Wednesday 31 December 2008

Premier League Transfer news and gossip

Jan 17th 2009

Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp insists he does not want to sell midfielder Jermaine Jenas - and reckons there is a source within the club releasing information about his proposed transfer targets. (Sky Sports News, 0627 GMT)

AC Milan president and Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi thinks it will be difficult for Kaka to resist the offer from Premier League club Manchester City. (Associated Press, 1232 GMT)

Kaka has already issued a snub to Manchester City by revealing he prefers rivals Manchester United and Arsenal. (Sun)

Ronaldino has asked Kaka to turn his back on Manchester City and stay at AC Milan. (Daily Star)

AC Milan officials are expecting protests at the San Siro before Saturday's Serie A clash with Fiorentina because of the club's expected sale of Kaka. (Daily Mail)

Coach Carlo Ancelotti has hinted Milan are prepared for life without Kaka by insisting his team could cope without the Brazil star. (Daily Telegraph)

Kaka is expected to join Manchester City next week after he was railroaded into accepting the £108m move. (Daily Mirror)

Liverpool striker Fernando Torres has advised Kaka to reject overtures from Manchester City and remain at Milan. (Daily Mail)




Jan 11th 2009

Arsenal have had a £10m bid for Zenit St Petersburg playmaker Andrei Arshavin rejected by the Russian club.

Zenit spokesman Alexei Petrov said: "I can confirm that Zenit did get an official offer from Arsenal about Andrei Arshavin. It was rejected as insufficient. They offered about £10 million.

"No new offers have arrived from them since. At the moment, Arsenal are the only club to have approached us about the player."

(Sun website, 1520 GMT)

Manchester United have lined up Lyon striker Karim Benzema as their main summer transfer target, which means the end of Carlos Tevez's time at Old Trafford. (News of the World, Sunday Express)

Arsenal's attempt to sign Andrei Arshavin could be hijacked by Manchester City, who have agreed an £18m deal with Zenit St Petersburg. (Sunday Mirror)

Manchester City have also targeted Sporting Lisbon midfielder Miguel Veloso. (Sunday Mirror)

Manchester City will turn their attention to Chelsea's Carlo Cudicini should they fail to lure Newcastle's Shay Given to Eastlands. (News of the World)

City manager Mark Hughes has been told he needs to offer £20m if he wants Blackburn striker Roque Santa Cruz. (News of the World)

Tottenham will offer winger David Bentley to Middlesbrough in an attempt to seal the signing of Stewart Downing. (Sunday Mirror)

Spurs boss Harry Redknapp is lining up a £10m swoop for Wigan midfielder Wilson Palacios. (The People)

Everton are pondering a loan bid for Real Madrid's Javier Saviola - but the Argentine's wages could prevent any deal from happening. (News of the World)

Everton could face competition from Portsmouth for Saviola, as boss Tony Adams looks to replace Jermain Defoe. (Sunday Telegraph)

Adams is also interested in VfL Wolfsburg's Bosnian striker Edin Dzeko. (The People)

Arsenal will strengthen their midfield with the signings of Jimmy Bullard from Fulham and West Ham's Jack Collison. (Sunday Mirror)

Bullard is soon to be the subject of a £5m bid from Middlesbrough. (The People)

Newcastle are closing in on Rangers midfielder Pedro Mendes (Sunday Express) and Porto midfielder Raul Meireles. (News of the World)

The Magpies also want Aston Villa left-back Nicky Shorey, and are willing to offer Charles N'Zogbia as part of a swap deal. (The People)

Newcastle manager Joe Kinnear is considering a £4m bid for Coventry goalkeeper Kieran Westwood, should Shay Given leave the club. (Sunday Express)

Wigan striker Emile Heskey will not leave the club in the January transfer window - but will go in the summer. (Sunday Mirror)

Portsmouth manager Tony Adams has received a boost after hearing that striker Peter Crouch, who interests Tottenham and Aston Villa, intends to stay at Fratton Park. (News of the World)

Manchester United striker Carlos Tevez has spoken to fellow Argentine Gabriel Heinze about a possible move to Real Madrid in the summer. (The People)

Liverpool winger Jermaine Pennant is wanted by Spanish club Sevilla. (News of the World)

Aston Villa head the list of clubs chasing Reading striker Kevin Doyle, although the Royals will not settle for anything less than £8m. (Sunday Express)

Blackburn and Newcastle are battling it out for Sheffield United striker James Beattie, after his move to Stoke fell through. (The People)

Rangers are interested in signing John Utaka from Portsmouth, should the Scottish club sell Kris Boyd. (News of the World)

Arsenal face competition from two Italian sides in the race to sign Boca Juniors £4m-rated midfielder Sebastian Battaglia. (News of the World)

Lucas Neill's future at West Ham is under threat after the Hammers offered the defender a cut-price new contract. (The People)

Tottenham have offered £4m to Sunderland for former full-back Pascal Chimbonda. (Sunday Express)

Everton will make a £500,000 bid for Bristol City defender James Wilson. (Sunday Mirror)

Reading midfielder Stephen Hunt is keen on a move to the Premier League, with Everton, Middlebrough and maybe Tottenham all interested. (News of the World)

Stoke want Lens and Ivory Coast striker Aruna Dindane, who is rated at around £6m. (Sunday Mirror)

Middlesbrough are weighing up a £2m move for Rangers skipper Barry Ferguson. (Sunday Mail) Celtic face competition from Portsmouth for Le Mans goalkeeper Yohann Pele. (News of the World)











Jan 9th 2009

Liverpool are unlikely to offer winger Jermaine Pennant a new contract.

"He is waiting for a good offer and we are waiting for a good offer," said Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez. "A new contract for him would be very difficult." (Press Association 1541 GMT)

Chelsea manager Luiz Felipe Scolari has told Tottenham to forget about signing England midfielder Joe Cole. (PA 1307 GMT)

Roma midfielder Alberto Aquilani is set to remain with the club, despite reports linking him with a move to Arsenal. (PA 1245 GMT)

Wigan say they are not looking to sign or sell anyone during the January transfer window and therefore dismiss stories linking them with Rangers striker Kris Boyd. (BBC Radio Scotland 1245 GMT)

Real Madrid want to seal a £15m deal for Wigan's Antonio Valencia. (Star)

Manchester United and Chelsea face a summer battle for Villarreal's £12m-rated keeper Diego Lopez. (Star)

Manchester City boss Mark Hughes fears he will be priced out of a move for striker Roque Santa Cruz, who Blackburn are valuing at £18m. (Star)

Hughes is set to make a £17m take-it-or-leave-it offer for Santa Cruz, which could be enough to seal the transfer. (Mirror)

City may make improved offers for West Ham pair Scott Parker and Craig Bellamy but say they have not bid for Newcastle keeper Shay Given. (Star)

Arsenal's hopes of signing midfielder Niko Kranjcar have been dashed after Portsmouth insisted he will not be leaving the club in January. (Star)

Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate wants to keep Tottenham target Stewart Downing until the summer. (Star)

Bolton have bid £2m for Newcastle midfielder Joey Barton. (Various)

Sunderland have insisted El-Hadji Diouf and Michael Chopra will not be sold this month. (Star)

Hull are eager to complete a £1.5m deal for West Ham midfielder Luis Boa Morte. (Mirror)

Hull boss Phil Brown is also set to make a £2m move for Derby midfielder Paul Green. (Star)

Portsmouth defender Herman Hreidarsson is set to become the latest player to leave Fratton Park by joining Celtic in a £500,000 deal. (Mirror)

Everton want Hearts duo Christophe Berra and Andrew Driver. (Various)

Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill has told left-back Nicky Shorey he can leave the club, with West Ham and Tottenham both interested. (The Sun)

Tottenham have failed with a £6m bid to capture Sunderland striker Kenwyne Jones. (The Sun)

Spurs have targeted Lens striker Aruna Dindane as an alternative and will make a £4m bid. (The Sun)

Blackburn manager Sam Allardyce is taking Benfica's Ivory Coast defender Marco Zoro on trial. (Mirror)

Bolton will sign defender Sebastien Puygrenier on loan from Zenit St Petersburg - and drop their interest in West Ham's Callum Davenport. (Mirror)

Newcastle's Alan Smith has been told his swap deal with Middlesbrough striker Mido is off. (The Sun)

Arsenal striker Emmanuel Adebayor has urged the club not to sell defender and former skipper William Gallas. (The Sun)

Middlesbrough face a battle to sign Crystal Palace midfielder Ben Watson, with Everton, West Ham and Fulham among their competition. (Express)

Newcastle winger Charles N'Zogbia says Arsenal is his first-choice destination should he secure a move away from Tyneside. (Express)

Birmingham boss Alex McLeish faces competition from Portsmouth for the signature of West Ham midfielder Lee Bowyer. (Mirror)

Wigan boss Steve Bruce is ready to pounce and nab £4m-rated Boyd. (The Sun)

Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo has, via his agent Jorge Mendez, reached a verbal agreement to join Real Madrid at some point. (The Times)

Oldham have offered veteran striker Dean Windass a loan deal to escape his misery at Hull. (Various)

Reading manager Steve Coppell is ready to bid £250,000 for Coventry midfielder Jay Tabb. (Star)

Sheffield Wednesday manager Brian Laws has his eye on Hull midfielder Bryan Hughes. (Star)

Everton manager Davie Moyes is poised to bid for Hearts captain Christophe Berra and his Tynecastle team-mate Andrew Driver. (Daily Record)

Moyes is prepared to pay up to £1.5m to entice Driver away from Hearts. (Daily Express)

Jan 8th 2009

Newcastle winger Charles N'Zogbia has revealed his agent is in talks with Tottenham and Aston Villa but admitted his preferred destination would be Arsenal. (2122, Press Association)

The agent of Barcelona midfielder Yaya Toure insists he has heard nothing from Manchester City about a potential bid.

Everton defender Joleon Lescott remains on the radar of Manchester City boss Mark Hughes. Hughes is growing impatient with Arsenal over their intentions for Kolo Toure and is ready to turn to Lescott if delays continue. (1018, The Times)

Manchester City are ready to make an offer for Juventus striker David Trezeguet, according to the Frenchman's agent. But he also insists the 31-year-old is "untransferable" and will stay with the Italian club. (1017, L'Equipe)

Barcelona are planning a sensational raid on Arsenal with a £45m double summer move for captain Cesc Fabregas and striker Robin van Persie. (Daily Star)

Sunderland striker David Healy has snubbed a £1m move to Rangers. (Daily Star)

Manchester City have tabled an £8m bid for Newcastle's unhappy goalkeeper Shay Given, which is expected to provoke an approach from Tottenham. (Daily Mail)

Hull boss Phil Brown is poised to sign midfielder Kevin Kilbane from Wigan in a cut-price deal worth about £1m. (Daily Express)

Newcastle midfielder Joey Barton is a shock £5m target for Portsmouth. (The Sun)

Pompey manager Tony Adams is also on the verge of landing his former Arsenal team-mate Edu on loan from Valencia. (The Sun)

Bolton are on the verge of snapping up Zenit St Petersburg centre-back Sebastien Puygrenier on a six-month loan deal. (The Sun)

Manchester City have intensified their £15m bid to sign Roque Santa Cruz from Blackburn Rovers as manager Mark Hughes looks to reassert his authority over a demoralised squad. (The Times)

Spurs boss Harry Redknapp is considering a £4.5m bid for Lyon's Brazilian striker Fred. (Daily Mirror)


Manchester City defender Nedum Onuoha is at the centre of a battle between Wigan, Blackburn, Fulham, Newcastle and French side Paris St Germain. (Daily Mirror)

West Ham midfielder Lee Bowyer could be in line for a move to Championship high-fliers Birmingham. (Various)

Queens Park Rangers are after Manchester City's young midfield star Michael Johnson. (The Sun)

Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate appears to be warming to the idea of allowing Stewart Downing to leave the club for nearly £15m in order to use the money to strengthen his squad. (The Times)

Tottenham could move for Polish goalkeeper Sebastien Przyrowski, currently with Polonia Warsaw, as potential cover for Heurelho Gomes. (Daily Telegraph)

Inter Milan boss Jose Mourinho has added Arsenal's Abou Diaby to his list of transfer targets. (Daily Telegraph)

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson faces competition to land French midfielder Sofiane Feghouli, 19, from Grenoble. Atletico Madrid, Juventus and Inter Milan are also interested. (Daily Telegraph)

Everton may be pipped by Middlesbrough in the race to sign Newcastle striker Alan Smith, who is currently recovering from ankle surgery. (Daily Mail)

Ipswich are the latest club to offer Hull's veteran striker Dean Windass as escape route as he prepares for showdown talks with manager Phil Brown. (Daily Mail)

Manchester United are interested in Villarreal goalkeeper Diego Lopez after his impressive performances in two goalless draws against the European champions in the Champions League group stages. (The Independent)

Hull City are in the verge of signing Luis Boa Morte from West Ham for a fee of around £2m. (The Independent)

Newcastle are expected to renew their interest in the Rangers midfielder Barry Ferguson after the Glasgow club indicated they were willing to let their captain leave for around £3m. (The Guardian)

The Magpies are also ready to offer £6m to Rangers for goalkeeper Allan McGregor if Shay Given quits Tyneside. (The Sun)


Jan 7th 2009

Everton could be about to plunge into the January transfer market after reportedly swooping to take Venezuela forward Giancarlo Maldonado on loan. (1630, Setanta Sports)

Juventus forward David Trezeguet has become the latest Manchester City target to distance himself from a January move to Eastlands. (1405, telegraph.co.uk)

Wigan's England striker Emile Heskey is poised to rejoin Premier League title-chasers Liverpool later this month with boss Rafa Benitez set to make an offer of around £4m to land the player. (1227, Manchester Evening News)

Samuel Eto'o's agent, Jose Maria Mesalles, insists the Cameroon striker will not leave Spanish giants Barcelona in the January transfer window despite reported interest from Manchester City and Inter Milan. (1027, goal.com)

Manager Mark Hughes has confirmed Manchester City have made several offers for players - but will not be drawn on reports he is interested in Manchester United striker Carlos Tevez. (1015, Manchester Evening News)

Lyon striker Sidney Govou has rejected a move to Portsmouth, who were keen to sign the Frenchman as a replacement for new Tottenham arrival Jermain Defoe. (0959, tribalfootball.com)

Manchester United are set to offload Carlos Tevez after the striker admitted he would love to play for Real Madrid. (The Sun)

Real Madrid will hand Tevez the £25m, five-year deal he wants as United try to knock down the Argentine's price. (Daily Star)

Russian playmaker Andrei Arshavin is on standby for a £12m move to Arsenal from Zenit St Petersburg. (The Sun)

Arsenal look set to miss out on Arshavin because of cash demands - the 27-year-old is currently on wages of about £100,000-a-week. (Daily Star)

Arshavin has been shown around Arsenal's London Colney training ground in an attempt to convince the forward that his future lies in north London. (Daily Mail)




Manchester City have been offered Inter Milan's Brazilian striker Adriano in a swap deal with Eastlands misfit Jo. (Daily Mirror)

West Ham are considering Manchester City's revised offer for midfielder Scott Parker, which includes youngster Michael Johnson moving in the opposite direction. (The Times)

Blackburn have expressed an interest in Franco Semioli, a Fiorentina winger who has played for Italy three times. (The Times)

Aston Villa are poised to make a £10m move for Sporting Gijon's highly-rated defender Roberto Canella. (Daily Mirror)

Wigan boss Steve Bruce will sell striker Henri Camara to Stoke for £1m as a soon as the Latics tie up a deal for Colombia forward Hugo Rodallega, who is set to arrive to discuss a £4.5m move from Mexican club Necaxa this week. (Daily Mail)

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp has failed to land Middlesbrough winger Stewart Downing with a £14.5m bid. (The Sun)

West Ham's Calum Davenport is poised to join Bolton for £3m. (The Sun)

Veteran Liverpool defender Sami Hyypia is fast becoming the most wanted man in the January transfer window - Stoke, Fulham, Sunderland, Blackburn and Tottenham all see him as a cut-price option to bolster their defensive options. (Daily Star)

Stoke are close to agreeing a £2m deal for West Ham winger Matthew Etherington. (Daily Star)

Barnsley are poised to sign Chesterfield striker Jamie Ward, 22, after upping their bid to £500,000. (Daily Star)

Bolton are giving a trial to 31-year-old Brazilian winger Denilson - once the world's most expensive footballer. (Various)

Sunderland forward El Hadji Diouf could be a principal target for Blackburn manager Sam Allardyce should Roque Santa Cruz leave Ewood Park. (The Guardian)

Birmingham are on the verge of capturing Rangers top scorer Kris Boyd for £3.5m. (The Sun)

Rangers will look to replace Kris Boyd with Sunderland's David Healy in a £1m deal. (The Scotsman)

Jan 6th 2009

Fulham midfielder Leon Andreasen could return to Germany after finding his opportunities limited at Craven Cottage under manager Roy Hodgson. (DR Sporten newspaper, Denmark)

Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill has denied reports he has made a bid for West Ham centre-back Matthew Upson, telling his club's website: "There is not an ounce of truth in it whatsoever."

Lyon insist they will not sell their 20-year-old France international striker Karim Benzema, despite speculation linking him with a move to Manchester United. (football365.com - 1057 GMT)


Manchester City have made a £24m bid for Barcelona's 25-year-old midfielder Yaya Toure and will double his wages to tempt him to Eastlands. (The Sun)

City have also offered midfielder Scott Parker £100,000 a week to quit West Ham and join them. (Mirror)

Tottenham have made a revised bid of £12m for Middlesbrough winger Stewart Downing. (The Independent)

Aston Villa will step up their efforts to sign Emile Heskey after Marlon Harewood was put on standby for a £2m switch to Stoke. (Mirror)

Tottenham's bid to sign Portsmouth striker Jermain Defoe is being held up by a £4m sell-on clause. (The Sun)

Manchester United striker Carlos Tevez has revealed his desire to play for Real Madrid. (The Sun)

Tevez has threatened to quit United and that has alerted Real and also Manchester City. (Daily Mirror)

Hull manager Phil Brown will tie up the £2.5m deal for Kamil Zayatte this week and then bid £4m for Sunderland striker Michael Chopra. Brown also wants Wigan's 31-year-old midfielder Kevin Kilbane. (The Sun)

Chelsea have told manager Luiz Felipe Scolari he will not be given any money to spend in the transfer window. (Daily Star)

Manchester City want Blackburn striker Roque Santa Cruz, West Ham forward Craig Bellamy and his midfield team-mate Scott Parker, Arsenal defender Kolo Toure and Newcastle keeper Shay Given. (Daily Star)

Liverpool will resist an £8.5m offer for centre-back Daniel Agger from AC Milan and the Reds are also determined not to sell Andrea Dossena. (Daily Star)

AC Milan are also keen on Liverpool winger Jermaine Pennant. (The Sun)

Wigan boss Steve Bruce has compared midfielder Antonio Valencia to Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo and says he will not be sold during the transfer window.

The £15m-rated Valencia, 23, is a target for Liverpool, Tottenham and Real Madrid. (Various)

Liverpool and Tottenham will miss out on defender Glen Johnson, who will sign a new deal with Portsmouth. (Daily Star)

Fulham target Carlos Kameni is close to leaving Espanyol after clashing with a fan of the Spanish side and the keeper could be signed for £3m. (Daily Star)

Arsenal want Portsmouth midfielder Niko Kranjcar - and they have also made a move for Everton's Mikel Arteta. The Gunners have also offered striker Nicklas Bendtner and £5m cash for West Ham defender Matthew Upson. (The Sun)

Sunderland striker El-Hadji Diouf has issued a come-and-get-me plea to Blackburn boss Sam Allardyce. (The Sun)

Everton and West Ham have been alerted to the availability of Manchester City midfielder Michael Johnson. (The Sun)

Portsmouth want £5m-rated Nigerian Christian Obodo as a replacement for Lassana Diarra, who has joined Real Madrid. (The Sun)

Pompey and West Ham are in a battle for the signature of £300,000-rated Norwegian defender Stefan Strandberg, 18. (The Sun)

Sunderland and Wigan are chasing £800,000-rated Plymouth winger Craig Noone. (The Sun)

Newcastle want to sign former Portsmouth and Tottenham midfielder Pedro Mendes on loan from Rangers, with a view to a £1.5m move. (Mirror)

Blackburn boss Sam Allardyce wants to sign France international defender Gael Givet on loan from Marseille. (Mirror)

Middlesbrough winger Gary O'Neil wants to rejoin Portsmouth. (Mirror)

Edgar Davids wants to return to Tottenham on a play-as-you-pay basis. (Metro)

Wigan are closing in on 23-year-old Colombian striker Hugo Rodallega and will sign him as soon as he gains a work permit. (Metro)

Fulham midfielder Leon Andreasen is set to leave the club to return to Germany, with Hannover favourites to seal a £2m transfer. (The Sun)

Stoke are keen on signing Spartak Moscow's former Arsenal winger Quincy Owusu-Abeyie, who had been on loan at Birmingham, on a loan deal, with a view to a £2.5m move. (The Sun)

Reading and Wolves look set to miss out on midfielder Andrew Surman, who says he is happy to stay at Southampton. (The Sun)

Rangers captain Barry Ferguson has vowed to snub any bid from Newcastle United. (Daily Star)

Newcastle have targeted Celtic goalkeeper Artur Boruc as a possible replacement for Shay Given. (Daily Star)

Middlesbrough are poised to test Celtic's resolve with a bid of around £5m for Aiden McGeady. (Daily Mail)

Jan 4th 2009

Ghana captain Stephen Appiah arrived at Tottenham on Monday and is training with the club this week with a view to earning a permanent move. (BBC Sport Website - 1537 GMT)

Fiorentina are targeting Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic. (dailymail.co.uk - 1422 GMT)

West Bromwich Albion are lining up a loan move for Benfica striker Ariza Makukula. (expressandstar.com 1250 GMT)

Out-of-favour Italian striker David Di Michele insists he is happy at West Ham despite his lack of playing time this season. (Press Association 1215 GMT)

Portsmouth defender Glen Johnson, who has been linked with Tottenham, is set to sign a new contract with the south-coast side. (Portsmouth News - 1156 GMT)

Middlesbrough winger Stewart Downing has handed in a written transfer request. (Sky Sports News - 1058 GMT)

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger will not be making a winter transfer window swoop for midfielder Gokhan Inler. (Arsenal.com - 1053 GMT)

Napoli insist striker Ezequiel Lavezzi will not be leaving the club in the winter transfer window amid reported interest from Chelsea. (Press Association - 1041 GMT)

West Ham have denied that midfielder Scott Parker is to join Manchester City in a £12m deal. (SkySports.com - 0835 GMT)

AC Milan are preparing a £8m offer for Liverpool defender Daniel Agger. (Gazzetta dello Sport - 0813 GMT)

Tottenham are closing in on Portsmouth's Jermain Defoe, with Spurs set to pay £15m for the England striker. (Various)

Spurs boss Harry Redknapp is also hoping to secure the services of Sunderland defender Pascal Chimbonda on loan. (The Sun)

Chimbonda had been expected to move from Sunderland to Lyon but that deal is now off, according to the player's agent. (Daily Star)

Redknapp has also made an enquiry for West Ham and England centre-back Matthew Upson, who is rated at £12m. (Daily Mirror)

But Tottenham and Redknapp have had a £12m bid for Middlesbrough winger Stewart Downing turned down. (Daily Mirror)

Middlesbrough will target Reading midfielder Stephen Hunt if they lose Downing to Tottenham. (Daily Mail)

Carlos Tevez has reiterated his desire to stay at Manchester United, despite weekend speculation linking the striker with a move away from Old Trafford. (The Sun)

Newcastle are hoping to offload Spanish flops Xisco and Jose Enrique as well as Alan Smith and Charles N'Zogbia. (The Sun)

Arsenal could lose forward Theo Walcott on the cheap after dragging their feet over a new contract. (Daily Express)

Stoke are keen on out-of-favour Wigan striker Henri Camara. (Daily Mirror)

Manchester City keeper Kasper Schmeichel is ready to quit the club after falling down the pecking order at Eastlands. (Daily Mail)

Aston Villa are monitoring Standard Liege striker Milan Jovanovic, who is also wanted by Everton. (Daily Mail)

Fulham and Hull are battling it out for Sheffield United striker James Beattie. (Daily Mail)

Manchester City have revived their bid for Arsenal defender Kolo Toure. (Daily Mail)

Deals are also expected to be completed for West Ham's Scott Parker and Blackburn's Roque Santa Cruz. (Daily Mail)

City boss Mark Hughes will also launch an improved bid for West Ham striker Craig Bellamy. (Daily Express)

Fulham are ready to pay Hearts £2.5m for central defender Christophe Berra. (Mirror)

Celtic midfielder Scott Brown, who has been linked to Portsmouth and West Ham, insists he is not interested in a big-money move to the English Premier League. (Daily Record)

Sunderland are set to beat Portsmouth and Blackburn to the signature of Marseille midfielder Modeste M'bami. (The Sun)



Jan 3rd 2009

Manchester City midfielder Elano has revealed he is considering a move to Serie A giants Lazio. "I would not have any problem playing in Italy. And Lazio are a very good team," Elano told Italian newspaper Corriere dello Sport. (PA - 1353 GMT)

Newcastle boss Joe Kinnear wants to sign Scotland and Rangers midfielder Barry Ferguson. (PA - 1131 GMT)

Boss Harry Redknapp fears Tottenham may be priced out of bringing Jermain Defoe back to the club after Portsmouth slapped a £20m price tag on the striker. (Press Association, various - 0622 GMT)

Manchester City boss Mark Hughes has made an £8m bid for Arsenal's unsettled Ivory Coast defender Kolo Toure. (Daily Mirror)

Toure has been told by Gunners boss Arsene Wenger he will not be allowed to quit the club after a training-ground bust-up with William Gallas last week. (Sun)

City have also targeted West Ham striker Craig Bellamy and Everton defender Joleon Lescott after landing Wayne Bridge from Chelsea. (Daily Telegraph)

Hughes also hopes to have Roque Santa Cruz and Bellamy's West Ham team-mate Scott Parker signed up by the end of next week in a £32m spree. (Sun)

Sir Alex Ferguson says Manchester United are no closer to securing a permanent deal for striker Carlos Tevez. (Daily Telegraph)

Harry Redknapp admits it is hard to see a future for Hossam Ghaly at White Hart Lane after the Egyptian was jeered by Spurs fans when poised to come on as a substitute in Friday's FA Cup win over Wigan. (Daily Mail)

Aston Villa and Manchester City could be in the frame to sign Jermain Defoe, who called in sick before Portsmouth's FA Cup tie with Bristol City. (Times)

Portsmouth boss Tony Adams admits Defoe may have played his last game for the club after the striker told Executive Chairman Peter Storrie he wanted to leave the club.

Spurs fans chanted Defoe's name all the way through their FA Cup win over Wigan on Friday, hoping to prompt the club to re-sign the player. (Various)

Joe Kinnear admits the final decision over whether goalkeeper Shay Given leaves the club could be taken above his head. (Sun)

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has confirmed that the signings of Partizan Belgrade's Zoran Tosic and Adem Ljajic will end his January transfer dealings. (Various)

Boss Sam Allardyce is close to taking Lucas Neill back to Blackburn as West Ham are keen to be rid of his huge £60,000-a-week wage bill. (Sun)

Shay Given could be another target for Manchester City after insisting he was disillusioned with Newcastle. (Sun)

Tottenham have made a £12m "take it or leave it" offer for Middlesbrough's England winger Stewart Downing. (Daily Mirror)

Spurs are also in the race for unsettled Bayern Munich forward Lukas Podolski after the German giants rejected an offer from the player's former club Cologne. (Daily Mail)

Wigan boss Steve Bruce has no doubts over keeping on-loan striker Amr Zaki at the club. "He's ours until June, there are no get-out clauses," he said. (Press Association)

Bruce has meanwhile made a £5m move for Reading winger Stephen Hunt, who only signed a new long-term contract last year. (Daily Mirror)

Celtic manager Gordon Strachan says he will resist a proposed £9m bid from Portsmouth for midfielder Scott Brown. (Sun)


Jan 2nd 2009

Blackburn striker Roque Santa Cruz claims Manchester City are set to bid for him. "It seems that the circumstances needed for me to be transferred are going in a good direction, but everything is a rumour until now," the 27-year-old told. (radio station 970 - 1925 GMT)

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger vows to carry on developing young talent rather than pay huge transfer fees for big-name signings. (Arsenal website - 1742 GMT)

Guadalajara vice-president Nestor de la Torre has revealed his club saw their bid to sign Giovani dos Santos turned down by Spurs. (Press Association - 1727 GMT)

Bayern Munich forward Lukas Podolski claims Spurs have approached him about a move to White Hart Lane. (Corriere dello Sport - 1644 GMT).

Mexican side Chivas declare their interest in Tottenham youngster Giovani dos Santos. (Setanta Sports 1236 GMT)

Inter Milan manager Jose Mourinho has ruled out a move for Newcastle and England striker Michael Owen. (La Gazzetta dello Sport - 1145 GMT)

Chelsea have given permission for England left-back Wayne Bridge to talk to Manchester City over a possible £12m move. (Press Association - 1100 GMT)

Bolton are considering whether to make a renewed bid for West Brom midfielder James Morrison after the club's initial £3m offer for the Scotland international was rejected. (Press Association - 0929 GMT)

Aston Villa winger Wayne Routledge has rejected a permanent move to Cardiff City to move to another club. (BBC Sport Wales)


Long-term Real Madrid target Cristiano Ronaldo has pledged his future to Manchester United. (Various)

Fellow United star Carlos Tevez has urged club chiefs to table a new contract and make his move to Old Trafford permanent. (Daily Mail)

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has been told he has very little money to spend in the January transfer window. (Daily Star)

Portsmouth striker Jermain Defoe is poised for a return to Tottenham in a £15m deal. (The Telegraph)

Manchester City look set to land Blackburn striker Roque Santa Cruz for £18m. (Daily Express)

City manager Mark Hughes will also move for Chelsea's £12m-rated left-back Wayne Bridge. (The Sun)

Bridge's departure will pave the way for Chelsea to sign CSKA Moscow's Yuri Zhirkov. (Daily Mail)

Valencia have admitted they would sell star forward David Villa to Manchester City for the right price. (The Independent)

Hughes is also considering a bid for West Ham midfielder Scott Parker after the Hammers turned down a £12m offer for striker Craig Bellamy. (The Times)

Hammers manager Gianfranco Zola has been assured that Scott Parker and Craig Bellamy will not be sold over his head during the transfer window. (Daily Star)

Manchester United look set to finalise the £16.3m deal to bring Serbian duo Zoran Tosic and Adem Ljajic from Partizan Belgrade. (The Times)

Newcastle keeper Shay Given looks set to walk out on the Newcastle Utd. (Various)

Given is a target for Manchester City, Tottenham and Arsenal. (Daily Mirror)

Manchester United have offered Leeds £10m for midfielder Fabian Delph. (The Sun)

West Ham will allow defender Lucas Neill to leave the club for free, just to get him off the wage bill. (The Sun)

Portsmouth have launched a £2.5m bid to bring Middlesbrough midfielder Gary O'Neil back to Fratton Park. (The Sun)

AC Milan are keen on Chelsea's unsettled defender Alex. (The Sun)

Alex's departure could see boss Luiz Felipe Scolari move for Brazilian Kleber from Santos for £2m. (The Sun)

Hull are lining up a bid for Liverpool winger Jermaine Pennant, who is also a target for Real Madrid. (The Mirror)

Portsmouth are keen on France and Lyon midfielder Sidney Govou after Lassana Diarra left for Real Madrid. (Daily Mirror)

Newcastle are lining up a £5m swoop for Sheffield United pair Stephen Quinn and Kyle Naughton. (Daily Star)

Middlesbrough are closing in on Hibernian striker Steven Fletcher. (Daily Star)

Fletcher's arrival could signal the departure of Mido. (Daily Star)

Everton manager David Moyes has been priced out of a move for CSKA Moscow striker Vagner Love. (The Sun)

Inter Milan midfielder Oliver Dacourt is keen on a move to Bolton. (The Sun)

New Blackburn manager Sam Allardyce hopes to re-sign Tal Ben-Haim and El-Hadji Diouf. (The Times)

Tottenham will target Cristian Rodriguez of Porto and Juan Arango of Real Mallorca if they miss out on Middlesbrough winger Stewart Downing. (The Times)

Liverpool are closing in on Iceland's Victor Palsson, who plays for Aarhus of Denmark. (The Times)

Fulham have told Jimmy Bullard they are prepared to offer him a new deal to keep him at the club. (Daily Express)

Cardiff City have been priced out of £4.5m move for former striker Michael Chopra. (Daily Star)

Hull City are contemplating a £2m bid for Wigan midfielder Michael Brown. (Daily Telegraph)

Celtic midfielder Scott Brown is a £9m target for Portsmouth. (The Sun)

Newcastle are preparing to offer Rangers £4.5m for Algerian defender Madjid Bougherra. (Various)


Jan 1st 2009

Inter Milan boss Jose Mourinho wants Newcastle striker Michael Owen and will offer the Magpies a straight swap for £12m-rated Brazil star Adriano or Honduras striker David Suazo plus £4.5m cash. (The Sun)

Owen will reject the chance to join Inter because he is not keen on another move abroad following his stint with Real Madrid. (Daily Mail)

Tottenham, Manchester City and Aston Villa are all monitoring Owen's situation, despite his recent pledge to see out the final six months of his contract at St James' Park. (Daily Mail)

Manchester City manager Mark Hughes will kick off the newly opened January transfer window by paying £15m each for Blackburn striker Roque Santa Cruz and Inter Milan frontman Adriano. (The Sun)

City are set to sign Arsenal defender Kolo Toure and Santa Cruz by the end of the week. (Daily Mirror)

Man City's first bit of transfer business will be Chelsea left-back Wayne Bridge arriving for £12m - and they are also keen on fellow Blues defender Alex. (Daily Mail)

Hughes hopes a bid of £10m will be enough to persuade West Ham to sell Wales striker Craig Bellamy and is set to slap in a £10m offer for Newcastle's Shay Given to test the Magpies' resolve not to sell the Republic of Ireland goalkeeper. (The Sun)

West Ham centre-back Matthew Upson and Everton defender Joleon Lescott have also emerged as targets for Hughes. (The Times)

Manchester City want to sell at least six players, with defender Tal Ben-Haim poised to return to his former club Bolton. (The Times)

Tottenham and Aston Villa are also interested in Craig Bellamy, who is valued at £20m by the Hammers, and he will hand in a transfer request if he is denied a move away from Upton Park. (Daily Mirror)

West Ham will also listen to offers for defender Lucas Neill, who is out of contract in the summer, and are willing to subsidise his wages at a new club. (Daily Mirror)

The Hammers have admitted that approaches for all their players during the January transfer window will be considered. (Daily Mail)

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp is desperate to offload Mexican forward Giovani Dos Santos and says the club's transfer policy was a shambles before he arrived. (Daily Mirror)

Mexican side Chivas could come in for Dos Santos, a £5m summer signing from Barcelona, while Redknapp also hopes to sell striker Roman Pavlyuchenko, defenders Ricardo Rocha and Gilberto, and midfielders Kevin Prince Boateng, Hossam Ghaly and Adel Taarabt in January. (Daily Mirror)

Tottenham remain hopeful of signing Portsmouth striker Jermain Defoe, despite having an initial bid rejected. (Various)

Spurs have turned down the chance to buy Adriano from Inter Milan and will go back to Pompey on Thursday with an improved £15m bid for Defoe. (The Independent)

With Manchester United yet to turn their loan deal for Carlos Tevez into a permanent switch, Real Madrid and Inter Milan could move for the Argentine striker in January. (The Sun)

Chelsea striker Didier Drogba could decide to leave Stamford Bridge after being fined a week's wages - £100,000 - for publicly criticising the club over the way they treated him in 2008. (The Sun)

Everton and Aston Villa want to sign Inter Milan's Honduras striker David Suazo, who is out of favour at the San Siro and has been on loan at Benfica this season. (Daily Mirror)

Real Madrid want to sign Wigan midfielder Luis Antonio Valencia on loan in January, with an option to buy him in the summer. The Latics, however, want £18m for the Ecuador star. (The Sun)

Wigan do not want to sell Valencia but will sell him for £15m. (Daily Mirror)

Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill has drawn up a list of potential striker signings, with Wigan's Emile Heskey and Portsmouth's Peter Crouch among his targets. (The Guardian)

Heskey, however, is likely to rejoin his former club Liverpool for £4m. (The Independent)

Everton are also chasing a striker, with Zenit St Petersburg forward Pavel Pogrebnyak the latest frontman to be linked with a move to Goodison Park. (The Independent)

Portsmouth defender Lauren has been told he can leave Fratton Park and is set to join Greek side AEK Athens. (Daily Mirror)

Pompey's Welsh full-back Richard Duffy is also set for a move away from the south-coast club. (Daily Mirror)

Newcastle are set to bid £5m for Portsmouth midfielder Papa Bouba Diop and are also interested in Blackburn defender Christopher Samba. (Daily Mail)

Partizan Belgrade winger Zoran Tosic has pulled the plug on his move to Manchester United after failing to agree terms and Manchester City and Arsenal are poised to swoop for the 21-year-old instead. (Daily Express)

The breakdown in talks with Tosic could affect United's hopes of signing his Partizan team-mate, midfielder Adem Ljajic. (Daily Express)

Hull City boss Phil Brown is lining up a £2m raid for Wigan midfielder Michael Brown, and will also pay the Latics £3m to make Marlon King's loan into a permanent deal. (The Sun)

Turkish side Besiktas hope to capture Newcastle utility man Geremi in a cut-price £2m deal. (Daily Mirror)

Wolves boss Mick McCarthy says striker Sylvan Ebanks-Blake, who is wanted by Everton, and winger Michael Kightly, a target of Newcastle, are not for sale. (The Sun)

West Brom have rejected a £3m offer from Bolton for Scotland midfielder James Morrison. (Daily Mirror)

Baggies boss Tony Mowbray has had a £2m bid for Paris St Germain forward Peguy Luyindula turned down. (Daily Mirror)

AC Milan are keen on Arsenal's want-away defender William Gallas and will let Philippe Senderos, who is on loan at the San Siro from the Gunners, return to the Emirates Stadium to speed up the deal. (The Sun)

AC Milan are willing to pay £6m for Gallas, who is also a target for Marseille. (Daily Express)

Wenger wants to buy a new centre-back before he allows Gallas to leave. The Arsenal boss is considering making bids for Fulham's Brede Hangeland and West Ham's Matthew Upson but is not interested in bringing Senderos back into the fold. (Daily Mirror)

Arsenal have turned down a transfer request from defender Kolo Toure. (Daily Star)

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez is set to cut his losses on £7m full-back Andrea Dossena and AC Milan hope to take him back to his native Italy. (Daily Mirror)

Arsenal will face competition from Italian giants Juventus for Zenit St Petersburg playmaker Andrei Arshavin. (Daily Mirror)

Chelsea boss Luiz Felipe Scolari will give Roma Florent Malouda plus £5m in a swap deal for their Brazilian winger Cicinho. (Daily Mirror)

Crystal Palace midfielder Ben Watson is set to join Middlesbrough for £1m if Boro midfielder Gary O'Neil joins his old club Portsmouth. (The Independent)

Middlesbrough are preparing a £2.5m bid for Hibernian striker Steven Fletcher. (Daily Record)


Dec 31st 2008

Manchester City boss Mark Hughes insists the cash-rich club will not pay over the odds for players in the transfer window.

City have been linked with stars including Italy keeper Gianluigi Buffon and Brazilian midfielder Kaka, but Hughes says the club will not pay well above the going rate. (www.mcfc.co.uk)

Portsmouth have turned down a combined £30m bid from Tottenham for defender Glen Johnson and strikers Peter Crouch and Jermain Defoe. (The Guardian)

Pompey have slapped a £15m price tag on England striker Defoe, who is also a target for Aston Villa. (The Sun)

Portsmouth will demand £20m for Defoe, who wants to rejoin Tottenham after leaving them for Fratton Park a year ago. (Daily Mirror)

Manchester City have joined Spurs and Villa in the chase for Defoe. (The Guardian)

Liverpool remain confident of bringing England right-back Glen Johnson to Anfield in January. (Daily Mail)

The Reds are set to tempt Pompey with a £6.5m offer for Johnson and will also move for Wigan frontman Emile Heskey. (The Times)

Spurs have had a bid of £9m rejected for Middlesbrough winger Stewart Downing, but will return with a bigger offer by the end of the week. (Daily Express)

Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp is set to bring in former Liverpool right-back Steve Finnan from Espanyol. (Daily Express)

Arsenal will bid £12m to sign Everton's Spanish midfielder Mikel Arteta as a stand-in for the injured Cesc Fabregas, who is out for the next four months. (The Sun)

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger considered making another offer for Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso, after failing with a £15m bid in the summer, but feels Arteta is a more realistic target. (The Sun)

Wenger has also lined up Udinese playmaker Gokhan Inler to bolster his midfield. (Daily Star)

Everton manager David Moyes could be tempted to cash in on Arteta to fund a swoop for CSKA striker Wagner Love. (The Sun)

Wenger could also bid £10m for Dynamo Kiev's Senegal centre-back Pape Diakhate but faces competition from Manchester City and Portsmouth. (The Sun)

Zenit St Petersburg midfielder Andrei Arshavin is prepared to take a pay cut from his current wages of £90,000-a-week to clinch a £12m move to Arsenal. (Daily Mirror)

Chelsea boss Luiz Felipe Scolari is eyeing Wagner Love, Marseille winger Hatem Ben Arfa and Sevilla striker Luis Fabiano despite being told he must sell before he buys in January. (Daily Mirror)

Scolari has demanded cash for a striker, although he is willing to sell Florent Malouda or Salomon Kalou if he has to raise funds himself. (Daily Express)

Fabiano is Scolari's first choice signing but Palmeiras hit-man Kleber and Inter Milan forward Andres D'Alessandro are his other targets. (Daily Express)

Middlesbrough are determined to keep Turkey striker Tuncay at the Riverside despite interest from Chelsea. (The Times)

Blackburn striker Roque Santa Cruz is wanted by Real Madrid as well as Manchester City, but will only leave Ewood Park for another Premier League club. (The Sun)

City are set to seal an £18m deal for Santa Cruz by the end of the week. (Daily Mail)

Manchester City manager Mark Hughes will bid £8m for Chelsea left-back Wayne Bridge, but will turn to Bayern Munich's Philipp Lahm if the Blues refuse to sell. (Daily Express)

Hughes hopes to beat Arsenal to the signing of Newcastle goalkeeper Shay Given as he launches a £50m January spending spree when the transfer window opens on Thursday. (Daily Express)

West Ham have told Manchester City target Scott Parker that he will not be allowed to leave Upton Park, even though the midfielder has indicated he would like to talk to the Eastlands club. (The Independent)

The Hammers have told City to up their £15m joint bid for Parker and Wales striker Craig Bellamy to £20m if they want to land the pair. (The Independent)

Another City target, Arsenal defender Kolo Toure, has demanded a move away from the Emirates after a bust-up with team-mate William Gallas. (Daily Star)

Newcastle could launch a £4m raid for highly rated Wolves winger Michael Kightly (The Sun)

As well as the Magpies, Kightly is also being tracked by Everton and Middlesbrough. (Daily Mirror)

Everton are also watching Wolves striker Sylvan Ebanks-Blake. (Daily Mail)

Liverpool winger Jermaine Pennant has emerged as a £3m target for Spanish side Atletico Madrid, just days after snubbing their city rivals Real. (The Sun)

Real have agreed a £3.5m deal for Pennant but could decide to sign Wigan's £15m-rated Luis Antonio Valencia or Benfica's Angel di Maria for £17m instead. (Daily Mirror)

Tottenham and Wigan are also weighing up a bid for Pennant. (Daily Mirror)

Wigan will ask for £20m for Valencia if Real follow up their interest in the Ecuador international. (Daily Mail)

Atletico Madrid have offered former Liverpool wideman Luis Garcia on loan to Tottenham, Blackburn, Portsmouth and Middlesbrough until the end of the season. (Daily Mail)

Bolton have launched a £3m raid for West Brom midfielder James Morrison and will bid £1.5m for West Ham defender Calum Davenport. (Daily Express)

Bolton and Everton will fight it out for Toulouse striker Andre-Pierre Gignac, who has scored 12 times in 19 games in France this season. (Daily Star)

Ipswich will bid £1.5m for Newcastle striker Andy Carroll in January. (The Sun)

Given will not be sold - Kinnear


Newcastle manager Joe Kinnear insists goalkeeper Shay Given will not be leaving St James' Park in January.

In recent weeks, Arsenal and Tottenham have both been linked with a transfer window move for the 32-year-old.

But Kinnear told The Journal: "He won't be leaving - he has no interest in that whatsoever. He loves the football club.

"He's part of the city and that suits us because he's a world-class goalkeeper. He's very happy here, he's very comfortable at Newcastle United."

Speculation surrounding Given's future increased after he produced a series of magnificent saves during the Magpies' 5-1 defeat by Liverpool on Sunday.

That performance led Kinnear to hail the Republic of Ireland international as the best goalkeeper in the Premier League.

Defoe and Bellamy on Spurs radar

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp has said he would be interested in signing either Jermain Defoe or Craig Bellamy in January but for the right price.

However, the 61-year-old dismissed reports he was set to make a £30m triple swoop for Portsmouth trio Defoe, Peter Crouch and Glen Johnson.

Redknapp, who left Portsmouth earlier this season, has already had a £6m bid turned down by West Ham for Bellamy.

Tuesday 30 December 2008

Premier League Result for 30th Dec 2008


Hull 0-1
(HT 0-0)
Aston Villa


Zayatte o.g. 88
Bookings:
Zayatte 26


Bookings:
Barry 50
Petrov 60

Aston Villa regained fourth place in the table after a late own goal by Kamil Zayatte gave them victory.

Nicky Barmby had the ball in the net in the first half after Brad Friedel dropped a cross but the goal was ruled out for a foul on the goalkeeper.

Villa sneaked the win when Zayatte turned Ashley Young's cross into his own net with two minutes left.

Hull thought they had won a penalty for a handball by Ashley Young in injury time but the decision was reversed.

Referee Steve Bennett initially looked to have given a spot-kick but changed his mind after consulting with his assistant.

It might have been a cruel blow for Hull, but replays showed the ball hit only the bar and not the player's hand after it had looped goalwards off Luke Young.


Hull: Myhill, McShane, Turner, Zayatte, Ricketts, Mendy, Garcia (Fagan 89), Ashbee, Halmosi, Barmby (Hughes 85), Cousin (King 69).
Subs Not Used: Duke, Doyle, Geovanni, Giannakopoulos.

Booked: Zayatte.

Aston Villa: Friedel, Reo-Coker, Knight, Davies, Luke Young, Milner, Sidwell (Gardner 86), Petrov, Barry, Ashley Young, Agbonlahor.
Subs Not Used: Guzan, Harewood, Delfouneso, Salifou, Shorey, Osbourne.

Booked: Barry, Petrov.

Goals: Zayatte 88 og.

Att: 24,727

Ref: Steve Bennett (Kent).

Monday 29 December 2008

Premier League Result for 29th Dec 2008





Man Utd 1-0
(HT 0-0)
Middlesbrough
Berbatov 69


Bookings:
Park 53
Scholes 89





Manchester United kept up the pressure on Liverpool and Chelsea as Dimitar Berbatov's third league goal for the club saw off a spirited Middlesbrough.

Though United had better chances, the brave visitors defended manfully and could have taken the lead when Tuncay headed just wide in the 61st minute.

But substitute Paul Scholes steadied the ship and Dimitar Berbatov blasted in from close range six minutes later.

United move seven points behind leaders Liverpool with two games in hand.

Though Middlesbrough looked nothing like a side sat just above the Premier League relegation zone, that is where they remain after a run of eight games without a win.


Man Utd: Van der Sar, Rafael Da Silva (Neville 62), Vidic, Evans, O'Shea, Park, Fletcher (Scholes 62), Carrick, Ronaldo (Giggs 84), Rooney, Berbatov.
Subs Not Used: Kuszczak, Welbeck, Gibson, Possebon.

Booked: Park, Scholes.

Goals: Berbatov 69.

Middlesbrough: Turnbull, Bates, Riggott, Wheater, Pogatetz, Aliadiere (Emnes 76), O'Neil, Arca, Downing, Sanli, Alves.
Subs Not Used: Jones, Taylor, Huth, Shawky, Porritt, Walker.

Att: 75,294

Ref: Martin Atkinson (W Yorkshire).

Sunday 28 December 2008

Premier League results for 28th Dec 2008

Arsenal 1-0
(HT 0-0)
Portsmouth
Gallas 81




Bookings:
Hughes 42

William Gallas scored a second-half header to earn Arsenal victory in a scrappy match with Portsmouth.

In a drab first half, Portsmouth came close to opening the scoring when Peter Crouch saw his header hit the post.

Arsenal's best opening fell to Emmanuel Adebayor but Sylvain Distin's excellent tackle prevented a certain goal.

After the break, Adebayor and Samir Nasri missed chances before Gallas got in front of David James to nod home the winner from Denilson's cross.

The result lifts Arsenal to fourth place in the table, above Aston Villa, by virtue of having scored one more goal than Martin O'Neill's side, who next play on Tuesday.

But for a long time, it looked as though Arsenal would not get past a much-improved Pompey defence and that visiting boss Tony Adams would get something out of his return to the club he belonged to for 20 years.

Arsenal: Almunia, Sagna, Gallas, Silvestre, Clichy, Eboue (Vela 66), Denilson, Diaby (Ramsey 75), Nasri, Adebayor, Bendtner.
Subs Not Used: Fabianski, Toure, Van Persie, Wilshere, Gibbs.

Goals: Gallas 81.

Portsmouth: James, Wilson, Campbell, Distin, Belhadj, Nugent (Defoe 88), Diop (Pamarot 90), Davis, Hughes (Mvuemba 50), Kranjcar, Crouch.
Subs Not Used: Ashdown, Hreidarsson, Little, Kanu.

Booked: Hughes.

Att: 60,092

Ref: Alan Wiley (Staffordshire).

____________________________________________________________________

Blackburn 2-2
(HT 1-0)
Man City
McCarthy 45+1
Roberts 84

Sturridge 88
Robinho 90+4
Bookings:
Kerimoglu 33
Nelsen 90+1

Bookings:
Ireland 54

Manchester City scored two late goals to snatch a point at Blackburn.

Benni McCarthy had put Rovers ahead with a crisp strike on the stroke of half-time and Jason Roberts headed a second after 84 minutes.

But City substitute Daniel Sturridge drilled home after pouncing on a poor defensive header from Andre Ooijer.

Robinho, who earlier missed a good headed chance, then slotted home deep in injury time after Sturridge picked him out with a great pass.

The result means that Blackburn extended their unbeaten run under Sam Allardyce to three games but it will nonetheless feel like two points dropped for the home team.

Results earlier on Sunday meant that Rovers had started the fixture bottom of the league - and victory would have seen them leapfrog both West Brom and Stoke.



Blackburn: Robinson, Ooijer, Samba, Nelsen, Warnock, Emerton, Kerimoglu (Mokoena 73), Andrews, Pedersen, McCarthy (Derbyshire 85), Roberts.
Subs Not Used: Brown, Khizanishvili, Vogel, Treacy, Olsson.

Booked: Kerimoglu, Nelsen.

Goals: McCarthy 45, Roberts 84.

Man City: Hart, Zabaleta, Onuoha (Richards 64), Dunne, Ball, Ireland, Kompany, Elano (Vassell 71), Wright-Phillips, Caicedo (Sturridge 71), Robinho.
Subs Not Used:Schmeichel, Jo, Garrido, Fernandes.

Booked: Ireland.

Goals: Sturridge 88, Robinho 90.

Att: 25,200

Ref: Howard Webb (S Yorkshire).

____________________________________________________________________

Bolton 0-1
(HT 0-1)
Wigan


Zaki (pen) 44
Bookings:
Nolan 6
Steinsson 28

Bookings:
Taylor 19
Palacios 30
Cattermole 81

Wigan won for the fifth time in their last six Premier League fixtures and moved seventh in the table after shading a tight contest at Bolton.

Amr Zaki scored the decisive goal from the penalty spot after Andrew O'Brien had dragged down Henri Camara.

Wilson Palacios headed off the line for Wigan, while Mike Pollitt denied Johan Elmander and Kevin Davies hit the post with the follow-up.

Bolton's Danny Shittu also hit the bar with a looping injury-time header.

It was a frustrating afternoon for the hosts, who were looking for a positive response after a 3-0 defeat at Liverpool on Boxing Day.

Bolton: Jaaskelainen, Steinsson, Shittu, Andrew O'Brien, Samuel (Riga 65), Taylor, Nolan (Muamba 64), McCann, Gardner (Obadeyi 87), Elmander, Davies.
Subs Not Used: Al Habsi, Smolarek, Fogut, Basham.

Booked: Nolan, Steinsson.

Wigan: Pollitt, Melchiot, Scharner, Bramble, Figueroa, Valencia, Cattermole, Palacios, Taylor (Kilbane 86), Heskey (Camara 33), Zaki (Brown 90).
Subs Not Used: Kingson, Koumas, Boyce, De Ridder.

Booked: Taylor, Palacios, Cattermole.

Goals: Zaki 44 pen.

Att: 23,726

Ref: Phil Dowd (Staffordshire).

____________________________________________________________________

Everton 3-0
(HT 2-0)
Sunderland
Arteta 10
Arteta 27
Gosling 83


Bookings:
Jagielka 67

Bookings:
Malbranque 26
Bardsley 54
Tainio 72
Whitehead 73

Everton's impressive recent resurgence continued as they made it a losing start for Sunderland's new full-time manager Ricky Sbragia.

The inspirational Mikel Arteta gave Everton the lead with a free-kick after 10 minutes and quickly added a second with a deflected 20-yard shot.

Sunderland improved after the break but barely threatened Everton's defence.

And 18-year-old substitute Dan Gosling slid in his first goal for the club with seven minutes remaining.

It crowned an outstanding display by Everton, who have made light of losing a series of recognised strikers to step up their assault on a European place by recording only their second win at Goodison Park this season.

Everton: Howard, Hibbert, Jagielka, Lescott, Baines, Arteta, Osman (Gosling 69), Neville, Fellaini (Anichebe 77), Pienaar, Cahill (Jutkiewicz 86).
Subs Not Used: Nash, Van der Meyde, Rodwell, Kissock.

Booked: Jagielka.

Goals: Arteta 10, 27, Gosling 83.

Sunderland: Fulop, Whitehead, Nosworthy, Collins, Bardsley, Malbranque (Edwards 46), Tainio (Yorke 75), Richardson, Murphy, Cisse (Healy 75), Jones.
Subs Not Used: Colgan, Colback, Henderson, Prica.

Booked: Malbranque, Bardsley, Tainio, Whitehead.

Att: 39,146

Ref: Rob Styles (Hampshire).

____________________________________________________________________

Fulham 2-2
(HT 1-0)
Chelsea
Dempsey 10
Dempsey 89

Lampard 50
Lampard 72
Bookings:
Dempsey 90+1

Bookings:
Drogba 82
Bosingwa 90+3

Clint Dempsey grabbed a last-minute equaliser as Fulham denied Chelsea victory in a pulsating London derby.

Dempsey rose high to powerfully head past Petr Cech after it looked as though Frank Lampard's brace would be enough to earn Chelsea three points.

The American had flicked Fulham into an early lead before Lampard levelled with a cool finish following a mix-up.

Lampard's 30-yard free-kick put Chelsea ahead but Dempsey levelled to leave the Blues three points behind Liverpool.

After a shaky start at Craven Cottage it seemed as though Chelsea were destined to win thanks to a Lampard-inspired second-half display, but Fulham battled hard throughout and will feel they deserved their late reward

Fulham: Schwarzer, Pantsil, Hangeland, Hughes, Konchesky, Davies, Etuhu (Andreasen 78), Murphy (Baird 90), Dempsey, Johnson, Zamora (Nevland 78).
Subs Not Used: Zuberbuhler, Gray, Stoor, Kallio.

Goals: Dempsey 10, 89.

Chelsea: Cech, Bosingwa, Ivanovic, Alex (Carvalho 37), Ashley Cole, Deco, Mikel, Lampard, Joe Cole (Kalou 72), Drogba, Malouda (Anelka 30).
Subs Not Used: Cudicini, Ballack, Ferreira, Belletti.

Booked: Drogba, Bosingwa.

Goals: Lampard 50, 72.

Att: 25,462.

Ref: Andre Marriner (W Midlands).

____________________________________________________________________

Newcastle 1-5
(HT 1-2)
Liverpool
Edgar 45+2

Gerrard 31
Hyypia 36
Babel 50
Gerrard 66
Alonso (pen) 77
Bookings:
Taylor 75
Given 90

Bookings:
Mascherano 59

Liverpool cemented their place at the Premier League summit with a ruthless demolition of Newcastle United.

Newcastle keeper Shay Given denied Liverpool before Steven Gerrard stroked home from 12 yards after 31 minutes.

Sami Hyypia headed a second five minutes later, but David Edgar pulled one back on the stroke of half-time.

Ryan Babel scrambled home Liverpool's third five minutes after the break. Gerrard raced clear for a fourth and Xabi Alonso made it five from the spot.

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez surprisingly left Robbie Keane, a two-goal hero in the Boxing Day win against Bolton, on the bench - and how the Republic of Ireland striker must have wished he had been on the pitch in an encounter that was embarrassingly one-sided from start to finish.

Newcastle: Given, Edgar, Taylor, Coloccini, Jose Enrique (Ameobi 46), Gutierrez, Guthrie, Butt (Geremi 56), N'Zogbia, Duff, Owen (LuaLua 79).
Subs Not Used: Harper, Xisco, Kadar, Carroll.

Booked: Taylor, Given.

Goals: Edgar 45.

Liverpool: Reina, Carragher, Hyypia, Agger, Insua, Benayoun (Alonso 60), Mascherano, Leiva Lucas, Babel, Gerrard (Ngog 70), Kuyt (Skrtel 79).
Subs Not Used: Cavalieri, Keane, Riera, El Zhar.

Booked: Mascherano.

Goals: Gerrard 31, Hyypia 36, Babel 50, Gerrard 66, Alonso 77 pen.

Att: 52,114

Ref: Mark Halsey (Lancashire).

____________________________________________________________________


West Brom 2-0
(HT 0-0)
Tottenham
Bednar 83
Beattie 90+4


Bookings:
Morrison 28
Brunt 45
Zuiverloon 59

Bookings:
Dawson 14
Jenas 88


Sent off:
Assou-Ekotto 35

West Brom boosted their Premier League survival prospects with a valuable home win over 10-man Tottenham.

Roman Bednar's header put the home side in front on 83 minutes when he latched on to Marek Cech's long ball to beat Heurelho Gomes from 10 yards.

And substitute Craig Beattie clinched the points with an injury-time second.

Spurs had been reduced to 10 men when left-back Benoit Assou-Ekotto was sent off for a dangerous stamp on Gianni Zuiverloon after 34 minutes.

The victory was West Brom's second in a row at home, six points which could prove crucial as the Baggies attempt to stave off the threat of relegation.


West Brom: Carson, Zuiverloon (Hoefkens 72), Olsson, Barnett, Cech, Morrison, Greening, Brunt (Dorrans 65), Borja Valero (Beattie 80), Bednar, Moore.
Subs Not Used: Kiely, Kim, MacDonald, Donk.

Booked: Morrison, Brunt, Zuiverloon.

Goals: Bednar 83, Beattie 90.

Tottenham: Gomes, Corluka, Dawson, Woodgate, Assou-Ekotto, Lennon, Zokora (Campbell 86), Jenas, Bentley (O'Hara 69), Modric (Bale 75), Bent.
Subs Not Used: Cesar, Gunter, Taarabt, Obika.

Sent Off: Assou-Ekotto (35).

Booked: Dawson, Jenas.

Att: 26,344

Ref: Steve Tanner (Somerset).

____________________________________________________________________

West Ham 2-1
(HT 0-1)
Stoke
Cole 51
Tristan 88

Ab Faye 4
Bookings:
Cole 23
Boa Morte 32
Di Michele 36

Bookings:
Olofinjana 45+2
Higginbotham 65
Ab Faye 73


Sent off:
Fuller 54

West Ham snatched a late win over a Stoke side that was reduced to 10 men after striker Ricardo Fuller was sent off for fighting with a team-mate.

Abdoulaye Faye's free header which put Stoke ahead was the highlight of a scrappy first half.

Carlton Cole turned Andy Griffin to level for West Ham and some fiery Stoke recriminations saw Fuller dismissed.

Stoke looked to be heading for a draw until Cole's shot was deflected off Diego Tristan into the net late on.

The first half was a disjointed affair, characterised by Stoke defending in numbers, West Ham piling forward to little clear purpose and over-officious refereeing.

West Ham: Green, Faubert, Collins, Upson, Ilunga, Behrami, Parker (Mullins 77), Collison (Tristan 77), Boa Morte, Di Michele (Spector 89), Cole.
Subs Not Used: Lastuvka, Bowyer, Sears, Ngala.

Booked: Cole, Boa Morte, Di Michele.

Goals: Cole 51, Tristan 88.

Stoke: Sorensen, Griffin (Davies 58), Abdoulaye Faye, Shawcross, Higginbotham, Delap, Olofinjana, Whelan, Pugh (Pericard 53), Cresswell, Fuller.
Subs Not Used: Simonsen, Lawrence, Soares, Tonge, Sonko.

Sent Off: Fuller (54).

Booked: Olofinjana, Higginbotham, Abdoulaye Faye.

Goals: Abdoulaye Faye 4.

Att: 34,477

Ref: M Jones (Mansfield).

Friday 26 December 2008

Premier League results for 26th Dec 2008

Aston Villa 2-2
(HT 0-1)
Arsenal
Barry (pen) 65
Knight 90+2

Denilson 40
Diaby 49
Bookings:
Agbonlahor 72
Reo-Coker 77
Petrov 82
Barry 90+4

Bookings:
Song Billong 25
Toure 36
Diaby 51
Van Persie 77

Zat Knight scored in injury-time as Villa hit back from 2-0 down to earn a draw to put them fourth in the table.

Steve Sidwell, Curtis Davies and James Milner all struck the woodwork before Denilson slotted in Arsenal's opener.

Gabriel Agbonlahor's header was cleared off the line before Abou Diaby scored a superb breakaway goal for the second.

Robin van Persie hit the post before Gareth Barry pulled a goal back for Villa from the penalty spot and Knight rescued a point with a 12-yard drive.

It was an astonishing end to a remarkable match that swung wildly one way and then the other.

And while the hosts will be delighted to have secured a draw with a late, late equaliser they might also wonder how they did not virtually secure victory in the first half.

Villa's first chance came from a corner, when Sidwell thumped a header against the near post and shortly after an unmarked Davies headed off target when he should have done better.

The one-way traffic continued when Luke Young shot from the edge of the box and the ball deflected off Mikael Silvestre before being tipped over by Manuel Almunia.

Aston Villa: Friedel, Reo-Coker, Davies, Knight, Luke Young, Milner, Sidwell, Petrov, Barry, Ashley Young, Agbonlahor.
Subs Not Used: Guzan, Harewood, Delfouneso, Salifou, Shorey, Gardner, Osbourne.

Booked: Agbonlahor, Reo-Coker, Petrov, Barry.

Goals: Barry 65 pen, Knight 90.

Arsenal: Almunia, Sagna, Eboue, Toure, Silvestre, Song Billong (Ramsey 43), Denilson, Nasri (Clichy 82), Diaby, Gallas, Van Persie.
Subs Not Used: Fabianski, Vela, Wilshere, Bendtner.

Booked: Song Billong, Toure, Diaby, Van Persie.

Goals: Denilson 40, Diaby 49.

Att: 42,585

Ref: Lee Mason (Lancashire).

____________________________________________________________________

Chelsea 2-0
(HT 2-0)
West Brom
Drogba 3
Lampard 45+2


Bookings:
Ballack 74




First-half goals from Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard temporarily moved Chelsea to the top of the Premier League table as they comfortably beat West Brom.

Drogba's looping header after three minutes, his first league goal of the season, set up a dominant performance.

Albion fought hard until Lampard's close-range finish in first-half stoppage time killed them off.

West Brom had a little more of the game after the break but Chelsea were able to cruise to victory.

The win keeps Chelsea in touch with Liverpool, who knocked Luiz Felipe Scolari's side back off the top with victory over Bolton in the later kick-off.

Scolari chose to pair Premier League top scorer Nicolas Anelka with Drogba up front, and the decision paid immediate dividends.

Drogba met Joe Cole's swirling cross from the right and delivered a well-placed header past the helpless Scott Carson.


Chelsea: Cech, Bosingwa (Belletti 46), Ivanovic, Alex, Ashley Cole, Ballack, Mikel, Lampard, Joe Cole (Deco 79), Drogba (Malouda 66), Anelka.
Subs Not Used: Ferreira, Kalou, Cudicini, Mineiro.

Booked: Ballack.

Goals: Drogba 3, Lampard 45.

West Brom: Carson, Zuiverloon, Meite (Barnett 27), Olsson, Robinson, Morrison, Koren, Greening, Kim (Bednar 69), Brunt, Beattie (Moore 60).
Subs Not Used: Kiely, Cech, Dorrans, Borja Valero.

Att: 43,417.

Ref: Rob Styles (Hampshire).

____________________________________________________________________

Liverpool 3-0
(HT 1-0)
Bolton
Riera 26
Keane 53
Keane 58


Bookings:
Agger 57

Bookings:
Nolan 44
Steinsson 46
McCann 81

Liverpool defeated Bolton to end a sequence of three home draws and reclaim top spot in the Premier League.

The Reds took the lead through Albert Riera, who volleyed home beyond the near post direct from a corner.

Robbie Keane collected a Steven Gerrard pass and finished with his left foot to extend the home team's lead.

Keane then slotted home from eight yards to finish a sharp break that involved Xabi Alonso and Yossi Benayoun to take his team back above Chelsea.

Bolton had won three of their last four away fixtures but were very much second best against a team who had seen Luiz Felipe Scolari's outfit move above them with victory over West Brom earlier on Boxing Day.However, with manager Rafa Benitez watching from the stands as he recovers from surgery on his kidney stones, Liverpool took the game to a Bolton side that arrived with the aim of stifling their opponents and fully deserved their victory.


Liverpool: Reina, Carragher, Hyypia, Agger, Insua, Benayoun, Gerrard (Leiva Lucas 73), Alonso, Riera (El Zhar 69), Keane, Kuyt (Ngog 76).
Subs Not Used: Cavalieri, Babel, Mascherano, Darby.

Booked: Agger.

Goals: Riera 26, Keane 53, 58.

Bolton: Jaaskelainen, Steinsson, Cahill, Andrew O'Brien, Samuel (Davies 46), Muamba, Nolan, McCann, Taylor (Riga 66), Gardner, Elmander (Smolarek 66).
Subs Not Used: Al Habsi, Shittu, Basham, Obadeyi.

Booked: Nolan, Steinsson, McCann.

Att: 43,548

Ref: Alan Wiley (Staffordshire).

____________________________________________________________________

Man City 5-1
(HT 4-0)
Hull
Caicedo 15
Caicedo 27
Robinho 28
Robinho 36
Ireland 82

Fagan 80


Bookings:
Geovanni 45+1
Zayatte 72
Fagan 72
Mendy 75

Manchester City looked a rejuvenated side as they destroyed Hull with a scintillating display to move out of the Premier League relegation zone.

Stephen Ireland had a superb match, setting up Felipe Caicedo for the first two goals, and then providing the third for the returning superstar Robinho.

Shaun Wright-Phillips set up Robinho's second to make it 4-0 before the break.

Hull sub Craig Fagan hit a consolation goal before Ireland had the final say, finishing off a move he had started.

Furious Hull boss Phil Brown gave his half-time team talk on the pitch. He spent three minutes with his players, in front of the fans who had travelled from east Yorkshire, wagging his finger at various individuals.

It had little effect on the second half, except for stemming the tide of City goals in what was generally a subdued period given added gloss by the two late strikes.

Mark Hughes had said in his programme notes that he had already identified players for City to sign in January. But the current crop provided ample evidence that there is plenty of skill in the existing squad.


Man City: Hart, Zabaleta, Dunne, Richards (Onuoha 46), Ball, Wright-Phillips, Ireland (Fernandes 85), Kompany, Elano, Robinho, Caicedo (Jo 46).
Subs Not Used: Schmeichel, Vassell, Garrido, Sturridge.

Goals: Caicedo 15, 27, Robinho 28, 36, Ireland 82.

Hull: Myhill, Mendy, Zayatte, Turner, McShane, Boateng (Doyle 34), Geovanni (Cousin 70), Ashbee, Marney, Windass (Fagan 46), King.
Subs Not Used: Duke, Barmby, Hughes, Halmosi.

Booked: Geovanni, Zayatte, Fagan, Mendy.

Goals: Fagan 80.

Att: 45,196

Ref: Andre Marriner (W Midlands)
____________________________________________________________________

Middlesbrough 0-1
(HT 0-0)
Everton


Cahill 51
Bookings:
Arca 45
Riggott 65
Johnson 72
Taylor 88
McMahon 90

Bookings:
Fellaini 29

Everton's rise up the Premier League continued as Tim Cahill's goal gave them victory at Middlesbrough.

Cahill scrambled home from close range following Mikel Arteta's corner six minutes after the interval to move Everton up to sixth in the table.

It was no more than Everton deserved after carving out a host of chances, with debutant Dan Gosling twice coming close to his first senior goal.

Afonso Alves missed a chance to snatch a point for Middlesbrough late on.

Middlesbrough: Turnbull, McMahon, Riggott, Pogatetz, Taylor, Aliadiere (Johnson 70), O'Neil (Emnes 85), Arca, Downing, Sanli (Alves 54), Mido. Subs Not Used: Jones, Huth, Wheater, Walker.

Booked: Arca, Riggott, Johnson, Taylor, McMahon.

Everton: Howard, Hibbert, Jagielka, Lescott, Baines, Arteta, Neville, Fellaini, Pienaar, Gosling, Cahill. Subs Not Used: Nash, Van der Meyde, Rodwell, Jutkiewicz, Anichebe, Kissock, Wallace.

Booked: Fellaini.

Goals: Cahill 51.

Att: 30,253

Ref: Mike Riley (Yorkshire).

____________________________________________________________________

Portsmouth 1-4
(HT 1-1)
West Ham
Belhadj 8

Collison 20
Cole 67
Bellamy 70
Bellamy 83
Bookings:
Wilson 44

Bookings:
Noble 45+2
Behrami 65
Parker 86

Craig Bellamy scored a second-half brace as West Ham beat Portsmouth for the first time in the Premier League.

The striker capped a fine performance by lashing in West Ham's third after racing clear from halfway and side-footing the fourth from 12 yards.

Nadir Belhadj fired Pompey ahead from 10 yards, but Jack Collison rifled past an unsighted David James to level.

Pompey's Jermain Defoe missed a penalty before Carlton Cole tapped in a second for West Ham after another Bellamy run.

Marc Wilson, making his Premier League debut for Pompey, was constantly tested in the first half as West Ham looked to make use of Bellamy's trickery down their left.

But for all their early endeavour, a Bellamy free-kick that cleared the crossbar and a Cole stab wide was all the visitors could muster before Portsmouth took the lead.


Portsmouth: James, Wilson, Campbell, Distin, Belhadj, Little (Armand Traore 71), Davis, Hughes, Kranjcar, Crouch, Defoe (Kanu 73).
Subs Not Used: Ashdown, Hreidarsson, Diop, Nugent, Pamarot.

Booked: Wilson.

Goals: Belhadj 8.

West Ham: Green, Neill (Faubert 46), Davenport, Upson, Ilunga, Collison, Noble (Boa Morte 73), Parker, Behrami, Cole (Tristan 87), Bellamy.
Subs Not Used: Lastuvka, Mullins, Collins, Di Michele.

Booked: Noble, Behrami, Parker.

Goals: Collison 20, Cole 67, Bellamy 70, 83.

Referee: Steve Bennett (Kent).

____________________________________________________________________

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


Tevez 83
Bookings:
Cresswell 21
Wilkinson 29
Fuller 43
Whelan 87

Bookings:
Evans 27
Neville 87
Sent off:
Wilkinson 72


Carlos Tevez hammered home a late winner as Manchester United turned up the heat on the Premier League pacesetters with victory at Stoke.

Tevez made no mistake from six yards with seven minutes left.

Stoke had mounted fierce resistance, but were reduced to 10 men for the last 18 minutes after Andy Wilkinson was sent off for fouling Cristiano Ronaldo.

Ricardo Fuller wasted Stoke's best chance in the opening seconds but United's pressure deserved the win.

It was the perfect return to domestic action for United after they beat LDU Quito in Japan on Sunday to lift the Club World Cup in Japan.

The league leaders will now feel the champions closing in, especially as they have games in hand.

Stoke: Sorensen, Wilkinson, Abdoulaye Faye, Shawcross, Higginbotham, Delap (Davies 74), Whelan, Amdy Faye (Olofinjana 89), Pugh, Cresswell (Pericard 90), Fuller.

Subs Not Used: Simonsen, Lawrence, Tonge, Sonko.

Sent Off: Wilkinson (72).

Booked: Cresswell, Wilkinson, Fuller, Whelan.

Man Utd: Van der Sar, Neville, Evans, Vidic, O'Shea (Berbatov 64), Ronaldo, Scholes (Carrick 90), Fletcher, Giggs, Rooney, Tevez.
Subs Not Used: Kuszczak, Park, Welbeck, Rafael Da Silva, Gibson.

Booked: Evans, Neville.

Goals: Tevez 83.

Att: 27,500

Ref: Chris Foy (Merseyside).

____________________________________________________________________


Sunderland 0-0
(HT 0-0)
Blackburn


Bookings:
Ooijer 23
McCarthy 31
Samba 47

Striker Jason Roberts spurned a gilt-edged chance two minutes into injury-time to deny Sam Allardyce his second win in two games as Blackburn manager.

Roberts was through on goal with keeper Martin Fulop beaten, but somehow sidefooted his shot from 15 yards wide of the left-hand post.

Fulop had earlier palmed Morten Gamst Pedersen's fine curling 20-yard free-kick on to his post after 52 minutes.

And the Hungarian denied Keith Andrews from 12 yards seven minutes later.

Although he will be disappointed to leave the Stadium of Light with a point, Allardyce can take satisfaction from a solid - if unspectacular - performance in only his second match at the helm.

Allardyce, who at one point had been favourite to succeed Roy Keane at the Stadium of Light, named an unchanged starting XI, although he was still without injured star striker Roque Santa Cruz, whose future at Ewood Park looks increasingly bleak after he admitted his desire join a more ambitious club.

Sunderland caretaker boss Ricky Sbragia also kept faith with his starting team that comprehensively beat Hull 4-1 last week.


Sunderland: Fulop, Bardsley, Nosworthy, Ferdinand, Collins, Malbranque, Tainio (Whitehead 62), Richardson (Leadbitter 81), Reid, Cisse (Murphy 80), Jones.
Subs Not Used: Colgan, Edwards, Diouf, Chimbonda.

Blackburn: Robinson, Ooijer, Samba, Nelsen (Mokoena 90), Warnock, Emerton, Dunn (Kerimoglu 62), Andrews, Pedersen, Roberts, McCarthy (Derbyshire 88).
Subs Not Used: Brown, Khizanishvili, Treacy, Olsson.

Booked: Ooijer, McCarthy, Samba.

Att: 44,680

Ref: Martin Atkinson (W Yorkshire).

____________________________________________________________________

Tottenham 0-0
(HT 0-0)
Fulham



Bookings:
Konchesky 79

Tottenham and Fulham played out a draw in a tame London derby that illustrated Spurs's need for another striker.

Aaron Lennon had the hosts' best chance but saw his close-range effort well saved by Cottagers keeper Mark Schwarzer after 30 minutes.

Clint Dempsey came close with a spectacular overhead-kick from 20-yards but it was kept out by Heurelho Gomes.

The Brazilian keeper then did well to save at the feet of Andy Johnson after he got behind his marker Ledley King.

Gomes, who spilled Simon Davies's cross over his own goal-line in the corresponding fixture showed how much he has improved since that costly fumble.

The often beleaguered keeper was in fine form for Spurs in what turned out to be a cagey London derby

Tottenham: Gomes, Corluka, Dawson, King, Assou-Ekotto, Lennon, Zokora, Huddlestone (Jenas 20), Bentley (Campbell 58), Modric, Bent (Pavlyuchenko 72).
Subs Not Used: Cesar, Bale, O'Hara, Woodgate.

Fulham: Schwarzer, Pantsil, Baird, Hughes, Konchesky, Dempsey, Murphy, Bullard (Etuhu 37), Davies (Nevland 90), Johnson, Zamora.
Subs Not Used: Zuberbuhler, Gray, Stoor, Andreasen, Kallio.

Booked: Konchesky.

Att: 35,866

Ref: Peter Walton (Northamptonshire).

____________________________________________________________________

Wigan 2-1
(HT 1-0)
Newcastle
Taylor 29
Zaki (pen) 73

Guthrie (pen) 88
Bookings:
Cattermole 34
Palacios 44

Bookings:
Butt 74
Duff 75
Carroll 90+6


Sent off:
Bassong 72


Ryan Taylor continued his remarkable goalscoring form against Newcastle, notching his fourth goal in four games against them to set up Wigan's victory.

The midfielder curled in a delightful 25-yard free-kick to open the scoring.

Amir Zaki rammed home number two from the penalty spot after Emile Heskey was tugged to the ground by Sebastien Bassong, who was also sent off.

Danny Guthrie's penalty then made it 2-1 late on after Chris Kirkland felled Andy Carroll but Wigan held on.

Damien Duff almost stole a point in injury-time but he lashed an effort wildly wide from 10 yards with the goal at his mercy.

A draw would have been very tough on a Latics side who controlled much of the game and appeared to be coasting to victory when Zaki made it 2-0 from the penalty spot after Bassong's clumsy challenge on Heskey.


Wigan: Kirkland, Melchiot, Bramble, Scharner, Figueroa, Valencia, Cattermole, Palacios (Kilbane 90), Taylor (Brown 71), Heskey (Camara 85), Zaki.
Subs Not Used: Pollitt, Koumas, Boyce, De Ridder.

Booked: Cattermole, Palacios.

Goals: Taylor 29, Zaki 73 pen.

Newcastle: Given, Beye (Taylor 38), Coloccini, Bassong, N'Zogbia, Gutierrez, Butt, Guthrie, Duff, Owen (Edgar 77), Viduka (Carroll 68).
Subs Not Used: Harper, Xisco, Geremi, LuaLua.

Sent Off: Bassong (72).

Booked: Butt, Duff, Carroll.

Goals: Guthrie 88 pen. Att: 20,266