Sunday 31 August 2008

Premier League results for Sunday, 31 August 2008

Aston Villa 0-0
(HT 0-0)
Liverpool


Bookings:
Skrtel 13
Dossena 66

Villa put on a tough fight and where no walk over for Liverpool. Torres picked up and injury and that had a huge effect on the team but also showed how reliant they are on Torres.

Liverpool and Aston Villa played out a cagey goalless draw at Villa Park.

John Carew was denied by the feet of Pepe Reina, while David Ngog shot just over the bar after being set up by Robbie Keane in a dour first half.

Keane was put clean through by Javier Mascherano after the break but scuffed his shot wide when in front of goal.


Aston Villa: Friedel, Luke Young (Milner 64), Laursen, Davies, Shorey (Gardner 79), Reo-Coker, Petrov, Barry, Ashley Young, Carew, Agbonlahor.
Subs Not Used: Guzan, Harewood, Knight, Salifou, Routledge.

Liverpool: Reina, Arbeloa, Carragher, Skrtel, Dossena, Kuyt (Aurelio 70), Alonso, Mascherano, Leiva Lucas, Keane (Benayoun 79), Torres (Ngog 30).
Subs Not Used: Cavalieri, Agger, Babel, El Zhar.

Booked: Skrtel, Dossena.

Att: 41,647.

Ref: Martin Atkinson (W Yorkshire).

____________________________________________________________________

Chelsea 1-1
(HT 1-1)
Tottenham
Belletti 28

Bent 45+1
Bookings:
Deco 10
J Cole 45
Bosingwa 86



A resolute Tottenham earned their first point of the season as they held a frustrated Chelsea to a draw.

Michael Essien hit the bar for Chelsea before they went ahead from a disputed corner after Darren Bent's sliced clearance went in off Juliano Belletti.

But Bent atoned when he slotted in the equaliser after inadvertently being played in by Chelsea's Frank Lampard.

The home side dominated possession in search of a winner but Spurs repelled their attacks to hold on for a draw.
____________________________________________________________________

Sunderland 0-3
(HT 0-1)
Man City


Ireland 45+1
Wright-Phillips 50
Wright-Phillips 58
Bookings:
Bardsley 60
Healy 66
Richardson 74
Chimbonda 77

Bookings:
Richards 31
Kompany 33

Shaun Wright-Phillips scored a second-half brace on his Manchester City return as Mark Hughes's side cruised to victory at Sunderland.

City took the lead through Stephen Ireland who side-footed the ball home after Danny Collins had deflected Michael Johnson's cross into his path.

Wright-Phillips then pounced at the back post to make it 2-0 tapping home Jo's cross from close range.

He then flicked Michael Ball's long ball past Craig Gordon for 3-0.

Sunderland: Gordon, Bardsley, Nosworthy, Collins, Chimbonda, Malbranque, Leadbitter (Murphy 60), Reid, Richardson, Cisse (Stokes 60), Diouf (Healy 60).
Subs Not Used: Ward, Miller, Yorke, Higginbotham.

Booked: Bardsley, Healy, Richardson, Chimbonda.

Man City: Hart, Corluka, Richards (Ben-Haim 46), Dunne, Michael Ball, Ireland, Hamann, Johnson (Gelson 81), Kompany, Wright-Phillips (Elano 85), Jo.
Subs Not Used: Schmeichel, Garrido, Evans, Sturridge.

Booked: Richards, Kompany.

Goals: Ireland 45, Wright-Phillips 50, 58.

Att: 39,622

Ref: Chris Foy (Merseyside).


Saturday 30 August 2008

Premier League fixtures for 30th Aug 2008

Arsenal
3-0
(HT 2-0)
Newcastle
Van Persie (pen) 18
Van Persie 41
Denilson 59


Bookings:
Fabregas 52
Nasri 90+2

Bookings:
Coloccini 28
Given 52

Arsenal striker Robin van Persie scored a brace as his side found some of their irresistible form to beat Newcastle.

Van Persie powered in a spot-kick after Charles N'Zogbia handled an Emmanuel Adebayor cross as Arsenal overwhelmed a depleted Newcastle.

Michael Owen shot wide for the Magpies but Emmanuel Eboue's clever backheel left Van Persie to slide in and score.

Thicko Joey Barton went in with a heavy challenge but I'm sure the ref let it go, he will play a crucial part in Newcastle down fall mark my word.

Arsenal: Almunia, Sagna, Toure, Gallas, Clichy, Eboue (Walcott 72), Fabregas, Denilson (Song Billong 69), Nasri, Adebayor, Van Persie (Vela 63).
Subs Not Used: Fabianski, Ramsey, Djourou, Bendtner.

Booked: Fabregas, Nasri.

Goals: Van Persie 18 pen, 41, Denilson 59.

Newcastle: Given, Coloccini, Jose Enrique (Bassong 44), Taylor, Gutierrez (Barton 89), Guthrie, Butt, Beye (Edgar 89), N'Zogbia, Owen, Ameobi.
Subs Not Used: Harper, Tozer, Donaldson, Ranger.

Booked: Coloccini, Given.

Att: 60,067

Ref: Rob Styles (Hampshire).

____________________________________________________________________

Bolton 0-0
(HT 0-0)
West Brom
Bookings:
Nolan 34
McCann 41

Bookings:
Robinson 63
MacDonald 90+2

West Brom earned their first point of the season in a goalless draw at Bolton, but left the Reebok Stadium with thoughts of what might have been.

Ishmael Miller missed two terrific chances to give West Brom victory.

He hit wide from seven yards with only Jussi Jaaskelainen to beat, then headed weakly straight at the goalkeeper.


Bolton: Jaaskelainen, Steinsson, Andrew O'Brien, Shittu, Samuel, Joey O'Brien (Riga 14), McCann, Muamba, Gardner, Nolan, Davies. Subs Not Used: Al Habsi, Hunt, Helguson, Vaz Te, Dzemaili, Fojut.

Booked: Nolan, McCann.

West Brom: Carson, Zuiverloon, Meite (Hoefkens 46), Barnett, Robinson, Borja Valero (Cech 58), Koren (MacDonald 70), Greening, Morrison, Kim, Miller. Subs Not Used: Kiely, Bednar, Brunt, Moore.

Booked: Robinson, MacDonald.

Att: 20,387

Ref: Keith Stroud (Hampshire).

____________________________________________________________________

Everton 0-3
(HT 0-2)
Portsmouth


Defoe 12
Johnson 40
Defoe 69
Bookings:
Baines 87



Jermain Defoe struck twice as Portsmouth secured their first win of the season at Everton.

Defoe scored on the turn after 12 minutes, then set up Glen Johnson for a second five minutes before half-time.

Everton dominated for long periods, but David James was in superb form, saving brilliantly from Mikel Arteta.

Everton: Howard, Neville, Yobo, Lescott, Baines, Arteta, Rodwell, Jagielka, Osman (Baxter 71), Yakubu, Vaughan (Anichebe 58).
Subs Not Used: Turner, Jacobsen, Nuno Valente, Kissock, Wallace.

Booked: Baines.

Portsmouth: James, Johnson, Kaboul, Campbell, Distin, Diop, Davis (Mvuemba 90), Diarra, Armand Traore (Hreidarsson 77), Crouch, Defoe (Utaka 76).
Subs Not Used: Ashdown, Lauren, Sahar, Djimi Traore.

Goals: Defoe 12, Johnson 40, Defoe 69.

Att: 34,418

Ref: Mark Halsey (Lancashire)

____________________________________________________________________

Hull 0-5
(HT 0-2)
Wigan


Ricketts o.g. 5
Valencia 13
Zaki 63
Heskey 68
Zaki 81
Bookings:
Ashbee 40



An Amr Zaki brace ensured Wigan picked up their first points of the season as they cruised to victory away at Hull.

The 25-year-old Egyptian stroked home Antonio Valencia's cross for the third and fired in a thunderous drive that cannoned off the bar and over the line.

Wigan went in front as Kevin Kilbane's in-swinging corner was turned into his own net by Sam Ricketts, while Valencia raced clear to double their advantage.

Heskey fired the fourth, before Zaki completed the rout with his second.

The on-loan striker was a constant threat to the Hull defence, who also failed to deal with the impressive Ecuadorian midfielder Valencia.

Hull: Myhill, Ricketts, Brown, Turner, Dawson (Mendy 71), Fagan, Ashbee, Marney, Garcia (Barmby 60), Geovanni (Windass 56), Folan.
Subs Not Used: Duke, Hughes, Halmosi, Cooper.

Booked: Ashbee.

Wigan: Kirkland, Melchiot, Boyce, Bramble, Figueroa, Valencia, Palacios, Cattermole (Kapo 79), Kilbane (Brown 56), Heskey (Camara 85), Zaki.

Subs Not Used: Pollitt, Koumas, De Ridder, Kupisz.

Goals: Ricketts 5 og, Valencia 13, Zaki 63, Heskey 68, Zaki 81.

Att: 24,282

Ref: Michael Jones (Cheshire).

____________________________________________________________________

"
Middlesbrough 2-1
(HT 1-0)
Stoke
Alves 37
Sanli 85

Hoyte o.g. 71
Bookings:
O'Neil 78
Huth 81

Bookings:
Griffin 28
Fuller 52
Lawrence 64
Wilkinson 89


Sent off:
Faye 36

Middlesbrough's Tuncay struck in the dying stages to deny 10-man Stoke a vital away point at the Riverside.

Stoke had Amdy Faye sent off for a two-footed lunge on Mohamed Shawky and Afonso Alves stroked the subsequent free-kick in off the bar.

Stewart Downing missed a penalty after Seyi Olofinjana fouled Alves, but Justin Hoyte bundled into his own net under pressure from Dave Kitson.

Middlesbrough: Turnbull, Hoyte (Taylor 72), Wheater, Huth, Pogatetz, Aliadiere, Shawky (Digard 61), O'Neil, Downing, Alves (Mido 76), Sanli
Subs not used: Steele, Riggott, Emnes, Adam Johnson

Booked: O'Neil, Huth

Goals: Alves 37, Sanli 85

Stoke: Sorensen, Griffin, Cort, Abdoulaye Faye, Dickinson (Wilkinson 67), Lawrence, Olofinjana, Amdy Faye, Delap, Kitson (Cresswell 83), Fuller (Sidibe 74).
Subs Not Used: Simonsen, Whelan, Diao, Buxton.

Sent Off: Amdy Faye (36).

Booked: Griffin, Fuller, Lawrence, Wilkinson.

Goal: Hoyte 71 og.

Att: 27,627

Ref: Mike Dean (Wirral)

____________________________________________________________________

West Ham 4-1
(HT 2-1)
Blackburn
Davenport 12
Samba o.g. 20
Bellamy 90+3
Cole 90+5

Roberts 22
Bookings:
Bellamy 90+2

Bookings:
Grella 7
Roberts 27
Ooijer 30
Emerton 52
Nelsen 90+5

Blackburn missed the chance to go top of the Premier League as manager Paul Ince suffered a first defeat as Rovers boss at his former club West Ham.

Calum Davenport headed West Ham ahead before Mark Noble's scuffed shot went in off Christopher Samba for a second.

Jason Roberts poked in for Rovers, who were denied a leveller when Matt Derbyshire was dubiously ruled offside.

The victory will relieve the pressure on Hammers boss Alan Curbishley, while Ince will be left rueing defeat at a club whose fans he upset nearly 20 years ago.

West Ham: Green, Behrami, Davenport, Upson, Neill, Faubert (McCartney 60), Parker, Noble (Mullins 81), Etherington, Cole, Ashton (Bellamy 69).
Subs Not Used: Lastuvka, Boa Morte, Reid, Sears.

Booked: Bellamy.

Goals: Davenport 12, Samba 20 og, Cole 90, Bellamy 90.

Blackburn: Robinson, Ooijer, Samba, Nelsen, Warnock, Emerton, Reid, Grella (Andrews 46), Pedersen (Treacy 66), Roque Santa Cruz (Derbyshire 29), Roberts.
Subs Not Used: Brown, Mokoena, Villanueva, Simpson.

Booked: Grella, Roberts, Ooijer, Emerton, Nelsen.

Goals: Roberts 22.

Att: 32,905

Ref: Mike Riley (Yorkshire).

Wednesday 27 August 2008

Loads more gadgets

Check out all the new gadgets all over the place on the site theres something for every one

Tuesday 26 August 2008

Premier League gossip and transfer news

Sun 31st Aug 2008

Wigan striker Emile Heskey insists he is staying at the club, despite reported interest from Tottenham Hotspur. (The Sun, 1452 BST)

Real Madrid striker Robinho has told a news conference that he wants to leave Real Madrid and join Chelsea, while Blues chairman Bruce Buck has said a deal for the Brazilian is still some way off. (Various, 1259 BST)

Newcastle offer Michael Owen a new and improved three-year contract at St James' Park. (Official Newcastle website, 1208 BST)

Michael Owen could be next out of the door at Newcastle as he looks set to reject a new contract at St James' Park that would mean him taking a £1m-a-year pay cut. (Sunday Mirror)

Manchester United or Tottenham could be ready to bid for Owen, depending on the outcome of the Dimitar Berbatov saga. (Sunday Mirror)

Owen, 29, would be available for as little as £2m as Newcastle hope to cash in now instead of losing him on a free transfer at the end of the season. (Mail on Sunday)

Berbatov is set to seal a £28m switch to Old Trafford by the end of the transfer window at midnight on Monday. (The People)

Spurs have asked that Hull target Frazier Campbell, 20, be included in a £30m deal for the Bulgarian striker. (News of the World)

Midfielder Lassana Diarra, 23, will sign for Tottenham in a £12m deal if Portsmouth fail to offload a number of other players after manager Harry Redknapp was told he has to slash the club's wage bill. (The People)

Robinho's move from Real Madrid to Chelsea still appears to be on after the 24-year-old was left out of Real's squad to play Deportivo La Coruna on Sunday. (The People)

The Brazilian forward will also hold a press conference on Sunday, when he will apparently discuss his future. (Various)

Blackburn manager Paul Ince is lining up a move for Uruguayan striker Alvaro Recoba, who is a free agent after his Inter Milan contract expired. (Sunday Times)

Everton have made a £500,000 bid to bring former Celtic and Manchester United striker Henrik Larsson, 36, to Goodison Park. (Sunday Mirror)

West Ham have emerged as favourites to sign the Swedish striker for £1m. (News of the World).

Everton have also made a last ditch attempt to sign Sporting Lisbon midfielder Joao Moutinho and has offered a club record £18m for the 21-year-old. (News of the World)

Stoke are also closing in on the signing of Liverpool winger Jermaine Pennant for about £4m. (News of the World)

Blackburn are planning to bring Espanyol's 27-year-old Spanish winger Valdo to Ewood Park after losing ground in the race to sign Pennant. (News of the World)

West Ham have targeted Arsenal defender Johan Djourou as a replacement for Anton Ferdinand and are willing to pay £8m for the 21-year-old. (Sunday Mirror)

Arsenal have reportedly made enquires about taking Real Madrid's German defender Christoph Metzelder, 27, on loan for the season. (The People)

West Brom are planning a late £4m bid for Portsmouth striker David Nugent. (News of the World)

Stoke have launched a £5m bid to sign highly-rated Cardiff midfielder Joe Ledley and have also offered Ipswich Town £2m for striker Jon Walters. (Sunday Mirror)

Potters boss Tony Pulis is also set to bid £1.75m for Sunderland defender Danny Higginbotham. (Sunday Mirror)

Alexei Smertin and Collins John have been told they can leave Fulham on free transfers. (News of the World)

Fulham and Reading have been told they need to bid £2m to prise Tom Soares away from Crystal Palace. (Sunday Mirror)


Saturday 30th Aug 2008

Manchester United face late competition from German giants Bayern Munich to sign Dimitar Berbatov from Tottenham.(Various)

The Bulgarian striker's move from White Hart Lane is likely to be confirmed as soon as Spurs have wrapped up the purchase of Russian striker Roman Pavlyuchenko. (Various)

Pavlyuchenko's international team-mate Andrei Arshavin is unlikely to join him at Spurs as Zenit St Petersburg says the London club have failed to meet their asking price of £22m. (Various)

Tottenham are in the market for tough-tackling Portuguese defender Miguel Veloso, currently at Sporting Lisbon. (Daily Mirror)

Chelsea's £32m deal for Robinho is in danger of collapse after he was ordered to train by Real Madrid when he was supposed to be in London sealing his transfer to the Blues. (Daily Express)

Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill is poised to make an audacious move for West Ham's England striker Dean Ashton after missing out on Blackburn's Roque Santa Cruz. (Daily Mirror)

West Ham could make a late swoop for former Birmingham striker Walter Pandiani, who is at Spanish side Osasuna. (Daily Mirror)

Pablo Zabaleta claims he turned down Juventus to join Manchester City and his arrival could allow Croatia right-back Vedran Corluka to complete a switch to Tottenham. (Times)

Striker Louis Saha is likely to finalise a switch to Everton after being allowed to leave Manchester United on a free. (Times)

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has asked Gunners fans to stop booing Emmanuel Adebayor because of his demand to leave the club earlier in the summer. (Various)

Shaun Wright-Phillips says he has no hard feelings after he ended his spell at Chelsea and re-signed for Manchester City, insisting he never felt unwanted at Stamford Bridge. (Daily Mail)

Friday 29th Aug 2008


Bayern Munich have entered the race to sign Spurs striker Dimitar Berbatov. (The Sun, 1545 BST)

West Ham boss Alan Curbishley is under increasing pressure at Upton Park, with Croatia coach Slaven Bilic interested in succeeding him. (The Independent)

Real Madrid are ready to pull the plug on Robinho's £28m move to Chelsea and make him stay at the Bernabeu. (Daily Star)

Veteran Swedish striker Henrik Larsson is being linked with a move to Everton or Tottenham after a fall-out with Helsingborg chairman Sten-Inge Fredin. (Daily Mail)

Spurs have reached a verbal agreement with Manchester United to sell Dimitar Berbatov once the signing of Roman Pavlyuchenko has been finalised. (The Times)

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is now becoming increasingly pessimistic that any deal will be done for the £28m-rated Bulgarian striker. (Various)

Everton will move for Galatasaray midfield man Mehmet Topal if they fail to land their top target, Sporting Lisbon's Joao Moutinho. (The Guardian)

Sporting Lisbon may also have to fight off interest from Spurs for Moutinho's midfield partner Miguel Veloso. (The Guardian)

Aston Villa are weighing up a £5m move for Standard Liege's £5m-rated midfield man Marouane Fellaini. (Daily Mirror)

Portsmouth may move for former Arsenal and West Ham forward Freddie Ljungberg. (Daily Mirror)

West Ham could sign Uruguay striker Walter Pandiani, who is hoping to clinch a surprise move back to the Premier League. (The Times)

Newcastle are set to swoop for Rosenberg midfield man Per Ciljan Skjelbred after they were told he is now available. (Daily Star)

Preston want to strike a loan deal for Sunderland striker Anthony Stokes. (Daily Mail)

Manchester City want to sign Fluminese midfield man Thiago Neves. (Daily Mail)


Thursday 28th Aug 2008

Arsenal target Jonathan de Guzman is unlikely to leave Feyenoord before the transfer window closes, says his agent. "I don't expect a transfer of Jonathan this summer," Jan de Visser told Sportweek . "The price that Feyenoord ask for him is too much for the interested clubs." (Press Association, 1624 BST)

Osasuna striker Walter Pandiani is in talks with Premier League clubs, according to his agent Eugenio Botas. Fulham and West Ham have been linked with the Uruguay international. (Setanta, 1130 BST)

New Inter striker Victor Obinna Nsofor will be immediately loaned out to Everton. The 21-year-old Nigeria international striker made his name in Serie A with Chievo. (Goal.com, 1020 BST)

Brazil striker Robinho is so close to completing his £28m move to Chelsea he could make his home debut against Tottenham on Sunday. (Daily Telegraph)

Chelsea winger Shaun Wright-Phillips could undergo a medical with Manchester City on Thursday as he nears a £9m return to Eastlands. (The Sun, Guardian)

Man City could make a move for Brazil striker Ronaldo, who is currently without a club after being released by Italian giants AC Milan. Boss Mark Hughes is also eyeing Espanyol's £5m-rated right-back Pablo Zabaleta. (Daily Mail)

The Argentine could well be a replacement for Croatia defender Vedran Corluka, who is still an £8m target for Tottenham. (The Times)

Liverpool have moved a step closer to signing Espanyol's Albert Riera in an £8m deal - and the midfielder could feature in Sunday's match against Aston Villa. (Daily Express)

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is chasing Feyenoord's tough-tackling Jonathan de Guzman as the ideal midfield foil for playmaker Cesc Fabregas. However, the Canadian-born 20-year-old will cost up to £12m. (The Sun)

Blackburn are checking out Sparta Prague full-back Michal Kadlec, who has also been linked with a move to Celtic. Rovers boss Paul Ince has seen a £1m bid for Bolton keeper Ali Al-Habsi turned down. (Mirror)

Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate has told unsettled striker Mido he is not leaving the Riverside, despite rumours linking the Egyptian striker with moves to Wigan and German side Hamburg. (Mirror)

Southgate has also revived his interest in US international midfielder Michael Bradley, who plays for Dutch side Heerenveen. (Daily Mail)

West Ham have offered Benfica's Ivory Coast centre-back Marco Zoro a trial. (The Times)

West Bromwich Albion are hoping to beat Midlands rivals Birmingham City to the signature of Celtic defender Bobo Balde. (The Sun)


Wednesday 27th Aug 2008

Manchester United defender Nemanja Vidic has denied criticising Manchester in an interview with Russian football magazine Football Weekly (see below).

Kaka claims he has no intention of joining Chelsea and has pledged his future to AC Milan. "Me going to Chelsea? I'm staying as a Rossoneri player," he said. (La Gazzetta dello Sport 0915)

Chelsea will make a final £80m bid for AC Milan's Kaka, with the Brazil star reportedly keen on a move after the arrival of compatriot Ronaldinho at the San Siro, whose lifestyle does not meet with Kaka's approval. (Daily Mail)

The 26-year-old is being lured with a £200,000-a-week offer to join Luis Felipe Scolari's team. (Daily Mirror)

One Brazilian who looks certain to move to Stamford Bridge is Robinho after Chelsea agreed a £28.6m deal with Real Madrid. The Spanish club are preparing to replace the striker with Valencia's David Villa or Villareal's Santi Cazorla. (The Guardian)

Blues winger Shaun Wright-Phillips has been told to choose between a move to former club Manchester City or Everton, with Portsmouth deterred by the £10m price tag. (The Guardian)

Espanyol midfielder Albert Riera moved a step closer to becoming a Liverpool player in an £8m switch, with Liverpool set to recoup that money should they qualify for the Champions League group stage. (The Times)

Everton will discover whether their bid for Cameroon international midfielder Stephane M'Bia has been accepted by Rennes. The French club are holding out for £10m. (Daily Express)

Newcastle and Aston Villa are keeping tabs on Standard Liege midfielder Marouane Felliani, although they could be put off by the Belgian club's £10m price tag. (Daily Mail)

Stoke and Blackburn lead the contenders for Lens midfielder Kanga Akale. (Daily Mail)

Aston Villa will press ahead with plans to sign James Milner for £9m from Newcastle. (Guardian)

Four Championship clubs - Charlton, Ipswich, Bristol City and Norwich - are chasing Bolton's £1m-rated Iceland international striker Heidar Helguson. (Daily Star)

South Africa international midfielder Kagiso Dikgacoi claims he is close to joining Fulham from Golden Arrows. (The Times)


Tuesday 26th Aug 2008

With British record signing Andriy Shevchenko returning to former club AC Milan, Chelsea are also prepared to allow winger Shaun Wright-Phillips to re-join Manchester City for £9m, writing off an incredible £43m on the duo. (The Sun)

Everton and Portsmouth are also tracking Wright-Phillips. (Daily Express).

Chelsea's spending spree is set to continue with Real Madrid's Brazilian striker Robinho joining the club for a fee of between £27m (The Sun) and £31m (Daily Mirror).

Uefa Cup champions Zenit Petersburg are attempting to offload striker Andrei Arshavin to Chelsea after his protracted move to Tottenham collapsed. (Daily Express)

Tottenham striker Dimitar Berbatov could risk "rotting in the reserves" if his proposed £30m move to Manchester United fails to materialise. (Various)

Everton's bid to bring £12m-rated Espanyol winger Albert Riera to Goodison Park could be hijacked by rivals Liverpool, who have shelved plans to sign Aston Villa's Gareth Barry. (Various)



Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez could raise £7m through the sale of winger Jermaine Pennant and centre-back Sami Hyypia to Stoke, while Everton are also looking into Valencia's 6ft 8in Serbia international striker Nikola Zigic. (The Guardian)

Toffees boss Dave Moyes is close to adding Guinea defender Kamil Zayatte to his squad for £2.5m from Swiss club Young Boys. (Daily Mail)

After having a £7m bid for West Ham defender Anton Ferdinand accepted, Sunderland boss Roy Keane is turning his attention to Man City's £1m-rated full-back Michael Ball. (The Sun)

Arsenal centre-back Philippe Senderos is set to complete a year's loan to Italian giants AC Milan. (Various)

West Brom agree a £2.5m deal for Charlton's China international Zheng Zhi. (Daily Mirror)

Baggies manager Tony Mowbray is also lining up a £4m bid for Real Mallorca striker Oscar Trejo. (Telegraph)

Bolton's Switzerland international Blerim Dzemaili is heading for the Reebok Stadium's exit door - without making a single appearance for the club. (Daily Mirror)

Real Betis are ready to step in to take Manchester City flop Nery Castillo on a year's loan. (Daily Mirror)

Aston Villa have moved a step closer to landing Reading striker Kevin Doyle in a £7.5m deal. (Daily Star)



25th Aug 2008

Arsenal defender Phillipe Senderos is reportedly set to undergo a medical at AC Milan after signing a one-year loan deal with the Italians. (Sky Sports News, 1732 BST)

Manchester City have launched a £10m bid to re-sign Shaun Wright-Phillips and end the Chelsea player's nightmare. (Daily Express)

Striker Dimitar Berbatov could finally be on his way from Tottenham to Manchester United for a transfer fee of between £25m and £28m. (The Independent)

Tottenham boss Juande Ramos is ready to pay around £10m for Colombian striker Radamel Falcao after sending spies to his Argentine club River Plate. (Various )

Tottenham have been told they must pay £23m if they want to prise forward Diego Forlan from Atletico Madrid. (Daily Mail)

Ajax striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar is another player being looked at by Tottenham. (guardian.co.uk)

Espanyol have accepted a £12m offer from Everton for winger Albert Riera - but the player's preferred move is to Liverpool. (The Guardian)

Midfielder Stephane Mbia could yet end up at Everton, if the Merseyside club and Rennes can agree a transfer price between £7m and £10m. (The Guardian)

Portsmouth are bracing themselves for an £8m bid for Nico Kranjcar from Hamburg and Harry Redknapp may be pressurised to sell the midfielder. (Daily Star)

Pompey are also weighing up a move for Atletico Madrid's Brazilian midfielder Thiago Motta but may face competition from Everton. (Daily Mail)

Aston Villa are set to abandon their £9m bid for James Milner unless Newcastle are prepared to sell the midfielder - who is demanding a new contract - immediately. (Daily Mail)

Middlesbrough will resist any offers - thought to be around £14m - from Liverpool for winger Stewart Downing. (Daily Mail)

Manchester City are tracking Wolves midfielder Karl Henry after being impressed by his outstanding form for the Championship side. (Daily Mirror)

Sunderland are keen to sign Spain left-back Mariano Pernia from Atletico Madrid. The club may be forced to sell because of cash problems. (Daily Mirror)



Shevchenko completes Milan move

It was inevitable that the player would go but just a matter of time. Since he arrived at Stamford Bride he was a wasted talent. Although a lot of people think he was a waste of space I think the player was skilled and needed time to gel. He didnt have many starts with the first team and this can have an impact on a player.
The 31-year-old spent two seasons in west London after signing from Milan for about £30m in 2006.
Shevchenko, AC Milan's second-most prolific goalscorer of all-time, with 127 goals from 208 games, was unable to hold down a regular spot at Chelsea, scoring only nine goals in 47 appearances, but maintains he enjoyed his time at the club.


Premier League result for 25th Aug 2008

Portsmouth 0-1
(HT 0-1)
Man Utd


Fletcher 32
Bookings:
Diop 18
Defoe 80

Bookings:
Brown 44
Fletcher 90+3

Darren Fletcher's deflected first-half strike was enough to give Manchester United victory over Portsmouth.

Pompey went close after only 12 seconds when Papa Bouba Diop's shot whistled past the post, before Wayne Rooney shot straight at David James from 12 yards.

An hour of the game had been played before Portsmouth forced Edwin van der Sar into his first save, beating away substitute Thomas's vicious drive.

Portsmouth: James, Kaboul, Campbell, Distin, Johnson, Diop, Davis (Utaka 66), Diarra, Armand Traore (Thomas 56), Crouch, Defoe.
Subs Not Used: Ashdown, Lauren, Hreidarsson, Mvuemba, Sahar.

Booked: Diop, Defoe.

Man Utd: Van der Sar, Brown, Ferdinand, Vidic, O'Shea, Fletcher, Anderson (Possebon 76), Scholes, Evra, Rooney, Tevez.
Subs Not Used: Kuszczak, Neville, Fabio Da Silva, Rafael Da Silva, Gibson, Campbell.

Booked: Brown, Fletcher.

Goals: Fletcher 32.

Att: 20,540

Ref: Chris Foy (Merseyside).

Monday 25 August 2008

Premier League results for 24th Aug 2008

Man City 3-0
(HT 0-0)
West Ham
Sturridge 65
Elano 70
Elano 76




Bookings:
Behrami 23
Noble 33


Sent off:
Noble 38

Manchester City eased to their first Premier League victory of the season against 10-man West Ham.

City hit the woodwork twice through Tal Ben-Haim's deflected shot and Martin Petrov's free-kick before West Ham had Mark Noble sent off for two bookings.

The visitors were under the cosh but held out until Daniel Sturridge rifled into the roof of the net on 65 minutes.

Stephen Ireland crossed for Elano to smash in a second before setting up the Brazilian to volley home City's third.

Man City: Hart, Corluka, Richards (Hamann 54), Ben-Haim, Michael Ball, Ireland, Kompany, Johnson, Petrov (Etuhu 77), Elano (Evans 77), Sturridge.
Subs Not Used: Schmeichel, Garrido, Gelson, Caicedo.

Goals: Sturridge 65, Elano 70, 76.

West Ham: Green, Behrami, Davenport, Upson, Neill, Faubert, Noble, Parker, Etherington (Boa Morte 74), Ashton, Cole (Sears 31), Sears (Mullins 46).
Subs Not Used: Lastuvka, Reid, Bowyer, Spence.

Sent Off: Noble (38).

Booked: Behrami, Noble.

Att: 36,635

Ref: Howard Webb (S Yorkshire).

___________________________________________________________________



Wigan 0-1
(HT 0-1)
Chelsea


Deco 4
Bookings:
Cattermole 49

Bookings:
Terry 14
Carvalho 74


A disappointing Chelsea held off a determined Wigan to grind out a win courtesy of Deco's 25-yard free-kick.

The midfielder scored after just three minutes when he found the top corner after Lee Cattermole had handled.

But Wigan hit back and Blues keeper Petr Cech had to pull off smart saves to keep out shots from Wilson Palacios and Amr Zaki.


Wigan: Pollitt, Melchiot (Camara 85), Boyce, Bramble, Figueroa, Valencia, Cattermole, Palacios (Kapo 80), Koumas (De Ridder 46), Heskey, Zaki.
Subs Not Used: Nash, Sibierski, Kilbane, Brown.

Booked: Cattermole.

Chelsea: Cech, Bosingwa, Carvalho, Terry, Ashley Cole (Bridge 83), Ballack, Essien, Lampard, Deco, Anelka (Malouda 89), Joe Cole (Kalou 58).
Subs Not Used: Hilario, Ivanovic, Alex, Belletti.

Booked: Terry, Carvalho.

Goals: Deco 4.

Att: 18,139

Ref: Alan Wiley (Staffordshire).

Sunday 24 August 2008

Berbatov, time to go.


So this is what its come to. Premier League clubs paying top wages to players and you get a pre Madonna like Berbatov saying he wont play , well if Ramos doesn't get rid of him then it'll be the biggest mistake made this season for Spurs. He has to get someone up front as he'll loose is second striker already loosing Keane to Liverpool and he'll probably loose Berbatov to Man Utd this coming week. The "take it or leave it offer" from United of £25m is more than generous for the forward, so come on Ramos pull your finger out.
Ramos isn't quick to make a deal and stalls just look at the Bentley deal and how long he screwed around with that, so don't expect speedy replacements for strikers at White Hart Lane.

Saturday 23 August 2008

Premier League gossip and transfer news


24th Aug 2008

Manchester United have made a £25m take-it-or-leave-it bid to Tottenham for Dimitar Berbatov. (News Of The World)

Newcastle are set to offer £12m for Chelsea winger Florent Malouda, if the Blues sign Robinho from Real Madrid. (Mail On Sunday)

Rafael Benitez is ready to bid £14m for Stewart Downing to solve Liverpool's left-side problem. (News Of The World)

Sunderland are chasing Wolves' Wales star David Edwards. (News Of The World)

Michael Owen is willing to let his Newcastle contract, which ends this season, run down as Newcastle want him to take a wage cut to stay.(News Of The World)

Fulham are putting together a £2.5m move for Osasuna's Czech Republic midfielder Jaroslav Plasil. (News Of The World)

Bolton boss Gary Megson has turned his attention back to Fulham's Jimmy Bullard after dropping plans to sign James Harper from Reading. (News Of The World)

Blackburn must bid £6m if they hope to land Liverpool winger Jermaine Pennant. (News Of The World)

Everton's first signing of the summer could be Egyptian striker Emad Meteb, who plays for Al-Ahly. (News Of The World)

West Ham staff will fly to Italy this week to attempt to lure Ghana midfielder Stephen Appiah to Upton Park. (News Of The World)

Portsmouth face competition from Borussia Dortmund for the signature of Lens defender Nadir Belhadj. (News Of The World)

Arsenal could loan defender Johan Djorou to Rennes after signing Mikael Silvestre. (News Of The World)

But Arsene Wenger has been told by Liverpool to stump up £16m if he wants Xabi Alonso. (Sunday Express

23rd Aug 2008

Andrei Arshavin could finally be on his way to Tottenham after Zenit St Petersburgh agreed to lower their £20m price tag. (The Times)

Everton are poised to sign Espanyol's £12m Spain winger Albert Riera from under the noses of Liverpool. (Daily Mirror)



Everton are also in pole position to sign Valencia's Serbia striker Nikola Zigic on loan. (Times)

Alan Curbishley insists Anton Ferdinand is still part of his plans at West Ham, despite reports he was on his way to Sunderland. (Daily Mirror)

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is still working on bringing Spurs striker Dimitar Berbatov to Old Trafford, despite admitting he is less optimistic about the deal than two weeks ago. (Various)

Robinho took a step closer a move to Chelsea after the Brazilian urged Real Madrid to allow him a move to London. (Daily Express)

Mikael Silvestre's arrival at Arsenal could hasten the exit of centre-back Philippe Senderos to either AC Milan or Newcastle. (Daily Express)

Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill insists Arsenal are not interested in signing England midfielder Gareth Barry. (Times)

Manchester City are lining up a move for Brazil midfielder Thiago Neves from Fluminese after seeing him impress at the Olympic Games. (Times)

Chelsea boss Luiz Felipe Scolari has left the door open for bids for Shaun Wright-Phillips by admitting he sees no problem in the club further trimming his squad. (Guardian)

Middlesbrough striker Mido is considering a loan move to Wigan, knowing boss Steve Bruce tried to sign him when he was at Birmingham. (Various)




22nd Aug 2008

Middlesbrough striker Mido claims he is mulling over the chance to join Wigan. (www.FilGoal.com 1629 BST)

Everton are set to hold talks with giant Serbian striker Nikola Zigic, who is no longer wanted by Valencia. (Liverpool Echo 1208 BST)

Liverpool reject a £2.5m bid from Stoke City for defender Sami Hyypia. (Liverpool Echo 1158 BST)

West Ham defender Anton Ferdinand will complete an £8m move to Sunderland on Friday. (The Sun)

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has refused to rule out a move for Aston Villa midfielder Gareth Barry. (Daily Mirror)

Juventus midfield man Tiago is the latest player to reject Everton after insisting he will not make a loan move to Goodison Park. (The Sun)

Chelsea have increased their bid for Real Madrid forward Robinho to £28.4m in an attempt to finally clinch a deal. (The Sun)

Manchester City defender Vedran Corluka could finally make his move to Tottenham after the Eastlands club agreed to sign Hamburg's Vincent Kompany. (Daily Mail)

Everton will make a £7m bid for Switzerland midfield man Goekhan Inler in an attempt to finally clinch their first signing of the summer. (Daily Mirror)

Wigan have warned Liverpool off a move for midfielder Wilson Palacios by insisting he is worth as much as £18m-rated Gareth Barry. (Daily Mirror)

Manchester City are investigating the possibility of making Barcelona's Thierry Henry a "box office" signing in January. (The Guardian)

Blackburn are looking at former Real Madrid winger Jordi Lopez to fill the gap left by David Bentley's move to Tottenham. (Various)

Midfielder Shaun Maloney will complete his return to Celtic from Aston Villa in time to make his debut against Falkirk on Saturday. (Daily Record)

Bolton are ready to make an official £4m for Fulham midfielder Jimmy Bullard after scrapping a move for Reading's James Harper. (Daily Star)


21st Aug 2008

Marseille striker Djibril Cisse and Sunderland's David Healy are both on Weirside undergoing medicals at the club. (BBC Radio Newcastle, 1224 BST)

Chelsea are on the verge of signing Real Madrid forward Robinho for £25m after chief executive Peter Kenyon was seen in Madrid to finalise a deal for the 24-year-old Brazilian. (Daily Mail)

Manchester City have given up hope of signing Roque Santa Cruz from Blackburn and have instead switched their intentions to Real Zaragoza's Argentine striker Diego Milito. (The Guardian)

O'Neill is also set to up his bid for Newcastle's James Milner to £9m after already having a £7m bid rejected. (The Sun)

Liverpool will not be held to ransom by Espanyol for winger Albert Riera after the Spanish club said the 26-year-old is available for £16m, but the Anfield club are only willing to pay £10m. (The Times)

If the Reds fail to sign Riera, manager Rafael Benitez will turn his attentions towards Middlesbrough winger Stewart Downing. (The Times)

Chelsea striker Andriy Shevchenko, who has scored just nine league goals in 47 appearances, is set to re-join AC Milan on a season-long loan deal, but his wages could prove to be a stumbling block. (Various)

Zenit St Petersburg have pulled the plug on Andrei Arshavin's move to Tottenham after Spurs refused to match the Russian club's £20m valuation of the 27-year-old. (Various)

Tottenham could also miss out on Arshavin's Russian team-mate Roman Pavlyuchenko, 26, who has said he does not want to leave Spartak Moscow. (Daily Star)

Everton will pay Juventus midfielder Tiago's £4m-a-year wages in order to take the 27-year-old on a season's loan. (Daily Mirror)

Hull City have made a £1.5m bid for 6ft 8in Rapid Vienna striker Stefan Maierhofer. (The Times)

Sunderland manager Roy Keane has turned his attentions to West Ham striker Carlton Cole, 24, after securing a loan deal for Marseille's Djibril Cisse. (The Sun)

Keane has also stepped up his pursuit of Blackburn's Benni McCarthy and David Healy from Fulham. (Daily Mail)

Bolton manager Gary Megson has made a £3m bid for Fulham's 29-year-old midfielder Jimmy Bullard. (Various)

MK Dons captain Keith Andrews looks set to join up with former boss Paul Ince at Blackburn after Rovers bid £1.3m for the 27-year-old Irish midfielder. (Daily Mirror)

Fulham striker Eddie Johnson is line for a loan switch to Cardiff after the Championship side failed in a similar bid to sign team-mate David Healy. (Daily Star)

Premier League results for Saturday 23 August 2008

Blackburn 1-1
(HT 1-1)
Hull
Roberts 38

Garcia 40




Bookings:
Ashbee 43

Hull's bright start to life in the top flight continued as they earned a battling point at Blackburn.

The Tigers were almost faultless in defence, faltering only once when Jason Roberts sprung the offside trap and flicked the ball home on 39 minutes.

But Hull drew level almost immediately when Richard Garcia looped a header over Paul Robinson and into the corner.

Blackburn: Robinson, Ooijer, Samba, Nelsen, Warnock, Reid, Mokoena (Kerimoglu 67), Dunn (Emerton 46), Pedersen, Roque Santa Cruz, Roberts (McCarthy 81).
Subs Not Used: Simpson, Treacy, Derbyshire, Brown.

Goals: Roberts 38.

Hull: Myhill, Ricketts, Turner, Anthony Gardner, Dawson (Mendy 58), Garcia (Barmby 78), Ashbee, Marney, Fagan, Geovanni (Folan 65), King.
Subs Not Used: Brown, Windass, Duke, Halmosi.

Booked: Ashbee.

Goals: Garcia 40.

Att: 23,439

Ref: Stuart Attwell (Warwickshire).

____________________________________________________________________


Fulham 1-0
(HT 1-0)
Arsenal
Hangeland 21


Bookings:
Murphy 71
Teymourian 88


Brede Hangeland's first-half goal gave Fulham their first win of the season against a disappointing Arsenal.

The giant defender stabbed in Jimmy Bullard's cross from close range after 21 minutes.

Emmanuel Adebayor headed Bacary Sagna's cross against the post shortly afterwards, but Arsenal rarely turned possession into clear chances.

Fulham: Schwarzer, Pantsil, Hughes, Hangeland, Kallio, Davies, Bullard, Murphy, Gera, Zamora, Ki-Hyeon.
Subs Not Used: Stockdale, Teymourian, Nevland, Stoor, Dempsey, Milsom, Baird.

Goals: Hangeland 21.

Arsenal: Almunia, Sagna, Toure, Gallas, Clichy, Walcott, Eboue, Denilson, Nasri, Adebayor, Van Persie.
Subs Not Used: Fabianski, Ramsey, Song Billong, Wilshere, Djourou, Bendtner, Gibbs.

Att: 25,276

Ref: Martin Atkinson (W Yorkshire).

____________________________________________________________________

Liverpool 2-1
(HT 0-0)
Middlesbrough
Pogatetz o.g. 86
Gerrard 90+4

Mido 70
Bookings:
Arbeloa 27
Keane 78

Bookings:
Mido 79

Steven Gerrard smashed in a 90th-minute drive as Liverpool came from behind to beat Middlesbrough at Anfield.

Striker Mido came off the bench to put the visitors ahead with a low, 30-yard drive on 70 minutes and it seemed his side were heading for victory.

But Jamie Carragher's drive from the edge of the box flew in off Boro's Emmanuel Pogatetz to give Liverpool an equaliser 16 minutes later.

And in stoppage time, Gerrard lashed in an angled shot to snatch the points.

Liverpool: Reina, Arbeloa (El Zhar 83), Carragher, Skrtel, Dossena (Aurelio 75), Kuyt, Gerrard, Alonso, Benayoun (Babel 65), Keane, Torres.
Subs Not Used: Cavalieri, Agger, Ngog, Plessis.

Booked: Arbeloa, Keane.

Goals: Pogatetz 86 og, Gerrard 90.

Middlesbrough: Turnbull, Wheater, Huth, Pogatetz, Taylor (Hoyte 75), Aliadiere, O'Neil, Shawky, Downing, Alves (Mido 60), Sanli (Digard 87).
Subs Not Used: Emnes, Adam Johnson, Williams.

Booked: Mido.

Goals: Mido 70.

Att: 43,168

Ref: Mike Riley (Yorkshire).

____________________________________________________________________

Newcastle 1-0
(HT 0-0)
Bolton
Owen 71


Bookings:
Taylor 62

Bookings:
O'Brien 28
McCann 39

Michael Owen came off the bench to earn Newcastle a win over a Bolton side who paid the price for a missed penalty.

The visitors had a chance to take the lead when Steven Taylor handled a cross but Kevin Nolan saw his spot-kick saved by Magpies keeper Shay Given.

Owen punished the miss when he headed in a Geremi cross at the far post.

Newcastle: Given, Beye, Taylor, Coloccini, N'Zogbia, Milner, Butt, Guthrie, Gutierrez, Martins (Owen 53), Duff (Geremi 46). Subs Not Used: Harper, Jose Enrique, Bassong, Smith, Edgar.

Booked: Taylor.

Goals: Owen 71.

Bolton: Jaaskelainen, Steinsson, Cahill, Andrew O'Brien, Samuel, Joey O'Brien (Mustapha 85), Nolan, Muamba, Taylor (Gardner 65), Davies, Elmander (McCann 15). Subs Not Used: Al Habsi, Hunt, Dzemaili, Shittu.

Booked: Joey O'Brien, McCann.

Att: 47,711

Ref: Steve Bennett (Kent).

____________________________________________________________________

Stoke 3-2
(HT 1-0)
Aston Villa
Lawrence (pen) 30
Fuller 80
Sidibe 90+4

Carew 63
Laursen 84
Bookings:
Kitson 56




Mamady Sidibe claimed an injury-time winner to give Stoke a dramatic win over Aston Villa.
The Premier League new boys took every opportunity to shell the ball into the Villa box, with Delap testing out keeper Brad Friedel's resolve with his artillery-distance throws.

Stoke: Sorensen, Griffin, Cort, Abdoulaye Faye, Dickinson, Lawrence, Olofinjana, Delap, Amdy Faye (Diao 72), Kitson (Sidibe 76), Fuller (Cresswell 87).
Subs Not Used: Simonsen, Shawcross, Wilkinson, Whelan.

Booked: Kitson.

Goals: Lawrence 30 pen, Fuller 80, Sidibe 90.

Aston Villa: Friedel, Luke Young, Laursen, Davies, Shorey (Routledge 73), Petrov, Reo-Coker, Barry, Ashley Young, Carew, Agbonlahor. Subs Not Used: Taylor, Knight, Osbourne, Gardner, Salifou, Harewood.

Goals: Carew 63, Laursen 84.

Att: 27,500

Ref: Mark Halsey (Lancashire).

____________________________________________________________________

Tottenham 1-2
(HT 0-0)
Sunderland
Jenas 73

Richardson 55
Cisse 83
Bookings:
Bale 26

Bookings:
Malbranque 58
Richardson 55

Djibril Cisse scored on his Sunderland debut to condemn Tottenham to their second straight Premier League defeat.

Spurs, who dropped Dimitar Berbatov, were lucky not to trail at half-time after Steed Malbranque hit the post.

Gareth Bale powered a header over for the hosts soon after the re-start but they fell behind when Kieran Richardson rifled home after 55 minutes.

Tottenham: Gomes, Zokora, King, Woodgate, Assou-Ekotto (Huddlestone 56), Modric, Lennon (Giovanni 56), Jenas, Bentley, Bale, Bent.
Subs Not Used: Cesar, Gilberto, Gunter, Dawson, O'Hara.

Booked: Bale.

Goals: Jenas 73.

Sunderland: Gordon, Bardsley, Nosworthy, Higginbotham, Collins, Malbranque, Whitehead, Reid (Miller 87), Richardson (Cisse 65), Diouf, Murphy.
Subs Not Used: Ward, Chopra, Leadbitter, Healy, Stokes.

Booked: Richardson, Malbranque.

Goals: Richardson 55, Cisse 83.

Att: 36,064

Ref: Mike Dean (Wirral).

____________________________________________________________________

West Brom 1-2
(HT 0-0)
Everton
Bednar (pen) 89

Osman 65
Yakubu 76
Bookings:
Meite 45+2
Zuiverloon 45+3
Brunt 67

Bookings:
Osman 38

Second-half goals by Leon Osman and Ayegbeni Yakubu were enough to give Everton an unlikely win over West Brom.
West Brom enjoyed most of the possession and carved out some decent openings but, on too many occasions, either their final ball went astray or they could not find the finish

West Brom: Carson, Zuiverloon, Meite, Barnett, Robinson, Morrison, Kim (MacDonald 71), Koren (Bednar 70), Greening, Brunt, Miller (Beattie 80).
Subs Not Used: Kiely, Hoefkens, Cech, Pele.

Booked: Zuiverloon, Meite, Brunt.

Goals: Bednar 89 pen.

Everton: Howard, Neville, Yobo, Lescott, Baines, Jagielka, Arteta, Rodwell, Osman, Baxter (Vaughan 58), Yakubu (Nuno Valente 86).
Subs Not Used: Turner, Jutkiewicz, Agard, Kissock, Wallace.

Booked: Osman.

Goals: Osman 65, Yakubu 76.

Att: 26,190


Tuesday 19 August 2008

Premier League Gossip and transfer news

20th August 2008

Chelsea striker Andriy Shevchenko will return to AC Milan on Wednesday in a season-long loan deal. (Gazzetta dello Sport, 1512 BST)

Newcastle are weighing up a move for left-back Sebastian Pocognoli, currently on Olympics duty with Belgium, with a bid of £6m for the 21-year-old AZ Alkmaar defender set to be made. (Newcastle Evening Chronicle, 1459 BST)

Spartak Moscow defender Radoslav Kovac is on the verge of a move to AC Milan. (Goal.com, 1515 BST)

USA midfielder Michael Bradley is a target for Blackburn, Everton, Middlesbrough and Celtic but his Dutch club Heerenveen say that a "substantial" bid will be required. (Premiershiplatest.com, 1518 BST

Tottenham will allow striker Dimitar Berbatov to join Manchester United, with manager Juande Ramos keen to bring in Atletico Madrid's Diego Forlan and Blackburn's Roque Santa Cruz. (Daily Mirror)

Hull are set to make a £5m bid for Man Utd's young striker Fraizer Campbell once the Berbatov deal goes through. (Daily Mail)

Manchester United defender Mikael Silvestre has turned down a move to local rivals Manchester City at the last minute, with Arsenal now poised to sign the 31-year-old. (Various)

Sunderland are also interested in Silvestre, while moves for Fulham striker David Healy, Sheffield United front man James Beattie and West Ham centre-back Anton Ferdinand are also expected. (The Independent)

Chelsea's hopes of signing Real Madrid star Robinho are over and the Blues are set to turn their full attentions to AC Milan midfielder Kaka instead. (Daily Star)

Everton are set to sign Juventus midfielder Tiago, pinching him from under the noses of Premier League rivals Newcastle. (The Sun)

Rennes midfielder Stephane Mbia says he is eager to join Everton and has urged his club to start negotiations. (The Independent)

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez is reluctantly looking at alternatives to Aston Villa midfielder Gareth Barry, with Espanyol's Albert Riera and Middlesbrough's Stewart Downing in the frame. (The Sun)

West Ham will hold talks with Chilean striker Sebastian Pinto, with a view to acquiring the Santos star, nicknamed the Tank, on a season-long loan deal. (Daily Mirror)

Sheffield Wednesday want to take Chelsea youngster Jack Cork on loan for the rest of the season. (Daily Mirror)



19th August 2008

Manchester United left-back Mikael Silvestre is on the verge of joining Sunderland in a £750,000 deal. (Daily Mail, 1540 BST)

Fulham midfielder Steve Davis' proposed £3m move to Rangers is in danger of falling through, following a snag over personal terms. (Daily Mail, 1330 BST)

AC Milan are willing to sell Brazilian playmaker Kaka to Chelsea for £70m - but Blues manager Luiz Felipe Scolari would prefer to sign Real Madrid forward Robinho. (Daily Star)

England striker Michael Owen has been offered a three-year contract worth £140,000 a week to stay at Newcastle. (The Sun)

Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp is hoping he can persuade Chelsea to let midfielder Shaun Wright-Phillips join the south-coast club on a season-long loan deal. (Daily Star)

Redknapp is looking to bolster his Portsmouth squad with loan signings and has confirmed his interest in Lens left-back Nadir Belhadi. (The Independent)

Sunderland are in preliminary talks with West Ham centre-half Anton Ferdinand and are tracking Manchester City's £1m-rated defender Michael Ball. (Daily Star)

But Tottenham are monitoring Ferdinand after the Hammers apparently rejected a £6m bid from the Black Cats. (Daily Mirror)

Zenit St Petersburg have told Tottenham that they will not sell playmaker Andrei Arshavin for less than £20m. (The Times)

Manchester City boss Mark Hughes has put negotiations to buy Manchester United defender Mikael Silvestre on hold because he wants to sign two strikers before the transfer deadline. (Daily Star)


The Magpies remain in pursuit of Blackburn's left-back Stephen Warnock and are also hoping to sign Javier Saviola from Real Madrid on a season-long loan. (The Guardian)

James McFadden has ruled out a move to either half of the Old Firm, with the Birmingham City striker saying he has no interest in becoming exposed to the level of scrutiny that surrounds Rangers and Celtic. (The Guardian)


18th August 2008

Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon says he is confident Chelsea target Robinho will be staying at the Bernabeu and has ruled out making any more signing this summer. (Spanish newspaper Marca, 1029 BST)

Tottenham striker Dimitar Berbatov has pleaded with the club to let him join Manchester United. (Various)

Everton have sent a delegation to Portugal to try to clinch the signing of Sporting Lisbon midfielder Joao Moutinho. (Daily Mail)

Toffees boss David Moyes is also close to agreeing a loan move for Juventus midfielder Tiago and has not given up on Newcastle's Alan Smith. (Daily Mail)



Sunderland are ready to raise their bid for Blackburn striker Benni McCarthy to nearer the £9m Rovers are demanding. (Daily Mail)

The Black Cats could also complete a £6m (Daily Mirror) or £8m (Independent) deal for West Ham defender Anton Ferdinand this week.

Striker Robbie Fowler has been offered a six-month pay-as-you-play deal by Blackburn Rovers boss Paul Ince. (Various)

West Brom are on the verge of splashing out £7m - £5m on Real Mallorca midfielder Borja Valero and £2m on Charlton's Zheng Zhi. (Various)

Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp is targeting Argentine left-back Juan Pablo Sorin, who has been released by Hamburg. (The Sun)

Actually, Redknapp is in talks with French side Lens to take Algeria left-back Nadir Belhadj on a season-long loan. (Daily Mirror)

Stoke boss Tony Pulis is set to swoop for Southampton defender Andrew Davies for £1.5m. (The Sun)

Blackburn boss Paul Ince will make a new bid for his old captain at MK Dons, Keith Andrews, this week - and may even bid for their keeper Willie Gueret. (Daily Mirror)

Arsenal left-back Kieron Gibbs, 18, is ready to join Championship Reading on a season-long loan. (The Sun)

Celtic are closing in on the signing of their former forward Shaun Maloney from Aston Villa. (Daily Record)

FA Cup finalists Cardiff City are preparing a bid for Fulham striking duo American international Eddie Johnson and Northern Ireland goal hero David Healy. (Various)

19th August 2008

Manchester United left-back Mikael Silvestre is on the verge of joining Sunderland in a £750,000 deal. (Daily Mail, 1540 BST)

Fulham midfielder Steve Davis' proposed £3m move to Rangers is in danger of falling through, following a snag over personal terms. (Daily Mail, 1330 BST)

Rennes' Cameroon midfielder Stephane Mbia, 22, has said he is desperate to complete a move to Everton now he has returned from the Olympic Games in Beijing. (L'Equipe)

AC Milan are willing to sell Brazilian playmaker Kaka to Chelsea for £70m - but Blues manager Luiz Felipe Scolari would prefer to sign Real Madrid forward Robinho. (Daily Star)

England striker Michael Owen has been offered a three-year contract worth £140,000 a week to stay at Newcastle. (The Sun)

Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp is hoping he can persuade Chelsea to let midfielder Shaun Wright-Phillips join the south-coast club on a season-long loan deal. (Daily Star)

Redknapp is looking to bolster his Portsmouth squad with loan signings and has confirmed his interest in Lens left-back Nadir Belhadi. (The Independent)

Sunderland are in preliminary talks with West Ham centre-half Anton Ferdinand and are tracking Manchester City's £1m-rated defender Michael Ball. (Daily Star)

But Tottenham are monitoring Ferdinand after the Hammers apparently rejected a £6m bid from the Black Cats. (Daily Mirror)

Zenit St Petersburg have told Tottenham that they will not sell playmaker Andrei Arshavin for less than £20m. (The Times)

Manchester City boss Mark Hughes has put negotiations to buy Manchester United defender Mikael Silvestre on hold because he wants to sign two strikers before the transfer deadline. (Daily Star)

Hull manager Phil Brown will step up his bid to sign Manchester United striker Fraizer Campbell this week, either permanently or on loan, by making another phone call to Old Trafford boss Sir Alex Ferguson. (Daily Star)

Liverpool's American owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett will block Rafael Benitez's attempts to sign England midfielder Gareth Barry from Aston Villa - even if the Reds manager raises funds by selling fringe players. (Various)

Blackburn boss Paul Ince is chasing Valencia winger Joaquin Sanchez as he tries to find a replacement for David Bentley, who joined Tottenham in July. (Daily Mirror)

Newcastle United have joined West Brom in the race to sign Argentine striker Oscar Trejo from Real Mallorca. (The Times)

The Magpies remain in pursuit of Blackburn's left-back Stephen Warnock and are also hoping to sign Javier Saviola from Real Madrid on a season-long loan. (The Guardian)

James McFadden has ruled out a move to either half of the Old Firm, with the Birmingham City striker saying he has no interest in becoming exposed to the level of scrutiny that surrounds Rangers and Celtic. (The Guardian)

Wolves are in talks with Danny Higginbotham after Sunderland accepted a £1.25m bid for the defender. (Daily Mirror)

Sunday 17 August 2008

Premier League redults for Sunday 17th August

Aston Villa 4-2 Man City


Gabriel Agbonlahor hit a stunning seven-minute hat-trick as Aston Villa's late show tore Manchester City apart.
Villa looked the stronger side and commanded the game as City managed a second consolation goal.


Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill:
"I am delighted. It was a big victory for us and we played particularly well going forward. "I was disappointed that we were not ahead at half-time but we had a great second-half.

"It was as important for us to stay tight defensively but I knew that we would create things in attack."

Manchester City boss Mark Hughes:
"We were very much in the game when we levelled and we could have gone on from there and won it.

"We had conceded early on in the second half but we showed good character to come back.

"But then we had 10 minutes of madness. We made some bad decisions at the back and stopped defending set-plays - and you cannot afford to do that against Villa."


Aston Villa: Friedel, Luke Young, Davies, Laursen, Shorey, Reo-Coker, Petrov, Barry, Ashley Young, Agbonlahor, Carew.
Subs Not Used: Taylor, Harewood, Knight, Salifou, Routledge, Gardner, Osbourne.

Goals: Carew 47, Agbonlahor 69, 74, 76.

Man City: Hart, Corluka, Richards, Ben-Haim, Garrido, Etuhu, Gelson (Ireland 81), Johnson, Petrov, Elano, Evans (Sturridge 81).
Subs Not Used: Schmeichel, Michael Ball, Onuoha, Caicedo, Hamann.

Booked: Ben-Haim.

Goals: Elano 64 pen, Corluka 89.

Att: 39,955

Ref: Phil Dowd (Staffordshire).


Chelsea 4-0 Portsmouth


Luiz Felipe Scolari's reign as Chelsea boss started in style with an impressive win against Portsmouth.

Joe Cole slid home Michael Ballack's pass after 12 minutes and Nicolas Anelka headed in Deco's cross from close range in the 26th minute.

Frank Lampard added the third from the spot on the stroke of half-time after Sylvain Distin handled.

And Deco crowned a superb Chelsea debut with a swerving shot from 25 yards a minute from the end.

A sad opener for Peter Crouch as he returned to the South coast Chelsea where brilliant .


Chelsea: Cech, Bosingwa (Ferreira 83), Carvalho, Terry, Ashley Cole, Ballack (Malouda 38), Lampard, Obi, Deco, Joe Cole (Wright-Phillips 78), Anelka.
Subs Not Used: Hilario, Di Santo, Bridge, Alex.

Goals: Joe Cole 12, Anelka 26, Lampard 45 pen, Deco 89.

Portsmouth: James, Kaboul, Campbell, Distin, Hreidarsson, Johnson, Diarra (Mvuemba 68), Diop, Kranjcar (Thomas 73), Defoe, Crouch.
Subs Not Used: Ashdown, Lauren, Utaka, Cranie, Traore.

Booked: James.

Att: 41,468

Ref: Mike Dean (Wirral).


Man Utd 1-1 Newcastle


Manchester United made an unconvincing start to the defence of their Premier League title as they were held at Old Trafford by an impressive Newcastle.

United were denied a penalty when James Milner appeared to handball, but Newcastle took a first-half lead when Obafemi Martins powered home a header.

However United levelled just two minutes later when Darren Fletcher converted Ryan Giggs' left-wing cross.

Newcastle put aa good show on and where no push over as there back 4 where strong and Rooney was denied more then once , Taylor played a good part in the defence .

Man Utd: Van der Sar, Brown, Vidic, Ferdinand, Evra, Fletcher, Carrick (O'Shea 25), Scholes, Giggs (Possebon 63), Campbell (Rafael Da Silva 80), Rooney.
Subs Not Used: Kuszczak, Neville, Evans, Gibson.

Booked: Campbell, Brown, Rooney.

Goals: Fletcher 24.

Newcastle: Given, Beye, Taylor, Coloccini, N'Zogbia, Milner, Butt, Guthrie, Gutierrez, Duff, Martins.
Subs Not Used: Harper, Jose Enrique, Bassong, Smith, Geremi, Edgar, Donaldson.

Goals: Martins 22.

Att: 75,512.

Ref: Mike Riley (Yorkshire).

Saturday 16 August 2008

Premier League Results for 16th August 2008

Arsenal 1-0
(HT 1-0)
West Brom
Nasri 4


West Brom didnt make it easy for the Gunners, newly promoted West Brom put on a fair fight but lost by a narrow margin of 1 goal in the first 5 mins


Arsenal: Almunia, Sagna, Gallas, Djourou, Clichy, Walcott (Toure 72), Denilson, Nasri, Eboue, Adebayor, Bendtner (Van Persie 69).
Subs Not Used: Fabianski, Vela, Ramsey, Wilshere, Randall.

Goals: Nasri 4.

West Brom: Carson, Hoefkens, Barnett, Meite, Robinson, Brunt (Beattie 80), Morrison, Greening, Kim, Cech (MacDonald 68), Miller (Bednar 74).
Subs Not Used: Kiely, Dorrans, Pele, Martis.

Att: 60,071

Ref: Howard Webb (S Yorkshire).



Bolton 3-1
(HT 3-0)
Stoke
Steinsson 34
Davies 41
Elmander 46

Fuller 91
Bookings:
Steinsson 61

Bookings:
Olofinjana 63
Lawrence 91
Bolton commanded this game with Stoke on the back peddle through out much of the game , Kitson tried to surge forward but the support isnt there and Stoke didnt lok good , Bolton look strong and the 3 goals earn them the top slot , well at least for now.


Bolton: Jaaskelainen, Steinsson, Cahill, Andrew O'Brien, Samuel, Joey O'Brien, Nolan, Muamba, Taylor, Davies, Elmander (McCann 76).
Subs Not Used: Al Habsi, Hunt, Gardner, Mustapha, Shittu, Cohen.

Booked: Steinsson.

Goals: Steinsson 34, Davies 41, Elmander 45.

Stoke: Sorensen, Wilkinson (Dickinson 76), Cort, Shawcross, Griffin, Delap, Olofinjana, Whelan (Lawrence 56), Cresswell, Kitson, Sidibe (Fuller 65).
Subs Not Used: Simonsen, Pericard, Diao, Amdy Faye.

Booked: Olofinjana, Lawrence.

Goals: Fuller 90.

Att: 22,717

Ref: Chris Foy (Merseyside).





Everton 2-3
(HT 1-1)
Blackburn
Arteta 46
Yakubu 64

Dunn 22
Santa Cruz 66
Ooijer 91
Bookings:
Yobo 75
Yakubu 91

Bookings:
Warnock 45
Ooijer 59

The Toffees looked in command through this game and Paul Ince watched in despair until Santa cruz brought it level and it was a figjht to the end with a last minute goal clinching the win for Blackburn

Everton: Howard, Neville, Yobo, Lescott, Nuno Valente (Baxter 78), Arteta, Rodwell, Jagielka, Baines, Osman, Yakubu.
Subs Not Used: Turner, Jutkiewicz, Gosling, Agard, Kissock, Wallace.

Booked: Yobo, Yakubu.

Goals: Arteta 45, Yakubu 64.

Blackburn: Robinson, Ooijer, Samba, Nelsen, Warnock, Reid, Dunn (Kerimoglu 90), Mokoena, Pedersen (Treacy 76), Roque Santa Cruz, Roberts (McCarthy 83).
Subs Not Used: Brown, Villanueva, Simpson, Derbyshire.

Booked: Warnock, Ooijer.

Goals: Dunn 22, Roque Santa Cruz 66, Ooijer 90.

Att: 38,675

Ref: Andre Marriner (W Midlands).








Hull 2-1
(HT 1-1)
Fulham
Geovanni 22
Folan 81

Ki-Hyeon 8
Bookings:
Ricketts 29
Dawson 44
Fagan 90


Fulham look flakey and god only knows how the survived, luck. Hull went at them and had it all to prove even though SeolKi-Hyeon opened the scoring after 8 mins Fulham fizzled out and Hull sparked into action scoring once in the first halve to cancell out the lead then a late goal on the 81st min to take a well earned win.


Hull: Myhill, Ricketts, Turner, Anthony Gardner, Dawson, Garcia (Fagan 74), Ashbee, Boateng, Barmby (Halmosi 62), Geovanni, King (Folan 70).
Subs Not Used: Duke, Windass, Mendy, Marney.

Booked: Ricketts, Dawson, Fagan.

Goals: Geovanni 22, Folan 81.

Fulham: Schwarzer, Pantsil, Hangeland, Hughes, Konchesky, Davies, Murphy (Andreasen 85), Ki-Hyeon (Nevland 85), Bullard, Gera, Zamora (Dempsey 81).
Subs Not Used: Zuberbuhler, Teymourian, Stoor, Kallio.

Goals: Ki-Hyeon 8.

Att: 24,525

Ref: Peter Walton (Northamptonshire).


Middlesbrough 2-1
(HT 0-0)
Tottenham
Wheater 71
Mido 86

Huth o.g. 91
Bookings:
Digard 91

Bookings:
Jenas 61
Bentley 76
Gareth Southgate has been training the sqaud well over summer by the looks of things and Ramos has let the White Hart Lane men chill a bit to much. Spurs back to losing form already and looked pretty awful, I can see they miss Keane and relied far to heavily on him . Berbatov looked very sulky "ah poor bloke" oh just bloody sell him.


Middlesbrough: Jones, Wheater, Huth, Pogatetz, Taylor, Aliadiere, Shawky, O'Neil, Downing, Alves (Mido 82), Sanli (Digard 72).
Subs Not Used: Turnbull, Emnes, Adam Johnson, Williams, Grounds.

Booked: Digard.

Goals: Wheater 71, Mido 86.

Tottenham: Gomes, Zokora, Dawson, Woodgate, Assou-Ekotto (O'Hara 76), Lennon (Bale 65), Jenas, Modric, Bentley, Giovanni (Berbatov 65), Bent.
Subs Not Used: Cesar, Huddlestone, Gunter, King.

Booked: Jenas, Bentley.

Goals: Huth 90 og.

Att: 32,623

Ref: Martin Atkinson (W Yorkshire).


Sunderland 0-1
(HT 0-0)
Liverpool


Torres 83


Bookings:
Arbeloa 56
El Zhar 90
Roy Keane wasnt about to let Rafa come in and sweep the floor with his side . In front of a strong crowd Sunderland defended well and made a few chances but It was Mr Torres that added his bit of wizardry and Liverpool snatched the win. Rafa looked well pissed off and in my opinion he wont be there much longer


Sunderland: Gordon, Chimbonda, Nosworthy, Collins, Bardsley, Malbranque (Edwards 73), Tainio (Whitehead 57), Reid, Richardson, Diouf (Chopra 81), Murphy.
Subs Not Used: Ward, Leadbitter, Higginbotham, Stokes.

Liverpool: Reina, Arbeloa, Carragher, Hyypia, Dossena, Kuyt, Gerrard, Plessis (Alonso 46), Benayoun (Aurelio 81), Keane (El Zhar 77), Torres.
Subs Not Used: Cavalieri, Agger, Ngog, Skrtel.

Booked: Arbeloa, El Zhar.

Goals: Torres 83.

Att: 43,259.

Ref: Alan Wiley (Staffordshire).


West Ham 2-1
(HT 2-0)
Wigan
Ashton 3
Ashton 10

Zaki 47
Bookings:
Parker 39
Davenport 49



Bookings:
Palacios 68

Dean Ashton took an earley chance and took the Hammers in front after 3 mins and then again only after 10 mins, Wigan managed a consolation goal after 47 mins but to be honest West ham should have scored more .


West Ham: Green, Behrami, Davenport, Upson, Neill, Faubert (Boa Morte 86), Parker (Mullins 72), Noble, Etherington, Ashton (Sears 73), Cole.
Subs Not Used: Lastuvka, Reid, Bowyer, Spence.

Booked: Parker, Davenport.

Goals: Ashton 3, 10.

Wigan: Kirkland, Melchiot (De Ridder 83), Scharner (Koumas 83), Boyce, Figueroa, Valencia, Cattermole (Sibierski 85), Palacios, Kapo, Heskey, Zaki.
Subs Not Used: Pollitt, Kilbane, Brown, Bramble.

Booked: Palacios.

Goals: Zaki 47.

Att: 32,758

Ref: Steve Bennett (Kent).