The year saw Arsène Wenger’s arrival, Manchester United chasing down Newcastle in the Premier League and developments still talked about todayIt is England v Scotland on Friday night in this, the 20th anniversary year of one of the more joyous occasions at Wembley, so nostalgia is perfectly permissible for Euro 96, when the hosts’ brand of uninhibited football was bettered only by some even less inhibited goal celebrations. Related: From the Vault: Paul Gascoigne's wondergoal against Scotland at Euro 96 Related: Twenty years of Wenger: where are the Arsenal manager’s rivals from 1996 now? Related: On Second Thoughts: Rob Smyth says Euro 96 wasn't how it is usually remembered Continue reading...
With the top-flight back in action this weekend, we take a look at the top seven’s strengths, weaknesses, squad depth and key players before asking whether they have got what it takes to win the leagueThe Premier League is back after the international break and, following a breathless start to the season, we assess the top seven sides in the league in search for clues as to which side will lift the trophy come May. Manchester City are the early pacesetters but their defeat at Tottenham Hotspur have given the rest of the clubs hope. It is also worth remembering that seven games into last season, Louis van Gaal’s Manchester United were top, West Ham United third and eventual winners...
Shkodran Mustafi revelled in bruising battle with Sam Vokes but last-minute goal off an arm was fair reflection of Arsenal’s attacking threat against BurnleyAll four sides of Turf Moor applauded Arsène Wenger in recognition of reaching 20 years as Arsenal manager as he walked across the pitch before kick-off. Only one side applauded Wenger’s exit and his response – a sheepish wave from hip-height – said everything about an anniversary where the most important gifts arrived courtesy of the match officials. Related: Laurent Koscielny’s debatable Arsenal winner breaks Burnley at the last Related: Arsenal fans have journey to Burnley thrown into chaos after train hits cows Continue reading...
It’s a really troubling conclusion but is backed up by the fact that the best we can do in terms of home-grown options is a mere handful at mostly struggling Premier League clubsWhat a thoroughly depressing week for English football. By the end of it there was almost a feeling of relief at the Daily Telegraph’s investigation turning up a few more names, because it allayed the suspicion that the object of the whole exercise from the start had simply been to bring down the England manager.While that false impression prevailed there had been a certain amount of sympathy for Sam Allardyce, on the grounds that entrapment should be used only as a last resort to bring criminality to light,...
Some will be unhappy but who is enthused by the English candidates to succeed Sam Allardyce?It is 16 years now since the Football Association had the temerity to appoint its first foreign England manager, namely Sven-Goran Eriksson, and it can be enlightening to look back at the coverage of the time and remind yourself how many people seemed to think it was the end of civilisation as we knew it.The Daily Mail is a good place to start when it comes to the froth of moral indignation that greeted the Swede. “England’s humiliation knows no end. In their trendy eagerness to appoint a designer foreigner, did the FA pause for so much as a moment to consider the depth of...