London, United Kingdom | AFP | Crystal Palace striker Wilfried Zaha had hoped to be lining up on the opening weekend of the Premier League season for Everton against the London club. Instead Zaha is still at Palace amid reports of growing tension with his boyhood club after they blocked …
Read More »Man City, Liverpool ready for heavyweight Premier League battle
London, United Kingdom | AFP | Manchester City have Premier League immortality in their sights as they start their title defence this weekend, but Liverpool’s burning desire to get their hands on the trophy will fuel a heavyweight battle for supremacy. In the blue corner, treble winners City are at the …
Read More »Diminishing returns lead to reduced expectations at Arsenal
London, United Kingdom | AFP | Arsenal’s failure to qualify for the Champions League for a third successive season, compounded by an underwhelming transfer window, has left the Gunners facing a turbulent campaign. Here, AFP Sport takes a closer look at the issues that will determine whether Unai Emery’s side …
Read More »Who is Arsenal’s new record signing Nicolas Pepe?
London, United Kingdom | AFP | Nicolas Pepe has taken a winding road to the top, but Arsenal’s club-record signing is unlikely to be fazed by his new-found fame and fortune. Pepe became Africa’s most expensive footballer on Thursday after the Ivory Coast winger completed his blockbuster move from French club …
Read More »Klopp says City showdown won’t influence Liverpool’s title bid
Edinburgh, United Kingdom | AFP | Jurgen Klopp says Liverpool’s Community Shield clash with Manchester City on Sunday will have no bearing on their battle for the Premier League title. The two sides will renew the rivalry that saw them take the title race to a tense final day last season. …
Read More »VAR will cause ‘controversy’ admits Premier League chief
Shanghai, China | AFP | Premier League interim chief executive Richard Masters admits VAR is certain to cause “controversy” when the technology makes its English top-flight debut in the forthcoming season. The video referee system will be used for the first time in the Premier League after its introduction was delayed …
Read More »Benitez to leave Newcastle as talks over new deal collapse
London, United Kingdom | AFP | Rafael Benitez will leave Newcastle United after three years as manager when his contract expires next week, the Premier League club confirmed on Monday. “It is with disappointment that we announce manager Rafael Benitez will leave Newcastle United upon the expiry of his contract on …
Read More »Premier League welcome Sterling’s offer to tackle racism
London, United Kingdom | AFP | The Premier League has welcomed Raheem Sterling’s offer to help in the fight against racism after the Manchester City star called on the sport’s authorities to do more to tackle the problem. Sterling told the Wall Street Journal’s Future of Everything Festival in New York …
Read More »Kompany magic keeps Man City on course
Manchester, United Kingdom | AFP | Manchester City moved to within one win of retaining the Premier League title as captain Vincent Kompany’s thunderous strike earned a nervy 1-0 win over Leicester City on Monday. The English champions were not as their fluent best, but got the one moment of …
Read More »Fallen Man Utd face huge rebuild after Champions League failure
Manchester, United Kingdom | AFP | Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s Manchester United legend was built on scoring the goal that won the Champions League, but, 20 years on, the Norwegian now concedes the United side he has inherited as manager are not even fit to grace that competition. The scale of the …
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