David Villa lauds unique Liverpool star
Football story by sport.co.uk, Thu, 04 Mar 2010 09:08:51GMT

Valencia striker David Villa has praised his international striker partner Fernando Torres, claiming the Liverpool FC star is lsquo;uniquersquo; and lsquo;a striker with so much quality, such magic and so much experience.rsquo; The prolific pair have struck up a brilliant partnership for the Spanish national side and although Villa has plundered more goals than the Liverpool FC talisman, the Valencia forward believes Torres is a brilliant player whose explosive power sets him apart from his peers. Villa is likely to start alongside Fernando...

Academy chief lauds Eastmond development
Football story by sport.co.uk, Thu, 04 Mar 2010 09:08:49GMT

Arsenal Academy director Liam Brady believes that young midfielder Craig Eastmond can only get better and that once he has fully developed physically hersquo;ll be a serious contender for Arsene Wengerrsquo;s first team. The Wandsworth born 19-year-old has successfully bridged the divide between youth team level and first team action, making his Arsenal debut in the Carling Cup against Liverpool before testing himself in the Champions League against Olympiakos and Premier League against Bolton Wanderers. Originally raised as a right-back Eastmond has since...

Traore: Gibbs competition is healthy
Football story by sport.co.uk, Thu, 04 Mar 2010 09:08:47GMT

Arsenalnbsp; defender Armand Traore believes that the competition provided by Kieran Gibbs for the left-back slot at the Emirates has pushed him to a higher level. Both players have provided back-up for French international Gael Clichy this season although with Gibbs ruled out for the season , following a metatarsal break suffered before Christmas, the 20-year-old former Monaco starlet is the next in Arsene Wengerrsquo;s pecking order. The French under-21 international, who made his debut for Arsenal in 2006 as a 17-year-old,...

Top Ten: Influential Premier League signings
Football story by sport.co.uk, Thu, 04 Mar 2010 09:08:46GMT

Manchester United, Arsenal FC, Newcastle United, Chelsea FC, West Ham United, Liverpool FC and Manchester City have all thrived for one reason or other after they signed a player for their respective clubs. Sport.co.uk checks out the Top Ten: Influential Premier League signings. The transfer that saw this mercurial striker arrive from Leeds United to Manchester United is arguably one of Sir Alex Fergusonrsquo;s greatest acts at the Old Trafford helm, while the Arsenal FC player in question, arrived at Highbury and...

Spurs make Hawthorns capture following United raid
Football story by sport.co.uk, Thu, 04 Mar 2010 09:08:44GMT

Tottenham Hotspur have confirmed that West Bromwich Albionrsquo;s Darren Eales will become Spurrsquo;snbsp; new Club Secretary following Manchester Unitedrsquo;s successful capture of current office holder John Alexander. United and Spurs are usually more accustomed to doing business for players on the pitch rather than high-ranking staff with both Michael Carrick and Dimitar Berbatov making the move from White Hart Lane to Old Trafford in recent years. On leaving White Hart Lane, Alexander will replace Manchester United secretary Ken Ramsden, only the fourth man...

Three overrated West Ham United players
Football story by sport.co.uk, Thu, 04 Mar 2010 09:08:41GMT

Angry comments at the ready, dear readers! Sport.co.uk selects three West Ham United players who are highly thought of inside and/or outside of Upton Park but whom we ndash; or at least this writer ndash; fail to see what all the fuss is about. Feel free to correct us in the comments section, Hammers fanshellip;or indeed Gianfranco Zolahellip; nbsp; Mark Noble ndash; Loyal and committed the 22 year-old midfielder may be, but he is also slow, technically unremarkable and not especially effective at...

Capello hails match changing Crouch
Football story by sport.co.uk, Thu, 04 Mar 2010 09:08:37GMT

Fabio Capello believes Peter Crouchs ability to change games makes him a vital player in his England squad.Crouch virtually secured his seat on the plane to South Africa for the World Cup with a brace of goals during Wednesdays 3-1 victory over Egypt.The Tottenham striker replaced ineffective club-mate Jermain Defoe at half-time and bagged two goals in Englands final game before Capello names his provisional World Cup squad.He has now scored 20 goals in 37 international appearances for the Three Lions.Shaun...

Terry grateful for England support
Football story by sport.co.uk, Thu, 04 Mar 2010 09:08:31GMT

Former captain John Terry thanked the England fans for their support following Wednesdays 3-1 friendly win over Egypt.Terry was jeered by a minority of fans at Wembley during the early stages of the pre-World Cup victory following recent allegations surrounding his private life.Head coach Fabio Capello stripped him of the captains armband following the lurid allegations, but Terry appeared to win over his critics after overcoming a shaky start to produce a solid performance at the heart of the defence.Before the...

Sad Grant fears the worst
Football story by sport.co.uk, Fri, 26 Feb 2010 08:44:49GMT

Portsmouth manager Avram Grant fears that the troubled club are about to go into administration.Cash-strapped Pompey are expected to enter administration on Friday in a last-ditch bid to avoid a winding-up order and will be deducted nine points in the process, effectively sealing their relegation to the Championship.Grant has been the manager at Fratton Park since November following Paul Harts departure but admits it has been a difficult time in his career.He told Sky Sports News: "I feel very sad, very...

Pompey going into administration on Friday
Football story by sport.co.uk, Fri, 26 Feb 2010 08:44:47GMT

Portsmouth have confirmed that they will go into administration on Friday after failing to find a buyer to help clear their debts and end fears of the club being wound up in the High Court.The move is expected to offer Pompey a chance of survival as they look to avoid the winding-up threat Her Majestys Revenue and Customs are trying to impose on them.HMRC are chasing the South Coast club for a staggering £11million tax bill and, with former owner Sacha...