News Headlines

Everton's 'diamond of English football' Ross Barkley enjoys licence to thrill from Roberto Martinez show of faith

Roberto Martinez, the Everton manager, has shown faith this season in Ross Barkley as his playmaker and the 20-year-old is revelling in the freedom he has been afforded.

Morose Jose Mourinho seems hurt by reaction after labelling Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger a 'specialist in failure'

Jose Mourinho, the Chelsea manager, has rarely hesitated to express an opinion, which is why the conscious decision to keep his counsel on the eve of Everton’s visit today was all the more noteworthy.

Wayne Rooney contract: David Moyes told striker he had gone 'a bit soft' before convincing him to sign new £300,000-a-week deal with Manchester United

Manchester United manager David Moyes has described how a management strategy of brutal honesty with Wayne Rooney – which included telling him he had “gone soft” as a player – triggered the turnaround which has seen the 28-year-old sign a new £300,000-a-week Old…

Arsenal v Sunderland: Mesut Özil taken out of firing line by Arsène Wenger after penalty miss

Arsène Wenger is prepared to drop Mesut Özil and recall Olivier Giroud as Arsenal try to get their title challenge back on track at home to Sunderland.

Jay Rodriguez interview: Southampton striker on his World Cup hopes and his goalscoring hot streak

The top English goalscorer in the Premier League, after Daniel Sturridge? That would be Jay Rodriguez, the Southampton striker with the exotic surname, whose form over the last three months will make him, at the very least, a candidate for the England squad that Roy Hodgson names on Thursday.

Man Utd could not afford to let Rooney go

Manchester United spending £85m on Wayne Rooney's new contract is a shrewd move, argues sports editor David Bond

Pellegrini backs Demichelis

Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini has defended his continued selection of defender Martin Demichelis.

Arsenal to recall Giroud, rest Özil

• Giroud likely to replace Yaya Sanogo for Sunderland match • Özil to be left out after penalty miss against Bayern Arsène Wenger is adamant that Olivier Giroud has not been affected by recent problems in his private life and that the striker is in the right frame of mind to…

Wellington Phoenix give Central Coast a hiding to bounce back into top six

Phoenix back on track leaving Mariners in danger of sliding out of top six