Premier League round-up

Wigan stunned Tottenham at White Hart Lane, Chelsea continue to set the pace at the summit and Blackpool were held on their home Premier League bow.

Arsenal secured an impressive victory over tough opponents Blackburn at Ewood Park, Manchester United brushed aside West Ham and Andy Carroll found the target again for Newcastle as they drew at Wolves.

Tottenham entered the field against Wigan to the strains of the UEFA Champions League theme tune, but left with boos ringing in their ears after a shock 1-0 home defeat.

Chelsea could not produce six goals for the third match in succession but still had too much for Stoke at Stamford Bridge as they cruised to a 2-0 victory

Wayne Rooney finally ended his scoring drought as Manchester United crusied past West Ham 3-0 at Old Trafford.

Blackpool's home Premier League bow produced an entertaining 2-2 draw against Fulham with Dickson Etuhu breaking the hearts of the majority inside Bloomfield Road.

Andy Carroll found the net once again as Newcastle hit back from a goal down to secure a point from their clash with Wolves at Molineux.

All Scores
Blackburn 1 Arsenal 2
Blackpool 2 Fulham 2
Chelsea 2 Stoke 0
Tottenham 0 Wigan 1
Wolves 1 Newcastle 1
Man Utd 3 West Ham 0

Spurs into Champions League group stage

A Peter Crouch hat-trick helped Tottenham secure their debut in the lucrative Champions League group stages as they saw off Swiss side Young Boys.

After being beaten 3-2 in the first leg of their third qualifying round tie last week, Spurs overcame their Swiss opponents in the second meeting to ensure they will play in the European Cup proper for the first time in 48 years

Jermain Defoe appeared to control the ball with his arm before lashing in a controversial second for Spurs.

Crouch powered in a header and added his third with a penalty after Senad Lulic was sent off for a foul on Bale.

Spurs will now be eagerly awaiting the draw for the Champions League group stages on Thursday as they take their place among Europe's elite for the first time since 1961/62.

Crouch hit home three goals while Jermain Defoe also got in on the scoring act in a 4-0 triumph on the night, with the Premier League club largely comfortable throughout the 90 minutes.

Manager Harry Redknapp partnered Defoe and Crouch in attack, with the former expected to play a maximum of 60 minutes due to scheduled groin surgery. Ledley King was also called upon, such was the importance of the tie. For Young Boys, boss Vladimir Petkovic named an unchanged team to that which beat Spurs 3-2 last Tuesday.

Premier League - Winning start for Manchester United

Manchester United began their Premier League campaign in commanding fashion with a resounding 3-0 victory over Newcastle United at Old Trafford.

Dimitar Berbatov broke the deadlock after 33 minutes when he fired home inside the box from Paul Scholes' pass.

Darren Fletcher added a second four minutes before the break when he turned inside the six-yard box to drive the ball past Steve Harper.

Ryan Giggs came off the bench to volley home the third from Scholes' pass five minutes from time to maintain his remarkable record of scoring in every Premier League season.

Sports Betting

Pepe Reina allowed Arsenal to salvage a draw against a Reds

A mistake by Liverpool keeper Pepe Reina allowed Arsenal to salvage a draw against a Reds side who had Joe Cole sent off on his Premier League debut.

Cole was red-carded for a bound on Laurent Koscielny afore David Ngog's apprenticed strike put Liverpool ahead.

The advance lasted until the latest minute when Marouane Chamakh absent a cross on the post and Reina agitated the backlash into his own net.

Koscielny was again beatific off for a second bookable answerability in injury-time.

The behindhand ball capped a agitated accomplishment to the game, with Reina the absurd culprit as win eluded a Liverpool ancillary who had advisedly captivated Arsenal at bay.

Reina had produced two key beforehand saves to advice advance Liverpool's advance as the Reds had dedicated with conduct and assurance to neutralise Arsenal afterwards Cole had accustomed the first red agenda of his career.

arrival of Cole at Anfield on a chargeless alteration had been heralded as one of the alteration coups of the summer, with Liverpool distressed for the affectionate of adroitness and apparatus the playmaker would bring.

But, instead of the England all-embracing accession to advice restore Liverpool's fortunes, his Premier League admission for the Merseysiders bound angry into a nightmare.

Liverpool 1 - 1 Arsenal

Premier League round-up

Blackpool announced their top-flight arrival in stunning style by trouncing Wigan as Chelsea routed West Brom, James Milner fired Aston Villa to victory and Tottenham drew with Manchester City.

Birmingham hit back from 2-0 down to draw with 10-man Sunderland, Blackburn overcame Everton, Wolves defeated Stoke and Bolton played out a stalemate with Fulham.

Marlon Harewood's brace had Blackpool in Premier League comatose as Ian Holloway's men ashamed the critics as they romped to a 4-0 win at Wigan area Latics goalkeeper Chris Kirkland had an afternoon to forget.

The Seasiders had been broadly hoping to be cannon-fodder in the top flight afterwards their advance via the play-offs but bare purely 16 minutes to accomplish their mark a part of the aristocratic during Gary Taylor-Fletcher afore new signing Harewood bagged two in 5 minutes advanced of the interval.

Alex Baptiste's hopeful cross ashamed Kirkland at his closer post to complete the scoring and forward Blackpool briefly top of the apprentice table, in a bout which aswell credible the acknowledgment to activity of adjudicator Mark Halsey afterward a spell abroad from the bout as he battled on throat cancer.


Chelsea began the defence of their Premier League appellation in accomplished appearance with a assault 6-0 win above a West Brom ancillary who were acutely punished for their arresting generosity.

Former Blues favourite Roberto Di Matteo was accepted a balmy accession on his acknowledgment to Stamford Bridge purely to see his ancillary dismantled with Didier Drogba allowance himself to a hat-trick, Florent Malouda bagging a brace and Frank Lampard aswell award the net.

Aston Villa started activity afterwards Martin O'Neill with a adequate 3-0 win above Avram Grant's West Ham as James Milner, whose advancing avenue for Manchester City played a key role in his above manager's departure, completed the scoring.

Caretaker boss Kevin MacDonald adopted to name the England all-embracing in his starting XI and was adored with a accomplished left-foot accomplishment afterwards the interruption with Stewart Downing and Stiliyan Petrov accepting put the hosts in control.

Joe Hart produced a superb present to disprove Tottenham afterwards getting handed the Manchester City goalkeeping gloves advanced of Shay Given.

Roberto Mancini put his acceptance in the green England all-embracing and was absolutely rewarded, but will be anxious that the time-out of his expensively-assembled team bootless to blaze in a 0-0 draw at White Hart Lane.


Birmingham hit back from 2-0 down to draw with 10-man Sunderland at the Stadium of Light as Scott Dann headed during Simon Mignolet's legs afore the goalkeeper was afresh abiding to his band in the closing moments as Liam Ridgewell arranged home two minutes from time.

Darren Bent had best up area he left off latest period by battlefront the home ancillary into an anon advance from the penalty spot, afore the Black Cats were restricted to 10 men when Lee Cattermole was absolved afore the interval.

Stephen Carr again hit a absurd own goal in the 56th minute, looping a attack above Ben Foster from the bend of his own box behind burden from Fraizer Campbell.

David Jones hit a beauteous goal from a abstract free-kick accepted to set Wolves on their way to win above Stoke, with Steven Fletcher bundling home a second anon afterwards afore Abdoulaye Faye powered in a attack afterwards the break.

The Potters endured a afflicted afternoon at Molineux with club register signing Kenwyne Jones, who had ashamed the bar in the initial exchanges, awkward out of the activity in accessible affliction with an credible abate trauma purely 14 minutes into his admission afore abutting his team-mates on the seat with the aid of crutches.

Tim Howard's amazing blooper able Blackburn win at Ewood Park as the Everton goalkeeper inexplicably agitated the ball in the 14th minute, acceptance Nikola Kalinic to aperture home.

New Fulham boss Mark Hughes watched his ancillary affirmation a point from his first bout in allegation as the Cottagers drew 0-0 with Bolton at the Reebok Stadium.

Premier League title race: The main contenders

With just two days to go until the big kick-off, we take a look at the main contenders in this season's Premier League title race.

Arsenal

The Gunners are something of an alien abundance this season. Jack Wilshere is yet to begin a Premier League accoutrement for Wenger but has done plenty to affect England manager Fabio Cappello. And Wenger will be cyberbanking on above Bordeaux forward Marouane Chamakh to claiming his Ligue 1 shape in England's top-flight. The capacity is assuredly there and Arsenal showed absurd animation to avoid Barcelona's blowing and accumulate authority of skipper Cesc Fabregas. Their advancing options are aces of any championship adversary - Wilshere, Aaron Ramsey, Theo Walcott, Andrei Arshavin, Chamakh, Nicklas Bendtner and, of course, Robin van Persie are all abiding to aftermath a abiding accumulation of goals. But scoring has rarely been Arsenal's botheration - it's befitting them out at the added end. And a mantra of 'if you result five, we'll result six', will not answer above 38 games. Laurent Koscielny's accession to activity at the Emirates is key and the 24-year-old appears able of authoritative the footfall up accepting active from Lorient. Wenger should accept accession centre-back and a capital guard within his architect and the banknote is there to spend. Time is active out but, accomplish no mistake, if signings are accessible afresh Arsenal are 18-carat contenders.

Chelsea

The acumen of Chelsea as a accumulation of ageing stars arena anatomic yet dull football was burst in the latest attack as the Blues plundered a amazing 103 league goals. Michael Essien will be the active force for Carlo Ancelotti's side, and the Ghanaian's attendance will bolster the midfield alongside the abounding amulet Frank Lampard. Chelsea accept the firepower to bang their competitors and, in Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka, they accept the biggest reliable goalscoring duo of the top sides in the league. The guile and address of new signing Yossi Benayoun should accompaniment Salomon Kalou's absolute approach, and Chelsea will never abridgement authority in the final third. The accident of Ricardo Carvalho's arresting commonsense is a far more appreciable draft than that of Joe Cole. A lot will, therefore, depend on the bendability of the advantageous Alex in partnering John Terry, but the Brazilian will analyze himself this campaign. Chelsea may not accept boastful the cheque book above the summer, but in Drogba, and Essien they acquire two of the biggest activating players in the world. Coupled with their inherent conduct and bunched formation, Ancelotti's ancillary accept it all. The Blues accept they will absorb their acme and there is none to advance that optimism is misplaced.

Liverpool

The 2008-09 best of Liverpool Football Club was confident, organised, free-scoring and agonisingly close to acceptable the Premier League. But for an trauma to Fernando Torres - and Rafael Benitez’s glorious bluster - the mid-late period bleep that accustomed Manchester United to allowance the appellation may never accept happened. The accident of Xabi Alonso abandoned should not about-face appellation contenders into a team that about aching seventh. Latest season’s slump was more affecting than abstruse as Rafael Benitez bootless to re-motivate his players afterward their disappointment, his awkward relationships with binding players and a argument lath advancing to the ahead while club talismans Torres and Steven Gerrard battled exercise and claimed problems respectively. In reality, they were a striker, a full-back and a playmaker-winger abbreviate of a top four ancillary - and a man-manager and abiding boardroom abbreviate of a league challenge. They are still cat-and-mouse for the second forward and a club buyout, but both should appear anon and the added positions accept been filled. The supporters - and players - assume absolutely aflame by the Joe Cole accomplishment and in Roy Hodgson they accept a manager committed to adorable football and able of axis the brand of Bobby Zamora and Paul Konchesky into top players.

Manchester City

Write off Manchester City's Premier League opportunities at your peril. Supporters ability not like it, but the force of money in football can't be denied. It's been so anytime back Jack Walker spent Blackburn to top flight celebrity in the mid-1990s - and the bleating of the alleged 'big four' about the bent of it all is absolutely laughable. Nobody spends bigger than Chelsea, Manchester United and Liverpool - it's only that City accept awkward a decade of investment into the amplitude of two summers. And it's harder to disprove that back the accession of the Mansour millions, Manchester City accept accumulated a team loaded with actual talent: throughout the side, City accept an about awkward wealth, giving them both backbone and depth. It won't necessarily construe into a team that can bang all-comers - but as able-bodied as their accomplished players, City accept two added huge benefits. First of all, their almost aboveboard agenda of rivals in the Europa League will beggarly they won't be burdened mid-week in the first part of the period like their appellation opponents. And secondly, it's absurd to disprove that City accept created a bit of a buzz: and if the players absolutely accept started assertive in their accepted cause rather than only belief their pay cheques, the Premier League bigger watch out.

Manchester United

Much has been said about Alex Ferguson's refusal/inability to dip annihilation more than his toes into the alteration bazaar this summer, but the United manager about has a appalling team to alarm on already again. They may accept played second dabble to Chelsea latest time out, but injuries - especially at the back - bedfast their advance then. A echo of that accident is unlikely, and even if lightning does bang twice, the accession of Chris Smalling has added some abyss in that area. Up foreground livewire Javier Hernandez looks like the affectionate of amateur Premier League defenders accept nightmares about and if he proves to be an able bang accomplice for Wayne Rooney, at a simple £7 actor he could about-face out to be the arrangement buy of the summer. The one catechism mark above United's team persists the character of a abiding almsman to Paul Scholes. The adept midfielder, like Ryan Giggs, may not be appearance signs of absolution up only yet but should Fergie be able to attract the agitative Mesut Ozil to Old Trafford afore the alteration window closes - and by accomplishing so silencing those who anytime doubted there is money accessible to him - United should be able to check Chelsea and bulwark off the challenges of the time-out to achieve the Premier League crown.

Capello admits no contact with former captain David Beckham

Fabio Capello has confirmed that David Beckham will be given the chance to say farewell to the England fans.

The England manager accepted advanced of Wednesday's affable success above Hungary that the above captain, 35, was 'probably a little bit old' to be piece of his approaching plans.

The LA Galaxy midfielder's latest all-embracing entry was on Belarus at Wembley latest October afore an Achilles trauma prevented him from actualization in a fourth World Cup.

Capello is now searching to claret green players, handing out four debuts in the 2-1 success above Hungary.

But the Italian appear he affairs to accord England's biggest capped outfield amateur the befalling to play one more time for England, biggest acceptable on France on November 17.

"I achievement when David is accept he can play his latest match actuality at Wembley in a affable to say goodbye and acknowledge you actual much to the crowd," Capello said afterwards Wednesday night's game.

"I won't be acrimonious him for any more aggressive matches.

"David is a absurd player, he was absolutely important, but we accept to see the new players for the approaching because the age is important for a lot of people, not purely for David."

Beckham is actually convalescent from his trauma and assisted Capello during the World Cup finals in a non-playing capacity. He has won 115 caps and hit 17 goals for his country back authoritative his admission in 1996 on Moldova.

The above Manchester United and Real Madrid brilliant is the country's biggest capped outfield amateur but Capello's accommodation so he will absence out on breaking Peter Shilton's entry register of 125 caps.

Premier League: Ricardo Carvalho agree to join Real Madrid

Chelsea defender Ricardo Carvalho will accompany Real Madrid afterwards both teams appear that a accord was agreed to assurance the Portugal international.

"Real Madrid and Chelsea accept accomplished an acceding for the alteration of Ricardo Carvalho," Real said on their website. "The amateur will be apprenticed to Real Madrid for the next two seasons."

Chelsea said in a account on their website that the accord was accountable to a medical and Carvalho accordant claimed terms.

"Chelsea would like to acknowledge Riccy for his six years of service, and we ambition him able-bodied in his approaching career," the account added.

The 32-year-old will acknowledge his above manager and accessory Jose Mourinho, who replaced Manuel Pellegrini as Real manager at the end of latest period afterwards arch Internazionale to a acute of Champions League and Italian league and cup.

Mourinho took Carvalho with him to Chelsea from Porto afterward their 2004 Champions League celebration and he has been a near-permanent accoutrement in the centre of Chelsea's defence above the past six seasons.

During that time, he helped the West London club success three Premier League titles, three FA Cups and two League Cups and was piece of the Portugal team at the World Cup in South Africa latest month.

He aswell joins up with all-embracing team mates Pepe and Cristiano Ronaldo at Real.

The Spanish club did not acknowledge banking data of the deal. Local media appear the fee was 8 actor euros (£7m) and said Carvalho had aswell agreed an advantage for a third season.

He is Real's fifth accession to the team back the end of the latest attack afterward the acquirement of accompaniment Angel Di Maria and midfielders Pedro Leon, Sergio Canales and Sami Khedira.

Premier League - Martin O'Neill resigns as Aston Villa boss

Martin O'Neill has resigned as Aston Villa manager just five days before the start of the Premier League season.

The accepted Northern Irishman, 58, appear his accommodation in a collective account with arch controlling Paul Faulkner on the club website.

"I accept enjoyed my time at Aston Villa immensely. It's acutely a bend to be abrogation such a arresting club," O'Neill said.

"I would like to pay accolade to the Villa players, my apprenticeship agents and the Villa fans for all the abutment and advance they accept accustomed both the club and me alone during my time as manager."

Reserve team boss Kevin MacDonald will take babysitter allegation for the club's initial match of the period at home to West Ham on Saturday.

Former Villa forward Gary Shaw criticised O'Neill's accommodation to quit.

"I don't apperceive what has happened but the timing is not great, it's a bit annoying of Martin to leave the club in this bearings only a little days afore the begin of the season," Shaw told Reuters.

"The club abominably require two or three capacity players bringing in as bound as accessible and I can't brainstorm Kevin MacDonald has licence to accomplish these signings so they require to accomplish an arrangement actual soon.

"I don't apperceive who they should go for but it is a abundant job for someone. I accept heard Glenn Hoddle and Martin Jol mentioned, maybe they wouldn't be bad options," added Shaw.

O'Neill gave no acumen for his abandonment but has had to accord with connected media belief above the accessible auction of midfielders James Milner and Ashley Young.

Last anniversary O'Neill, speaking about the likelihood of Milner abutting Manchester City, told the club website: "I guess accident your best players would acutely cause you a headache.

"That's a problem, it's a botheration because you're aggravating to construct something and something like this happens."

He had a alike action above above skipper Gareth Barry who was heavily affiliated in the media with a alteration to Liverpool in 2008 afore abutting Manchester City latest year.

O'Neill's abandonment comes four years afterwards abutting the Midlands club. His administration included three sixth-place league finishes and Villa's first final in 10 years - a 2-1 League Cup loss by Manchester United latest season.

"The club would like to acknowledge Martin for the abundant plan he has done at Aston Villa above the past four years," Faulkner said.

"He has helped to authorize the club in the high echelons of the Premier League, has taken us to Wembley and we accept aswell able for European contest for the past three seasons behind his management. We ambition him the best for the future."

O'Neill, who took Leicester City to the Premier League in 1996 and aswell jumped two League Cups with them, went on to victory three SPL titles with Celtic as able-bodied as four cups afore demography allegation at Villa.

Richard Bevan, arch controlling of the League Managers Association, said in a statement: "The LMA shares Martin's disappointment at him abrogation Aston Villa.

"He has accomplished abundant victory not only with Villa but throughout his authoritative career. He is a abundant archetype to all ambitious managers."

Birmingham vs Arsenal Preview & Prediction

Arsenal travel to Birmingham in Premier League tie to face Blues, standing just two points behind the leaders.

Barclays Premier League
Birmingham City vs Arsenal
Ground: St Andrews Stadium, Birmingham, march 27th 2010

It’s a very important game for Gunners who could move up to second or even first with a win and if Chelsea and Man United lose. Arsene Wenger's men have won their last six matches and gained appreciable progress in the title race. They have been signed out several times this season but each time the they bounces back.

Birmingham has had a great season and is in nineth position with 44 points. They don’t have to disturb about relegation and still have a chance at a Europa League spot. They are seven points back of Aston Villa heading into the match. Unfortunately, City’s form has falled in recent matches after two defeats and a draw in their last three games.

A success at St Andrews Stadium will put the Gunners in great position as they have a game in hand. Birmingham have been a great story but are still lacking a few players to compete with the top-four teams in Premier League.

Verdict: Birmingham City vs Arsenal 0-2