Premier League

Subterms

    More stories

    • 150 Shares159 Views

      in Soccer

      Newcastle star Anthony Gordon back behind the wheel after driving ban overturned

      by

      FOOTBALL star Anthony Gordon is back behind the wheel again after successfully overturning his driving ban.The Newcastle United winger, 21, was seen in his black Range Rover as he left training with girlfriend Annie Keating.
      Newcastle star Anthony Gordon’s driving ban has been overturnedCredit: Getty
      Last month Gordon, who signed from Everton for £45million, got a six-month driving ban that he knew nothing about.
      It is thought the correspondence had been sent to an old address.
      He was accused of twice failing to disclose the details of the driver of his car and offences linked to parking and speeding raps.
      Newcastle United FC confirmed the ban had been overturned and said it was clear that Gordon had done nothing wrong.
      READ MORE ANTHONY GORDON
      The footballer has made three appearances for Newcastle so far since his move from Everton.
      He is ineligible to play in next weekend’s Carabao Cup final as he is cup-tied.
      Gordon featured in Newcastle’s defeat to Liverpool on SaturdayCredit: Getty More

    • 263 Shares159 Views

      in Soccer

      Harry Maguire must QUIT Man Utd for the sake of his career.. his confidence is too low, claims ex-Old Trafford ace

      by

      MANCHESTER UNITED captain Harry Maguire will have to leave Old Trafford.That is according to United hero Louis Saha, who claims Maguire’s form will dramatically drop if he continues on United’s bench.
      Manchester United captain Harry Maguire could have to leave Old TraffordCredit: Rex
      Manchester United hero Louis Saha claims Harry Maguire’s form will be harmedCredit: Getty
      The centre-back is way down the pecking order as manager Erik ten Hag prefers left-back Luke Shaw when his favourite pair of Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane isn’t available.
      Saha has noticed the England international’s confidence has dropped and insists he will have to improve quickly if he ultimately wishes to stay.
      The 29-year-old has been linked with a move away from United with West Ham and Inter Milan expressing interest.
      Saha told Paddy Power: “Harry Maguire must look for a move away from Manchester United because his form is going to drop as he won’t play much.
      Read More on Man Utd
      “The way United play at the back, dominating and playing forward-thinking football, Maguire takes too many touches, and they lose the opportunity to attract the opponent on to them.
      “That’s what happens when your confidence is low. We see it when opponents try to press Raphael Varane or Lisandro Martínez, they can cope with ease, unlike Maguire.
      “It’s difficult seeing the club captain not playing, but he still has a smile on his face.
      “No one will be annoyed at him for wanting to play more minutes as he’s also a very important player for England.
      Most read in Football
      CASINO SPECIAL – BEST NEW CUSTOMER SIGN UP DEALS
      “He needs minutes and his style would suit a team who are very compact defensively and hit teams on the counter.
      “But right now, United need a very composed and agile player at the back, able to maintain the quality going forwards.
      “If Maguire wants to stay, he has to improve very quickly and take any opportunity he gets in the team.
      “It’s a big challenge for Maguire. He can play for Manchester United but given the players ahead of him in the team, he’s not going to get the minutes he needs if he wants to remain at the top.” More

    • 263 Shares199 Views

      in Soccer

      Man Utd legend Roy Keane gets his answer after cheeky request to Erik ten Hag for tickets to Carabao Cup final

      by

      ROY KEANE is on his way back to Wembley – as a personal guest of Erik ten Hag for the Carabao cup final.The former United captain cheekily asked the manager for tickets during a pitch side interview after the Red Devils beat Nottingham Forest in the semi-final 5-0 on aggregate earlier this month.
      Manchester United legend Roy Keane asked Erik ten Hag for ticketsCredit: PA
      Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag gave Roy Keane tickets for the Carabao Cup FinalCredit: PA
      Keane won the Champions League, seven Premier League titles and four FA Cups during 12 seasons at Old Trafford.
      But a fall out with Sir Alex Ferguson saw him leave the club in 2005 and since becoming a pundit he has been a vocal critic of some of the current players including Fred, Luke Shaw and Scott McTominay.
      But during a pitchside interview, Keane cheekily asked Ten Hag: “Do you have any spare tickets for the final? Just two, two complimentary tickets?”
      The boss laughed and said: “I can. I think so Roy. No problem.”
      Read More on Man Utd
      A source said: “The manager promised Roy some tickets and has made sure he will get them.
      “No one at the club has more than a couple to give to family and friends so it is a lovely gesture by Erik.
      “He respects Roy for his incredible playing career and isn’t fazed by the directness of his punditry.”
      In his 2014 book The Second Half, Keane admitted to still having a “soft spot” for United and said he had got two season tickets for him and his son.
      Most read in Football
      CASINO SPECIAL – BEST NEW CUSTOMER SIGN UP DEALS
      The Red Devils are set to face Newcastle in the Carabao Cup Final on February 26.
      The Manchester giants have been revived under Ten Hag following the World Cup break. More

    • 275 Shares139 Views

      in Soccer

      Man Utd owners the Glazers will REFUSE to budge from £6bn valuation as Sheikh Jassim and Sir Jim Ratcliffe line up bids

      by

      BIDDERS for Manchester United will be told the Glazers have no intention of selling for less than their £6billion asking price.And that casts major doubt on rival offers of up to £5bn from Qatari Sheikh Jassim Bin Hamad Al Thani and Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
      The Glazers family want £6billion for Manchester UnitedCredit: AFP
      The club is valued at £2.9bn on the New York Stock ExchangeCredit: Getty
      American hedge fund giants Elliott are also offering to stump up a package for a figurehead who wants to front any bid.
      But one insider said: “It’s still not clear if the Glazers actually want to sell and — if they do — it will only be for top dollar.
      “It’s possible they are keener on a partial sale rather than a full one at this stage — as that might value the club higher.
      “What is obvious is that they want to maximise their profits by selling at their preferred price or not at all.
      READ MORE ON MAN UTD
      “The other possibility nobody is discounting is they will simply decide that none of the bids is anywhere near what they want and call it off, in the hope that the market conditions change in their favour in a year or so.”
      Supporters were left fearing Ratcliffe’s bid could leave the Glazers with a slice of the club — after Ineos confirmed their offer for ‘majority ownership’ of United.
      The loathed Glazers are understood to possess around two-thirds of the club, which is valued at £2.9bn in total on the New York Stock Exchange.
      However, Ineos’ bid is believed to be for all of the Glazers’ holding, the remainder mostly owned by American investors.
      Most read in Football
      HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON FOOTBALL
      Local lad and lifelong United fan Ratcliffe is one of the UK’s wealthiest men, with an estimated net worth of £12.5bn.
      His petro-chemicals company Ineos previously bid £4bn for Chelsea and also owns French club Nice — as well as Swiss side Lausanne-Sport.
      The 70-year-old enlisted the help of US financial behemoths JP Morgan and Goldman Sachs.
      An Ineos statement: said “We would see our role as the long-term custodians of Manchester United.
      “We want to invest in Manchester United to make them the number one club in the world once again.
      “We also recognise that football governance in this country is at a crossroads.
      “We want a Manchester United anchored in its proud history and roots in the North-West of England, putting the Manchester back into Manchester United and focusing on winning the Champions League.”
      Hedge fund Elliott, headed by Paul Singer, emerged as potential buyers yesterday — although they are not keen on a full purchase — and could even team up with Ratcliffe.
      But Elliott at least offer a route to buy the club for any bidders lacking the financial firepower on their own.
      Read More on The Sun
      The former owners of AC Milan manage a massive £46bn in assets.
      Sheikh Jassim pledged his “100 per cent” bid for the club would be “completely debt-free”.
      Sir Jim Ratcliffe grew up in Manchester and is a Red Devils fanCredit: AFP or licensors
      Qatari Sheikh Jassim Bin Hamad Al Thani went public with his £5bn bid More

    • 225 Shares139 Views

      in Soccer

      Man Utd fan favourite Lisandro Martinez opens up on his ‘Butcher’ nickname.. but it wasn’t always his style

      by

      HE is the no-nonsense new hero of Old Trafford whose take-no-prisoners style saw him dubbed “The Butcher”.But when Lisandro Martinez was starring for local clubs in Gualeguay, Argentina, it was as a silky playmaker rather than a hard-as-nails centre-back.
      Lisandro Martinez is dubbed ‘The Butcher’Credit: Getty
      Martinez started off as a silky playmakerCredit: AFP
      As a youngster with Urquiza and Atletico Libertad, he wore the same coveted No 10 shirt as Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi.
      Yet it was in central defence where he began to make a big impression, ultimately leading to Erik ten Hag — the man who would later bring him to Manchester United — signing him for Ajax.
      And that is where Martinez’s tough tackling saw his team-mates give him the nickname which followed him to England after his £48.3million summer transfer to Old Trafford.
      It is not a moniker he particularly relishes — but he can fully understand how it originated.
      READ MORE ON MAN UTD
      Plenty of Prem strikers reckon it is well earned, especially Mo Salah, the Liverpool star he infamously clattered in his third game — to the delight of United fans.
      Martinez admitted: “I don’t even remember who gave me the nickname at Ajax or why. It must be because of the aggressive way I play my game.
      “The truth is that I do go to each challenge like it is going to be my last one, so in one way it does suit me.
      “Having said that, I’ve greatly improved the way I read the game and make decisions.
      Most read in Football
      BETTING SPECIAL – BEST FOOTBALL BETTING SITES IN THE UK
      “I have also grown in the way I pass the ball and want to continue improving absolutely everything.
      “There is no limit for me. But if I want to go higher, I have to work for it — and that will always be the reality.”
      That is the way it has always been for Martinez, 25, whose own hero was another ex-United cult figure from Argentina in Gabriel Heinze.
      Martinez was rejected by Boca Juniors after failing to impress in a trial game at 13 because of a severe bout of flu.
      A year later he was signed by Newell’s Old Boys Academy but admits he found it hard as a youngster leaving the family home.
      He said: “I lived in a boarding house when I joined Newell’s and learned during my time there that you have to fix things yourself when they are broken.
      “I was very close to my parents, who did everything for me, but suddenly I had to take responsibility.
      “But I also found that making friends was the most beautiful thing.
      “We learned to defend each other and that is incredible. It means as a boy you have the maturity of a 20-year-old.”
      He only played one game for Newell’s before joining  Primera Division side Defensa y Justicia.
      He moved to Ajax, after Ten Hag had tracked him for two years, in 2019, but admitted he found it so hard to adapt to life in Amsterdam.
      He said: “I really suffered with the intensity of how they played. That was  incredible. I suffered a lot at first, so much that I wanted to cry.”
      At just 5ft 9in tall, Martinez has spent his career disproving those who reckon he is too small to be a top-level centre-back.
      He was a member of Argentina’s World Cup-winning squad, making five appearances in Qatar, and has been the defensive leader in United’s resurgence.
      Yet he has never forgotten his humble roots and is still in touch with childhood team-mates.
      Martinez added: “I come from a family in which we didn’t have everything.
      Read More on The Sun
      “Nothing ever fell from the skies.
      “But my family always supported me a lot and instilled many values which make me who I am today.” More

    • 238 Shares159 Views

      in Soccer

      ‘His memory drives me on’ – Leicester’s new £15m man Harry Souttar’s incredible tattoo in tribute to late brother

      by

      SOCCEROOS World Cup star Harry Souttar will square up to Marcus Rashford at Old Trafford today with the image of his late brother Aaron etched on his left arm.And the memory of giving Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe a run for their money as a reminder that he belongs on the big stage.
      Harry Souttar shows off a tattoo of his late brother
      Leicester new boy Souttar faces off against Man Utd on Sunday
      Souttar may have been born in Aberdeen and raised in Luthermuir, near Brechin, where his dad Jack played  professionally for Brechin City.
      But when Australia came calling, the 24-year-old opted for the land of his mum Heather, who was born and raised in Western Australia.
      It’s why he also proudly has a tattoo of the Australian crest with his official Socceroos number —  international No 606 — inked on his calf.
      But it is the image of his cherished brother Aaron, who sadly passed away following a brave battle with Motor Neurone Disease in July 2022, which spurred Souttar to new heights in Qatar.
      Read more football news
      The 6ft 6in stopper helped Australia make it to the last 16 before going down fighting 2-1 to Lionel Messi’s Argentina.
      And ahead of today’s trip to the Theatre of Dreams, Leicester’s new £15million signing from Stoke revealed how having Aaron’s image on his arm inspires him.
      Souttar said: “I had the tattoo done a month or two after his passing.
      “It is just him golfing at St Andrews. He was a massive golfer, he was club captain at the local club in Brechin, near where we grew up.
      Most read in Football
      “St Andrews was his favourite course. His memory drives me on massively since he passed.
      “Before all the games at the World Cup my dad would just give me a text and say, ‘Aaron would be wanting three points  or a win tonight’.
      “Even before the Tottenham game last weekend he gave me a  text just to say, ‘He’ll  want a win on your home debut’.
      “I’ve got the tattoo on my arm so that he’ll always be with me.“He would have been so proud to have seen me play at a World Cup or at Old Trafford now.
      “Before one of our games, the Aussie boss Graham Arnold did a great speech about who you are doing it for.
      “It was pretty simple for me who I was doing it for.”
      Aaron’s tragic death came during one of the toughest times in Souttar’s young career as the former Potters defender faced a year sidelined by injury after rupturing his cruciate ligament during a World Cup qualifier for the Aussies.
      He revealed the horror moment he feared his World Cup dream was over.
      Souttar said: “It happened in Sydney against Saudi Arabia. I went to block a shot, he feinted and moved,  I tried to go again and it just gave way and popped.
      “The physios wanted to see if it was stable and my kneecap was going halfway down my shin and halfway up my thigh, so I knew something was bad!”
      Proud Souttar has his international number etched on his calf
      The Foxes splashed £15m on transfer deadline day for Souttar
      That’s when Harry was able to turn to his other brother John for expert advice.
      The 26-year-old Rangers and Scotland star has been plagued by a string of career-threatening injuries but somehow keeps battling back.
      John’s career hung in the balance when he ruptured his Achilles — both his right, then left —  keeping him out for six months at a time.
      He also had to endure ankle and hip operations during his time with Dundee United and Hearts before suffering a THIRD Achilles injury.
      John somehow managed to fight back from those setbacks and is now edging closer to full fitness with Rangers.
      Souttar added: “John had a horrendous time. I’ve only gone through a small percentage of what he’s gone through, he’s one of the strongest people I’ve ever met mentally.
      “My older brother passing during my injury made me and John a lot closer. He’s been a massive help to me.
      “He said right at the start, ‘If you’re ever feeling down, just write your thoughts down. No need to share it with anyone —  just write what you’re feeling  and in a month’s time have a look’.
      “Everyone is different but for me, that really worked.“At the start everyone says there’s going to be down periods but I thought, ‘I’ll sail through it, I’ll be fine’.
      “However, there were some challenging moments and he helped me a lot.
      Harry Souttar looks up to older brother John who stars for Rangers
      6ft6in Souttar has starred for Leicester since his move from Stoke City
      “It’s not something I would share with anyone. It was just private stuff I felt at that time and that I felt I needed to write down. It helped me.”
      Souttar refused to flick through the pages of his inspirational ledger during the World Cup, after battling back to full fitness  on the back of just one warm-up game. He added: “I didn’t bring that book out, purely because I wanted it to be in the past.
      “It helped me through the months I was injured but, once I was back fit, I just wanted to look forward.
      “When will I look at it? Well, touch wood I won’t get injured again!”
      Souttar, who admits he’s had to cut down on his favourite snack of chicken nuggets now that he is a Premier League player, says facing up to Messi and  Mbappe in Qatar has given him the confidence to face in-form Rashford.
      But  he did not try to swap shirts with either of his superstar opponents.
      He explained: “If there was one player I would have wanted to swap with, then it would have been Messi.
      “But, unfortunately, one of the other lads got to him first!“He’s probably the greatest  that has ever played the game.
      Read More on The Sun
      Souttar grapples with Lionel Messi during Australia’s World Cup clash with Argentina
      “I watched loads of clips of him and I planned to do this and do that. But  he’s just unstoppable!”
        LEICESTER (likely): Ward, Castagne, Souttar, Faes, Kristiansen, Mendy, Maddison, Dewsbury-Hall, Tete, Iheanacho, Barnes. More

    • 288 Shares109 Views

      in Soccer

      ‘How can you do that?’ – Erling Haaland with double miss of season as he blazes over in Man City draw at Forest

      by

      FANS trolled Erling Haaland for his double miss of the season as Manchester City dropped crucial points in the title race.It was a frustrating day for the Norwegian and his team-mates as Chris Wood grabbed a late leveller for Nottingham Forest at the City Ground.
      Erling Haaland had a golden chance to make it 2-0 at Nottingham ForestCredit: Getty
      The striker somehow hit the bar and then fired over the topCredit: Rex
      Haaland could barely believe his blunderCredit: Getty
      But the striker knows he should have sealed all three points and sent his side back to the top of the Premier League table.
      Haaland, 22, had a glorious chance to make it 2-0 midway through the second half.
      Forest goalkeeper Keylor Navas spilled Phil Foden’s drive from the edge of the area, popping the ball up for Haaland eight yards out.
      But he miskicked his volley into the turf and up against the crossbar with the goal at his mercy.
      READ MORE ON MAN CITY
      Incredibly, the ball bounced back to the former Borussia Dortmund man who controlled with his midriff and then spooned another left-foot effort sailing over.
      And supporters flooded social media with hilarious comments in response to the blunder.
      One said: “What a miss by Haaland, how can you miss this footer?”
      Another wrote: “Haaland has just missed an absolute sitter. He is human after all.”
      Most read in Football
      FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
      A third added: “The only question round here is how on earth did Haaland miss that?
      And a fourth wrote: “That Haaland miss might end up costing City the league.”
      Haaland’s failure to net his 26th Premier League goal of this incredible debut campaign and City scoring from just one of their 23 shots mean Arsenal gained two points on their title rivals.
      The Gunners needed an injury-time freak own goal by former goalkeeper Emi Martinez to come from behind twice and beat Aston Villa.
      That was after captain Martin Odegaard missed an absolute sitter when Eddie Nketiah put the ball on a plate for him to finish.
      But there was no doubt a major sigh of relief on the Arsenal team bus heading back down to North London when his international team-mate and close pal Haaland went one further. More

    • 250 Shares159 Views

      in Soccer

      Man Utd line up transfer bid for Leeds keeper Illan Meslier with David De Gea yet to agree new contract

      by

      MANCHESTER UNITED are ready to go to £250,000-a-week to keep David de Gea at Old Trafford.But the club are already looking at Leeds’ French star Illan Meslier as his long-term replacement.
      Man Utd would like David De Gea to agree to £250,000-a-weekCredit: Getty
      The club are already looking at Leeds’ French star Illan Meslier as the Spaniard’s long-term replacementCredit: AFP
      The Red Devils will try to get Spanish No 1 De Gea, 32, to extend his stay and are working towards a compromise figure.
      They are prepared to keep his pay high — but not at £375,000-a-week as it stands.
      United also want to line up the keeper who will eventually take over.
      Dean Henderson returns from his loan at Nottingham Forest in the summer but is set to be sold to get the first-team action he wants.
      READ MORE ON MAN UTD
      United are willing to wait until there is a starting place to offer Meslier.
      The complication will be if Leeds go down and Meslier is sold.
      United would then have to move swiftly to stop him going elsewhere.
      Leeds dropped into the bottom three on Saturday with a 1-0 away loss at Everton.
      Most read in Football
      FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
      Meslier was caught flat-footed by a Seamus Coleman strike from a tight angle.
      The Frenchman could only watch as the shot nestled into the corner of the net at the back post. More