Carling Cup Result: West Brom 2-4 Cardiff

	West Brom 2 - 4 Cardiff 4' 0 - 1 Robbie Fowler 23' 0 - 2 Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink 27' 0 - 3 Robbie Fowler (pen) 30' 0 - 4 Trevor Sinclair 33' Ishmael Miller 1 - 4 87' Ishmael Miller (pen) 2 - 4
2		4

West Brom were dumped out of the Carling Cup 4-2 as Cardiff's old guard ran riot in their third round tie at The Hawthorns.

Robbie Fowler opened the scoring after only four minutes, before Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink unleashed an unstoppable second from fully 30 yards midway through the first half.

Baggies fans were left shell-shocked as Fowler grabbed his second from the penalty spot and Trevor Sinclair got in on the act to put the visitors 4-0 up inside the opening half an hour.

Ishmael Miller grabbed a brace for Albion either side of the break to put a respectable slant on the scoreline, but it was not enough to prevent Cardiff claiming their first away win over West Brom since 1957.

Baggies boss Tony Mowbray rang the changes for the tie, resting seven players who were included in Albion's starting line-up for Saturday's 3-2 victory over Scunthorpe.

Cardiff, however, fielded an almost identical side to the one held at home by Preston, Paul Parry the only casualty after Glenn Loovens completed his recovery from a foot injury.

And the decision to field a near full-strength XI paid dividends almost immediately as Fowler netted his third goal in two games for the South Wales club.

Stephen McPhail broke free down the left wing and whipped in an inviting cross for the ex-Liverpool striker, who swept the ball into the top corner from 12 yards out.

The strike ended Albion's impressive record of over nine hours without conceding at The Hawthorns, and the home side's reponse would have left Mowbray fuming.

Gavin Rae cut in from the right and fed Hasselbaink, who turned quickly before firing a powerful effort into the top corner from distance.

Fowler added a third from the penalty spot just four minutes later after defender Shelton Martis brought down Joe Ledley in the area.

Matters went from bad to worse for Baggies as Sinclair popped up to fire home from close range, before Miller gave the hosts some hope at the break with a well-taken effort after Craig Beattie's shot rebounded off a post.

Mowbray was forced to adopt a new gameplan at the interval and both Jonathan Greening and Andrade Filipe Teixeira were introduced to add an attacking element.

And the changes almost bore fruit within the opening three minutes of the second half as Teixeira fired wide from six yards when he really should have scored.

Chris Brunt was next to try his luck with a great free-kick that drifted narrowly wide as Albion looked for a quick route back into the game.

As the half wore on, the hosts threw more bodies forward and both Brunt and Martin Albrechtsen could only watch as their efforts were kept out by a resilient Cardiff defence.

The home side were doing all the pressing in the closing stages, and Miller deservedly grabbed his and Albion's second of the night from the penalty spot after he was brought down by Chris Gunter.

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Carling Cup Result: Sheff Utd 5-0 Morecambe: Shrimps run over

	Sheffield United 5 - 0 Morecambe 18' Billy Sharp 1 - 0 33' Billy Sharp 2 - 0 52' Luton Shelton 3 - 0 67' Lee Hendrie 4 - 0 72' Luton Shelton 5 - 0
5		0

Sheffield United succeeded where other Championship sides had failed by easing past competition giant-killers Morecambe 5-0 to book their place in the Carling Cup fourth round.

Strikers Billy Sharp and Luton Shelton each hit a double in a domineering Blades display with returning midfielder Lee Hendrie adding to the rout.

Former Manchester United team-mates Bryan Robson and Sammy McIlroy were pitted against each other as Morecambe went in search of their third Championship scalp of the competition, having already seen off the challenges of Wolves and Preston.

But the pattern of the game was established early on with the hugely-impressive Shelton producing the initial spark, jinking through three Morecambe defenders on the edge of the area before being narrowly dispossessed.

The breakthrough did not take long and came in the 18th minute along with the game's first shot on goal. Shelton demonstrated excellent close control in guiding the ball through a trio of Morecambe players on the edge of the box before nudging to his left and finding Sharp, who rattled home left-footed into the roof of the net.

Blades goalkeeper Paddy Kenny had to be on his guard for a curling free-kick from Carl Baker, but was barely troubled in tipping around the post, as Morecambe attempted to regain a hold on the tie.

But with Sharp in bullish mood, it was always going to be a tall order and the marksman struck his second 10 minutes before the break.

Derek Geary provided the lofted ball from the right flank which Sharp took on the bounce, before shuffling around his marker and banging in off the crossbar with a solid drive. After a unproductive first-half, Morecambe began the second period with renewed optimism and quickly set about finding a way to slice through a sturdy Blades defence. Matthew Blinkhorn, playing at the front of a five-man midfield, should have done better when he found himself in some space in the area, but failed to make a true connection.

And any early signs of a shock comeback were dashed after just five minutes of the restart, with United's third. Stephen Quinn planted a direct ball through the centre which caught everyone off guard except the unmarked Shelton who took the ball around Joe Lewis and slotted home with style.

From here on, there seemed only one likely winner and despite some neat Morecambe build-up play, they lacked the Blades' cutting edge.

Shelton, in particularly remained ever-dangerous and he saw two long-range efforts turned away by goalkeeper Lewis in quick succession.

Hendrie, back in the side for the first time since receiving knee surgery, should have made it four in the 65th minute after Lewis denied Sharp his hat-trick, but the midfield man blasted over from the edge of the box.

But he soon made amends when he was gifted the ball from eight yards out and took time in picking his spot before nailing the ball into the bottom right-corner.

The floodgates opened as Morecambe heads dropped and Shelton netted his second of the evening in the 74th minute.

The Jamaican easily turned his man on the edge of the penalty box and had ample time to pick his corner and place a sweet, curling effort past Lewis. United continued to press and could have feasibly doubled their tally were it not for the sharp reflexes of Lewis.

The Shrimps battled until the end, but Blinkhorn's low effort six minutes from time was the closest they ever came to penetrating.

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Carling Cup Result: Reading 2-4 Liverpool: Torres hits treble

	Reading 2 - 4 Liverpool 23' 0 - 1 Yossi Benayoun 28' Bobby Convey 1 - 1 50' 1 - 2 Fernando Torres 64' John Halls 2 - 2 72' 2 - 3 Fernando Torres 86' 2 - 4 Fernando Torres
2		4

Fernando Torres hit a second-half hat-trick to earn Liverpool a 4-2 win and a place in the fourth round of the Carling Cup and send a timely reminder to coach Rafael Benitez.

Benitez had left the Spanish striker, signed for £24million from Atletico Madrid in the summer, out of the starting line-up for their last two Barclays Premier League matches.

But he returned with a vengeance to kill off battling Reading in a six-goal thriller at the Madejski Stadium.

Liverpool, unbeaten in nine games this season, made nine changes to the side which drew with Birmingham 0-0 at the weekend. Only captain Jamie Carragher and Alvaro Arbeloa survived from that team.

Reading made eight changes to the side which defeated Wigan 2-1 with Nicky Shorey, James Harper and Michael Duberry the only ones to retain their places.

There was no hint of the drama to come after a disappointing opening to the tie. Reading should have gone ahead in the 20th minute when a cross from John Halls fell perfectly for Leroy Lita on the edge of the six-yard box.

But the Reading striker failed to beat Liverpool's debutant goalkeeper Charles Itandje who collected his downward header with ease.

Liverpool went ahead in the 23rd minute thanks to a magnificent piece of individual skill from Yossi Benayoun. He went on a solo run and beat Andre Bikey on the edge of the penalty area before firing a right-footed shot into the roof of the net.

However, the lead was shortlived as Reading were level in the 27th minute through Bobby Convey.

A corner from Nicky Shorey appeared to have been cleared by Momo Sissoko's header but the ball fell invitingly for Convey and his angled volley found its way into the corner of the net.

Torres, who had required lengthy treatment in the opening minute after a tackle by Bikey, went down again under a challenge from Duberry in the 34th minute.

But he managed to run off the knock to his left ankle once more as Liverpool attempted to restore their advantage.

However, it was Reading who almost stole the lead before the break and again it was Convey who provided the threat.

He looked certain to score his second of the game when the ball fell to him on the edge of the six-yard box but this time the Reading winger's volley was superbly saved by Itandje.

Liverpool spurned a real chance to restore their lead in the 48th minute when Torres set up Sebastian Leto but the Reds defender sent his shot wide of the far post.

But the Merseysiders were back in front a minute later when Leto sent Torres through the middle with a slide-rule pass.

The Spaniard made no mistake as he slipped the ball beyond Federici and into the corner of the net for the first of his terrific treble.

Moments later Bikey was booked for a foul on Torres as the Spaniard attempted to show him a clean pair of heels.

Torres probably did not think he would be taking part in the Carling Cup when he signed for the Reds in the summer but after being rested for Liverpool's last two Barclays Premier league games, he was clearly in the mood to send the right message to Benitez.

The Spanish superstar may have found his omission hard to reconcile but the goal took his tally for the season to four in six starts.

But while Torres was displaying all the reasons why Liverpool paid out £24million for him, Reading were far from finished.

In the 64th minute Liverpool failed to deal with another Reading corner adequately enough and when the ball fell to Halls, his quick footwork allowed him to send a low shot into the corner of the net for their second equaliser of the night.

But Torres struck for a second time in the 70th minute when he converted a low cross from substitute John Arne Riise to restore Liverpool's lead.

The Spaniard was now in his element and four minutes from the end he capped a superb performance with his hat-trick.

England midfielder Steven Gerrard, on as a late substitute, put Torres in the clear and he kept his cool to round Federici and slot the ball into the waiting net.

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Carling Cup Result: Man City 1-0 Norwich: Samaras at the death

	Manchester City 1 - 0 Norwich 90' Georgios Samaras 1 - 0
1		0

Forgotten man Georgios Samaras provided the perfect answer to his many detractors as he slotted home a last-gasp Carling Cup winner for Manchester City against Norwich.

Not even offered a place on the bench by Sven-Goran Eriksson so far this season, the £6million Stuart Pearce signing would surely have been sold in August had a suitable buyer been found.

Instead, despite interest from Middlesbrough, Samaras opted to stay at Eastlands and fight for his place.

The battle will not be an easy one to win but the Greek forward started in the best manner possible, finishing off Kelvin Etuhu's superb through ball to ensure the Premier League high-flyers overcame a determined Norwich side who scrapped throughout but never really looked like causing a shock.

Not that City were that good. With only three chances of any note, the hosts seemed set to be taken into extra-time until Samaras found his range, charging clear of the Canaries defence to set the Blues fans chirping.

City have not been in the top four for very long but Eriksson has quickly adopted the same Carling Cup strategy as England's Champions League contenders.

The Swede assured everyone he was taking the competition - the last major trophy City have won - seriously, then promptly dropped nine of his starting line-up from the weekend draw at Fulham.

Only skipper Richard Dunne and midfielder Stephen Ireland remained and both men, for differing reasons, had missed the previous weekend's win over Aston Villa.

It quickly became apparent most of City's attacks would come through Brazilian midfielder Geovanni, who has flitted in and out of Eriksson's first-choice line-up this season and whose most notable contribution so far was the derby-day winner against United.

Unfortunately, his efforts met with little success during a truly awful opening period.

Indeed, the nearest City came to breaking the deadlock was from one of the free-kicks Geovanni did not take, Michael Ball curling an effort towards the top corner which David Marshall unconvincingly fumbled away.

At the other end, England Under-21 international Joe Hart was somewhat more certain of his angles as he flew to his left to steer a 20-yard Jon Otsemobor free-kick away from danger.

And that, in terms of goalmouth action, was more or less it apart from one Samaras shot.

When Stuart Pearce's two and a bit years as manager is assessed, Samaras' name will always crop up. The Greek forward was the uncut diamond Pearce hoped would eventually shine.

But, after an initial bright start to his Blues career, the investment in Samaras was proved to be particularly unwise.

Offered a previously non-existent chance to shine, Samaras flitted about to little effect as he has done for most of his time with the Eastlands outfit.

However, he did find himself in a bit of space on the half hour, enough to send a low effort curling towards the Norwich goal which Marshall pushed away.

Amid the huge number of youngsters who have graduated from the City academy, some have not quite made the grade.

Winger Lee Croft is one of that number and in his anxiety to impress against his old club, struggled to make an impact.

Yet he could quite easily have put Norwich in front when he benefited from a dubious onside call as he strode on to Otsemobor's touchline pass.

Despite the tightness of the angle, Croft really should have gone for goal himself. Instead he tried to find Jamie Cureton with a square ball and one-time team-mate Nedum Onuoha slid in to clear.

The lack of entertainment was summed up midway through the second period when Norwich manager Peter Grant controlled a punt out of play on his chest and began an impromptu keepie-uppie session which earned the biggest cheer of the entire night.

City substitute Etuhu wasted an opportunity to mark his debut with a winner, while Rolando Bianchi was also off target with a snap-shot as the clock ticked down.

But there was still time for a winner as Etuhu produced the pin-point pass which allowed Samaras to send City into the last 16.

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Carling Cup Result: Luton 3-1 Charlton: Hatters cause a shock

	Luton 3 - 1 Charlton 4' 0 - 1 Dean Sinclair 43' Steve Robinson 1 - 1 105' Matthew Spring 2 - 1 117' Drew Talbot 3 - 1
3		1

Matthew Spring's bullet header and a tidy finish from Drew Talbot in extra time gave Kevin Blackwell's Luton side a superb 3-1 win over Charlton to continue their fine Carling Cup run.

The League One side knocked out Premier League side Sunderland in the last round and came from behind to see off their Championship opposition in a pulsating third-round tie at Kenilworth Road.

The Addicks dominated the first half after going ahead in the fourth minute through Dean Sinclair until Steve Robinson's brilliant intervention in the 43rd minute brought the sides level.

The Hatters then had the best of an end-to-end second 45 minutes before the mightily impressive Spring buried an unstoppable header and substitute Talbot capitalised on a defensive error to score deep into extra time.

Charlton boss Alan Pardew made 10 changes from the side which beat Leicester 2-0 at the weekend with central defender Madjid Bougherra the only player retaining his place.

But his patched-up side took just four minutes to open the scoring with the first attack of the match. Izale McLeod broke clear down the left and floated over a deft cross which was met by a powerful header from Bulgaria striker Svetoslav Todorov.

The ball squirmed through Hatters goalkeeper Dean Brill's legs and was turned in on a crowded goal line by Sinclair.

McLeod should have doubled the lead on the half-hour mark when he was played clean through by Todorov but fired wastefully wide.

And minutes later Robinson made the former MK Dons striker pay when he majestically volleyed into the top corner after David Bell's corner was headed clear.

The home side started the second period brightly and after Spring saw his goal-bound drive well blocked by Patrick McCarthy, veteran Paul Furlong went close after a solo run from the halfway line.

An inspired piece of skill from Todorov then sent Darren Ambrose clear at the other end.

The former Portsmouth man took down a high ball at full stretch before flicking the ball through a defender's legs and playing a perfectly-weighted pass all in one movement but Ambrose lashed wide from the edge of the area.

McLeod - always looking to receive possession - then cut inside from the right but again fired well wide before Pardew introduced Luke Varney into the fray.

And the £2.5million man instantly posed a threat when he darted inside Richard Jackson to collect Sinclair's pin-point pass but he was smothered by a fantastic tackle from former Valley favourite Chris Perry.

The game was being played at breakneck pace and McVeigh fashioned a chance at the other end when he skilfully nutmegged Yassin Moutaouakil and crossed but McCarthy did well to clear from the waiting Dean Morgan.

Ambrose then thought he had won it in stoppage time but the back-pedalling Brill managed to palm his looping header over from under the crossbar.

McLeod had the first chance of extra time but once more his finishing failed to match the rest of his play.

He span away from Bougherra brilliantly after Varney's flick-on but curled the ball a yard wide of the far post.

And former Crewe striker Varney was left to curse his luck five minutes later when McLeod played him in but Brill somehow turned his venomous volley over the bar from point-blank range.

It was a phenomenal stop and the Hatters had the lead for the first time of the night seconds later in the 104th minute.

Substitute Darren Currie tormented Moutaouakil down the left before whipping in a great cross which Spring attacked with real purpose on the six-yard line to plant his header low beyond Darren Randolph.

And Talbot booked the Hatters' place in round four in the 117th minute when Bougherra slipped in possession 30 yards from goal to allow him a clear run on goal and he coolly slipped the ball under Randolph and in off the far post.

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Carling Cup Result: Burnley 0-1 Portsmouth: Nugent eases pressure

	Burnley 0 - 1 Portsmouth 69' 0 - 1 David Nugent
0		1

David Nugent went some way towards relieving the pressure which has built since his £6million summer move to Portsmouth by striking the only goal in the Carling Cup third round at Turf Moor.

Nugent's 69th minute strike past Burnley keeper Gabor Kiraly was only his second goal since arriving at Fratton Park and drew furious protests from the home side, who claimed the striker had handled Pedro Mendes' cross before firing home.

But that will not matter to Nugent, whose boss Harry Redknapp had indicated he would be willing to offload the striker for the right offer a matter of weeks after he had joined the club from Preston.

Redknapp must have felt like leaving Nugent in the north west after his first-half howler when he raced clear only to see his attempted audacious nutmeg of keeper Kiraly fail miserably.

But Nugent struck back with a fine low finish to maintain Pompey's interest in a competition which, having made 10 changes from the win at Blackburn 48 hours earlier, is clearly low on Redknapp's priority list.

Sylvain Distin was the only survivor from the Ewood Park success and he was the busiest Pompey player early on, twice being called upon to make timely interceptions to deny the lively Ade Akinbiyi.

Portsmouth belatedly got a grip on proceedings in the 18th minute, when Nugent sprang the offside trap to race onto Mendes' through-ball, but was caught out trying to nutmeg the upright Kiraly instead of shooting.

Moments later, a similar ball sent Nugent the chance to go clear on the keeper again, but hesitation by the striker allowed Steve Jordan to get back with a superb sliding challenge in the box.

Akinbiyi injected some spice into a tepid affair by reacting angrily to the attentions of Noe Pamarot as the pair waited for a Burnley free-kick, but referee Mark Clattenburg sensibly took no action.

In-form Burnley had their best chance in the 33rd minute when Alan Mahon sent in a fine corner from the right and Steven Caldwell rose at the far post, only to see his point-blank header blocked by Ashdown.

A swift Pompey counter-attack almost led to their opener in the 37th minute when Benjani Mwaruwari set up Taylor, whose low drive was well parried by Gabor Kiraly before the home side cleared.

Four minutes before the break, Akinbiyi missed another chance to put the Clarets in front when he rose highest to meet a Mahon corner but steered his header straight at Jamie Ashdown.

Pompey looked most likely to break the deadlock at the start of the second half. Substitute John Utaka's shot was blocked in a crowded box and Noe Pamarot was inches away from connecting with a Nugent ball across the face of goal.

For Burnley, Mahon, who had been the architect of the majority of the home side's threatening moves from the start, attempted a long-range shot on the hour which sailed harmlessly over Ashdown's bar.

Then, as the home side belatedly stirred, Kyle Lafferty hit an on-target shot which was saved by the Pompey keeper and Akinbiyi completely missed what would have been a spectacular volley on the end of Jordan's dipping cross.

But just as Burnley began to threaten, Nugent struck with a goal which squeezed in off Kiraly's right-hand post and prompted furious but futile protests from the home side over the alleged handball.

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Carling Cup Result: Blackpool 2-1 Southend: Jacko's thriller finish

	Blackpool 2 - 1 Southend 7' 0 - 1 Matt Harrold (pen) 81' Wesley Hoolahan 1 - 1 118' Michael Jackson 2 - 2
2		1

Blackpool captain Michael Jackson came off the bench to seal a 2-1 extra-time victory over Southend and send the Seasiders into the last 16 of the Carling Cup for the first time in 34 years.

Manager Simon Grayson rested six players for the newly-promoted Championship side and almost paid for it as Southend, who knocked out Manchester United to reach last season's quarter-finals, looked set for another fourth-round appearance following Matt Harrold's sixth-minute penalty.

But Blackpool striker Scott Vernon struck an 81st-minute equaliser to spare the Championship side's blushes and take the game into extra-time.

Defender Jackson was then belatedly brought into the fray and with a penalty shoot-out looming, stabbed home the winner three minutes from time.

Southend, who swapped places with Blackpool last season, came into the game with high spirits after winning their last three League One matches and made just one change, with striker Charlie MacDonald coming in for the cup-tied Leon Clarke.

And MacDonald made his presence felt after just six minutes, winning the penalty from which Southend opened the scoring.

Tommy Black played a neat ball through for the summer signing from Ebbsfleet, who was brought down by goalkeeper Rhys Evans, and Harrold stepped up to hit the spot-kick straight down the middle.

Southend full-back Adam Barrett denied Blackpool a quick equaliser and saved Peter Clarke's blushes with a goal-line clearance after the ball deflected goalwards off the former Tangerines defender.

Blackpool took time to find their feet but began to gain control midway through the half.

The impressive Andy Welsh exchanged passes with Vernon to get to the byline in the 27th minute, although Keigan Parker somehow managed to sidefoot his cross over from six yards.

Parker then picked out Welsh at the far post a minute later and the former Sunderland winger's volley rolled agonisingly wide.

Blackpool failed to keep the pressure on heading into the break but showed greater urgency following the restart.

Welsh had a strong penalty appeal turned down for a nudge by Garry Richards, but again Blackpool failed to maintain their momentum.

Grayson threw on midfielder Wes Hoolahan and striker Andy Morrell on the hour mark in a bid to revive his side but Southend comfortably held firm and threatened themselves in the 75th minute when Nicky Bailey's curling effort was deflected over.

But that narrow escape roused Blackpool with David Fox dragging a 20-yard effort narrowly wide before a superb run by substitute Hoolahan finally unlocked the Southend defence.

Hoolahan left Lewis Hunt on the floor, and although his shot was blocked by a covering defender on the line, Welsh squared for Vernon to sidefoot home and take the game into extra-time.

Welsh's probing runs continued to cause Southend problems in extra-time and drew a tired foul from Harrold in the 104th minute, with Welsh forcing a decent save from Steve Collis with the resulting free-kick.

Substitute Jackson looked to have put Blackpool in front a minute after the restart when he met a Welsh cross but the Seasiders skipper glanced his diving header across goal.

However, the veteran defender made no mistake in the 117th minute, stabbing home at the back post after Southend failed to clear Welsh's corner.

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Carling Cup Result: Arsenal 2-0 Newcastle: First for Bendtner

	Arsenal 2 - 0 Newcastle 83' Nicklas Bendtner 1 - 0 89' Neves Denilson 2 - 0
2		0

Arsenal's next generation showed the future is bright as a bullet header from Nicklas Bendtner and a superb strike by Brazilian Denilson beat Newcastle 2-0 at Emirates Stadium.

Manager Arsene Wenger had put his faith in youth for the third-round Carling Cup tie, and last season's losing finalists showed they have both the hunger and undoubted talent in depth to make another strong run in the competition.

After dominating for long spells, the breakthrough eventually came when Bendtner powered in his first senior Arsenal goal on 83 minutes from Armand Traore's deep cross.

Captain Philippe Senderos had to clear off the line - but Denilson made sure of the result with a fine 20-yard strike.

Few sides will now fancy meeting the young Gunners in the fourth round and with Arsenal currently top of the Premier League, the foundations are in place for what could be a vintage season to remember.

Arsenal had severely reduced ticket prices to ensure a bumper attendance for the game.

However, there were plenty of empty seats once the action got under way, which was not surprising given the pre-match travel problems around north London on the Underground.

The hosts started brightly, with Eduardo - the Croatian international signed during the summer - causing problems down the right.

It was, though, Newcastle who created the first decent opening on 10 minutes, Sanchez Jose Enrique sent over a deep cross from the left towards the far post.

Obafemi Martins got up above the defence and headed the ball downwards, but Pole Lukasz Fabianski - on his debut - produced a fine low reaction save.

Arsenal slowly started to build some pressure and the hosts could have gone ahead on 17 minutes.

Full-back Traore got away down the Arsenal left and sent over a deep cross towards the penalty spot.

Bendtner, under pressure from David Rozehnal, got plenty of power on his header but could not keep the ball down and it flew high over the bar.

Emmanuel Eboue chipped the ball all the way across the six-yard area from the right but Eduardo was just unable to turn it in at the far post.

The Croatian was then clean through after he pushed a long pass ahead of him.

However, Newcastle keeper Shay Given showed his experience to quickly close down the Arsenal striker on the edge of the area and the loose ball was cleared.

On 37 minutes, Eboue sent in a low drive from 20 yards, which Given did well to palm away. Arsenal again pressed following the restart.

A quick move down the right saw Bendtner cut the ball back to Eboue, who made space for an angled drive, which Given put behind.

The veteran Republic of Ireland man then showed more good reflexes to deny Walcott from close range.

Fit-again Eboue - converted from right-back to midfield this season - was looking lively, and it took a saving block from Steven Taylor to deny the Ivory Coast man inside the six-yard box on 55 minutes.

From the resulting corner, Charles N'Zogbia was in just the right place to clear Eduardo's goal-bound looping header off the line.

Given was having a busy night, as he turned over a left-wing cross from Walcott which suddenly swerved goalwards.

Newcastle felt they had a penalty shout when Martins tumbled under a challenge from Senderos, but referee Howard Webb was not impressed.

Bendtner and Eduardo exchanged neat passes on the edge of the area, but after chesting the ball down, the Croatian scuffed his volley wide.

The Dane then looked to have won it for Arsenal when he powered in a bullet header from Traore's left-wing cross on 83 minutes.

However, there was still time for Senderos to heroically clear off the line after Martins had rounded Fabianski.

The result was then put beyond any doubt when Denilson rifled in a superb 20-yard effort with a minute to go.

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F1: Alonso going Ferrari in 2008

Fernando Alonso is reportedly off to Ferrari next season in a £20million per year deal, with Felipe Massa tipped to join Toyota.

Alonso's position at McLaren has become more untenable with the FIA's confirmation that it was the Spaniard's emails that resulted in the team being stripped of their 2007 Constructors' Championship points and handed a £50million fine.

And with Ron Dennis admitting that his relationship with his driver is "extremely cold" and that Alonso's unhappy with the team's equality policy, the double World Champion's time at McLaren appears to be running out - and fast.

In fact, according to the News of the World, Alonso has just three more races as a McLaren driver having already agreed to join Ferrari.

According to the tabloid, the Spaniard has agreed a £20 million a year deal to join Ferrari for 2008, leaving Felipe Massa out in the cold.

Massa, though, is already making plans for the future with the Daily Mail claiming that he 'opened preliminary negotiations with Toyota last weekend'.

The newspaper went on to say that Massa's decision to leave Ferrari could be based on team boss Jean Todt's pending retirement in order to make way for Ross Brawn's return.

The Ferrari tech director, who is nearing the end of his year-long sabbatical, is expected to return to the Scuderia next season as team boss. And should this happen it could place Todt's son, who is also Massa's manager, in an uncomfortable position.

'Massa is acutely aware that if Jean Todt, as expected, loses an impending internal power struggle within Ferrari, he will be instantly vulnerable as he is managed by the Frenchman's son, Nicholas,' the Mail surmised.

Source: FoxSport.com

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EPL Result: Bolton 1-1 Tottenham

	Bolton 1 - 1 Tottenham 34' 0 - 1 Robbie Keane 39' Ivan Campo 1 - 1
1		1

Bolton manager Sammy Lee saw his side move off the foot of the table on goal difference by securing a 1-1 draw against Tottenham at the Reebok Stadium.

But despite moving ahead of fellow strugglers Derby, Lee will know they are not out of the woods yet with victories still hard to come by.

It is a similar story for Tottenham boss Martin Jol, although expectations are much higher at White Hart Lane.

Wanderers boss Lee brought back Ivan Campo for his first appearance of the season and it proved to be a shrewd move.

The Spaniard not only grabbed the equaliser but also helped galvanise a struggling side.

He was given a rousing reception by the supporters, who cheered his name from all corners of the ground.

Campo soon got into his stride and delivered a marvellous angled ball to Kevin Davies in the fifth minute.

The Bolton striker squared it into the area only for Michael Dawson to make a hurried clearance.

Tottenham nearly took the lead, however, in the 26th minute when Robbie Keane picked out Dimitar Berbatov at the back post.

He rattled in a shot from an acute angle which goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen did well to parry.

Tottenham took the lead in the 33rd minute through Keane's first league goal of the season.

It was poor defending by Bolton after Jaaskelainen got a hand to Jermaine Jenas' close-range effort.

The ball broke to Campo but he only succeeded in setting up Keane, who took advantage from close range.

Campo made amends five minutes later by grabbing the equaliser with a thumping header into the corner following a free-kick from El-Hadji Diouf.

Joey O'Brien, however, almost handed Tottenham the lead on the stroke of half-time when he sent Teemu Tainio's cross narrowly past his own post.

Bolton's struggles in the early part of the season were reflected in the attendance with a crowd of only 20,308 present.

Tainio then came close to restoring Tottenham's lead with a rasping 20-yard drive.

However Jaaskelainen was equal to it and turned the midfielder's effort around the post.

Bolton won a free-kick in the 58th minute when Dawson barged into Davies. However Anelka sent his effort straight into Robinson's arms.

Tottenham looked dangerous on the break and Malbranque narrowly cleared the bar three minutes later after a weak punch by Jaaskelainen.

However there was a moment of danger for the visitors in the 63rd minute when Davies flicked on a throw in from Campo but Anelka just failed to get a vital touch.

Bolton were working tirelessly to get only their second win of the season and that must have pleased Lee.

Davies again got clear of his marker in the 70th minute when Campo floated in a free-kick but his header failed to test Robinson.

Tottenham boss Jol decided to switch things around and brought on Darren Bent and Aaron Lennon in the space of six minutes for Berbatov and Tainio.

Keane came close to restoring their lead in the 86th minute but Jaaskelainen made a marvellous block.

Jaaskelainen then had a heated disagreement in stoppage time with Abdoulaye Meite as Tottenham pushed forward.

Fingers were pointed and words exchanged but Bolton secured a point and their display was a marked improvement on the one against Rabotnicki Kometal in the UEFA Cup on Thursday when they salvaged a draw after a poor performance.

Source: Soccernet.com

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EPL Result: Blackburn 0-1 Portsmouth

	Blackburn 0 - 1 Portsmouth 25' 0 - 1 Nwankwo Kanu
0		1

A solitary strike from Kanu was enough to give Portsmouth their first away victory of the year and consign Blackburn to a second defeat in four days.

Harry Redknapp's side had not savoured a win on the road since a Boxing Day triumph at West Ham, since when they had suffered eight defeats and five draws.

Kanu's 25th-minute strike was his third goal of the season, adding to Blackburn's woes after their shock loss to Larissa on Thursday in the first leg of a UEFA Cup first-round tie.

That loss had ended a 15-match unbeaten run, with Blackburn eager to atone as they bossed the game prior to Kanu's goal, and should have had the points wrapped up by then.

But football again proved what a cruel game it can be as from virtually nowhere Portsmouth scored what proved to be the winner.

Kanu's eventual finish had been preceded 60 seconds earlier by a sensational double save from Brad Friedel to deny the Nigerian.

Stealing in behind the Rovers defence, Kanu met John Utaka's cross with a powerful header from seven yards, only for Friedel to claw the ball off his line.

However, the rebound fell at the feet of Kanu, and looking more certain to score at the second time of asking, his stabbed shot was blocked at point-blank range by the American.

If Rovers thought they had enjoyed a fortuitous, yet fantastic escape, they were made to think again almost instantly.

From the halfway line Sylvain Distin pumped a long ball forward that was nodded down into Kanu's path by Papa Bouba Diop.

At that stage Kanu had more work to do than with his two previous chances combined, but he proceeded to shrug off Christopher Samba, rounded Friedel and then brushed aside Stephen Warnock.

From a tight angle the 31-year-old Samba then drilled a shot in between the left-hand post and Samba, who had recovered his ground.

The goal drew the sting out of Rovers, who had been rampant prior to those moments, and looked like a team more in keeping with the one that had enjoyed their unbeaten run before Thursday's Greek tragedy.

That 2-0 defeat was more of a shock given the manner of the lethargic performance.

Even Hughes had described it as ``a mystery``, so there was no real surprise when Blackburn flew out of the blocks at the start of this game, with David Bentley inspirational.

It was the England winger's fourth-minute cross that resulted in Roque Santa Cruz cracking a seven-yard header against the bar.

David James then denied Bentley from a 25-yard free-kick before the latter delivered a piercing cross to the far post that was initially chested down by Morten Gamst Pedersen.

The Norway winger flicked the ball back to Benni McCarthy for a sidefoot volley from 11 yards that flashed past the right-hand post, an opportunity from which the South Africa striker should at least have been on target.

Moments later the all-action Bentley drilled over the bar a 20-yard drive from the corner of the area after being teed up by Santa Cruz who had hustled Hermann Hreidarsson off the ball.

Playing a 4-5-1 formation up until then, Redknapp displayed his tactical nous by switching Sean Davis to a holding role in front of the defence.

That gave the midfield and lone striker Kanu more stability and greater breathing space, to which Blackburn never found an answer.

Portsmouth stifled Rovers for the remainder of the first half, and even after the break they struggled to find a way through.

The visitors could even have had a second but for the outstretched fingertips of Friedel as Samba had headed a goal-kick from James goalwards, and but for the intervention, Kanu would have pounced.

Then Davis should have showed a selfish side as he was left with only Friedel to beat after powering into the area, but opted for a pull back that came to nothing.

Rovers huffed and puffed, but other than a save from James to deny Santa Cruz with a low, curling shot and another Bentley free-kick that was inches wide, they barely threatened.

Instead, it was Pompey who came closest to adding to their tally, only for Friedel to again perform heroics in denying Matt Taylor with his first touch in the 85th minute after he had replaced Niko Kranjcar.

Source: Soccernet.com

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EPL Result: Aston Villa 2-0 Everton

	Aston Villa 2 - 0 Everton 14' John Carew 1 - 0 60' Gabriel Agbonlahor 2 - 0
2		0

Aston Villa striker Gabriel Agbonlahor's liking for Everton continued as he grabbed the decisive second goal in the Barclays Premier League clash with David Moyes' side.

The England Under-21 player had scored on his Villa debut against the Toffees 18 months ago and then netted the equaliser in last season's corresponding game at Villa Park.

This time he doubled Villa's lead after 62 minutes, after John Carew's first half opener - his first domestic goal of the campaign - had put them on the way to a 2-0 win.

Martin O'Neill would have been pleased with the response of his players after Villa's poor performance at Manchester City a week ago.

It was not in the same class as their win over Chelsea on the same ground three weeks ago but was still achieved with relative ease against the Merseysiders.

Everton never moved out of second gear and appeared to be suffering a hangover from their disappointing midweek result against Metalist Kharkiv in the UEFA Cup, when Andrew Johnson missed two penalties.

Moyes made three changes, including leaving out £11million summer capture Ayegbeni Yakubu, but the visitors seldom posed a threat to the Villa defence.

The only downside for Villa was seeing Carew, who had defied a groin injury to play in recent weeks, limping out of the action early in the second period.

Villa did not fire on all cylinders but the pace of Agbonlahor and Ashley Young, the power of Carew before he was injured, the midfield guile of Gareth Barry and Nigel Reo-Coker and the defensive strength of Martin Laursen gave them the edge.

Predictably Everton's former Birmingham striker Andrew Johnson, without a goal for six months, was booed every time he touched the ball - and he seldom looked like ending that barren sequence despite a hard-working display.

Young attempted the first effort on goal for Villa but his 25 yard drive set the tone for a generally mediocre first half as it flew high and wide.

But after 13 minutes Villa broke the deadlock through John Carew's first goal of the campaign.

Wilfred Bouma's left-wing cross was headed straight up in the air by Joseph Yobo and then Leighton Baines only succeeded in clearing the ball straight to Carew, who steadied himself before firing a low shot past Stefan Wessels.

Agbonlahor had the ball in the net again four minutes later but Young's cross was adjudged to have curled out of play before finding his England Under-21 team-mate.

Johnson made a telling break down the right flank after Jagielka's pass over the top of the Villa defence but his low centre was cut out by Scott Carson who was being watched by England goalkeeping coach Ray Clemence.

Johnson's trickery won him a free-kick just outside the Villa box after being upended by Zat Knight but Leon Osman crashed his low shot straight into the Villa defensive wall.

The Everton midfielder would also have been disappointed to curl a cross straight at Carson after taking up a good position wide right.

In first half injury-time Tony Hibbert came to Everton's rescue when he cleared Agbonlahor's header off the line after Wessels had failed to deal with an Ashley Young corner.

Reo-Coker presented Everton with a chance early in the second half to get back on level terms when he brought down Phil Jagielka on the edge of the Villa box.

Up stepped Johnson to curl the free-kick around the defensive wall - but Carson was alert to the situation and had his body right behind the shot.

Johnson had his first clear-cut chance after 52 minutes but he mishit his shot just past the post from a knockdown by Victor Anichebe.

Martin O'Neill was forced to make a change after 52 minutes when Carew limped out of the action to be replaced by Craig Gardner.

It led to Agbonlahor being pushed up front - and after 62 minutes he showed great control to double Villa's lead with his third goal in four matches against Everton.

Carson's long clearance over the Everton defence was brought down with one touch by Agbonlahor - and his second slid the ball wide of the dive of Wessels.

It was his second strike of the season after also netting in Villa's previous home game - the win over Chelsea three weeks ago.

Moyes brought on Yakubu for the final 20 minutes but Everton never threatened to force their way back into the match.

Source: Soccernet.com

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EPL Result: Newcastle 3-1 West Ham

	Newcastle 3 - 1 West Ham 2' Mark Viduka 1 - 0 32' 1 - 1 Dean Ashton 41' Mark Viduka 2 - 1 76' Charles N'Zogbia 3 - 1
3		1

Mark Viduka announced his arrival on Tyneside with a first-half double as Newcastle saw off West Ham 3-1.

The Australian got his side off to the perfect start with a second-minute bullet header, and then converted Charles N'Zogbia's cross four minutes before half-time.

In the meantime, Dean Ashton had dragged the visitors back into it with his second goal in as many games since his return from injury, and the Hammers could count themselves unfortunate to go in behind at the break after pinning their hosts back for long periods.

Keeper Steve Harper had to produce excellent one-handed saves to deny first Mark Noble and then former team-mate Lee Bowyer, but the Magpies dominated the second half and were rewarded when N'Zogbia slotted home their third goal after 76 minutes.

The win was just what manager Sam Allardyce needed after an insipid display in defeat at Derby on Monday evening, and the fact that it came courtesy of a less than fluent performance will not spoil his enjoyment of an important result.

The home side had taken to the pitch for the warm-up wearing tee-shirts bearing the slogan ``Rock Steady'', a message of solidarity with troubled bank Northern Rock, the club's shirt sponsor.

Allardyce could have been forgiven as he headed for the dressing room at half-time for wishing the same could have been said of his defence.

In an intensely uncomfortable 45 minutes, David Rozehnal and Claudio Cacapa, the latest recruits in the seemingly endless quest to stem the tide of goals which has blighted Newcastle for so long, were given the sternest of examinations by Carlton Cole and Ashton.

It was no surprise when the pair combined on 32 minutes to beat Harper, Cole climbing well to flick on Lucas Neill's long throw for Ashton to fire into the bottom corner.

The goal came as the visitors recovered from a disastrous start which had seen Viduka power home a second-minute header from N'Zogbia's near-post cross, and for much of the half, they were the better side.

Allardyce's men lacked width on the right with Alan Smith sitting in-field and Habib Beye getting forward from full-back only fleetingly.

That left Viduka and Michael Owen isolated, and the Hammers prospered with Noble forcing a fine one-handed save from Harper.

Owen, whose fitness has been the subject of an intense debate all week, was a largely peripheral figure, although he almost opened the door for Viduka once again six minutes before the break after running on to Nicky Butt's ball over the top.

The striker looked up before sending in an inviting cross, and it took a good block by Anton Ferdinand to keep out the Australian's header.

However, there was nothing Ferdinand, or anyone else for that matter, could do to deny Viduka four minutes before the break as he provided further evidence of the wisdom of Allardyce's summer swoop for him.

Once again, it was N'Zogbia who created the opening, bursting past former Magpie Bowyer from Rozehnal's clearance before crossing to the far post for the former Middlesbrough front man to bundle home his second goal of the game and his third in a black and white shirt.

N'Zogbia wasted a 47th-minute free-kick in a promising position after Owen had shown a rare burst of pace to round George McCartney, but was felled in the process.

That proved to be Owen's last contribution of any note and he was replaced by Obafemi Martins four minutes later with the England international worryingly heading straight down the tunnel.

Rozehnal almost caught keeper Robert Green on his heels with a left-foot drive from distance on 53 minutes, and Butt tested the keeper with an equally well-struck effort two minutes later.

But referee Mike Riley had to stop the game two minutes later after Noble reacted furiously to a robust challenge by Nicky Butt.

Harper saved well from Ashton's 64th-minute free-kick, which bounced dangerously in front of him, and Ashton flicked a header wide as West Ham rallied, but the home side were defending with greater resilience than they had before the break.

However, Harper had to be at his best once again in the 72nd minute when Bowyer latched on to Rozehnal's weak header and forced a fine save low to the keeper's right.

But N'Zogbia made sure of the points with 14 minutes remaining when he fed Martins on the left and then met his cross to make it 3-1, and the Nigerian should have added his name to the scoresheet three minutes from time, but fired wide after rounding Green.

Source: Soccernet.com

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EPL Result: Manchester United 2-0 Chelsea: Tevez Scored!

	Manchester United 2 - 0 Louis Saha 45' Carlos Tevez 1 - 0 90' Louis Saha (pen) 2 - 0
2		0

Carlos Tevez struck his first goal for the club in injury time at the end of the first half before Louis Saha capped off a dominant Reds display with a late penalty in a match that saw Chelsea reduced to ten man after John Obi Mikel’s sending off.

In truth, United were always in control and never looked ending this match with anything other than three points.

The goings-on at Chelsea earlier this week took centre stage in build-up to the game. However, during his Friday press conference, Sir Alex was insistent that Jose Mourinho’s departure from Stamford Bridge would not overshadow the greatest need - three points – in what he said would be an important, if perhaps not decisive, meeting in the race for the title.

And that mindset was clear from the start. United, playing 4-4-2 with Wayne Rooney and Carlos Tevez paired up front for the first time. And the former quickly stamped his mark on the game. Rooney latched onto a ball Ryan Giggs won in midfield, and carrying the ball forward he took on his marker Tal Ben-Haim and curled shot towards the far top corner. Petr Cech had to be at his best from the off, finger-tipping his save from the jaws of the upright.

The new man, Avram Grant, wasn’t aiming for a rapid departure from the brand of football Mourinho preached, sticking to the Portuguese coach’s 4-5-1 template, with width and expansive, attacking play – high on Roman Abramovich’s wish-list – clearly not yet applied. The missing Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard further blunted Chelsea’s attacking options.

Just short of the 20-minute mark, Evra and the entire Stretford were up in arms as Joe Cole appeared to catch the Reds left-back just inside the area. Referee Mike Dean ushered away the protests.

United’s forward triumvirate of Rooney, Tevez and Ronaldo began increasingly to cause Chelsea significant problems. Paul Scholes picked out their forward runs with relative ease. All three attackers had shots that troubled Cech, and Sir Alex’s side were edging closer to finding the breakthrough.

All the goalscoring opportunities were United’s. Rooney controlled a poor Ashley Cole clearance and crossed to the far post, where Giggs narrowly side-footed over. More than the chances, red shirts were first to every ball, strong in defence, organised in midfield, eager to get on and play from free-kicks and positive in everything they did going forward.

United were to be given a further boost in the 32nd minute when John Obi Mikel went into a challenge on Patrice Evra and lifted both feet off the ground. Fortunately he didn’t follow through, otherwise the Frenchman could have seriously been injured. Nontheless, the referee considered it dangerous play and sent the young Nigerian from the field.

Advantage United, perhaps. But it still needed the goal the home side’s play deserved. It almost arrived five minutes from time when Nemanja Vidic, the match-winner against Everton, rose above Chelsea’s defence to test Cech again.

The breakthrough finally did arrive in injury time at the end of the first half. Giggs curled in an inviting cross to the front post and Tevez darted into space, heading past Cech. It was nothing more than United deserved, and what better time for the Argentinian to score his first goal for the club?

The second half brought, as expected with Chelsea down to ten men, long periods of possession for the Reds. And with United rock solid in defence, wave after wave of attack came with the rain that raked across Old Trafford.

Chelsea never really looked like equalling United in any department all afternoon. The sending off undoubtedly didn’t help their cause, but from the very start the Reds showed they wanted this victory more than Chelsea.

And the afternoon was capped off nicely when substitute Louis Saha, on for the impressive and tireless Tevez, was pulled back in the area by Ben-Haim and the referee pointed to the spot. The Frenchman, having earned the penalty, stepped up to take it, despite the inevitable offer from Ronaldo to take over duties if he should be required. Saha welcomed his second goal of the season with a strike down the middle of the goal.

Saha had the chance to add a second in injury time. The forward raced away from Ben-Haim and controlled Carrick’s raking ball forward perfectly before firing his shot narrowly over.

The victory breaks the trend of 1-0 wins – United were headed for a fifth on the trot before Saha’s penalty – and moves the Reds to second in the table, two points behind Arsenal. Chelsea must surely now be asking questions of their ability to reclaim the title. For United, the defence of it gathers momentum.

Team Line-ups

Manchester United: Van der Sar; Brown, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra; Ronaldo, Carrick, Scholes, Giggs (c); Tevez (Saha, 79), Rooney.
Subs not used: Kuszczak, O’Shea, Nani, Pique.

Chelsea: Cech; Ferreira, Ben-Haim, Terry(c), A.Cole; J.Cole (Pizarro, 76), Mikel (sent off 32), Makelele, Essien, Malouda (Wright-Phillips, 69); Shevchenko (Kalou, 59).
Subs not used: Cudicini, Alex.

Source: ManUtd.com

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EPL: Man Utd v Chelsea: Preview

Manchester United - Chelsea

Sir Alex Ferguson is convinced Manchester United have a 'big, big chance' of glory this season if Louis Saha can stay fit.

Although he has added the varied attacking talents of Carlos Tevez, Anderson and Nani to a squad which already contains Wayne Rooney and was the most prolific in the Premier League last term, Ferguson knows Saha offers something different.

Quick, strong, excellent in the air and blessed with shooting power in both feet, Saha's only major weakness is his appearance record.

Barely a month has gone by without the France international picking up one physical problem or another, hence the reason why Ferguson is showing such patience with the 29-year-old this season.

Saha has already scored an all-important winner against Sunderland and his introduction as a substitute at Goodison Park last weekend was a major factor in United sneaking a victory over Everton.

He then helped see the Red Devils home for a crucial Champions League triumph over Sporting Lisbon in midweek.

So, while the former Fulham man is likely to start on the bench tomorrow when United look to turn a difficult week into a disaster for Chelsea following the departure of Jose Mourinho, Ferguson confirmed Saha is a hugely influential figure at Old Trafford.

'Louis is a different type of player to anyone else I have at the club,' he said.

'If you look at last season, he had already scored 12 goals up to the point where he got his injury in December. If he had stayed fit, he might have got us 30.

'He has already come on against Sunderland and scored an important goal for us and changed it for us against Sporting on Wednesday at a point when Wayne was starting to tire.

'If Louis stays fit, we have a big, big chance this year.'

With Gary Neville still over a week away from a return from calf and thigh trouble and Owen Hargreaves not quite close enough to be considered as he inches towards a recovery from a thigh injury picked up on England duty, Ferguson will rely on the squad which collected maximum points from their trip to Portugal.

The Scot's major selection issue centres around a possible recall for Tevez, possibly in place of Nani.

Meanwhile, Avram Grant is confident of earning the respect of the dressing room and keeping Chelsea in the hunt for the Premier League title following the departure of Jose Mourinho.

Mourinho had total authority over his squad at Stamford Bridge during a trophy-laden three years and there have been reports of player unrest during a turbulent week.

Grant, despite a successful spell as Israel coach, does not have the same Champions League credentials as the `Special One' but feels he has the squad to add to Chelsea's silverware haul since Roman Abramovich took over.

Grant and Abramovich are friends but the club have insisted his arrival as director of football in the summer has had nothing to do with Mourinho's departure.

'If I thought I cannot make it I would not take the job,' said 52-year-old Grant.

'I took it because I think I can handle the situation, including in the dressing room.

'I can make things better, I must say they were good already, but I want to make things better.

'I am very satisfied with the squad we have. It is a good squad that can play good football and win titles.'

Grant explained that his arrival and swift appointment following Mourinho's departure does not mean he had a hand in the Portuguese coach leaving.

'I was director of football, my relationship with Jose was good,' he added. 'I did my job, he did his job.'

Grant could not ask for a tougher start, taking his team up to Manchester United tomorrow, the third Chelsea boss in a row to start his reign against Sir Alex Ferguson's men.

He did not take training the day before the match either as it was Yom Kippur, the Jewish holiday.

Source: Soccernet.com

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EPL Result: Fulham 3-3 Man City: Thriller at the Cottage

	Fulham 3 - 3 Manchester City 13' Simon Davies 1 - 0 36' 1 - 1 Martin Petrov 48' Hameur Bouazza 2 - 1 50' 2 - 2 Emile Mpenza 60' 2 - 3 Martin Petrov 75' Danny Murphy 3 - 3
3		3

Fighting Fulham came back to snatch a 3-3 draw in yet another Craven Cottage six-goal thriller which left Manchester City manager Sven-Goran Eriksson fuming about his team's defensive lapses.

The last time Eriksson tangled with Fulham boss Lawrie Sanchez was two years ago when the Swede was England boss and his rival was manager of Northern Ireland, for whom he engineered a shock 1-0 victory in Belfast.

David Healy was one of four Fulham players in that Irish line-up, but he was not on target against City, whose winning chance finally disappeared with debut-making substitute Danny Murphy's 74th-minute equaliser for the hosts.

Fulham had twice led but then slipped 3-2 behind after the second of two goals by Martin Petrov.

The Bulgarian benefited from slipshod goalkeeping by Antti Niemi and also the generosity of referee Mark Halsey, who allowed Brazilian Elano to get away with a blatant foul before setting up the goal that Petrov hoped would be the winner.

However, he reckoned without a complete lack of concentration from City defender Vedran Corluka which allowed Murphy to pounce on a low cross from the left to save a point for the home side.

Three weeks ago Fulham came back from 3-1 down to draw with Tottenham - from whom they had just bought Murphy.

It was Healy and the lively Hameur Bouazza who gave the home side the early impetus.

Richard Dunne, the City captain returning after suspension, made a superb tackle to deny Healy an early strike but let Simon Davies escape him at the near post to head in Bouazza's left-wing cross in the 13th minute.

City replied when Michael Johnson spread the ball out to the left and Petrov cut in past Chris Baird's tame challenge to fire a low shot which Niemi could only help into the net.

Two minutes after the break Fulham led again when Dunne tripped substitute Diomansy Kamara and Bouazza fired the free-kick through City's dishevelled defensive wall.

That lead lasted only a minute, as Niemi could only palm out Petrov's shot for Emile Mpenza to notch an easy header from the rebound.

Petrov seemed to have won it 11 minutes later after Elano was allowed to go through and feed him for a shot that went in between Niemi and his near post.

Fulham looked to be the victims of injustice, but then along came Murphy, who had been part of a double substitution in the 65th minute, to take advantage of Corluka nodding off and rifle home a point-saver.

The same player almost won the contest for Fulham with a long-range deflected free-kick which Kasper Schmeichel clawed away from under the bar.

In a frantic finish City substitute Geovanni was only inches too high with a stoppage-time snapshot which almost brought the visitors a winner.

But the point was enough to move them back up the table into second, while Fulham are fourth from bottom - two points clear of the relegation zone.

Source: Soccernet.com

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Result: Reading 2-1 Wigan

	Reading 2 - 1 Wigan 29' Dave Kitson 1 - 0 50' 1 - 1 Marcus Bent 90' James Harper 2 - 1
2		1

A rare goal from midfielder James Harper a minute from time gave Reading a 2-1 victory over Wigan in the Barclays Premier League.


Empics
Reading's Dave Kitson takes advantage of an error from Wigan 'keeper Chris Kirkland.

Marcus Bent's first Wigan goal five minutes into the second period had cancelled out Dave Kitson's first-half opener, but the Reading striker had the last word by setting up his team-mate for the winner with the best pass of the day.

Wigan left the Madejski Stadium with a sour taste in their mouths, however, after referee Keith Stroud awarded them a penalty before changing his mind in the first half.

• Coppell relieved with vital win

The Latics also had late chances to have gone ahead before Harper's goal, which ended Reading's run of three successive defeats.

Royals striker Kevin Doyle had been left out at Sunderland last week. His exertions for the Republic of Ireland had been part of the reason, but his failure to hit the net for his club in the previous five games was also a factor.

Nevertheless, he was preferred to Leroy Lita for this one and immediately began to prove a point.

A solo run in the eighth minute, which had seen Andreas Granqvist beaten, led to a wasteful shot from an angle, but his flick-on of Ivar Ingimarsson's clearing header was just perfect to send Liam Rosenior racing clear in the 17th.

The former Fulham man, swapped for Seol Ki-Hyeon on deadline day and making his home debut, is not noted for his finishing, however, and failed to beat Chris Kirkland with the resulting shot.

Reading were galvanised, though, and Granqvist needed his height to prevent Kitson from flicking on Nicky Shorey's corner delivery into the net and the home side's breakthrough duly arrived just before the half hour.

Kitson was the scorer but needed a huge slice of incompetence from Kirkland to net his second goal in as many games.

Doyle had seen his initial shot blocked by the bulk of Titus Bramble but quickly regained possession of the rebound and, having turned Josip Skoko to line up a second attempt, saw Kirkland fumble it at his near post right into Kitson's path. The striker needed to be quick but had no difficulty in slotting home from all of four yards.

Controversy then arrived in the shape of Wigan's instant response when Jason Koumas tumbled into the box, having been tripped by Ingimarsson.

Referee Stroud lost little time in awarding a penalty but, after Reading protested, then consulted a linesman and downgraded it to a free-kick just outside the box - a decision television replays seemed to indicate had been the right one.

Wigan also wanted Ingimarsson sent off, but the Iceland international was shown only a yellow and Koumas then saw his free-kick beat the wall and goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann, only to bounce down to safety off the American.

Tempers remained frayed, with Michael Brown booked for hacking down Kitson and Rosenior shown a yellow card in stoppage time for impeding Koumas, who saw Hahnemann save his 25-yard free-kick.

Wigan equalised five minutes into the second half through Bent, who had been quiet up to then.

The on-loan Charlton man, who had replaced the injured Emile Heskey against Fulham last week and was making his first start, had been disappointed to see Ingimarsson get in the way of Paul Sharner's attempt to set him up in front of goal.

But he made no mistake from the corner that followed by getting in between Kitson and Michael Duberry to power a header from Koumas's delivery past Hahnemann from six yards.

It was not long before Bent had another go as Wigan took a grip on the game, but this time Hahnemann was able to parry and Ingimarsson hoofed away the loose ball.

Reading swapped Rosenior for Bobby Convey just after the hour mark and Stephen Hunt glanced a header from Doyle's cross just wide of the far post.

Convey was looking the man most likely to fashion a breakthrough for the home side and one pacy, low delivery from the right only just eluded Doyle and then Kitson in the box.

Wigan almost snatched victory with five minutes remaining, however, when substitute Julius Aghahowa, who had replaced the anonymous Antoine Sibierski, put Bent away, only for Duberry to time his tackle in the box to perfection.

Hahnemann was fortunate not to concede a penalty when Wigan caught Reading on the counter-attack, but Aghahowa opted to try to carry on instead of going down and was intercepted by Ingimarsson.

That allowed Reading to strike their decisive blow when Kitson carried the ball forward on the edge of the box before slotting a pass through to Harper, who beat Kirkland at his near post to seal a victory that had seemed unlikely.

Source: Soccernet.com

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