Champions League elimination

A time for reflection needed by Guardiola and Mourinho after Champions League elimination

 May 1, 2014   John Welsh

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Before a 3-3 home draw with Hoffenheim in late March, Bayern Munich were being talked about as the invincible team, with a record points tally in the Bundesliga and a retention of the Champions League trophy anticipated. Similarly, prior to a 2-1 home defeat by Sunderland in mid-April, Chelsea were considered a decent bet for […]

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Liverpool

Liverpool can still clinch Premier League title despite Chelsea setback

 April 28, 2014   John Welsh

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In much the same way as Atletico Madrid failed to penetrate the Chelsea defence in midweek, Liverpool also displayed a lack of ideas when trying to breach the Blues rearguard in Sunday’s Premier League clash at Anfield. For now, the 2-0 defeat means that Liverpool have lost the advantage in the title race as Manchester […]

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Klitschko

Klitschko wins again but a unification bout may be more distant

 April 27, 2014   John Welsh

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Wladimir Klitschko duly retained his WBA, WBO, IBF and IBO World Heavyweight titles by recording a fifth round knock-out in defeating Australian challenger Alex Leapai. Yet the fact that his brother Vitali has relinquished the WBC version of boxing’s most cherished prize still poses questions as to whether the Ukrainian champion can unify the division. […]

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Sevilla

Improving Sevilla aiming for late season flourish

 April 26, 2014   John Welsh

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After the Semi-Final first legs of both UEFA competitions, three of the four ties are finely balanced, yet in Seville on Thursday night a 2-0 victory for the some team against Valencia was much more decisive and is further indication that improving Sevilla are a force to be reckoned with in this competition after a […]

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Manchester United potential managers

Moyes departure draws attention to his potential replacements at Manchester United

 April 23, 2014   John Welsh

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Now that David Moyes has finally departed the Old Trafford hot seat after seemingly weeks of endless speculation regarding his tenure in the job, Manchester United must now focus on securing a replacement. Yet that task may be driven by their immediate vision as to whether they hire an experienced manager to provide short-term stability […]

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Old Trafford

Rebuilding job still needed at Old Trafford despite Moyes departure

 April 22, 2014   John Welsh

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The news that David Moyes has been dismissed from the role as Manchester United manager is perhaps no great surprise given the amount of adverse publicity for the team in recent weeks and the mounting speculation regarding his tenure at the club. A lack-lustre 2-0 defeat at Everton was probably the final nail in the […]

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Liverpool

Liverpool emerge as clear Premier League title favourites after Sunderland exploits

 April 22, 2014   John Welsh

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After scoring 38 goals in winning 11 successive Premier League games,Liverpool have emerged as clear favourites to win the title with just three fixtures remaining. Yet their current five point lead in the league table owes as much to the current exploits of basement team Sunderland as to their own impressive recent form. Condemned by […]

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Copa del Rey- Bale

Bale finally emerges from the shadow of Ronaldo after stunning Copa del Rey goal

 April 17, 2014   John Welsh

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Prior to the 2014 Copa del Rey final between Real Madrid and Barcelona, much of the debate focussed on the recent indifferent form of the Catalan team and the fitness issues of Madrid striker Cristiano Ronaldo. With the Portuguese striker eventually declared as unfit to play, there was speculation the team would lack that vital […]

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County Championship

International commitments could weaken Durham in 2014 County Championship

 April 16, 2014   John Welsh

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The resumption of the County Cricket season in England was greeted with centuries by both Alastair Cook and Ian Bell in the opening matches of the 16 match championship series, but for 2013 Division One title winners Durham, failure to end the last wicket partnership of Northants resulted in their four day fixture finishing in […]

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Bubba Watson

Bubba Watson displays greater composure to regain Masters title

 April 14, 2014   John Welsh

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When a recurring back injury enforced the absence of Tiger Woods from a US Masters Golf tournament for the first time in nearly 20 years and then the popular Phil Mickelson missed the half-way cut, it appeared that the 2014 renewal had lost a certain aspect of its glamour. Yet 2012 winner Bubba Watson and […]

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