Soccer | PREMIER REPORT Jan 7, 2012

Man United's flaws on display in loss

by Christopher Davies

Wayne Rooney looked like someone who had not been training properly during a shocking cameo display in Manchester United’s 3-0 defeat at Newcastle three days ago. Perhaps that isn’t too surprising. Last weekend Rooney was dropped by Sir Alex Ferguson after a dinner he ...

Soccer | PREMIER REPORT Dec 31, 2011

Spurs in position to live up to stature

by Christopher Davies

Bill Shankly, the former Liverpool manager, once remarked that Tottenham is not a club which wins trophies, it loses them. Harsh but fair. Since their last title 50 years ago, Spurs have won the F.A. Cup five times, the League Cup four times, two ...

Soccer | PREMIER REPORT Dec 24, 2011

Terry's future with England in doubt

by Christopher Davies

The season of goodwill? I don’t think so. Happy New Year? I doubt it. In the coming weeks John Terry, the England captain and Harry Redknapp, the England manager-elect, will both appear in court, Terry charged with a racism offense and Redknapp with tax ...

Soccer | PREMIER REPORT Dec 17, 2011

Redknapp wants two refs per match

by Christopher Davies

It has been another bad week for referees. Chris Foy (Stoke vs. Tottenham) and Mark Clattenburg (Chelsea vs. Manchester City) became the latest to be blamed for the defeats of Spurs and City by, unsurprisingly, the losing managers. While it is far easier to ...

Soccer | PREMIER REPORT Dec 10, 2011

CL exit exposes Man United's flaws

by Christopher Davies

Three weeks ago, Sir Alex Ferguson walked out of a UEFA news conference when he was asked a question by a reporter that began: “With the two best teams in the Premier League struggling in Europe. . . “ Ferguson cut him short and ...

Soccer | PREMIER REPORT Nov 26, 2011

Villas-Boas walking tightrope

by Christopher Davies

Andre Villas-Boas is on “a knife edge” and “the noose is tightening,” according to reports after Chelsea lost 2-1 to Bayer Leverkusen, leaving their Champions League qualification hopes in the balance. Of course, it is totally ridiculous to even think about sacking a manager ...

Soccer | PREMIER REPORT Nov 19, 2011

Blatter's remark on racism utterly unacceptable

by Christopher Davies

It was not a slip of the tongue. He was not, as he claimed, misunderstood. Sepp Blatter, who sadly is still the president of FIFA, does not make such mistakes. Despite coming out with the ramblings of an idiot, Blatter is intelligent, a former ...

Soccer | PREMIER REPORT Nov 12, 2011

Poppy row overshadows Spain visit

by Christopher Davies

We should have been talking about Xavi, Andres Iniesta, David Villa, Xabi Alonso, Sergio Busquets and the other superstars of European and world champion Spain. One of the truly great teams of any era is playing England at Wembley on Saturday but the visit ...

Soccer | PREMIER REPORT Nov 5, 2011

Best for Capello to leave Terry out

by Christopher Davies

The best that could happen to John Terry Saturday is that Chelsea beats Blackburn and he is injured. Not badly, just a hamstring strain perhaps. That way Fabio Capello and the Football Association would not have to make the decision whether to include the ...

Soccer | PREMIER REPORT Oct 29, 2011

Terry's reputation hangs in balance

by Christopher Davies

Tens of millions of pounds are riding on the outcome of the Football Association’s inquiry into allegations that Chelsea and England captain John Terry made a racist remark at Anton Ferdinand of Queens Park Rangers. Yes, that much. While everyone is innocent until proven ...

Soccer | PREMIER REPORT Oct 22, 2011

Time for Manchester City to show mettle

by Christopher Davies

There are defining moments in every season and the winning goal scored by Manchester City’s Sergio Agüero against Villarreal last Tuesday is one of them for 2011-12. A disappointing home draw was suddenly a memorable Champions League victory and the wild celebration by Roberto ...