F.A. Premiership 2009/2010

[abadani69]

Brief reports from English Premier League games played over the weekend:

Played on Sunday

BLACKBURN ROVERS 0 CHELSEA 1

A sweetly taken goal by Joe Cole after a killer pass from Salomon Kalou after 22 minutes made the difference for Chelsea against a Blackburn side who looked dangerous early on but faded.

Petr Cech denied Steven Reid an equaliser when he tipped his powerful shot on to the bar while Brad Friedel was similarly impressive to divert a Frank Lampard effort against a post.

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MANCHESTER UNITED 2 EVERTON 1

Cristiano Ronaldo scored from the penalty spot two minutes from time to take United's home league winning streak to nine and end Everton's 13-game unbeaten run.

The Portuguese winger put United ahead with a 20-metre shot after 22 minutes only for Tim Cahill to equalise with a determined header five minutes later.

However, a daft trip by Steven Pienaar on Ryan Giggs enabled Ronaldo to tuck in his 11th league goal of the season and take United within a point of leaders Arsenal.

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NEWCASTLE UNITED 2 DERBY COUNTY 2

Derby's only win of the season came against Newcastle in September and they were dreaming of a double until Mark Viduka's second goal of the game four minutes from time earned Newcastle a draw.

Giles Barnes put Derby ahead after six minutes -- only their second away goal of the season -- but Viduka levelled in the 27th with a neat turn and shot from the edge of the box.

Kenny Millar seized on a long ball to tuck in a rare second for Derby after 52 minutes before Viduka, out of favour in recent weeks, seized on a poor Darren Moore clearance to steer in his second.

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Played on Saturday:

ARSENAL 2 TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 1

Arsenal made it 20 games without defeat against their rivals but struggled for long spells and were helped enormously by Manuel Almunia saving a Robbie Keane penalty at 1-1.

Emmanuel Adebayor's 10th league goal of the season after 48 minutes put Arsenal ahead, with Dimitar Berbatov equalising.

Keane then missed from the spot for the first time in 11 attempts and Arsenal cashed in when teenage Danish substitute Nicklas Bendtner headed the winner with his first touch 14 minutes from time.

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ASTON VILLA 1 MANCHESTER CITY 1

Rolando Bianchi gave City hopes of a first win since the first day of the season when he scored after 11 minutes but Villa levelled three minutes later when John Carew controlled a long ball, turned well to break clear and shoot home.

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BOLTON WANDERERS 3 BIRMINGHAM CITY 0

Bolton's resurgence under Gary Megson continued with a hefty win secured with three goals in the last 16 minutes.

A neat finish by El Hadji Diouf after 74 followed by two for quick-thinking Nicolas Anelka continued Bolton's ascent.

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FULHAM 1 WIGAN ATHLETIC 1

Wigan ended a dire run of seven consecutive away defeats but will be annoyed not to have chalked up their first away win of the season.

Paul Konchesky hit the bar from 35 metres early on for Fulham, who sacked manager Lawrie Sanchez on Friday, and Clint Dempsey rescued a point after Marcus Bent had seized on a long ball in the 70th minute to shoot Wigan ahead.

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LIVERPOOL 4 PORTSMOUTH 1

Portsmouth's run of six successive away wins in the league ended at Anfield where the hosts got back to winning ways after two defeats in a row.

Yossi Benayoun after 13 minutes and a Sylvain Distin own goal soon after had Liverpool in charge.

Benjani Mwaruwari pulled one back in the 57th minute but Fernando Torres restored the two-goal cushion 10 minutes later and got his second in the 85th.

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MIDDLESBROUGH 1 WEST HAM UNITED 2

Scott Parker scored in the last minute to earn West Ham their fifth away win of the season.

Boro were dreaming of a third win in a row when David Wheater opened the scoring after 40 minutes but Dean Ashton levelled before halftime and Parker won it when he dribbled in from the edge of the box to slot home calmly.

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READING 2 SUNDERLAND 1

Another controversial finale for Sunderland and again they were on the wrong end of it as Stephen Hunt won the game for Reading in injury time.

Reading had gone ahead through Ivar Ingimarsson after 69 minutes before Michael Chopra levelled with an 82nd-minute penalty.

Hunt's last-gasp volley was beaten out by goalkeeper Craig Gordon and though the Sunderland players felt the ball had been kept out the linesman and referee awarded the goal.

Last week Sunderland had a last-minute goal controversially ruled out for a foul in a 1-1 draw with Aston Villa.

[Rasputin]

Drama at both ends of Premiership table on final day
Manchester, England (Sports Network) - There is still plenty to be decided on the final Premiership Sunday of the season, with Manchester United and Chelsea both level on 84 points at the top, while three teams are separated by just one point for the final two relegation spots.

United can secure its second consecutive EPL title if they can beat Wigan because the Red Devils own a superior advantage in goal differential over Chelsea, however The JJB Stadium has proven to be a tough place to win for any team in England this season.

Despite sitting in the bottom half of the table, Wigan has played very well at home this year, putting together a solid 8-5-5 mark that includes a draw with Arsenal and close losses to both Chelsea and Liverpool.

At times, the pitch has looked more like a minefield than a surface suitable for soccer, which also adds to the home side's advantage.

United has a chance to pull off a rare double by winning both the league and Champions League titles, and they can secure the first with a win on Sunday.

Sir Alex Ferguson's men have suffered four of their five losses this season away from home, and Wigan has already guaranteed that they will be up for United's visit, something Chelsea is hoping for as well.

Should United drop points against Wigan, the Blues can clinch a third title in four years by beating Bolton at Stamford Bridge.

Wanderers all but secured a spot in the top flight next season with a 2-0 win over Sunderland last week, and they will have a tough time following up that win with another result at Chelsea.

Arsenal and Liverpool have little to play for as both sides have already ensured themselves of a place in the top four and Champions League soccer next season.

The Gunners finish up their campaign on the road at Sunderland while the Reds also end away from home at Tottenham.

The final UEFA Cup spot is still up for grabs with Everton needing only a draw at home against Newcastle to claim it, while Aston Villa still holds out hope with an Everton defeat and a win at West Ham.

The relegation battle figures to once again offer up drama on the final day with Fulham, Reading and Birmingham so close together.

Fulham earned a vital 2-0 win over Birmingham last week to move outside the bottom three and they can secure their safety with a win at Portsmouth.

While taking three points at Fratton Park will be difficult, it might be necessary because Reading is level on 33 points and faces relegation-bound Derby.

The Royals will feel good about their chances of getting a win at Pride Park, while Birmingham, which is one point back of both Fulham and Reading, hosts Blackburn in a must-win affair.

The other match of the day features top-half side Manchester City traveling to The Riverside Stadium to meet bottom-half club Middlesbrough.

[Rasputin]

منچستریونایتد قهرمان لیگ برتر انگلستان شد


کریستیانو رونالدو با 30 گل زده و کسب عنوان آقای گلی سهم زیادی در قهرمانی منچستریونایتد شد
تیم فوتبال منچستریونایتد در هفته آخر لیگ برتر انگلستان با پیروزی در خانه ویگان قهرمان این فصل لیگ برتر شد.
منچستریونایتد در حالی به دیدار ویگان رفت که پیش از این بازی تیم چلسی با امتیازی برابر و تنها به دلیل تفاضل گل کمتر در رده دوم جدول ایستاده بود.

در آخرین بازی ها و به طور همزمان چلسی میزبان بولتون بود و منچستریونایتد میهمان ویگان.

منچستریونایتد که برای قهرمانی به یک پیروزی احتیاج داشت، توانست با دو گل کریستیانو رونالدو در دقیقه 33 از روی نقطه پنالتی و رایان گیگز در دقیقه 80 به پیروزی برسد و بدون توجه به نتیجه دیدار چلسی و بولتون قهرمان این فصل لیگ برتر شود.

در لندن نیز تیم چلسی با گل دقیقه 62 آندری شوچنکو از بولتون پیش افتاده بود و منتظر گلزنی بازیکنان ویگان برای گرفتن جشن قهرمانی بود که با شنیدن به ثمر رسیدن گل دوم منچستریونایتد امیدهای این تیم کاملا از بین رفت و در دقیقه 90 هم یک گل از بولتون دریافت کرد تا قهرمان لیگ برتر در این فصل هم بر اسا اختلاف امتیاز، و نه تفاضل گل، تعیین شود.

بعد از تیم های منچستریونایتد و چلسی که با 87 و 85 امتیاز اول و دوم شدند، تیم های آرسنال و لیورپول با 83 و 76 امتیاز در رده های سوم و چهارم ایستادند و به همراه دو تیم اول به فصل بعد لیگ قهرمانان اروپا راه یافتند.

تیم اورتون هم با 65 امتیاز پنجم شد و به فصل آینده جام یوفا راه پیدا کرد.

در پایین جدول هم تیم های دربی، ردینگ و بیرمنگام به دسته پایین تر سقوط کردند.

دو تیم منچستریونایتد و چلسی در روز دیگر (21 مه) در شهر مسکو فینال لیگ قهرمانان اروپا را نیز برگزار خواهند کرد. این نخستین بار است که چلسی به فینال لیگ قهرمانان اروپا می رسد.

نتایج کامل بازی های روز آخر لیگ برتر انگلیس به این شرح است:

ویگان صفر - منچستریونایتد 2
چلسی 1 - بولتون 1
ساندرلند صفر - آرسنال 1
تاتنهام صفر - لیورپول 2
پورتسموث صفر - فولام 1
وستهم 2 - استون ویلا 2
میدلزبورو 8 - منچسترسیتی 1
اورتون 3 - نیوکاسل 1
بیرمنگام 4 - بلکبرن 1
دربی صفر - ردینگ 4

جدول نهایی لیگ برتر انگلستان نیز به شرح زیر است (همه تیم ها 38 بازی انجام داده اند):

1- منچستریونایتد، 87 امتیاز
2- چلسی، 85 امتیاز
3- آرسنال، 83 امتیاز
4- لیورپول، 76 امتیاز
5- اورتون، 65 امتیاز
6- استون ویلا، 60 امتیاز
7- بلکبرن، 58 امتیاز
8- پورتسموث، 57 امتیاز
9- منچسترسیتی، 55 امتیاز
10- وستهم، 49 امتیاز
11- تاتنهام، 46 امتیاز
12- نیوکاسل، 43 امتیاز
13- میدلزبورو، 42 امتیاز
14- ویگان، 40 امتیاز
15- ساندرلند، 39 امتیاز
16- بولتون، 37 امتیاز
17- فولام، 36 امتیاز
18- ردینگ، 36 امتیاز
19- بیرمنگام، 35 امتیاز
20- دربی، 11 امتیاز

[mautung]

w.rooney:,

[Rasputin]

Republic of Ireland striker Robbie Keane was today set to fulfil a lifelong dream and sign for Liverpool.


Keane was at Anfield this morning undergoing a medical which would seal his £20 million move from Tottenham.

Liverpool will initially pay £18 million with add-ons of up to £2 million agreed with the White Hart Lane outfit.

Keane, who is 28, will become the second most expensive player in Liverpool’s history after Fernando Torres.

The Irishman, a big Liverpool fan, is relishing the prospect of teaming up with the Spaniard in an attack that will have the Kop purring in anticipation.

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez is believed to be delighted with the capture and still remains interested in landing Aston Vila midfielder Gareth Barry, despite that deal reaching saga proportions.

In other transfer news today, it is undertsood that Everton striker Andrew Johnson is ready to clinch his £10 million move to Fulham.

Meanwhile Chelsea’s new manager new manager Luiz Felipe Scolari has declared that his team have what it takes to win all FOUR trophies this season.

Scolari’s Grand Slam boast differs to what Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has been saying recently, suggesting that the Stamford Bridge outfit are unlikely to improve as many of their players are over 30.

Expect more from these two as the season starts, with Ferguson knowing he faces a tough opponent in “Big Phil”, who of course has a World Cup triumph wiith Brazil on his CV.

Privately it is believed that Scolari has set himself a one-trophy minimum target for his first season in England. Publicly he has issued a confident statement that Chelsea can mount a substantial challenge for every honour – the Champions League, Premier League, FA Cup and Carling Cup.

"We have four competitions this season and I try to win all four," said 59-year-old Scolari.

"It is the same for the players. It will be very difficult but we have the team and players for it.”

[abadani69]

Defending champion Manchester United managed only a 1-1 draw against Newcastle United in its opening match of the Barclay's Premier League on Sunday.

Playing without Cristiano Ronaldo, Carlos Tevez and Owen Hargreaves, Manchester United was stunned when an unmarked Obafemi Martins powered home a header in the 22nd minute.

However, United equalized just two minutes later as Darren Fletcher found the back of the net.

It had to be a disappointing result for Manchester United, which beat Newcastle 6-0 at Old Trafford in January.

Under new coach coach Luiz Felipe Scolari, Chelsea - runner-up to Manchester United last season - enjoyed an impressive start with a 4-0 destruction of Portsmouth.

Joe Cole opened the scoring in the 12th minute before Nicolas Anelka connected in the 26th minute. Frank Lampard converted a penalty late in the first half before Deco, making his debut for Chelsea, scored in the late stages.

In Sunday's other match, Gabriel Agbonlahor registered a hat trick to lead Aston Villa to a 4-2 victory over Manchester City.

[abadani69]

Manchester United picked up its first win of the season Monday with a 1-0 triumph over Portsmouth in the Barclay's Premier League.

In winning for just the second time in its last six visits to Fratton Park, United received its only offense in the 33rd minute on Darren Fletcher's goal.

Patrice Evra's cross from the left struck both Sol Campbell and Fletcher, who scored in a 1-1 draw against Newcastle in the opener, charged the net. Defender Sylvain Distin's frantic attempt to clear off the line sent the ball spiralling into the roof of the net.

Pompey were a little unlucky with a few near-misses but finished pointless after two games having failed to really test goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar.

[abadani69]

Darren Bent delivered Tottenham’s first point of the season in a hard-fought 1-1 draw Sunday at Chelsea, while Liverpool tied 0-0 at Villa to end its perfect start to the season.

Juliano Belletti capped Chelsea’s early domination with a 28th-minute opener at Stamford Bridge, only to see it canceled out in first-half injury time by Bent’s first goal of the season.

Chelsea, like Liverpool, had won its first two Premier League matches. But Spurs manager Juande Ramos was under pressure after two defeats and the uncertainty surrounding Dimitar Berbatov.

“We needed something to kickstart the season to lift the season and give the players some confidence,” Ramos said through a translator.

Bent operated as the lone striker while Berbatov looks likely to wrap up his bitter move to Manchester United before the transfer window closes Monday night. Spurs completed the signing of Russia striker Roman Pavlyuchenko as Berbatov’s replacement over the weekend.

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez was taunted at Villa Park for his part in the failed pursuit of Villa captain Gareth Barry.

Liverpool striker Fernando Torres pulled up sharply when chasing a pass and summer recruit David Ngog made his debut.

Three days after leaving Chelsea, winger Shaun Wright-Phillips immediately reignited his career by scoring twice on his return to Manchester City in a 3-0 victory at Sunderland.

Stephen Ireland put the visitors ahead in first-half injury time. Wright-Phillips, who left City in 2005, scored in the 50th and 58th.

MADRID, Spain (AP)—FC Barcelona lost at promoted Numancia 1-0 in its opening game of the Spanish league season in a major disappointment for new coach Pep Guardiola.

Numancia midfielder Mario Martinez decided the game in the 13th minute at Los Pajaritos Stadium with a fierce shot past goalkeeper Victor Valdes.

Villarreal, last season’s runner-up, drew its first match at Osasuna 1-1 in an encounter in which both teams ended with 10 men.

Midfielder Marcos Senna gave Villarreal the lead in the 54th minute with a free kick from the edge of the area.

Villarreal defender Diego Godin was ejected for fouling Osasuna’s Masoud Shojaei, and Javad Nekounam converted the resulting penalty in the 68th. Osasuna then had defender Miguel Flano ejected for a 77th-minute foul.

In other games, it was: Atletico Madrid 4, Malaga 0; Sporting Gijon 1, Getafe 2; Racing Santander 1, Sevilla 1; Athletic Bilbao 1, Almeria 3; and Real Betis 0, Recreativo Huelva 1.

Later Sunday, Real Madrid was to begin its bid for a third straight title at Deportivo La Coruna, where it hasn’t won since 1991.

[abadani69]

Brief reports of English Premier League matches played over the weekend:

Played on Sunday:

ASTON VILLA 0 LIVERPOOL 0

Liverpool’s 100 percent start to the season ended in a flat game at Villa Park. Defences were on top throughout and, once Liverpool lost Fernando Torres midway through the first half with a hamstring injury, there was barely a worthwhile goal effort.

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CHELSEA 1 TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 1

Chelsea started the day top after two wins, while Spurs were bottom after two defeats, but there was little between them.

Chelsea, who hit the bar through Michael Essien, went ahead in the 27th minute when Juliano Belletti bundled in a near-post corner. Spurs equalised at the end of the first half with a neat finish by Darren Bent after the ball had been deflected into his path.

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SUNDERLAND 0 MANCHESTER CITY 3

Shaun Wright-Phillips enjoyed his first match back for City, who he rejoined on Thursday after three frustrating years at Chelsea.

After Stephen Ireland put City ahead at the end of the first half, Wright-Phillips got the second five minutes after the break and made it 3-0 soon after.

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Played on Saturday:

ARSENAL 3 NEWCASTLE UNITED 0

Arsenal, poor in defeat at Fulham last week, were back to their neat-passing best in a dominant display.

Robin van Persie converted an 18th-minute penalty before banging in the second before halftime.

Denilson tucked in the third in the second half before Van Persie went off with a foot injury sustained as he struck the crossbar.

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BOLTON WANDERERS 0 WEST BROMWICH ALBION 0

Good goalkeeping by Scott Carson kept West Brom in the game and they could have won it late on when Kim Do-heon hit the bar and Ishmael Miller failed to take advantage of the rebound.

Bolton had two late goals ruled out for offside.

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EVERTON 0 PORTSMOUTH 3

Portsmouth claimed their first league win in seven attempts as Everton were booed off by their own fans.

Jermain Defoe turned sharply after a Peter Crouch knock-down to fire Pompey ahead after 11 minutes.

Brilliant goalkeeping by David James and soft finishing prevented Everton equalising and they were punished when Glen Johnson doubled the lead before the break.

James saved a Yakubu Aiyegbeni penalty early in the second half before Defoe added his second goal with a late chip.

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HULL CITY 0 WIGAN ATHLETIC 5

Hull’s encouraging start to their first season of top-flight football came to an abrupt end when they were given a lesson in finishing.

The visitors went ahead with an early Sam Ricketts own goal and doubled the lead after a breakaway effort by Antonio Valencia. Two second-half goals by Amr Zaki and one from Emile Heskey completed the rout.

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MIDDLESBROUGH 2 STOKE CITY 1

Stoke had Amdy Faye sent off for a bad tackle after 36 minutes and from the resulting free kick Afonso Alves lashed Boro into the lead.

The hosts remained on top but missed several chances, including a penalty when Stewart Downing hit the bar, and looked to have blown it when a Justin Hoyte own goal levelled.

Tuncay Sanli then sprang the offside trap for a late winner.

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WEST HAM UNITED 4 BLACKBURN ROVERS 1

West Ham went in front with a Calum Davenport header after 13 minutes before Christopher Samba’s own goal made it 2-0.

Blackburn pulled one back immediately through Jason Roberts but missed their chance to level when the same player saw his penalty saved by Robert Green at the start of the second half.

Stoppage-time goals by Craig Bellamy and Carlton Cole added the gloss on West Ham’s triumph.

[abadani69]

Manchester City's new billionaire Arab owners say they are willing to pay 135 million pounds (210 million dollars) to land Cristiano Ronaldo from the Red side of the city.

"Ronaldo has said he wants to play for the biggest club in the world, so we will see in January if he is serious," the Guardian newspaper quoted Dr Sulaiman Al-Fahim, of City's new owners, the Abu Dhabi United Group, as saying on their website.

According to the report Tuesday, Al-Fahim also wants to track down other major stars, including Arsenal striker Thierry Henry and Valencia's David Villa as City, one of England's perennial under-achievers in recent decades, head for the footballing stratosphere.

Al-Fahim says he wants to build a "dream team" which can compete in the Champions League within the coming three years.

City have already stunned fellow moneybags club Chelsea in landing Robinho from Real Madrid in a British record 32.5 million-pound move on deadline day late Monday.

And now Ronaldo, linked with Real for much of the summer, is seen as the potential jewel in the crown.

"Real Madrid were estimating his value at 160 million dollars but for a player like that, to actually get him, will cost a lot more; I would think 240 million (dollars) (135 million pounds).

"But why not? We are going to be the biggest club in the world, bigger than both Real Madrid and Manchester United.

"We want a team who can win the Champions League," the Guardian quoted Al-Fahim as saying.

Were such a mega-deal to materialise it would be three times bigger than the current world record which Real paid Juventus for Zinedine Zidane in 2001.

"If we can get the biggest players in the world, and of course if the manager wants them, then we will get them," said Al-Fahim, who has agreed to acquire a majority stake in City, subject to due diligence, from former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

Al-Fahim has not disclosed the amount he is paying for City when he made the purchase on Monday on behalf of the Abu Dhabi United Group for Development and Investment, of which he is a board member.

The National, an English-language Abu Dhabi daily, earlier Tuesday estimated the value of the buy-out at 177 million dollars.

Robinho, 24, will earn a reported 300,000 dollars a week at City, which would make him the highest-paid footballer ever.

On Ronaldo, a United spokesman said curtly: "We have made it clear all summer that Cristiano is not for sale."

Ronaldo is currently on the sidelines as he recovers from July ankle surgery.

Last season he scored 42 goals to help United retain their Premier League title and also win the Champions League, the Portuguese wideman scoring in the final win over Chelsea.

[abadani69]

[abadani69]

Gianfranco Zola, one of the greatest overseas players to grace the English game during his seven years at Chelsea, was named as the new manager of their Premier League rivals West Ham United on Thursday.

The 42-year-old, who signed a three-year contract, also had a glittering international career with Italy and was working as assistant coach to the Under-21 Italy side before deciding to accept West Ham’s offer and move back to London.

He replaces Alan Curbishley, who resigned a week ago because of too much board interference.

Although he is the Hammers’ fifth manager in seven years, he is the first foreigner to manage the club which remains closely linked to their working-class, east London roots.

“In my first experience in England I had seven wonderful years with Chelsea, and that is something I will never forget,” he told a news conference when he was unveiled as the new boss at Upton Park on Thursday.

“But now I have the possibility to have another great experience as a manager and I hope my next few years will be as good as my first seven. That’s my aim, my target.

“I will do everything I can, with all my power, to make it work. This is a very important part of my life and what is important is this club which has put their faith in me and I will try to make it work for them.”

West Ham said Zola was the unanimous choice of the board who had drawn up a list of “high calibre” candidates.

“I am very delighted, it’s a great honour to be given such an important job,” he added.

“I thank the board for choosing me and (director of football) Gianluca Nani for supporting me.”

Zola is expected to get his first taste of action against Newcastle United in 10 days’ time with Kevin Keen taking charge of the first team for Saturday’s league match at West Bromwich Albion.

The Sardinian, who has been in charge of Italy’s under-21 team with Pierluigi Casiraghi, was preferred to former Italy coach Roberto Donadoni whom West Ham said they also interviewed for the managerial position.

Zola’s appointment had been widely expected despite his lack of experience in club management.

“I know I’m not the most experienced manager but I’ve been in football for 20 years and know what I’m talking about,” said Zola, who played more than 300 games for Chelsea.

“I trust my knowledge of the game and believe the players will help me. I am confident everything will be alright.”

He also admitted that transforming West Ham into a team that would regularly challenge for trophies was something that appealed to him.

“My idea, my philosophy is to play offensive football,” he said. “I know the West Ham fans have high expectations but I like a challenge as you have probably noticed in the past. It sparks me up. I am not afraid of that. I cannot wait to start working with this team.”

[abadani69]

British transfer record signing Robinho will make his debut for Manchester City against fellow big spenders Chelsea in their Premier League match on Saturday, City manager Mark Hughes said on Thursday.

Robinho is yet to train with City since joining the club from Real Madrid for 32.5 million pounds ($57 million) at the end of August because of international commitments with Brazil.

After flying back from South America following Brazil’s goalless draw with Bolivia on Wednesday, the 24-year-old forward is in line to face the club that also tried to buy him.

“The intention is that he plays a part (on Saturday),” Hughes told reporters.

“The one impression that I think everybody has of Robinho when you see him play is that as soon as he gets the ball you sense something is going to happen and I think everyone will see that at the weekend.”

Robinho had also been a transfer target for league leaders Chelsea but City’s new-found wealth, secured by the proposed takeover of the club by an Abu Dhabi-based company, allowed them to pull off a notable coup.

“On the day I met him in London, one of the first things he said was that he can’t wait for the game because he can’t wait to play against Chelsea, so that’s a good sign,” said Hughes.

“We are very hopeful that he settles very quickly and the fact that he has Brazilian team mates (Jo and Elano) around him will help him.

“Obviously, expectations will rise because we have a world class player who will ply his trade with City and we are delighted with that.”

Hughes has heard Saturday’s game billed as the “clash of the cash” but despite the excitement generated by the buy-out, the City manager stressed it may still take time to deliver success at a club which has not won a major trophy since 1976.

“There are comparisons between where we are and maybe a similar situation at Chelsea when Mr (Roman) Abramovich came in with a huge amount of money,” said Hughes.

“(But) the stage we are at with the introduction of the amount of money we are going to receive is different to the stage where Chelsea were.

“We want to get where we want to get very, very quickly but I think there is a little bit of realism that has to be attached to what we are trying to do.

“It’s something you have to build from within. You have to build not only a team but a club as well and I’m very conscious that’s what I want to do as well.”

[abadani69]

Brief reports from Premier League matches played at the weekend:

Played Sunday:

STOKE CITY 2 EVERTON 3

Stoke battled back from two goals down but lost out to a Tim Cahill winner after 77 minutes.

Goals from Yakubu Aiyegbeni and Victor Anichebe either side of halftime put Everton in control but Nigerian Seyi Olofinjana’s powerful volley and an own goal from Phil Jagielka put Stoke level.

Australian Cahill, in his first match since March after recovering from a foot injury, found space in the area to thump home a header from a corner.
- - - -

Played Saturday:

BLACKBURN ROVERS 0 ARSENAL 4

Arsenal were at the sweet-passing best and even though Emmanuel Adebayor got a hat-trick they could have had many more.

Robin van Persie put them ahead and Adebayor headed the second at the end of the first half.

The Togo forward then converted a penalty before beating the offside trap for his third at the very end.

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FULHAM 2 BOLTON WANDERERS 1

Fulham were in control but had to endure a nervous finish.

Zoltan Gera drove home from the edge of the box to put them ahead early on and Bobby Zamora, superb all day, scored an impressive second late in the first half. Kevin Davies pulled one back for Bolton in a rare late attack.

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LIVERPOOL 2 MANCHESTER UNITED 1

Liverpool came from behind to secure their first home win over United since 2001.

Liverpool had lost five and drawn one of the previous six home league games against their northwest rivals and trailed to a Carlos Tevez goal after three minutes.

A Wes Brown own goal brought Liverpool back into it after 27 minutes and, after they had much the better of the second half, substitute Ryan Babel shot in the winner 13 minutes from time.

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MANCHESTER CITY 1 CHELSEA 3

Russian money proved stronger than Arab as Chelsea prevailed in the “Clash of the Cash”.

Robinho, the Brazilian Man City snatched from under the noses of Chelsea, marked his debut by opening the scoring with a curling free kick after 13 minutes.

Chelsea equalised through Ricardo Carvalho three minutes later and they dominated from then on. Frank Lampard started and finished a sweeping 70-metre break before Nicolas Anelka got the third.

The only downside for Chelsea was a late red card for John Terry for a professional foul.

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NEWCASTLE UNITED 1 HULL CITY 2

The game was preceded by a demonstration by thousands of Newcastle fans against owner Mike Ashley in the wake of the resignation of manager Kevin Keegan and their mood was hardly improved by losing to the top-flight new boys.

Hull scored against the run of play with a penalty by on-loan striker Marlon King after 34 minutes. Hull were by far the better team after the break and King doubled their lead with a superb 55th-minute breakaway effort.

Spanish debutant Xisco pulled one back to set up a tense finish but it ended badly for the hosts with a straight red card for Danny Guthrie in injury time.

——

PORTSMOUTH 2 MIDDLESBROUGH 1

Boro started well but Portsmouth, with Jermain Defoe in sparkling form, hit back to take the points.

Mido continued his flying start to the season with the Egypt striker’s fourth goal in five games putting Boro ahead after 24 minutes.

Defoe levelled early in the second half and got a deserved winner when he sprung the offside trap in the 86th minute.

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WEST BROMWICH ALBION 3 WEST HAM UNITED 2

A frenetic first half ended at 2-2 before Albion grabbed their first win of the season.

James Morrison and Roman Bednar, with a penalty, scored for West Brom, while Mark Noble and Lucas Neil were on target for West Ham. Chris Brunt got the winner seven minutes from time.

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WIGAN ATHLETIC 1 SUNDERLAND 1

Titus Bramble headed into his own net to give Sunderland an early lead but Wigan piled on the pressure in the second half.

Amr Zaki hit a post before the Egyptian striker made it five goals in five games with 12 minutes to go.

Wigan had Lee Cattermole sent off late on.

——

Playing on Monday

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR v ASTON VILLA

[abadani69]

Brief reports of English Premier League matches played over the weekend:

Played on Sunday:

CHELSEA 1 MANCHESTER UNITED 1

Honours even between the big two in a game that for the most part failed to live up to its billing.

Park Ji-sung put United ahead in the 18th minute after Petr Cech had parried a Dimitar Berbatov shot into his path but Chelsea gradually took charge and got a deserved equaliser 10 minutes from time with a header by unmarked substitute Salomon Kalou.

——

HULL CITY 2 EVERTON 2

Everton came back from 2-0 down but their first goal was a controversial one as Tim Cahill’s shot bounced down on to the line and was signalled as over, much to the annoyance of the home players and fans.

Hull went ahead with a Michael Turner header after 18 minutes and a Phil Neville own goal doubled their lead.

Cahill’s controversial effort came after 73 minutes and Leon Osman banged in the equaliser five minutes later.

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MANCHESTER CITY 6 PORTSMOUTH 0

City continued their free-scoring start to the season with this thrashing taking their tally to 15 in five games.

Portsmouth defended badly and paid the price.

Jo sprung the offside trap after 13 minutes and Richard Dunne bundled home the second goal seven minutes later.

Robinho finished off a sharp counter-attack with the third after 57 minutes, Shaun Wright-Phillips lashed in the fourth and substitutes Ched Evans and Gelson Fernandes completed the rout.

——

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 0 WIGAN ATHLETIC 0

Spurs doubled their points tally for the season but there were not many celebrating at White Hart Lane.

Both sides tried to be adventurous in an end-to-end game but a lack of quality up front meant the goalkeepers were not often tested.

——

WEST BROMWICH ALBION 1 ASTON VILLA 2

John Carew and Gabriel Agbonlahor scored within two minutes of each other midway through the first half as Villa maintained their good start.

James Morrison pulled one back before halftime but Villa always looked the more dangerous and Carew hit the post twice.

Played on Saturday:

BLACKBURN ROVERS 1 FULHAM 0

A game that looked destined for a goalless draw was settled in Blackburn’s favour six minutes from time when substitute Matt Derbyshire latched on to Roque Santa Cruz’s header back across goal to score from close range.

——

BOLTON WANDERERS 1 ARSENAL 3

Arsenal came from behind with another superb passing performance to secure a deserved victory.

Kevin Davies headed Bolton into an early lead but, after Emmanuel Adebayor and Alexandre Song hit the woodwork, Emmanuel Eboue levelled in the 26th minute and Niklas Bendtner put the visitors ahead a minute later.

Bolton had chances in the second half before Denilson made sure for Arsenal with a goal after another lightning break.

——

LIVERPOOL 0 STOKE CITY 0

Steven Gerrard thought he had scored his 100th goal for Liverpool after two minutes but his free kick was ruled out for offside and they never got as close again.

Liverpool were on the attack for most of the match but promoted Stoke, beaten 8-0 on their last visit to Anfield in 2000, held out for their first away point of the season.

——

SUNDERLAND 2 MIDDLESBROUGH 0

Two late goals for substitute Michael Chopra punished Middlesbrough heavily for Stewart Downing’s penalty miss.

The England midfielder blasted a spot kick over the bar at 0-0 after 75 minutes and six minutes later Chopra slid Sunderland ahead, adding the second in stoppage time.

——

WEST HAM UNITED 3 NEWCASTLE UNITED 1

Gianfranco Zola enjoyed his first game in charge of West Ham as fellow Italian new arrival David Di Michele scored twice against a ragged and managerless Newcastle.

Di Michele, making his first start after his arrival on loan from Torino, opened the scoring with a deflected shot after eight minutes, got his second late in the first half and then crossed for Matthew Etherington to tap in the third after 53 before Michael Owen pulled one back.