Tuesday, 20 May 2008

Barton Jailed for 6 months

Stupid Newcastle player Joey Barton was sent down for 6 months today ,

Barton, 25, was captured on CCTV in Liverpool on 27 December 2007 punching one man 20 times before an attack which left a teenage boy with broken teeth.

The Newcastle and England midfielder, from Widnes, admitted the charges last month but reporting restrictions were only lifted on Tuesday.

Sentencing him to six months in jail, Judge Henry Globe QC said it was a "violent and cowardly act". I say good he gives the game a bad name.

Sunday, 18 May 2008

Latest Premier League gossip and news

Tuesday 20th May 2008

Portsmouth have sounded out Tottenham about signing defender Younes Kaboul. (Setanta Sports, 1510 BST)

Chelsea striker Didier Drogba has been linked with leaving the club but says he may still stay at Stamford Bridge next season. (Press Association, 1215 BST)

The agent of Liverpool's reported target Albert Riera of Espanyol said his player has not been in contact with any Premier League clubs, but is open to offers. (BBC Sport, 1025 BST)

West Ham are weighing up the double capture of Manchester United striker Louis Saha and Bolton winger El-Hadji Diouf. (The Guardian, 0945 BST)

Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard will join Inter Milan after the Champions League final on Wednesday. (Various)

Barcelona and Manchester United are leading the chase for Seville right-back Daniel Alves. (The Daily Star)

Chelsea will appoint Guus Hiddink as Avram Grant's managerial successor for next season,

AVRAM GRANT is ready to quit Chelsea – even if they WIN the Champions League.

The 53-year-old has admitted to close friends that the pressure of leading the Blues has been getting to him and affecting his family life.

A source close to Grant said: “Avram has told close friends he is seriously considering standing down if Chelsea win.”(The Daily Star)

Newcastle want to offload Emre to Galatasaray and sign left winger Arda Turan from the Turkish club, while they are also eyeing Stuttgart striker Mario Gomez. (The Daily Star)

Arsenal are close to completing the £13.5m capture of Samir Nasri from Marseille. (Various)

But Gunners boss Arsene Wenger faces talks with Kolo Toure, who does not want to play second fiddle to William Gallas, while Sporting Lisbon's Miguel Veloso could be drafted in to replace Mathieu Flamini. (The Sun)

Arsenal are one of a number of clubs interested in Fiorentina keeper Sebastian Frey. (Mirror)

Croatian midfielder Ognjen Vukojevic says it would be "an honour" to play for Celtic after being linked with a move to the Glasgow club. (The Scottish Sun)

Liverpool are close to signing Udinese's £8m-rated left-back Andrea Dossena. (Various)

Juventus boss Claudio Ranieri is keen to take Chelsea left-back Wayne Bridge to Italy. (Daily Mail)

Everton boss David Moyes will sign a new contract after being given £20m to spend in the transfer market. (Daily Mail)

Tottenham will land Crystal Palace youngster John Bostock in a deal that could rise to £5m. (Daily Mail)

Blackburn are preparing an £11m raid on Espanyol to sign defender Marc Torrejon and striker Ferran Corominas. (Mirror)

Monday 19th May 2008

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger will swoop for Blackburn striker Roque Santa Cruz if Emmanuel Adebayor leaves to join Barcelona. (The Times)

Liverpool could turn their attention to Stewart Downing if their proposed move for Aston Villa captain Gareth Barry falls through. Reds boss Rafael Benitez is prepared to pay £12m for the Middlesbrough winger. (Daily Telegraph)

Bordeaux midfielder Alou Diarra, who was at Liverpool as a youngster, is an £8m target for Everton. (Daily Mirror)

Barcelona have agreed a £6m fee with Manchester United for 21-year-old defender Gerard Pique, who arrived at Old Trafford from the Catalan club in 2004. (Daily Mail)

Manchester United striker Louis Saha has admitted Wednesday's Champions League final could be his last game for the club. (Daily Telegraph)

Liverpool goalkeeper Scott Carson could make his loan move to Aston Villa permanent in a £6m deal. (Daily Mirror)

Harry Kewell is also on his way out of Anfield, with Portsmouth prepared to give the midfielder a £50,000-a-week deal. (Daily Mirror)

If Harry Redknapp does sign Kewell, Nico Kranjcar will be allowed to join Arsenal for £10m. (Daily Mirror)

Arsenal have also been heavily linked with a move for Marseille playmaker Samir Nasri, who has been labelled the next Zidane. (Various)

Lille midfielder Jean II Makoun and St Etienne right-back Mouhamadou Dabo are also in Arsene Wenger's sights. (The Independent)

Everton midfielder Lee Carsley has been offered a two-year deal to join Birmingham. (Daily Mirror)

West Brom midfielder Zoltan Gera has received an offer to join Benfica. (The Times)

QPR want to sign West Brom striker Kevin Phillips and Wolves forward Freddy Eastwood. (Daily Mirror)

Derby boss Paul Jewell has put his whole squad up for sale following the club's relegation to the Championship. (Daily Record)

Fulham captain Brian McBride, whose contract expires this summer, is wanted by MLS sides Columbus Crew and Chicago Fire. (The Times)

Manchester United look like they will miss out on £10m rated Antonio Valencia who looks set to remain at Wigan. (El Universo 1859 BST)

Barcelona are reportedly tracking Arsenal trio Robin van Persie, Theo Walcott and Alexander Hleb. (Epping Forest Guardian (1651 BST)

Tottenham remain favourites to sign Samuel Eto'o after bidding £24m for the Barcelona striker - £8m more than AC and Inter Milan. (London Evening Standard, 1421 BST)

Birmingham have signed Lee Carsley on a free transfer from Everton after the midfielder rejected a new deal to stay at Goodison Park. (The Birmingham Mail, 1355 BST)

Arsenal goalkeeper Jens Lehmann is on the brink of signing for German side Stuttgart after meeting with club officials. (Press Association, 1157 BST)

Lassana Diarra has a gentleman's agreement with Portsmouth that he can quit Fratton Park if one of European football's big clubs come knocking. (Daily Mail, 1112 BST)

Aston Villa are being linked with a move for 18-year-old Real Valladolid goalkeeper Sergio Asenjo who has a buy-out clause of £3.3m. (Sky Sports, 1058 BST)

Dean Ashton could be on his way across London with Tottenham the latest club to be linked with the £15m-rated West Ham striker. (Daily Mail, 1022 BST)

Roma midfielder Alberto Aquilani is discussing a possible move with Arsenal. (Setanta Sports, 0950 BST)

Le Mans midfielder Hassan Yebda is closing on a deal with Wigan, according to his agent. (Setanta Sports, 0946 BST)

Sunday 18th May 2008

Newcastle are set to beat north-east rivals Middlesbrough for the signature of Galatasaray winger Arda Turan, a deal which could lead to Damien Duff leaving St James' Park (Sunday Sun, 1205 BST)

Former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho hopes to be working again "in one month" with a new club. "I don't know where but I'm sure that I will be working," he says. (AFP, 1012 BST)

Chelsea are being strongly linked with a move for departing Barcelona midfielder Deco. (News of the World)

Thierry Henry could be tempted to follow David Beckham into Major League Soccer with a £5.2m-a-year offer to join new club Seattle Sounders. (Various)

James McFadden is a wanted man following Birmingham's relegation - with Portsmouth, Sunderland and Celtic chasing the £6m-rated striker. (Sunday Express)

Juande Ramos wants £8m-rated Sevilla defender Adriano Correia added to his Tottenham squad this summer. (News of the World)

John Arne Riise is ready to snub a move to Newcastle for the lure of Champions League football next season with Schalke emerging as favourites to sign him. (News of the World)

Manchester City skipper Richard Dunne has set his heart on a summer move to Tottenham despite efforts by Sven-Goran Eriksson to keep him at Eastlands. (Mail on Sunday)

Liverpool are close to completing a £13m double swoop for Italian defender Andrea Dossena and Espanyol left winger Albert Riera. (News of the World)

The Reds will also turn their attention to Middlesbrough winger Stewart Downing if they fail to land Aston Villa's Gareth Barry. (News of the World)

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is set to raid his homeland, France for three players to make up for the loss of Mathieu Flamini. Wenger has identified Lille midfielder Jean Makoun, St-Etienne right-back Mahamadou Dabo and Marseille's Samir Nasri. (Sunday Telegraph)

Everton want to bid £11m for Valencia winger Joaquin. (News of the World)

Galatasaray's Turkish midfielder Arda Turan is an £11m target for Newcastle. (News of the World)

Tottenham have emerged as favourites to sign Barcelona striker Samuel Eto'o after making a £24m bid. And they have also made their interest in West Ham's Dean Ashton clear to the Hammers. (News of the World)

Martin O'Neill is confident he will land Arsenal's Justin Hoyte after failing with a £4.5m bid last year. (News of the World)

Villa have reached agreement with Chelsea for midfielder Steve Sidwell. The fee for the former Reading star is £7m. (News of the World)

Chelsea are poised to ditch Nicolas Anelka and set up the ninth transfer of his career. (Sunday Mirror)

Roy Keane hopes to cash in on Manchester City's summer clearout by landing Stephen Ireland. (News of the World)

Tottenham are weighing up a move for Michael Owen if their bid to land Samuel Eto'o collapses. (The People)

Friday, 16 May 2008

Ronaldo could be leaving Man Utd

Christiano Ronaldo has left the door open for Madrid. The 23-year-old, who has scored 41 goals in a superb season, has been linked with a move to Real Madrid.

"I'm very happy here but let's see after the Champions League final what happens," Ronaldo told Spanish TV at Man Utd's training ground.

"I feel at home here. I've been here five years but the future, we'll see."

Speaking in January, Manchester United chief executive David Gill told Football Focus: "There's no chance of us selling him, no way, whatever the bid.

"Cristiano signed a new contract last season to 2012 and we are not a selling club."

Will he change his mind and put a massive price tag on Ronaldo?

Wednesday, 14 May 2008

Premier League transfer gossip and news

Sat 17th May 2008

Cesc Fabregas is close to signing a new contract at Arsenal after the Gunners warded off Real Madrid and Barcelona. (Daily Telegraph)

Manchester United striker Louis Saha admits he will be put up for sale after the Champions League final. (Various)

Saha's Old Trafford team-mate Mikael Silvestre says he would jump at a move to French side Bordeaux, the side he supported as a youngster. (Daily Mirror)

Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate will make a £5m bid for Newcastle midfielder James Milner if he fails to keep Gary O'Neil. (Sun)

Everton midfielder Lee Carsley could make a shock return to Birmingham on a two-year deal. (Sun)

AC Milan are determined to sign Barcelona's Samuel Eto'o from under the noses of Tottenham. (Sun)

But the Eto'o story has taken a new twist with reports he no longer wants to leave Barcelona with Spurs chairman Daniel Levy poised to make a £30m offer. (Daily Telegraph)

Sunderland boss Roy Keane is the latest to target Manchester City's Republic of Ireland international defender Richard Dunne in a £2.5m deal. (Daily Mirror)

Tottenham face competition from Roma to sign striker Marcelo Moreno from Brazilian side Cruzeiro. (Daily Mirror)

Motherwell striker Ross McCormack, 21, wanted by both Middlesbrough and Wigan in January, could spark a transfer war after declaring he wants to play in England. (Daily Express)

Arsenal are ready to move for Werder Bremen midfielder Diego, 23, if Alexander Hleb leaves the Gunners. (Daily Mail)

Derby and Scotland striker Kenny Miller is on the verge of a return to Rangers. (Scottish Sun)

Rangers are lining up a swap deal with Fulham which will see on-loan Steven Davis staying at Ibrox and Daniel Cousin going to Craven Cottage. (Daily Mail)

Fri 16th May 2008

Marseille coach Eric Gerets says the French club would be willing to sell Samir Nasri, who has reportedly been attracting interest from Arsenal, as well ex-Liverpool striker Djibril Cisse if they get favourable offers. (Press Association, 1505 BST)

Jussi Jaaskelainen's agent warns Bolton there are a queue of clubs keen on signing the Finland goalkeeper. (Clubcall, 1517 BST).

AC Milan have made their final offer of £20m for Barcelona's Ronaldinho. Manchester City have offered £24m but the Brazilian only wants to join the Milan giants. (Italian sports paper Gazzetta dello Sport, BST 1105)

Derby midfielder Dave Jones is set to leave for £1m. (Clubcall, 1200 BST)


South Korea striker Dong Gook Lee is in negotiations with five Japanese teams after being released by Middlesbrough earlier this week. (Press Association, 1055 BST)

Newcastle could be ready to bid for Jonny Evans if the Manchester United prospect becomes available this summer. (The Journal, 1020 BST)

Manchester United defender Mikael Silvestre says he would be interested in a move to Bordeaux. (L'Equipe, 0955 BST)

Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy will fly to Barcelona on Sunday to try to sign striker Samuel Eto'o. (Spanish sports paper Marca, 0610 BST)

Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech is to have talks about a new contract in the next few weeks. The Czech number one has just a year left on his current deal. (BBC Sport, 1600 BST)

Lille midfielder Jean Makoun is wanted by north London rivals Arsenal and Tottenham, with the French club holding out for £11m. (skysports.com, 1436 BST)

If Arsenal fail in their bid to lure Makoun to the Emirates Stadium, manager Arsene Wenger will turn his attentions to Sevilla's Seydou Keita. (skysports.com, 1436 BST)

Benfica defender Luisao has admitted he is interested in a move to the Premier League with Portsmouth reportedly interested in the £12m-rated Brazilian. (skysports.com, 1056 BST)

Manchester City are in pole position to sign Barcelona teenager Giovani dos Santos, according to the player's father. (Manchester Evening News, 1051 BST)

Manchester United are set to step up their bid to sign £20m-rated defender Micah Richards from local rivals Manchester City. (Daily Mail)

Tottenham could be beaten to the signing of Samuel Eto'o after Inter Milan launched a £32m bid for the Barcelona striker. (Daily Mirror)

West Ham midfielder Freddie Ljungberg has been offered £3m to leave the club. (The Times)

Wigan manager Steve Bruce is to launch a £4m bid for Greek defender Sokratis Papastathopoulos who plays for AEK Athens. (Daily Mirror)

Sunderland are ready to bid £2.5m for Wolves and Republic of Ireland right back Kevin Foley. (Daily Mirror)

Jordan Stewart is set to join Derby on a free transfer from Watford. (Daily Mirror)

Manchester United midfielder Cristiano Ronaldo has hinted he may reconsider his future at Old Trafford after the Champions League final. (various)

Chelsea defender Ricardo Carvalho also says that he is unsure whether he will be at the Blues next season. (various)

Dutch side Feyenoord are interested in signing Chelsea centre-back Tal Ben Haim. (Daily Express)

Manchester City owner Thaksin Shinawatra has put the entire squad up for sale. (Daily Express)

Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas has reassured fans he is not planning to join Real Madrid. (Daily Express)

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is eager to sign experienced French defender Lilian Thuram. (Daily Star)

Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate is keen to end Steve Sidwell's Chelsea nightmare by paying £6m for his services. (Daily Mirror)

West Ham have made a £5m offer for Manchester City defender Richard Dunne. (Daily Mirror)

Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill will offer Reading £4m for Republic of Ireland striker Kevin Doyle. (Mirror)

Portsmouth are in talks with Liverpool to bring £15m-rated Peter Crouch to Fratton Park. (The Times)

Liverpool keeper Scott Carson wants his club to lower their £10m price tag for him. (The Sun)

Thursday 15th may 2008

Manchester City boss Sven-Goran Eriksson has been approach to coach Mexcio. (Esto 2057 BST)

Real Madrid say they have the finances to sign Manchester United's £100m-rated winger Cristiano Ronaldo this summer. (Marca 1708 BST)

Wigan have not received any offers for the Antonio Valencia, according to his agent, despite newspaper reports linking him to a move to Manchester United or Liverpool (BBC Sport, 1643 BST)

Cruzeiro president Alvimar Perrella has revealed at a press conference that Tottenham have failed with a bid to sign Marcelo Moreno. (setanta.com 1540 BST)

Newcastle boss Kevin Keegan has warned Arsenal off making a move for Obafemi Martins. (Newcastle Evening Chronicle 1538 BST)

Birmingham's on-loan striker Mauro Zarate is in talks with two Premier League clubs. (BBC Sport, 1342 BST)

Reading manager Steve Coppell has hinted that the support of the fans may persuade him to stay at the club. (Reading Evening Post, 1232 BST)

Paris St Germain forward Amara Diane has admitted he would jump at the chance to join Newcastle. (Press Association, 1226 BST)

Liverpool midfielder Harry Kewell is considering "various options" after being told he has no future at Anfield. (BBC Sport, 1222 BST)

AC Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti will not be leaving for Manchester City or the Italy national team despite reports in the Italian press. (BBC Sport, 1113 BST)

Tottenham defender Ricardo Rocha has told Juande Ramos that he wants to leave White Hart Lane this summer. (Epping Forest Guardian 1110 BST)

Le Mans forward Gervinho has admitted he is flattered to be linked with a move to Arsenal. (Sportinglife.com 1109 BST)

Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill and club owner Randy Lerner have opened talks with Gareth Barry over his future at the club. (Aston Villa's website 1058 BST)

According to reports in Portugal Manchester City manager Sven Goran Eriksson has refused the chance to become Benfica's new boss. (setanta.com 1029 BST)

Barcelona midfielder Yaya Toure has admitted he would love to play alongside his brother Kolo in the Premier League at Arsenal. (TEAMtalk.com 0928 BST)

Manchester United's hopes of signing Wigan winger Antonio Valencia have been boosted after Liverpool reportedly calmed their interest.

Rafa Benitez has cooled his interest in Wigan's £10m-rated Ecuadorian to concentrate his efforts on signing Aston Villa's Gareth Barry. (Manchester Evening News 0924 BST)

Jose Mourinho has ruled himself out of an unlikely move to Manchester City. (Manchester Evening News 0919 BST)

Manchester United target Daniel Alves has hinted he could leave Primera Liga outfit Sevilla this summer. (TEAMtalk.com 0902 BST)

Sergio Ramos has insisted that he is going nowhere and wants to retire at Real Madrid, but is flattered by the interest from Milan and Chelsea. (goal.com 0852 BST)

Newcastle United have finally opened contract talks with striker Michael Owen. (Newcastle Journal 0848 BST)

Chelsea striker Didier Drogba looks certain to leave the club this summer, with either AC or Inter Milan his preferred destination. (The Times/The Sun)


However, Chelsea are poised to land Barcelona wonder kid Giovani dos Santos, who has been dubbed the new Ronaldinho. (The Sun)

Manchester United defender Patrice Evra is sweating on a new contract, with the Frenchman having only one year left on his current deal. (Sun)

Newcastle striker Michael Owen could turn his back on English football and Japan could be a possible destination. (Daily Star)

Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy has stepped in to try to broker a £15m move for Barcelona striker Samuel Eto'o. (Star)

Meanwhile, Tottenham could bid for Blackburn winger David Bentley, who would cost about £15m. (Sun)

Spurs are also lining up Manchester City keeper Joe Hart, with Paul Robinson moving in the opposite direction. (Daily Mail)

The White Hart Lane club are also keen on Chelsea striker Nicolas Anelka, who is also valued at £15m. (Daily Express)

West Ham manager Alan Curbishley is hopeful of signing Manchester City captain Richard Dunne for about £6m. (Daily Express)

Wigan boss Steve Bruce looks set to raid his old club for midfielder Olivier Kapo.(Sun)

Former Manchester United striker Alan Smith is wanted by Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate. Smith joined Newcastle for £6m in 2007. (Daily Mirror)

Arsenal look to be closing in on £11m-rated Lyon winger Hatem Ben Arfa. (Independent)

Aston Villa are keen on Portsmouth midfielder Pedro Mendes. (Mirror)

Portsmouth are lining up a £5m move for West Brom striker Ishmael Miller. (Mirror)

Tottenham are considering an approach from PSV Eindhoven for left-back Lee Young Pyo. (Times)

Sunderland manager Roy Keane will be given at least £50m to spend in the summer as he attempts to consolidate their place in the Premier League. (Telegraph)

Sunday, 11 May 2008

The final day











What a good day with lots of good football. Joy for some and sorrow for others. Boro amazed everone with an amazing 8-1 score line over Man City, me thinks the recent news of Svens departure has angered alot of the team as well as the fans. Nail bitting stuff at the top as Man Utd scored then Chelsea scored so level pegging then Utd scored with a Ryan Giggs goal and Bolton got one back to give a 2 point lead to Utd. Birming had a win a very repsectable 4-1 over Blackburn but not enough to help them as Reading got a last day win and they to went out with a bang both teams too little too late.

Premier league results for final day 11 may 2008

Birmingham
Maik Taylor, Kelly, Jaidi, Ridgewell, Murphy, Larsson, Muamba, Johnson (Nafti 73), Kapo (McSheffrey 87), Forssell (Jerome 69), Zarate.
Subs Not Used: Doyle, Parnaby.
4-1
(HT 1-0)
Blackburn
Friedel, Reid, Samba, Nelsen, Warnock (McCarthy 81), Bentley, Emerton, Vogel (Dunn 67), Pedersen (Kerimoglu 67), Santa Cruz, Roberts.
Subs Not Used: Brown, Khizanishvili.
Murphy 31
Jerome 73
Jerome 89
Muamba 90

Pedersen 49
Bookings:
Johnson 26
Larsson 40
Ridgewell 76

Att: 26,668.

Ref: Howard Webb (S Yorkshire).



Bookings:
Roberts 33
Santa Cruz 51

Chelsea
Cech, Essien, Alex, Terry (Belletti 14), Ashley Cole, Ballack, Makelele (Shevchenko 46), Lampard, Joe Cole (Obi 78), Drogba, Malouda.
Subs Not Used: Cudicini, Kalou.
1-1
(HT 0-0)
Bolton
Al Habsi, Steinsson, Andrew O'Brien, Cahill, Samuel, Davies, Joey O'Brien, McCann, Nolan, Taylor, Diouf (Giannakopoulos 69).
Subs Not Used: Walker, Jaaskelainen, Meite, Cohen.
Shevchenko 62

Taylor 90
Bookings:
Drogba 81

Att: 41,755

Ref: Chris Foy (Merseyside).



Bookings:
O'Brien 17
McCann 39
Davies 45

Derby
Carroll, Mears, Moore, Nyatanga, Lewis, Sterjovski (Edworthy 46), Savage (Feilhaber 46), Ghaly, Jones, Villa (Simmons 63), Miller.
Subs Not Used: Price, Addison.
0-4
(HT 0-1)
Reading
Hahnemann, Murty, Ingimarsson, Duberry, Shorey, Oster, Harper (Bikey 86), Matejovsky (Cisse 83), Hunt, Lita, Kitson (Doyle 66).
Subs Not Used: Federici, Kebe.


Harper 15
Kitson 61
Doyle 69
Lita 90


Att: 33,087.

Ref: Mike Riley (Yorkshire).



Bookings:
Doyle 70

Everton
Howard, Neville, Yobo (Baines 85), Jagielka, Lescott, Pienaar, Fernandes, Carsley (Rodwell 90), Osman, Yakubu, Anichebe (Gravesen 85).
Subs Not Used: Wessels, Gosling.
3-1
(HT 1-0)
Newcastle
Harper, Beye, Faye (Cacapa 46), Taylor (Ramage 90), Jose Enrique (LuaLua 79), Smith, Butt, N'Zogbia, Owen, Carroll, Duff.
Subs Not Used: Forster, Tozer.
Yakubu 28
Lescott 70
Yakubu (pen) 82

Owen (pen) 47


Att: 39,592

Referee: Peter Walton (Northamptonshire).



Bookings:
Duff 28
Smith 65
Middlesbrough
Schwarzer, Young (McMahon 75), Riggott, Wheater, Pogatetz, Boateng, Rochemback, Arca (Johnson 62), Downing, Sanli (Aliadiere 62), Alves.
Subs Not Used: Turnbull, Taylor.
8-1
(HT 2-0)
Man City
Isaksson, Jihai, Corluka, Dunne, Ball, Ireland, Gelson, Petrov (Elano 71), Garrido, Vassell (Hamann 62), Mwaruwari (Castillo 13).
Subs Not Used: Hart, Caicedo.
Downing (pen) 16
Alves 37
Downing 58
Alves 60
Johnson 70
Rochemback 80
Aliadiere 85
Alves 90

Elano 87
Bookings:
Pogatetz 21
Young 26

Bookings:
Jihai 54

Att: 27,613

Ref: Phil Dowd (Staffordshire).



Sent off:
Dunne 15

Portsmouth
Ashdown, Johnson, Distin, Pamarot, Hreidarsson, Utaka, Diarra (Muntari 83), Pedro Mendes (Davis 73), Kranjcar, Defoe, Kanu (Baros 73).
Subs Not Used: Begovic, Wilson.
0-1
(HT 0-0)
Fulham
Keller, Stalteri, Hughes, Hangeland, Konchesky, Davies, Murphy, Bullard, Dempsey (Nevland 72), Kamara (Andreasen 85), McBride.
Subs Not Used: Warner, Bocanegra, Healy.

Att: 20,532

Ref: Mark Clattenburg (Tyne & Wear).



Murphy 76

Sunderland
Fulop, Whitehead, Nosworthy, Evans, Collins, Edwards (Miller 71), Yorke (Chopra 75), Leadbitter, Wallace, Reid, Jones (O'Donovan 46).
Subs Not Used: Gordon, Higginbotham.
0-1
(HT 0-1)
Arsenal
Fabianski, Song Billong, Senderos, Djourou, Clichy, Eboue (Randall 81), Denilson, Silva, Walcott, Adebayor, Bendtner (Traore 81).
Subs Not Used: Mannone, Nordtveit, Barazite.


Walcott 24
Bookings:
Collins 54

Att: 47,802

Ref: Keith Stroud (Hampshire).



Bookings:
Clichy 82

Tottenham
Cerny, Hutton, Dawson (Bent 75), Woodgate, Gilberto, Malbranque, Jenas (Huddlestone 46), Zokora, O'Hara (Tainio 46), Berbatov, Keane.
Subs Not Used: Robinson, Chimbonda.
0-2
(HT 0-0)
Liverpool
Reina, Arbeloa, Carragher, Skrtel, Insua, Kuyt (Lucas 80), Gerrard, Mascherano, Babel (Benayoun 59), Torres, Voronin (Finnan 71).
Subs Not Used: Itandje, Hyypia.


Voronin 69
Torres 74
Bookings:
Hutton 63

Bookings:
Insua 58

Att: 36,063

Ref: Uriah Rennie (S Yorkshire).



West Ham
Green, Neill, Tomkins, Ferdinand, McCartney (Pantsil 46), Solano (Sears 80), Noble, Parker, Boa Morte, Zamora (Cole 73), Ashton.
Subs Not Used: Wright, Mullins.
2-2
(HT 1-1)
Aston Villa
Carson, Mellberg, Laursen, Knight, Bouma, Petrov, Reo-Coker, Barry, Young, Carew (Harewood 87), Agbonlahor.
Subs Not Used: Taylor, Salifou, Routledge, Maloney.
Solano 8
Ashton 88

Young 14
Barry 58
Bookings:
Parker 10
Neill 10

Att: 34,969

Ref: Mike Dean (Wirral).



Bookings:
Mellberg 33
Petrov 50

Wigan
Kirkland, Boyce, Bramble, Scharner, Figueroa, Valencia, Palacios, Brown (King 81), Koumas, Bent (Sibierski 70), Heskey.
Subs Not Used: Pollitt, Taylor, Skoko.
0-2
(HT 0-1)
Man Utd
Van der Sar, Brown, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra, Ronaldo, Carrick, Scholes (Hargreaves 67), Park (Giggs 68), Tevez, Rooney.
Subs Not Used: Kuszczak, Saha, Silvestre.


Ronaldo (pen) 33
Giggs 80
Bookings:
Palacios 71
Heskey 71
Valencia 77

Att: 25,133

Ref: Steve Bennett (Kent).



Bookings:
Scholes 14
Rooney 58

Saturday, 10 May 2008

Premier League Gossip and transfer news

Kevin Keegan has been summoned to London on Friday for showdown talks with angry Newcastle owner Mike Ashley. (Daily Mail, The Sun)

Real Madrid are steeling themselves for a major attempt by Chelsea to sign their international defender Sergio Ramos for £50m. (Daily Express)

Although the Blues are apparently only going to offer £20m for Ramos. (Daily Mirror)

Chelsea are ready to reignite their interest in Manchester City defender Micah Richards. (The Sun)

Manchester City owner Thaksin Shinawatra is lining up a British record offer of £32m for Dimitar Berbatov. (Daily Mail)

But Berbatov is more likely to end up with Manchester United, who are prepared to pay twice the £10.9m they could have signed him for two years ago. (Daily Mail)

Manchester United are ready to turn to long-term target Klaas-Jan Huntelaar if Spurs are successful in creating a big-money auction for Berbatov. (Daily Express)

Manchester United also retain an interest in Lyon's Karim Benezma. (Daily Express)

Spurs have taken steps to replace Berbatov by opening talks with Barcelona over Samuel Eto'o. (Daily Mirror)

Manchester City are set to sign Mexican wonder-kid Giovanni Dos Santos from Spanish giants Barcelona. (Daily Mirror)

Togo striker Emmanuel Adebayor has told Barcelona to forget about signing him because he wants to make history with Arsenal. (The Sun)

Portsmouth and Newcastle are fighting it out for Barcelona striker Eidur Gudjohnsen. (The Sun)

Kevin Keegan could lure West Bromwich Albion's Zoltan Gera to Newcastle. (Daily Mirror)

Chelsea flop Juliano Belletti is on his way out of Stamford Bridge this summer. (Daily Mirror, The Sun)

Ajax are looking at Middlesbrough's Robert Huth, while Boro will release Fabio Rochemback next week. (The Sun)

Newcastle striker Shola Ameobi is set to snub a £4m move to Stoke, where he is currently on loan. (The Sun)

Martin O'Neill is determined to keep Gareth Barry at Aston Villa despite rumours of interest from Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal. (Daily Mail, Daily Star)

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has been told by the club's owners the Glazers that he can go on a £40m buying spree. (Daily Star)

Sunderland are likely to be the first club to take advantage of Reading's relegation plight by prising Steve Hunt away from the Berkshire club. (The Independent)

Wigan are chasing Hamburg's Jose Paolo Guerrero and are prepared to smash the club record transfer in their hunt for a striker. (Daily Mirror)

Chelsea are not after Lionel Messi but do want to sign France star Franck Ribery from Bayern Munich. (Daily Telegraph)

Liverpool have knocked back a £25m bid for captain Steven Gerrard from Inter Milan. (The Sun)

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has hit back at comments from Aston Villa counterpart Martin O'Neill over a bid for Gareth Barry by saying the pair spoke about it 20 days ago. (The Daily Mirror)

Alexander Hleb will rock Arsenal by buying out the remaining two years of his contract and moving to Inter Milan. (The Sun)

Hleb is a wanted man as Barcelona have declared their interest in the race to land the 27-year-old. (The Daily Star)

Arsenal's problems could also be exacerbated by Emmanuel Adebayor wanting a massive wage rise to stay with them. (Daily Mail)

But Gunners boss Arsene Wenger is eyeing up Gareth Barry and Roma midfielder Alberto Aquilani to bulk up his squad. (Daily Telegraph)

Juventus are ready to table a £15m bid for Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso. (Daily Mail)

Tottenham are ready to match Blackburn's £15m valuation of David Bentley and bring the ex-Arsenal midfielder to White Hart Lane. (The Daily Express)

Spurs are also ready to beat Newcastle to the signing of Celtic winger Aidan McGeady. (Mirror)

Aston Villa, Everton and Middlesbrough could land Chelsea midfielder Steve Sidwell for £2m but his wages could be a stumbling block. (Mirror)

Liverpool striker Peter Crouch is angry at the club's £15m valuation of him. (The Sun)

Reds boss Rafael Benitez could use any money from Crouch leaving to land Seville midfielder Seydou Keita. (The Sun)

Manchester City keeper Joe Hart has two years left on his contract and has rejected a new deal. (The Sun)

Sunderland boss Roy Keane has delivered a hands-off message to any clubs thinking of signing Kenwyne Jones or Craig Gordon. (Times)


Chelsea striker Didier Drogba has agreed a three-year deal with AC Milan to link up with boss Jose Mourinho, who is likely to replace Carlo Ancelotti next season. (The Daily Mirror)

Chelsea are ready to bid £20m to take striker Dimitar Berbatov from Tottenham. (Daily Express)

Man Utd are lining up a move for Brazilian striker Luis Fabiano who has scored 33 goals in 38 games for Sevilla this season. (Daily Mail)

Ajax forward Klaas-Jan Huntelaar will be a £16m target for Manchester United if they cannot lure Berbatov from Spurs. (Daily Express)

Sunderland manager Roy Keane will have £50m to spend in the summer and is lining up bids for Atletico Madrid striker Diego Forlan, Celtic's Aiden McGeady and Manchester City captain Richard Dunne. (Daily Star)

West Ham will make a move for Brazilian defender Diego Gaucho, currently with Portuguese club Gil Vicente. (Various)

Aston Villa want Arsenal keeper Jens Lehmann to replace Scott Carson, whose loan deal from Liverpool is about to end. (The Sun)

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger has rekindled his interest in Hamburg's £15m-rated Belgian centre back Vincent Kompany. (The Mirror)

Wenger has also agreed a £16m deal to land Lyon winger Hatem Ben Arfa, beating Liverpool and Manchester United to his signature. (The Sun)

Defender Peter Ramage, who will leave Newcastle at the end of the season, is close to agreeing a three-year deal with managerless QPR. (The Mirror)

Sheffield United striker Rob Hulse is a £1.5m target for relegated Derby. (The Mirror)



Tuesday, 6 May 2008

Result for 5th May 2008

Newcastle
Harper, Beye, Taylor, Faye, Jose Enrique (N'Zogbia 77), Geremi (Duff 71), Butt, Barton, Viduka (Smith 46), Owen, Martins.
Subs Not Used: Forster, Cacapa.
0-2
(HT 0-0)
Chelsea
Cech, Ferreira, Terry, Carvalho (Alex 79), Bridge, Essien, Obi, Ballack, Anelka (Lampard 66), Drogba (Shevchenko 86), Malouda.
Subs Not Used: Cudicini, Joe Cole.


Ballack 61
Malouda 82
Bookings:
Faye 60
Jose Enrique 76

Att: 52,305

Ref: Steve Bennett (Kent).



Bookings:
Terry 34
Malouda 69

Sunday, 4 May 2008

Premier League Results for 4th May 2008

Arsenal
Fabianski (Lehmann 69), Toure (Traore 70), Gallas, Song Billong, Clichy, Eboue, Silva, Denilson, Walcott, Adebayor (Senderos 87), Bendtner.
Subs Not Used: Djourou, Gibbs.
1-0
(HT 0-0)
Everton
Howard, Hibbert, Yobo, Jagielka, Lescott, Pienaar, Neville, Carsley (Yakubu 81), Fernandes (Baines 90), Osman, Johnson (Anichebe 81).
Subs Not Used: Wessels, Rodwell.
Bendtner 77




Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger

"Overall we had a big disappointment because we didn't win the league but we were so close.

"Like every winner we will aim to come back next season and do it.




Att: 60,123.

Ref: Alan Wiley (Staffordshire).




Bookings:
Lescott 28


Everton manager David Moyes

"There is a lot of disappointment not to get the point but the performance was good, the players stuck at it. It is always difficult here because Arsenal have so much possession.



Liverpool
Reina, Finnan, Hyypia, Carragher, Insua, Mascherano, Lucas (Alonso 74), Kuyt, Gerrard (Voronin 78), Babel (Benayoun 68), Torres.
Subs Not Used: Itandje, Skrtel.
1-0
(HT 0-0)
Man City
Hart, Corluka, Dunne, Ball, Jihai, Vassell (Garrido 81), Ireland, Johnson, Petrov (Castillo 67), Elano (Hamann 67), Mwaruwari.
Subs Not Used: Isaksson, Gelson.
Torres 58







Att: 43,074

Ref: Mark Halsey (Lancashire).





Manchester City manager Sven-Goran Eriksson on his future:
"I've not been told anything regarding the (job) situation but at my age I don't need to be told what to do.

"I have my own conclusions and ideas. It's not good to talk before the season is finished.


Saturday, 3 May 2008

Premier League Gossip and Transfer News

Barcelona are planning an audacious £30m bid for Arsenal's Spanish midfielder Cesc Fabregas. The Catalan club may offer Samuel Eto'o, Deco, Eidur Gudjohnsen or former Gunner Thierry Henry in a part-exchange deal. (Daily Star)

Henry will be allowed to leave Barcelona and the France striker could return to the Premier League with a move to Chelsea. (Daily Express)

Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp will bid £8m for Liverpool striker Peter Crouch. (Various)

Brazil stars Kaka and Ronaldinho could be on the way to the Premier League after quizzing Tottenham defender Gilberto about life in England. AC Milan's Kaka and Barcelona's Ronaldinho are targets for Chelsea and Manchester City respectively. (Various)

Tottenham look set to miss out on Valencia striker David Villa as Real Madrid have made a £24m bid for the Spain international. (Various)

Real Madrid have also made a move to sign Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien and will pay £25m for him. (Mirror)

Manchester City owner Thaksin Shinawatra is lining up a £10m swoop for Porto's Portugal international centre-back Bruno Alves. (Mirror)

AC Milan's Gennaro Gattuso wants to join a Premier League club. (Various)

Premier League results for 3rd may 2008

Aston Villa
Carson, Mellberg, Laursen, Knight (Berger 60), Bouma (Harewood 69), Young, Petrov, Reo-Coker, Barry, Carew, Agbonlahor.
Subs Not Used: Taylor, Salifou, Routledge.
0-2
(HT 0-0)
Wigan
Kirkland, Boyce, Bramble, Scharner, Kilbane, Valencia, Brown, Palacios (Skoko 90), Koumas, Heskey (Sibierski 89), Bent (King 77).
Subs Not Used: Pollitt, Taylor.


Valencia 52
Valencia 63



Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill:

"It would be hard to explain why we were so flat for so long.

"We had been coming into the game with loads of confidence and playing brilliantly of late.




Att: 42,640

Ref: Rob Styles (Hampshire).



Bookings:
Brown 54

Wigan manager Steve Bruce:
"It's as good as I've ever done in management, in terms of where we were going into the Blackburn game in mid-December with nine points.

"To get 31 points since the turn of the year is fantastic for the players.



Blackburn
Friedel, Reid, Samba, Nelsen, Warnock, Bentley, Emerton, Vogel (Kerimoglu 61), Pedersen (Olsson 79), Santa Cruz, Roberts (Derbyshire 79).
Subs Not Used: Brown, Ooijer.
3-1
(HT 1-1)
Derby
Carroll, Todd, Addison, Moore, McEveley, Mears, Savage, Ghaly (Sterjovski 66), Lewis (Villa 72), Earnshaw, Miller.
Subs Not Used: Price, Feilhaber, Beardsley.
Santa Cruz 45
Roberts 47
Santa Cruz 77

  • Blackburn manager Mark Hughes:

  • "We've never been out of the top 10 all season and for a club of our size that is a huge achievement.


    "Derby pegged us back in the first half and worked extremely hard to get themselves in front.



    Att: 26,110

    Ref: Uriah Rennie (S Yorkshire).



    Miller 19


  • Derby manager Paul Jewell:

  • "It would have been nice to have got six points from our last two games but it wasn't going to happen.


    "The important thing now is trying to build for next season. There has to be a whole culture change.



    Bolton
    Al Habsi, Steinsson, Andrew O'Brien, Cahill, Samuel, McCann, Nolan, Guthrie, Diouf, Davies, Taylor.
    Subs Not Used: Walker, Meite, Giannakopoulos, Cohen, Rasiak.
    2-0
    (HT 1-0)
    Sunderland
    Gordon, Nosworthy (Murphy 61), Higginbotham, Evans, Collins, Miller (Leadbitter 61), Whitehead, Reid, Richardson, Chopra (O'Donovan 62), Jones.
    Subs Not Used: Fulop, Yorke.
    Diouf 42
    Murphy o.g. 83


    Bookings:
    McCann 72

    Bolton manager Gary Megson

    "I can't ask any more of them in terms of every game they have played and the effort they have put in.




    Att: 25,053.

    Ref: Martin Atkinson (W Yorkshire).






    Sunderland manager Roy Keane

    "You know what you are going to get against Bolton and you have to deal with it, we are a passing team but we didn't do that.




    Fulham
    Keller, Stalteri, Hughes, Hangeland, Konchesky, Davies, Bullard (Andreasen 88), Murphy, Dempsey (Healy 90), Kamara (Nevland 67), McBride.
    Subs Not Used: Warner, Bocanegra.
    2-0
    (HT 0-0)
    Birmingham
    Maik Taylor, Kelly, Jaidi, Ridgewell (Queudrue 46), Murphy, Larsson, Muamba, Johnson, Kapo (Zarate 58), Forssell (Jerome 74), McFadden.
    Subs Not Used: Doyle, Parnaby.
    McBride 52
    Nevland 87


    Bookings:
    Stalteri 45
    Davies 70


    Att: 25,308

    Ref: Chris Foy (Merseyside).




    Bookings:
    Muamba 49
    Queudrue 86
    Jerome 88
    Jaidi 90
    McFadden 90

    Man Utd
    Van der Sar, Hargreaves, Brown, Ferdinand, Evra, Nani, Carrick, Scholes (O'Shea 72), Park (Giggs 61), Ronaldo (Fletcher 64), Tevez.
    Subs Not Used: Anderson, Kuszczak.
    4-1
    (HT 3-1)
    West Ham
    Green, Pantsil, Tomkins, Neill, McCartney, Noble, Parker, Mullins (Sears 75), Boa Morte (Solano 52), Ashton (Cole 56), Zamora.
    Subs Not Used: Walker, Collison.
    Ronaldo 3
    Ronaldo 24
    Tevez 26
    Carrick 59

    Ashton 28
    Bookings:
    Ronaldo 61

    Bookings:
    Neill 37
    McCartney 39
    Zamora 66
    Sent off:
    Nani 37


    Att: 76,013

    Ref: Mike Riley (Yorkshire).






    Middlesbrough
    Schwarzer, Young, Wheater, Riggott, Pogatetz, Boateng (Cattermole 88), Rochemback, Arca, Downing, Sanli, Alves (Aliadiere 61).
    Subs Not Used: Turnbull, Johnson, Taylor.
    2-0
    (HT 1-0)
    Portsmouth
    Ashdown, Johnson, Distin, Campbell, Hreidarsson, Mvuemba, Diop (Davis 67), Diarra, Kranjcar, Baros (Nugent 67), Defoe.
    Subs Not Used: Begovic, Lauren, Hughes.
    Riggott 40
    Sanli 53


    Bookings:
    Arca 49

    Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate:

    "We can look forward to next season now. The players will be delighted and I'm sure this experience will make them all the stronger for next season.


    Att: 24,828

    Ref: Peter Walton (Northamptonshire).





    Bookings:
    Diarra 45

    Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp:
    "We started the game well and had two or three opportunities, but couldn't stick them away.

    "They've scored from a set piece and we've come in at half time and said what's the point of having markers if they don't mark? Then they've done the exact same thing in the second half.



    Reading
    Hahnemann, Rosenior (Oster 88), Ingimarsson, Duberry, Shorey, Doyle (Long 80), Harper, Bikey (Matejovsky 65), Hunt, Lita, Kitson.
    Subs Not Used: Federici, Cisse.

    0-1
    (HT 0-1)
    Tottenham
    Cerny, Hutton, Dawson, Woodgate, Gilberto, Jenas, Zokora, Huddlestone (O'Hara 61), Malbranque, Keane (Boateng 77), Bent.
    Subs Not Used: Robinson, Chimbonda, Taarabt.


    Keane 16
    Bookings:
    Harper 89

    Reading manager Steve Coppell:

    "Tottenham were unbelievable and we found it almost impossible to contain them. They've massively under-achieved this season in the league, and we struggled to match their quality.

    Att: 24,125

    Ref: Howard Webb (S Yorkshire).





    Tottenham first-team coach Gus Poyet:
    "I think we played a great game. It was always going to be difficult because of what Reading are playing for, but I'm very pleased with our performance.

    Tuesday, 29 April 2008

    Result for 28th April 2008

    Derby 2-6 Arsenal

    Derby: Carroll, Todd, Moore, Stubbs, McEveley, Mears, Savage, Ghaly (Feilhaber 60), Lewis, Villa, Sterjovski (Earnshaw 69).
    Subs Not Used: Price, Edworthy, Beardsley.

    Goals: McEveley 31, Earnshaw 77.

    Arsenal: Fabianski, Toure (Djourou 78), Gallas, Song Billong, Clichy, Eboue, Fabregas, Denilson (Silva 64), Walcott, Van Persie (Adebayor 46), Bendtner.
    Subs Not Used: Almunia, Senderos.

    Goals: Bendtner 25, Van Persie 39, Adebayor 59, Walcott 78, Adebayor 81, 90.

    Att: 33,003.

    Ref: Andre Marriner (W Midlands).

    Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger:
    "This team has a great future, I believe we were really unlucky not to win something this year.

    "It is always a problem not to win trophies but I love this team, love the way they behave and the way they play.

    Derby Manager Paul Jewell:
    "We're in the same league but we were a million miles apart.

    "The whole mentality here must change. When adversity hits you, you have to be able to fight. I want to see some real men in the trenches here next year.

    Sunday, 27 April 2008

    Premier League results for 27th April 2008

    Portsmouth 0-1 Blackburn


    Portsmouth: Ashdown, Johnson, Campbell, Distin, Lauren, Utaka (Kranjcar 46), Diop, Diarra, Muntari (Baros 78), Defoe, Kanu.
    Subs Not Used: Begovic, Aubey, Davis.

    Booked: Defoe, Campbell.

    Blackburn: Friedel, Reid, Nelsen, Samba (Ooijer 87), Warnock, Bentley, Emerton, Vogel, Pedersen, Santa Cruz, Roberts (Dunn 90).
    Subs Not Used: Brown, Kerimoglu, Derbyshire.

    Goals: Santa Cruz 74.

    Booked: Reid, Warnock.

    Ref: Mike Riley (Yorkshire).

    Att: 18,722

    Manager Harry Redknapp(Portsmouth):
    "For me the FA Cup was always the main route (into Europe).

    "I didn't think we deserved to lose. I couldn't see us getting beat. It was a disappointing goal defensively.

    Manager Mark Hughes(Blackburn):
    "We didn't force the issue too much in the first half and just needed to up it 10-15% in second half which we were able to do.
    ____________________________________________________________________

    Everton 2-2 Aston Villa


    Everton: Howard, Neville, Yobo, Jagielka, Lescott, Osman, Carsley, Fernandes (Arteta 66), Pienaar, Johnson (Anichebe 83), Yakubu.
    Subs Not Used: Wessels, Hibbert, Baines.

    Goals: Neville 56, Yobo 84.

    Booked: Yakubu, Carsley, Anichebe.

    Aston Villa: Carson, Mellberg, Laursen, Knight (Berger 75), Bouma (Harewood 78), Petrov, Barry, Reo-Coker, Young, Carew, Agbonlahor.
    Subs Not Used: Taylor, Salifou, Routledge.

    Goals: Agbonlahor 80, Carew 86.

    Booked: Petrov, Young, Harewood.

    Ref: Phil Dowd (Staffordshire).

    Att: 37,936

    Manager David Moyes(Everton):
    "I am disappointed we conceded so quickly after scoring our second goal.

    "I think that it was probably a fair result. There were two teams going for it and Villa are a very good side.

    Manager Martin O'Neill(Aston Villa) :
    "We have the ability to fight back. We knew this would be a difficult game and so it proved to be.

    "I felt the first goal was going to be vital and yet we managed to get something out of the game.

    Premier League transfer news and gossip

    Everton striker Andy Johnson is set to leave Goodison Park and West Ham, Manchester City and Newcastle could be interested. (News of the World)

    Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp has been given the green light to make a £7m summer swoop for Liverpool striker Peter Crouch. (Sunday Express)

    Pompey are also targeting Rennes' Ghana defender John Mensah, who would cost £5m. (Sunday Express)

    Blackburn boss Mark Hughes would rather let David Bentley rot in the reserves than sell him to Liverpool in the summer. (News of the World)

    Tottenham boss Juande Ramos will make a big-money bid for West Ham goalkeeper Robert Green. (News of the World)

    Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson wants Werder Bremen goalkeeper Tim Wiese. (News of the World)

    Arsenal have joined Chelsea and Liverpool in the race for Aston Villa midfielder Gareth Barry. (The People)

    Chelsea are willing to pay £35m to sign Atletico Madrid's Argentine wonderkid Sergio Aguero. (Daily Star Sunday)

    CSKA Moscow striker Jo has agreed an annual salary of £3.5m with Manchester City, who are set to pay £18m for the Brazilian. (Mail on Sunday)

    Middlesbrough have emerged as the favourites to sign £5m-rated Chelsea midfielder Steve Sidwell at the end of the season. (Mail on Sunday)

    Chelsea are to offer Bayern Munich Florent Malouda, plus £10m, in a bid to sign Franck Ribery. (The People)

    Middlesbrough are planning to bid £3m for Derby midfielder Giles Barnes and Fulham ace Steven Davis, who is on loan at Rangers. (News of the World)

    Reading hope to sign £3m-rated Metz striker Rudy Gestade in the summer. (News of the World)

    Bolton are set for a summer tug-of-war with Middlesbrough over Crewe striker Nicky Maynard. (News of the World)

    Celtic, Newcastle and Aston Villa are vying for the signature of Bournemouth's Sam Vokes. (News of the World)

    Saturday, 26 April 2008

    Premier League results for 26th April 2008


    Birmingham 2-2 Liverpool


    Birmingham line up:

    Maik Taylor, Kelly, Jaidi, Ridgewell (Queudrue 77), Murphy, Larsson, Muamba, Nafti, Kapo (McSheffrey 77), Forssell (Zarate 87), McFadden. Subs Not Used: Doyle, Jerome.

    Goals: Forssell 34, Larsson 55.

    Booked: Murphy, Nafti.

    Liverpool line up:

    Reina, Finnan, Hyypia, Skrtel, Riise (Insua 64), Pennant, Plessis, Lucas, Benayoun, Crouch, Voronin.
    Subs Not Used: Itandje, Gerrard, Kuyt, Carragher.

    Goals: Crouch 63, Benayoun 76.

    Booked: Voronin.

    Ref: Peter Walton (Northamptonshire).

    Att: 29,252

    Manager Alex McLeish(Birmingham):
    "My feelings are a little bit mixed. I'm angry, particularly with the first goal we let in. There was a bit of naivety and it cost us dearly.

    Manager Rafael Benitez(Liverpool):
    "The team was controlling the game in the first half but we conceded a goal that changed things a bit.

    ___________________________________________________________________


    Chelsea 2-1 Man Utd


    Chelsea line up:

    Cech, Ferreira (Anelka 66), Carvalho, Terry, Ashley Cole, Ballack, Obi, Essien, Kalou (Shevchenko 81), Drogba, Joe Cole (Makelele 87).
    Subs Not Used: Cudicini, Belletti.

    Goals: Ballack 45, 86 pen.

    Booked: Ballack, Obi, Drogba.


    Man Utd line up:

    Van der Sar, Brown, Ferdinand, Vidic (Hargreaves 14), Silvestre, Fletcher, Carrick, Anderson (O'Shea 65), Nani, Rooney (Ronaldo 63), Giggs.
    Subs Not Used: Kuszczak, Tevez.

    Goals: Rooney 57.

    Booked: Brown, Van der Sar, Ferdinand, Hargreaves.

    Ref: Alan Wiley (Staffordshire).

    Att: 41,828

    Manager Avram Grant (Chelsea):

    "We did what we had to do - we put them under pressure - and we hope we are happy at the end of the season.

    Assistant Manager Carlos Quieros (Man Utd):

    "We have a job to do at this club and we have to win our next few games. The defeat by Chelsea has not caused any damage for us.

    ______________________________________________________________


    Man City 2-3 Fulham


    Man City line up:

    Hart, Elano, Corluka, Ball, Jihai, Vassell (Caicedo 80), Gelson, Johnson, Petrov, Ireland (Geovanni 56), Mwaruwari.
    Subs Not Used: Isaksson, Castillo, Logan.

    Goals: Ireland 10, Mwaruwari 21.

    Fulham line up:

    Keller, Stalteri, Hangeland, Hughes, Konchesky, Davies, Bullard, Murphy, Dempsey, Healy (Kamara 64), McBride (Nevland 71).
    Subs Not Used: Warner, Bocanegra, Andreasen.

    Goals: Kamara 70, Murphy 79, Kamara 90.

    Booked: Dempsey.

    Ref: Mike Dean (Wirral).

    Att: 44,504


    Manager Sven-Goran Eriksson (Man City):
    "We lost a game we should have won. We controlled most of it, and we thought it was done.

    Manager Roy Hodgson (Fulham):
    "It was a splendid victory for us, one we so badly needed.

    "It looked bleak at half-time, and we had a mountain to climb - we didn't deserve to be losing. But we did it.


    ____________________________________________________________________


    Sunderland 3-2 Middlesbrough


    Sunderland line up:

    Gordon, Whitehead, Nosworthy, Higginbotham, Collins, Edwards (Leadbitter 60), Reid, Miller, Richardson, Chopra (Murphy 85), Jones. Subs Not Used: Fulop, Harte, Prica.

    Goals: Higginbotham 6, Chopra 45, Murphy, 90.

    Booked: Richardson, Chopra, Whitehead.

    Middlesbrough line up:

    Jones, Young, Wheater, Pogatetz, Taylor, Cattermole (Rochemback 57), Boateng, Arca, Downing, Alves, Sanli. Subs Not Used: Turnbull, Shawky, Johnson, Grounds.

    Goals: Sanli 4, Alves 73.

    Booked: Wheater, Pogatetz.

    Ref: Steve Bennett

    Att: 45,059

    Manager Gareth Southgate(Boro):

    "It was cruel to lose a late goal but I can't fault the effort of the players today.

    "Mistakes have cost us and we're disappointed but we have two home games left so we'll lift ourselves again.


    Manager Roy Keane (Sunderland):

    "It was a cracking game, which summed up our season.

    "We've scored great goals this season and with the players we have we'll always be likely to score late on.

    ____________________________________________________________________



    Tottenham 1-1 Bolton


    Tottenham line up:

    Cerny, Hutton (Huddlestone 46), Dawson (Bent 53), Woodgate, Gilberto, Zokora, Lennon, Jenas, Malbranque (O'Hara 77), Berbatov, Keane.
    Subs Not Used: Robinson, Tainio.

    Goals: Malbranque 52.

    Booked: Zokora.

    Bolton line up:

    Al Habsi, Samuel, Andrew O'Brien, Cahill, Steinsson, Nolan, Campo (Giannakopoulos 46), McCann, Joey O'Brien (Guthrie 20), Taylor, Rasiak (Diouf 46).
    Subs Not Used: Walker, Fojut.

    Goals: Giannakopoulos 46.

    Booked: Campo, Nolan, Samuel.

    Att: 36,176

    Ref: Mark Clattenburg (Tyne & Wear).

    First team coach Gus Poyet(Spurs):

    "I'm a little bit disappointed - we played good football and we were good on the ball and created chances but we didn't score.

    Manager Gary Megson(Bolton):

    "We've battled manfully although I accept we didn't play very well.

    "But in the situation that we're in, coming down to Tottenham and getting a point is a good result for us.

    ____________________________________________________________________

    Wigan 0-0 Reading


    Wigan: Kirkland, Melchiot (Taylor 26), Boyce, Scharner, Kilbane, Valencia, Brown, Palacios, Koumas, Heskey (King 73), Bent (Sibierski 64).Subs Not Used: Pollitt, Skoko. Booked: Taylor, Kilbane.

    Reading: Hahnemann, Rosenior, Ingimarsson, Duberry, Shorey, Doyle (Little 69), Harper, Bikey, Hunt, Lita (Long 85), Kitson.
    Subs Not Used: Federici, Cisse, Matejovsky.

    Booked: Shorey, Hunt, Bikey, Duberry.

    Att: 19,043.

    Ref: Martin Atkinson (W Yorkshire).


    Manager Steve Bruce(Wigan):
    "We started well but it petered out into two nervous, anxious teams fighting for their lives. For both sets of players the occasion and the magnitude made them forget how to play the game but who knows - that might be the point that keeps us in the league.

    Manager Steve Coppell (Reading):
    "I'm happy to have got a point and I would have taken that before kick-off.

    "We didn't play for a point because we are not good enough to adjust our game to the circumstances.

    ____________________________________________________________________



    West Ham 2-2 Newcastle


    West Hamline up:

    Green, Pantsil, Tomkins, Neill, McCartney, Faubert (Solano 90), Parker, Noble, Ljungberg (Boa Morte 21), Zamora (Cole 68), Ashton.
    Subs Not Used: Walker, Mullins.

    Goals: Noble 10, Ashton 23.

    Booked: Faubert, Pantsil.

    Newcastle line up:

    Harper, Beye, Edgar (Diatta 90), Taylor, Jose Enrique, Geremi, Butt, Barton, Owen, Viduka (Smith 82), Martins.
    Subs Not Used: Forster, Duff, Carroll.

    Goals: Martins 42, Geremi 45.

    Booked: Beye, Butt, Martins.

    Att: 34,980

    Ref: Uriah Rennie (S Yorkshire).


    Manager Kevin Keegan(Newcastle):
    "David Edgar had a tough game and I was pleased with him, because he really had to fight.

    Manager Alan Curbishley(West Ham):
    "I asked for a response from the fans and they got behind the players right from the first minute.