https://www.scmp.com/rss/315956/feed The English Premier League is the top division of football in England. Set up in 1992 as a breakaway from the Football League, it is now the richest and most-watched football league in the world. Five teams have won the title since 1992: Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City and Blackburn Rovers. Manchester City were champions in the 2013/14 season, beating Liverpool into second place. en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Manchester City returned to the top of the Premier League with a 1-1 draw at home to Southampton on Sunday, although the performance again raised question marks over the title credentials of Pep Guardiola’s team after a fifth consecutive game without a victory. Kelechi Iheanacho’s eighth goal in his last 11 league games cancelled out Nathan Redmond’s first-half opener for Southampton, which owed much to an extraordinary mistrake by City defender John Stones. City, after winning their first 10... https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/2039406/manchester-city-back-top-english-premier-league-saints-draw-raises?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/2039406/manchester-city-back-top-english-premier-league-saints-draw-raises?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 23 Oct 2016 15:02:40 +0000 Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored on his return to hometown club Malmo as Paris Saint-Germain strolled into the Champions League last 16 on Wednesday after routing their Group A rivals 5-0 in Sweden. Atletico Madrid and Benfica joined the French side in clinching qualification with a game to spare. First-half goals from Adrien Rabiot and Angel Di Maria put the French champions in control before Ibrahimovic struck just after the interval. Di Maria was then on target again before Lucas added a late fifth... https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/1883439/champions-league-roundup-psg-cruise-last-16-zlatans-hometown-return?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/1883439/champions-league-roundup-psg-cruise-last-16-zlatans-hometown-return?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 26 Nov 2015 01:15:45 +0000 Jose Mourinho believes Chelsea will take a major step towards turning around their troubled season if they can seal qualification for the Champions League last 16 on Tuesday. Mourinho's side have travelled to Israel to face Maccabi Tel Aviv in their penultimate Group G fixture knowing a victory combined with a draw or defeat for Dynamo Kiev against Porto would guarantee their progress to the knockout stages. That would be a significant boost for Mourinho, who has come under fire following... https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/1882489/sealing-place-champions-league-last-16-can-help-turn-season-around-says?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/1882489/sealing-place-champions-league-last-16-can-help-turn-season-around-says?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 24 Nov 2015 02:05:38 +0000 Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has demanded Uefa change their rules on doping because he claims the current regulations don't do enough to discourage drug cheats. Wenger has been outspoken against doping and questioned why Uefa rulings means there is no way of disqualifying a team from continental competition unless more than two players fail a test. His frustration has come to the fore this week as Dinamo Zagreb midfielder Arijan Ademi was handed a four-year ban for failing a drugs test after... https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/1882486/uefa-basically-accept-doping-not-banning-clubs-says-arsene-wenger?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/1882486/uefa-basically-accept-doping-not-banning-clubs-says-arsene-wenger?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 24 Nov 2015 01:45:23 +0000 John Carver has left Newcastle United after a five-month stint as manager of the Premier League club, according to British media reports on Tuesday. Carver, 50, was promoted from his role as assistant when manager Alan  Pardew left Newcastle for Crystal Palace in January, but a slump in form saw the club avoid relegation to the Championship by a whisker. He won only three matches of the final 20 games of the season. Media reports said Carver left Newcastle along with coach Steve Stone and the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/1819491/john-carver-leaves-newcastle-steve-mclaren-favourite-take-over-manager?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/1819491/john-carver-leaves-newcastle-steve-mclaren-favourite-take-over-manager?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 09 Jun 2015 15:48:10 +0000 Norwich manager Alex Neil is relishing the prospect of pitting his wits against the best of the Premier League after his remarkable rise reached a new high with promotion at Wembley. Just nine months ago, Neil was a virtual unknown outside Scotland where he was starting his second full season in charge of minnows Hamilton. The first match of Neil’s 2014-15 campaign, a Scottish League Cup victory against Arbroath in August, was watched by just 730 people. But fast forward to May and Neil... https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/1808945/match-front-700-people-premier-league-norwich-bosss-remarkable-year?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/1808945/match-front-700-people-premier-league-norwich-bosss-remarkable-year?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 26 May 2015 02:30:15 +0000 Arsene Wenger expects hat-trick hero Theo Walcott to play more of a central role for Arsenal next season provided that fitness issues and contract negotiations are finally resolved. Walcott scored three times in the opening 37 minutes as the Gunners rounded off their Premier League campaign with a 4-1 victory over West Bromwich Albion at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday. The 26-year-old England winger has long expressed a desire to play more often in attack, rather than along the flanks. Theo is... https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/1808428/theo-walcott-central-arsene-wengers-plans-challenge-chelsea-next-season?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/1808428/theo-walcott-central-arsene-wengers-plans-challenge-chelsea-next-season?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 25 May 2015 03:48:54 +0000 Manuel Pellegrini insists he will still be in charge of Manchester City at the start of next season after the deposed champions ended the campaign with a 2-0 victory over Southampton. A sixth consecutive win ensured Pellegrini’s side rounded off the season in impressive form and, with chairman Khaldoon Al-Mubarak on hand at Eastlands, the City manager played down suggestions he could face a difficult meeting with his employer after surrendering the title to Chelsea and failing to win a trophy... https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/1808416/manuel-pellegrini-expects-return-manchester-city-boss-next-season?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/1808416/manuel-pellegrini-expects-return-manchester-city-boss-next-season?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 25 May 2015 02:45:30 +0000 Hull City manager Steve Bruce said he was ready for the challenge of leading the club back into the Premier League following their relegation, if he is given the chance. Hull’s relegation was confirmed on Sunday’s final day of the Premier League season as they drew 0-0 at home to Manchester United to finish third from bottom, three points from safety. I’ve not been good enough. I’ll reflect on that and have a conversation with the powers that be Steve Bruce, Hull City manager  Last season’s... https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/1808409/steve-bruce-says-he-fight-relegated-hull?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/1808409/steve-bruce-says-he-fight-relegated-hull?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 25 May 2015 02:30:45 +0000 Jose Mourinho believes Didier Drogba’s influence will continue to be felt at Chelsea even though the Ivory Coast forward has called time on his second spell with the Premier League champions. Drogba announced his intention to leave Stamford Bridge before the 3-1 victory over Sunderland on Sunday that ensured Mourinho’s side ended their title-winning campaign in fitting style before being presented with the trophy after the final whistle. For these players to know him, train with him, live with... https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/1808403/what-inspiration-jose-mourinho-hails-departing-legend-didier-drogba?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/1808403/what-inspiration-jose-mourinho-hails-departing-legend-didier-drogba?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 25 May 2015 01:45:30 +0000 John Carver insists he deserves to continue as Newcastle manager after leading his beleaguered club to Premier League survival with a 2-0 win over West Ham on the final day of a torrid campaign. Faced with the unpalatable prospect of relegation to the Championship if results went against them, the much-derided Carver and his under-performing players roused themselves to deliver a dominant performance that secured their first win in 11 matches. There will be a big summer ahead and I want the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/1808400/i-deserve-stay-newcastle-hot-seat-says-john-carver-after-relegation?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/1808400/i-deserve-stay-newcastle-hot-seat-says-john-carver-after-relegation?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 25 May 2015 01:30:30 +0000 Brendan Rodgers conceded his job could be on the line after Liverpool suffered their biggest ever defeat in the Premier League in a humiliating 6-1 loss at Stoke. A brace from Mame Biram Diouf plus goals from Jonathan Walters, Charlie Adam, Steven Nzonzi and Peter Crouch condemned the Reds to their worst loss since a 7-2 hammering by Tottenham in April 1963. The supporters were angry at half-time and rightly so because that was awful in the first half. Absolutely awful Brendan Rodgers, Liverpool... https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/1808396/ill-go-if-owners-want-me-brendan-rodgers-edge-after-stoke-humiliation?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/1808396/ill-go-if-owners-want-me-brendan-rodgers-edge-after-stoke-humiliation?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 25 May 2015 01:00:15 +0000 Newcastle United secured a dramatic survival and Hull City were relegated from the English Premier League yesterday after drawing 0-0 at home to Manchester United on a final day of the season marked by high-profile departures. Hull, beaten FA Cup finalists last season, needed to beat United to stand any chance of staying up, but their failure to do so left them three points adrift of safety. I told the players it was going to be a 90-minute roller coaster and I thought we controlled our emotions... https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/1808392/jonas-gutierrez-secures-newcastles-premier-league-survival-west-ham-win?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/1808392/jonas-gutierrez-secures-newcastles-premier-league-survival-west-ham-win?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 24 May 2015 17:11:25 +0000 A tearful Dick Advocaat saluted Sunderland’s latest escape from the jaws of Premier League relegation as an “unbelievable feeling”, having secured the point that kept them up in a 0-0 draw at Arsenal on Wednesday. Dutchman Advocaat was parachuted into Sunderland’s managerial hot seat in March following the sacking of Gus Poyet and set about rebuilding their battered confidence and helping them ease away from danger. The most important thing is that the players started believing they could do... https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/1805024/unbelievable-dick-advocaat-hails-sunderlands-latest-premier-league?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/1805024/unbelievable-dick-advocaat-hails-sunderlands-latest-premier-league?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 21 May 2015 01:30:45 +0000 A mixture of boos and calls for him to stay greeted Liverpool and England forward Raheem Sterling when he received the club’s Young Player of the Year award on Tuesday a day after it emerged he wants a transfer. The 20-year-old – who joined Liverpool from Queens Park Rangers in 2010 – had stirred up fans’ feelings when it was reported in Tuesday’s papers he was seeking a move away having turned down a new contract worth around £100,000 (HK$1.2 million) a week. While his agent moved to calm the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/1804381/want-away-raheem-sterling-booed-fans-liverpools-awards-ceremony?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/1804381/want-away-raheem-sterling-booed-fans-liverpools-awards-ceremony?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 20 May 2015 02:58:35 +0000 Liverpool forward Raheem Sterling is set to rock the Premier League club by telling them he wants to leave in the close-season, according to reports on Monday. Sterling and his agent Aidy Ward put contract negotiations on hold earlier this season despite being given what Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers described as a “fantastic offer”. It was reported that offer would have increased the 20-year-old’s wages to around £100,000-a-week and, in response to mounting criticism of his attitude from... https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/1802844/raheem-sterling-set-tell-liverpool-he-wants-out-reports?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/1802844/raheem-sterling-set-tell-liverpool-he-wants-out-reports?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 19 May 2015 02:21:38 +0000 Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho expressed his frustration after Cesc Fabregas was sent off in bizarre fashion as the champions were defeated 3-0 at West Bromwich Albion. The Spanish midfielder is set to miss the first two matches of next season plus the final game of this campaign at home to Sunderland on Sunday following his first half dismissal, after he took careful aim and kicked the ball off Chris Brunt's head from one side of the penalty area as players argued on the other. Mourinho felt... https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/1802836/jose-mourinho-bemused-cesc-fabregas-red-card-champions-lose-west-brom?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/1802836/jose-mourinho-bemused-cesc-fabregas-red-card-champions-lose-west-brom?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 19 May 2015 02:13:37 +0000 Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea’s future is up in the air after manager Louis van Gaal acknowledged the threat of Real Madrid’s reported interest in signing him. De Gea was forced off by a hamstring injury during United’s 1-1 draw at home to Arsenal on Sunday and, with Real Madrid thought to be preparing to pounce, it may have been his final appearance for the club. While Van Gaal professed not to know if Madrid have made a formal offer for De Gea, who began his career with their... https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/1802099/david-de-gea-uncertainty-clouding-manchester-uniteds-horizon-admits?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/1802099/david-de-gea-uncertainty-clouding-manchester-uniteds-horizon-admits?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 18 May 2015 01:52:26 +0000 Manchester City assured themselves of direct entry into next season's Champions League group stage with a 4-2 win away to Swansea in Sunday's early English Premier League match. The top three sides in England at the end of the season are guaranteed a place in the group stage of European football's elite club competition, with the Premier League's fourth-placed team having to enter a qualifying round. We've won five on the spin and we'll try to win the last one against Southampton Manchester City... https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/1801911/manchester-city-ensure-top-three-finish-english-premier-league-swansea?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/1801911/manchester-city-ensure-top-three-finish-english-premier-league-swansea?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 17 May 2015 16:28:05 +0000 Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers braced supporters for a close-season rebuilding process after long-serving captain Steven Gerrard played his final home game for the club. Gerrard, 34, declared himself “devastated” following Saturday’s 3-1 loss to Crystal Palace at a sold-out Anfield and must now prepare for his last ever Liverpool appearance at Stoke City next weekend. Gerrard’s departure echoes that of his fellow stalwart Jamie Carragher, who bowed out in 2013, and with Luis Suarez still to... https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/1800785/devastated-gerrard-bows-out-anfield-rodgers-warns-fans-he-irreplaceable?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/1800785/devastated-gerrard-bows-out-anfield-rodgers-warns-fans-he-irreplaceable?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 17 May 2015 05:36:13 +0000 Southampton's Sadio Mane scored the fastest hat-trick in English Premier League history as the Senegal winger's astonishing spree condemned dismal Aston Villa to a 6-1 defeat on Saturday. Mane took just two minutes and 56 seconds to demolish Villa at St Mary's and surpass the previous record of four minutes and 33 seconds set by Liverpool striker Robbie Fowler against Arsenal in 1994. The 23-year-old also set a new mark for the quickest post-war English top-flight treble as Villa's defence... https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/1800558/southamptons-sadio-mane-scores-fastest-hat-trick-english-premier-league?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/1800558/southamptons-sadio-mane-scores-fastest-hat-trick-english-premier-league?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 16 May 2015 17:48:52 +0000 Manchester United and Arsenal's players will be hoping to avoid the hassle of a Champions League play-off tie when they meet at Old Trafford in the Premier League today. Two points above United in third place (and three points below second-place Manchester City), Arsenal are on course for automatic Champions League qualification, with the team finishing fourth obliged to enter the competition in the play-off round in late August. But victory for United would take them above Arsenal and although... https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/1800440/we-dont-want-champions-league-play-arsenal-and-manchester-united-aim?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/1800440/we-dont-want-champions-league-play-arsenal-and-manchester-united-aim?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 16 May 2015 17:21:07 +0000 Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger brushed off his side’s 1-0 loss to Swansea City as “an accident” and challenged his players to atone when they visit Manchester United on Sunday. Arsenal dominated Monday’s game at the Emirates Stadium, but having been kept at bay by their former goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski, they capitulated in the 85th minute when David Ospina was unable to keep out a header from Swansea substitute Bafetimbi Gomis. United can dislodge third-place Arsenal from the automatic... https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/1794133/wenger-slams-swansea-refusing-play-after-they-do-double-over-arsenal?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/1794133/wenger-slams-swansea-refusing-play-after-they-do-double-over-arsenal?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 12 May 2015 02:07:22 +0000 Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers complained that opposition midfielder Cesc Fabregas “should have been sent off” for an ugly challenge on Raheem Sterling during his side’s 1-1 draw at Chelsea. There was less than a minute on the clock at Stamford Bridge on Sunday when Fabregas caught Sterling on the ankle with a high, sliding challenge, for which he was booked by referee Andre Marriner. The final score, after John Terry’s early header was cancelled out by Steven Gerrard’s headed goal, all but... https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/1792630/fabregas-should-have-seen-red-says-liverpool-boss-after-champions?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/1792630/fabregas-should-have-seen-red-says-liverpool-boss-after-champions?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 11 May 2015 02:09:57 +0000 Sergio Aguero scored a hat-trick as Manchester City sealed Queens Park Rangers’ relegation from the English Premier League with a 6-0 victory at Eastlands on Sunday. The thrashing left QPR bottom of the table, nine points adrift of safety and with only a maximum of six available to the west London club from their final two league games of this season. We came here with a lot of hope, shot ourselves in the foot and gave away three set pieces which they scored from Chris Ramsey By contrast,... https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/1792448/qpr-go-down-championship-after-dismal-6-0-defeat-manchester-city?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/1792448/qpr-go-down-championship-after-dismal-6-0-defeat-manchester-city?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 10 May 2015 16:00:30 +0000 Louis van Gaal believes Manchester United’s fighting spirit helped secure the victory that takes them to the brink of qualification for next season’s Champions League. Van Gaal’s side were forced to work hard for the 2-1 victory at Crystal Palace that moved them seven points clear of fifth placed Liverpool, 24 hours before Brendan Rodgers’ side travel to champions Chelsea. Backed by a far superior goal difference, Van Gaal and his players know they will have effectively achieved their main... https://www.scmp.com/sport/article/1792011/louis-van-gaal-praises-manchester-uniteds-fighting-spirit-after-win-over?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/article/1792011/louis-van-gaal-praises-manchester-uniteds-fighting-spirit-after-win-over?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 10 May 2015 04:56:19 +0000 Burnley were relegated from the English Premier League despite beating Hull City 1-0 last night, results elsewhere sending them back to the Championship after one season in the top flight. Burnley needed to win their last three games to have any hope of avoiding the drop, but they were sent down after Sunderland, Leicester City and Aston Villa all won and Newcastle United drew. Danny Ings scored Burnley's first goal in over 10 hours, but it proved in vain as Sean Dyche's side have 29 points from... https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/1791753/burnley-relegated-english-premier-league?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/1791753/burnley-relegated-english-premier-league?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 09 May 2015 17:38:06 +0000 Jose Mourinho has paid tribute to Steven Gerrard ahead of the Liverpool midfielder’s final visit to Stamford Bridge on Sunday. Gerrard and his Reds team-mates are expected to provide a guard of honour for Mourinho’s Chelsea side after the London club secured the Premier League title last weekend. But Mourinho said Friday that the match would also provide him with an opportunity to recognise Gerrard’s career at Liverpool which will come to a close at the end of the season when the former England... https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/1790594/jose-mourinho-pays-glowing-tribute-dear-enemy-steven-gerrard?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/1790594/jose-mourinho-pays-glowing-tribute-dear-enemy-steven-gerrard?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 09 May 2015 05:31:08 +0000 Arsene Wenger has challenged his Arsenal side to finish the season unbeaten and secure second place in the Premier League. The Gunners cruised to a 3-1 win at Hull City on Monday, their 10th straight match unbeaten all but securing a top-four finish for the 18th successive season. Chelsea were crowned champions on Sunday but Wenger said finishing second for the first time in a decade was an important target in a campaign that could yet end with holders Arsenal retaining the FA Cup in a Wembley... https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/1786450/second-place-must-arsene-wenger-says-after-hull-win?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/1786450/second-place-must-arsene-wenger-says-after-hull-win?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 05 May 2015 02:45:00 +0000 Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho believes his newly crowned Premier League champions will face a challenge just to secure a top-four finish next season owing to the top flight's competitiveness. Chelsea claimed their first league title since 2010 on Sunday when Eden Hazard's goal on the cusp of half-time secured a 1-0 home win over Crystal Palace that gave them an unassailable lead at the top of the table. Mourinho's side have dominated the division from starting gun to finish line, but with... https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/1786162/jose-mourinho-says-top-four-hard-task-chelsea-next-season?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/1786162/jose-mourinho-says-top-four-hard-task-chelsea-next-season?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 04 May 2015 14:54:19 +0000 Chelsea captain John Terry said his side had ended five years of hurt after they secured the English Premier League title with a 1-0 win over Crystal Palace on Sunday. "This is what I live for. It's been five years since we've won it," Terry said at a jubilant Stamford Bridge. "The first one [in 2005] was special and when you go four or five years without it, it hurts. So I'll really enjoy it today." It's an unbelievable feeling. We've worked so hard, so to get over the line is great Chelsea... https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/1785246/chelsea-become-english-premier-league-champions-end-five-years-hurt?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/1785246/chelsea-become-english-premier-league-champions-end-five-years-hurt?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 03 May 2015 16:15:00 +0000 Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal cut a frustrated figure after his team lost 1-0 at home to West Bromwich Albion on Saturday, their third successive defeat in the Premier League. The optimism engendered by victories over Tottenham Hotspur, Liverpool and Manchester City has been dispelled by defeats by Chelsea, Everton and West Brom and United’s hopes of finishing fourth are again hanging in the balance. “We knew in advance that they’d park the bus, we have to deal with that,” Van Gaal... https://www.scmp.com/sport/article/1784724/west-broms-parked-bus-thwarts-manchester-united?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/article/1784724/west-broms-parked-bus-thwarts-manchester-united?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 03 May 2015 02:35:43 +0000 Burnley and Queens Park Rangers were both left on the verge of relegation from the English Premier League following an eventful day at the foot of the table on Saturday. Bottom club Burnley, promoted last season, lost 1-0 at West Ham United, who prevailed through a 24th-minute Mark Noble penalty after visiting defender Michael Duff had been sent off for a foul on Cheikhou Kouyate. The way the team operate, they will give everything and we will continue to do that Burnley manager Sean Dyche on... https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/1784558/burnley-and-qpr-slide-brink-relegation-english-premier-league?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/1784558/burnley-and-qpr-slide-brink-relegation-english-premier-league?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 02 May 2015 17:34:25 +0000 Having seemingly been promised it all season, the Premier League title will be within Chelsea's grasp today when they host Crystal Palace needing three points to become champions. While the free-flowing football of the autumn has faded, Chelsea have unquestionably been the season's stand-out team and their coronation is now only a question of time. It is five years since they last won the title and the circumstances then were quite different, with a side steered by Carlo Ancelotti eviscerating... https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/1784514/dominant-chelsea-ready-seal-english-premier-league-title-victory-over?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/1784514/dominant-chelsea-ready-seal-english-premier-league-title-victory-over?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 02 May 2015 16:59:09 +0000 Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho delivered an expletive-laden half-time team talk that fired his side to a 3-1 comeback victory over Leicester City on Wednesday and moved them to within three points of the Premier League title. Chelsea trailed to a Marc Albrighton goal in first half-stoppage time after a lifeless opening 45 minutes when they were a long way short of their crushing best. If I tell you on television what I said it will be 'peep peep peep'. Too many peeps Jose Mourinho The Portuguese... https://www.scmp.com/sport/article/1781498/jose-mourinhos-half-time-blast-does-trick-chelsea?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/article/1781498/jose-mourinhos-half-time-blast-does-trick-chelsea?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 30 Apr 2015 02:21:55 +0000 Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers said his side lacked the killer instinct after drawing a blank for the second straight game in a 1-0 Premier League defeat at Hull City on Tuesday. The defeat left Liverpool fifth and seven points adrift of the top four and a Champions League qualification spot and increased speculation on Rodgers’ tenure. We just lacked that killer instinct in the final third. We are disappointed with the goal Brendan Rodgers A Michael Dawson goal put the hosts ahead in the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/article/1779913/brendan-rodgers-bemoans-liverpools-lack-killer-instinct-defeat-humble-hull?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/article/1779913/brendan-rodgers-bemoans-liverpools-lack-killer-instinct-defeat-humble-hull?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 29 Apr 2015 01:45:00 +0000 Chelsea midfielder Eden Hazard’s impressive season was recognised by his peers when he won England’s Professional Footballers’ Association Player of the Year award on Sunday. The 24-year-old Belgian playmaker has scored 18 goals in all competitions so far this term, helping Chelsea win the English League Cup and leaving Jose Mourinho’s side poised to bring the Premier League trophy back to Stamford Bridge for the first time since 2010. Victory in their next two matches – away to Leicester on... https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/1777478/chelseas-eden-hazard-voted-player-year-fellow-premier-league-stars?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/1777478/chelseas-eden-hazard-voted-player-year-fellow-premier-league-stars?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 27 Apr 2015 02:00:00 +0000 With Chelsea six points from a first Premier League title since 2010, manager Jose Mourinho happily turned a deaf ear to suggestions his team are unloved by neutrals. Chelsea dazzled during the season’s first half, putting several teams to the sword, but with the finishing line in sight they have tightened up in trademark Mourinho fashion. After a run of seven wins by a one-goal margin, they were taunted with chants of “Boring, boring Chelsea!” during Sunday’s 0-0 draw at Arsenal, but Mourinho... https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/1777479/boring-chelsea-boring-10-years-without-title-mourinho-scoffs-after?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/1777479/boring-chelsea-boring-10-years-without-title-mourinho-scoffs-after?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 27 Apr 2015 01:45:00 +0000 Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini believes his team can go through the remainder of the Premier League season unbeaten if they show the same character they displayed in a 3-2 victory over Aston Villa. Saturday’s thrilling win at Eastlands, settled by Fernandinho’s 89th-minute shot, left City firmly on course for a top-four finish and Champions League football next season. But while unhappy with City’s defending against relegation-threatened opponents, Pellegrini said his side had showed... https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/1776808/pellegrini-urges-city-finish-season-unbeaten-after-last-minute-win-over?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/1776808/pellegrini-urges-city-finish-season-unbeaten-after-last-minute-win-over?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 26 Apr 2015 05:44:32 +0000 Brendan Rodgers conceded Liverpool will be hard-pressed to qualify for the Champions League after a 0-0 draw at West Brom dealt a major blow to their bid for a top-four finish. Rodgers’ fifth-placed side drew a blank at the Hawthorns and the Reds now sit seven points behind fourth placed Manchester United, who can widen the gap further with a win at Everton on Sunday. With speculation linking Liverpool with a move for PSV Eindhoven’s talented young striker Memphis Depay, Rodgers’ glaring need to... https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/1776807/liverpools-brendan-rodgers-ready-concede-defeat-champions-league-fight?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/1776807/liverpools-brendan-rodgers-ready-concede-defeat-champions-league-fight?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 26 Apr 2015 05:37:15 +0000 Burnley, Queens Park Rangers and Sunderland slipped closer to the relegation trapdoor in the English Premier League yesterday as Leicester City and Hull City recorded timely victories. Bottom club Burnley lost 1-0 at home to Leicester in agonising circumstances, with Jamie Vardy notching a 60th-minute winner for the visitors just seconds after Burnley's Matt Taylor had hit the post with a penalty. Vardy converted a Marc Albrighton cross to give Leicester a fourth successive win, which took Nigel... https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/1776608/leicester-edge-burnley-tense-premier-league-basement-battle?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/1776608/leicester-edge-burnley-tense-premier-league-basement-battle?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 25 Apr 2015 17:41:07 +0000 Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini refused to be drawn into a war of words with Yaya Toure’s outspoken agent after a 2-0 win over West Ham kept his side on course for a Champions League place. However, Sunday’s victory at Eastlands was marred by an injury to David Silva, who was taken to hospital with a suspected fractured cheekbone and injured collar bone. But before kick-off there was another headache for under-pressure City boss Pellegrini following incendiary comments from Dimitri... https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/1771927/manuel-pellegrini-refuses-hit-back-after-yaya-toures-agent-slams-weak?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/1771927/manuel-pellegrini-refuses-hit-back-after-yaya-toures-agent-slams-weak?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 20 Apr 2015 04:12:54 +0000 Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho attempted to dampen the euphoria emanating from Stamford Bridge after his side closed to within two wins of the Premier League title by beating Manchester United. Eden Hazard's 38th-minute strike gave Chelsea a clinical 1-0 home victory on Saturday. They will be champions if they win their next two games away to Arsenal and Leicester City. Chelsea are now 1-100 with British bookmakers to win the title and the club's kit manufacturer Adidas reacted to the win over... https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/1771394/chelsea-boss-jose-mourinho-wary-title-talk-despite-win-over-manchester?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/1771394/chelsea-boss-jose-mourinho-wary-title-talk-despite-win-over-manchester?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 19 Apr 2015 16:57:14 +0000 Sergio Aguero moved to the top of the Premier League goalscoring charts as his effort in a 2-0 win at home to West Ham last night bolstered Manchester City's hopes of securing a top-four finish and Champions League football. The Argentina international claimed his 20th goal of the season, after a James Collins own-goal had gifted last season's English champions the lead, thus ending a run, which had seen him fail to score a goal from open play at Eastlands since November 2. "When we lose we have... https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/1771674/aguero-helps-city-get-back-winning-ways?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/1771674/aguero-helps-city-get-back-winning-ways?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 19 Apr 2015 16:30:30 +0000 Leicester City claimed a third successive English Premier League victory and boosted their relegation great escape act after a 2-0 home win against Swansea City on Saturday. Leicester’s survival hopes have looked bleak for most of the season and they have been bottom since November but they faced Swansea full of confidence after back-to-back league victories. To get three wins on the trot in this division is very hard and doubly so considering the position we are in. We are delighted. Our fate... https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/1770244/leicester-city-embark-great-escape-act-premier-league?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/1770244/leicester-city-embark-great-escape-act-premier-league?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 18 Apr 2015 17:18:26 +0000 Hopes of a suspenseful conclusion to the Premier League title race rest this weekend on Manchester United, who take their six-game winning streak to champions-elect Chelsea on Saturday. Chelsea looked set to drop points at Queens Park Rangers last weekend, only for Cesc Fabregas’s 88th-minute goal to earn a 1-0 win that restored their seven-point lead over second-place Arsenal with a game in hand. As things stand, Jose Mourinho’s side require only 12 points from their seven remaining matches to... https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/1768327/reborn-manchester-united-out-halt-chelseas-title-charge?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/1768327/reborn-manchester-united-out-halt-chelseas-title-charge?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 17 Apr 2015 02:42:59 +0000 Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers admitted he will talk to Raheem Sterling about his responsibilities as a professional footballer after a video emerged of the player apparently inhaling nitrous oxide. The Sun newspaper published a clip of England international Sterling supposedly taking the legal high – commonly known as laughing gas – on their website during Liverpool’s 2-0 win over Newcastle United. I will speak to him. We want players here who are super-professional and focused on their... https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/1766018/whos-laughing-now-raheem-sterling-leads-liverpool-victory-faces-talking?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/1766018/whos-laughing-now-raheem-sterling-leads-liverpool-victory-faces-talking?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 14 Apr 2015 01:30:00 +0000 Manchester United ended a four-match losing run against Manchester City in style on Sunday, beating their fierce rivals 4-2 in the Premier League to signal a power shift to the red half of the city. United's sixth straight league win came despite the soon-to-be-deposed champions going ahead through Sergio Aguero's eighth-minute opener.   Ashley Young and Marouane Fellaini scored to put United ahead at half-time, before goals by Juan Mata and Chris Smalling in a seven-minute span midway through... https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/1765114/manchester-united-decimate-city-4-2-one-sided-derby?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/1765114/manchester-united-decimate-city-4-2-one-sided-derby?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 12 Apr 2015 17:57:52 +0000 Chelsea's grinding 1-0 victory against relegation-threatened Queens Park Rangers yesterday felt like a final according to manager Jose Mourinho whose side cleared another hurdle in their bid for a first Premier League title since 2010. The Premier League-leaders needed an 88th minute Cesc Fabregas goal to secure the points and restore their seven-point lead over Arsenal, who have played a game more, in second. It was far from a vintage performance though and Chelsea, second best throughout, were... https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/1765094/victory-over-qpr-felt-final-says-chelsea-boss-jose-mourinho?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/1765094/victory-over-qpr-felt-final-says-chelsea-boss-jose-mourinho?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 12 Apr 2015 16:45:30 +0000 Arsene Wenger has said his Arsenal side need a “perfect run” to have any chance of catching Premier League leaders Chelsea. Saturday’s 1-0 win away to Burnley made it eight league wins in a row for the Gunners for the first time since the ‘Invincibles’ season of 2003/04. Chelsea are four points in front with two games in hand ahead of their match away to relegation-threatened Queens Park Rangers on Sunday and the title is now theirs to lose. But London rivals Arsenal have emerged as their... https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/1764647/perfect-run-required-arsenal-challenge-chelsea-says-arsene-wenger?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/1764647/perfect-run-required-arsenal-challenge-chelsea-says-arsene-wenger?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 12 Apr 2015 04:37:56 +0000