It's not a real day of the week without an entertaining Paolo Di Canio quote. The Sunderland manager is ready to wield the axe after getting fed up of the lack of discipline among his players. He said: "I don't care to have argument with my players but they have to go through the rules. [...]
Paolo Di Canio says he is tempted to slap Sunderland youngster Connor Wickham to ensure he fulfils his potential. The Black Cats boss is keen to see the 20-year-old live up to the expectations that came when he arrived on Wearside from Ipswich for £8.1 million two years ago. He said: "Maybe, with this guy, [.
Stoke midfielder Charlie Adam could have been forgiven for thinking the world was out to get him during last night's draw with Sunderland. Not only did he survive a potentially leg-breaking tackle, which saw the Black Cats' Craig Gardner sent-off, he also tangled with the advertising hoardings. Perhaps unsurprisingly, Gardner is the man giving the [.
Aston Villa fans might have known that last night's match against Sunderland was going to be a good night from the moment defender Ron Vlaar stepped into midfield and drove the ball into the net from 30-yards. And the skipper's stunning strike ultimately set Paul Lambert's side on the way to a 6-1 thrashing of [.
Most people will see this as an unfortunate bit of pronunciation from Sunderland manager Paolo Di Canio; Liverpool fans will probably see it as an accurate description. The Black Cats boss' post-match interview following last night's 6-1 spanking at Aston Villa was overshadowed by the Italian bending his use of his second language to breaking [.
The first job for Paolo Di Canio after guiding Sunderland to victory in today's Tyne-Wear derby against Newcastle is to get a phone number for Jose Mourinho's dry cleaner. The Black Cats' new manager was left with grubby knees after this Special One-esque celebration.
Last season Arsenal visited the Stadium of Light around about this time, Feb 11th to be exact, and came back with a vital late win thanks to an Arshavin assist and an Henry goal. While the comeback was complete, it was far from a comfortable win. Indeed, the Gunners lost at the same venue a week later in the FA Cup.
James Perch has said there was frustration in the dressing room after the Sunderland game on Sunday when the lads came so close to a famous victory with only 10 men against the Black Cats. James Perch in action on Sunday James had to come on after Cheick Tiote had been sent off, and [...]
Sunderland's trip to the Etihad Stadium on Saturday afternoon was not very rewarding. Aleksandar Kolarov contributed a goal and an assist as Manchester City dominated the match, earning a 3-0 victory over the visiting Black Cats. The hosts...
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Sunderland has finally secured a deal for Wolverhampton Wanderers striker Steven Fletcher. The
Black Cats have been chasing the signature of Fletcher for more than a week now, and once the deal
is completely finalized, they'll have a proven...
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1. Before you demonstrate a complete lack of cultural awareness, consider that biting is actually a very common gesture to signify good defending in Uruguay. 2. He might have a taste for human flesh, but Luis Suarez made the race for Champions League football very interesting with his late, late equaliser against Chelsea.
There were seven Premier League matches and the two FA Cup semi finals being played over this past weekend. We bring you the major talking points from this week's action.
1. The Tyne-Wear derby throws struggling Sunderland a lifeline
One of the biggest matches to be played over this weekend threw up the biggest surprise as Sunderland secured their biggest victory at St James' Park since 1979.
1. Sunderland's dry cleaning bill is going to rival Danny Graham's transfer fee as the Black Cats' biggest waste of money in 2013 if Paolo Di Canio carries on like that. 2. Arsenal mounted a fightback against Norwich built on the dodgy officiating foundations of a wrongly awarded corner, a soft penalty and an offside [.
1. There's been a robbery in north London. It appears Tottenham might have stolen Arsenal's self-destruct button. 2. It wasn't all doom and gloom for Spurs. Yes, they lost to Liverpool but their old boys secured an important victory over Sunderland. 3. After his stunning strike against the Black Cats, Andros Townsend has earned the [.
Liverpool will be aiming for back-to-back wins when they take on Sunderland at Anfield - something they have only achieved only once so far this season. However, the Black Cats are a side which has hit form in the past month, despite their narrow loss to Tottenham on Boxing Day, having won three of their last five Premier League matches.
Spurs are 1.36 with Betfred and Paddy Power to beat Reading at White Hart Lane and maintain their excellent run of form.
Saturday's come-from-behind 2-1 win at Sunderland means it's six wins in eight and they continue to impress under Andre Villas-Boas.
Gareth Bale is arguably the best player in the Premier League at present, despite the fact that he once again received some unwelcome press at the weekend and Jermain Defore is looking the real deal as the main man upfront.
1. Newcastle secured a Boxing Day defeat that Kevin Keegan would have been proud to preside over. 2. Sir Alex Ferguson decided that the season of goodwill should not extend to any match official involved in awarding Newcastle's second goal. 3. The Black Cats are unlucky for Manchester City. That's twice in two seasons that [.
Manchester City hit Sunderland for three as they got revenge for their 1-0 defeats to the Black Cats last season, with goals from Aleksander Kolarov, Sergio Aguero and James Milner.
City obvious favorites against Sunderland - originally posted on Soccerlens.com
Manchester City are a top priced 1.3 to beat Sunderland at the Etihad, but make little appeal at odds-on and a better value bet is for both sides to score at 2.2 with Boylesports.
City have lost none of their last 32 Premier League home games (W29 D3 L0), and have won have won nine and lost none of their last 12 in the top flight.
Liverpool must focus on on-field matters following an emotional week which saw the publication of the Hillsborough Independent Panel's report into the 1989 disaster. The Reds travel to the Stadium of Light to take on Sunderland in the Saturday evening kick-off. Both sides will be going all out to notch their first Premier League win of the campaign.
Swansea City 2-2 Sunderland Premier League 1st September 2012
Steven Fletcher celebrated his debut for Sunderland with a fine brace which would ultimately
earn the Black Cats a creditable share of the points at the Liberty Stadium.
Swansea tough nut to crack for Sunderland - originally posted on Soccerlens.com
Swansea look one of the bets of the weekend at 2.2 with Boylesports to beat Sunderland.
Despite the fact that they have won all three of their games this season by an aggregate of 11
goals to one, and have a tremendous record at home bookmakers still seem to take them on.
This Sunday's trip to Anfield represents the most difficult challenge for Arsene Wenger's
Arsenal but the Frenchman is still looking forward to playing a Liverpool side that is likely to
seek all three points.
Both clubs have yet to win following their first two Premier League matches, with the Gunners
drawing goalless against both Sunderland and Stoke City.
Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud has refuted Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho's assertion that
competing with La Liga duo Real and Barcelona is the most difficult challenge for any team, arguing
that the Premier League remains the toughest in the world.
Mourinho spent much of the summer defending the competitiveness of La Liga, insisting that the
quality of his Madrid side and their Catalan rivals is superior to all others in the world, not
merely their current Spanish competitors.
Big day for Sunderland on Friday as they signed Manchester City winger Adam Johnson and Wolves
striker Steven Fletcher.
"Adding quality players to the squad has been our main aim this summer and Adam certainly fits
that bill," O'Neill said. "He has terrific ability, great delivery and I'm sure he is a player who
will excite our fans.
Finally Adam Johnson has moved on from Manchester City, joining Sunderland in what is rumoured
to be a £15 million deal. This makes Sunderland's spending over the past 2 days around the £30
million mark with the acquisition of Steven Fletcher from Wolves yesterday for a similar amount.
The news was broken on the official Sunderland Twitter account, but it appears Adam Johnson will
have to complete a medical before finalising his transfer to Sunderland.
Manchester City close to making sensible winger swap - originally posted on Soccerlens.com
Manchester City's lack of activity in the transfer window this summer has largely been down to
the club having to tighten the purse strings due to the upcoming Fifa Financial Fairplay
regulations, with the Premier League winners needing to sell before they can splurge.
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has implied that Manchester United's aggressive pursuit of former
Gunners skipper Robin van Persie this summer was a desperation move as the Red Devils couldn't find
anyone else on the transfer market.
Wenger was responding to questions over his attacking signings this summer following the club's
0-0 draw at home to Sunderland yesterday and insisted that the likes of Lukas Podolski and Olivier
Giroud were some of the best available players on the market.
Alexander Buttner FM profile and his Manchester United prospects - originally posted on
Soccerlens.com
Media reports in Holland say that Alexander Buttner has traveled to Manchester to undergo a
medical ahead of a potential £3.5m-£4m move to Manchester United.
Buttner is a 23 year-old left sided player who can play higher on the wing or as left back, came
through the Ajax youth ranks and currently plays for Vitesse Arnhem.
Sunderland manager Martin O'Neil is interested in signing Manchester United striker Dmitar
berbatov, now surplus to requirements since the arrival of Robin Van Persie.
The Black Cats have reportedly put in a bid of £5 million for the Man United striker, but there
are a few other parties interested such as the Russian giants Zenit St Petersburg.
Arsenal started the new season much like they'd done the previous one, with a goalless draw.
Oddly enough, they've done so on only 5 occasions in 109 years...
Today was only the fifth time in 109 league seasons that Arsenal have kicked off with a goalless
draw-
Josh James (@JoshJJames78) August 18, 2012
Premier League Betting: Easy Starts And The RVP Factor - originally posted on Soccerlens.com
The new Premiership season is finally upon us, and their are some fascinating clashes in an action
packed weekend which throw up some decent punting opportunities (all football bets here). Arsenal v
Sunderland On Saturday, Arsenal are general 1.
Arsenal start at home. Martin O'Neill's Sunderland provide the first hurdle. Big games are just
around the corner and the transfer scene is very much alive, but once again we're at the time where
the next game means more than anything else.
Nicklas Bendtner has declared that he wants to leave Arsenal
in the summer transfer window on a permanent transfer. The Danish striker spent the 2011/12
Barclays Premier League season on loan at Sunderland but failed to impress the Black Cats manager
Martin O'Neill, who is not keen to recruit him on a permanent basis.
Arsenal and Liverpool face off this weekend in one of the marquee match-ups of a loaded weekend
of European soccer action, with each club looking for its first victory of the new campaign.
Arsenal have yet to score a goal, while Liverpool will be looking to build off a hard-fought 2-2
draw with title holders Manchester City.
Maurice Edu's move to Stoke City is not complete yet, but Rangers manager Ally McCoist confirmed
that the move is still in the works.Â
"I'm led to believe the Maurice Edu transfer to Stoke is still ongoing," McCoist told Sky
Sports. "If and when that happens, he will go with our best wishes, but I don't think there has
been anything concrete done with that at the moment.
Time is running short on Clint Dempsey's hopes at moving clubs before Friday's summer transfer
deadline, but Fulham manager Martin Jol revealed that potential for a move is there as the club has
ongoing talks with others about a transfer for the U.S. national team star.
Jol used Sunderland by name in his latest comments, marking the second club he has specifically
identified as a potential landing spot along with Liverpool.
Liverpool striker Andy Carroll could be set for a sensational switch to Sunderland, after Black
Cats boss Martin O'Neill hinted that he would like to bring him to the Stadium of Light.
Carroll, who cost Liverpool £35 million 18 months ago, looks to be leaving Anfield this summer,
after new head coach Brendan Rodgers indicated that the 23 year-old didn't feature in his plans for
the forthcoming season.
Murmurs buzzed Sunday evening of Clint Dempsey headed to Sunderland.
They've heated today with now news of a price ($12M USD) and that Sunderland midfielder and
former Manchester United castoff Keiran Richardson might be sent on the train the other way if
Dempsey moves to the Black Cats.
