May 2nd, 2012
Cameron Jerome netted two minutes after coming off the bench to secure a point for Stoke against Everton in the Barclays Premier League at the Britannia Stadium.
The Toffees had gone in front in the 44th minute thanks to an own goal from the hosts’ former Liverpool striker Peter Crouch, whose unfortunate last touch sent the ball over the line after Tony Hibbert has delivered a cross into the box.
Jerome levelled in the 69th minute, making a forward burst and holding off two defenders before firing past Tim Howard.
While seventh-placed Everton will be disappointed not to make off with all three points, they have extended their unbeaten run in the league to seven games and, perhaps even more satisfyingly, their lead in the table over Merseyside rivals Liverpool… Continue reading Stoke 1-1 Everton
April 30th, 2012
Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp has refuted claims winger Gareth Bale will look to leave the club this summer if they fail to secure a Champions League spot.
Spurs looked odds-on to finish inside the top four in the Barclays Premier League at the turn of the year, but a recent poor run has seen then win only two of their last 10 league fixtures.
Bale, 22, has long been linked with a move to European giants Barcelona and it was reported on Saturday he would consider leaving White Hart Lane were he not playing in the Champions League next year, something Redknapp has played down.
“He has got to worry about that at the end of the year,” he said.
“He has got a long contract at the club, I… Continue reading Redknapp plays down Bale exit talk
April 22nd, 2012
Joey Barton was delighted with the resilience shown by QPR as they held on for three vital Barclays Premier League points against Tottenham.
Adel Taarabt curled a contentiously-awarded free-kick past Brad Friedel in the 24th minute – the only goal of the game – but the former Spurs man was shown a second yellow card 12 minutes from time, seemingly for kicking away the ball after the award of a Tottenham free-kick.
“Credit to the lads,” Barton said on ESPN after the win, which took Rangers three points clear of the relegation zone and dented Spurs’ hopes of a top-four finish.
“It takes resolve and resilience to play these top sides and I think we’ve shown that.
“The atmosphere was immense today [Saturday]. Long may it continue.
Barton was at… Continue reading Barton buoyed by QPR's battling display
April 11th, 2012
Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic was charged on Tuesday with violent conduct for his off-the-ball clash with Shaun Maloney in Saturday’s win over Wigan.
Ivanovic, who faces a three-match ban if found guilty, was caught on video appearing to strike Latics midfielder Maloney in the midriff moments before Juan Mata’s controversial winner in the Blues’ 2-1 Barclays Premier League victory at Stamford Bridge.
Referee Mike Jones confirmed he and his assistants did not witness the incident, giving the Football Association the green light to investigate it retrospectively.
Ivanovic, 28, was given until 6pm on Wednesday to respond to the charge.
The video footage, which emerged after Saturday’s game, shows Maloney going down bent double following the clash.
Ivanovic faces being banned for Chelsea’s FA Cup semi-final against Tottenham on Sunday and… Continue reading Ivanovic charged over Maloney clash
April 10th, 2012
Alan Pardew has finally admitted Newcastle are in the hunt for Champions League qualification after seeing Hatem Ben Arfa light up their bid.
The Frenchman scored a goal of jaw-dropping quality to set the Magpies on their way to a hard fought victory over Bolton, their fifth successive win in the Barclays Premier League.
It left them level on points with fourth-placed Tottenham, who lost 2-1 at home to promoted Norwich, with five games of a wholly unexpected campaign to go.
Asked about the possibility of a top four finish, Pardew replied: “I have never actually ruled it out.
“You guys kept saying to me, ‘Are you going to make the Champions League?’, and I said we were just looking to win the next game.
“But look, it’s not gone… Continue reading Pardew finally admits Toon aiming for UCL
