A warning to in-play bettors – first goal at Wembley is not so crucial
Features
Four of the Premier League's current top six will be doing battle at Wembley this weekend – but if you are betting in-play during the FA Cup semi-finals, remember that when the best teams play each other the first goal can be less decisive than it is on other occasions.
Source: Guardian Unlimited
Date Published: April 17, 2009
Banks take control at West Ham as financial crisis deepens
Features
West Ham United will be taken over by a consortium of international banks in the coming weeks. Icelandic government-appointed officials running the stricken investment bank Straumur are set to take control from Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson at Upton Park as they seek to recover the money lost in the collapse of that nation's economy.
Source: Guardian Unlimited
Date Published: April 17, 2009
Friday's football rumours: Romario to Loftus Road. No, not to play.
Features
Here in the sports department we don't worry about political correctness. Only proper journalists covering real news have to bother about that kind of thing. No, we think what we like and say what we want. Unless the in-house lawyer takes an interest, in which case we say something less interesting instead. We still think what we like, though.
Source: Guardian Unlimited
Date Published: April 17, 2009
Ian McGeechan's Lions selection could include shocks for some big names
Features
This is going down to the wire. I don't want to sound corny but there are four days left before the Lions squad is announced and places are still in the air. Games this weekend, particularly the Anglo-Welsh Cup final at Twickenham tomorrow, will be a big deal for some players.
Source: Guardian Unlimited
Date Published: April 17, 2009
Joleon Lescott warns Manchester United to beware Everton
Features
Crammed around a television screen at Goodison Park a little under two weeks ago, Everton players rejoiced at the sight of Manchester United snatching an injury-time winner. Joleon Lescott had a couple of reasons for grinning from ear to ear when Federico Macheda struck against Aston Villa but, lest anyone at Old Trafford gets the wrong idea, having a soft spot for Sunday's FA Cup semi-final opponents was not among them.
Source: Guardian Unlimited
Date Published: April 17, 2009
Liverpool furious at Charles Itandje's antics at Hillsborough service
Features
Liverpool will intensify their efforts to off-load Charles Itandje this summer after the reserve goalkeeper behaved offensively during the Hillsborough memorial service at Anfield on Wednesday.
Source: Guardian Unlimited
Date Published: April 17, 2009
Passionate Manchester City give Abu Dhabi owners glimpse of a better future
Features
In a week when all the talk was of pressure on Mark Hughes, and Khaldoon Al Mubarak, Sheikh Mansour's emissary, flew in to watch his first match as Manchester City's chairman since January, the club's Abu Dhabi owners published yet another statement, insisting they are not about to replace Hughes with a more charismatic coach.
Source: Guardian Unlimited
Date Published: April 17, 2009
Robin van Persie fears Midas touch of Chelsea's Hiddink
Features
Robin van Persie is painfully aware that Arsenal will face more than the might of 11 Chelsea players in tomorrow's FA Cup semi-final at Wembley. The Guus Hiddink effect has long been known to Dutchmen. The worry is that the manager has arrived in west London at precisely the wrong moment.
Source: Guardian Unlimited
Date Published: April 17, 2009
Roy Hodgson talks money with Al Fayed as Fulham prepare for Europe
Features
Roy Hodgson's transformation of Fulham has reached such proportions that the manager has admitted to holding a "cursory meeting" with his chairman, Mohamed Al Fayed, about bolstering the squad in preparation for a European campaign next season.
Source: Guardian Unlimited
Date Published: April 17, 2009
Scudamore takes risk by backing Bin Hammam
Features
Richard Scudamore has taken the unprecedented step of providing political support to Mohamed Bin Hammam, the Asian Football Conference's president, as he stands for re-election to the Fifa executive committee.
Source: Guardian Unlimited
Date Published: April 17, 2009
