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English Premier League International Football UEFA Euro 2024

GUEHI & MAINOO: HOW FAITH FROM THE DUGOUT IGNITED 1 CAREER, DOUBT HOBBLED ANOTHER

Jack Charlton, the legendary England centre-back, was having a drink at a hotel bar one night. Just then, the England manager, Sir Alf Ramsey, came in through the door. The two began talking and Charlton, who had been given his international debut by Ramsey at the age of 29, asked the manager why he had […]

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English Premier League

ODEGAARD: THE SOFT-SPOKEN VIKING LEADING ARSENAL’S TITLE CHARGE

Patrick Vieira made his debut for Arsenal at the old Highbury stadium against Sheffield Wednesday on September 16, 1996. “The first time he played, he came on in the first half, it was a shock to people,” recalled Arsene Wenger, who signed Vieira for Arsenal from AC Milan. “He was like a genie from the […]

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English Premier League

4 TAKEAWAYS FROM MAN UNITED’S 3-2 COMEBACK WIN OVER FOREST

Manchester United’s season roared into life following their 3-2 win over Nottingham Forest on Saturday, during which they came back from being 0-2 down inside 4 minutes. After 2 uninspiring outings against Wolverhampton Wanderers and Tottenham Hotspur in their first 2 matches of the new campaign, Erik ten Hag’s men finally showed the mettle of […]

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English Premier League

4 THINGS WE LEARNED ABOUT THE NEW CHELSEA FROM LIVERPOOL DRAW

Sunday’s Premier League match at Stamford Bridge between Chelsea and Liverpool, the pick of the new 2023/24 season’s first round matches, offers us some interesting insights into the new Chelsea being constructed under the ownership of Todd Boehly and co. After a disastrous 12th place finish last season and no European football this year, the […]

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English Premier League

ARSENAL WIN SEASON’S FIRST TROPHY, BUT HAVE ONE GLARING WEAKNESS

Pep Guardiola neared Mikel Arteta, put one arm around his shoulder and gave the Arsenal manager an affectionate smack on the jaw. Guardiola smiled, while Arteta grinned. Then master and pupil pulled away. Arteta put his hands in his pocket, staring straight ahead and started leading his team from the tunnel and on to the […]

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Bundesliga English Premier League La Liga Miscellaneous Serie A

STEALS OF THE SUMMER? A TEAM OF 11 TRANSFERS WHO COULD PROVE TO BE BARGAINS OF NEXT SEASON

In May 1977, Bob Paisley was in his third season in charge of Liverpool. He had already led the Reds to 4 trophies, including a ‘double’ of the First Division title and the UEFA Cup in the 1975/76 season. The 1976/77 season would see Paisley help Liverpool to another special achievement, this time a double […]

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Bundesliga English Premier League International Football La Liga Ligue 1

4 MANAGERS EYE A COMEBACK: HOLLYWOOD CAN TEACH THEM HOW TO MOUNT ONE

In 1938, Katherine Hepburn was one of Hollywood’s biggest stars. She had already won the Academy Award for Best Actress in 1934, and was widely acclaimed as one of the finest actors of her generation. But at just 31 years of age, she had also been labelled ‘box office poison’. In print. On May 3, […]

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English Premier League UEFA Champions League

HOW DO YOU STOP CITY? PART 2

Manchester City did the ‘Double’ of winning the English Premier League and the FA Cup this season when they beat Manchester United in the FA Cup final on June 3, having already secured the league title in May. However, Brentford had done their own ‘Double’ over the champions in late May, when they defeated City […]

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English Premier League UEFA Champions League

HOW DO YOU STOP CITY? PART 1

By all accounts, April Fools’ Day in Manchester this year was a quiet affair. But not at the Etihad stadium, where Manchester City hosted Liverpool in a crucial English Premier League match.  Jurgen Klopp’s men were trying to rally their way to Champions League qualification following a desperately disappointing season during which they had been […]

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English Premier League

CLEAN SHEETS IN HIS BAG, WEMBLEY IN HIS EYES: A NICK POPE STORY

Journalist: You never thought this day would come? Nick Pope: No. Journalist: Why? Pope: I’ve played in some cold, dark leagues. In League One and lower than that, and then also League Two, and Conference. The national team is a level .. you think it’s too far away almost.  Nick Pope was speaking in March […]