English Premier League 2015-16 - South China Morning Post

Chelsea crush tame champions Leicester City in dominant Stamford Bridge display

Sat, 15 Oct 2016 17:00:45 +0000

Chelsea demolished the team who succeeded them as English Premier League winners when champions Leicester City succumbed tamely 3-0 on Saturday. Goals from the league’s leading marksman Diego Costa, Eden Hazard and Victor Moses ensured Leicester boss Claudio Ranieri’s visit to his old club was a far cry from five months ago when the Foxes received a guard of honour for their title triumph. The unmarked Costa’s seventh-minute strike was his seventh goal of the season, before Chelsea’s dominance...

Striking out: Harry Kane bemoans lack of scoring chances for England at Euro 2016

Sat, 25 Jun 2016 03:30:36 +0000

England striker Harry Kane laid bare his team’s attacking problems on Friday when he said he has not had one clear scoring opportunity at Euro 2016. The Tottenham Hotspur striker started England’s first two games in the tournament, against Russia and Wales, but was substituted at half-time against Wales and played only 14 minutes of the 0-0 draw with Slovakia. Kane therefore faces a fight for a starting place in Monday’s last-16 game against Iceland in Nice, but he does not believe he has been...

Another Chinese EPL football club owner? Liverpool become the latest club linked to an Asian takeover

Thu, 16 Jun 2016 02:08:05 +0000

Liverpool is the latest English football club to be linked to an Asian takeover after reports in England suggested a Chinese state investment group had contacted the Premier League side over potential investment. A letter, purported to be the one sent to the club in February of this year, was yesterday circulating on social media and outlines details of the company’s interest while submitting a £700 million (HK$7.70 billion) valuation of the Merseyside outfit. Meanwhile, US-based current owner...

From Cardiff getting Tanned to Thais delivering the title to Leicester: the very mixed fortunes of five Asian-owned English clubs

Wed, 15 Jun 2016 03:45:15 +0000

Here we examine the varying fortunes of five other Asian-owned English football clubs, following Aston Villa’s £60 million (HK$658.1 million) sale to Chinese businessman Tony Xia Jiantong was confirmed on Tuesday: Leicester City – Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha (Thailand) The biggest success story among Asian owners, Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha presided over the greatest rags to riches fairy tale in the history of football when his 5,000-1 shots sealed the Premier League title earlier this month. After...

New Aston Villa owner Tony Xia completes takeover after passing English Football League’s ‘fit and proper’ test

Wed, 15 Jun 2016 02:45:15 +0000

China’s Tony Xia completed his takeover of relegated former Premier League side Aston Villa on Tuesday after passing the English Football League’s owners and directors test. Xia, whose Chinese name is Xia Jiantong, purchased Villa last month for a reported US$87 million (HK$675.1 million) from American Randy Lerner and has pledged to restore the club to its former glory. Villa have been English Champions seven times and won the old European Cup in 1982. The 39-year-old had already made his first...

Arsenal ‘trying to lure Jamie Vardy away from Leicester City’

Sat, 04 Jun 2016 03:39:10 +0000

Arsenal are trying to lure England striker Jamie Vardy away from Premier League champions Leicester City in a move worth around £20 million (HK$225 million), British media reported on Friday. Vardy scored 24 league goals as Leicester, 5,000/1 rank outsiders, were crowned champions of England last season, finishing 10 points in front of second-placed Arsenal, one of the Premier League’s established powers. I have said so many times if one player comes to me and says ‘Gaffer [manager], I want to...

German star Ilkay Gundogan gets his Manchester City wish – after demanding his transfer on Twitter

Thu, 02 Jun 2016 08:24:49 +0000

Former Borussia Dortmund midfielder Ilkay Gundogan got his transfer from the Bundesliga club to Manchester City ending days of speculation after using social media to insist the club complete the transfer. @MCFC ANNOUNCE GUNDOGAN! — Ilkay Gündogan (@Guendogan8) June 2, 2016 The German international took to Twitter on Thursday morning to hurry the club into ending his wait and confirm the transfer. Manchester City then used Twitter to inform the...

Bygones for Special One: Jose Mourinho makes peace with Manchester United icon Sir Bobby Charlton on training ground visit

Tue, 31 May 2016 02:28:20 +0000

Jose Mourinho made peace with Bobby Charlton as Manchester United’s new manager met the Old Trafford icon at the club’s Carrington training ground on Monday. He pontificates too much for my liking. He’s a good manager, though Bobby Charlton’s previous views on Jose Mourinho Charlton has previously been a harsh critic of Mourinho and was understood to have objected to his potential appointment when United were looking for a successor to Alex Ferguson in 2013. The 78-year-old, a member of United’s...

‘Best I’ve worked under’: John Terry backs Jose Mourinho to be Manchester United success

Mon, 30 May 2016 02:47:45 +0000

Chelsea captain John Terry believes his former manager Jose Mourinho will lead Manchester United back to the top. It’s fantastic news for Man United. I’m sure the Man United fans and players will be delighted with that John Terry Mourinho was appointed United manager earlier this week after Dutchman Louis van Gaal was sacked two days after leading the Red Devils to an FA Cup victory. And Terry, who won the Premier League three times as Chelsea captain with Mourinho as manager, believes the...

Bruce’s millions: Victorious Hull City manager eyes Premier League survival blueprint after winning world’s most lucrative football match

Sun, 29 May 2016 04:24:42 +0000

Steve Bruce believes Hull can copy the blueprint of the Premier League’s overachievers as they look to survive in the top-flight. Nobody gave us a cat in hell’s chance of staying up a few years ago, but it can be done Steve Bruce Bruce’s side secured an immediate return to the big time following last year’s relegation thanks to Mohamed Diame’s sublime strike in the Championship play-off final against Sheffield Wednesday. Senegal midfielder Diame’s long-range effort in the 72nd minute was enough...

It’s done: Manchester United appoint Jose Mourinho as manager, says Sky Sport News

Thu, 26 May 2016 18:09:16 +0000

Manchester United have appointed Jose Mourinho as their new manager, Sky Sports News reported on Thursday. But Manchester United is not commenting on the report that Mourinho has signed a contract to become the club’s new manager. The 53-year-old Portuguese replaces Dutchman Louis van Gaal whose two-year reign at Old Trafford ended on Monday, two days after United lifted the FA Cup. The club hasn’t announced the deal. If you want action, you bring Mourinho. I believe he is the man to bring them...

The podcast that shows why footballers are much more than actors in a soap opera

Thu, 26 May 2016 06:45:00 +0000

Follow @JamesPorteous Football has become such a soap opera – big baddy Mou back to resume his feud with Pep the latest exciting...

Guardiola, not Mourinho, the man for Manchester United, says legend Cantona

Wed, 25 May 2016 02:14:03 +0000

As Jose Mourinho is expected to be named as Manchester United’s new manager, club great Eric Cantona says incoming Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola would have been a better choice. Mourinho’s agent Jorge Mendes was in talks with United’s executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward in London on Tuesday after Louis van Gaal’s troubled two-year reign at Old Trafford ended with his sacking a day earlier. Former Chelsea boss Mourinho is reported to have been offered a three-year deal worth £15 million...

Mourinho set to be confirmed as Manchester United boss today after ‘very disappointed’ Van Gaal is axed

Tue, 24 May 2016 01:30:30 +0000

Jose Mourinho is on the verge of fulfilling his dream of managing Manchester United after Louis van Gaal’s troubled two-year reign at Old Trafford came to a bitter end. Van Gaal said he was “very disappointed” to be sacked on Monday just 48 hours after leading United to victory in the FA Cup final against Crystal Palace. Missing out on a lucrative Champions League place proved the final straw for the club’s United States-based owners, the Glazer family, and they didn’t let United’s first piece...

The end is nigh: ‘It’s over’ says Louis van Gaal amid Jose Mourinho Manchester United takeover reports

Mon, 23 May 2016 01:43:47 +0000

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal left the squad’s hotel on Sunday saying “it’s over” amid reports he was about to be replaced by Jose Mourinho. I can’t see him staying too long at Man United, maybe two or three years, that seems to be his shelf life at a football club Phil Neville on Jose Mourinho Dutch boss van Gaal was greeted by waiting Red Devils fans following United’s FA Cup final win over Crystal Palace at Wembley on Saturday. When asked by a Sky Sports reporter if he had time to...

Despite cup win United have fallen short this season admits Rooney as Mourinho waits in wings

Sun, 22 May 2016 02:23:33 +0000

Wayne Rooney admitted Manchester United have fallen short of expectations despite winning the FA Cup as rumours swirled that Louis van Gaal is set to be replaced by Jose Mourinho. United manager van Gaal was in defiant mood on Saturday as he celebrated United’s 2-1 victory over Crystal Palace by parading the FA Cup in front of the media while refusing to discuss the growing possibility he will be sacked in the next few days. Just minutes after the final whistle at Wembley signalled United’s...

Is Xia Jiantong the man to save Aston Villa, or will fans be wishing Randy Lerner never left?

Sat, 21 May 2016 03:30:00 +0000

Follow @JamesPorteous After 10 years of stagnation and finally relegation under American...

15 years on, Liverpool greats Smicer and Berger still shake their heads at one of the craziest European finals ever

Fri, 20 May 2016 05:00:00 +0000

Try telling Patrik Berger that the Uefa Cup is a lesser tournament and his response scotches that notion. “You have players in the world who were unbelievable players and they never won any trophies. I think you play for trophies, and I was lucky enough to play for Liverpool and to win trophies. Since 2005, Liverpool didn’t win much. I won five trophies in one season! For me it’s about history and it’s great to be a part of the history of such a huge club.” Berger and his former Reds wingman...

Juergen Klopp will bounce back from Europa League woe, say ex-Liverpool stars Smicer and Berger

Thu, 19 May 2016 11:45:45 +0000

Despite their capitulation in Switzerland in the early hours of Thursday morning (HK time), Liverpool have the right man for the massive job at Anfield in Juergen Klopp, according to Uefa Europa League winner and former Liverpool star Patrik Berger. In Hong Kong this week to participate in the annual HKFC Citi Soccer Sevens tournament, Berger and fellow ex-Czech Republic international Vladimir Smicer said they believed Liverpool were set to claim a fourth Europa League crown after witnessing a...

Leicester City youngsters hope to catch the eye of champions’ boss Ranieri in Hong Kong

Thu, 19 May 2016 03:15:45 +0000

Leicester City coach Steve Beaglehole has called on his youngsters to use the HKFC Citi Soccer Sevens to show they deserve a place in the Premier League champions’ first team. Claudio Ranieri’s seniors won the title by a 10-point margin to claim a first championship in their 132-year history. And Beaglehole hopes his team can add to the trophy cabinet at the Sevens after winning the tournament in 2013. “We have come here to try and win the tournament again and show people we have got some young...

Chinese businessman Tony Xia agrees to buy Aston Villa for reported £60 million

Wed, 18 May 2016 18:06:17 +0000

Aston Villa have been sold to a Chinese group owned by Dr Tony Xia Jiantong, the Championship club announced on Wednesday, in a deal worth a reported US$86 million. Villa crashed out of the Premier League after a miserable season that saw the Midlands team win just three of their 38 matches, but that has not stopped Dr Xia making his move. US-based owner Randy Lerner had been trying to sell Villa for two years and has finally found a buyer after significantly lowering his asking price to a...

Frenzied fans and media mob Leicester City players in Bangkok

Wed, 18 May 2016 12:15:45 +0000

Newly crowned English Premier League champions Leicester City arrived in Thailand on Wednesday on a publicity blitz, hoping to tap into euphoria over their unlikely triumph. We’re not going to spend crazy money and ruin everything we have created Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha, Leicester vice-chairman and son of club owner Vichai They also hoped to banish the memory of a sex-tape scandal that marred a visit to the homeland of their billionaire owner a year ago. Scores of Thai fans – the “Siamese...

See you next season: Louis van Gaal vows to hold on to Manchester United job after win over Bournemouth

Wed, 18 May 2016 01:31:42 +0000

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal expressed confidence that he will still be at Old Trafford next season despite his team crawling to an underwhelming fifth-place finish in the Premier League. United beat Bournemouth 3-1 in their final fixture on Tuesday – a game held over from Sunday due to a bomb scare – but it was not enough to take them into the Champions League places as they finished below fourth-place Manchester City on goal difference. United must now beat Crystal Palace in...

Manchester United staff handled a confusing situation very well, says SCMP sport reporter caught up in Old Trafford fiasco

Mon, 16 May 2016 05:07:35 +0000

There was an atmosphere of confusion and disappointment among soccer fans who were at the abandoned Premier League match between Manchester United and Bournemouth at Old Trafford yesterday, but stadium staff handled a potentially tricky situation with distinction. It was concerning because of the sheer number of people that were being evacuated from the stadium, but it was more confusing than frightening Jonathan White, Manchester United supporter SCMP Sport contributor Jonathan White, a...

Mayor of Manchester slams ‘outrageous’ Old Trafford fake bomb abandonment

Mon, 16 May 2016 03:34:18 +0000

Greater Manchester’s mayor slammed the abandonment of Manchester United’s game with Bournemouth on Sunday over what turned out to be a fake bomb as “outrageous”, and called for a full inquiry. This fiasco caused massive inconvenience to supporters who had come from far and wide to watch the match, wasted the time of huge numbers of police officers and the army’s bomb squad, and unnecessarily put people in danger Tony Lloyd, Greater Manchester mayor Army bomb disposal experts carried out a...

Arsenal snatch second from Tottenham in finale to Premier League season

Sun, 15 May 2016 17:10:00 +0000

Arsenal snatched second place from rivals Tottenham Hotspur in the finale to the English Premier League season, which was overshadowed by the security alert at Old Trafford. We have a massive team spirit. I don’t see why we can’t do it again next season Leicester midfielder Danny Drinkwater Bomb disposal experts were called to carry out a controlled explosion on a suspicious package after the match between Manchester United and Bournemouth was abandoned and fans were evacuated from the...

Old Trafford evacuated: Manchester United v Bournemouth Premier League match abandoned

Sun, 15 May 2016 15:45:00 +0000

The Premier League match between Manchester United and Bournemouth was abandoned on Sunday after a suspect package was found in the ground and an army bomb disposal unit was called in to make a controlled explosion. The Alex Ferguson Stand and the Stretford End of the Old Trafford ground were evacuated about 20 minutes before the scheduled kickoff at 10pm (Hong Kong time). Sniffer dogs were used to search the area. “Due to a suspect package being found in the northwest quadrant, today’s match...

Out the door: Roberto Martinez is sacked after Everton slump in Premier League

Thu, 12 May 2016 17:11:16 +0000

Everton have sacked manager Roberto Martinez, the Premier League club announced on Thursday, confirming widespread reports in the British media. In place since joining from Wigan Athletic in 2013, the 42-year-old Spaniard paid the price for a run of one win in 10 league games and an FA Cup semi-final defeat at the hands of Manchester United. Roberto has been a great ambassador for the club, conducting himself ... with the utmost integrity and dignity Everton statement “Everton Football Club...

Juergen Klopp calls for patience from his Liverpool team after they scramble a draw with Chelsea

Thu, 12 May 2016 02:21:35 +0000

Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp was thrilled with his side’s late equaliser in their 1-1 draw against Chelsea at Anfield, but bemoaned his players’ lack of patience. Without patience, we lost formation. We had a lot of moments around the box when we shot when we should have passed Juergen Klopp Eden Hazard’s fine finish for Chelsea in Wednesday’s Premier League game left Liverpool staring at a first home reverse since the 1-0 defeat by Manchester United on January 17. However, an injury-time...

Fans’ support ‘humbling’ for relegated Norwich boss Alex Neil as Canaries go down despite beating Watford

Thu, 12 May 2016 02:09:48 +0000

Norwich City manager Alex Neil declared that he felt humbled by the reception of the club’s supporters after their relegation from the Premier League. I feel as if I’ve let them down. I feel as if we’ve come up short as a group, as a club. For them to respond in that way, I didn’t expect. I think it’s really unusual Alex Neil The Canaries beat Watford 4-2 on Wednesday thanks to two goals from Dieumerci Mbokani, one from Nathan Redmond and an own goal by Hornets defender Craig Cathcart. But the...

Hong Kong-listed Chinese firm ‘set to buy Aston Villa’– report

Thu, 12 May 2016 02:04:59 +0000

A Hong Kong-listed investment company is set to buy English football club Aston Villa, according to a report in the Mirror. Rui Kang Pharmaceutical Group Investments Limited, which describes itself as “a Sino-foreign joint equity venture in the People’s Republic of China”, is closing in on a £75 million (HK$840 million) deal for the storied club, who were relegated from the English Premier League this season. Calls to Rui Kang’s Hong Kong office went unanswered today. Villa’s current owner,...

And for our next act: Allardyce wants Sunderland to shed escape artists tag after win at Everton secures survival

Thu, 12 May 2016 01:41:12 +0000

Sunderland manager Sam Allardyce steeled the club for a crucial close season as they bid to end their reputation as Premier League relegation escape specialists. We’re safe with a game left and that’s pretty miraculous Sam Allardyce Allardyce hailed the club’s “miraculous” effort to secure their top-flight future with a game to spare after a 3-0 victory over Everton on Wednesday condemned neighbours Newcastle United and Norwich City to join Aston Villa in the Championship next...

Hammers do it their way: joy, tears and memories as West Ham bid farewell to Upton Park

Wed, 11 May 2016 05:07:05 +0000

West Ham United have always done things their own way through thick and thin, so it was fitting when Frank Sinatra’s timeless classic kick-started a post-match party that brought the curtain down on 112 years at the Boleyn Ground on Tuesday. True to their traditions, West Ham kept a 34,000 crowd on tenterhooks as they flirted with defeat in their 2,398th and final game at a ground, which survived second world war bombs and has undergone many facelifts but still retains a unique atmosphere. Two...

West Ham stun Manchester United to leave historic Boleyn Ground on a high

Wed, 11 May 2016 03:14:23 +0000

West Ham bade farewell to the Boleyn Ground after 112 years with a pulsating 3-2 victory over Manchester United to leave the visitors’ top-four hopes in tatters on Tuesday. On an emotionally charged night in east London, it looked as though Anthony Martial’s double had ruined the Hammers’ party but late headed goals from Michail Antonio and Winston Reid secured the win that almost took the roof off the old stadium. In the last match of the season we can pass over Manchester City, they can lose...

Liverpool understudies eye Uefa Europa League final places as Klopp prepares for Chelsea test

Tue, 10 May 2016 09:03:51 +0000

Liverpool midfielder Joe Allen is desperate for another chance to impress against Chelsea on Wednesday as the fight to feature in the Europa League final hots up. To be honest any time you step out for this team you are playing to prove you should be involved in the next game, whatever that game is Joe Allen Allen has spent much of the season on the fringes of Juergen Klopp’s starting line-up, but the Wales international has impressed whenever selected and underlined his credentials with a goal...

Sam Allardyce tells his Sunderland players to complete great escape against Everton after impressive turnaround

Tue, 10 May 2016 02:40:01 +0000

Sam Allardyce has backed Sunderland to complete their latest escape act by beating Everton to guarantee their Premier League survival on Wednesday. Our destiny is in our own hands. We have turned it around with a big victory Sam Allardyce Allardyce’s side looked destined for relegation just a few weeks ago, but the Black Cats have clawed their way out of the bottom three with a run of one defeat in nine games and stand on the brink of relegating bitter rivals Newcastle along with...

Olympic Stadium won’t be a fortress, says West Ham manager Slaven Bilic as Hammers prepare for Boleyn send-off

Tue, 10 May 2016 01:52:57 +0000

West Ham United will find it impossible to recreate the intense atmosphere of Upton Park and turn the Olympic Stadium into a “fortress” when they move there next season, said manager Slaven Bilic. You need to have a hostile atmosphere, be intimidating for away teams. Forget about it – no chance Slaven Bilic The Hammers play their final competitive game at the venue against Manchester United in the Premier League on Tuesday before moving to the 60,000-capacity London 2012 Olympic site next...

Klopp satisfied with Sunday stroll for Liverpool as they overpower Watford at ‘special’ Anfield

Mon, 09 May 2016 01:40:00 +0000

Juergen Klopp was happy enough with his side’s low-key 2-0 victory over Watford at Anfield on Sunday after goals from Joe Allen and Roberto Firmino sank the Hornets. It wasn’t the highest intensity or the most brilliant performance from the team or the crowd but it was nice to enjoy a Sunday afternoon Juergen Klopp This contest failed to capture the imagination as both teams have virtually finished caring about the Premier League this season. Watford are mathematically safe after a wonderful...

Pellegrini pins hopes on favour from West Ham after Champions League bid falters in final home game of his reign

Mon, 09 May 2016 01:28:56 +0000

Outgoing Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini strived to put on a brave face after his team’s chances of Champions League qualification were compromised by a 2-2 draw with Arsenal. I think we deserve to be in the Champions League next year because we have had 37 games in the [top four], so I hope that we are not going to lose that spot in the last game Manuel Pellegrini Sunday’s result at the Etihad Stadium means that City can only finish in the top four if Manchester United drop points in...

Southampton pile on the misery for Tottenham in Premier League

Sun, 08 May 2016 15:30:00 +0000

Tottenham squandered a lead for the second time in a week to lose 2-1 to Southampton on Sunday, jeopardising their attempt to finish second in the English Premier League. It’s been a long season ... the last few games we haven’t managed to keep it going Spurs playmaker Christian Eriksen Steven Davis scored either side of half-time, after Son Heung-min put Spurs ahead in the 16th minute, to lift Southampton into sixth place and boost the team’s chances of qualifying for next season’s Europa...

Bangkok erupts in celebration as it watches Leicester hoist English Premier League trophy

Sun, 08 May 2016 02:39:28 +0000

Cheers, spilt beers and confetti met the award of the English Premier League trophy to Leicester City on Saturday at a lively title party laid on by the Foxes’ Thai owners in Bangkok. Leicester are swiftly becoming the kingdom’s new favourite team, with Thais delighting in the unlikeliest of league victories under the ownership of compatriot, duty-free billionaire Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha. On a sweaty late Saturday night in Bangkok, hundreds of beer-sodden fans danced and sang at the King Power...

Leicester City party in style as Wes Morgan lifts English Premier League trophy

Sun, 08 May 2016 02:26:34 +0000

Leicester City captain Wes Morgan hoisted the Premier League trophy aloft to a burst of pyrotechnics as one of sport’s most captivating stories reached its giddy climax. Following a 3-1 win over Everton in their final home game, the 5,000-1 outsiders, whose exploits have captivated fans around the world, got their hands on the prized trophy at an exultant King Power Stadium. After the players had been called up one by one to a hastily constructed on-pitch plinth – the biggest cheers reserved for...

Jermain Defoe toast of Sunderland after match-winner lifts them out of Premier League relegation zone

Sat, 07 May 2016 17:15:30 +0000

Jermain Defoe was again the toast of Sunderland on Saturday after his winner in a 3-2 victory over Chelsea lifted them out of the relegation zone, leaving Newcastle United and Norwich City on the verge of the drop. Unbelievable character from the boys, everyone worked hard. We have always been confident, never thought about being relegated Sunderland match-winner Jermain Defoe Defoe scored his 15th league goal of the season to lead a stunning comeback victory against Chelsea who had captain John...

Middlesbrough are back in the Premier League after shoot-out worth £170 million

Sat, 07 May 2016 15:15:30 +0000

Middlesbrough are back in the Premier League after a 1-1 draw with 10-man Brighton & Hove Albion in their multi-million pound promotion decider on Saturday while Burnley sealed the Championship title with a 3-0 victory at Charlton Athletic. When I arrived here, some people said I was crazy when I said my aim was to take this club back to the Premier League Aitor Karanka Middlesbrough needed just one point and Brighton had to win in the last game of the season to secure automatic promotion to the...

Leicester success gives hope to the world’s bottom-feeders

Sat, 07 May 2016 08:05:54 +0000

You try to find words for what Leicester City have done in winning the English Premier League title this past week and none suffice. The 5,000-1 shot came in and while the history of sports is rife with great upsets, they were mostly a single game or match. This was a championship won over a 38-match schedule in the world’s most popular professional league, one that has basically been the sole domain of mega-rich clubs and global icons like Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester City...

I don’t have a problem with brawling Spurs, says Pochettino as Dembele gets six-match ban

Sat, 07 May 2016 04:19:04 +0000

Mauricio Pochettino insists Tottenham’s ugly response to the end of their Premier League title challenge is actually a good omen for the future. Pochettino will be without key midfielders Mousa Dembele and Dele Alli for Tottenham’s final home game of the season against Southampton on Sunday as the pair serve suspensions accrued during the tense conclusion to their team’s unsuccessful bid to catch champions Leicester. Dembele was hit with a six-game ban for gouging the eye of Chelsea’s Diego...

Liverpool still focused on the league insists Klopp – as he prepares to send out reserves again

Sat, 07 May 2016 04:06:27 +0000

Juergen Klopp insists Liverpool have not given more to their efforts in Europe than they have in the Premier League as he prepares to send out another below-strength side against Watford on Sunday. Klopp has guided Liverpool to the final of the Europa League against holders Sevilla after they saw off Villarreal 3-0 in Thursday’s semi-final second leg at Anfield to go through 3-1 on aggregate. Inevitably, that leaves Klopp’s focus on the final in Basel on May 18, when Liverpool will be looking to...

Leicester City are unique, a one-off – but the most stunning champions of England in Premier League history are the real deal

Fri, 06 May 2016 08:30:30 +0000

Leicester’s unlikely rise to the top of English football is being held up in business schools as a lesson on how to achieve victory against overwhelming odds. Leicester picked a perfect year in which to give the world-weary a rare fairy tale with which we can all identify and rejoice in Earnest MBA students want to know what makes the Foxes winners and how their overachieving formula can be copied, and no doubt then mass-produced, marketed and sold for a profit. Some analysts claimed Leicester...

Premier League bets of the weekend: Back them again, Leicester have been outstanding value all season

Fri, 06 May 2016 06:30:30 +0000

Well done Leicester City, worthy English Premier League champions by virtually every measure. While many expected Claudio Ranieri’s men to crack under pressure, they stood firm and saw Manchester City, Arsenal and finally Tottenham lose their nerve and form. Leicester’s triumph was about much more than the star players and the team functioned no matter what Wins: Leicester have a 61 per cent strike rate, the best in the league, and crucially they have been effective at every level. Against...

As Leicester City have shown, the little guy can win

Tue, 03 May 2016 14:23:03 +0000

Fairy tales do come true. But once we grow up, sport offers one of the few remaining hopes, like a lifelong supporter dreaming of his team defying odds of 5,000 to 1 to win the English Premier League. It has finally happened, with Leicester City breaking the stranglehold on the title of a handful of wealthy clubs to whom money is no object in signing the right player. As a result, Leicester City can expect a £150 million (HK$1.7 billion) boost from prize money, revenue from participation in the...