| index | London & English Football News |
news & general information from the English Premiership & FA Cup competitions including match previews and match reports
Index to other English football pages (including English club notebooks)(See our sister site for European Footy News and European Club Notebooks)
Latest English & Premiership Football News
News about UK teams playing In Europe is on the European Footy News
Champions League Groups With UK Teams Drawn In Them |
|||
Group A |
Group C |
Group F |
Group H |
Inter Milan |
|||
Valencia |
Marseille |
Shakhtar Donestsk |
|
Werder Bremen |
Rangers |
Spartak Moscow |
Partizan Belgrade |
FC Twente |
Bursaspor |
MSK Zilina |
Braga |
Premier League Tables 2nd September
1.Chelsea P3 W3 D0 LO pts 9
2.Arsenal P3 W2 D1 L0 pts 7
3.Man Utd P3 W2 D1 L0 Pts 7
4.Aston Villa P3 W2 D0 L1 pts 6
5.Bolton P3 W1 D2 L0 pts 5
6.Birmingham P3 W1 D2 L0 pts 5
7.Wolves P3 W1 D2 L0 pts 5
8.Newcastle P3 W1 D1 L1 pts 4
9.Man City P3 W1 D1 L1 pts 4
10.Sunderland P3 W1 D1 L1 pts 4
11.Tottenham P3 W1 D1 L1 pts 4
12.Blackpool P3 W1 D1 L1 pts 4
13.Liverpool P3 W1 D1 L1 pts 4
14.Fulham P3 W0 D3 L0 pts 3
15.Blackburn P3 W1 D0 L2 pts 3
16.West Brom P3 W1 D0 L2 pts 3
17.Wigan P3 W1 D0 L2 pts 3
18.Everton P3 W0 D1 L2 pts 0
19.Stoke P3 W0 D0 L3 pts 0
20.West Ham W0 DO L3 pts 0
New Signing For Blackpool
Blackpool have signed Ghana goalkeeper Richard Kingson on a free transfer. The former Birmingham and Wigan stopper impressed Pool manager Ian Holloway with his displays in his countries World Cup campaign. I see this as a shrewd signing by the seasiders, the 32 year-old Kingson has been overlooked by his other English clubs and used mainly as a substitute but current Blackpool keeper Matt Jilkes will now face stern competition to hold on to the number 1 spot.
Wigan Manager Contemplated Walking
Wigan chairman Dave Whelan has revealed that he would have left the club if Wigan manager Roberto Martinez had been forced out by the fans. Whelan brought Martinez to the DW stadium last summer and is very fond of him, Whelan backed his under fire boss when he was the object of intense scrutiny after two early season hammerings. The Spaniard responded tremendously though with a shock 1-0 win over Spurs at White Hart Lane, but Whelan has gone on record and said he would have walked if the Wigan boo boys had hounded Martinez out of the club. Whelan said: I rate Roberto highly and I said to the fans if you want his head then you'll get mine as well.''
Late Transfer Deals
Sunderland broke their transfer record to sign average striker Asamoah Gyan from French club Rennes for 13 million pounds. Stoke secured the season long loan of Eidur Gudjonsen from Monaco and a 3 month loan for Ex Liverpool winger Jermaine Pennant. Birmingham pulled off a major coup signing Belarusian midfielder Alexander Hleb from Barcelona on a season long loan. Brazilian forward Robinho who became Britain's most expensive player at 32 million pounds in 2008 has left Man City and joined AC Milan for a figure around 22 million pounds.
Ex Leicester striker DJ Campbell has signed for sea siders Blackpool after a successful loan period there at the end of last season. Tottenham are on the verge of signing Dutch midfielder Rafael Van Der Vaart from Real Madrid, he looks a bargain at 8 million pounds. Mark Schwarzer's proposed move to Arsenal has fallen through despite the Gunners reportedly offering the 4 million pounds Fulham were asking for they have rejected their advances and held on to the Australian international. Wigan signed promising youngster Tom Cleverly on loan from Manchester united and Argentine striker Franco Di Santo from Chelsea on a three year contract.
Weekend Premiership Review
Arsenal won the opening game of the weekend with a 2-1 victory at Blackburn. Rovers began their aerial tactics from the start as they bombarded the Gunners with throw ins and long balls to examine their shaky defence. The reds took the lead with a swift counter attack when Robin Van Persies perfectly weighted pass was met by the in form Theo Walcott he fired in a low shot which broke the net to give his side the lead. Blackburn responded well though when giant defender Chris Samba ran through the midfield and played a great ball for El Hadji Diouf who outmuscled Koscielny and crossed for his name sake mame Biram Diuof to pass it into an empty net.
Blackburn failed to keep the same level of intensity and just 6 minutes into the second half they paid the price when sagna's cross was shot by Fabregas it was blocked and came out to Andriy Arshavin to slot home with an accomplished finish from 10 yards out. The Gunners had a late chance to increase their lead but Jack Wilshere lost his footing and his shot was easily saved by Paul Robinson. This was a big win for Arsenal as they have a reputation for dropping points away from home to Sam Allardyce' physical teams.
Chelsea beat Stoke 2-0 at Stamford Bridge. The Blues had the chance to take the lead within five minutes of the start but England midfielder Frank Lampard missed his 3rd penalty in a row as his tame spot-kick was easily saved by Thomas Sorensen in the Potters goal. Stoke were holding their own and made it difficult for the Champions to break through their strong backline. Eventually it was Chelsea skipper John Terry who broke from the back and played a superb pass for Frenchman Florent Malouda who wasn't going to miss the fine form he's in. Stoke made life difficult for Chelsea from set pieces and Rory Delap throw ins, but the home side weathered the storm and put the game to bed when Anelka was fouled by Sorensen for another penalty. This time it was Didier Drogba who took responsibility and he sent Sorensen the wrong way to give his team the cushion of a 2-0 lead.
So it wasn't another drubbing like people expected, but Chelsea maintain their 100 percent record and are yet to concede a goal this season. Stoke sit bottom with 0 points from three games, might this be the season they finally get relegated?
Manchester United beat West Ham 3-0. United dominated possession but couldn't manage to get the breakthrough they needed until legendary winger Ryan Giggs was fouled by John Spector in the box for a penalty. Up stepped Wayne Rooney to end his goal drought and he did with a coolly taken spot-kick, not quite the same as ending the drought with a good goal but there you go. West Ham looked poor, their only bright spark was Kieron Dyer back from a lon term injury, he caused the red devils defence some problems and struck the post with a fine effort in the second half.
Portuguese winger Nani made it two for the reds when he went on a typically dangerous looking run and finished superbly as he smashed his shot past Rob Green in the irons goal. Bulgarian striker Dimitar Berbatov completed the win with a fine finish late on and United look ready to regain their Premier League crown from Chelsea. West Ham sit at the bottom of the table and Avram Grants future as manager may already be in jeopardy.
Liverpool defeated West Brom 1-0 at Anfield. The Merseysiders were frustrated by the Midlands club for much of the game as Roberto Di Matteo' side looked well organised and dogged in defence. Liverpool failed to create many clear cut chances and that was partly due to Baggies defender Olsson who was having a man of the match display. The home side finally took the lead on 67 minutes when once again it was Fernando Torres to the rescue. Dirk Kuyt linked up well with Torres and hit a pin point cross for Torres who volleyed home the winner with a fantastic strike.
Torres had a chance to double the lead late on but his first time volley was struck straight at goalkeeper, Scott Carson. West Brom piled o some late pressure, but in the end the reds held out for their first three points of the new campaign. It wasn't the most convincing victory for Roy Hodgson's side but a win is a win and as for West Bromthey can feel proud of their performance and maybe they will prove the critics wrong and survive this time around.
Tottenham Reach Champions League Group Stage
Tottenham are through to the Champions League group stages with an emphatic 4-0 win over Swiss outfit Young Boys. Peter Crouch scored his first within five minutes of the start. the 6ft 7 inch striker capitalised on some woeful Swiss defending and gave Spurs the lead with an unmarked header. Jermaine Defoe made it 2-0 after clearly handling the ball and then smacking it in off the post. Crouch got the third with a great header form a Gareth Bale corner, the lanky forward went on to get his second Champions League hat trick when bale was fouled in the box and young Boys defender Jemal was given his marching orders. Crouch took the spot-kick and sent the keeper the wrong way giving the North London club their first appearance in the European cup in almost 50 years.
Spurs will face much tougher tests than this in the real Champions League, but they've got there and congratulations to them for being the first side to break the top fours dominance since Newcastle reached the Champions League proper 7 years ago.
Arsenal Sign Sebastian Squilacci
Arsenal have signed French defender Sebastian Squilacci. Squilacci flew in from Seville for his medical earlier this week and has finally been signed on a 3 year contract in a deal worth around 6.5 million pounds. The 30 year-old centre back was a first team regular at Monaco, Lyon and Sevilla and has 21 international caps under his belt. The Gunners have secured
the services of a much experienced and strong centre back who the critics fascinated with the height of Arsenals team will be happy to know is over 6 foot. The addition of another centre half was crucial for the reds with the summer exodus of defenders Willam Gallas, Sol Campbell, Mikael Silvestre and Phillipe Senderos. Squilacci will not be available for Saturdays game with Blackburn, but will be available for selection after the international break.
