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Republic of Ireland 0-0 Croatia | International friendly match report

??? Republic of Ireland 0-0 CroatiaThe Republic of Ireland extended their unbeaten run to five games after playing out a goalless draw with Croatia in their friendly at the Aviva Stadium on Wednesday night.However, the hosts, who had won their previous four fixtures, were fortunate not to go in a...

Football quiz: Wesley Sneijder

Today's questions may be moving to ManchesterIan McCourt

In praise of??? postponing this weekend's football | Editorial

Excited post-match crowds streaming through cities that have already suffered riot damage is a recipe for troubleEven in more peaceful times, there can be something intrusive about the early start of the football season. In this country, football is so redolent of the winter months that, at the...

Peter Ridsdale faces big test of his suitability to take over Plymouth

??? Former Leeds chairman to meet Football League officials??? Ridsdale's bid funded by Truro City's chairman Kevin HeaneyPeter Ridsdale heads to the Football League on Thursday in an effort to persuade board members of his suitability to take over Plymouth Argyle. One of football's bubbliest...

Fernando Torres of Chelsea suffers concussion in Spain defeat by Italy

??? Striker plays 14 minutes of match in Bari??? Alberto Aquilani's late goal gives Italy victoryThe Chelsea and Spain striker Fernando Torres was injured and substituted in the first half of a friendly against Italy in Bari on Wednesday night, where a late goal from the Liverpool midfielder...

F??bregas and Nasri move closer towards ??55m Arsenal exit

??? Barcelona and Manchester City confident of deals??? Both players to miss Saturday's visit to NewcastleBarcelona are increasingly confident that they will finally secure the Arsenal midfielder Cesc F??bregas before the weekend as negotiations with the London club over a fee edge closer towards...

Tottenham face tough task to land Athletic Bilbao's Fernando Llorente

??? Basque club unwilling to accept offer under ???36m??? Spurs may take another look at Villarreal's Giuseppe RossiTottenham Hotspur face an uphill task if they are to sign the Spain forward Fernando Llorente from Athletic Bilbao, with his club unwilling to accept an offer that does not trigger...

Opta users now more likely to wear a manager's jacket than an anorak

Premier League clubs are increasingly relying on statistics to shape their transfer policyHere is something you probably did not know: only 13 players across Europe's top five divisions created more goal-scoring chances last season than Chris Brunt, with the West Bromwich Albion midfielder's tally...