Archive for the ‘Sunday Headlines’ Category

Sunday headlines is back as people around the world celebrate the biggest comeback of all time. J.C was not that kind of player.

Martin O’Neill leaves Sunderland knowing his magic touch deserted him

The obituaries for Martin O’Neill’s career  have come out in full force. A man once known for his infectious energy ran out of magic with the black cats, who teeter on the edge of disaster as the relegation race kicks into high gear. O’Neill enjoyed major success at Leicester, Celtic and Aston Villa. The Guardian’s Daniel Taylor outlines how bad it had gotten in Northeast England.

“O’Neill approached his first anniversary on a run of two wins from the last 21 league games going back to last season. At one point, Opta’s statistics showed that only one other team, Fortuna Düsseldorf, had managed fewer shots on target throughout the top five leagues in Europe. Their current run, no wins in eight games, has seen them fall to 16th position, having played a game more than the clubs below them, Wigan and Villa, both a point behind.”

An inability to adapt tactically coupled with a slew of poor signings–Adam Johnson needs no introduction–ultimately did O’Neill in. January signing Danny Graham hasn’t registered a goal and James McClean and Stéphane Sessègnon haven’t performed at the required level. Aside from Danny Rose and keeper Simon Mignolet, the players haven’t been good enough.Multiple outlets report Paolo Di Canio is on his way to meet with owner Ellis Short and could be named the new manager within 24 hours. Read the rest of this entry »

After a rather a lengthy hiatus Sunday headlines is back. What better time than the International break to catch up on interesting stories from around the globe.

Zeph Thomas: St Kitts international football to call centre in five months

For most young players, an international call up is confirmation. You’ve made it. That wasn’t the case for St Kitts international Zeph Thomas. After working his way into a possible first team selection for Scottish club Cowedenbeath, Thomas left for the Caribbean. Thomas qualified for eligibility through his grandfather and went to play for St Kitts in the qualifying round of the Caribbean Cup. When he got back his career as a footballer was left in flux.

“Upon his return to Scotland he found himself out of favour. He picked up a groin injury and was released by the team, nicknamed Blue Brazil, in January. Blue is probably the operative word to sum up Thomas’s mood since. He has been working for bookmakers William Hill in a Rotherham call centre while trying to find a way to continue his football career.”

As someone who worked in a call centre I can attest to their ability to destroy souls. Add in the fact that Thomas was a professional footballer before and that makes it even worse. Thomas awaits the results of an MRI scan, which will determine whether his career as a footballer is over. Read the rest of this entry »

Controversial Luis Suárez goal seals Liverpool win at Mansfield

Andre Marriner will do well to forget this game. After consulting with touch official Mike Mullarkey — keep it together — Marriner allowed Suarez’s goal in the 58th minute. The Urugyan striker’s post goal celebration — one he has been doing all year — acknowledged the role his hand played in the goal. It really didn’t. The kiss was less enthusiastic than usual — this is what’s it has come to — and he does in commemoration of his daughter, whose name is tattooed on his wrist. The fourth official claims to have saw it and ruled it accidental. He got it wrong. We can learn something from Mansfield Town manager Paul Cox: “He is an incredible talent and a great player, for me to come out and criticize him for that would be very cheap. I can’t fault him for something that 99 out of 100 strikers would do.” Well said. Read the rest of this entry »

Frank Lampard shows Chelsea his predatory instincts are undimmed

Two goals and a man of the match performance later, Franky Lamps has increased his sale price. Asked about his future after the game, Lampard responded to questions regarding his future at Chelsea in a coy manner. “He hoped the new year would find him playing for a winning team.” That doesn’t sound like he’ll be plying his trade in London in the new year. Goals number 193 and 194 led Chelsea to a come from behind win over Everton at Goodison. Whatever happens in the next few weeks Lamps will go down as a Pensioners legend.

 Arsenal coach Arsene Wenger reiterates desire to keep hat-trick hero Theo Walcott after Newcastle blitz

“My desire is to extend his contract. I think he belongs here. Hopefully we can do it.” Theo’s handlers have played this situation perfectly. Refusing to acquiesce to Arsenal’s wage stipulations, Walcott is now position to parlay his recent success into a giant pay day. On Tuesday Theo will get to explore his options. It’s 50/50 at this point.

If Mourinho leaves, who could possibly replace him?

Over at ESPN Rob Train delves into the murky world that is speculation. Jorge Valdano and Mou’s relationship has reached its boiling point. The replacements suggested by Train are your usual suspects: Ancelotti, Guardiola, Benitez — but the most the intriguing name on the list is Swansea boss Michael Laudrup. A former star at Real, Laudrup would be a gutsy hire for a club in need of an identity chance.

Nani Manchester United exit rumours denied by Sir Alex Ferguson

Nani will not be sold next month. At least that’s the message sent by Alex Ferguson when asked about the Portuguese winger’s future at United. “We need a Nani. He offers something different from the other players. He’s an incredible talent, the boy’s a great talent.” Talent twice in one sentence. Regarding reports indicating United would sign Robert Lewandowski: “It’s nonsense. Absolute nonsense.”

Debuchy heading to Newcastle as Magpies seal £5.5m deal

In desperate need of healthy, capable players, Newcastle has moved closer to their long awaited acquisition of Lille defender Mathieu Debuchy. Alan Pardew’s quest for Marseille striker Loic Remy will cost a little more. Ten million more pounds.

Redknapp targets four January signings as he looks to save QPR from the drop

Will José Mourinho still be at Real Madrid for the Manchester United tie?

For the first time in 10 years Iker Casillas was on the bench. José Mourinho’s gambit didn’t pay off. Roque Santa Cruz scored twice (audible gasp) on Antonio Adán. Real’s title aspirations are cooked, but the lasting memory from Malaga’s 3-2 victory will be Mou’s decision to drop Casillas from the lineup. When asked if Adán was the better keeper Mourinho responded in classic style: ” “In my opinion? Of course.” Rumors of infighting has plagued the club. Mourinho has refered to ‘three rotten eggs’ within his squad. His decision to drop Casillas will be seen as an outing. He’ll continue to fight, managing a team full of crest fallen players, but it appears the end is near for Jose in Madrid. Read the rest of this entry »

Braces are in.

Chelsea distraught after losing to Corinthians in Club World Cup final

For the first time in six years the Club World Cup will reside outside of Europe. Chelsea depart Yokohama in shambles, Gary Cahill’s petulance the lasting memory in a depressing trip across the globe. The Guardian’s Dominic Fifield assessed the scene:

“Trophies are slipping through their fingers almost carelessly these days, though this still felt particularly crushing. Ramires, exhausted and distraught as he slumped to the turf, had to be consoled by team-mates and coaching staff. David Luiz, in floods of tears, sat alone and hardly able to watch his compatriots mass together before lifting the trophy.”

Contrary to popular opinion, this tournament did matter. The jubilation felt by the Time do Povo faithful at Yokohama Stadium could be felt — the drums helped, being awake at seven in the morning EST didn’t. Cassio was terrific in goal. Rafa Benitez now adopts the role of soothsayer. “This has ended up feeling like a damaging experience.”

Yes, Arsenal are struggling but sensible people should be defending Wenger now

Gary Neville drops some wisdom over at the Daily Mail. Earlier this week Arsenal legend/former manager George Graham stated Arsenal would never win the league again. G-Nev responded:

“Sensible football people should be defending Arsene Wenger and fighting for him to build another great Arsenal team. And we certainly shouldn’t be sat here saying:  ‘Arsenal will never win another title.’ To me, that seems absurdly reactive.”

I’ve been guilty of whinging about the supposed plight Arsenal faces in the new age of money dominated football. I will not apologize, however, for stating the truth. If the Gunners want to win they must spend. Arsene Wenger’s tactical prowess, his acquisitions on the transfer market — these decisions should be questioned. Hyperbolic claims like the ones made by Graham aren’t helpful. As Neville rightly states, did anyone think Manchester City or Chelsea would be lifting trophies 15 years ago?

Everton midfielder Marouane Fellaini apologises for head-butt on Stoke City defender Ryan Shawcross

Hopefully the way Everton has reacted to this incident is remembered. There was no hedging, no maybes. David Moyes said his club would accept any punishment from the FA. “I have told him [Fellaini] in the dressing room that it is not acceptable – I won’t accept it as a manager that he does that.” Ryan Shawcross is no saint — there were many who applauded MF’s headbutt. But let’s be serious. That deserves a suspension. The Toffees handled this well.

Van Persie shows his true colours with rendition of Glory Glory Man United at Christmas party… but Kagawa steals show with Gangnam performance

The match of the day features the two hottest names in football — Messi and Falcao. Graham Hunter’s excellent piece for ESPN FC details Atletico’s troubles at Camp Nou after the departure of Fernando Torres. Though he lives for the big moments, Falcao has struggled to make an impact against the big boys in Spain. We’ll cover the game later today. Predictions anyone?

Everton conjure up victory over Tottenham with two extra-late goals

We all make mistakes. Just don’t use that excuse when you’ve wronged David Moyes. After getting screwed against Newcastle and Wigan in recent weeks, Kevin Friend decided against awarding Everton two penalties in the first half (one sketchy, one worthy). It got worse. Clint Dempsey’s American on American goal came off a Sylvain Distin deflection. On the good days things even out. Two goals in injury time — with help from atrocious Spurs defending — led Everton to victory in a cracker at Goodison Park. AVB is going to be exchanging some depressing texts with Roberto Mancini tonight.

Fellaini commits to Everton

Speaking of the Toffees we get the standard “I’m not going to leave, no matter what (but really I am)” quote from Marouane Fellaini — the it man in English Football at the moment. Do you believe him? Here’s the quote:

“My head is exclusively with Everton – I’m saying nothing about all the rumours. Although I’m happy to be praised for my performances, my future is with Everton. I’m on a good run and I want that to continue against Spurs. We are playing well enough to fight for a European place, even the Champions League, but we must retain this rhythm all season. It won’t be easy but we want to do it.”

The headline hardly reflects the content of the quote, but I clicked. In the end that’s all the powers that be want. Bastards.

Mancini blasts Balotelli as striker storms off after being replaced in Manchester derby

Perhaps Mario will say the same to Roberto. Look, this relationship clearly has to end for the sake of both men and the club as a whole. As I said earlier, nobody wins when both individuals end up looking like idiots. Players aren’t happy when they’re substituted early. Managers aren’t happy when a player they select fails to perform. It happens. Let’s move on.

Report: Sneijder-PSG deal

Wes needs to get out of Milan. It appears that wish will be granted in a month’s time. The Dutchman won’t see the field until he signs a new deal that saves Inter some cash. SportMediaset — strange name — say a deal with PSG has already been made. Makes sense. Freedom for Wes, fewer twitter exposes from his wife.

Fergie set to beat Premier League rivals with lease deal for Palace star Zaha 

The always entertaining Daily Mail has the scoop. The deal is contingent on Fergie letting the 20 year old striker spend the rest of the season on loan at Selhurst Park. From the comments we get this gem from Gunnerfresh: “If zaha is an arsenal fan then everything is wrong with football if he joins any other team at this stage of his career.” That’s a bold claim, GF.

Chelsea step up pursuit of Radamel Falcao or Gonzalo Higuaín, despite Fernando Torres’ improvement