Western Sydney Wanderers made history this weekend without even kicking a ball in the Hyundai A-League. The Wanderers drew their second leg of the Asian Champions League Final 0-0 in Saudi Arabia against Al Hilal to record a 1-0 aggregate victory to become the first Australian side to win the competition. Tomi Juric’s first leg goal back in Sydney gave the Wanderers something to hold on to as they battled and, sometimes rode their luck, against Al Hilal passionate and expecting capacity crowd. Despite the gulf in wealth and stature, Tony Popovic’s side of A-League cast offs and young guns…
Author: Simon Wilderspin
Divock Origi will not be allowed to return to Liverpool midway through his season-long loan at Lille, despite Brendan Rodgers’ sides struggles to find the net. Origi, 19, signed a six-year deal with Liverpool in the summer but was immediately loaned back for the season to Lille, the club where he had established his reputation as one of Europe’s most exciting talents. With Mario Balotelli so far failing to fill the void left by Suarez’s £75 million summer departure for Barcelona and Daniel Sturridge hampered by injury problems, there had been speculation Liverpool could recall Origi, who has scored three…
Premier League sides Aston Villa, Stoke City and Queens Park Rangers are set to make January loan offers for Clint Dempsey. The Seattle Sounders front man has been instrumental in his sides success this season, winning the 2014 MLS Supporters’ Shield and Open Cup as well as being in contention to complete an historic treble by adding the MLS Cup. The former Tottenham striker joined another former club Fulham last season on loan and reports suggest the striker would be willing to make another temporary move again to the Premier League. The 31-year-old has scored 15 goals and added 10 assists…
A look at the weekend’s action from the A-League in Australia, which saw Melbourne Victory won the derby. The Melbourne derby was anything but a close and edgy encounter as the Victory put five goals past their local rivals in a seven goal thriller. International marquee Besart Berisha was the standout performer in the match as the striker netted a hat-trick to ensure David Villa’s penultimate game for City ended in defeat. Villa, who has been on loan from New York City – another club owned by English side Manchester City – has cut short his spell in Australia to head…
Liverpool look set to beat Arsenal and Tottenham to the signing of Birmingham starlet Demarai Gray. The 18-year-old has been in sensational form for Birmingham, including a virtuoso display against Bolton last weekend which have led to comparisons to Liverpool and England ace Raheem Sterling. Reports suggest that London rivals Arsenal and Tottenham are keen to land the England Under-19 international but Liverpool have a huge advantage over the London clubs after agreeing a right to match any offer from another side with Birmingham. The deal was struck as one of the conditions for Liverpool sending Jordan Ibe to the…
Manchester United left back Luke Shaw can’t wait for this weekend’s ‘massive’ clash with league leaders Chelsea, the team he supported growing up. Shaw was a regular spectator at Stamford Bridge growing up in London and has played there with previous club Southampton. But the 19-year-old knows his new side are in for a different type of encounter with the Blues as one of Europe’s most marquee fixtures takes place this Sunday. He told Inside United magazine: “Playing against Chelsea is a big thing in my family and among my friends because I was born around that area of London.…
Chelsea could lose Petr Cech as early as January if the goalkeeper finds himself out of the first team picture, with rivals Manchester United and Liverpool tracking the 32-year-old. The Czech Republic international is known to be disgruntled at sitting on the bench behind Thibaut Courtois, who has established himself as Jose Mourinho’s number one after three successful season loans to Atletico Madrid. Cech’s agent, Vitkor Kolar was initially asked about a possible move to Serie A side Roma but has not ruled out his client staying closer to home. He told ASRomaChannel.eu: “There are many options, not just one.…
Gareth Bale has been ruled out of Real Madrid’s upcoming clash with Liverpool in the Champions League and the weekend’s El Clasico against Barcelona. Real Madrid take on Liverpool for their Champions League showdown at Anfield on Wednesday night but it looks like Gareth Bale will not be in action in what would have been his first game away to Premier League opposition since leaving Tottenham. According to reports, Bale will miss Real’s big clashes with Liverpool and Barcelona as the former Saints and Spurs man is suffering from muscle problems. The Welshman is a major doubt for the El…
Sydney FC came from two goals down to win an epic derby 3-2 against a 10-man Western Sydney Wanderers in front of a record crowd at Allianz Stadium on Saturday night. The visitors looked on course for a comfortable victory as they raced to a 2-0 lead inside 24 minutes thanks to goals from Mark Bridge and an embarrassing own goal by Vedran Janjetovic. But Corey Gameiro pulled one back right on the stroke of half-time and further goals by Sasa Ognenovski and skipper Alex Brosque – after Vitor Saba was shown a straight red card – capped an amazing…
Marcelo Bielsa expressed his pride as Ligue 1 pacesetters Marseille equalled a club-record eighth straight league win on Sunday. Marseille continued their winning streak with a 2-0 victory over 9th placed Toulouse at the Stade Velodrome thanks to goals from Nicolas N’Koulou and Ligue 1’s top scorer and rumoured Premier League bound Andre-Pierre Gignac. Despite the millions spent by PSG which lead to the inevitable title favourites tag, the former ten time French champions Marseille have been a cut above the rest this season. The win means Marseille now hold a seven-point advantage at the top of France’s top flight…