Van Persie breaks stubborn Olympiakos resistance

Robin van Persie rewarded Arsenal's patience as the Gunners finally shattered Olympiakos's stubborn resistance to claim a 2-0 win in the Champions League on Tuesday.

Arsene Wenger's side dominated the Group H clash at the Emirates Stadium from start to finish, but were frustrated until 12 minutes from full-time by a superb display from Antonis Nikopolidis.

Greek goalkeeper Nikopolidis made a series of fine saves to keep Arsenal at bay until Dutch striker Van Persie slotted home and then Andrei Arshavin notched the second to give the scoreline a more realistic look.

Wenger will become the longest serving manager in Arsenal's history on Thursday when his tenure in north London stretches to 13 years and this was the perfect way to celebrate that milestone. Click to read more...

Barca sink Kiev to get defence up and running

Holders Barcelona recorded their first Champions League win of the new campaign with goals from Lionel Messi and substitute Pedro securing a 2-0 win over Dinamo Kiev at Camp Nou on Tuesday.

After a perfect five wins in the league Barca kick-started their European defence and replace Kiev at the top of Group F on four points after Inter Milan drew 1-1 with Rubin Kazan.

Argentine Messi, top-scorer in last season's Champions League with nine goals, scored Barca's first goal after 25 minutes before substitute Pedro, the latest hope from the club's youth team, added a second to bring up a scoreline that still didn't reflect their dominance.

"I was fortunate enough to score and just hope it is not the last," said Pedro. "I have to take advantage of the minutes I get in this team and try to make my mark. Click to read more...

Sevilla blitz groggy Rangers

Sevilla dumped Rangers with a stunning second-half goal blitz as they made it two wins out of two in their Champions League campaign following a controversial 4-1 success at Ibrox.

The Spanish side ran out easy winners thanks to goals from Abdoulay Konko, Adriano, Luis Fabiano and Frederic Kanoute but that doesn't tell the full story of a fiery encounter, which saw Nacho Novo score a late consolation for the home side.

Konko may have opened the scoring on 50 minutes to set them on their way but he was lucky to still be on the pitch after he somehow avoided giving away a penalty and receiving a red card after a blatant last-man trip on Steven Naismith in the box.

Referee Jonas Eriksson turned away the home side's appeals, which seemed justified, and the visitors never looked back after surviving that first-half scare. Click to read more...

Fiorentina upset Liverpool in Champions League

Young playmaker Stevan Jovetic scored a brace as Fiorentina stunned Liverpool 2-0 in Champions League Group E at the Stadio Artemio Franchi here on Tuesday.

The Montenegro international twice found the net in a mesmerising first 45 minutes for the hosts before the Viola backline held firm during a nail-biting second half.

The victory moved Fiorentina level on three points with Liverpool and three points behind group leaders Lyon.

If Fiorentina started this match as the underdogs, someone had omitted to tell them and there followed 45 minutes of near domination from the Tuscans, with Jovetic at the centre of almost everything. Click to read more...

Benitez unfazed by Mascherano absence

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez said on Monday that the absence of Argentine midfielder Javier Mascherano against Fiorentina in the Champions League here on Tuesday would not pose a problem.

Mascherano felt his hamstring during shooting practice before this game and doctors ruled him out of the group E clash.

But the Spaniard feels he has plenty of other options to fill in for the combative Argentina international.

"It's not a problem, we can manage with Stevie (Gerrard) or others.

To lose a player like Javier is not good but we will try to find a solution. There are three or four others who can play there," said Benitez. Click to read more...

Hungary's Debrecen, a springboard for unknown players

A welcoming side but with limited funds, Debrecen, the Hungarian rookie in this season's Champions League, has something else to offer: a leap to the bigger teams.

The Hungarian champions, who face French side Lyon in a Group E first leg match on Tuesday, are more than happy to have other teams poach their players.

"If there are clubs that are interested, we will not prevent our players from leaving," coach Andras Herczeg said bluntly.

"It is difficult to hold on to good players," he added soberly.

Club owner and businessman Gabor Szima might be the 32th richest man in the country, but the options of the club -- estimated to make between one and two million euros in profit per year, according to the press -- are still far from those of its Champions League rivals Fiorentina, Lyon or Liverpool. Click to read more...

Fiorentina coach can't forget Heysel tragedy

The last time Fiorentina coach Cesare Prandelli came up against Liverpool he was as a Juventus player during the tragic Heysel stadium disaster in the old European Cup final in 1985.

Juventus won that match 1-0 but it will always be remembered for the 39 people who died in a crush when a wall collapsed following a stampede blamed on Liverpool fans.

English clubs were banned from Europe for five years and Prandelli never again came up against Liverpool as a player.

Following spells as a coach of several smaller clubs, he has finally got the chance to face the five-time European champions again but he said he wants to forget what happened last time.

"Heysel was something out of the ordinary that had nothing to do with football, nothing to do with Liverpool or with matches played," Prandelli said. Click to read more...

Manchester City's apologetic Tevez sinks West Ham

Carlos Tevez refused to celebrate as his double-strike inspired Manchester City's 3-1 win over his former club West Ham on Monday.

While Tevez won't win any popularity contests at Manchester United after his acrimonious switch to City, he is fondly regarded at West Ham after almost single-handedly keeping them in the Premier League during a loan spell three years ago.

The Argentina striker acknowledged that the Hammers still have a place in his heart as well as he waved an apology to West Ham's travelling supporters after opening the scoring at Eastlands.

Carlton Cole equalised for Gianfranco Zola's team but Martin Petrov restored City's lead before half-time and Tevez settled an entertaining encounter with his second goal after half-time. Click to read more...

Chelsea: What a load of rubbish

Chelsea captain John Terry has launched a scathing attack on his teammates after Saturday's shock 3-1 loss to Wigan Athletic.

The London outfit had Petr Cech sent off in the second half as goals from Titus Bramble, Hugo Rodallega and Paul Scharner brought Carlo Ancelotti's proud 100% record to an abrupt end at the DW Stadium.

Not surprisingly, 'captain fantastic' Terry was far from happy with his side's disappointing display.

"The least we expect from every player is that we work hard and fight - and we did not do that," the England international is quoted as saying The Sun. Click to read more...

Liverpool 6-1 Hull

Liverpool striker Fernando Torres scored a brilliant hat-trick to blow away struggling Hull at Anfield.

The Spain striker scored twice in the first half either side of Geovanni's equaliser and added a third soon after the interval.

Captain Steven Gerrard scored a fourth just before the hour and substitute Ryan Babel added two late goals as Liverpool made it four league wins - including 16 goals - in succession.

But the day belonged to Torres, who took his tally for the season to eight in seven matches and an incredible 33 in 34 matches at Anfield.

This was also his fourth Liverpool hat-trick and the third he has scored in the Premier League. Click to read more...

Rafa: Torres is simply priceless

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has told Fernando Torres' potential suitors that the Spanish hitman is not for sale at any price.

Torres was in typically superb form on Saturday, bagging a sublime hat-trick as Liverpool thumped Phil Brown's Hull City 6-1 at Anfield.

The Spain international's three-goal haul took his Premier League tally for the season to eight in only seven games, and it was his fourth hat-trick since signing from Atletico Madrid.

With several of English football's giants interested in recruiting Torres, Benitez has once again reiterated that he views his star striker as being priceless.

"How much is he worth?" said Benitez. "Well at least £70million, you would say. Click to read more...

Stoke 0-2 Man United

Ryan Giggs produced another magnificent masterclass to guide Manchester United towards a deserved win at Stoke.

For 55 minutes, Nani occupied the left-wing berth Giggs has filled for so long but brought only groans and growls of frustration from exasperated team-mates as United failed to make the most of their dominance.

Predictably, the response for Giggs was somewhat different.

First English football's most decorated player showed all the composure of his 35 years to provide Dimitar Berbatov with a tap-in. Click to read more...

"United fans were not genuine"

Man City's Pablo Zabaleta has spoken up for his teammate, Carlos Tevez, and claims Manchester United fans were fake.

Tevez walked out to an extremely hostile reception last week in the Manchester derby at Old Trafford with United fans constantly booing him during the game.

The Argentine striker was unperturbed by the negativity and went on to torture his former teammates with his incisive and tireless running.

Speaking to Mirror Football, Zabaleta said: "Carlos wasn't surprised the United fans were unhappy with him at Old Trafford - but he feels it proves he made the right decision,

Click to read more...

Foster out to repay Fergie faith

Ben Foster has revealed the debt of gratitude he owes to Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

There was widespread speculation that Foster would be dropped for Saturday's Premier League win at Stoke.

Foster was certainly to blame for Manchester City's opening goal in the derby encounter last weekend, while questions were also asked about his dismal efforts to prevent Craig Bellamy scoring the Blues' third equaliser.

Yet at the first available opportunity, Ferguson insisted he was sticking with the 26-year-old and was rewarded with a clean sheet as United defeated Stoke 2-0 at the Britannia Stadium to go top for the first time this season. Click to read more...

BPL Top Scorer..

Top Goal Scorers
Rank Name Team Matches Goals
1 Torres, Fernando Liverpool 7 8
2 Bent, Darren Sunderland 7 6
2 Drogba, Didier Chelsea 7 6
2 Rooney, Wayne Manchester United 7 6
5 Defoe, Jermain Tottenham Hotspur 7 5
5 Keane, Robbie Tottenham Hotspur 7 5
5 Saha, Louis Everton 5 5
8 Adebayor, Emmanuel Manchester City 4 4

Click to full table...

Jones hands McCarthy a miserable return to Sunderland

Sunderland handed former manager Mick McCarthy a miserable return to the Stadium of Light as Kenwyne Jones's double-strike inspired a 5-2 win over Wolverhampton on Sunday.

McCarthy spent three years in charge at Sunderland before being sacked in 2006 after a dismal campaign in the Premier League.

There were no fond memories for McCarthy to take back to Wolverhampton from Wearside this time either as his side squandered a point after battling back from 2-0 down to 2-2.

Penalties from Darren Bent and Trinidad and Tobago striker Jones had given Steve Bruce's Sunderland a two-goal lead just after half-time.

John Mensah's own goal and a Kevin Doyle strike gave McCarthy hope of making a point.

But Jones restored Sunderland's lead with a superb individual effort before Michael Turner's header and a Michael Mancienne own goal compounded McCarthy's misery and lifted the Black Cats into eighth place in the table. Click to read more...

Ibisevic hits hat-trick as Hoffenheim crush Hertha

Hoffenheim striker Vedad Ibisevic showed last season's cruciate knee operation is behind him with a first-half hat-trick in the 5-1 humiliation of bottom side Hertha Berlin on Sunday.

Lucien Favre's position as Hertha coach looks increasingly precarious after his side slumped again following last Sunday's 4-0 hammering at home to Freiburg.

The 25-year-old Ibisevic, the league's top-scorer going into January's winter break before his knee injury struck, needed just 21 minutes to wrap up his hat-trick as he marked his first goals in the league this season.

"In the last few games I hadn't scored, but neither had I played badly," said Ibisevic after his side's seventh game of the season.

"Today the goals came back by themselves, I played with a new pair of shoes and I am delighted that I scored three goals, really delighted." Click to read more...

Valverde feels heat as Villarreal lose again

Villarreal coach Ernesto Valverde came under more pressure on Sunday as his side slumped to a 1-0 defeat at Deportivo La Coruna to leave them languishing second from bottom of the table.

Deportivo's Brazilian midfielder Juca, a summer signing from Partizan Belgrade, scored a free-kick after eight minutes to decide the match although Villarreal spurned a number of chances to equalise.

Valverde arrived as Manuel Pellegrini's successor in the summer having won a league and cup double with Greek giants Olympiakos but has yet to taste his first win in charge and the pressure is mounting.

"We had a problem getting into the match but Deportivo only had one clear chance in the first half apart from their goal," said Valverde. Click to read more...

Last-gasp Adailton denies Juventus top spot, Milan jeered

Bologna's veteran Brazilian forward Adailton scored an equaliser deep into injury time to deny Juventus a return to the top of the Serie A table following a 1-1 draw in Turin.

The result left Juventus one point behind leaders Sampdoria, who beat champions Inter Milan 1-0 on Saturday.

Meanwhile, AC Milan's miserable start to the season continued as they needed goalkeeper Marco Storari to rescue a 0-0 draw for them at home to newly-promoted Bari.

They were booed off the San Siro pitch as they slumped to seven points behind Sampdoria after just two wins in six matches and just a solitary goal in their last five encounters.

Under-pressure Milan coach Leonardo said his side deserved their jeers.

"Bari played very, very well while we struggled a lot," he said. "At the end of the game jeers, just like applause, are always deserved." Click to read more...

Fergie hails evergreen Giggs as model pro

Sir Alex Ferguson has paid tribute to the professionalism that has enabled Ryan Giggs to produce some of the best football of his career at the age of 35.

The Welsh winger has been Manchester United's outstanding performer this season with match-winning performances against both Tottenham and Manchester City in recent weeks.

Against City, Giggs created three of United's goals, including the stoppage time winner that Michael Owen converted to seal a 4-3 win, while his stunning free-kick against Spurs -- his 99th Premier League goal for United -- means he has scored in every season since the league was launched in 1992.

With nothing left to achieve in the domestic game, Giggs could be excused for taking things easy, yet his hunger and desire are as great as ever and Ferguson recognises that he will be a hard player to replace when he does finally call it a day. Click to read more...

Ze Roberto eyes Bundesliga title - and world crown

League-leaders Hamburg face the biggest test of their tenure at the top of the Bundesliga on Saturday as their Brazilian midfielder Ze Roberto takes on his former club Bayern Munich.

The 35-year-old has enjoyed a new lease of life since swapping Bavaria for the Hanseatic city and with three goals in six games is hoping to help Hamburg win the German league title this year.

Bruno Labbadia's Hamburg side will certainly have their credentials tested by third-placed Bayern who are getting stronger and chasing their fourth consecutive league win.

"Our team has a bright future and I am in the form of my life," said the midfielder.

"Bayern always starts the season with the goal of being German champions, we must also make sure that doesn't happen.

"My goal is to win the Bundesliga with Hamburg - and the World Cup with Brazil." Click to read more...

Inter and Sampdoria face title test

Champions Inter Milan travel to Sampdoria on Saturday in a match that will prove a solid test of both team's title credentials.

Sampdoria were the surprise early front-runners in Serie A until Wednesday's 2-0 defeat at Fiorentina, a result that saw Inter replace them at the head of the table following a 3-1 win over Napoli.

Inter have been gradually improving since their disappointing opening day draw at home to promoted Bari and a victory at high-flying Sampdoria, just three days before an exhausting Champions League trip to Kazan in Russia, would be a demoralising blow for the pretenders to their crown.

The omens were good for Inter against Napoli as all three of their goals were scored by new signings and forward pair Diego Milito and Samuel Eto'o showed increasing signs of developing a growing understanding. Click to read more...

Fergie faces Owen dilemma

Tony Pulis admires Michael Owen sufficiently to have made a concerted effort to sign him for Stoke during the close season.

That effort failed and, when Manchester United visit the Britannia Stadium here on Saturday, Pulis fears his team may discover first-hand why he was so keen on bringing the then free-agent to the club.

Owen scored the deciding goal in last weekend?s extraordinary Manchester derby before starting, for just the second time since signing at Old Trafford, in the midweek League Cup win over Wolves.

United manager Sir Alex Ferguson would, therefore, appear most likely to play Wayne Rooney and Dimitar Berbatov from the start against Stoke but, following his impressive performance off the bench against Manchester City, Owen could undoubtedly have a significant role to play. Click to read more...

Fergie dreams of taking on son Darren's Peterborough

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is hoping for only one outcome when the draw is made for the last 16 of the League Cup on Saturday - a tie against son Darren and his Championship club Peterborough.

Ferguson junior reached the fourth round of the competition with victory over Newcastle on Tuesday, 24 hours before a 1-0 win for the ten men of United against Wolverhampton Wanderers earned his father's League Cup holders their spot in the fourth round.

The two managers have never competed against each other in a competitive contest and, while the odds are obviously stacked against that particular outcome, Ferguson is clearly relishing another extended run in a tournament he has used so successfully to blood young players over the years. Click to read more...

Cole intent on return to peak form after injury

Joe Cole insists he still has some way to go before he is back to his best after completing his first 90 minutes since damaging knee ligaments last January.

Cole's performance was one of the highlights of a pedestrian Chelsea display as the Premier League leaders struggled to overcome Championship club QPR Rangers, eventually edging to a 1-0 victory in the League Cup third round clash at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday.

The England midfielder was crocked in an FA Cup tie against Southend nine months ago and he knows he has to keep working to reach a high enough level to press for a regular starting spot in Carlo Ancelotti's first team - as well as pressing for a recall to Fabio Capello's England squad.

"This is s stepping stone for me," he said. "It's not a case of saying I'm back or anything like that. Click to read more...

Injury scare marrs Yakubu's triumphant return

Everton striker Ayegbeni Yakubu marked his first start since November with a goal in his side's 4-0 League Cup win at Hull, but the Nigerian's return was marred by an injury scare.

Yakubu has only just recovered from a snapped Achilles suffered before Christmas and he made up for lost time with Everton's opening goal after just 11 minutes and an assist for Dan Gosling's strike at the KC Stadium.

But Yakubu was forced off at half-time with a thigh strain and Everton assistant manager Steve Round admitted there was no way boss David Moyes was going to risk his star striker making the problem any worse.

"He has got a slight thigh strain," Round said. "We want him to train on Thursday and be ready for Saturday so we took him off as a precaution." Click to read more...

Kaka nets first goal as Real keep pace with Barca in Spanish league

Real Madrid kept pace with champions Barcelona at the top of the Spanish First Division defeating 10-man Villarreal 2-0 at El Madrigal on Wednesday with Cristiano Ronaldo continuing his goal-a-game record while Brazilian Kaka scored his first Real goal from the penalty spot.

Ronaldo scored a great solo goal in the very first minute to make it five goals in four games and Kaka converted a controversial penalty for his first goal in Real's colours.

"It was important to start (the season) winning games," said Ronaldo. "I am really happy to win here and also to continue scoring goals.

"Villarreal are strong at home but we managed to get the three points."

It was a fourth straight win for Real as they joined Barcelona, who defeated Racing Santander 4-1 on Tuesday, on a maximum 12 points. Click to read more...

BPL Top Scorers

Top Goal Scorers

Rank Name Team Matches Goals
1 Rooney, Wayne Manchester United 6 6
2 Bent, Darren Sunderland 6 5
2 Defoe, Jermain Tottenham Hotspur 6 5
2 Drogba, Didier Chelsea 6 5
2 Torres, Fernando Liverpool 6 5
6 Adebayor, Emmanuel Manchester City 4 4
6 Saha, Louis Everton 4 4

8 Agbonlahor, Gabriel Aston Villa 5 3

Click to full table...

Lescott refuses to blame refs

Manchester City defender Joleon Lescott insists the referees are not to blame for his side’s 4-3 derby loss to Manchester United.

Michael Owen drilled in a last-gasp winner for Man United six minutes into stoppage time after the fourth official has showed four extra minutes to everyone at the end of 90 minutes.

The defeat was Man City's first of the campaign after they clawed their way back on three occasions thanks to a goal from Gareth Barry and a brace from Craig Bellamy. Click to read more...

Hughes: We were robbed by ref

Man City boss Mark Hughes was upset with the amount of stoppage time awarded by Martin Atkinson in their 4-3 loss to Man United.

A minimum of four minutes was signalled by fourth official Alan Wiley, with Manchester United striker Michael Owen scoring nearly 90 seconds after that time was up.

"In the end we feel really frustrated and, if it is not a too strong word, robbed because the ref has played seven minutes,'' Hughes said.

"Alan Wiley tried to explain he added the time for our celebration but I looked at the video and that lasted 45 seconds. Click to read more...

Owen steals limelight from Tevez

The cheers were all for Michael Owen - the jeers were reserved for pantomime villain Carlos Tevez.

Owen stepped off the bench to give Manchester United the bragging rights with a goal five and a half minutes into stoppage time.

It was his first at home for his new club - and the timing could not have better as it condemned Manchester City to a 4-3 defeat in a pulsating derby.

Visiting manager Mark Hughes pointed animatedly to his watch at the fourth official but all to no avail. Click to read more...

Record-breakers Sampdoria go top, Mourinho sent off

Sampdoria set a club record four straight victories at the start of a Serie A season with a 4-1 success over lowly Siena on Sunday that took them top of the table.

Sampdoria lead Juventus, who won 2-0 against Livorno on Saturday, on goals scored to be the unlikely pace-setters at this early stage of the season.

It wasn't such good news for their city rivals Genoa, though, who could also have gone top but they lost their 100-percent record with a 3-1 defeat at Chievo.

Meanwhile, Inter Milan coach Jose Mourinho, who on Saturday launched a broadside at his Italian critics, was sent off for arguing with the referee as the champions came back from a first-half deficit to beat Cagliari 2-1 in Sardinia. Click to read more...

Diouf interviewed by police after ball-boy clash

Blackburn forward El-Hadji Diouf has been interviewed by police following allegations made by a ball-boy after his side's 3-0 defeat against Everton on Sunday.

Diouf was seemingly involved in an altercation with the youngster during the first half at Goodison Park.

The Senegal international is believed to have complained that the ball was not thrown back into play quickly enough.

Diouf then suffered abuse from home fans and again when he went to take two corners in the area of the original incident.

After the match police interviewed Diouf at the stadium before the Blackburn team left. Click to read more...

Leonardo praises AC Milan in victory over Bologna

AC Milan coach Leonardo praised his players' pride following their laboured 1-0 home win against Bologna but said he wouldn't get carried away with the result.

Milan sit five points behind leaders Sampdoria and Juventus and three behind champions Inter Milan in the Serie A table after their second win in four matches.

Both of those have been narrow successes against minnow opposition with this win added to their 2-1 victory at Siena on the opening day of the season.

Between those two matches, though, came a pair of disappointments: a 4-0 defeat to Inter and 0-0 draw at Livorno so Leonardo believes that these three points have helped put the club on the right track. Click to read more...

Ferguson wants United to cut out mistakes after thriller

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson wants his side to cut out the mistakes that played a key role in the champions' thrilling 4-3 derby victory over Manchester City.

United's jaw-dropping win on Sunday was sealed by Michael Owen's stoppage time goal and Ferguson immediately described it as one of the greatest derbies of all time, but the Scot was unhappy with the way his defence allowed City to come from behind three times.

"It spoiled a really emphatic victory because we could have won by six or seven and the fact that we made the mistakes probably made it the best derby game of all time," Ferguson said.

"Would we have rather won 6-0 or had the greatest derby game of all time? I'd rather have won 6-0."

United took the lead in the second minute when Patrice Evra poked a pass to Wayne Rooney, who took a touch before stabbing his shot past Shay Given. Click to read more...

Ronaldo at double as Real Madrid make it three out of three

Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice as Real Madrid made it three wins in three games with a 5-0 thrashing of bottom side Xerez in Spanish league action on Sunday.

There was no David versus Goliath scenario as the might of Real, with a budget of 400 million euros, crushed the newcomers who have the smallest budget in La Liga.

Ronaldo opened the scoring inside the first minute in the match played at the Bernabeu but Xerez held on until the final quarter when the Portuguese winger, Guti, Karim Benzema and Ruud van Nistelrooy all netted in quick succession.

It was a sweet return to action for van Nistelrooy, who was making his first competitive appearance since suffering a serious right knee injury last year. Click to read more...

Chelsea face nervous wait over Drogba injury

Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti faces a nervous wait to discover how long Didier Drogba will be sidelined after the Ivory Coast striker was stretchered off with a calf injury in his side's 3-0 win over Tottenham.

Ancelotti's side maintained their 100 percent record under the Italian, who replaced interim manager Guus Hiddink in the close-season, and regained top position in the Premier League with a convincing display at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

Tottenham could not conjure a reply to goals from Ashley Cole, Michael Ballack and Drogba and Chelsea have now set a club record sequence of 11 successive victories in league action, including fixtures from last season.

But Drogba was stretchered off before the final whistle, as was Tottenham defender Sebastien Bassong, who was taken to hospital with a suspected fractured cheekbone. The visitors also lost Ledley King to a hamstring injury. Click to read more...

Man United determined to silence City

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson insists his side will silence "noisy neighbours" Manchester City after a sensational 4-3 victory over their bitter rivals.

Michael Owen scored a dramatic 96th minute goal to secure a derby triumph which had featured three City equalisers.

The rivalry that had been building all week helped create a superb contest at Old Trafford which showed that City are worthy of being considered serious contenders for silverware after their close-season of extraordinary spending.

But United had the final word thanks to substitute Owen's stoppage time strike.

"Sometimes you've got a noisy neighbour and you have to live with it," Ferguson said. "You can't do anything about them and they keep on making noise. Click to read more...

Hughes: We’re the team to beat

Mark Hughes has warned Sir Alex Ferguson that City go into the Manchester derby as the team with a better track record this season.

Manchester City face their cross-city rivals at Old Trafford confident of securing their fifth straight win.
The Red Devils were upset by Premier League new boys Burnley earlier in the season and Hughes insists they are not the same team that dominated the league in the previous campaign.

"Whenever you go to Old Trafford you need to do so with confidence," said Hughes. "We cannot be in any better shape on that score."

"We go there in good heart, knowing you need a bit of luck in key periods of any game." Click to read more...

Premier League Sunday Team News

The latest team news ahead of Sunday's matches in the BPL, a day that sees Man United play Man City and Spurs travel to Chelsea.

Manchester United vs Manchester City(Kick-off 20.30HKT):

Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez has returned to training following a knee injury but faces a late fitness test to determine whether he can face his former club Manchester United on Sunday at Old Trafford.

The addition of Tevez would be a boost for manager Mark Hughes as Emmanuel Adebayor starts a three-match suspension.

Robinho and Roque Santa Cruz remain sidelined through injury and Craig Bellamy is likely to start as the lone striker. Click to read more...

Ferguson: Liverpool are true rivals

Man City may have spent £120m on new players, but Sir Alex Ferguson will always regard Liverpool as United's true local rivals.

Not since 1968, when United won the European Cup and City finished top of the old Division One have Manchester's two giants met on anything like an equal footing.

But the pair go head to head at Old Trafford on Sunday with far more than bragging rights at stake.

United are looking for victory to enhance their chances of landing a record fourth consecutive title, while City bid to extend a four-match winning streak that will raise optimism about a sustained championship challenge. Click to read more...

United to test City title credentials

Mark Hughes takes his Manchester City side to Old Trafford on Sunday determined to give the champions a scare or two this season.

With four straight wins under their belt Hughes believes he can afford to be bullish ahead of the derby against Manchester United.

Even without striker Emmanuel Adebayor, who is suspended after accepting a charge of violent conduct, the Welsh boss is relishing the challenge immediately ahead.

Hughes said: "A number of clubs. like ours, spend a lot of money and their ambition is to win the Premier League, whether it is this year or the next. What we have tried to do is move things forward. Click to read more...

Brown: United will reign supreme

For 20 years, Mancunian football fans have seen Manchester City being trampled on by their neighbours from Old Trafford - and that is how Wes Brown intends it to stay.

Depending on the respective team selections of Sir Alex Ferguson and Mark Hughes, Brown could be one of the few local lads to be involved on Sunday when United tackle big-spending City in the most eagerly-anticipated local derby for years.

It is two decades since the Blues beat the Reds 5-1 at Maine Road - Hughes was on the scoresheet for United. Since then it has been glory, glory all the way for the Red Devils. Click to read more...

Ancelotti unflustered by changing times at Chelsea

If Carlo Ancelotti has been left shaken by the upheavals at Chelsea during his few ten weeks in charge, he is doing a very good job of disguising the fact.

The Blues coach has given the impression it is business as usual as he prepares his side for a meeting with London rivals Tottenham at Stamford Bridge on Sunday that could extend Chelsea's perfect start to the Premier League campaign.

Five successive wins have already positioned the Italian's side at the head of the table and laid down an early marker in their title battle with Manchester United.

And he has remained unruffled by FIFA's impostion of a 16-month transfer ban on the club and the sudden departure of chief executive Peter Kenyon.

Ancelotti insists his focus remains solely on team affairs even though he could never have imagined he would find himself fending off questions about the club's internal affairs when he moved to England from AC Milan in July. Click to read more...

Arsenal bounce back in style with Wigan win

Arsenal bounced back from last week's traumatic defeat at Manchester City with centreback Thomas Vermaelen scoring twice in a 4-0 stroll against Wigan.

Croatia international Eduardo claimed the third although the ball found the net via a deflection off Emmanuel Eboue and Cesc Fabregas notched a fourth in stoppage time as Arsene Wenger's side turned on the style at the Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal?s players had been left nursing a few bruises and damaged egos after their 4-2 defeat at Eastlands.

But they made amends here and sent out a clear signal that they intend to be part of the title race this season.

Wenger saw his side outplayed in Manchester and then suffer a scare in midweek when they were forced to overturn an early two-goal deficit to beat Standard Liege 3-2 in the Champions League. Click to read more...

Wenger impressed by Eboue's revival

Arsene Wenger is tipping Emmanuel Eboue to blossom into one of Arsenal's key players after the Ivory Coast star finally erased the memory of his Wigan nightmare.

Eboue endured the humiliation of being jeered by his own supporters against the Latics at the Emirates Stadium in December and was later substituted - despite only coming on as a sub himself - during the match to avoid any further damange to his dwindling confidence.

That might have been the end of Eboue's Arsenal career but he continued to fight for his place and looked a reinvigorated character at the Emirates on Saturday as he scored in the Gunners' 4-0 win over the same Wigan opponents.

Belgium defender Thomas Vermaelen scored twice before Eboue deflected in Eduardo's shot. Spain international Cesc Fabregas notched a fourth in stoppage time to complete the emphatic win.

Eboue, 26, is now enjoying a more advanced roll in the Arsenal side and Wenger is confident the midfielder is beginning to show his promise. Click to read more...

Agbonlahor backed to claim England ticket to SAfrica

Martin O'Neill has backed on-form striker Gabriel Agbonlahor to shoot himself into Fabio Capello's England squad for the World Cup finals in South Africa next year.

The Villa forward is currently on the fringes of his national team and missed out on the squads for the recent matches against Slovenia and Croatia.

But his goal in Saturday's 2-0 win over Portsmouth made it three in his last three matches and O'Neill believes Capello will have taken notice of the way his striker, who has been working on his upper body strength, shook off Pompey defender Tal Ben-Haim to score Villa's second just before half-time.

"He conjured something from nothing and that gave us a massive lift," O'Neill said. "He is playing brilliantly for us at the moment and it was a fantastic goal. Click to read more...

Benitez hails rejuvenated Torres

Rafael Benitez believes Fernando Torres is nearing a return to his best form after the Spain striker scored twice in Liverpool's 3-2 victory over West Ham.

Torres's goals - he opened the scoring in the 20th minute and clinched the victory 15 minutes from time - were crucial after Benitez's side twice conceded the lead against a determined West Ham.

The manager accepted that defensive errors had almost cost his team victory but was delighted that Torres appears to have shrugged off the lingering hangover of last year's extended season that included a trip to the Confederations Cup with his country.

"Last week he was not scoring goals and everyone was asking me whether he is fit," said Benitez.

"This week he scored two important goals and I was also really pleased with him against Debrecen in the Champions League game because he was working very hard. Click to read more...

Messi sparks five-goal Barcelona victory

Argentine star Lionel Messi celebrated his new deal with Barcelona by scoring twice in the European champions' 5-2 win over floundering Atletico Madrid.

Messi signed a two-year contract extension on Friday which will keep him at the club until 2016 and with a buy-out clause rising from 150 million to an even more staggering 250 million euros.

But he showed his value to the defending champions on Saturday as Barcelona made it three wins in three games to stay top of the table.
Having failed to record a win so far this season the signs were ominous for Atletico ahead of their visit to the Nou Camp.

Last season they lost the corresponding match 5-1 and on Saturday they quickly went behind after a good finish from Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Click to read more...

Mourinho delighted with football, without the ball

Jose Mourinho praised his team for their play without the ball following their opening Champions League group F 0-0 draw at the San Siro against champions Barcelona.

In a chess match of few chances, defensive discipline, little action but great tactical awareness, Inter contained the attacking flair of their swashbuckling opponents to come away with a valuable point on Wednesday.

Barcelona dominated possession, particularly after the break, but Mourinho insisted his team had controlled the match nonetheless.

"From the bench I saw two teams with great respect for each other. Two good defences, good organisation, good concentration, few gifts for their opponents.

"In the first half the two teams were equal, in the second Barcelona were better, they had more possession, more control but against an Inter that controlled the game without the ball in a defensive sense. Click to read more...

England job will be Capello's last

England manager Fabio Capello said he will coach no other sides, including his native Italy, after his contract with the Football Association ends, a report said Thursday.

Capello, 63, has helped England qualify for the 2010 World Cup finals in South Africa and is one year into a four-year contract with the FA.

And he told The Sun: "I wear the England shirt. The England team will be the last football side I coach."

Asked whether he still has ambitions to manage Italy, Capello said: "No, it simply does not interest me."

England have often fallen at the quarter-final stage of international competitions in the last 20 years, but Italian Capello said last week he wants the side to go all the way to the July 11 final. Click to read more...

Liverpool look ahead after Champions League scare

Liverpool will hope to make it four wins in a row when they visit West Ham in the Premier League on Saturday after limping to a 1-0 victory against Hungarian champions Debrecen in Europe.

"We're slowly getting back to where we want to be," Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard said after seeing his side struggle to victory over Debrecen in their opening Champions League Group E tie at Anfield on Wednesday.

"It's three wins on the spin, hopefully we can make that four at West Ham," added the England midfielder.

Dutch striker Dirk Kuyt scored the only goal against Debrecen, who were making their first appearance in the Champions League group stages.

"The most important thing is to get the three points," Reds manager Rafael Benitez said after seeing Kuyt's goal in added time at the end of the first half secure the win. Click to read more...