Chelsea & Liverpool top of the class but Pardew on the naughty step

The Premier League once again produced another action-packed Saturday as the title race took yet another turn, while Newcastle manager Alan Pardew hit the headlines for all the wrong reasons.

At the top of the table, Chelsea extended their lead with a comfortable 3-1 win over local rivals Fulham with Andre Schurrle the Blues' star man, hitting a second-half hat-trick to secure victory for Jose Mourinho's men.

Behind the Blues, Liverpool leapfrogged Arsenal after a 3-0 win at Southampton while the Gunners' title hopes took a knock after they slipped to a disappointing 1-0 defeat to Stoke City.

Manchester City, meanwhile, now lie fourth but with two games in hand over their rivals as they prepare for Sunday's Capital One Cup final with Sunderland.

However, perhaps the biggest news of the day was at St James' Park were Pardew was sent off after headbutting Hull City midfielder David Meyler.

Sunday, 2 March 2014 09:41

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Digging for gold: Draxler chase hots up

Arsenal missed out on closing a deal in January for Schalke wonderkid Julian Draxler and that may have cost them as Bayern Munich enter the race for the 20-year-old.

Draxler is expected to leave Schalke this summer and although the Gunners had been leading the race, it is no surprise to see his head turned by Pep Guardiola's runaway Bundesliga side.

The race is on...

Saturday, 1 March 2014 08:46

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AVB has Barca on the brain

In one of the more bizarre rumours of this season, Andre Villas-Boas was linked with the managerial job at Barcelona. Two things:

1) Villas-Boas has failed at Chelsea and Tottenham and been fired from both jobs.

2) Barcelona seem happy enough with Gerardo Martino.

Nevertheless, won't you let a man dream?

Friday, 28 February 2014 11:09

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Benzema, Bale & Cristiano turn to 'BBC' broadcast

Real Madrid obliterated Schalke on Wednesday night with two goals apiece from Karim Benzema, Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo in a 6-1 win leading to the trio being coined the 'BBC'.

Allegedly, their next trick is to turn to broadcasting with the actual BBC and deliver the news as accurately as their shooting and the weather as precise as their passing.

Thursday, 27 February 2014 10:37

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Zeusless: Hapless Manchester United stunned by Greek Gods

                                    

When did it get so bad? Just as it looked as though Manchester United had rediscovered their identity, they went and lost 2-0 at Olympiakos in a humbling Champions League last-16 first leg clash.

The Greeks were on top of their game throughout and scored once via a deflection off Alejandro Dominguez and again in the second half through Arsenal loanee Joel Campbell.

United were pega-sussed out by Michel, the Olympiakos manager, leaving Moyes wondering what's Demeter with his squad, while Robin van Persie moped about the pitch looking as if he'd Hades enough of this season already...

Wednesday, 26 February 2014 11:24

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Manchester United out to avoid Greek tragedy

Manchester United face Olympiakos in their first leg last-16 tie in Greece on Tuesday night and will be hoping to pick up a positive result to take back to Old Trafford.

David Moyes oversaw a convincing 2-0 win at Crystal Palace on Saturday and finally has his first choice strikeforce available to him.

Wayne Rooney has just signed a new five-and-a-half-year deal and celebrated the news by scoring United's second at Selhurst Park.

Olympiakos meanwhile, are without star striker Kostas Mitroglou - who joined Fulham in January - making their task even more difficult.

Tuesday, 25 February 2014 10:06

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Ozil dreaming of a winter break

It's fair to say that Mesut Ozil has not enjoyed his best week since swapping Real Madrid for Arsenal and the Premier League.

The German international was the villain in midweek, missing an early penalty against Bayern Munich in the Champions League, as the Gunners slipped to a 2-0 defeat that leaves their European hopes hanging by a thread.

And the £42 million man was left out altogether on Saturday to rest as the Gunners cruised to a 4-1 win over Sunderland.

Monday, 24 February 2014 11:46

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Llorente: I see Tevez more than my girlfriend

Fernando Llorente may be taking his strike partnership with Carlos Tevez a bit too far after admitting he spends more time with the Argentine than his girlfriend.

"We are both very different, but perhaps you need this to form a beautiful partnership. He is more aggressive than me, moves more, is smaller, you can see his desire to impress and score goals,” the Spaniard told Tuttosport.

"Off the field me and Tevez hang out a lot. We both are very family orientated, he has his wife and children, I have my girlfriend and parents when they come and see me.

"The fact remains that between training sessions I spend more time with Tevez than I do my own girlfriend."

Sunday, 23 February 2014 12:00

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Manchester United show Rooney the money

Wayne Rooney finally put pen to paper on a new Manchester United contract on Friday.

The new deal will potentially see the striker stay at the club until 2019 and earn a staggering £300,000-a-week.

That figure has seen plenty of onlookers question the deal, but David Moyes has no doubts about the value of the England international.

"Wayne has been the best player in England since I put him into the Everton first team in 2003," said Moyes.

"Since becoming United manager in July last year, I have enjoyed working with him and seeing just how he has developed his incredible talent.

"With his ability, his experience and his desire to succeed, he is a vital part of my plans for the future and I'm absolutely thrilled he has accepted the challenge."

Saturday, February 22, 2014 10:30

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SoldaD'oh! Spurs striker skies his sitter

It has been a difficult adaptation period for Roberto Soldado. The Spain striker signed for Tottenham for £26 million last summer but has struggled to find the back of the net this season.

He has scored just five goals from 21 Premier League matches, but with five in three the Europa League had provided him with a happier hunting ground. Until last night.

The striker looked set to put Tim Sherwood's men a goal up against Dnipro in the competition's last 32, but blazed well over with the goal wide open. The Ukranians went on to win the match 1-0. D'Oh!

Friday, February 21, 2014 12:00

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