F.A. Premiership 2009/2010

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Sir Alex Ferguson remained defiant after Manchester United's lead at the top of the Barclays Premiership was cut to just two points following defeat at West Ham.

Alan Curbishley saw his Upton Park managerial reign get off to the perfect start following a goal from skipper Nigel Reo-Coker with 15 minutes left.

Champions Chelsea had earlier beaten Everton 3-2 at Goodison Park, with a superb 40-yard winning strike from Didier Drogba.

"The championship race is not going to be decided in December," Ferguson said. "There are a lot of important games to come and I am happy with the form of my team - they are playing well."

The Hammers remain in the relegation zone, but kept the pressure on the sides directly above them. Curbishley said: "The players have responded and we have got something to build on now."

Jose Mourinho may have been jubilant following his side's late comeback - but he was less than impressed with the antics of Toffees striker Andrew Johnson, who took an early tumble over goalkeeper Hilario.

"If I want to be polite, I would call him a dangerous kind of opponent. You cannot trust him and I was not happy," the Chelsea boss said.

Arsenal, meanwhile, find themselves 14 points off the leaders following another draw at the Emirates Stadium.

The Gunners had to come from 2-0 down to earn a share of the spoils with Portsmouth.

Manager Arsene Wenger had been sent to the stands at halftime by referee Steve Bennett following his protests for the free-kick which led to the visitors opening goal.

Pompey remain in the top six, and boss Harry Redknapp said: "In pre-season we drew with Oxford and after that game I felt we were going to have another very long season, but since then the players have been excellent."

Liverpool are now up to third following their comfortable win at struggling Charlton.

"I have got to be pleased with 3-0 away from home because that's 11 (goals) in three games," Manager Rafael Benitez said.

Things for Addicks boss Les Reed, however, are not so rosy - despite the prospect of a place in the semi-finals of the Carling Cup up for grabs this week against Coca-Cola League Two outfit Wycombe. "I would rather stay in the Premiership than win the trophy," said Reed.

Bolton are just a point behind Liverpool in fifth place after they secured a 1-0 away win at Aston Villa.

Trotters keeper Jussi Jaaskelainen produced a fine display to deny the hosts, and skipper Kevin Nolan said: "To be honest we had our backs to the wall for the majority of the game - but we hung in there and Jussi has earned his money."

Blackburn put some daylight between themselves and the relegation zone following a 2-1 victory over Reading at the Madjeski Stadium.

South African Benni McCarthy was on target for Rovers, but earned himself a yellow card and a suspension for his over-zealous goal celebration - having seen three other efforts ruled offside.

"It was not done with any malice. He was trying to make a point," said Rovers boss Mark Hughes.

Sheffield United have now taken 10 points from their last four matches following the 1-0 win at Wigan to move away from the dropzone.

"If we can keep playing and fighting for one another as we are at the moment, then hopefully we can keep doing well," said Blades captain Chris Morgan.

Newcastle keeper Shay Given hopes Obafemi Martins' goals can fire the Magpies up the Premiership table.

The 22-year-old Nigerian has now struck five in four league games inside 10 days following his double against Watford, winning the match with a devastating 86th-minute effort.

"He is probably desperate for the next game to come along so he can get some more goals," Given said. "Watford remain deep in relegation trouble at the foot of the table. However, defiant manager Adrian Boothroyd said: "We have got to take the positives out of it because there are many."

In Sunday's other Premiership game, Tottenham beat Manchester City 2-1 at Eastlands for their first away league win of the season.

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Everton striker Andy Johnson wants Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho to retract comments in which he labelled the England striker a diver.

"I have to say I feel greatly disappointed my integrity as a footballer has been unfairly questioned in this way," Johnson told Tuesday's Sun newspaper. "I believe the incident highlighted by Mr Mourinho was badly misinterpreted by him.

"I did not dive, I merely jumped out of the way of Chelsea's goalkeeper as he came out at my feet. I was not trying to get a penalty and I hope the Chelsea manager will retract his statement."

Mourinho thought Johnson had dived to try to win a penalty in the first half of Chelsea's 3-2 win at Everton on Sunday.

A penalty was not awarded and television replays were inconclusive, showing Johnson being pushed slightly by Chelsea defender Khalid Boulahrouz before hurdling keeper Hilario.

Everton did make the breakthrough from the penalty spot nine minutes before halftime after Boulahrouz hauled down Victor Anichebe.

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Fulham eased their relegation worries as goals from Heidar Helguson and Brian McBride secured a 2-1 win against struggling Middlesbrough.

Chris Coleman's side climbed away from the bottom three thanks to Helguson's penalty and a fine finish from McBride, but Middlesbrough, who pulled one back through Australian striker Mark Viduka, are sinking into deep trouble after a sixth game without a win.

Fulham had lost four of their last five matches but they are back on track after punishing some woeful defending from Middlesbrough, who are still to win away this season and are above the relegation zone only on goal difference.

Coleman and Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate are firm friends after spending several years together as players at Crystal Palace.

But there was no room for sentiment at Craven Cottage as both managers desperately needed a win to pull clear of the relegation fight.

It was Southgate's team who were more inventive early on and Antti Niemi, playing for the first time since undergoing knee surgery last month, saved well to keep out James Morrison's shot after the young winger sprinted past three defenders.

However Fulham quickly got into their stride and went ahead after 12 minutes as Moritz Volz caused panic in the Middlesbrough defence.

The German midfielder was granted space to burst into the area and he won a penalty as George Boateng clumsily clipped his right ankle.

Helguson stepped up to roll the spot-kick past Mark Schwarzer for his third goal of the season.

Middlesbrough threatened to draw level through Aiyegbeni Yakubu as the Nigerian striker's powerful run ended with a swerving shot that Niemi turned away for a corner.

But Fulham always looked dangerous on the break and they went two goals in front in the 35th minute.

Tomasz Radzinski's pass picked out McBride on the edge of the area and, with Middlesbrough backing off, the American looked up and curled a shot that deflected off Chris Riggott as it flew past Schwarzer.

Middlesbrough, without first-choice centre-backs Jonathan Woodgate and Robert Huth, were unconvincing in defence and McBride flashed a shot just wide as the visitors were caught out again.

Helguson nearly got his second goal in the 64th minute as he looped a header goalwards from Liam Rosenior's cross, but Schwarzer managed to claw it to safety.

Just as Middlesbrough looked to have run out of ideas, they were gifted a goal in the 74th minute as Niemi's goal-kick only reached Yakubu. The forward's header found Viduka and he kept his composure to lift a shot over the Fulham keeper.

Middlesbrough laid siege to Fulham's goal in the closing minutes and Yakubu went close with a header, but the hosts were able to hold on for a crucial win.

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FULHAM 2 MIDDLESBROUGH 1

First-half goals from Heidar Helguson (penalty) and Brian McBride helped Fulham climb four places in the table to 11th.

Mark Viduka set up a nervous finish for the home side when he pulled a goal back for fourth-from-bottom Middlesbrough in the 74th minute.

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Played on Sunday:

EVERTON 2 CHELSEA 3

Chelsea twice came from behind to win an entertaining match, Didier Drogba completing the comeback with a looping 35-metre shot three minutes from time.

Everton took a deserved lead in the 38th minute with a Mikel Arteta penalty but Chelsea levelled with a Michael Ballack free kick soon after the restart.

Joseph Yobo restored the home side's lead with a 64th minute header but Frank Lampard equalised with a superb 25-metre shot in the 81st, paving the way for Drogba's spectacular finale.

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MANCHESTER CITY 1 TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 2

City's first home defeat of the season and Tottenham's first away sent the London side up to seventh.

Calum Davenport glanced in a Tom Huddlestone free kick to put Spurs ahead in the 16th minute and Huddlestone then produced a lovely finish to drive in the second eight minutes later.

City improved in the second half and replied through Joey Barton in the 64th minute but Spurs held on.

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WEST HAM UNITED 1 MANCHESTER UNITED 0

Alan Curbishley got a dream start in his new job as West Ham manager with the struggling Londoners handing the league leaders only their second defeat of the season.

A series of good saves by West Ham goalkeeper Robert Green, the best to deny Cristiano Ronaldo, kept United at bay and the home side then snatched an unlikely win in the 75th minute when captain Nigel Reo-Coker slid home Marlon Harewood's low cross.

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Played on Saturday:

CHARLTON ATHLETIC 0 LIVERPOOL 3

Liverpool dominated from start to finish to stretch their unbeaten run to six league games.

Xabi Alonso converted a third-minute penalty after former Liverpool defender Djimi Traore swung his boot into Jermaine Pennant's face. Craig Bellamy made it 2-0 before captain Steven Gerrard completed the scoring with a curling shot in the 88th minute.

Rafael Benitez's side have gone 550 minutes without conceding a league goal while second-from-bottom Charlton have lost five of their last seven matches.

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ARSENAL 2 PORTSMOUTH 2

Arsenal rallied from two goals down to preserve their unbeaten record at the Emirates Stadium.

Noe Pamarot put Portsmouth in front, forcing home the rebound after the ball bounced off the post. Matthew Taylor, who scored a wonder goal from 45 metres last week, made it 2-0 with a left-foot volley in the 47th minute.

Arsenal pulled one back when Theo Walcott set up fellow substitute Emmanuel Adebayor in the 58th minute and Brazilian Gilberto Silva equalised two minutes later after more good work by Adebayor.

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NEWCASTLE UNITED 2 WATFORD 1

Nigeria striker Obafemi Martins notched his seventh and eighth goals of the season to earn Newcastle their fourth victory in five league games.

Martins opened the scoring with a glancing header in the 49th minute before Newcastle manager Glenn Roeder's former club Watford levelled through Hameur Bouazza following a corner from Ashley Young.

Substitute Damien Duff created the winning goal with five minutes to go, racing down the left wing before pulling a cross back for Martins to hammer the ball into the roof of the net.

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READING 1 BLACKBURN ROVERS 2

Goals from Benni McCarthy and David Bentley led Blackburn to only their second away win of the season in the league.

McCarthy headed his ninth goal of the season from close range before Bentley grabbed the winner with a venomous 20-metre shot in the 84th minute.

Reading had gone in front thanks to James Harper's third goal of the campaign in the 41st minute.

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WIGAN ATHLETIC 0 SHEFFIELD UNITED 1

Striker Rob Hulse's goal in first-half injury time helped resurgent Sheffield United take their points tally to 10 out of a possible 12.

Hulse's fifth goal of the season, which came after a mistake by Wigan's Emmerson Boyce, handed Paul Jewell's side their third home defeat in a row.

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ASTON VILLA 0 BOLTON WANDERERS 1

Gary Speed marked his 100th appearance for Bolton by notching the only goal at Villa Park.

The experienced Welsh midfielder beat on-loan keeper Gabor ***aly from the penalty spot after Nicolas Anelka was brought down by Stilian Petrov in the 74th minute.

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Cristiano Ronaldo made an instant impact from the bench to fire Manchester United four points clear at the top of the Barclays Premiership.

Despite second-placed Chelsea being held to a surprise 2-2 home draw by Reading in one of the early kickoffs, United boss Sir Alex Ferguson rested a number of big names in his side's 3-1 win over with Wigan.

One of those was Ronaldo but, after a goalless first half at Old Trafford, the wing wizard entered the fray.

Barely a minute later, a bullet header from Paul Scholes' corner gave United the lead.

And four minutes after that, the Portuguese was taking a penalty after Park Ji-Sung was clipped by Gary Teale.

It was a poor effort and Chris ***kland saved, but Ronaldo was on hand to net the rebound.

United went route one for their third, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer marking his first Premiership start for almost two months by flashing home Wayne Rooney's knockdown.

Leighton Baines scored a stoppage-time consolation from the spot after Mikael Silvestre felled David Wright.

A comical own-goal by Michael Essien saw Chelsea drop crucial points as Reading twice came from behind to snatch a point at Stamford Bridge.

After scoring late winners in their last two games, the champions this time put through their own net with five minutes remaining.

Didier Drogba's double - his 18th and 19th goals of the season, had looked like putting Chelsea a point clear of United, who later kicked off against Wigan.

In a tight tussle, the Ivory Coast striker broke the deadlock seven minutes before halftime, holding off Marcus Hahnemann to nod in Frank Lampard's corner.

The visitors deservedly drew level when Leroy Lita stayed just onside and stooped to head in Glen Little's cross.

Drogba headed in Shaun Wright-Phillips' cross 18 minutes from time but a mishit clearance from Ashley Cole struck teammate Essien, leaving Hilario stranded and earning Reading a point.

Liverpool surrendered third place after missing a glut of chances against Blackburn at Ewood Park.

The home side ran out 1-0 winners thanks to Benni McCarthy's 10th goal of the season, the South African turning in Morten Gamst Pedersen's cross shortly after halftime.

But goalkeeper Brad Friedel was the man of the match against his former club, inflicting the Reds' first defeat in eight Premiership games and boosting his own side's survival hopes.

Bolton and Portsmouth took full advantage, both winning 2-1, against Newcastle and West Ham respectively.

The Trotters went third - temporarily at least - after coming from behind at the Reebok Stadium.

Kieron Dyer netted for the second straight game to put Newcastle ahead but a Peter Ramage own goal and in-form Nicolas Anelka turned the game.

Portsmouth, meanwhile, saw Linvoy Primus score his first goals for exactly two years to inflict Alan Curbishley's first defeat as West Ham boss.

The defender had not netted since Boxing Day 2004 but headed in Pedro Mendes' 16th-minute corner to break his duck before nodding in the same player's free-kick seven minutes before halftime.

But the second of the early kickoffs finished 2-1 to Pompey after Teddy Sheringham came off the bench to set up a tense finish.

The other 1 p.m. start saw Tottenham hold off an Aston Villa fightback to continue their impressive home record.

Jermain Defoe celebrated his recall with both Spurs goals after twice being played in by the excellent Dimitar Berbatov.

Villa skipper Gareth Barry pulled one back with 10 nine minutes remaining but the home side held on for a 2-1 success.

Manchester City bounced back from home defeats to Tottenham and Bolton with a 1-0 victory at Sheffield United, Stephen Ireland scoring the late winner.

In the final 3 p.m. kickoff, Everton and Middlesbrough played out a dour goalless draw at Goodison Park.

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Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson and Chelsea counterpart Jose Mourinho stepped up their war of words, each insisting that their side has control of their Premiership destiny.

United are four points clear after a 3-1 Boxing Day win against Wigan on Tuesday followed by second-placed reigning champions Chelsea who dropped points in a surprise 2-2 draw at home to Reading.

But, in what he expects to be a tight race, Ferguson believes goal difference could play a key role in deciding this season's title.

Such has been United's attacking form this season that, even were Chelsea to draw level on points, they would in all likelihood still be behind the leaders.

Ferguson's men have a huge goal difference advantage of 13 over Chelsea who have scored 35 league goals so far this season compared to United's 44.

Not since 1989 has the English title race been decided on goal difference when Arsenal's dramatic win away to Liverpool on the final day of the season saw them climb above the Merseysiders.

"The goal difference helps us, there is no doubt about that," said the Scot. "I have always believed in those terms, 10 or 12 goals makes a point.

"If it remains that way, it is something we have to fall back on. Hopefully we won't have to, but it is there anyway," Ferguson added.

Mourinho, meanwhile, insisted United's lead was "no drama" for his side.

At the moment the Portuguese coach is just happy to keep in touch with United as they continue the busy holiday programme without the injured quartet of Petr Cech, John Terry, Joe Cole and Arjen Robben.

"Right now, we are surviving because the distance to Manchester United is four points and that is not a drama," Mourinho said.

"I keep saying three points can be solved when we play United. But we are in a difficult situation, although I think we can survive."

Robben will be out until the New Year, while Cole, who has a fractured foot, may require surgery.

But Cech is expected back in January, a month earlier than scheduled, after the goalkeeper fractured his skull after a controversial challenge with Reading's Stephen Hunt in October.

Mourinho said: "For me, the biggest problem is to lose more than one player. If we lose one player in one position, we can still do it.

"For example, if we lose Joe Cole or Arjen Robben, we have cover. To lose two or three at the same time in one position makes life difficult.

"At the moment, we are conceding too many goals. We are doing what we can. We have two good left backs and two good right backs and we are using them well," the Blues boss explained.

"This is a difficult period because we don't have the players to improve things, rotate and put pressure on other players. But it's not a drama.

"We're in the (last) 16 of the Champions League, semi-finals of the Carling (League) Cup, we start the FA Cup next month and in the Premiership we are four points behind the leaders with 18 matches to play.

"On top of that, Manchester United must come to Stamford Bridge. I think the situation is okay."

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Cristiano Ronaldo continued his remarkable scoring streak with two more goals that ensured Manchester United secured a 3-2 victory over Reading to move six points clear of Chelsea in the Premiership title race.

A first half header from Ole Gunnar Solskjaer set Sir Alex Ferguson's side on course for three points and while the visitors replied through Ibrahima Sonko and a late strike from Leroy Lita, United held on to ensure the veteran manager can enjoy his 65th birthday celebrations on New Year's eve safe in the knowledge his side are in a commanding position in this season's title race.

This wasn't a vintage United performance and they once again required the inspirational form of Ronaldo -- who has now scored seven goals goals in his last five games -- to see off determined Reading resistance.

But with Chelsea failing to beat Fulham, it was the result that mattered and the pressure has now switched firmly back onto Jose Mourinho's side.

United started confidently enough and Cristiano Ronaldo provided an early glimpse of his recent form when he eased his way past Reading left-back Nicky Shorey before drawing an excellent save from Marcus Hahnemann from the tightest of angles.

But all too quickly the home side lost their way, allowing Reading to gain a foothold in the game that almost brought the visitors an early lead as they repeatedly troubled a United defence that was missing skipper Gary Neville, absent with a calf injury.

Neat interplay between Kevin Doyle, Glen Little and Shorey created an opening for Steve Sidwell who sent a left-foot shot high over Edwin van der Sar's goal.

Doyle again found a way past Neville's replacement Wes Brown before setting up Little only for the winger to fire wide.

Ferguson had praised the quality of his fringe players in the build up to this game but with Paul Scholes suspended and Louis Saha and Ryan Giggs starting among the substitutes, United appeared laboured and struggled to make inroads against the visitors' well-organised five-man defence.

The presence of Ronaldo, though, meant the home side was always capable of conjuring something out of nothing and the Portugese's powerful 28th minute header from Michael Carrick's corner was fumbled by Hahnemann, who was lucky to escape when Solskjaer's follow-up was cleared off the line.

Then five minutes later the same United pair combined to more telling effect when Ronaldo whipped a left wing cross that Solskjaer met with a neat flick to head United into the lead.

United's lead wasn't convincing and they were pegged back in the 39th minute when Van der Sar misjudged Nicky Shorey's floated free-kick, allowing Sonko to out-jump the United defence and head into an empty net.

At that point it looked as though Ferguson's birthday celebrations would be muted but, no doubt fired by a half-time talking to from the manager, the home side finally clicked into gear in the second half.

An early Wayne Rooney snapshot signalled United's intent and the lead was restored in the 59th minute after a swift passing move started by Giggs, on as a half-time replacement for the ineffective Park Ji-Sung, paved the way for Solskjaer to fire an angled shot against the post. Ronaldo was on hand to finish from close range.

Reading's resistance was broken and their cause wasn't helped when Sam Sodje collected his second yellow card just nine minutes after coming on for the injured Graeme Murty.

With 13 minutes remaining Ronaldo volleyed home his second goal from Giggs's cross and United appeared to be cruising to a comfortable win.

But with the game in added time, Leroy Lita pounced on a Mikael Silvestre error to revive Reading hopes of emulating their draw at Stamford Bridge last week before the final whistle ensured 2006 ended on a positive note for United.

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Fulham exposed Chelsea's defensive deficiencies again as the champions were held to another 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge.

Jose Mourinho's side, sorely missing injured duo John Terry and Petr Cech, are now six points behind Manchester United after the Premiership leaders beat Reading 3-2 at Old Trafford.

Moritz Volz got the match off to a marvellous start for Fulham, drilling home the 15,000th goal in Premiership history - via Paulo Ferreira's leg - to give the Cottagers the lead.

But the Blues were soon level, a poor defensive header leaving way open for Frank Lampard to drive against Liam Rosenior, who turned the ball past his own goalkeeper.

Lampard created Chelsea's second too, crossing well for Didier Drogba to extend his league tally to 13.

But the champions, also held to a 2-2 draw at home by Reading on Boxing Day, could not hold on and Carlos Bocanegra's strike saw them slip six points behind United.

Cristiano Ronaldo shone for the league leaders again as plucky Reading lost 3-2 at Old Trafford, with the visitors having Sam Sodje sent off.

Ronaldo set up Ole Gunnar Solskjaer for United's first goal before Ibrahima Sonko stole in front of the Red Devils' backline to head an equaliser.

The Portuguese star continued to threaten and put his side 2-1 ahead when he slotted into a gaping net after Solskjaer had hit the post, before side-footing a third. Lita pulled a goal back for the Royals but United held on.

Bolton moved into third place in the Barclays Premiership with a 3-2 victory over fellow high-fliers Portsmouth. Matt Taylor got things off to the perfect start for Pompey, slotting home his sixth of the season with a deft finish after only two minutes but it was not to be for the visitors. Portsmouth goalkeeper David James gifted the Trotters an equaliser when his misjudged punch allowed Abdoulaye Faye to head into an empty net.

Ivan Campo and Nicolas Anelka scored to give Bolton a cushion but Andrew Cole popped up with a late goal to give his side hope.

Victor Anichebe's brace put Everton on the road to a handsome win 3-0 over Newcastle as he twice found the target.

Obafemi Martins chipped a penalty embarrassingly over the crossbar before Phil Neville conjured a rare goal with a fine shot from distance.

Liverpool recorded a slender 1-0 victory at Tottenham after a mistake from Pascal Chimbonda gifted them an opening.

Steven Gerrard collected the ball, before linking well with Dirk Kuyt to set up Luis Garcia, who stroked home with ease.

Bryan Hughes scored a dramatic late winner in the early game against Aston Villa as Alan Pardew recorded his first win since taking over as Charlton manager at The Valley.

Hughes nodded home from close range in the 91st minute to seal the points for the Addicks who had gone behind to a first-half Gareth Barry penalty.

Barry was then sent off for a foul on Dennis Rommedahl on the hour, just minutes after Darren Bent had equalised with a header.

Goals from strike partners Shabani Nonda and Benni McCarthy gave Blackburn a 2-1 win against Middlesbrough at Ewood Park.

Nonda scored first, volleying home following a chipped pass before Lucas Neill's foul allowed Aiyegbeni Yakubu to score from the penalty spot. McCarthy then headed the winner.

Manchester City secured a last-gasp win over hosts West Ham when DaMarcus Beasley drilled a fine effort to score the only goal of the game at Upton Park.

Watford and Wigan saw their clash at Vicarage Road abandoned after 56 minutes due to a waterlogged pitch.

The score was 1-1 after Emile Heskey had given the Latics a first-half lead when he shot firmly across goal. Tamas Priskin rose highest to head home from Jordan Stewart's cross to restore parity.

Christian Nade and Phil Jagielka emerged as the heroes as Sheffield United conjured up a remarkable Barclays Premiership victory over Arsenal at Bramall Lane.

Nade, a free transfer signing from Le Havre in the summer, scored the winner five minutes from the break for his first Premiership goal for the Blades.

Jagielka then stepped into the limelight by playing the final 30 minutes in goal after Paddy Kenny had sustained a groin injury.

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Arsenal's disappointing year ended predictably in frustration when Christian Nade's first Premiership goal earned struggling Sheffield United a deserved 1-0 victory over Arsene Wenger's side at Bramall Lane.

Nade, a free signing from Troyes in the summer, was only starting because of a long list of injuries yet the 22-year-old responded to his rare chance in the spotlight by smashing a 40th-minute winner.

Arsenal's first defeat in eight games left them 17 points behind leaders Manchester United with 17 games of the season remaining.

Sheffield United's sixth victory since returning to the top tier in August was even more remarkable as they were forced to play the final half an hour without a recognised goalkeeper.

Republic of Ireland stopper Paddy Kenny was forced off with a suspected groin injury and with no goalkeeping back-up on the substitutes bench, Phil Jagielka, who stared the game in the centre of defence, was forced to pull on the gloves.

Arsenal arrived in Yorkshire desperate to usher in the new year in style after a hugely disappointing 2006 in which they had finished fourth in the Premiership - 24 points behind champions Chelsea - and suffered heartbreak in the Stade de France against Barcelona in the Champions League final.

Tame cup exits at the hands of Wigan and Bolton also contributed to a 12 months Wenger would rather forget.

Yet they had enjoyed a productive Christmas after netting back-to-back wins to reclaim third place in the Premiership table.

Without injured duo Thierry Henry and Emmanuel Adebayor, who have netted 12 league goals between them this season, Wenger gave Frenchman Jeremie Aliadiere a rare start while Julio Baptista, on loan from Real Madrid, partnered the in-form Robin van Persie in attack.

It was however Tomas Rosicky who first came closest to breaking the deadlock, Paddy Kenny flinging himself across his line to deny the Czech Republic ace his first Premiership goal in the fifth minute.

Wenger had warned Baptista, making only his third start, on the eve of the match that he needed to start showing the ability that persuaded him to sign the midfielder in the summer.

Yet he looked painfully out of touch when presented with a golden chance to score by Aliadiere in the sixth minute.

Baptista, unmarked and just eight-yards out, failed to control the Frenchman's cross which allowed Nick Montgomery to make a crucial challenge.

Gilberto Silva and Aliadiere both spurned costly chances before United stunned the visitors by taking the lead against the run of play five minute before half-time.

Alan Quinn had already wasted a golden chance to put the hosts ahead when he played a super ball to Nade after an Arsenal move had broken down.

Nade, making his first Premiership home start, glided past the pedestrian Kolo Toure before steering the ball beyond Lehmann to send Bramall Lane wild.

Far from sitting back on their hard-earned lead, the hosts spent the opening exchanges of the second half looking to increase the lead.

Nade, quiet before his goal, looked a completely different player as he teased and tormented Philippe Senderos and Toure.

Yet the Blades suffered a tremendous blow on the hour mark when keeper Kenny was forced off with a suspected groin injury.

With no back-up, Jagielka was forced to guard the posts with half an hour of the game still to go.

Warnock sent on defender Claude Davis to give his rookie stopper extra protection while Wenger, suddenly sensing a way back into the game, replaced right-back Justin Hoyte with Spanish talent Cesc Fabregas.

Yet Arsenal could find no way through as United claimed their first victory over their opponents for 33 years.

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Nigerian forward Victor Anichebe's double strike and Phil Neville's first goal for more than four years completed an afternoon of abject misery for Newcastle in their 3-0 defeat at Everton.

Glenn Roeder's team saw their own Nigerian centre-forward, the in-form Obafemi Martins, miss a late first half penalty with an embarrassingly wayward effort.

That miss proved costly as two goals in four minutes, either side of the hour mark, saw Everton extend that lead to 3-0 and end the year sitting comfortably in the Premiership's top ten.

It had taken Everton only nine minutes to open the scoring, by which time Andy Johnson had headed over, Andy van der Meyde's long-range cross-shot had been parried away by Shay Given and Anichebe had wasted a good opportunity with a poor cross from the right hand by-line.

Yet, for all their impressive, Mikel Arteta-inspired approach play, when the goal came, it was a scrappy effort.

Arteta's short corner allowed Neville to swing in a cross which Joseph Yobo headed goalwards, sparking an almighty scramble in the Newcastle area.

As visiting defenders failed to deal with the ball, Anichebe was afforded the time to get in a weak, miscued shot which seemed to travel in slow motion past Given's desperate dive.

United responded swiftly. A series of corners in quick succession testing the Everton defence, and ending with a fine passing move that saw Emre's shot deflected into the side netting off van der Meyde.

Emre blotted his copybook shortly afterwards, booked following a scything foul on Yobo and an act of petulance in which he refused to respond when summoned by referee Dermot Gallagher, but the game really exploded into life three minutes from half-time with Emre again heavily involved.

Leon Osman brought down Kieron Dyer with a clumsy shove sparking a penalty award and two-minute melee with Emre and Everton defender Joleon Lescott at the centre of unpleasantries.

After Gallagher restored order, Martins ballooned his penalty an almost implausible distance over the Everton cross-bar to the delight of the home crowd.

After the restart, a couple of promising runs down the right from James Milner signaled the winger's intent and, in the 54th minute, he created Newcastle's best chance of the game, penalties excluded.

His surging run into the area ended with a ferocious shot that Tim Howard did well to keep out with a spectacular diving save.

The danger was still not over for Everton, however, as the ball looped up invitingly for Martins and team mate Steven Taylor who somehow managed to get in each other's way and fail to convert the loose ball into the open goal.

It would prove an extremely costly miss as, in the 58th minute, the result looked settled as Anichebe struck his second of the day. Arteta's corner was headed on by Johnson for Anichebe to first head against the bar and then convert his own rebound from inches out.

Then, in the 62nd minute, Arteta steered yet another corner to the edge of the area where Phil Neville scored his first league goal since November 2002 with an incredible slice of luck. A mishit right-foot shot looped cruelly over Given's head and into the Newcastle net.

[abadani69]

Reading ran riot Monday, crushing West Ham, 6-0, at home in the Barclays Premiership.

The Royals were in outstanding form at Madejski Stadium, racing to a 4-0 lead in the first half as the struggling Hammers made a shockingly poor start to 2007.

Brynjar Gunnarsson headed in the hosts' first goal after 13 minutes from Nicky Shorey's free kick before Stephen Hunt turned in Steve Sidwell's cross for a second.

West Ham lost Lee Bowyer to injury, and things got even worse when Anton Ferdinand headed into his own net and Kevin Doyle tapped in a fourth goal.

Leroy Lita got in on the act five minutes into the second half when his shot squirmed under the grasp of Robert Green. Doyle headed in his second 12 minutes from time.

Liverpool also started the new year well, moving back above Bolton into third place with a 3-0 victory over fellow Champions League challengers at Anfield.

The Reds endured a frustrating first half but burst into life with two goals in the space of a minute just after the hour.

Peter Crouch grabbed the first with a spectacular overhead kick before Steven Gerrard volleyed in a second moments later. Dirk Kuyt wrapped up the win after 83 minutes.

Leaders Manchester United dropped two points as they were held to a 2-2 draw by Newcastle at St James' Park.

Sir Alex Ferguson's side, who led the table by six points entering the match, had fought back to lead following a stunning strike by James Milner with a brace by Paul Scholes.

But Newcastle fought hard and claimed a deserved point when 19-year-old defender David Edgar struck a deflected equalizer after 74 minutes.

Blackburn also had the offense going in a 3-0 victory in torrential rain at Wigan. Emile Heskey's headed own goal gave Rovers a halftime lead, and Mark Hughes' side secured the points after the break with Matt Derbyshire's tap-in and Benni McCarthy's penalty.

Yakubu struck twice in the second half as Middlesbrough claimed three points with a 3-1 victory in a tense clash against Sheffield United at the Riverside Stadium.

Mark Viduka's deflected strike gave Boro the lead, but the Blades got themselves back level with Phil Jagielka's penalty kick just before halftime. Yakubu slid in to put Boro back ahead after Paul Gerrard blocked Viduka's shot. The Nigerian completed the victory from the penalty spot.

The only downside for Boro was the loss of on-loan Real Madrid defender Jonathan Woodgate with yet another injury.

Georgios Samaras scored twice in the second half as Manchester City continued their revival with a 2-1 victory over Everton at Eastlands for a third straight win.

A halftime replacement for Bernado Corradi, Samaras, side-footed home DaMarcus Beasley's cross after 50 minutes, then tucked home a 72nd-minute penalty. Leon Osman pulled one back for the Toffees late on, but City held firm.

Portsmouth and Tottenham fought out a 1-1 draw in a thrilling encounter at Fratton Park.

Benjani struck with the aid of a deflection to give Pompey the lead against the run of play in the 29th minute. Spurs further picked up the tempo after the break drew level when Steed Malbranque headed home a delicate cross from Danny Murphy on 50 minutes.

Heidar Helguson may feel aggrieved after having two goals disallowed in Fulham's goalless draw with Watford at Craven Cottage. Helguson had two efforts chalked off in the first half, but the game was overshadowed by an incident involving Fulham goalkeeper Antti Niemi.

Play was held up for several minutes after Niemi suffered an apparent serious injury, landing on his head challenging for the ball early in the second half.

Darius Henderson hit the bar late on for Watford as the game went into nine minutes of injury time.

[abadani69]

Holders Liverpool take on familiar FA Cup foes Arsenal while Paul Ince's Macclesfield Town are hoping for a spot of giant-killing at Chelsea when the third round gets underway this weekend.

Liverpool's match on Saturday is one of four all-Premier League tussles, with leaders Manchester United also hosting Aston Villa, Everton taking on Blackburn Rovers and Portsmouth facing Wigan Athletic.

For Liverpool fans, the match at Anfield will rekindle happy memories of the first FA Cup final hosted by Cardiff in 2001 when two late goals by Michael Owen earned a 2-1 win over Arsenal.

Arsenal gained revenge the following season by knocking the Anfield club out in the fourth round but recent form suggests Arsene Wenger's erratic side are underdogs on Saturday.

Anfield has become a fortress for Rafael Benitez's men, with Monday's 3-0 victory over Bolton Wanderers making it nine wins and two draws in 11 home league games this season. Their last home league defeat came in October 2005.

Arsenal, with five league defeats on the road, including last weekend's humbling at Sheffield United, look a far cry from the team who beat Liverpool 3-0 at the Emirates Stadium in November.

Winners over Manchester United on penalties in the 2005 final, earning Wenger a fourth FA Cup, Arsenal were relieved skipper Thierry Henry made a scoring return in Tuesday's 4-0 league win over Charlton Athletic.

Adding further spice to the tie is that the two sides are chasing a Champions League place next season and will meet on Merseyside again on Tuesday in a League Cup quarter-final.

Supporters of fourth division Macclesfield will be dreaming of adding to the romance of a competition founded in 1871 when they take on league champions Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

INCE FACTOR

Macclesfield have already enjoyed a fairytale run since former England and Manchester United midfielder Ince took over in October, when they were without a win and bottom of the 92-club pile in English soccer.

Though they lost his first game in charge, they have been beaten only once in 13 games since and have won seven of their last eight in all competitions.

Ince, who at 39 is considering whether to pick himself, possibly as a late substitute, is realistic about their chances.

"We don't expect to win," he told The Independent last weekend. "Macclesfield are never going to win the FA Cup so that's not on my list of priorities.

"My priority is to stay in this league. For us it's a great chance for the lads to go and play against world-class players and enjoy the sights of London...I don't think some of them have even been to London before." Minor league Tamworth, who also reached the third round last season, will look to upset the form book against second division Norwich City.

Third division Brighton & Hove Albion must also fancy their chances at last season's beaten finalists West Ham United, crushed 6-0 by Reading on Monday to remain in the Premier League's bottom three.

Manchester United, who have won the trophy a record 11 times, will need to find a way past an obdurate Villa defence at Old Trafford on Sunday.

[donsaeid]

در پاسخ به مقامات اسپانيا

فرگوسن: رونالدو فروشي نيست


سرمربي تيم فوتبال منچستريونايتد در پاسخ به تمايل مقامات اسپانيايي براي جذب هافبك پزتغالي تيمش گفت: ما هيچ تمايلي به فروش رونالدو نداريم.



به نقل از سايت فوتبال انگليس، تيم هاي فوتبال بارسلونا، رئال مادريد و چند تيم ديگر اروپايي به شدت در پي جذب كريستيانو رونالدو هستند و مي خواهند ستاره تيم منچستريونايتد را به خدمت گيرند.

سر الكس فرگوسن در اين زمينه تصريح كرد: ما هيچ تمايلي به فروش رونالدو نداريم و براي كسب جام قهرماني مي خواهيم بازيكن جديد از جمله اوون هارگريوز را جذب كنيم.

وي افزود: كميته فني منچستريونايتد براي جذب بازيكنان جديد در حال برسي است و در روزهاي آينده همه چيز در اين زمينه روشن مي شود.

سرمربي اسكاتلندي تاكيد كرد: در فصل جاري رقابت نزديكي با تيم چلسي براي رسيدن به جام قهرماني ليگ برتر داريم بنابراين بايد از پرداختن به مسايل حاشيه اي دوري كنيم.

وي خطاب به سران باشگاه رئال مادريد و بارسلونا گفت: تا كنون كميته فني ما هيچ تصميمي براي فروش رونالدو نگرفته بنابراين بايد فكر خريد هافبك پرتغالي را بايد فراموش كنند.

[abadani69]

On-loan striker Henrik Larsson started to repay Sir Alex Ferguson's faith with a debut goal as Manchester United sent Aston Villa tumbling out of the FA Cup, 2-1, thanks to an injury-time mistake from Gabor ***aly.

The Aston Villa goalkeeper let a regulation shot from substitute Ole Gunnar Solskjaer slide under his body in the 91st minute after goals from Larsson and Milan Baros had cancelled each other out.

Larsson had shown a handful of nice touches without causing too much trouble in the Villa defence before he scored in the 55th minute.

The former Celtic and Barcelona forward took control of Wayne Rooney's centre, flicking the ball up before firing right-footed past ***aly to open his United account.

Ryan Giggs then struck the crossbar with a free-kick but Villa rallied, going close on a number of occasions before substitute Baros received the ball eight yards from goal, before rifling his shot low past deputy United keeper Tomasz Kuszczak.

But ***aly ensured that it would be Ferguson's men who progressed to the fourth round, when he made a mess of Solskjaer's late strike.

A first-half blitz from Blackburn helped put Everton out of the competition at the first hurdle, as Rovers won 4-1 at Goodison Park.

Rovers striker Matt Derbyshire, who spent much of last season on loan at League Two Wrexham, scored his second goal in a week as Mark Hughes' side scored three times in the first 38 minutes.

Derbyshire followed up his strike against Wigan on New Year's Day with a regulation finish after Tim Howard spilled Morten Gamst Pedersen's effort.

Pedersen then gave Howard no chance after 21 minutes, drilling home a 25-yard drive before Paul Gallagher made it three before the break.

Everton's consolation came in the second half when Andrew Johnson converted a 69th-minute penalty.

Benni McCarthy finished things with his 13th strike of the season in stoppage time. Sheffield Wednesday hit back from a goal behind to draw 1-1 with Premiership opponents Manchester City.

Steven MacLean grabbed the equaliser just moments after going behind when he lashed the ball past Nicky Weaver from 20 yards.

Georgios Samaras scored the opener from the spot after Micah Richards was brought down by Kenny Lunt.

Wednesday, on top for large periods of the match, had chances to win it late on as Maclean and Wade Small had opportunities but City held out for a replay.

Cardiff and Tottenham played out a miserable goalless draw at Ninian Park, with chances hard to come by at both ends.

Michael Chopra had the best opportunity of the match when he intercepted Young-Pyo Lee's weak header, but the former Newcastle man rolled the ball wide with Spurs goalkeeper Paul Robinson advancing.

The Premiership side failed to create anything of note and will be hoping for better luck when the Bluebirds travel to White Hart Lane for the replay.

[donsaeid]

چشمان بنيتز به دنبال آليو استراليايي

ليورپول در تدارك خريدهاي تازه


باشگاه ليورپول انگليس در تدارك خريدهاي جديد براي فصل آينده ليگ برتر است.



به نقل ازسايت اخبار فوتبال جهان، اين باشگاه تصميم گرفته تا براي به خدمت*گيري متين آليو، بازيكن جوان تيم ملي استراليا اقدام كند.

رافائل بنيتز، سرمربي اسپانيايي ليورپول مدت*ها است بازي*هاي اين بازيكن را زير نظر گرفته و اكنون بعد از بررسي هاي صورت داده، نظر مساعدي براي به خدمت*گيري اين ملي پوش استراليايي دارد.

اين مربي از سران باشگاهش خواسته بابت در اختيارگيري اين بازيكن تلاش خود را آغاز كنند.

اين گزارش اعلام داشت، پتر كروچ، بازيكن ملي پوش ليورپول در تابستان آينده راهي نيوكاسل مي شود و بعد از آن، اين تيم تلاش گسترده خود را براي در اختيار گرفتن بازيكنان جديد آغاز مي كند.