverpool 2 Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp bemoaned a hectic schedule after his Premier League title-chasing team dropped points at relegation-threatened Sunderland on Monday. Two Jermain Defoe penalties – the latter six minutes from time – cancelled out Daniel Sturridge and Sadio Mane strikes and prevented Liverpool from closing the gap on leaders Chelsea [...]
Swansea near Paul Clement appointment as Bayern Munich confirm talks January 2, 2017 Former Derby boss Paul Clement has edged closer to taking charge at free-falling Swansea and could be appointed as soon as Tuesday. Bayern Munich, where Clement has been assistant to head coach Carlo Ancelotti, confirmed the Englishman had been given permission to discuss the vacancy with the Swans. Clement has been one of several names [...]
Goals on demand: Why we’ll get an Uber for sports in 2017 December 23, 2016 We’ve all been spoilt by Uber, admit it. We now expect to get whatever we want from the touch of a button. Not several clicks, but one single touch. With fingerprints unlocking screens and the rise of voice control like Siri, even that touch will soon be one too much and next year, instant gratification [...]
The FA’s background checks for new coaches are necessary – but don’t expect them to rid organisation of scandal December 22, 2016 Now the blushes have subsided following Sam Allardyce's brief reign as England manager, brought to an end after just 67 days when he was recorded having "inappropriate" conversations about third-party ownership rules, the Football Association will appoint external companies to carry out background checks on all prospective employees. Forensic questionnaires that dig into applicants' private [...]
Crystal Palace sack manager Alan Pardew after dismal 2016 December 22, 2016 Alan Pardew has been sacked by Crystal Palace with the South London club hovering just one place and one point above the relegation zone. The former Charlton, Southampton and Newcastle manager took the Eagles to their first FA Cup final in 21 years last May, but has overseen a dramatic slump in the club's league form in [...]
Arsenal chief executive Ivan Gazidis: Gunners will bounce back from Everton and Manchester City defeats to challenge for title December 22, 2016 Arsenal chief executive Ivan Gazidis believes the Gunners will be in the title race right to the end, despite slipping nine points behind league leaders Chelsea last weekend. After slipping to consecutive 2-1 defeats at Everton and Manchester City, Arsene Wenger's men have fallen to fourth, just one point above local rivals Tottenham. But writing to shareholders in [...]
