Real Madrid fight back to win Club World Cup as Cristiano Ronaldo completes landmark year in style December 18, 2016 Real Madrid 4, Kashima Antlers 2 Newly-crowned Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo capped a landmark year by scoring a hat-trick as Real Madrid beat Japan’s Kashima Antlers to win the Club World Cup in Tokyo on Sunday. Real needed a Ronaldo penalty to force extra-time against their unfancied opponents, after two goals from Gaku Shibasaki [...]
Chelsea record largest loss in six years after ditching Adidas for Nike — but record revenue points to long-term health December 17, 2016 Chelsea recorded their biggest loss in six years last season, after agreeing to pay out of their £30m a year Adidas kit deal. The Blues announced a net loss of £70.6m for the year after incurring exceptional costs of £75.3m — which included compensation fees paid to both Adidas and sacked manager Jose Mourinho. Yet the club's [...]
Chelsea boss Antonio Conte says Chinese spending power “a danger to every club in the world” as Oscar exit looms December 16, 2016 Chelsea manager Antonio Conte believes every club in the world is under threat of having star players prised away by cash-rich Chinese teams. Blues midfielder Oscar is on the verge of finalising a mooted £50m move to Shanghai SIPG, where he is reportedly set to earn an eye-watering £400,000-a-week. Conte expects to receive a significant proportion [...]
Arsenal star Alexis Sanchez has Barcelona flat seized in Spanish tax investigation December 16, 2016 Alexis Sanchez's luxury Barcelona flat has been seized by Spanish tax authorities as part of an investigation into alleged tax avoidance by footballers in the country. According to reports in Spain, the Spanish Treasury has taken possession of Sanchez's four bedroom apartment, as the Arsenal star is accused of being £3.7m in debt to the government [...]
Fifa’s video replay plans thrown into doubt by critical Real Madrid stars Luka Modric and Cristiano Ronaldo December 15, 2016 Fifa's plans to bring video replays into football have been plunged into doubt after Real Madrid stars criticised its use during their 2-0 Club World Cup semi-final win over Mexico's Club America. Cristiano Ronaldo and Luka Modric blasted the technology currently being trialled by Fifa after the former's injury time goal took nearly a minute to be [...]
Betting: Three points make Pep and Arsene’s Christmas list December 15, 2016 Nothing but three points will be on Pep Guardiola and Arsene Wenger’s Christmas lists as Manchester City host Arsenal at the Etihad on Sunday. The title challengers meet, with each left to rue missed opportunities this term. Both have led the way at the top of the Premier League this season – City from August until [...]
Betting: Baggies to continue revival over improving United December 15, 2016 Tony Pulis was, at times, close to the axe last season with many West Brom supporters calling for his head. But how times have changed at The Hawthorns. The Baggies, now in seventh place, are just three points behind Manchester United, who they face tomorrow. Jose Mourinho’s men are beginning to find their feet under the [...]
Europe’s big guns fire back at Gianni Infantino’s World Cup expansion plans December 15, 2016 Fifa's plans to expand the World Cup to 48 teams have been met with fierce opposition from Europe's biggest clubs who say their stars are already playing too many games. Proposals to expand the World Cup in 2026 from 32 to 48 teams are being backed by Fifa president Gianni Infantino, who favours a format that would [...]
Sunderland 0, Chelsea 1: Conte urges Blues to build unassailable lead after 10th successive Premier League victory December 15, 2016 Chelsea boss Antonio Conte has urged his side to build an unassailable lead at the Premier League summit after surging six points clear with victory over a stubborn Sunderland. Former Arsenal skipper Cesc Fabregas, making only his second start since September, notched a first-half winner as the Blues chalked up their 10th successive league victory. [...]
Adam Lallana at the double as Liverpool leapfrog Arsenal, while West Ham move clear of relegation zone December 14, 2016 England midfielder Adam Lallana netted twice as Liverpool recorded an emphatic 3-0 victory against struggling Middlesbrough to leapfrog Arsenal and move second in the Premier League. Lallana was joined on the scoresheet by in-form striker Divock Origi as the Reds returned to winning ways after disappointing results against Bournemouth and West Ham. The Reds are [...]
