England blitz Andorra to inch towards finals place June 10, 2009 ENGLAND (6) vs. ANDORRA (0)ENGLAND can book their flights to South Africa after effectively guaranteeing their place at next summer’s World Cup finals with a routine drubbing of Andorra. Wayne Rooney and his second-half replacement Jermain Defoe mercilessly punished opponents ranked 196th in the world by plundering two goals apiece. Frank Lampard and Peter Crouch also [...]
Rooney’s on a revenge mission to claim title and silence Arsenal fans May 14, 2009 WAYNE ROONEY will be gunning for revenge at Old Trafford tomorrow – to end seven years of hurt. The England striker has called on his Manchester United team-mates to finish the job and earn the single point required against arch-rivals Arsenal to clinch an 11th Premier League title. To win the title in front of [...]
How Mr Wigan has put JJB and the City behind him to live the dream August 16, 2009 EVAN at 72 Wigan serial entrepreneur Dave Whelan still gives an impression of a man in a hurry. Whelan moves at a sprightly pace between tables in the director’s box at Wigan Athletic, the Premier League football club he owns, and his trim figure still hints at a man who played professional football for Blackburn, [...]
Elliott worth his Wade in gold May 25, 2009 BURNLEY miracle-worker Owen Coyle hailed his “magnificent” side after Wade Elliott’s wonder goal earned the Clarets promotion to the Premier League – and a £60m fortune. Elliott’s outstanding long-range effort put the seal on a pulsating Championship play-off final with Sheffield United at Wembley and finally brought an end to the Clarets’ 33-year top-flight exile. [...]
You’re never Gunner derail United’s title bid May 14, 2009 MANCHESTER UNITED VS ARSENALAFTER a few worries in March, Manchester United are cantering towards an incredible 11th Premier League title and it looks like Sir Alex Ferguson will be lifting the trophy in front of his oldest adversary, Arsene Wenger. The win against Wigan on Wednesday night means that United now only require one point from [...]
Under-strength team controversy fans flames before relegation D-Day May 21, 2009 IT IS worth at least £30m to clubs, is the difference between heartbreak and sweet relief for fans, and will probably decide the fate of at least two managers. With so much riding on the Premier League survival scrap, it is little wonder that emotions are getting heated ahead of Sunday’s showdown. Debate has centred [...]
Under-strength team controversy fans flames before relegation D-Day May 21, 2009 IT IS worth at least £30m to clubs, is the difference between heartbreak and sweet relief for fans, and will probably decide the fate of at least two managers. With so much riding on the Premier League survival scrap, it is little wonder that emotions are getting heated ahead of Sunday’s showdown. Debate has centred [...]
Barclays bet makes Abu Dhabi 1.5bn June 2, 2009 AN Abu Dhabi-based sovereign wealth fund sold more than 11 per cent of Barclays yesterday, pocketing a £1.5bn profit less than seven months after making its £3.5bn investment. In an incredibly fast turn-around, Credit Suisse placed around £3.5bn of instruments – which were due to convert to Barclays shares by the end of the month [...]
Ancelotti promises to recreate his European success as Chelsea boss June 1, 2009 FORMER AC Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti was anointed Chelsea manager yesterday and immediately vowed to deliver the Champions League glory the Blues so desperately crave. Ancelotti, whose three-year contract begins on 1 July, has an outstanding continental pedigree that helped make him Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich’s No1 choice. The Italian, 49, led Milan to two [...]
Ancelotti promises to recreate his European success as Chelsea boss June 1, 2009 FORMER AC Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti was anointed Chelsea manager yesterday and immediately vowed to deliver the Champions League glory the Blues so desperately crave. Ancelotti, whose three-year contract begins on 1 July, has an outstanding continental pedigree that helped make him Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich’s No1 choice. The Italian, 49, led Milan to two [...]