Premier League Week 10 Wrap-up

1-1 NEWCASTLE UNITED vs WEST BROMWICH ALBION
First win for Newcastle in the 8 games and the first win under Kinnear in his 5 games stint. Joey Barton penalty turns him to hero from villain and he repaying the faith. Barton played his first match after a release from jail. In his first game as sub against Sunderland he was pelted with missiles. Just three minutes to go it was Marting goal which put Newcastle out of the relegation zone. In the second half WBA upfront Miller gets consolation goal and tasted the third defeat in a row.

1-0 STOKE CITY vs SUNDERLAND
Ricardo Fuller’s second half header gave Stoke a third win and he lifts the Stoke out of the relegation zone. As anticipated Rory Delap, Thomas Sorensen and Danny Higginbotham played against their former club Sunderland. Fuller rose above Dean Whitehead on the six-yard line to power his header past Marton Fulop in the 73rd minute from the throw in from Rory Delap. Prior to kick-off, eight of Stoke's 10 Premier League goals this season had been scored in the second half, while the same number of Sunderland's 13 goals in all competitions had come after the 80-minute mark.
0-1 BOLTON WANDERERS vs EVERTON FC
Fellaini becomes hero once again when he scored a late header goal in the 90th minute, even he scored equalizer against Man Utd. Before this win Everton were without win in the last 5 games. A 1-0 defeat to Bolton which heaps more misery on under fire Bolton manager Gary Megson. Pienaar and Fellaini both looked suspiciously offside but the goal was given and furious Trotters fans booed off their team, who have now failed to win at home since the opening day of the season. The Trotters created next to nothing and Megson's decision to splash out a club record £8.2million on Johan Elmander again looked seriously ill judged. Now Bolton will have to fight it hard to escape from the relegation zone. Tim Cahill played the match for Everton after coming back from three match suspension.
3-2 ASTON VILLA vs BLACKBURN ROVERS
By beating Blackburn by 3-2 Aston Villa climbed to 4the spot on EPL table. Barry is in great touch and as he hit the target for the third successive match. When Villa struggled to fire up in the first half, Warnock stunned Villa in the 29th minute by taking first half lead. On the stroke of the first half, Villa right back Luke Young equalized the matter through his first goal for Villa. In the 65th minute Barry put Villa into lead by 2-1. With three minutes to go Agbonlahor goal gave a 3 points to Villa and in the end Emerton snatched a injury time consolation goal. Villa successfully endured the busy week and on time they struggled to reproduce their high effective and fluent game. They have the ultimate fire power in attack and they can carve defences open evenwhen Villa are below the best. Blackburn were forced to make a late change to their starting line-up when striker Roque Santa Cruz suffered a calf injury during the pre-match warm-up. He was replaced by Benni McCarthy, who had scored a late equaliser against Middlesbrough at the weekend while Aaron Mokoena was added to the Rovers substitutes. Villa, unbeaten at home this season, persevered with a 4-5-1 formation with Agbonlahor as the lone central striker during a low key opening 45 minutes.
2-0 FULHAM vs WIGAN ATHLETIC
Finally finally Andy Johnson gave Fulham a much needed win with double goal. Yes Johnson open-up his account with Fulham. And this defeat gave Wigan a free fall in Premier League table with four defeats in a row. When AJ struck hist 100th League goal and first in Fulham shirt as some controversy surrounded as he looked a yard offside. The second goal taken well when Bullard provided. The victory over Wigan is the first win in 7 games. While Antonio Valencia returned from suspension, but the changes failed to halt the slump.
1-0 LIVERPOOL FC vs PORTSMOUTH FC
Portsmouth tasted their first defeat after Harry Redknapp departure and first for Tony Adams. Steven Gerrard penalty in the second half gave the fifth successive win for Liverpool and to stay on top of the table for second successive week. Gerrard penalty make sure that they didn’t waste the famous win over Chelsea. Liverpool made four changes from the side that claimed top spot in the Premier League by beating Chelsea on Sunday. Daniel Agger, Javier Mascherano, Robbie Keane and Albert Riera were all rested to the bench, with Sami Hyypia, Jermaine Pennant, Ryan Babel and Lucas coming into the side. New Pompey boss Tony Adams also made changes from the side that drew with Fulham last time out. Jermain Defoe and Richard Hughes were on the bench, with Sean Davis and John Utaka in midfield and former Liverpool striker Peter Crouch on his own up front. In the 75 minutes Liverpool got their breakthrough. Hyypia's header from Fabio Aurelio's corner was goalbound before Bouba Diop threw two arms into the flight of the ball. Refree Steve Tanner booked the Pompey midfielder and pointed to the spot, before Gerrard drove home the penalty.
4-4 ARSENAL vs TOTTENHAM HOTSPURS
What a match it was. Obviously the match of the season so far and hope it’ll be. It all about a tale of come back from both the sides and ended the match with 4-4 with overall 8 goals thrilling encounter at Emirates. Suddenly Spurs finding the feet to score goals from nowhere and his magic his working. Trailing to David Bentley's stunning opener it’s a moment of magic , Arsenal exposed Spurs' weakness at defending set-pieces to lead through Mikael Silvestre and William Gallas. Adebayor added his obligatory goal - he now has eight from seven starts against Spurs - before Darren Bent pulled one back. Robin van Persie, who had a hand in Arsenal's previous goals, netted his 50th goal for Arsenal but Spurs have a new resilience under Redknapp where as Arsenal were not aware of it and Jermaine Jenas' late strike gave them hope before Lennon struck at the death. Redknapp hit back on Fabregas comments when he said “ our Arsenal ladies team would give Spurs a run for their money”. Just two minutes to go and Spurs were trailing by 2-4, and it looked like the game is over Jenas found the top corner with a minute of time remaining, setting up a frantic finale in which Lennon snatched a point with a tap-in after Modric hit the post.
2-0 MIDDLESBROUGH FC vs MANCHESTER CITY
A two second half goals from Alves and O’Neil gave a much needed victory for Middlesbrough. Refree Mason pointed spot kick when Sturridge tangles with Wheater on the edge of the box. Man City players complained that incident happened outside the box. By that Man City were slowly starting to take on the game from Robinho moves, but the Alves penalty which he fired high and wide. And in the injury time O’Neil gleefully rifled thje ball into the roof of the net when Tuncay Sanli squared in front of goal after a swift counter attack.
2-0 MANCHESTER UNITED vs WEST HAM UNITED
A two first half goals from newly crowned FIFAPro World Player of the Year as West Ham were beaten by 2-0. This defeat is fourth in a row to Zola. Ronaldo took his tally for the campaign to five, first profiting from Nani's precise cross before tapping home from two yards, an effort that owed everything to the genius of Dimitar Berbatov. SAF is much needed of 3 points to look and keep check the current pacesetters Liverpool. In this game SAF rested Rooney to give a chance to Tevez.
0-3 HULL CITY vs CHELSEA FC
High flying Hull finally comes to an end for a time being when they lost to Chelsea by 3-0 at KC Stadium. The defeat gave a first in the seven games. Before this games Hull were tied up in the table with Chelsea with goal difference. Home boss Phil Brown had named the same side for the fifth game in succession but their soaring confidence ultimately counted for little has Chelsea handed them a reality check. Chelsea team were boosted by the return of Joe Cole. Just couple of minutes into the game Lampard gave a early lead with a delicate left footed chip and it’s the perfect displayed technique. From this goal Hull conceded a goal for the first time in four games. In the 50th minute Anelka made it 2-0 when he found a bitter weakness in the Hull center backs Turner and Zayatte and Myhill came forward with two minds and Anelka did no mistake. In the 75th min Malouda made it 3-0 and dashed the hopes of Hull and Chelsea retained the second spot in table.

Serie Week 9 Wrap-up

1-2 CHIEVO VERONA vs SS LAZIO
Mantovani’s late second half own goal gave a three away points to Lazio. Earlier, Pellissier had diven a hope of posting only their second win of the season with the opener after 11 minutes, but Goran Pandev levelled things up. The win lifts the Rome-based side up to sixth in the Serie A table, just four points behind joint-leaders Udinese and Napoli. Lazio came into the match with two successive defeats. In the 11th minute Simone Bentivoglio put in a cross from the left and Pellissier left keeper Juan Pablo Carrizo with no chance with his left-footed finish. Lazio were level just three minutes later though as FYR Macedonia forward Pandev was played through by Mauro Zarate and finished past Stefano Sorrentino.

1-2 FC BOLOGNA vs JUVENTUS FC
Nedved double strike pulled Juventus back into the top 10 by beating Bologna 2-1. Juventus were just too strong to Bologna who lives wrong place in the table. Veteran Czech midfielder Nedved opened the scoring after 12 minutes and added a deflected second after 57 minutes. Former Juventus striker Marco Di Vaio pulled one back with 16 minutes to go but the home side could not find an equaliser.

0-2 CATANIA CALCIO vs UDINESE CALCIO
Udinese dream run continues as a goal in each half gave them victory over Catania and to stay at the top of the table for one more week. Alexis Sanchez set the visitors on their way in the 13th minute before Fabio Quagliarella sealed the points seven minutes from time.

0-0 AC FIORENTINA vs INTER MILAN
In Florence Inter were held to a goal-less draw from Fiorentina. As the match ends it was a fair result and even Fiorentina pilled up the late pressure to grab a late winner. Inter coach Jose Mourinho kept faith with Victor Obinna and Dejan Stankovic in his starting line-up with Ricardo Quaresma and Olivier Dacourt warming the bench. Cesare Prandelli, had to do without injured star striker Adrian Mutu. Pablo Osvaldo was handed a start in Mutu's absence while Manuel Pasqual came in for Juan Vargas at left-back. The result sees the Nerazzurri slip down to fourth, two points behind league-leaders Udinese and Napoli while Fiorentina move up to fifth.

2-1 GENOA vs CAGLIARI
A narrow win over Cagliari kepts Genoa 100% home record intact. Sokratis Papastathopoulos put the home side ahead in the 25th minute and Thiago Motta made it two in the 55th. But Gian Piero Gasperini's side were made to sweat when Paolo Bianco pulled a goal back in the 66th minute before a red card for Cagliari's Michele Fini in the 76th minute all but ended their hopes of snatching an equaliser. The win - Genoa's fifth in five games at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris - lifts the Rossoblu up to seventh place, just four points behind leaders Udinese.

1-1 LECCE vs US PALERMO
Edison Cavani's last-gasp goal rescued a point against 10-man Lecce on Wednesday and Palermo coach Ballardini will be breathing a little easier. Before this match Palermo were with two defeats in a row and must have been thinking for the worst when Lecce took the lead in the first half from Cacia. However, the turning point of the match occurred in the 75th minute when Guillermo Giacomazzi was sent off for two yellow cards and Palermo made the man advantage count as they levelled matters three minutes from time.

2-1 AC MILAN vs SIENA
Inzaghi and Kaka goal gave Milan their fourth successive win in Serie A. Filippo Inzaghi put the home side in front in the 31st minute before Simone Vergassola levelled matters shortly after the interval. But Kaka ensured the Rossoneri claimed all the points firing from the spot in the 65th minute. And this win gave then the third spot in the table and a point ahead of Inter. Siena, who were left three points clear of the drop zone, were unlucky not to come away with something from the match as they put in a battling performance. Ancelotti made changes to the team that narrowly beat Atalanta in Bergamo on Sunday, with Alexandre Pato and Inzaghi replacing Ronaldinho and Marco Borriello up front.

3-0 NAPOLI vs REGGINA
Rock bottom side Reggina were hammered down by Napoli and from one man German Denis who scored emphatic hattrick. This win gave Napoli to remain joint top of the table. Denis grabbed his first of the game after just seven minutes and doubled his tally less than 10 minutes later, before completing his hat-trick shortly after the hour mark. Napoli are level on 20 points with Udinese - two points clear of Internazionale - while Reggina remain bottom of the pile. Reggina were keen to avoid a fifth straight away defeat but suffered the worst

2-1 TORINO vs ATALANTA
In the second half and three minute thriller gave a three goals. Torino eased the pressure on coach Gianni De Biasi with a battling win at home to Atalanta on Wednesday night. Two goals in three second-half minutes from Nicola Amoruso and Roberto Stellone gave the hosts the edge and, although Sergio Floccari's reply ensured a nervy finish, Toro held on for only their second win of the campaign.

AS ROMA vs UC SAMPDORIA match was abandoned.

Serie A Week 8 Wrapup

1-1 SIENA vs CATANIA CALCIO

11 minutes from time a penalty from Mascara rescued high flying Catania as Siena proving a tough enough side to crack on their home ground Stadio Artemio Franchi. Going into the game Marco Giampaolo's side had collected seven of their eight points at home, and they looked set to add another three to that haul when Emanuele Calaio headed his side in front with quarter of an hour remaining. But with 79 minutes on the clock Michele Paolucci was brought down in the Siena area, and Giuseppe Mascara stepped up to score the first goal for an opposition side at the Stadio Artemio Franchi this season. This is the serious blow for Siena as they dominated the game very much.

1-0 JUVENTUS vs TORINO

Amuari becomes a hero for Juve yet again as Juve track back into the Serie A Top 10 and grabbed their first win in six games. A goal from Amauri in the 48th minute decided the 224th Turin derby in the Bianconeri's favour at the Stadio Olimpico. After beating Real Madrid four days ago, the result made coach Claudio Ranieri's position a little safer, but the same cannot be said for Granata boss Gianni De Biasi, whose side suffered their fifth defeat of the season.

0-1 ATALANTA vs AC MILAN

Just 10 minutes to go Kaka control and neat finish gave Milan a welcome win. Already this week Milan had caught the eye with a 3-1 UEFA Cup win at Heerenveen and made headlines for off-field reasons as they announced they were close to signing David Beckham on a short-term deal for the start of next year. This is the fifth win in this Serie A season. There was a scare for Milan after 19 minutes as the game was delayed with Ronaldinho receiving lengthy medical treatment, but the forward was eventually okay to continue.

2-0 CAGLIARI vs CHIEVO VERONA

Cagliari are out of the relegation zone with their second win of the season by beating Verona by 2-0. Robert Acquafresca gave the hosts the lead in the 30th minute and Michele Fini extended the lead in the second half - doubling their goals scored total. Chievo's failure to hit the targets cost them dearly by holding posession most of the times.

0-0 INTER MILAN vs GENOA

A 10 men Genoa succeeded to held Jose Mourinho Inter to goal-less draw at the San Siro. First half was completley dominated by Genoa and failed on two occassion to score the goal, but a red card to midfielder Ivan Juric allowed the home side to take control. Inter just couldnt break a brick wall of determined Genoa defenders. Mourinho was clearly not happy with what he had seen from his side and he made two changes during the break to form a four-man attack with Victor Obinna and Mario Balotelli coming on. He added Julio Cruz in an all-out assault, and things swung in Inter's favour when Genoa were reduced to 10 men as Juric was shown a second yellow card. While the visitors had more than matched their rivals with 11 men, playing half an hour with only 10 changed the complexion of the match. Inter failed to score for the first time in San Siro and lost their place to Udinese on goal difference.

2-0 REGGINA CALCIO vs US LECCE

Reggina secured their first win of the Serie A season by beating Lecce by 2-0 from the recalled upfront Bernardo Corradi who scored twice from the penalty. Corradi was recalled up when he failed to score a goal in his last 3 games and eventually he was dropped out from the team that Cagliari lost to Fiorentina by 3-0. The former Italy upfront and 32 year old added a real value when he converted the penalty by keeping his head cool and kept his eye and toe sharper. Corradi then made sure of the result when he again converted from the spot in injury-time - his third successful penalty in his tally of four goals this campaign. And while the win was not enough to lift the Amaranto off the foot of the table, it was good enough to bring them level with a group of four teams on six points and ease some of the pressure on under-fire boss Nevio Orlandi.

2-0 UC SAMPDORIA vs FC BOLOGNA

Sampdoria registered their first win in this Serie A season as they lifted themselves out of the relegation zone with win over struggling Bologna. Gennaro Delvecchio scored after 63 minutes and Claudio Bellucci doubled their advantage with 16 minutes remaining to revive Sampdoria's desperate domestic form. The hosts had endured a miserable start to the season with just five points from their opening eight Serie A fixtures, but success in Europe - a midweek 2-1 victory over Partizan Belgrade in the UEFA Cup - proved the perfect stimulus as Walter Mazzarri's men recorded their second win in four days. Emiliano Bonazzoli, who scored his fourth European goal of the season on Thursday, was omitted from the starting XI with Bellucci, who is still regaining full fitness after a six-month injury lay-off, partnering Antonio Cassano in attack.

3-0 UDINESE CALCIO vs AS ROMA

Udinese gave a hard core defeat to Roma to climb to top of the Serie A as Roma tasted the third successive defeats in Serie A. Captain Antonio Di Natale shook off a knee injury he picked up in the UEFA Cup win over Tottenham in midweek to score a brace while Antonio Floro Flores added a first-half goal. Roma also got their captain on the scoresheet as Francisco Totti netted a late penalty, but the goal was unable to inspire a comeback. The defeat means Roma boss Luciano Spalletti will be on severe pressure whose side are now just a point away from the relegation places in 15th position with only two wins to their name this season. Roma's Max Tonetto brought down Floro Flores in the area, the referee pointed to the penalty spot, and Di Natale made it 1-0 with 10 minutes played. The Udinese captain then turned provider 12 minutes later as the home side struck again. Floro Flores got on the end of Di Natale's long ball and firing a shot past a hesitant Alexander Doni in the Roma goal. A swift counter-attacking move ended with Di Natale in acres of space, and he was able to pick his spot and fire the ball past Doni again from inside the box. But Roma's chance did finally come when Matteo Brighi was brought down in the box by Handanovic with 15 minutes to play. Totti stepped up to convert the spot-kick.

1-3 US PALERMO vs AC FIORENTINA

With this win Fiorentina were moved into fourth position to share with Milan, but on goal difference Fiorentina were plunged into fifth spot. Alberto Gilardino used his arm to score the opening goal in the 19th minute before Adrian Mutu added a second three minutes before half-time. Palermo had a legitimate goal ruled out approaching the break, but appeared to be back in the game when Fabio Simplicio scored five minutes into the second half. But Mutu ended their hopes in the 62nd minute with his second of the game. Gilardino put the Fiorentian ahead with a goal which will provide much discussion over the next few days and could see the Italy striker disciplined retrospectively. He used his arm, intentionally, to divert the ball past Marco Amelia, but celebrated as though the goal was legitimate, and that is precisely how referee Emidio Morganti saw it. Mutu's first goal of the night came from a quick counter-attack with Gilardino squaring the ball to his strike-partner, who kept his composure to beat Amelia from 16 yards in the 42nd minute. Simplicio brought Palermo back in the game in the 50th minute when he rifled the ball into the roof of the net from point-blank range after Miccoli and Cavani combined well. Palermo's hopes were dashed little over 10 minutes before Mutu grabbed his second of the night. Santana's cross from the right wing fell behind four retreating Palermo defenders to Mutu, who volleyed the ball in with his left foot for only his third goal of the season.

0-1 SS LAZIO vs NAPOLI

Napoli joined the three way tie at the top of the Serie A table with win over Lazio. A Sebastiano Siviglia own-goal gave Lazio a second straight defeat and a sweet welcome victory to Napoli. Napoli took the lead on the hour-mark following a spot of bad luck for Lazio defender Siviglia.
The stopper deflected a powerful Lavezzi cross from the left side of the penalty area into his own net with his thigh.

La Liga Week 8 Wrapup

0-2 OSASUNA vs REAL BETIS

A disappointing 2-0 defeat at home to Real Betis put Osasuna without win in 8 La Liga games and this Betis second win in a row. Six minutes after the break Turkey midfielder Mehmet Aurelio opened the scoring and then Argentinian upfront Mariano Pavone added a late second goal just 4 minutes from time. Osasuna had recorded four draws and two losses in their first six games, a run which spelt the end for previous coach Jose Angel Ziganda. And his successor, former Spain coach Jose Antonio Camacho, was unable to inspire a revival in his first match in charge last weekend, when Osasuna went down 2-1 to promoted side Sporting Gijon. Camacho said on Friday that he hoped to ease the pressure with a win against Betis, but his side failed to get hold of the ball early on.

5-0 FC BARCELONA vs ALMERIA

Barcelona hammered and finished the game in the first 37 minutes of the first half by beating Almeria by 5-0 and secured their 6th straight win in grand style. Samuel Eto'o bagged a first half hat-trick and further goals from Thierry Henry and Dani Alves saw Pep Guardiola's side race into a five-goal lead at the interval. And Almeria were forced to play the entire second half with 10 men after Alvaro Negredo was dismissed for a frustrated lunge on Rafael Marquez. It was the Catalans' second 5-0 win in a week after Wednesday's demolition of FC Basle in the Champions League. And Barcelona came into this came on the back of eight successive victories in total. Bacelona has scored 29 goals in 10 matches to become Europes most prolific and daring attacking side. Eto'o opened the score in the first 5 minutes, 8 minutes later Messi created chance to Henry. In the 21st minute Iniesta and Xavi beautifully screwed Almeria keeper and slide the ball to Eto'o and he did the rest. Three minutes later again Messi slide the ball to Eto'o from the byline and Eto'o completed his hattrick. Almeria was completeley demolished after 4 goals and before a first half close down Negredo scythed down Marquez close to the corner flag and received the red card.

1-0 GETAFE vs VALLADOLID

When Getafe saw off Real Valladolid by 1-0 at the Coliseum Alfonso Perez finally ended their hunt for a home win. Getafe would have fancied their chances of beating a Valladolid side that had lost their previous three away games, but nothing could be taken for granted with Victor Munoz's side the only outfit in the top 14 yet to win in front of their own fans. But it proved to be a successful day for the club from the outskirts of Madrid, thanks to Cata Diaz's first-half header. Munoz opted for an attacking line-up and his side were quickly on the front foot, with Juan Angel Albin shining brightest. In the 31st minute the powerful centre-back Daniel Diaz was left in acres of space inside the Valladolid box to head Esteban Granero's free-kick down past Asenjo, with the visitors left appealing in vain for offside.

0-1 FC SEVILLA vs MALAGA

Sevilla lost the first game since April 08 when Malaga beat them by 1-0 from Adrian goal in the 16th minute. The former Deportivo La Coruna forward scored what proved to be the winner in the 16th minute and Malaga held out to end Sevilla's six-game winning streak. The result takes recently-promoted Malaga up to sixth in the table with their fourth win of the season. Sevilla coach Manolo Jimenez was boosted by the return of strikers Luis Fabiano and Ernesto Chevanton from injury, although Chevanton started on the bench with Jesus Navas in attack. But Sevilla's treatment room still included the likes of Fredi Kanoute, Diego Capel, Javi Navarro, Arouna Kone, Aquivaldo Mosquera and Ivica Dragutinovic. Malaga were also severely depleted with Salva Ballesta, Fabiano Rossato and Cheli out through injury and on-loan duo Lolo and Duda unable to play against parent club Sevilla.

3-0 REAL MALLORCE vs RCD ESPANYOL

Three second half goals in the space of 27 minutes gave Mallorca a brace to end recent poor form thanks to Aritz Aduriz who returned from the injury and fire the islanders to an important win. Aduriz missed last weekend's heavy defeat at Real Betis with a muscle strain, but returned in style to set Mallorca on their way to a first win since late September. In the first half it was fairly even at San Moix as the Basque forward gave Mallorca the lead four minutes after the interval and added a second on the hour mark to put the game out of Espanyol's reach. And Fernando Varela wrapped up an ultimately comfortable victory with a third goal for the home side with 14 minutes remaining. Espanyol, meanwhile, had looked impressive in recent draws with champions Real Madrid and high-flying Villarreal.

0-3 DEPORTIVO LA CORUNA vs SPORTING GIJON

Gijon tasted the first victory over Deportivo in Riazor after 15 attempts. Depor had not been beaten at home this season, with their three wins and two draws including an opening-day triumph over Real Madrid, but two goals in four minutes from David Barral and Gonzalez Carmelo, as well as the dismissal of Diego Colotto, put the visitors in command. And a second-half strike from Diego Castro confirmed the win, their third in succession. Sporting Gijon had endured a torrid start to the season with five successive defeats but their upsurge in form ensures they have climbed towards mid-table safety. Defeat for Depor completed a forgettable week after they lost their UEFA Cup opener away to CSKA Moscow 3-0 on Thursday. Francisco Maldonado, Colin and Andreu were among those missing for the visitors but striker Luis Moran was available to coach Manuel Preciado.

2-1 NUMANCIA vs RACING SANTANDER

In Los Pajaritos the game ended in dramatic late two goals from both the sides as Numancia beat Santander. The promoted side looked to be hanging on for a narrow victory following Jose Javier Barkero's 26th-minute strike, but Racing hit back deep into injury time through Mohamed Tchite's penalty to seemingly rescue a point. But the game was far from done as Domingo Cisma grabbed a dramatic late winner in the 96th minute. Both sides came into this match on the back of poor runs which had left them at the wrong end of the Primera Liga. Numancia secured an improbable win at home to Barcelona on the first day of the season, but lost five of their next six matches and were bottom of the table before this game, with just four points. Racing were not much better off, with just one win and three draws from their first seven matches. The win sees Numancia move out of the relegation zone and jump to 16th place, leap-frogging Racing in the process.

4-4 VILLAREAL vs ATLETICO MADRID

In El Madrigal the game ended in thrilling fashion as both teams shared 8 goals encounter and a point each from this game with comebacks from both the teams. In the first half interval Atletico raced into 2-0 with goals from Simao and Forlan and in the 38th minute atletico lost Banega to a second yellow card. As the second half starts Villareal roars back by taking a extra man advantage to full extent as Marcos Senna, Joseba Llorente, Gonzalo and Rossi were fired them with goals in the space of 20 minutes. In the late second half Simao and Garcia rescued Atletico just seven minutes remaining. This is the game where Villareal dominated posession and offcourse chances.

2-1 REAL MADRIS vs ATHLETIC BILBAO

Higuain become a hero and he made the rescue act for Real Madris in Bernabaeu as Madrid beat Bilbao by 3-2 to recors their 6th win in this La Liga. In the first half Madrid looks cruising at 2-0 from the goals from Sneijder and Higuain, but Bilbao stunned the Bernabeau by cancelling the Madrid's two goal lead through the two goals from Etxeberria and Iroala. In the second half Madrid were rewarded when Higuain notched his second, before Athletic were then reduced to 10 men when Fernando Amorebieta was sent-off to dent hopes of another comeback.

1-1 RECREATIVO HUELVA vs VALENCIA CF

Valencia held Recreativo by 1-1 to maintain their unbeaten start to the season after falling behind early in the second half. Valencia's David Villa cancelled the early second half goal from Javier Camunas and this result put Valencia a point ahead of Barcelona in the La Liga table and Villa's goal is 9th of the season. Both sides made one change from last weekend, Recre drafting in Camunas for the injured Sisi, while Fernando Morientes dropped back to the bench for Unai Emery's men with Miguel Angel Angulo recalled to start his third successive away game.

Premier League Week 9 Wrapup

Week 9 we saw a full of loaded action and drama in the world of EPL. First we saw Sunderland ends 28 years without home win against Newcastle. Liverpool end's Chelsea's 86 unbeaten home games streak. Hull's dream run in EPL continues. Last second equaliser from Benni mcCarthy gave the lifeline to Blackburn Rovers. Robinho hattrick gave a thumping and much needed victory. Spurs sacked Ramos before Sunday's clash against Bolton and replaced Portsmouth's Harry Redknapp and Spurs register the first win in EPL of this season.

1-1 EVERTON vs MANCHESTER UNITED

Fellaini's 63rd minute goal cancelled the Fletcher's early goal and Everton overcame against Man Utd to claim an unexpected draw in Goodison Park. Evertom palyed the second half with spirited influence after the first 45 minutes dominance from Man Utd. United manager Sir Alex Ferguson was able to make five changes to the United side that outclassed Celtic in the Champions League in midweek. Rio Ferdinand and Patrice Evra were back from injury, while Ryan Giggs returned as captain. Wes Brown and Ji-Sung Park were also recalled. Everton had former United striker Louis Saha up front with Ayegbeni Yakubu, while Joseph Yobo and Phil Neville returned from injury. The hosts were either brave or foolhardy to play two wide-men in Steven Pienaar and Mikel Arteta, leaving Leon Osman and Fellaini sometimes cruelly exposed in central midfield, where Giggs pulled all the strings.

0-3 WEST BROMWICH vs HULL CITY

Hull produced yet another stunning performance to claim there 3rd position in the EPL table for one more week. At The hawthorns Hull looked second best team to WBA for longer time with loads of full-blooded encounters but in the end Hull who made the difference by scoring 3 goals in second half from three different players Zayatte, King and Geovanni in the sapce of 20 minutes. This performace put Hull on level with Chelsea and this is there 4th successive win and unbeaten in the last 6 games. This is WBA second biggest defeat after looing 4-0 to Man Utd.

2-1 SUNDERLAND vs NEWCASTLE UNITED

Sunderland finally finally ended their 28 year wait for home win over Newcastle. Kieran Richardson was the hero when, a week after twice being denied with free-kicks at Fulham, he smashed home a stunning winner from a similar position with 15 minutes remaining. Djibril Cisse had earlier given the home side a 20th-minute lead, although that was cancelled out by Shola Ameobi within 10 minutes before this Ameobi, who had not scored in two years before Monday's draw with Manchester City. 47936 crowds witnessed the rejoice of this beautiful victory. Newcastle's badboy Joey Barton was welcomed with spat and lot of missiles. The controversial midfielder was targeted by home fans as he warmed up on the sidelines during the second half of a pulsating Wear-Tyne derby. Barton eventually arrived on the pitch as an 84th-minute replacement for Nicky Butt but, by that point, the drama had already unfolded.

1-1 BALCKBURN ROVERS vsMIDDLESBROUGH

Blackburn substitute Benni McCarthy's headed equaliser in the third minute of injury-time salvaged a Barclays Premier League 1-1 draw at home to Middlesbrough. Afonso Alves scored the opener in the 74th minute after out-pacing veteran centre-back Andre Ooijer and turning to fire past goalkeeper Paul Robinson. However, McCarthy rose highest at a late corner to head in at the near post, although the main talking point of the match was Tuncay Sanli's wrongly disallowed overhead kick in the first half. A draw was the least the hosts deserved after dominating throughout and hitting the post through Roque Santa Cruz in the first half. Southgate said " i've no complaints on Sanli's disallowed goal". As i saw this match that Sanli is clearly onside when the ball was played.

0-1 CHELSEA vs LIVERPOOL

Chelsea's 86 unbeaten home game finally comes to an end from Liverpool's Xabi Alonso first half goal. Now with this win Liverpool are the EPL table leaders with 23 points from 9 games, a 3 point ahead of Chelsea and Hull City. Alonso struck in the ninth minute when his 20-yard shot deflected off Jose Bosingwa and left Petr Cech wrong-footed. This gave first defeat to Scolari.

0-4 WIGAN vs ASTON VILLA

O'Neill men outplayed Wigan in JJB by 4-0. Yes Englsnd's uncapped Agbonlahor scored the goal and created two goals for his mates can this put him into the Capello's England team with full international cap. Yes i do think surely it beckons. Wigan couldnt resist on Agbonlahor's skill and pace as he won a controversial penalty in the first half which captain gareth Barry converted. In the 57th minute, the Birmingham-born striker, 22, bundled home a close-range shot and then embarked on a delightful run and inch-perfect cross for substitute John Carew to head home five minutes later. Substitute Steve Sidwell curled home a superb fourth goal in the last minute as Wigan were crumbled down to earth from Villa's astonoshing attacking game in the seconfd half after dominating the first half. Bruce named three of his former Birmingham players in the starting line-up in Emile Heskey, Olivier Kapo and Daniel De Ridder, with Heskey back to captain the side after a hamstring injury. Villa were unchanged from the side which beat Ajax 2-1 on Thursday in the UEFA Cup, while Carew warming the bench after he missed the win against the Dutch giants due to illness.

3-0 MANCHESTER CITY vs STOKE CITY

Brazilian and British record signing player Robinho scored his first hattrick for Man City with a touch of Brazilian magic. Chelseas will be knocking up their nose and Hughes knows why he wanted Robinho as he finished 3 clinical swipes of the boot. Stoke is not the powerful side in EPL but Man City win over Stoke is much needed. It could have been more, with substitute Daniel Sturridge guilty of one horrendous miss, the youngster having to be content with a couple of assists. Robinho, Elano and Ireland caused lot of problems in the box. Robinho's hattrick came in the 14th min, 47th min and 72nd min goals.

0-2 WEST HAM UNITED vs ARSENAL FC

Chelsea and Man Utd's drop of points is full y capitalised by Arsenal with hard fought win against West Ham. The game was opened up when the own goal came from Faubert when he deflected a shot from Arsenal sub Adebayor shot in the 75th minute. And in the stopage time the African Adebayor wrapped up the things with a goal. just before a close of game West Ham striker Carlton Cole had been sent out with direct red card from Refree Phil Dowd for a sliding tackle from behing on Song which is bit debatable. Now West Ham with three successive defeats.

2-0 TOTTENHAM HOTSPURS vs BOLTON WANDERERS.

Harry Redknapp did in mere less than a day what Ramos couldnt do it in the last 8 games in which Spurs were deserted without a win in this season after beating Bolton 2-0. In the 17th minute Russian Roman Pavlyuchenko scored the goal from his header from Bentley beautiful cross and this his is frist ever EPL goals. Just 14 minuted from time Bent make it 2 htrough penalty when he was brough down by Jaaskelainen. But everyones eyes is on Harry Redknapp after his appointment to succeed Ramos. Bolton, who had Gavin McCann sent off, gave Spurs nervous moments but there is enough for Redknapp to work with when he gets to work this week, with key contributions coming from players who struggled under Ramos. Luka Modric has struggled to make an impact since his £16.5million signing in the summer, but he was given a free role behind the striker and resembled a new player. Like Modric, Pavlyuchenko has struggled since an impressive Euro 2008, and the Russian desperately needed the 18th-minute opener to bring his belief back.

1-1 PORTSMOUTH vs FULHAM

87th minute Fulham's Dempsey cancelled the Pompey's Crouch lead and avoided a 3 fruitful points for Pompey to wave the goodbye to Harry Redknapp. Crouch scored the goal when he cooly converted Defoe pass after a beautiful setup from Diarra in the 61st minute what looked certain to be the win for Portsmouth. Crouch was signed by Harry for £11million from Liverpool. Kaboul eventually destroyed everything when he let Dempsey to drill in from fellow sub Nevland's pass. Although Portsmouth were without Glen Johnson, Sol Campbell and Sean Davis Pompey were the driving force in an absorbing, fast-moving game and had a distinct edge on chances.

EPL WEEK 9 PREVIEW

EVERTON vs MANCHESTER UNITED (ESPN LIVE @ 1625IST)

Everton’s poor form continued last weekend, losing 3-1 to Arsenal at Emirates Stadium, but according to manager David Moyes, there were positive signs and he believes the results will come, but with just 8 points from 8 matches, Everton are languishing in 16th position on the table. Home form for Everton is LLLD

Manchester United did as expected last weekend, defeating WBA 4-0 at Old Trafford to move into 5th position on the Barclays Premier League Table and according to manager Sir Alex Ferguson, the players kept a fantastic rhythm and tempo against WBA, and they worked hard for each other. After a sluggish start to the season, Man U have gone up a gear and with Rooney and Ronaldo shredding holes through the opposition, they are back on target, whereas Everton are struggling in the bottom half of the table. Based on recent form, it’s difficult to go past Man Utd. Away form for Man Utd is WLDW.

Everton lost 3 successive home to Manchester United and Everton failed to beat Manchester United in the last 6 meetings. So my prediction is away win for Manchester United.

SUNDERLAND vs NEWCASTLE UNITED (Star Sports LIVE @ 1710)

Sunderland left Craven Cottage with a nil-all draw last weekend - they should have left with the three points, after striking the woodwork in four different incidents, but according to manager Roy Keane: "that’s why top strikers are paid so much money to put the ball in the net."

Sunderland home form LLWD. Sunderland are without win in the last 3 matches.

A ten-man Newcastle held on for a gutsy 2-2 draw with Manchester City at St James Park - Referee Rob Styles showed a red card to Habib Beye after he tackled Robiniho on the edge of the box, in what seemed a harsh decision. Leaning towards the Black Cats.

Newcastle away form DLLD. Now Newcastle are without win in the last 6 matches played.

Sunderland failed to beat Newcastle in Stadium of Light in the last 5 meetings and in both away and home games Sunderland failed to beat them in the last 9 meetings. So my prediction is another away win for Newcastle. My prediction is away win for Newcastle.

MANCHESTER CITY vs STOKE CITY

Manchester City had every opportunity to defeat a 10-man Newcastle at St James Park last week, but they were unable convert when it counted - they might be cashed up, but Man City have a long way to go if they are to challenge the "big-four". Man City's home form WLWL.

Stoke City defeated Tottenham 2-1 at Britannia Stadium last weekend - goals to Danny Higginbotham and Rory Delap clinched the much needed win for Stoke, who now have 7 points form 8 matches. Manchester City to win. Stokes away form LLDL.

Now Man City are without win in the last 3 games. My prediction is home win for Man City.

PORTSMOUTH vs FULHAM (Star Sports LIVE @ 1925)

So close - yet so far! Portsmouth striker Jermain Defeo missed a "give-me" against Villa as the match fizzled out into a nil-all draw. Veteran defender Sol Campbell turned back the clock with a vintage display and midfielder Sean Davis was sent off for two bookable offences with 10 minutes remaining. Portsmouth home form LWWW.

Fulham got out of jail last weekend when they held the Black Cats to a nil-all draw at Craven Cottage - the draw snapped a run of four straight defeated, mind you, both teams had their chances to break the deadlock, with the woodwork constantly getting in the way. Portsmouth to win. Fulham away form LLL.

Fulham are without win in the last 4 games and Portsmouth are not beaten in home in the last 3 home games. Portsmouth failed to beat Fulham in the last 2 games in Fratton Park. My prediction is home win for Portsmouth.

WEST BROMWICH vs HULL CITY

West Bromwich discovered that there is a huge gap between themselves and the top flight teams after their 4-0 loss to Manchester United last weekend - according to Baggies boss Tony Mowbay: "we are coming up against teams who can spend millions on strikers - which is where it matters". WBA home form LWLW.

The "Hull City" juggernaut rolled on last weekend with a 1-0 win over West Ham - a Michael Turner header on the 51st minute clinched the win, and with 17 points from 8 matches, Hull continue to rub shoulders with a English Premier League heavyweights in the title race - now, common sense tells us they’ll probably fall away at the business end of the season, but their efforts to date are nothing less than remarkable. I’m looking forward to this contest - based on exposed form, you’d be entitled to back Hull City. Hull away form DWWW.

Hull were unbeaten in the last 5 games they played. My prediction is away win for Hull City.

WIGAN ATHLETIC vs ASTON VILLA (ESPN Delay @ 2155)

Wigan put up a fight against Liverpool last weekend, eventually losing 3-2 at JJB Stadium - Wigan took the lead twice, only to see Liverpool come from behind - a solid effort, especially when you consider they were down to 10 men when Valencia was sent off with 16 minutes remaining on the clock. Wigans home form LDWL

Aston Villa were lucky to escape with a nil-all draw against Portsmouth last weekend - simply put, Portsmouth restricted their access to goal and according to manager Martin O’Neill, they could not force the ball over the the line." In an interesting pre-match move, O’Neill made his first team change in seven weeks, with Luke Young and Nicky Shorey making way for James Milner and Carlos Cuellar. This is shaping up as an even contest - leaning towards Wigan with the home ground advantage. Villa's away form LWWL.

Wigan have mix fortunes in home against Villa by winning one, drawing one and lost one. In the last 6 encounters Wigan lost one game and winning 3 games. My prediction is draw.

TOTTENHAM HOTSPURS vs BOLTON WANDERERS (ESPN LIVE @ 1925)

With just 2 points from 8 matches after the sixth defeat of the season (2-1 to Stoke), Tottenham transformation from a top flight team to Premier League "has-been’s" is all but complete! Simply put, if they don’t start winning, they’ll find themselves in the Coco Cola Championship next season - shades of Leeds United! Bolton held Blackburn to a nil-all draw in last weekend’s local derby. Spurs home win LLDL.

Bolton had their share of the ball and they had their opportunities, but the lack a quality striker who can finish off. This is a must-win game for Tottenham - another home loss would further dent their confidence as they struggle to lift themselves off the bottom of the the table - as for Bolton, they also need a win to make a move in right direction. Leaning towards the draw. Bolton's away form LLLW. Overall Bolton lost only 2 games to Spurs in the last 9 encounters. My prediction is away win for Bolton.

BLACKBURN ROVERS vs MIDDLESBROUGH (Star Sports Live @2155)

Blackburn shared the spoils in their local derby against Bolton with a nil-all draw last weekend - Blackburn wasted a number of chances, with Carlos Villanueva hitting the wood work and Jason Roberts sending a close range header wide of the post. Rovers home form DLWL.

Middlesbrough were comprehensively defeated 5-0 by Chelsea last weekend - in an embarrassing performance, Boro were appeared flat-footed in defence and they made a number of fundamental mistakes. Can Middlesbrough rebound from last weekend’s 5-0 thrashing? - I doubt it. Blackburn to win. M'brough away form LLLW.

M'brough failed to beat Rovers in the last matches in Ewood Park and in the last 6 encounters Blackburn havent lost to Middlesbrough. My prediction is home win for Blackburn.

Uefa Cup Roundup

Yesterday Uefa Cup Group Satge kick started. All Serie A teams Milan, Udinese and Sampdoria had a great night with comfortable wins and other side. Apart from Rosenborg match against Club Brugge we saw goals in all matches.

GROUP A

3-1 SCHALKE 04 vs PARIS ST GERMAIN
Schalke opened their UEFA Cup group campaign with a comfortable 3-1 victory at home to Paris St Germain. The hosts made a flying start to the Group A match and took the lead in the 12th minute courtesy of an own goal by PSG defender Larrys Mabiala. Kevin Kuranyi made it 2-0 after 39 minutes and then set up the third goal for Halil Altintop 21 minutes from time. Clement Chantome hit a late consolation goal for the visitors, who were without the likes of Claude Makelele and Ludovic Giuly.

1-0 TWENTE ENSCHEDE VS RACING SANTANDER
Romano Denneboom scored the only goal as FC Twente clinched a 1-0 home victory in the UEFA Cup against Racing Santander. The Dutch striker latched onto Kenneth Perez's cross in the seventh minute to give the Eredivisie side all three points in their first Group A clash at the Grolsch Veste stadium. Steve McClaren's men dominated the game and were well worth their win.

GROUP B

1-0 GALATASARAY vs OLYMPIACOS
Galatasaray got their UEFA Cup group stage campaign off to a winning start with a narrow 1-0 victory over Olympiacos in a closely-contested clash in Istanbul. Harry Kewell's glancing header was enough to give Michael Skibbe's Turkish champions all three points against Ernesto Valverde's Greek title-holders at a packed Ali Sami Yen Stadium.Both teams went into the Group B fixture desperate to make amends for recent European disappointment - having lost in the Champions League qualifiers - and it was the hosts who took the early initiative, pressing and probing with former Leeds man Kewell prominent.

1-1 HERTHA BERLIN vs SL BENFICA
Hertha Berlin fought back to register a hard-earned point in a 1-1 draw against Benfica in their UEFA Cup Group B opener on Thursday. The Portuguese champions went ahead after 51 minutes through Angel di Maria but Hertha equalised 16 minutes from time through Marko Pantelic, back in the team after being dropped for disciplinary reasons at the weekend. Benfica coach Quique Sanchez Flores was without playmaker Pablo Aimar while Hassan Yedba was injured during the warm-up.

GROUP C

2-0 SEVILLA FC vs VfB STUTTGART
Two goals in a minute were enough for Sevilla to begin their UEFA Cup campaign with a 2-0 win as they saw off Stuttgart in the opening game of Group C. Goals from Romaric and Renato Dirnei in the 15th and 16th minutes of the first half were enough to set the 2006 and 2007 UEFA Cup champions on their way. Despite being without the likes of Luis Fabiano, Diego Capel, Ernesto Chevanton, Frederic Kanoute and Ivica Dragutinovic Sevilla were still brimming with attacking intent, and they took the game to their hosts from the first whistle.

1-2 PARTIZAN BELGRADE vs UC SAMPDORIA
Sampdoria defied their miserable domestic form and recorded an important 2-1 victory against Partizan Belgrade in their UEFA Cup Group C match in Serbia. Partizan's Lamine Diarra had cancelled out Emiliano Bonazzoli's opener for Samp, but Daniele Dessena's second-half strike gave the visitors a vital win. The domestic fortunes of the two sides could not have been more contrasting. Winless Sampdoria had earned just four points from seven league games and dropped into the relegation zone in Serie A after a 3-0 defeat to AC Milan on Sunday. Partizan, on the other hand, sit seven points clear at the top of the Serbian league table after just eight games.

GROUP D

2-0 UDINESE CALCIO vs TOTTENHAM HOTSPURS
Heurelho Gomes' blunder helped hand Udinese a 2-0 victory in their UEFA Cup clash at Stadio Friuli as Tottenham's miserable start to the season continued. Spurs head coach Juande Ramos had left David Bentley out of his squad and watched as Jamie O'Hara was dismissed for two bookings in a minute, ending any hopes of a fightback against the Italians. The White Hart Lane side are bottom of the Barclays Premier League and not faring any better in Europe after Gomes' mistake was punished by Antonio Di Natale and Simone Pepe added a late second. It was harsh on goalkeeper Gomes, who produced save after save against Wisla Krakow to get Spurs into Group D of a competition that had provided a distraction from the worst league start in their history. With Udinese stroking the ball around, Gomes made a total mess of a backpass and ended up bringing down Fabio Quagliarella in the 24th minute.

3-2 DINAMO ZAGREB vs NEC NIJMEGEN
Dinamo Zagreb deservedly edged out NEC Nijmegen 3-2 in a UEFA Cup Group D game which sputtered into life late on with three goals in the final 15 minutes. Mario Mandzukic gave Dinamo the lead after just three minutes, but a Carlos own goal evened things up midway through the first half. Theo Janssen struck to put NEC ahead with 12 minutes remaining, before goals from substitute Bosko Balaban and Ivica Vrdoljak sealed the points for the Croatians. Mandzukic gave Dinamo Zagreb the best possible start with an angled strike which beat NEC keeper Gabor Babos at his near post.

GROUP E

1-3 SC HEERENVEEN vs AC MILAN
AC Milan got their UEFA Cup Group E adventure off to the best possible start with a comfortable 3-1 win over Dutch side Heerenveen. An own goal from Heerenveen midfielder Calvin Jong-a-Pin after 19 minutes set them on their way, before goals from Gennaro Gattuso and Filippo Inzaghi completed the tally. Danijel Pranjic added a late consolation goal for the hosts from the penalty spot four minutes from time. Heerenveen started the game brightly, sending a number of crosses into the Milan area. But still they failed to test goalkeeper Dida.

3-0 SPORTING BRAGA vs PORTSMOUTH
Portsmouth took a pounding from Sporting Braga as their bid to reach the UEFA Cup knock-out stages began with a poor performance and a terrible 3-0 defeat. Braga fielded five Brazilians in the Group E opener and all their goals were scored by South Americans. Uruguayan Luis Aguiar fired a fabulous 30-yard free-kick past David James in the eighth minute and Colombian Wason Renteria added a second just after half-time. Portsmouth conceded a third three minutes from time when Sean Davis steered a right-wing cross against his own post and Brazilian Alan pounced to score from the rebound. Manager Harry Redknapp looked a depressed figure but he must now lift his troops for three Barclays Premier League matches in seven days starting with Fulham on Sunday - and mighty AC Milan at Fratton Park on November 27.

GROUP F

1-2 MSK ZILINA vs HAMBURGER SV
Mladen Petric led Hamburg to a 2-1 victory on his comeback from illness against Zilina in the opening match of Group F. A viral infection forced Petric out of Sunday's 1-1 draw with Schalke, but the Croatia forward, who has scored three Bundesliga goals in two starts this season, returned to the starting line-up and within 15 minutes the forward had given Hamburg the lead. Ivica Olic added a second before half-time as Hamburg secured an important win despite substitute Emil Rilke's second-half strike for Zilina. Despite Petric's return, Hamburg were still below full-strength with injured trio Nigel de Jong, Marcell Jansen and Thiago Neves unavailable for their trip to Slovakia. The hosts, unbeaten in their past five home games in Europe, suggested early on that they would not be intimidated by their opponents with Admir Vladavic's 20-yard shot that tested the Hamburg goalkeeper Frank Rost's handling.

2-1 ASTON VILLA vs AFC AJAX AMSTERDAM
Gareth Barry gave Aston Villa the ideal start to life in a bitterly tough group stage of this season's UEFA Cup with the winning goal in a 2-1 victory against Ajax. With tricky trips to Hamburg and Slavia Prague to come in Group F, boss Martin O'Neill came into the competition aware his side could ill afford to drop points at Villa Park. Against Dutch giants Ajax, this was a convincing victory, with Barry's winner coming on the stroke of half-time after Thomas Vermaelen had cancelled out home captain Martin Laursen's early opener.

GROUP G

1-3 FC COPENHAGEN vs ST ETIENNE
St Etienne celebrated their return to European action after a 26-year absence by beating FC Copenhagen 3-1 in Group G of the UEFA Cup. In a dramatic opening, Morten Nordstrand missed a penalty for the hosts just a minute after Bafetimbi Gomis had put St Etienne in front. Loic Perrin added a second for the visitors in the 37th minute and, though Cesar Santin's penalty reduced the arrears just before the hour, Dimitri Payet's strike sealed the win for the French side.

0-0 ROSENBORG vs CLUB BRUGGE
Rosenborg were held to a disappointing goalless home draw in their UEFA Cup Group G opener against Belgian outfit Club Brugge. Rosenborg striker Steffen Iversen had the best of what few chances there were on a disappointing night in Trondheim, the Norway international coming close to breaking the deadlock in the first half but Brugge goalkeeper Stijn Stijnen was equal to the effort. Neither side will be happy with a point against an opponent they would have hoped to outclass, and each will need to raise their game with matches against St Etienne, FC Copenhagen and group favourites Valencia still to come.

GROUP H

3-0 CSKA MOSCOW vs DEPORTIVO LA CORUNA
Two goals in the space of three first-half minutes from young midfielder Alan Dzagoev paved the way for CSKA Moscow to record a comfortable 3-0 victory over Deportivo La Coruna and secure a perfect start to their UEFA Cup Group H campaign. Dzagoev has been the undoubted star of the Russian season with nine goals in his past 10 league games for CSKA that earned him a call-up to Guus Hiddink's Russia squad and it took the 18-year-old just nine minutes to add to his rising stock when he smashed in a free kick. He added a second just three minutes later from close range following some excellent lead-up work from Vagner Love, who completed the scoring with a goal of his own just after the hour mark.

3-0 NANCY vs FEYENOORD
Nancy struck three second-half goals to help put their league woes to one side and kick off their UEFA Cup Group H campaign with an emphatic 3-0 win against Feyenoord. Nancy entered the game low on confidence having managed just one win in nine Ligue 1 games to start the season and they were second best for the majority of the opening half as Feyenoord, struggling in the league themselves, piled on the pressure. But the visitors failed to find the net and were made top pay when first Julien Feret and then Monsef Zerka struck inside eight minutes of the restart. It was cruel on Feyenoord and they were made to suffer further when Maurilio Helder added a third after 84 minutes.

Uefa Champions League Matchday 3 - Wednesday

After the amazement of yesterday,today was always going to be a bit of a comedown, but there were still plenty of talking points in todays Champions League. 17 goals across the 8 games isn’t a bad return, and right after that jump you’ll find a full round up and like yesterday, a roundup of the tables at half time.

1-0 CHELSEA vs ROMA

Roma might have been worried when a half-strength team took to the field against a free-scoring Chelsea, but the teams were seperated by just one goal Terry headed home from Frank Lampard's 77th-minute corner to keep Luiz Felipe Scolari's side top of Champions League Group A. Roma, struggling in the lower reaches of Serie A, were not expected to upset Chelsea's European momentum but they almost did so with a dogged defensive display which nearly earned them a share of the spoils. there was little sign of the beautiful game which Scolari desired as the home side were largely frustrated by the visitors. Scolari's touchline demeanour clearly demonstrated his distinct displeasure with Chelsea's inability to get on top.

1-0 BORDEAUX vs CFR CLUJ

Bordeaux finally got their Champions League campaign up and running as they recorded their first points in Group A with a narrow 1-0 win over the competition's surprise packages CFR Cluj.

Cluj were the orchestrators of their own demise as defender Ricardo Cadu turned the ball into his own net in the 53rd minute and Eugen Trica was sent off right at the death to add insult to injury. The game marks Cluj's first defeat in the competition after they beat Roma 2-1 and held Chelsea to a draw but the Romanians remain in second spot, three points behind the Blues. Les Girondins are a point behind them. Now this group is wide open.

The Table at Half Time
Chelsea 7

Cluj 4

Roma 3

Bordeaux 3

1-0 INTER vs ANORTHOSIS

Adriano was once again Inter Milan's Champions League hero as the Nerazzurri moved three points clear at the top of Group B with a solid performance in the 1-0 win over Anorthosis Famagusta. The goal came in just before half time on 43rd minute. Anorthosis, who were unbeaten going into the match, are now second in the group but they proved they are no lightweights. Inter were in full control of the match as the visitors were hardly able to venture out of their own half but the Nerazzurri lacked creativity and could not make their pressure tell.

2-2 PANATHINAIKOS vs WEREDER BREMEN

Hugo Almeida was the hero for Werder Bremen as he struck a late leveller to deny Panathinaikos a first victory in Champions League Group B following a pulsating 2-2 draw at the OACA Spiros Louis Stadium. Panathinaikos striker Vangelis Mantzios looked to have revived the Greek side's campaign after netting a superb double - both headers - to cancel out Per Mertesacker's opener for Thomas Schaaf's Bremen side. Now Bremen have 3 draws in row. The point means Panathinaikos are off the mark but that will be of little consolation to coach Henk Ten Cate, whose side were desperately unlucky not to take all three points after suffering two defeats against Inter and Anorthosis. And with skipper Georgios Karagounis and Brazil star Gilberto back in midfield it was the Greeks who bossed the opening half, passing the ball around with assured confidence against a Bremen team who struggled to gain any meaningful possession.

Inter 7

Anorthosis 4

Bremen 3

Panathinaikos 1

0-5 BASEL vs BARCELONA

If there were meant to be less goals today than yesterday, noone told Group C. Well one side anyway. Barcelona put 5 past Basel. Leo Messi, Busquets, Bojan (twice) and Xavi were the goalscorers. Who needs Eto’o and Henry eh? Barcelona made it three wins out of three in Champions League Group C.

0-1 SHAKHTAR DONETSK vs SPORTING LISBON

Sporting Lisbon stole all three points as they survived a barrage of attacks from Shakhtar Donetsk to win the Champions League Group C encounter 1-0. The Ukrainian side dominated the game from start to finish, but they were made to pay for their inability to score when Liedson finished with Sporting's first shot on target after 75 minutes.

Barca 9

Sporting 6

Shakthar 3

Basel 0

1-1 ATLETICO MADRID vs LIVERPOOL

Liverpool can count themselves very lucky, as not only did they open the scores with a questionable Robbie Keane goal, Atletico had a goal disalowed for offside even though it was legit. The game finished 1-1. So Liverpool were denied another three-point haul in the Champions League as Simao Sabrosa netted a late equaliser to earn Atletico Madrid a 1-1 draw. The unmarked Simao - once targeted by Reds boss Rafael Benitez - drilled home a low shot with seven minutes remaining to cancel out Robbie Keane's early opener for Liverpool as the two sides, having each won their first two games, remained unbeaten in Group D. Liverpool controlled the first half and held a deserved lead at the break but Atletico, who had been unbeaten in their previous six home meetings with English opposition, fought back to salvage a point which could ease the pressure on under-fire coach Javier Aguirre.

2-0 PSV EINDHOVEN vs MARSEILLE

Danny Koevermans scored a brace of second-half headers as PSV Eindhoven breathed new life into their Champions League Group D campaign with a victory over rudderless Marseille on Wednesday. The match was delicately poised with 19 minutes left when the Holland striker broke the deadlock, connecting sweetly with Stijn Wuytens' corner. And the 29-year-old made the game safe for the Dutch side five minutes from time when he stooped to glance a header past Marseille goalkeeper Steve Mandanda following a right-wing cross from Edison Mendez. It was PSV's first points haul in three matches but they are still four points adrift of joint pool leaders Atletico Madrid and Liverpool, who drew elsewhere on Wednesday. Marseille are still without a point and, after three defeats in a row, they can only really hope for a third-placed finish and a place in the last 32 of the UEFA Cup. The two sides meet again in two weeks' time at the Stade Velodrome.

Liverpool 7

Atletico 7

PSV 3

Marseilles 0

Uefa Champions League Matchday 3 - Tuesday Action

In Uefa Champions League Matchday 3 on Tuesday we saw GOALS! GOALS! GOALS! all the way and from every angel in every game. 36 goals across the 8 games, including two goals from Offside looking positions for Dietmar Berbatov, a briliant one from Alessandro Del Piero, Five different scorer’s for Arsenal (six if you include a Silvestre own goal) in Arsenal’s visit to ‘Hell’ made it a bit easier than thier visit to Hull, and nine goals in Villarreal’s game against Aaolborg just some of the many topsy turvy highlights on offer.

2-1 JUVENTUS vs REAL MADRID

Juventus against Real Madrid was arguably the tastiest fixture on paper at the begining of the games, and it looked to all kick off when Del Piero scored inside five minutes with a beautiful strike that left Iker Casillas standing. The game never really ignited though. Real failed to perform in the first half, and Juve kept them out, and it looked to be over when Amauri scored a second half header. Real suddenly found thier grove, playing wider, and Ruud Van Nistolrooy got a unmarked header to put Real back in the game. Snijder hit the post, but it finished 2-1 to Juve.

1-1 ZENIT vs BATE

The other game in that group was a draw, between BATE and Zenit St Petersberg. The Russian side completely dominated, but could easily have come away with nothing, a late goal from Tekke rescued a draw. The Zenit went even closer two minutes later when an almost identical cross from Arshavin was headed onto the post by Tekke.

At the half way stage, that group now looks like this:
Juventus 7
Real Madrid 6
BATE 2
Zenit St Petersburg 1

6-3 VILLAREAL vs AALBORG

9 goals came in Villarreals win over Aalborg, it finished 6-3. Substitute Llorente grabbed a hat trick with a last minute goal, to cap off a remarkable match. Fans certainly got their money’s worth, whichever side they support. Villareal's Capdevilla scored two goals one for his club and another is own goal. Llorente replaced the ineffective Guillermo Franco at the interval and scored twice inside three minutes to give the hosts what proved an unassailable 4-2 lead. Villarreal had not conceded two goals in a game all season going into the clash, but did so inside the opening 45 minutes here. All five second-half goals came in a stunning 17-minute spell and 3 first half gaols came in another thrilling 8 minute spell.

3-0 MANCHESTER UNITED vs CELTIC FC

Elsewhere, Celtic’s bad luck on the road continues, losing 3-0 to Man Utd in all-British clash after Dietmar Berbatov two suspiciously offside-looking goals and taking his Champions League tally to four goals. Wayne Rooney capped off the scoring at Old Trafford. Now Wayne Rooney, who now has nine in seven games for club and country, paid scant justice to United's total dominance. Celtic did not even make a fight of it, allowing Sir Alex Ferguson to gain the personal satisfaction of avenging a defeat at Parkhead on the last meeting between the teams two years ago. The absence of Rio Ferdinand with a groin strain was having a negligible impact on proceedings, although the contest was so one-sided, United lacked the edge needed to bring them towards top gear. In the early game Wayne Rooney's goal was disallowed.

At the Half Way Stage, That Group Looks Like This:
Manchester United 7
Villarreal 7
Celtic 1
Aalborg 1

3-0 BAYERN MUNICH vs AC FIORENTINA

In the group of Death, Bayern took on Fiorentina, and despite a shakey performance, La Viola couldn’t punish them, and the German side ran out 3-0 winners. Bayern took the chances that they had, early and late in the game, while Fiorentina scuffed their chances. That’s the difference at this level. Fiorentina were guilty of missing a hatful of chances. Miroslav Klose got Bayern off to the perfect start as he fired them into the lead in the fourth minute and Bastian Schweinsteiger doubled the hosts' advantage in the 25th minute. Fiorentina tried valiantly to get back into the match but it was not to be their night as chance after chance went begging before Ze Roberto added a stunning third right at the death.

3-5 STEAUA BUCURESTI vs OLYMPIQUE LYONNAIS

Lyon had to fight back from behind to beat Steaua 5-3, a result which seems them move up to second in the group. The French side had gone down, and it looked like another miserable night for French sides in the CL, but the showed their fighting power, and attacking quality to come back. Karim Benzema and Fred grabbed braces as Lyon twice came from behind to emerge victorious in an eight-goal thriller against Steaua Bucharest and go clear in second place in Champions League Group F. In a pulsating end-to-end clash in the Romanian capital, Steaua capitalised on some desperate defending to go 2-0 then 3-2 in front before the break (Kader Keita and Benzema cancelled out goals in the opening 11 minutes by Arthuro and Dorin Goian, but Ovidiu Petre gave the hosts an interval advantage with a header on the stroke of half-time). The Romanians are bottom and still without a win, but with Bayern Munich beating Fiorentina on matchday three, Lyon's victory puts them three points clear of the Italians in second.

At the halfway stage The Group of Death looks like this
Bayern 7
Lyon 5
Fiorentina 2
Steaua 1

2-5 FENERBACHE vs ARSENAL
The intimidating atmosphere is always talked up when teams travel to Turkey, but it didn’t phase Arsenal tonight who ran out 5-2 winners, with five different scorers, Adebayour, Wallcott, Diaby, Song and new kid Ramsey all getting on the scoresheet. So did Mikel Silvestre, but it was at the wrong end. stunning first 21 minutes paved the way for Arsenal to beat Fenerbahce in their Champions League Group G match at the intimidating Sukru Saracoglu stadium in Istanbul. The profligate Daniel Guiza pulled a goal back in the 77th minute but it was too late to affect the outcome. It was the hosts' first defeat in Europe at home in 16 matches but in truth they were the architects of their own downfall. Both teams defended poorly and the only difference between the two was up front where Arsenal took their chances and Fenerbahce did not. Spain striker Guiza was the main culprit, squandering two excellent opportunities just before half-time which could have made it 3-3 at the interval and a much different proposition for Arsene Wenger's side.

0-1 FC PORTO vs DYNAMO KIEV

The other game in that group was the dullest of the lot, with Dynamo Kiev nicking a 1-0 against FC Porto. A beautiful 30 yard free kick from Olexander Aliyev was the difference between the two sides. While Dynamo recorded their first Champions League win in 16 games, Aliyev's goal snapped Porto's unbeaten home run in Europe's premier team competition that had stretched back to 11 games. Dynamo moved up to second place in the group with five points from three matches, two behind leaders Arsenal who thrashed Fenerbahce 5-2. Porto tried their best to draw level but they were foiled by Dynamo's well organised defence.

Half way, and the group looks like this
Arsenal 7
Kiev 5
Porto 3
Fenerbache 1

Two Views on Beckham on Loan to Milan

The latest rumor coming from the AC Milan camp is that David Beckham will be coming to Milan on loan in January — not just to train with the club, but to play with them competitively for several months. There are some rumors that Milan would like to make this a permanent move.

So what is this? A shrewd (and temporary) way to stoke the Beckham flame again? Or an admission of failure? Or bits of both?

Two views:

David Beckham joining AC Milan on loan is a win-win-win situation. David Beckham wins because he gets to play in a big European league again, if only for a short time. Assuming Beckham does OK (and his set pieces alone should guarantee some sort of impact) it’s a chance for him to prove he can still do the business, as well as prove to Fabio Capello that he’s still worth his place in the England squad.

AC Milan wins because the club gets a quality (if no longer top quality) footballer on loan for free. The club will probably make a tidy profit on shirt sales by signing a superstar, but Carlo Ancelotti won’t be under pressure to start Beckham if he doesn’t feel it’s necessary. As Beckham’s proved with England, his temperament and impact from the bench (again, set pieces) make him a very useful squad player. Finally, LA Galaxy and MLS win. You’d think these are the two organizations with the most to lose, but (provided Becks doesn’t get injured) they have plenty to gain. And it’s mostly to do with Beckham’s reputation. The shine has dulled a little now that Goldenballs has settled LA, and the idea of Beckham being semi-retired in California doesn’t help MLS’s reputation at all. But seeing Beckham in Serie A will re-invigorate the footballing department of Brand Beckham (which is still the most important part, whatever anyone says). And a stronger Brand Beckham means a stronger Brand MLS when he plays in the league.

The MLS DP Experiment Crashes and Burns
Remember, about year and a half ago, when David Beckham was going to save American soccer? It was going to happen. Everybody swore. He would use his skills and celebrity to take the game to the next level, and all we fans had to do was sit back and watch it happen. The rules were changed to bring him in. The salary cap was jettisoned, at least for one player per team. (Or two, if you were the LA Galaxy.) Tournament rules were bent or created on the fly to benefit Becks and Co. And hundreds of thousands of jerseys and seats were sold. MLS was on its way to credibility and legitimacy!
But…not so fast.

The Beckham-to-Milan loan is at heart a recognition that MLS can’t cut it yet. Bringing Beckham to MLS has been a bit like bringing a Ferrari to a city that only has unpaved, potholed roads. How can you take advantage of the power it offers when the infrastructure isn’t there? Start with the salary cap that’s prevented the Galaxy from surrounding Beckham with players who could make the most of his skills. Add in the single entity ownership that made making changes akin to steering the Titanic. Toss in the league’s refusal to recognize that international games exist, let alone that they should break for them…

The league’s reach exceeded its grasp.
And so Milan is standing in the wings, waving provocatively, cooing, “David, they don’t appreciate you. They can’t love you the way we will. Come to us. We’ll treat you right.” (Because all those other past-their-prime superstars — Ronaldo! Shevchenko! Ronaldinho! — haven’t provided quite enough luster or sold quite enough tickets. Maybe Beckham will be the one.) And what about Beckham? Even healthy and fit, he couldn’t guide the Galaxy to the playoffs this year. Yes, appalling management decisions played into it, but in the end Beckham didn’t get the job done. Like the rest of the team, he started strong and flamed out. I suppose we can’t blame him for wanting to go to a solid team in a solid league, to prove that, at 33, he’s still got it.
It’s just that I expected more.

UEFA Champions League - Matchday 3 Preview

Back then, to Champions League action, today and tomorrow, and some absolutely corking games to look forward to, including the ‘Battle of Britian’ between Celtic and Manchester United, a battle of two of last years Quarter-Finalists, Arsenal and Fenerbache, and Nine times champions Real Madrid are taking on Italian behemoths Juventus. Fiorentina visit Bayern Munich.

And that’s just Tuesday’s highlights. Wednesday, we have Athletico hosting a Torres-less Liverpool, and then the battle of the runners up - last years Serie A runners up Roma, take on last years EPL runners up Chelsea.

Full preview after the jump.

So Tuesday we start in Group E. Celtic visit Old Trafford, and they will be desperate to try and sort out their terrible away record in this competition. United however come off of a big win in the league at the weekend. Villarreal host Aalborg in the other game in that group.

Group F, The Group of Death, sees Bayern play host to Fiorentina, in what promises to be a fantastic match. The group is still wide open, and both sides will want to have a positive result here, as Lyon will be expected to beat Steaua in the other game.

Group G sees Arsenal visit Fenerbahce. Both sides will want a win to really kick start thier campaign, although Arsenal currently sit top of the group they have looked fragile. Fener meanwhile have struggled, and will want to pick up a home win. Porto are also hosting Dyanmo Kiev in the other game, which should be a close game.

Group H is where its at though. Zenit St Petersberg are playing at home to BATE, where both sides will want to get maximum points to spur them on, but the biggie is elsewhere. Real Madrid are taking on Juventus. Two clubs full of history, who have underperformed in recent times, looking to get back on top. Has all the makings of a classic encounter.

Wednesday
First big game on Wednesday is in Group A, where Chelsea play host to Roma. Couldn’t come at a worse time for the Italian side, who suffered at the hands of title rivals Inter at the weekend, while Chelsea are looking in fine form, battering Middlesbrough. Bordeaux host surprise package Cluj, and with the French side yet to get off the mark in this years CL, they will need a win.

Anorthosis against Inter in Group B, in a game the latter will expect to take, Panathinaikos meanwhile host German side Werder Bremen.

Group C sees Barca take a visit to FC Basel, while Shakthar are taking on Sporting Lisbon, in a battle of the teams that nearly always finsih third.

Group D’s big game is Athletico Madrid hosting Liverpool, though the latter are without ex-Athletico hitman Fernando Torres, the game will be played in Madrid’s proper stadium. PSV are taking on Marsielles in the groups other intriguing game.

Lets hope it lives up to promise.

Liverpool Will Play in Calderon

It’s official. Champions League Matchday 3 will be played at the Vicente Calderon after all.
After Atlético appealed, the UEFA decided to cut us some slack for the time being and to not complicate things at such short notice.

The stadium ban is still postponed and will still be in effect in the future, but thankfully the Liverpool supporters that have booked everything already will have to change nothing.
Javier “‘I can wearz a Mexico jersey too lol” Aguirre is also un-banned from the sidelines for the next match. However, it’s still unknown if and when he’ll be facing ban.

Here’s part of UEFA’s official statement: “After immediate consideration of the request for suspension, and having considered in particular the organisational and logistical difficulties related to relocating the Club Atletico de Madrid v Liverpool FC match to another venue at short notice, the chairman of the appeals body has decided to grant the request for suspension of the sanctions."

The short notice was worst part of the original decision. The PSV match will be the match that will be re-located somewhere else. As things stand, we’ll still be banned from an additional home match, assuming we progress into the last 16 (which we will).

Fernando Torres will also miss his return due to injury from the match yesterday against Belgium, and is out for 10-15 days. We all wanted to see “The Fernando Torres Show: The Homecoming” and it looked like we were close to doing so, but bad luck smacked him upside the head at the worst possible time. I hate to say it, but the less Liverpool threat the better. Here’s to a speedy recovery, Fernando.

Enough about the ban, man. Fine, fine. Raúl García, Miguel de las Cuevas and Sinama are the first players back from international duty and are already training with the group. The rest of the players will arrive within the next day. Maniche, Simao and Diego Forlán have begun training with the team as well. Sabroso.

The derby match will be up soon against fierece rival Real Madrid. Aupa Atleti!

Wenger Have More Worries Ahead

The injured list is lengthy heading into this weekend’s crucial clash with Everton. After dropping points in the past two matches, it’s vital to pick up three points. It’ll have to be done without William Gallas, Nicklas Bendtner, and Bacary Sagna, all three picking up knocks on international duty. That trio will miss at least two games.

On top of that, Cesc, RvP, and Johan Djourou are fighting off injuries too and will have to pass a fitness test in order to be included in the squad.

These things are common with international games - players always seem to come pack injured. You just have to grin and bear it and hope that Arsenal will pull through. Gallas’ injury will probably mean that Mikael Silvestre will feature this weekend. I can’t help but think that Philippe Senderos would be of use as well, if nothing more than having another central defender on the bench. I know that Song has seen time there, but it’s worrying how thin this team appears to be. Good news is that Abou Diaby is fit, although that will last for no more than one or two games with his track record.

It’s difficult to be optimistic and it’ll depend on who is fit and who isn’t. Aaron Ramsey played well for the Wales U-21 squad against England and would be a decent replacement for Cesc, but when Fabregas is your most senior central midfielder, that isn’t good. Plain and simple. These next few weeks will be a huge test to this team and to the youngsters that Arsene Wenger seems to have so much faith in.

Rosario Central President Horacio Usandizaga Threatens to Kill All His Players

Sometimes footballers need a little extra motivation. Goal bonuses, win bonuses, that sort of thing. Just a little carrot to dangle in front of their noses to make them reach that extra bit harder. Argentina’s Rosario Central are a team in need of such motivation, as the once great club currently occupies one of the Primera División relegation spots.

But Rosario president Horacio Usandizaga hasn’t gone for what you’d call a positive reinforcement structure. Quite the opposite in fact. He’s threatened to kill all his players and coaching staff if they don’t avoid relegation. Nice.

This is a what Horacio Usandizaga made to Rosario fans on October 8th, and secretly filmed and made public by someone in the crowd.

Here are highlights of Usandizaga’s rant, “Central are going to get out of this situation, we are going to move forward. We are going to get out of this or I’m going to kill the … players, coaching staff and anyone else. If Rosario Central was going to fall I will kill all those sons of bitches, be they players or coaching staff. The players want to be paid one million dollars to escape relegation. I’ve never seen a million dollars in my life!”

Let’s give Usandizaga the benefit of the doubt here and assume he didn’t actually mean what he said. As well as being Rosario president, Usandizaga is also a politician. Which means he habitually tells people what he thinks they want to hear, even if he doesn’t mean a word he says.
But even assuming he’s not planning to slaughter his playing staff, this is still dangerous talk from Usandizaga. It wasn’t so long ago that angry Flamengo fans attacked their own players with home-made explosives in Brazil. So maybe this isn’t the best time to be advocating violence against underperforming players.

Tevez : In Prospect of Losing Tevez to Madrid

Latest news from transfer rumour machine/newspaper Marca is that Real Madrid want Man Utd’s Carlos Tevez. You might be thinking that transfers between Man Utd and Real Madrid are unlikely in the wake of the Cristiano Ronaldo saga, but this one’s a little more complicated that that.

I don’t fully understand the situation, but seems Carlos Tevez is technically on loan at Man Utd and his registration is still owned by Kia Joorabchian’s Media Sports Investments. According to The Guardian’s translation of Marca’s story: “Manchester United must pay €37m (£28.8m) to MSI before January 30. If they don’t, Tevez will effectively be owned by MSI, and Real Madrid will set the wheels in motion to bring him to the Bernabeu next season. Bernd Schuster has made it clear that the signing of a world class striker must be a priority for next season,” continues the report. Even Sporting director Predrag Mijatovic agrees with him.

Following all the “third party ownership” uproar when Carlos Tevez played for West Ham (which is still going on) it seems the exact details of Carlos Tevez’s current registration situation are being kept out of the headlines.

As I understand it (which I possibly don’t) the FA approved the Tevez to Man Utd loan deal and it’s all above board. But it still sounds a lot like third party ownership to me (with MSI being the third party.) I’m sure the FA will be glad to see Tevez properly signed up and Kia Joorabchian out of the picture.

The question is: will Man Utd want to pay €37m for Tevez now they have Berbatov? Or will the prospect of losing Tevez to Madrid provide the club with some extra motivation to sign him permanently?

Pavlyuchenko : Elected as Regional Council in Stavropol

Congratulations are due to Spurs’ Russian striker Roman Pavlyuchenko, who’s been elected to the regional council in his home town of Stavropol. Vladimir Putin’s United Russia party won 63% of the vote with Pavlyuchenko on the ticket and so now the big forward is officially a deputy.

Pretty impressive for someone who has no apparent interest in politics and lives about 2,000 miles away in North London.

One football commentator in Russia was less than impressed with Pavlyuchenko’s electoral victory: Anton Lisin, a football commentator with Sovietsky Sport, said: “He’s not from Moscow. He’s a village guy. The only reason Pavlyuchenko might be interested in politics is if the international financial crisis affected his wages.”

Think it’s safe to say that Pavlyuchenko was on the ticket mostly for name recognition after his impressive Euro 2008 performance. Which ironically enough is a bit like why Spurs signed him too. Seems a few goals in a major tournament can take you a long way in life.

Blatter : Something Has To Be Done...

FIFA president Sepp Blatter claims 'something has to be done' about the growing number of overseas owners of clubs both in the Premier League and abroad. Blatter believes there should be stricter rules governing who can buy a club after revealing his concern at the European Parliament.

Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City are a quartet of high-profile English club currently under foreign ownership, while reports claim Newcastle United could be the next to follow suit with a South African consortium leading the race to takeover at St James' Park.

"Something has to be done about these billionaire owners. These days you can buy a club as easily as you buy a football jersey. There is something wrong and that's why I ask the European Union to act. This is not just about England where the problem is acute. This will spread across Europe. Some of these owners prefer horse racing, others like to buy a Formula One team, now buying a football club is the big attraction."

Meanwhile, Blatter fears the current financial downturn could lead to problems for clubs owned by foreign investors.

He added: "We must ask ourselves about what motivates these owners and are they really interested in the game or just making money? There must be better control of football's finances especially in the difficult climate we are facing. I urge UEFA to work with the EU to tighten up the rules, otherwise there will be big financial difficulties in the future."