The days of footballers earning £1m a week are “not far off”, according to former Arsenal striker John Hartson. . The Premier League announced a record £5.1bn TV rights sale on Tuesday, meaning clubs will be richer than ever before when the money from the deal filters down. . Hartson, who began his career before the Premier League existed, earned £29.50 a week when he started playing professionally at Luton in 1991. . But in 1995, at the age of 19, he was bought by Arsenal for £2.5m – making him the most expensive British teenager at the time. .…
Author: David F.
West Ham’s Andy Carroll faces several weeks out after leaving Wednesday’s draw at Southampton on crutches. . The 26-year-old striker was playing for the first time since suffering a knee injury on 31 January. . “He got kicked in the back of the knee and felt something wrong,” said Hammers boss Sam Allardyce. . Carroll was forced to continue playing in the 0-0 draw at St Mary’s, given West Ham, already down to 10 men, had made all three substitutions. . “He stayed up and was a nuisance,” said Allardyce. “I just hope that staying on hasn’t done any more…
Newcastle captain Fabricio Coloccini could have been blinded when he was struck by a coin during Wednesday’s 1-1 draw at Crystal Palace, according to Magpies boss John Carver. . The object looked as though it was thrown from the crowd as Newcastle celebrated Papiss Cisse’s goal. . “It misses Colo’s eye by an inch,” said Carver. . “Another inch and it could blind him.” Crystal Palace manager Alan Pardew also condemned the incident. . “That is unusual for this club because we have a great record of behaviour,” he said. “I am sure we will look into it.” . Carver…
League One side Barnsley have sacked manager Danny Wilson and assistant boss Chris Hutchings. The Tykes are 17th in the table, seven points clear of the relegation zone and seven off the play-off places. . Wilson, 55, who led Barnsley to the Premiership in 1997, returned to Oakwell for a second spell as boss in December 2013, but was unable to stop them being relegated last season. . In a statement, (external) the club called the current league position “unacceptable”. . Wilson first took over at Barnsley in 1994 but left for Sheffield Wednesday in 1998 after the Tykes were…
Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard will have a scan on Thursday after limping off with a hamstring injury in the 3-2 win over Tottenham. . The midfielder is a major doubt for Saturday’s FA Cup fifth-round tie at Crystal Palace (17:30 GMT). It is another midfield setback for manager Brendan Rodgers after losing Lucas Leiva to a groin injury in the same match. . Gerrard, 34, will leave Liverpool to join Los Angeles Galaxy in the summer. . The problem could not have come at a worse time for the Reds with six games in 19 days, including both legs of…
Manchester United has said that its revenue fell by 12.2% to £194.4m for the six months to the end of December. . The Old Trafford club lost out on payments from Nike for failing to qualify for the Uefa Champions League. . Sharp falls in broadcast and match-day revenues meant profits for the six-month period were down 52%, at £8.9m. . The club said the decline was offset by a 23% increase in sponsorship revenues to £35.8m. . The club announced two new sponsorship deals in the last three months, with drinks company Chi in Nigeria and Chinese neutraceutical group…
Rangers keeper Steve Simonsen has been banned for two games after being found guilty of betting on 55 games following a hearing before an independent panel. . His two-match punishment for breaching Scottish Football Association gambling rules includes a one-game suspended ban until the end of the season. . The SFA can appeal against the judgement but Rangers say they themselves will not lodge an appeal. . None of the games Simonsen, 35, bet on involved Rangers. . Assistant manager Gordon Durie hopes the outcome of the hearing will send out a message to other players not to bet on…
Sacked Aston Villa boss Paul Lambert says managing the struggling West Midlands club turned out to be “the toughest challenge” of his career. . Lambert, 45, left Villa on Wednesday after the club slipped into the Premier League relegation zone. In 25 top-flight games this season, they have managed just 12 goals. . “The club’s owner, Randy Lerner, warned me that I was embarking on the toughest challenge of my working life and he was not wrong,” said Lambert. Aston Villa have scored twice in their last 10 Premier League matches . In a statement, the former Norwich City boss…
Nigerian champions, Kano Pillars, defeated Ghana’s Olympic team 1-0 at the Accra stadium in a warm-up match on Saturday. . Rabiu Ali scored the winner for the Kano club just three minutes past the hour mark to ensure they finished their pre-season tour of Ghana with a win. . Kano Pillars head coach, Okey Emordi, stuck to the same attacking pair of Christian Obiozor and Gambo Muhammed who played in the game against Hearts of Oak. . Both teams fired blanks in the opening half of the match but in the 63rd minute, Ghana defender Kwasi Quansah stopped a goal-bound…
Former Nigeria goalkeeper Alloy Agu has raised alarm that the Super Eagles have lost the fear factor which made them a dreaded side in the African continent. . Agu insists that unless this is restored by way of the senior national team raising its game, there is the danger of the country being left behind in the pecking order of the African continent’s football rungs. . The 47-year-old U-23 Dream Team VI goalkeeper trainer reckons that Nigeria must learn from its failure to qualify for the concluded 2015 AFCON in Equatorial Guinea and start early preparation for the 2017 edition…
Watford Coach Slavisa Jokanovic has expressed happiness at having former National U-23 Eagles star, Odion Ighalo in his team following his impressive performance for Championship side. . With 11 goals in seven games – and 14 in 14 League starts – it’s hard not to indulge in hyperbole when talking of Odion Ighalo’s form. . While praising the on-fire forward, Jokanovic was more guarded about the significance of a single player’s contributions. . “There is no memory in football – this game is already history and so is his [Odion Ighalo] part in it,” said the giant Serb. . “I…
President of Nigeria Football Federation, Amaju Pinnick has revealed the federation’s plan to get all Nigerian players making waves in diaspora to come and represent their father land. . Pinnick told Complete Sports in Abuja that there are so many Nigerian born football players scattered all over Europe who are willing to play for Super Eagles but have yet to be contacted by any one. . The NFF boss said players like Jordon Ibe who plays for Liverpool, Dele Alli of MK Dons, Chuba Akpom of Arsenal and a host of upcoming players in Germany and other parts of Europe.…
Super Eagles winger Chinedu Obasi could be back in action for Schalke 04 in two weeks, the player has confirmed to Complete Sports. . Obasi, who has made 28 appearances for the Super Eagles, suffered a shin injury for the second time in his career last year but says his time in exile will turn out to be a blessing when he returns in a fort night. . “I will be back in two weeks,” he said. . “Sometimes, you think you’ve been hard done but you’ve got to look forward and I’ve learnt a lot from it.” he added.…
Super Falcons have claimed 100% ignorance to the Thursday, February 12 resumption date for the upcoming All Africa Games (AAG) and Olympics qualifiers. . The National Sports Commission (NSC) Director General, Gbenga Elegbeleye had directed the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to open camp on the said date for the African champions to commence preparations for the upcoming AAG, Olympic and World Cup assignments in March, May and June respectively. . The InfoStride findings on Thursday, February 12 showed that none of the Falcons coaches and players is aware of the resumption date as ordered by the NSC top shot. .…
With injury-plagued Real Madrid stuttering, Barcelona appear to be hitting their stride at just the right time and coach Luis Enrique is convinced they can maintain their focus through to the end of the season. . Barca’s 3-1 success in Wednesday’s King’s Cup semifinal, first leg against Villarreal at the Nou Camp was their 10th consecutive victory in all competitions, their longest winning streak since the end of 2010. . As well as being on the verge of a place in May’s Cup final, they are only a point behind leaders Real, who were thrashed 4-0 at champions Atletico Madrid…
After three fruitless attempts in the Caf Confederation Cup, Warri Wolves, head into the competition for the fourth time in search of a better record. . Wolves have been consistent in the competition, but with nothing to show so far. . Ironically, the club which are owned by Delta State government have never reached the group stage of the competition. Their best attempt was the Round of 16 in 2010. . The Warri side begin the quest for the 2015 edition against Burkina Faso’s Racing Club de Bobo-Dioulasso, fondly called RCB.
Paul Lambert described his time at Aston Villa as the “toughest challenge” of his career on Thursday following his dismissal as manager, but expressed pride over his achievements there. . The 45-year-old Scot was sacked late on Wednesday after a run of 10 games without victory saw Villa slide into the Premier League relegation zone. . Reflecting on his two and a half years in the role, Lambert said he had fought a constant battle to satisfy owner Randy Lerner’s instructions for him to overhaul the squad while cutting wages. . “I am extremely proud to have managed Aston Villa,…
Belgium forward Eden Hazard has signed a new five-and-a-half year contract with Chelsea, the Premier League leaders said on Thursday. . “I am very happy to sign a new contract with Chelsea,” Hazard, who been in dazzling form this season with 13 goals in 36 matches, told Chelea’s website (www.chelseafc.com). . “I always try to give pleasure to the supporters with my style of play and it is nice to know they appreciate my work.” . Hazard was voted Chelsea’s Player of the Year last season despite some criticism from manager Jose Mourinho who described him as not a team…
Chris Smalling is confident that Manchester United are good enough to produce much better performances than last night’s showing against Burnley and feels winning games despite playing poorly is the trait of a good team. . Despite a below par performance at home, a brace from Smalling and a penalty from Robin van Persie were enough to help Manchester United register an unconvincing 3-1 win over the Clarets. . Smalling, who replaced the injured Phil Jones in the sixth minute, scored with his first touch of the match and then gave the Red Devils the lead in the 45th minute,…
Manchester United midfielder Marouane Fellaini believes his side shouldn’t aim for the Premier League title and instead focus on a top four finish, Goal.com reports. . The 27-year-old was heavily criticised last season under the management of David Moyes, but looks to have proved his worth so far in the current campaign. . However, the Belgium international has revealed that being top of the Premier League is not manager Louis van Gaal’s priority target, as he is more interested in keeping hold of a Champions League spot. . “It is important because Manchester United have to play in the Champions…