Wednesday 29 October 2008

Premier League gossip and transfer news

Wed 29th Oct 2008

New Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp wants Manchester United keeper Ben Foster on loan. (Daily Mirror)

West Bromwich Albion are lining up a bid for Manchester United's Angola striker Manucho and they are also interested in Real Mallorca striker Oscar Trejo. (Daily Mail)

New Portsmouth manager Tony Adams says he fears an exodus at Fratton Park after Harry Redknapp's departure. (The Times)

Adams has also said that any player who is unsettled following Redknapp's departure can leave Pompey. (Various)

Stoke City are lining up a £4m January swoop for unsettled Aston Villa striker Marlon Harewood. (Daily Mirror)

Emile Heskey has warned that he could make a decision on his future in the summer, by which time his contract with Wigan will be up. (The Sun)

Hull City have turned down a loan move from Oldham for striker Dean Windass who is also wanted by Leeds United. (Daily Mail)

Wigan boss Steve Bruce is interested in Saudi Arabia's £5m-rated captain Yasser Al-Qahtani. (Daily Mail)

Birmingham are weighing up a £2m bid for Rangers defender Kirk Broadfoot. (Scottish Sun)

Manchester United midfielder Darren Fletcher says he was talked out of quitting the club by manager Sir Alex Ferguson. (Daily Mirror)

Fulham manager Roy Hodgson feels star midfielder Jimmy Bullard is suffering from an England hangover, after his recent international call up. (The Sun)

Juande Ramos has blamed his sacking on Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy's decision to sell strike duo Robbie Keane and Dimitar Berbatov. (Daily Express)

A group of 15 Sheffield United players are after £5m compensation from West Ham in light of the Carlos Tevez affair. (The Sun)

Middlesbrough chief executive Keith Lamb fears that foreign owners will end up destroying English football. (The Sun)

Former Manchester United defender Gabriel Heinze has blasted Sir Alex Ferguson's claim that Real Madrid only signed the Argentine as a way of luring his close friend Cristiano Ronaldo to the Bernabeu. (Daily Mail)

Manchester City manager Mark Hughes has revealed how Manchester United's Brazilian contingent are helping his South American duo Robinho and Jo settle in the north west. (The Independent)

Former West Ham manager Alan Curbishley is to sue the Hammers for £1m over breach of contract. (Daily Express)

Gunners midfielder Cesc Fabregas says north London rivals Tottenham would struggle to beat Arsenal's Ladies side. (The Sun)


Premier League Results for 29th Oct 2008

Arsenal 4-4
(HT 1-1)
Tottenham
Silvestre 37
Gallas 46
Adebayor 64
Van Persie 68

Bentley 13
Bent 67
Jenas 89
Lennon 90+4
Bookings:
Diaby 90+2

Bookings:
Assou-Ekotto 54
Bentley 57
Huddlestone 59
Jenas 85

Spurs may be at the bottom even after a brilliant performance at the Emirates but the celebrated like they where at the top of the table and its that confidence that will get them up the table they've got the fire in the belly and will be no push over for no one, Harry has turned things around big time.

Aaron Lennon's injury-time equaliser capped a stunning fightback from Harry Redknapp's Tottenham against Arsenal.

David Bentley's brilliant early strike put Spurs ahead, but Mikael Silvestre headed Arsenal level before half-time.

William Gallas put Arsenal in front seconds after the re-start and Emmanuel Adebayor bundled home their third.

Darren Bent pulled one back before Robin van Persie added Arsenal's fourth - but Jermaine Jenas's 89th-minute goal and Lennon's tap-in earned a point.

Arsenal: Almunia, Sagna, Silvestre, Gallas, Clichy, Walcott (Eboue 75), Fabregas, Denilson, Nasri (Song Billong 88), Van Persie (Diaby 81), Adebayor.
Subs Not Used: Fabianski, Toure, Vela, Bendtner.

Booked: Diaby.

Goals: Silvestre 37, Gallas 46, Adebayor 64, Van Persie 68.

Tottenham: Gomes, Hutton (Gunter 79), Corluka, Woodgate, Assou-Ekotto, Bentley, Modric, Jenas, Huddlestone, Bale (Lennon 55), Pavlyuchenko (Bent 65).
Subs Not Used: Cesar, Zokora, Campbell, O'Hara.

Booked: Assou-Ekotto, Bentley, Huddlestone, Jenas.

Goals: Bentley 13, Bent 67, Jenas 89, Lennon 90.

Att: 60,043

Ref: Martin Atkinson (W Yorkshire).

____________________________________________________________________

Aston Villa 3-2
(HT 1-1)
Blackburn
Young 45+1
Barry 65
Agbonlahor 87

Warnock 30
Emerton 90+4


Bookings:
Samba 78

Second-half goals from Gareth Barry and Gabriel Agbonlahor gave Aston Villa victory over unlucky Rovers.

Blackburn drew first blood when Stephen Warnock exchanged passes with Benni McCarthy and fired home.

But Luke Young bundled in an equaliser from Nicky Shorey's cross and James Milner pulled the ball back for Barry to put Villa into the lead.

Agbonlahor raced onto Ashley Young's pass to make it 3-1 before Brett Emerton's injury-time free-kick.

Aston Villa: Friedel, Luke Young, Shorey, Laursen, Cuellar, Barry, Milner, Petrov (Carew 46), Reo-Coker (Sidwell 83), Ashley Young, Agbonlahor (Harewood 90).
Subs Not Used: Guzan, Davies, Knight, Gardner.

Goals: Luke Young 45, Barry 65, Agbonlahor 87.

Blackburn: Robinson, Ooijer, Samba, Nelsen, Warnock (Kerimoglu 68), Emerton, Andrews, Simpson, Pedersen (Olsson 79), Villanueva, McCarthy (Derbyshire 79).
Subs Not Used: Brown, Mokoena, Fowler, Roberts.

Booked: Samba.

Goals: Warnock 30, Emerton 90.

Att: 35,985

Ref: Keith Stroud (Hampshire).

____________________________________________________________________

Bolton 0-1
(HT 0-0)
Everton


Fellaini 90
Bookings:
Samuel 41

Bookings:
Lescott 20
Fellaini 90+1

Marouane Fellaini's close-range header from Stephen Pienaar's cross sealed Everton's first win in nine games.

After a dismal first half, Bolton had the better of the second, much of it thanks to Gretar Steinsson, but his strikers failed to match his industry.

Joseph Yobo did well to deny Kevin Davies late on, and the game looked to be drifting to a goalless draw.

But at the death Pienaar found Fellaini, whose header hit the inside of the left-hand post before going in.
____________________________________________________________________

Fulham 2-0
(HT 1-0)
Wigan
Johnson 11
Johnson 60




Bookings:
Kilbane 35
Cattermole 76

Andrew Johnson hit a double as Fulham earned their first win in six games against fellow strugglers Wigan Athletic at Craven Cottage.

Johnson slotted home his first goal for the club in the 10th minute from close range from Paul Konchesky's cross.

Wigan revived briefly, and Paul Scharner should have levelled for the Latics with a simple two-yard header.


Fulham: Schwarzer, Pantsil, Hughes, Hangeland, Konchesky, Davies, Bullard (Baird 88), Murphy, Gera (Dempsey 72), Johnson (Nevland 90), Zamora.

Subs Not Used: Zuberbuhler, Gray, Stoor, Andreasen.

Goals: Johnson 11, 60.

Wigan: Kirkland, Boyce, Scharner, Figueroa (Koumas 62), Palacios (Camara 80), Cattermole (De Ridder 80), Kilbane, Melchiot, Valencia, Heskey, Zaki.

Subs Not Used: Pollitt, Taylor, Brown, Bramble.

Booked: Kilbane, Cattermole.

Att: 22,500

Ref: Howard Webb

____________________________________________________________________

Hull 0-3
(HT 0-1)
Chelsea


Lampard 3
Anelka 50
Malouda 75


Bookings:
J Cole 11
Deco 58

Chelsea bounced back from their home defeat to Liverpool and ended Hull's sequence of four straight wins with a deserved victory at the KC Stadium.

Frank Lampard's brilliant early lob put Chelsea ahead but Daniel Cousin almost equalised with a low strike from 20 yards that hit the post.

Suicidal hesitation in the Hull defence allowed Nicolas Anelka to steel in and smash home Chelsea's decisive second.

Florent Malouda then converted Ricardo Carvalho's cross from six yards.

Hull: Myhill, McShane, Turner, Zayatte, Dawson, Marney (Garcia 71), Ashbee, Boateng (Halmosi 62), Geovanni, King (Windass 84), Cousin.
Subs Not Used: Duke, Hughes, Mendy, Ricketts.

Chelsea: Cech, Bosingwa (Ivanovic 86), Carvalho, Terry, Ashley Cole, Deco (Kalou 78), Mikel, Lampard, Joe Cole (Belletti 54), Anelka, Malouda.
Subs Not Used: Cudicini, Di Santo, Bridge, Alex.

Booked: Joe Cole, Deco.

Goals: Lampard 3, Anelka 50, Malouda 75.

Att: 24,906

Ref: Andre Marriner (W Midlands).

____________________________________________________________________

Liverpool 1-0
(HT 0-0)
Portsmouth
Gerrard (pen) 76




Bookings:
Diarra 49
Diop 77

Steven Gerrard slotted in a 76th minute penalty to earn Premier League leaders Liverpool a win over Portsmouth.

Gerrard scored after Papa Bouba Diop undid his side's resolute performance by handling a corner in Pompey boss Tony Adams' first game in charge.

Until then, Dirk Kuyt's shot being parried against the post was the closest Liverpool had come to a goal.

____________________________________________________________________

Man Utd 2-0
(HT 2-0)
West Ham
Ronaldo 14
Ronaldo 30


Bookings:
Evra 23

Bookings:
Collison 65
Collins 81

Cristiano Ronaldo's first-half brace saw Manchester United cruise to victory over a poor West Ham at Old Trafford.

Displaying flashes of real style, United raced into a 13th-minute lead after the superb Nani cut the ball back for Ronaldo to slot into the corner.

Dimitar Berbatov's sublime skill saw him skip past James Collins, allowing him to square for Ronaldo to tap in.


Man Utd: Kuszczak, Rafael Da Silva (Neville 81), Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra, Ronaldo, Fletcher (Carrick 69), Anderson, Nani (Rooney 70), Tevez, Berbatov.
Subs Not Used: Foster, Giggs, Park, O'Shea.

Booked: Evra.

Goals: Ronaldo 14, 30.

West Ham: Green, Faubert, Collins, Upson, Ilunga, Behrami (Boa Morte 44), Bowyer (Sears 69), Mullins, Etherington (Collison 46), Di Michele, Bellamy.
Subs Not Used: Lastuvka, Lopez, Davenport, Reid.

Booked: Collison, Collins.

Att: 75,397

Ref: Peter Walton (Northamptonshire).

____________________________________________________________________

Middlesbrough 2-0
(HT 0-0)
Man City
Alves (pen) 53
O'Neil 90+4


Bookings:
O'Neil 74

Bookings:
Kompany 31
Ireland 44
Robinho 84

Afonso Alves' disputed penalty set Middlesbrough on their way to a hard-fought victory over Manchester City.

Boro keeper Ross Turnbull kept out shots by Stephen Ireland and Shaun Wright-Phillips as City threatened.

But the home side took the lead when Daniel Sturridge tangled with David Wheater and referee Lee Mason awarded a spot-kick that Alves converted.

City poured forward in search of an equaliser but Gary O'Neil's breakaway goal in injury time sealed Boro's win.

Middlesbrough: Turnbull, Wheater, Riggott, Pogatetz, Taylor, Aliadiere, O'Neil, Digard (Arca 75), Downing (Adam Johnson 83), Sanli, Alves.
Subs Not Used: Jones, Emnes, John Johnson, Grounds, Walker.

Booked: O'Neil.

Goals: Alves 53 pen, O'Neil 90.

Man City: Hart, Ben-Haim, Richards, Dunne, Onuoha, Kompany, Wright-Phillips, Ireland, Elano (Fernandes 67), Robinho, Sturridge (Evans 77).
Subs Not Used: Schmeichel, Jo, Garrido, Hamann, Berti.

Booked: Kompany, Ireland, Robinho.

Att: 25,731

Ref: Lee Mason (Lancashire).

____________________________________________________________________

Stoke 1-0
(HT 0-0)
Sunderland
Fuller 73


Bookings:
Ab Faye 29
Griffin 51

Bookings:
Malbranque 71


A Ricardo Fuller header ensured Stoke beat a below-par Sunderland to move out of the Premier League relegation zone.

Fuller came close to giving Stoke a first-half lead, but Anton Ferdinand cleared from near his goal-line.

The lively Jamaican got the winner when he leapt above Sunderland's defence to head home Rory Delap's throw-in from six yards after 76 minutes.

And Fuller could easily gave doubled the score, but the striker hit the post when put through by Michael Tonge.

Stoke: Sorensen, Griffin, Abdoulaye Faye, Shawcross, Higginbotham, Soares (Tonge 69), Olofinjana (Amdy Faye 87), Diao, Delap, Sidibe, Fuller (Kitson 90).
Subs Not Used: Simonsen, Pericard, Wilkinson, Sonko.

Booked: Abdoulaye Faye, Griffin.

Goals: Fuller 73.

Sunderland: Fulop, Bardsley, Ferdinand, Collins, McCartney, Malbranque (Reid 75), Whitehead, Yorke (Jones 46), Richardson, Diouf, Cisse (Chopra 62).
Subs Not Used: Colgan, Tainio, Nosworthy, Leadbitter.

Booked: Malbranque.

Att: 26,731

Ref: Chris Foy (Merseyside).

Premier League result for 28th Oct

Newcastle 2-1
(HT 2-0)
West Brom
Barton (pen) 10
Martins 42

Miller 65


Bookings:
Donk 9
Robinson 62
Bednar 67
Moore 90+3

Newcastle moved out of the bottom three in the Premier League as first-half goals from Joey Barton and Obefami Martins saw off West Bromwich Albion.

Barton - starting his first match since his release from prison - scored from the spot after 10 minutes following Ryan Donk's foul on Shola Ameobi.

And Martins headed home Habib Beye's cross three minutes before half-time.

Substitute Ishmael Miller pulled one back after the break, but West Brom could not make their pressure count.
It finnished 2 -1 to Newcastle but really could have been about 4-1 with the shots missed by Martins but a good result for Newcastle.

Newcastle: Given, Beye, Taylor, Coloccini, Jose Enrique, Duff, Guthrie, Barton, Gutierrez (Geremi 70), Martins (Xisco 77), Ameobi (Carroll 90).
Subs Not Used: Harper, Bassong, N'Zogbia, Edgar.

Goals: Barton 10 pen, Martins 42.

West Brom: Carson, Zuiverloon, Donk, Olsson, Robinson, Koren, Morrison, Brunt (Miller 54), Borja Valero, Greening, Bednar (Moore 67).
Subs Not Used: Kiely, Hoefkens, Cech, MacDonald, Pele.

Booked: Donk, Robinson, Bednar, Moore.

Goals: Miller 65.

Att: 45,801

Ref: Mike Dean (Wirral).

Sunday 26 October 2008

Harry has made an instant change

harry Redknapp has made the instant change so badly needed at White Hart Lane with a 2-0 win over Bolton. i dare say if Ramos and the other egit was still there it would have been 2-0 to Bolton tonight. What a brilliant manager to Leavey to get and my commiserations go out to the Pompey fans as he has done a brilliant job there , maybe big Sam Alardyce will go to Portsmouth

Premier League Results for 26th Oct 2008

Chelsea 0-1
(HT 0-1)
Liverpool


Alonso 10
Bookings:
Malouda 54
A Cole 56
Deco 79

Bookings:
Arbeloa 22
Gerrard 39
Mascherano 66

Liverpool demonstrated their growing title credentials by ending Chelsea's 86-game unbeaten run in the Premier League at Stamford Bridge and moving three points clear at the top of the table.

Xabi Alonso's deflected 10th-minute goal gave Liverpool victory and shattered a Chelsea sequence stretching back to February 2004 on home turf.

It was a deserved triumph for Rafael Benitez's side achieved without Fernando Torres and the first setback for the reign of Luiz Felipe Scolari at Chelsea.


Chelsea: Cech, Bosingwa (Sinclair 84), Carvalho, Terry, Ashley Cole, Mikel, Kalou (Di Santo 58), Deco, Lampard, Malouda (Belletti 58), Anelka. Subs Not Used: Cudicini, Ivanovic, Ferreira, Alex.

Booked: Malouda, Ashley Cole, Deco.

Liverpool: Reina, Arbeloa, Carragher, Agger, Aurelio, Alonso, Mascherano, Kuyt (Leiva Lucas 88), Gerrard, Riera (Hyypia 90), Keane (Babel 60). Subs Not Used: Cavalieri, Dossena, Benayoun, Pennant.

Booked: Arbeloa, Gerrard, Mascherano.

Goals: Alonso 10.

Att: 41,705

Ref: Howard Webb (S Yorkshire)
____________________________________________________________________

Man City 3-0
(HT 1-0)
Stoke
Robinho 14
Robinho 47
Robinho 72


Bookings:
Kompany 88



Struggling Stoke were torn to shreds by Robinho, who scored a hat-trick to give Manchester City their first Premier League victory in four matches.

Robinho fired in the opener after being picked out by Ched Evans.

And he slotted his second past keeper Thomas Sorensen after being set up by substitute Danny Sturridge's pass.

Robinho was twice denied by Sorensen before collecting another fine ball from Sturridge and calmly shooting into the bottom corner of the net.

Man City: Hart, Richards, Dunne (Fernandes 76), Ben-Haim, Garrido (Onuoha 70), Wright-Phillips, Ireland, Kompany, Elano, Robinho, Evans (Sturridge 42).
Subs Not Used: Schmeichel, Caicedo, Hamann, Berti.

Booked: Kompany.

Goals: Robinho 14, 47, 72.

Stoke: Sorensen, Griffin, Abdoulaye Faye, Shawcross, Higginbotham, Soares (Cresswell 69), Olofinjana, Diao (Whelan 76), Delap, Fuller, Sidibe (Kitson 66).

Subs Not Used: Simonsen, Cort, Amdy Faye, Wilkinson.

Att: 44,624

Ref: Steve Tanner (Somerset).

____________________________________________________________________

Tottenham 2-0
(HT 1-0)
Bolton
Pavlyuchenko 17
Bent (pen) 76




Bookings:
Nolan 38
McCann 42
Jaaskelainen 76


Sent off:
McCann 56

Goals from Roman Pavlyuchenko and Darren Bent gave Tottenham their first win of the season over Bolton in Harry Redknapp's first game in charge.

David Bentley's pin-point cross was met by Pavlyuchenko to give Spurs the lead midway through the first half.

After the break, Bolton midfielder Gavin McCann was sent off for two bookable offences.

Bent wrapped up the victory from the penalty spot after he was fouled by goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen.

Tottenham: Gomes, Hutton, Corluka, King, Assou-Ekotto, Bentley, Jenas, Huddlestone, Modric, O'Hara (Lennon 70), Pavlyuchenko (Bent 67).
Subs Not Used: Cesar, Zokora, Gunter, Giovani, Campbell.

Goals: Pavlyuchenko 17, Bent 76 pen.

Bolton: Jaaskelainen, Steinsson, Cahill, Andrew O'Brien, Samuel, Davies, Nolan, Muamba (Gardner 85), McCann, Taylor, Elmander (Riga 85).
Subs Not Used: Al Habsi, Hunt, Smolarek, Helguson, Shittu.

Sent Off: McCann (56).

Booked: Nolan, McCann, Jaaskelainen.

Att: 35,507

Ref: Andre Marriner (W Midlands).

____________________________________________________________________

West Ham 0-2
(HT 0-0)
Arsenal


Faubert o.g. 75
Adebayor 90+1
Bookings:
Parker 43
Faubert 88

Bookings:
Fabregas 27
Clichy 51
Song Billong 59
Sent off:
Cole 90+3



A late Emmanuel Adebayor strike and a Julien Faubert own goal at Upton Park inflicted a third successive Premier League defeat on West Ham.

Theo Walcott and Robin van Persie both hit the post before substitute Adebayor's scuffed shot was directed beyond Robert Green via Faubert.

In injury time, Adebayor ran from the centre circle to finish a delightful Nicklas Bendtner cross-field pass.

And West Ham striker Carlton Cole was then sent off for a foul on Alex Song.

____________________________________________________________________
Wigan 0-4
(HT 0-1)
Aston Villa


Barry (pen) 22
Agbonlahor 57
Carew 62
Sidwell 90
Bookings:
Palacios 26

Bookings:
Young 31
Reo-Coker 44

Gabriel Agbonlahor scored one goal and made two as Villa won at a canter at Wigan's JJB Stadium.

Gareth Barry gave the visitors the lead from the penalty spot after Agbonlahor was felled by Titus Bramble.

The young striker bundled home the second from a flick-on by substitute John Carew before returning the favour for the Norwegian to head the third.

Steve Sidwell capped Villa's afternoon by coming off the bench and rifling in a fourth goal, his first for the club.

The result and the manner in which it was achieved represents the perfect way for manager Martin O'Neill to complete his first century of games in charge of the Midlands side.

The Northern Irishman had warned beforehand of the dangers posed by Wigan but in truth the home side showed little of the fight on evidence in the recent home victory over Manchester City.


Wigan: Kirkland, Boyce, Bramble, Scharner, Figueroa, De Ridder (Taylor 81), Palacios, Cattermole (Brown 81), Kapo (Koumas 46), Zaki, Heskey. Subs Not Used: Pollitt, Kilbane, Camara, Cywka.

Booked: Palacios.

Aston Villa: Friedel, Luke Young (Davies 78), Laursen, Cuellar, Shorey, Reo-Coker, Petrov (Sidwell 84), Barry (Carew 54), Ashley Young, Agbonlahor, Milner. Subs Not Used: Guzan, Harewood, Knight, Gardner.

Booked: Luke Young, Reo-Coker.

Goals: Barry 22 pen, Agbonlahor 57, Carew 62, Sidwell 90.

Att: 20,249.

Ref: Michael Jones (Cheshie).

____________________________________________________________________

Portsmouth 1-1
(HT 0-0)
Fulham
Crouch 61

Dempsey 87

Clint Dempsey's late goal rescued an unlikely point for Fulham against managerless Portsmouth.

Portsmouth had taken a 60th minute lead through Peter Crouch, who tucked home from close range after being played in by the lively Jermain Defoe.

Fulham were thankful to keeper Mark Schwarzer for keeping them in the game while Nadir Belhadj also hit the post.

And with the game heading for a Pompey victory Dempsey found himself unmarked at the near post to equalise.

All the pre-match talk was of Harry Redknapp's departure to Tottenham and his subsequent successor at Fratton Park.


Tottenham sack Ramos for Redknapp

Tottenham Hotspur have appointed former Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp as their new manager after sacking Juande Ramos late on Saturday night.

Spurs have agreed a compensation package of £5m with Portsmouth, according to the 61-year-old Redknapp.

Tottenham also axed sporting director Damien Comolli and first-team coaches Gus Poyet and Marcos Alvarez following their worst start to a season.

"It's a big opportunity to manage a big club before I retire," said Redknapp.

Saturday 25 October 2008

Premier League Results fo 25th Oct 2008

Everton 1-1
(HT 0-1)
Man Utd
Fellaini 63

Fletcher 22
Bookings:
Jagielka 52
Yobo 56
Fellaini 90+4

Bookings:
Vidic 30
Rooney 69
Brown 85

Marouane Fellaini's header capped a fine recovery by Everton and earned a point against Manchester United.

United dominated the first half and deservedly took the lead when Darren Fletcher ran onto Ryan Giggs' pass to slot home after 22 minutes.

Everton keeper Tim Howard kept his side in the game until Fellaini rose to head in Phil Neville's cross.

Yakubu then had a shot turned on to the post by United keeper Edwin van der Sar to deny Everton an unlikely win.

Everton: Howard, Neville, Yobo, Jagielka, Lescott, Arteta,

Fellaini, Osman, Pienaar, Saha (Anichebe 90),

Yakubu (Vaughan 88).

Subs Not Used: Nash, Baines, Castillo, Nuno Valente, Rodwell.

Booked: Jagielka, Yobo, Fellaini.

Goals: Fellaini 63.

Man Utd: Van der Sar, Brown, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra, Ronaldo,

Fletcher (Tevez 78), Giggs, Park (Anderson 67), Berbatov,

Rooney (Nani 71).

Subs Not Used: Kuszczak, Neville, O'Shea, Evans.

Booked: Vidic, Rooney, Brown.

Goals: Fletcher 22.

Att: 36,069

Ref: Alan Wiley (Staffordshire).

____________________________________________________________________

Sunderland 2-1
(HT 1-1)
Newcastle
Cisse 20
Richardson 75

Ameobi 30
Bookings:
Cisse 54

Bookings:
Guthrie 5
Butt 73


Kieran Richardson's sublime free-kick saw off a spirited Newcastle side to earn Sunderland their first Wear-Tyne derby victory in eight years.

Djibril Cisse showed great reactions to put Sunderland ahead when he steered in Steed Malbranque's shot-cum-cross.

Shola Ameobi's powerful header from Geremi's fine free-kick drew Joe Kinnear's men level before the break.

But Richardson crashed home the winner with a ferocious 18-yard strike after Nicky Butt fouled El-Hadji Diouf.

The Magpies matched their hosts for most of a fiery match played in battering wind. But the Black Cats started and finished strongly, created the better chances and no one could argue with the quality of Richardson's winner six minutes from time.


Sunderland: Fulop, Chimbonda, Ferdinand, Collins, McCartney, Malbranque (Tainio 87), Whitehead, Yorke (Jones 57), Richardson, Cisse, Diouf (Reid 90).
Subs Not Used: Colgan, Bardsley, Chopra, Leadbitter.

Booked: Cisse.

Goals: Cisse 20, Richardson 75.

Newcastle: Given, Beye, Taylor, Coloccini, Bassong (Jose Enrique 84), Geremi (Gutierrez 73), Guthrie, Butt (Barton 85), Duff, Ameobi, Martins.
Subs Not Used: Harper, Cacapa, N'Zogbia, Xisco.

Booked: Guthrie, Butt.

Goals: Ameobi 30.

Att: 47,936.

Ref: Mike Riley (Yorkshire).

____________________________________________________________________

West Brom 0-3
(HT 0-0)
Hull


Zayatte 47
Geovanni 62
King 66
Bookings:
Miller 27

Bookings:
Ricketts 39
Ashbee 49

Only goal difference separates Hull from the top of the Premier League after a comprehensive victory over fellow top-flight newcomers West Brom.

Albion's Jonas Olsson headed against the bar after Borja Valero's shot had been saved before Kamil Zayatte headed wide when unmarked as Hull fought back.

Zayatte volleyed Hull in front from a corner for his first goal for the club.

Brazilian Geovanni made it 2-0 with a diving header after Marlon King's flick before King slotted in a low shot.

It was the fourth successive win for Hull and takes them to level on points with leaders Chelsea and second-placed Liverpool who play each other on Sunday.


West Brom: Carson, Zuiverloon, Donk, Olsson, Robinson, Morrison (Moore 80), Greening, Koren (Brunt 80), Borja Valero, Miller (MacDonald 80), Bednar.
Subs Not Used: Kiely, Hoefkens, Cech, Barnett.

Booked: Miller.

Hull: Myhill, McShane, Zayatte, Turner, Dawson (Ricketts 10), Marney, Ashbee (Hughes 75), Boateng, Cousin, King, Geovanni (Garcia 78).
Subs Not Used: Duke, Mendy, Halmosi, Folan.

Booked: Ricketts, Ashbee.

Goals: Zayatte 47, Geovanni 62, King 66.

Att: 26,323.

Ref: Lee Probert (Wiltshire).

Thicko Barton

Thicko Joey Barton makes his come back after all the problems he's caused. How any team could have this idiot back in their squad I'll never know. Newcastle must be desperate if they need that idiot. the thicko said he wants to be a role model, for what I ask more thugs? Face it Barton youre washed up and the biggest loser the Premier League has seen

Wednesday 22 October 2008

Premier League gossip and transfer news

Brazil striker Ronaldo, nearing full fitness after a serious knee injury, has pleaded with Manchester City to make another move for him, saying: "If City make their offer again, I'll consider it." (The Sun)

England striker Emile Heskey is looking for an £80,000-a-week deal elsewhere as he plays out his current Wigan contract, which may mean he could prove too expensive in the January window. (Daily Mirror)

Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill plans to use Marlon Harewood as bait to sign Blackburn striker Roque Santa Cruz in an £18m deal. (Daily Mirror)

Barnsley have been forced to abandon plans to sign Bolton's Portuguese striker Ricardo Vaz Te on loan because he is suffering from a knee injury. (Daily Express)

Atletico Madrid directors have placed under-pressure Tottenham boss Juande Ramos at the top of their list to replace much-criticised Javier Aguirre. (Daily Star)

Former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has branded Blues striker Didier Drogba a diver. The Inter Milan manager said: "I am no longer Chelsea coach and I do not have to defend them any more but I think it is correct if I say Drogba is a diver." (Various)

Liverpool owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett Jr have signalled that they are ready to sell their stake at Anfield after engaging investment bank Merrill Lynch to find a buyer for the club. (The Times)

Liverpool's owners reportedly intend to use the club's profits to service interest on the loans they have incurred to buy the club. (Daily Telegraph)

Bolton manager Gary Megson has claimed it will take a record low points total to survive in the Premier League this season. (Daily Mirror)

Atletico Madrid striker Diego Forlan has promised to score against Liverpool in the Champions League on Wednesday - and dedicate the goal to his former club Manchester United. (Daily Mirror)

Manchester City hope to agree terms over a new double-your-money four-year contract with goalkeeper Joe Hart by the end of the week. (Daily Mail)

Tuesday 21 October 2008

Premier League result for 20th Oct 2008

Newcastle 2-2
(HT 1-1)
Man City
Ameobi 44
Dunne o.g. 63

Robinho (pen) 14
Ireland 86


Bookings:
Garrido 36
Kompany 45+1
Sent off:
Beye 12



Newcastle earned a brave draw after referee Rob Styles' early penalty decision had enraged St James' Park.

Home fans were livid after Styles sent off Habib Beye in the 13th minute when Beye appeared to clear from Robinho.

The Brazilian easily converted the resulting penalty but City mistakes let Shola Ameobi equalise before half time.

The Magpies led through Richard Dunne's spectacular own goal after 62 minutes, but Stephen Ireland stroked in a classy equaliser with five minutes remaining.

Having made their worst start to a Premier League season in nine years, and with owner Mike Ashley still looking for a buyer for the club, second-from-bottom Newcastle were desperate for a win.

Newcastle: Given, Beye, Taylor, Coloccini, Bassong, Geremi, Guthrie, Butt, Duff, Martins (N'Zogbia 72), Ameobi (Carroll 79).
Subs Not Used: Harper, Cacapa, Jose Enrique, Xisco, Edgar.

Sent Off: Beye (12).

Goals: Ameobi 44, Dunne 63 og.

Man City: Hart, Richards (Onuoha 58), Ben-Haim, Dunne, Garrido (Sturridge 83), Wright-Phillips, Kompany, Hamann (Evans 64), Ireland, Jo, Robinho.
Subs Not Used: Schmeichel, Elano, Fernandes, Berti.

Booked: Garrido, Kompany.

Goals: Robinho 14 pen, Ireland 86.

Att: 45,908

Ref: Rob Styles (Hampshire).

Sunday 19 October 2008

Premier League Results for 19th Oct 2008

Hull 1-0
(HT 0-0)
West Ham
Turner 51


Bookings:
Zayatte 62
Dawson 71

Bookings:
Ilunga 18

Hull moved back into third place in the Premier League after a Michael Turner goal made it three wins on the trot.

Carlton Cole and Herita Ilunga both missed glorious opportunities for West Ham in the opening half.

Turner put Hull in front when he headed in powerfully from an Andy Dawson corner just after the break.

The Hammers almost equalised when Cole's shot from five yards out beat Boaz Myhill, but he saw his effort come back off the underside of the bar.

It was a third consecutive win for Phil Brown's Hull side, whose tally of 17 points after eight games is the second best total for a promoted club since the start of the Premier League.

Gomez Addams was very happy with his team today.

____________________________________________________________________

Stoke 2-1
(HT 1-1)
Tottenham
Higginbotham (pen) 19
Delap 53

Bent 25
Bookings:
Ab Faye 87

Bookings:
Hutton 64
Woodgate 90


Sent off:
Bale 17
Dawson 90+9

Tottenham had Gareth Bale and Michael Dawson dismissed as Stoke took advantage to claim a vital victory.

Bale saw red for a foul on Tom Soares and Danny Higginbotham scored the penalty before Darren Bent poked home.

Rory Delap tapped in to make it 2-1 before Ricardo Fuller struck both posts with a penalty and Delap hit the bar.

Dawson was sent off for a tackle on Mamady Sidibe and Fuller hit the post in 11 minutes of injury time, which came after Vedran Corluka was hurt.

The Croatian was caught by the knee of his own keeper, Heurelho Gomes, full on his chin and required medical attention on the pitch.

He left the field on a stretcher wearing an oxygen mask and was taken to hospital.

It was a horror injury for Corluka in what was a nightmare of a match for Tottenham.

Two points separated the teams at the start of the game, but Spurs are now three points adrift at the foot of the table after falling to their sixth league defeat of the season.

It is a bleak statistic for the north Londoners and adds to the already considerable pressure on manager Juande Ramos.

In contrast, Stoke will be delighted with their second victory of the campaign, which did not come as easily as might have been expected given their numerical advantage.

Stoke started brightly and created the first chance when Delap squared for Soares after a fine passing move, but the striker could only hit his shot weakly at Gomes.


Stoke: Sorensen (Simonsen 66), Griffin, Abdoulaye Faye, Sonko (Shawcross 83), Higginbotham, Soares, Olofinjana, Diao, Delap, Sidibe, Kitson (Fuller 56).
Subs Not Used: Whelan, Cresswell, Amdy Faye, Tonge.

Booked: Abdoulaye Faye.

Goals: Higginbotham 19 pen, Delap 53.

Tottenham: Gomes, Hutton, Woodgate, Corluka (Dawson 77), Bale, Lennon, Zokora, Jenas, Modric, Bentley (Pavlyuchenko 59), Bent.
Subs Not Used: Cesar, Huddlestone, Campbell, O'Hara, Assou-Ekotto.

Sent Off: Bale (17), Dawson (90).

Booked: Hutton, Woodgate.

Goals: Bent 25.

Att: 27,500

Ref: Lee Mason (Lancashire).

Saturday 18 October 2008

Premier League results for 18th Oct 2008

Arsenal 3-1
(HT 0-1)
Everton
Nasri 48
Van Persie 70
Walcott 90

Osman 9
Bookings:
Adebayor 34
Clichy 60

Bookings:
Lescott 30
Hibbert 60
Pienaar 65
Osman 87

Leon Osman put Everton ahead when he exchanged passes with Steven Pienaar and converted at the near post.

Samir Nasri equalised with a low shot from 20 yards and Robin Van Persie headed Arsenal in front after Tim Howard had parried Cesc Fabregas' shot.

With Arsenal then in the ascendancy, substitute Theo Walcott played a one-two with Abou Diaby before slotting in the third through Howard's legs.

Arsenal: Almunia, Song Billong, Toure (Walcott 46), Silvestre, Clichy, Eboue, Fabregas, Denilson, Nasri (Diaby 83), Van Persie, Adebayor.
Subs Not Used: Fabianski, Vela, Ramsey, Gibbs, Hoyte.

Booked: Adebayor, Clichy.

Goals: Nasri 48, Van Persie 70, Walcott 90.

Everton: Howard, Hibbert (Vaughan 80), Jagielka, Lescott, Baines, Arteta, Osman, Rodwell, Fellaini (Saha 74), Pienaar, Yakubu (Neville 80).
Subs Not Used: Nash, Nuno Valente, Gosling, Wallace.

Booked: Lescott, Hibbert, Pienaar, Osman.

Goals: Osman 9.

Att: 60,064

Ref: Peter Walton (Northamptonshire).

____________________________________________________________________

Aston Villa 0-0
(HT 0-0)
Portsmouth
Bookings:
Young 64

Bookings:
Johnson 43
Davis 60
Diop 75


Sent off:
Davis 81

Aston Villa and Portsmouth cemented their places in the top half of the Premier League table after a hard-fought draw at Villa Park.

The visitors started well with Jermain Defoe missing a sitter after Armand Traore had hit the post.

But Villa had numerous chances to get a second-half winner with John Carew heading against the bar late on.

Pompey midfielder Sean Davis was unlucky to be sent off with 10 minutes remaining after a second yellow card.

Aston Villa: Friedel, Cuellar, Davies, Laursen (Luke Young 88), Milner, Reo-Coker, Petrov, Barry, Ashley Young, Agbonlahor, Carew.
Subs Not Used: Guzan, Sidwell, Harewood, Knight, Shorey, Gardner.

Booked: Ashley Young.

Portsmouth: James, Johnson, Campbell, Distin, Armand Traore (Belhadj 78), Little (Utaka 71), Davis, Diop, Pamarot, Defoe (Mvuemba 82), Crouch.
Subs Not Used: Ashdown, Hreidarsson, Thomas, Kanu.

Sent Off: Davis (81).

Booked: Johnson, Davis, Diop.

Att: 37,660

Ref: Mike Riley (Yorkshire).

____________________________________________________________________

Bolton 0-0
(HT 0-0)
Blackburn
Bookings:
Steinsson 34

Bookings:
Simpson 52
Villanueva 57
Kerimoglu 68

Bolton failed to turn around a wretched run of form against Blackburn as they drew a blank at the Reebok.

Despite a sterling effort from Matt Taylor, Bolton could not find a way through the resolute Rovers defence.

Blackburn's Carlos Villanueva clipped the bar in the first half before Jason Roberts missed a free header close in.

Bolton's Andy O'Brien also missed a great chance from a corner before Taylor hit the post after the best passing move of the game.

Bolton: Jaaskelainen, Steinsson (Joey O'Brien 77), Andrew O'Brien, Cahill, Samuel, McCann, Davies, Nolan, Muamba (Gardner 69), Taylor (Riga 86), Elmander.
Subs Not Used: Al Habsi, Hunt, Smolarek, Shittu.

Booked: Steinsson.

Blackburn: Robinson, Simpson, Nelsen, Samba, Ooijer, Emerton, Villanueva (Derbyshire 62), Kerimoglu, Warnock, Fowler (Andrews 74), Roberts (McCarthy 78).
Subs Not Used: Brown, Grella, Khizanishvili, Treacy.

Booked: Simpson, Villanueva, Kerimoglu.

Att: 24,778

Ref: Howard Webb (S Yorkshire).

____________________________________________________________________

Fulham 0-0
(HT 0-0)
Sunderland
Bookings:
Murphy 53

Bookings:
Malbranque 34

Sunderland produced a superb display but could not find the goal they deserved as Fulham escaped with a point to end a run of three straight defeats.

Kieran Richardson and Djibril Cisse came close to giving Sunderland the lead, while Zoltan Gera wasted two first-half chances for the hosts.

One Richardson free-kick hit the woodwork three times and another was disallowed for a foul in the wall.


Fulham: Schwarzer, Pantsil, Hughes, Hangeland, Konchesky, Davies, Murphy, Bullard, Gera (Dempsey 73), Zamora, Johnson.
Subs Not Used: Zuberbuhler, Nevland, Gray, Andreasen, Kallio, Baird.

Booked: Murphy.

Sunderland: Gordon, Chimbonda, Ferdinand, Collins, McCartney, Malbranque, Leadbitter (Reid 62), Whitehead, Richardson, Cisse (Murphy 84), Chopra (Healy 69).
Subs Not Used: Fulop, Bardsley, Tainio, Diouf.

Booked: Malbranque.

Att: 25,116

Ref: Keith Stroud (Hampshire)
____________________________________________________________________

Liverpool 3-2
(HT 1-2)
Wigan
Kuyt 37
Riera 80
Kuyt 85

Zaki 29
Zaki 45+2
Bookings:
Dossena 39

Bookings:
Valencia 71


Sent off:
Valencia 75


Dirk Kuyt's scissor-kick five minutes from time gave Liverpool all three points against 10-man Wigan in a pulsating game at Anfield.

Amr Zaki gave the visitors the lead after a mistake from Daniel Agger, but Kuyt fired Liverpool level.

On the stroke of half-time Zaki scored a spectacular overhead-kick to restore Wigan's lead, before Antonio Valencia was sent off for two bookable offences.

The home side hit back through Albert Riera, before Kuyt's late winner.

Liverpool: Reina, Arbeloa (Benayoun 79), Carragher, Agger, Dossena (El Zhar 78), Pennant, Gerrard, Alonso, Riera, Keane (Hyypia 90), Kuyt.
Subs Not Used: Cavalieri, Leiva Lucas, Insua, Ngog.

Booked: Dossena.

Goals: Kuyt 37, Riera 80, Kuyt 85.

Wigan: Kirkland, Melchiot, Scharner, Bramble, Figueroa, Valencia, Cattermole, Palacios (Koumas 90), Kapo (Brown 82), De Ridder (Kilbane 79), Zaki.
Subs Not Used: Pollitt, Taylor, Boyce, Camara.

Sent Off: Valencia (75).

Booked: Valencia.

Goals: Zaki 29, 45.

Att: 43,868

Ref: Alan Wiley (Staffordshire)
____________________________________________________________________

Man Utd 4-0
(HT 0-0)
West Brom
Rooney 56
Ronaldo 69
Berbatov 71
Nani 90




Bookings:
Zuiverloon 40

Wayne Rooney sparked Manchester United into life against a limited West Brom as the champions moved ominously up to fourth in the Premier League table.

The visitors battled hard early on while Rooney had an effort disallowed.

But the in-form England international cut inside Ryan Donk to fire a superb opener on 55 minutes before setting up Cristiano Ronaldo for a simple second.

Dimitar Berbatov added a casual third after poor Baggies defending before Rooney set up Nani to slide in late on.

Man Utd: Van der Sar, Rafael Da Silva (Neville 65), Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra (O'Shea 36), Ronaldo, Fletcher, Giggs, Park (Nani 70), Berbatov, Rooney.
Subs Not Used: Kuszczak, Brown, Evans, Gibson.

Goals: Rooney 56, Ronaldo 69, Berbatov 71, Nani 90.

West Brom: Carson, Zuiverloon, Donk, Olsson, Robinson, Morrison, Koren (Moore 72), Borja Valero, Greening, Brunt, Bednar (Miller 53).
Subs Not Used: Kiely, Hoefkens, Cech, Barnett, MacDonald.

Booked: Zuiverloon.

Att: 75,451

Ref: Mark Halsey (Lancashire).

____________________________________________________________________

Middlesbrough 0-5
(HT 0-1)
Chelsea


Kalou 14
Belletti 51
Kalou 53
Lampard 63
Malouda 67
Bookings:
O'Neil 25
Alves 77



Chelsea completely outclassed Middlesbrough to keep their place at the top of the Premier League table.

Salomon Kalou began the rout, stroking in after Juliano Belletti's shot had been blocked and Belletti made it 2-0 with a stunning 30-yard shot.

Kalou got his second when his low strike deflected off David Wheater before Frank Lampard's diving header rounded off a superb Chelsea breakaway.

Florent Malouda tapped in the fifth after Nicolas Anelka had hit the post.

Middlesbrough: Turnbull, Grounds (John Johnson 54), Wheater, Riggott, Taylor, Aliadiere, Shawky (Digard 65), O'Neil, Adam Johnson (Alves 65), Downing, Mido.
Subs Not Used: Jones, Emnes, Bennett, Walker.

Booked: O'Neil, Alves.

Chelsea: Cudicini, Bosingwa, Terry, Alex, Bridge (Ferreira 65), Belletti, Lampard (Deco 73), Mikel, Kalou, Anelka (Sinclair 78), Malouda.
Subs Not Used: Hilario, Ivanovic, Mancienne, Stoch.

Goals: Kalou 14, Belletti 51, Kalou 53, Lampard 63, Malouda 67.

Att: 29,221

Ref: Phil Dowd (Staffordshire).

Tuesday 14 October 2008

Premier League gossip and transfer news

14th Oct 2008

Former manager Kevin Keegan is suing Newcastle United for £9m in damages. The 57-year-old has begun legal proceedings for unfair dismissal following his departure in September. (Evening Standard)

West Ham are close to agreeing a deal to sign former Deportivo La Coruna striker Diego Tristan, 32, who is now a free agent after a spell in Italian football. (Daily Star)

Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso could still join Juventus as the Italians continue to be linked with manager Rafael Benitez. Current Juve boss Claudio Ranieri has one year left on his contract and former Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard and ex-Italy manager Roberto Donadoni are also on the Turin club's shortlist. (Various)

Sunderland and West Brom are leading the chase to sign Leeds' new teenage sensation Fabian Delph. (Daily Mirror)

Djibril Cisse, currently on a season-long loan at Sunderland from Marseille, is set to become Roy Keane's first £10m signing. (The Sun)

Striker Paul Gallagher, currently on loan at Plymouth, is set to quit Blackburn. (Daily Mirror)

Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard has expressed concern over his England place after once again failing to click with Frank Lampard on Saturday against Kazakhstan. (Various)

Portugal winger Cristiano Ronaldo believes he has now been forgiven by Manchester United fans for trying to quit the club for Real Madrid in the summer. "People have not forgotten all the good things we've done together and I'm very happy with that," he said. (The Sun)


Chelsea's England Under-21 star Michael Mancienne has admitted he may have to quit the Stamford Bridge club to fulfil his desire for first-team football. (The Sun)

Joe Kinnear claims he is ready to return to management on a full-time basis having rediscovered the bug at Newcastle, where he is currently interim boss. (Daily Star)

Hong Kong businessman Carson Yeung wants to make a renewed bid to buy Birmingham City. (Daily Mail)

Doctors in Australia have told Newcastle striker Mark Viduka that he will not need more surgery to cure his Achilles problem. The 33-year-old feared he could be out for six months. (Daily Mail)

Moyes signs new deal


Manager David Moyes has ended speculation over his future by signing a new five-year deal at Everton.

Moyes, 45, delayed signing the deal and admitted it may have unsettled his players after they were knocked out of the Carling Cup and the Uefa Cup.

"There have been many different things for different reasons," Moyes told the club's website of the delay.

"But we are here now. The big thing for me is that I am at Everton, as far as I am concerned, for another five years."

Wednesday 8 October 2008

Premier League Gossip and transfer news

Sat 11th Sept 2008

Manchester City boss Mark Hughes has made signing Blackburn striker Roque Santa Cruz his top priority in January. (Daily Mirror)

Wigan boss Steve Bruce is hopeful of signing loan striker Amr Zaki on a permanent deal from Cairo side Zamalek. (Daily Mirror)

Ipswich are interested in signing crocked Portsmouth striker David Nugent, who has just had a second hernia operation. (Sun)

James Milner insists he is not frustrated at playing a bit-part since his £12million move to Aston Villa from Newcastle. (The Sun)

Sunderland chairman Niall Quinn has prepared a three-year business plan in a bid to convince boss Roy Keane he should stay at the club. (Sun)

Pompey chief executive Peter Storrie believes the days of massive transfer fees could be over as football begins to feel the full effects of the credit crunch. (The News, Portsmouth)

Former manager Kevin Keegan has told close friends he would return to Newcastle as soon as Mike Ashley sells the club. (Daily Express)

West Ham owner Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson has assured the club's board that he is not going to sell, despite claims he has lost more than £300million in the Icelandic banking crisis. (Daily Express)



Earlier news


Hull have put an £8m price tag on Geovanni and are ready to offer the Brazilian a new double-your-money £40,000-a-week deal to stay at the KC Stadium. (The Sun)

Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas has opened the door for a return to his boyhood club Barcelona after admitting it would be a dream to go back to the Nou Camp. He said: "I've decided to give my all to Arsenal, although next year who knows?" (Daily Mirror)

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is planning an £8m bid for France Under-21 midfielder Blaise Matuidi, who is currently playing for Saint Etienne. (The Sun)

Argentina striker Carlos Tevez has been reassured his move to Manchester United will be made permanent before the end of the year. (The Sun)

Bolton want Blackburn's out-of-favour midfielder Aaron Mokoena and manager Gary Megson hopes to sign the 27-year-old South African in January for a nominal fee. (Daily Mirror)

Derby boss Paul Jewell will step up his bid to sign Stoke defender Ryan Shawcross on loan after losing Martin Albrechtsen to injury. Ipswich are also keen on the former Manchester United player. (Daily Star)

Fulham will sign South African midfielder Kagiso Dikgacoi, 23, in January - if he can get a work permit. (Various)

West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola has been told he must sell players before he can buy. The club was left reeling when the bank run by their owner Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson was taken over by Iceland's government to stop the entire country's finances from crumbling. (Various)

Liverpool could lose Rafael Benitez, with the club's American owners so far refusing to sanction an extension to their manager's current deal, which now has only 18 months left to run. (Daily Mirror)

According to other sources, Benitez has vowed to stay with the Anfield club, saying: "I'm not really worried about the situation at the moment." (Daily Star)

Newcastle's interim boss Joe Kinnear could be in charge of the Magpies until the new year as a sale of the club does not appear to be imminent. (Daily Star)

Football Association chairman David Triesman has threatened to enforce a salary cap on England's leading clubs as part of a wide-ranging and often damning address on the game's finances. (The Guardian)


Sunday 5 October 2008

Phil Brown is Gomez Addams


Premier League results for the 5th October 2008

Chelsea 2-0
(HT 2-0)
Aston Villa
J Cole 21
Anelka 44




Bookings:
Cuellar 68
Petrov 78
Shorey 85

Chelsea stayed top of the Premier League with an impressive demolition job on Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge.

The Blues were dominant throughout and Joe Cole drilled home the opener after running on to Frank Lampard's pass.

Nicolas Anelka got the second when he finished off after Brad Friedel had kept out his first effort and an initial shot from Michael Ballack.

Chelsea: Cech, Bosingwa, Ivanovic, Terry, Ashley Cole, Mikel, Joe Cole (Kalou 57), Ballack, Lampard, Malouda (Belletti 83), Anelka (Di Santo 46).
Subs Not Used: Hilario, Bridge, Ferreira, Mancienne.

Goals: Joe Cole 21, Anelka 44.

Aston Villa: Friedel, Luke Young (Milner 46), Davies (Cuellar 46), Laursen, Shorey, Reo-Coker, Petrov, Barry, Ashley Young, Carew (Harewood 71), Agbonlahor.
Subs Not Used: Guzan, Knight, Salifou, Gardner.

Booked: Cuellar, Petrov, Shorey.

Att: 41,593.

Ref: Chris Foy (Merseyside).

____________________________________________________________________


Everton 2-2
(HT 2-1)
Newcastle
Arteta (pen) 17
Fellaini 35

Taylor 45+2
Duff 47
Bookings:
Fellaini 73

Bookings:
N'Zogbia 25
Butt 44
Geremi 74

Newcastle fought back from two goals down to earn a draw away at Everton in Joe Kinnear's first match in charge.

Mikel Arteta's penalty gave Everton a deserved lead before Marouane Fellaini made it two with a neat finish.

Steven Taylor inspired Newcastle's comeback, heading in on the stroke of half-time, and then crossing for Damien Duff to equalise after the break.

Leighton Baines blocked Charles N'Zogbia's shot as Everton claimed their first home point of the season.

Everton: Howard, Hibbert, Jagielka, Lescott, Baines, Arteta, Osman, Fellaini, Pienaar (Vaughan 84), Saha (Anichebe 72), Yakubu.
Subs Not Used: Nash, Yobo, Castillo, Nuno Valente, Rodwell.

Booked: Fellaini.

Goals: Arteta 17 pen, Fellaini 35.

Newcastle: Given, Taylor, Coloccini, Cacapa, Jose Enrique (Bassong 39), Geremi (Ameobi 75), Butt, Guthrie, N'Zogbia, Owen, Duff.
Subs Not Used: Harper, Xisco, Edgar, Doninger, Donaldson.

Booked: N'Zogbia, Butt, Geremi.

Goals: Taylor 45, Duff 47.

Att: 33,805

Ref: Howard Webb (S Yorkshire)
____________________________________________________________________

Man City 2-3
(HT 2-0)
Liverpool
Ireland 19
Garrido 41

Torres 55
Torres 73
Kuyt 90+2
Bookings:
Dunne 86

Bookings:
Arbeloa 90+6
Sent off:
Zabaleta 67



Dirk Kuyt scored an injury-time winner as Liverpool came back from two goals down to beat 10-man Manchester City.

Stephen Ireland lashed in a shot to put City ahead and Javier Garrido curled a 22-yard free-kick into the top corner to extend the home side's lead.

But Fernando Torres sidefooted home and, after City's Pablo Zabaleta was sent off for a tackle on Xabi Alonso, headed in to level for the visitors.

Kuyt dramatically decided the game late on when he slotted in at the far post.

Man City: Hart, Zabaleta, Dunne, Richards, Garrido, Wright-Phillips, Ireland, Kompany, Elano (Petrov 85), Robinho (Evans 80), Jo (Fernandes 70).
Subs Not Used: Schmeichel, Hamann, Ben-Haim, Sturridge.

Sent Off: Zabaleta (67).

Booked: Dunne.

Goals: Ireland 19, Garrido 41.

Liverpool: Reina, Arbeloa, Carragher, Skrtel, Aurelio (Dossena 70), Mascherano (Keane 71), Kuyt, Gerrard, Alonso, Riera (Benayoun 81), Torres.
Subs Not Used: Cavalieri, Agger, Babel, Leiva Lucas.

Booked: Arbeloa.

Goals: Torres 55, 73, Kuyt 90.

Att: 47,280

Ref: Peter Walton (Northamptonshire).

____________________________________________________________________

Portsmouth 2-1
(HT 1-0)
Stoke
Crouch 25
Defoe 51

Fuller 48


Bookings:
Olofinjana 22
Simonsen 66
Am Faye 77

Jermain Defoe netted the winner and Portsmouth striker Peter Crouch scored with a spectacular overhead kick as Stoke were beaten at Fratton Park.

Crouch acrobatically fired Defoe's cross into the bottom corner.

Stoke equalised when Rory Delap's long throw was flicked on by Dave Kitson and Ricardo Fuller headed home.

Defoe rattled the post with a 30-yard drive but then found the net after Stoke's Seyi Olofinjana allowed him to cut in from the left and shoot.

Stoke's defeat leaves them in the bottom three with just one win from their opening seven Premier League matches.


Portsmouth: James, Johnson, Campbell, Distin, Belhadj, Diop, Davis, Hughes, Armand Traore (Hreidarsson 90), Crouch, Defoe.
Subs Not Used: Ashdown, Little, Kanu, Hreidarsson, Kaboul, Mvuemba, Pamarot.

Goals: Crouch 25, Defoe 50.

Stoke: Simonsen, Griffin, Cort, Abdoulaye Faye, Higginbotham, Delap (Cresswell 73), Olofinjana, Amdy Faye, Tonge (Soares 65), Fuller, Kitson (Sidibe 61).
Subs Not Used: Whelan, Shawcross, Wilkinson, Sonko.

Goal: Fuller 48.

Booked: Olofinjana 22, Simonsen 66, Amfy Faye 76.

Att: 19,248.

Ref: Andre Marriner (W Midlands).

_________________________________

Tottenham 0-1
(HT 0-1)
Hull


Geovanni 9
Bookings:
Jenas 34
Lennon 73
Bent 81
Campbell 88

Bookings:
Ashbee 21
Boateng 38

Geovanni's brilliant free-kick made it another perfect day in north London for Hull City - and piled the pressure on Tottenham manager Juande Ramos.

The Brazilian stunned White Hart Lane with a curling effort from 30 yards after only nine minutes.

The hosts twice hit the woodwork through Gareth Bale and Jonathan Woodgate before the break, while Hull's Dean Marney also hit the post.

Spurs pressed after the break - but stay rooted to the bottom of the table.

Tottenham: Gomes, Gunter (Bentley 55), Corluka, Woodgate, Bale, Lennon (Giovani 74), Jenas, Zokora, Modric, Pavlyuchenko (Bent 35), Campbell.
Subs Not Used: Cesar, Dawson, O'Hara, Assou-Ekotto.

Booked: Jenas, Lennon, Bent, Campbell.

Hull: Myhill, McShane, Turner, Zayatte, Dawson, Marney, Ashbee, Boateng, Geovanni (Halmosi 71), King (Folan 81), Cousin (Mendy 60).
Subs Not Used: Hughes, Duke, Garcia, Ricketts.

Booked: Ashbee, Boateng.

Goals: Geovanni 9.

Att: 36,062

Ref: Rob Styles (Hampshire).

____________________________________________________________________

West Ham 1-3
(HT 0-2)
Bolton
Cole 69

Davies 30
Cahill 34
Taylor 86
Bookings:
Noble 5
Faubert 52
Bellamy 88
Parker 89

Bookings:
Nolan 60
Taylor 86
O'Brien 90

__

Two Robert Green errors and a stunning Matthew Taylor free-kick secured victory for Bolton at West Ham.

The Hammers keeper gifted Bolton their opener when he dropped a hopeful cross at Kevin Davies' feet and the striker poked the ball into an empty net.

Green then failed to hold the ball after saving Gretar Steinsson's volley and Gary Cahill was on hand to tap in.

Carlton Cole headed in from a corner to give West Ham hope but Taylor smashed in from 40 yards to secure the win.

Although Bolton's tactics were defensive at times it was probably no more than they deserved from a disciplined performance.

It might have been very different as West Ham's confidence was evident early on, as they looked to secure a third successive league win.

West Ham: Green, Faubert, Neill, Upson, Ilunga, Behrami, Parker, Noble, Di Michele (Bellamy 54), Etherington (Sears 79), Cole.
Subs not used: Lastuvka, Lopez, Boa Morte, Mullins, Davenport.

Booked: Noble, Faubert, Bellamy, Parker.

Goals: Cole 69.

Bolton: Jaaskelainen, Steinsson, Andy O'Brien, Cahill, Samuel, Davies, Nolan, McCann, Muamba (JoeyO'Brien 80), Gardner, Elmander (Taylor 73).
Subs not used: Al Habsi, Hunt, Smolarek, Riga, Shittu.

Goals: Davies 30, Cahill 34, Taylor 86.

Booked: Nolan, Taylor, Andy O'Brien.

Att: 33,715

Ref: Mike Dean (Wirral).

__________________________________________________________________



Saturday 4 October 2008

Premier League results for 4th October 2008

Sunderland 1-1
(HT 0-0)
Arsenal
Leadbitter 86

Fabregas 90+3
Bookings:
Whitehead 41
Richardson 65
Yorke 73

Bookings:
Clichy 39
Toure 61
Bendtner 90
Adebayor 90+4

Cesc Fabregas scored a late header to rescue a disappointing Arsenal after Grant Leadbitter's stunning drive had appeared to hand Sunderland victory.

Djibril Cisse was twice denied by Manuel Almunia in a low-quality first half that had very few chances.

Robin van Persie's volley was superbly saved by Craig Gordon before Sunderland went ahead when Leadbitter's cracking 20-yard shot crashed in off the bar.

But Fabregas nodded in Van Persie's corner to salvage a point for Arsenal.

Sunderland: Gordon, Chimbonda, Ferdinand, Collins, McCartney, Malbranque (Chopra 87), Whitehead, Yorke (Leadbitter 84), Reid, Richardson, Cisse (Murphy 88).
Subs Not Used: Fulop, Bardsley, Diouf, Healy.

Booked: Whitehead, Richardson, Yorke.

Goals: Leadbitter 86.

Arsenal: Almunia, Sagna, Toure, Gallas, Clichy, Walcott (Bendtner 66), Denilson (Nasri 73), Fabregas, Song Billong (Vela 87), Van Persie, Adebayor.
Subs Not Used: Fabianski, Silvestre, Djourou, Eboue.

Booked: Clichy, Toure, Adebayor, Bendtner.

Goals: Fabregas 90.

Att: 40,199

Ref: Lee Mason (Lancashire).


____________________________________________________________________


West Brom 1-0
(HT 0-0)
Fulham
Bednar 61


Bookings:
Olsson 15
Borja Valero 35

Bookings:
Andreasen 90+2

Roman Bednar was West Brom's hero as he grabbed their winner against Fulham.

The Baggies upped the pace and tempo of the game in the second half and Ryan Donk's header hit the Fulham post.

The visitors did not heed the warning and Bednar rewarded his side's efforts when he poked in a shot after the visitors had failed to clear a corner.

Danny Murphy had a shot deflected wide, Clint Dempsey headed over and Seol Ki-Hyeon curled an effort wide for Fulham but they failed to find a breakthrough.

West Brom: Carson, Zuiverloon, Donk, Olsson, Robinson, Morrison (Cech 79), Koren, Greening, Borja Valero, Miller (Moore 64), Bednar.
Subs Not Used: Kiely, Hoefkens, Barnett, MacDonald, Pele.

Booked: Olsson, Borja Valero.

Goals: Bednar 61.

Fulham: Schwarzer, Pantsil (Stoor 82), Hughes, Hangeland, Konchesky, Davies, Bullard, Murphy (Andreasen 87), Gera, Zamora (Ki-Hyeon 71), Dempsey.
Subs Not Used: Zuberbuhler, Nevland, Kallio, Baird.

Booked: Andreasen.

Att: 25,708

Ref: Phil Dowd (Staffordshire).


____________________________________________________________________


Wigan
0-1
(HT 0-0)

Middlesbrough


Aliadiere 89
Bookings:
Zaki 37
Cattermole 39
Scharner 57



Jeremie Aliadiere scored an 89th-minute winner to give Middlesbrough their first away league victory of 2008 at the expense of Wigan.

The hosts dominated for long periods but were denied by an outstanding defensive performance from Boro.

Amr Zaki saw a first-half strike well saved by Ross Turnbull, who later thwarted Emile Heskey in fine fashion.

Boro pressed forward late on and Aliadiere rounded off a superb move with a cool finish at the death.

Wigan: Kirkland, Melchiot, Bramble, Scharner, Figueroa, Valencia, Cattermole, Palacios (De Ridder 85), Kapo (Koumas 67), Zaki (Camara 81), Heskey.
Subs Not Used: Pollitt, Taylor, Kilbane, Brown.

Booked: Zaki, Cattermole, Scharner.

Middlesbrough: Turnbull, Hoyte, Wheater, Riggott, Grounds, Aliadiere, O'Neil, Shawky (Digard 58), Downing, Alves (Adam Johnson 79), Mido.

Subs Not Used: Jones, Emnes, John Johnson, Walker, Craddock.

Goals: Aliadiere 89.

Att: 16,806

Ref: Martin Atkinson (W Yorkshire).

____________________________________________________________________


Blackburn 0-2
(HT 0-1)
Man Utd


Brown 31
Rooney 64
Bookings:
Pedersen 32
Samba 85

Bookings:
Fletcher 71

Wes Brown and Wayne Rooney got the goals as Manchester United recorded a fourth consecutive win by seeing off Blackburn at a rain-soaked Ewood Park.

Brown headed in from a Rooney cross, although Blackburn claimed keeper Jason Brown had been impeded by United's Nemanja Vidic in the build-up.

Rooney swept home a second after a blistering burst of pace from Cristiano Ronaldo down the right wing.

Blackburn rarely threatened and Carlos Tevez was denied a third by the post.

Blackburn: Brown, Ooijer, Samba, Nelsen, Olsson, Emerton, Kerimoglu (Andrews 68), Warnock, Pedersen (Treacy 58), Derbyshire, Roque Santa Cruz (Roberts 50).
Subs Not Used: Bunn, Mokoena, Villanueva, Fowler.

Booked: Pedersen, Samba.

Man Utd: Van der Sar, Brown, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra (O'Shea 71), Ronaldo, Fletcher, Anderson, Giggs (Tevez 66), Berbatov, Rooney (Park 77).
Subs Not Used: Amos, Nani, Rafael Da Silva, Evans.

Booked: Fletcher.

Goals: Brown 31, Rooney 64.

Att: 27,321.

Ref: Steve Bennett (Kent).