Wenger bemoans lack of creativity following Sunderland draw

Manager Arsene Wenger was disappointed about Arsenal's lack of creativity after they struggled to break down the Sunderland defence during their 1-1 draw yesterday.

The Gunners enjoyed a lot of possession but could not find a way past a determined and organised home side until Cesc Fabregas headed home a last-minute equaliser.

Wenger praised the way the Black Cats defended but was frustrated that his side did not have it in them to find a way past Roy Keane's team however well the opposition had played.

He said: "We had a lot of possession but lacked a bit of sharpness to get them out of position and they defended very well.

"But it was a bit of a frustrating day for us, we didn't create the chances we usually do and as well because I must say Sunderland defended very well."

The Frenchman said that it was too early to say whether it had been a good point to win or whether it was two points lost, but he was relieved to have got something out of the game.

Arsenal had looked like they were slipping to their second successive league defeat until Fabregas scored from a late corner.

Wenger hailed the resilience of the midfielder and claimed it showed his winning mentality.

He said: "It shows he is just not a great footballer but a great winner. He is one of the smaller players in our team and he goes for the header in the last seconds of the match, it tells you a lot about him."

Arsenal will hope to get back to winning ways against Everton following the international break

From www.inthenews.co.uk

Sunderland 1-1 Arsenal Match report Save By Cesc

Cesc Fabregas headed home in stoppage time to rescue a point for Arsenal at the Stadium of Light.
Grant Leadbitter's spectacular late strike seemed to have given Sunderland victory but the Spanish midfielder met Robin van Persie's corner with seconds remaining to seal what was probably a fair result.
Defeat would have been harsh on Arsenal, who could have had more if Van Persie's effort had not been wrongly ruled out in the second half. Theo Walcott's hooked cross was rifled in by the Dutchman but the linesman flagged for a goal-kick, claiming that the ball had crossed the byline before Walcott had retrieved it. Replays suggested the goal should have stood.
Either way, Arsène Wenger will take some solace from Fabregas' late intervention. They will head into the international defeat with much to do when they return to Premier League action in a fortnight's time.
Wenger opted for one change from the side which beat Porto in midweek. Alex Song was available again after a hip injury and was brought straight back in to add ballast to Arsenal's midfield. It was Song's 50th appearance in English football, although some of those games came on loan at Charlton. Samir Nasri dropped to the bench as Wenger plumped for a 4-2-3-1 formation with Cesc Fabregas given greater licence to get forward.
Nasri's omission may have been an acknowledgement from Wenger that he expected a stern physical test from Sunderland. Indeed, all the ingredients were there if you enjoy the stereotype of a tough day in the north for Arsenal - a biting, swirling wind, persistent drizzle and determined opponents. You sensed the visitors would need steel as well as style at the Stadium of Light.
In the event, neither side mastered the difficult conditions in a scrappy first half. While Arsenal struggled to exert their usual authority on proceedings, Sunderland too often left Djibril Cisse isolated up front. As a result clear-cut chances were at a premium.
In fact, the first opening came about while William Gallas was replacing his boots on the sidelines. Song took time to drop back into central defence and Sunderland took advantage as Dean Whitehead raced onto a through-ball. Kolo Toure's sliding tackle had to be perfectly timed - and it was.
After 11 minutes Arsenal had their first opening. A short corner found Fabregas on the edge of the Sunderland box but his cross held up in the swirling wind en route to Adebayor and the Togo striker couldn't time his leap well enough, heading well over the bar.
Fabregas, Adebayor and Denilson tried pot-shots - not a bad idea in these conditions - but failed to test Craig Gordon.
Indeed, the better chances were being carved out at the other end. On the quarter-hour Walcott was dispossessed by Kieran Richardson, who slid the ball to Cisse. Manuel Almunia raced out to deny the Frenchman from a narrow angle. Two minutes later Cisse collected the ball in the right channel and, having assessed his options, lashed in a shot which Almunia tipped over the bar. Arsenal were guilty of failing to close down Cisse - a mistake which cost them dear against Hull last weekend.
As the half drew to a close, the visitors enjoyed a decent spell of pressure as Fabregas dropped deeper and, as a result, saw more of the ball. Nine minutes before the break Walcott found a couple of yards of space for the first time and whipped in a low cross. Van Persie lurked at the far post but Craig Gordon dived to claim the ball ahead of him.
Nonetheless, it was a sign that Arsenal were finding their groove and they started the second half with plenty of purpose.
After a long spell of possession Fabregas found Walcott on the right and the teenager drove a low ball across the six-yard box but no Arsenal player gambled and the danger passed.
Then came the game's moment of controversy. Walcott battled his way to the right-hand byline and, as the ball bounced away from him, the 19-year-old hooked his boot around it and cut it back for Van Persie to rifle past Gordon. Arsenal's celebrations were cut short by a linesman's flag who ruled that the ball had gone out of play before Walcott retrieved it.
Replays suggested the goal should have stood.
Sunderland had their moments - Richardson testing Almunia from distance, Reid curling a free-kick straight at the Arsenal keeper and Cisse shooting over after Denilson had lost possession - but the visitors were enjoying most of the ball and most of the territory. It was surely just a matter of finding a way through the Black Cats' back four.
Nicklas Bendtner replaced Walcott and made inroads almost immediately, finding Adebayor after a jinking run. Once again, the Togolese was crowded out. Then Wenger brought off Denilson and brought on Nasri; the Frenchman had a sight of goal with 15 minutes left but could only poke his effort at Gordon.
With nine minutes left Arsenal's best chance came and went. Excellent build-up play involving Bendtner left Van Persie through on goal and eight yards out. The Dutchman's right-foot shot was on target but Gordon stood tall to block. Worst was to follow as Leadbitter emerged from the bench to fire home an unstoppable effort from 25 yards.
Arsenal threw everything forward in a desperate attempt to rescue a point and they were rewarded when Fabregas leapt to head home Van Persie's corner. In the end, it was probably a fair result.

By Chris Harris

From Arsenal.com

Wilshere To Be Offered Arsenal Deal As Chelsea Show Interest

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is ready to offer teenage sensation Jack Wishere a professional contract at the Emirates Stadium in January, with reports that Premier league rivals Chelsea are interested in the attacking midfielder, according to The News of the World.
16-year-old Wishere has been at the North London club since the age of 9, but despite breaking into the first-team squad at Arsenal is still on a £75-a-week YTS agreement. This is due to his age, with the youngster not able to sign professional terms until he turns 17 on January 1st.
This has alerted the Blues, who have reportedly been watching Wilshere, with a view to making an audacious swoop for the England Under-17 International and bring him to Stamford Bridge.
However, Wenger is understood to have moved quickly on learning of the West London clubs interest and will offer Wilshere a six-year deal at the Emirates, worth £15,000-a-week to stop the Gunners young prodigy leaving for Luiz Felipe Scolari’s team.

by Jake Briggs

From premiershiplatest

Wenger "say" We've been taught a lesson

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has demanded improvement from his players after defeat to Hull ruined his 12th anniversary at the club.

Daniel Cousin's winner denied Wenger a return to the top of the Premier League table and ended Arsenal's unbeaten run at the Emirates Stadium, which had stretched back 17 months.
The hosts had led through Paul McShane's own goal before Geovanni found the top corner from 30 yards, then Cousin added the decider as Arsenal wasted their possession and opportunities, a criticism they have faced after going without a trophy since 2005.
"We had the chances to win the game," said Wenger. "The commitment was on the high side but we weren't completely switched on to the level you need to be to win the game.
"Human beings are not machines. Perhaps subconsciously we thought we would make it. After we went 1-0 up, we were a bit careless in not pushing on to score the second goal.
"We don't know how costly it could be but they were committed and it was a good lesson for us. We now know that if our attitude isn't right, we can lose games.
"It was a bit similar to (Arsenal's match at) Fulham. You can never afford defeats. We had a good chance to go top of the league but at the end of the day, if we had had the same level of concentration as Hull we would have won the game."
Emmanuel Adebayor had an effort ruled out in the first half for pushing McShane and Michael Turner - but Hull goalkeeper Boaz Myhill went untested for 45 minutes.
McShane bundled through his own net after Theo Walcott raided down the right just after the break, then Geovanni's rocket levelled.
Wenger was angry with the marking for Cousin's winner, with the Gabon striker moving across captain William Gallas from a corner to glance his header into the far post.
It was not the way Wenger wanted to remember his 12th anniversary.
"There's nothing to celebrate, even if we had won," he added.
Hull manager Phil Brown was furious with his players at half-time for not believing they could win.
After the finest result in the club's history, Brown felt he was rewarded for his positive approach, fielding Marlon King and Cousin in attack, with Geovanni supporting.
"We picked a team to come here and cause them problems," Brown said.
"We have a drive, an endeavour and a belief that we can come to places and get a result. I was disappointed with our display in the first half when we came off at 0-0 because I wanted to win.
"To say I was harsh in my criticism would be an understatement.
"It's one of my greatest results - Wembley and Newcastle were great but we're proving people wrong all the time. We've got the same number of points as Derby (achieved in all of last season) with 32 games left so it's a fantastic day!"
Hull captain Ian Ashbee told Setanta 1: "We went for it, we played with three strikers.
"We could have come and try to shut up shop but we knew that would be difficult against Arsenal."
Cousin's goal was his first for Hull since joining from Rangers last month, and the Gabon international said: "I'm happy for the team and for my first goal for Hull. We played well together."

By Tigers

From teamtalk

Arsenal 1-2 Hull City Match Report

Arsenal suffered only their second defeat in 60 games at Emirates Stadium when Hull came from behind to record an incredible victory on Saturday evening.After a slow start, the Premier League leaders dominated the opening half. They had created constant pressure and saw Emmanuel Adebayor’s far-post header ruled out for climbing. The floodgates appeared to have opened six minutes after the restart when a combination of Cesc Fabregas and Hull defender Paul McShane scuffed the ball over the line after a melee.The visitors had a mountain to climb but this afternoon Hull seemed to have ropes, oxygen, crampons, tents plus the workload of your average Sherpa troop. Geovanni got them level just past the hour with a stunning strike from distance. Four minutes later, Daniel Cousin turned in an exquisite header.Arsenal responded as you might expect. They poured forward and, eight minutes from time, William Gallas planted a header against the bar. Despite close, close, efforts from Cesc Fabregas and Robin van Persie in injury time, it was as near as they would come to equalising.At full time, Hull celebrated long and hard. The Emirates atmosphere was in stark contrast to Tuesday when a young Arsenal side had played with freedom and little pressure to record a memorable victory.This game will stick in the mind for some time too – but for all the wrong reasons.It was Arsenal’s second defeat of the season and, as a result, they have been knocked off top spot.Wenger returned to his more established stars for this early evening kick-off. In comparison to last Saturday’s win at Bolton there were two changes.Theo Walcott and Van Persie replaced Alex Song and Nicklas Bendtner respectively. The ousted duo were joined on the bench by a couple of young heroes from midweek – Carlos Vela and Aaron Ramsey.This was the first League meeting between these sides for 93 years. Hull may be Premier League new-boys but they were faring much better than some had predicted. A win this afternoon would give them 11 points; a tally equal to the one previous play-off winners Derby County amassed throughout the whole of last season. England’s late September sunshine has been as enjoyable as Arsenal’s football this season and, once again, Emirates Stadium was a picture for this 5.30pm kick-off. It would be perhaps the last chance for short-sleeve spectating until April. In keeping with the overall feeling, the home side started like a lazy summer afternoon. Hull had all the energy you would expect. Geovanni was their brightest attacking spark and George Boateng’s crunching tackle on Denilson demonstrated the fighting desire manager Phil Brown had been talking about in his pre-match press conference. But Arsenal were lacking urgency.Just before the quarter-hour the game suddenly sparked into life, with Arsène Wenger’s side creating the chances. First Fabregas stroked an effort wide and then Emmanuel Adebayor’s towering far-post header was chalked off as referee Alan Wiley ruled he had climbed on Paul McShane to reach the ball.However the clearest chance came in the 16th minute when Denilson sent Walcott running on the right. He outpaced Michael Dawson and skipped in front of the Hull defender. However the former Charlton player stuck to his task well and, when Walcott shaped to shoot on the edge of the area, his tackle was well-executed.However Arsenal now had their tails up. A couple of minutes later Fabregas conjured up some space on the right-hand byline, Gallas helped the ball on and Adebayor’s close-range effort was blocked.The home side were now in control, only a finish was missing. This was perfectly illustrated midway through the half when an unmarked Walcott failed to control Emmanuel Eboue’s surprise cross when a simple trap and finish was all that was needed. The pattern continued until the break. Arsenal dominant and pressing, Hull defending yet determined.Five minutes from the break, Fabregas’ cut-back found the onrushing Walcott but Boateng nipped the ball off his foot at the crucial moment. After that, Eboue fired an angled drive into the sidenetting. The second half began with Hull creating their best chance of the game. A corner was deflected out to Boateng just outside the area. The Dutchman drove his shot low into the area and it deflected high over the bar with Almunia beaten.Normal service seemed to be resumed a couple of minutes later when Walcott forced a sprawling half-save from Boaz Myhill.The goal would come almost immediately and, for once, it was an ugly affair.Walcott reached the byline, Adebayor helped on his cut-back and Fabregas forced the ball over the line with McShane in close attendance. It was debatable who got the last touch but the Spaniard will surely claim it.Suddenly Arsenal were rampant again. Van Persie flashed a shot wide and Adebayor pounced on a defensive mistake to send a deflected drive over the bar.Inbetween those efforts, Dean Marney troubled Almunia momentarily with an overhead kick. Hull had stuck to their task all afternoon but, having fallen behind, you sensed they would struggle to prise open the Arsenal defence. They had shown little sign of it during the previous hour.So you can guess what happened next.In the 61st minute, Geovanni collected the ball just outside the Arsenal area, looked up and then sent an Exocet of an effort arching over Almunia before flying into the top corner. Stunning.Adebayor nearly provided the perfect reply but his effort flew past the far post.In fact it would be Hull who replied. In the 66th minute, Cousin saw an effort deflected wide. From the corner, the Gabon international steered a pin-pointed header just inside the far post.The Hull bench had leapt sky-high when their team equalised. Their efforts when that goal went in were Olympic standard.Arsenal were rocked but they had time to recover. Wenger threw on Bendtner immediately and the home side forced a couple of corners. This was going to be the pattern now - Arsenal were going to attack in every area, Hull were going keep with their dogged, organised plan. Wenger added Vela with 14 minutes left. At this point, the manager would have surely swapped the Mexican’s midweek hat-trick for a single strike today.Fabregas stung Myhill’s hands from distance but King went clear at the other end only to produce a lame shot from range.Arsenal’s determination was turning into desperation. However, crucially, they were creating chances.Van Persie went clear on the right but dragged his shot wide then William Gallas met a corner with a thumping header. The ball smacked down off the bar and was cleared.As the seconds ticked away, Arsenal got even more urgent – if that were possible.Keeper Myhill certainly earnt his money. He came and claimed any number of high-balls he also acrobatically turned over a drive from Fabregas. Toure blazed wide when well-placed and, with almost the last kick of the game, Van Persie skimmed a shot against the top of the bar. But the game was up. Due credit must be given to Hull and to the Arsenal fans who stayed behind to applaud them off the pitch.That’s because this defeat hurt.

By Richard Clarke

From Arsenal.com

Premier League report scores on Saturday September 27

England - Premier League
September 27

      Everton 0 - 2 Liverpool

   Aston Villa 2 - 1 Sunderland

         Fulham 1 - 2 West Ham U.

Manchester U. 2 - 0 Bolton W.

       Middlesbrough 0 - 1 West Bromwich A.

    Newcastle U. 1 - 2 Blackburn R.

   Stoke C. 0 - 2 Chelsea

      Arsenal 1 - 2 Hull C. 

By Arsefc

Rosicky injury mystery leaves Wenger speechless

The Arsenal manager, Arsène Wenger, last night expressed fresh concern over Tomas Rosicky's injury, admitting he could give no guarantees as to when the midfielder will return to action. Rosicky has not played since limping off in Arsenal's 3-0 FA Cup victory over Newcastle on January 26 with a hamstring tear.
Wenger initially insisted the midfielder would return in "days, not weeks" but after it was discovered that the tendons in Rosicky's leg had come loose from the hamstring - requiring an operation which forced him to miss Euro 2008 - the comeback date was put back to this month.
Delays in the recovery process then saw the 27-year-old's expected return shift to Christmas but he may now not return until next year. "We are a little bit speechless on [Rosicky's injury] because we feel it is all going well but there is a problem of recoordinating his muscle with the exercises he does," said Wenger. "Nobody at the club can tell me whether he will be back on November 10, December 10 or December 31. Nobody knows with him."

By Sachin Nakrani

From guardian

Gael Clichy - Davies challenge stupid

Arsenal defender Gael Clichy believes he is 'lucky' to be available for Saturday's game against Hull City after Kevin Davies' 'stupid challenge'.
Clichy was left with a bruised shin after he was caught by a lunge from Bolton Wanderers striker Davies in last weekend's 3-1 win at the Reebok Stadium.
The France full-back has recovered in time for the match with Hull, but believes Davies, who was booked for the tackle, should have been shown a red card.
He told club's official website: "I have seen it again many times. The only thing I can say is that it was a stupid challenge.
"I don't understand how people can say it's a good challenge.

Lucky
"I don't blame the referee, and it's difficult for referees - but we had a meeting at the start of the season with the referees and they were saying that bad challenges would be punished with a red card.
"He [Davies] got the ball of course, but to allow a player like this to carry on playing is really difficult."
Clichy added: "I couldn't move, the doctor could not touch it and we've lost a player [Eduardo] like this so that's on your mind.
"I've been really lucky on this challenge, I'm lucky to be here and to be playing on Saturday."

By James Dall

From skysports

Premier League report scores on Sunday September 21

England - Premier League
September 21

West Bromwich A. 1 - 2 Aston Villa

           Chelsea 1 - 1 Manchester U.

     Hull C. 2 - 2 Everton

  Manchester C. 6 - 0 Portsmouth

        Tottenham H. 0 - 0 Wigan Athletic

By Arse fc

Premier League report scores on Saturday September 20

England - PremierLeague
September 20

         Sunderland 2 - 0 Middlesbrough

Blackburn R. 1 - 0 Fulham

     Liverpool 0 - 0 Stoke C.

       West Ham U. 3 - 1 Newcastle U.

    Bolton W. 1 - 3 Arsenal

By Arse fc

Bolton W. VS Arsenal Match Report

Bolton W. 1 - 3 Arsenal

14'[1 - 0] K. Davies

26'[1 - 1] E. Eboue

27'[1 - 2] N. Bendtner

45' K. Davies Yellow Card

62' F. Muamba Yellow Card

76' A.S. Billong Yellow Card

87'[1 - 3] Denilson

89' C. Fabregas Yellow Card

Arsenal
Manuel Almunia
Bacary Sagna
William Gallas
Kolo Toure
Gael Clichy(46)
Emmanuel Eboue(85)
Cesc Fabregas
Alexandre Song
Denilson
Nicklas Bendtner(73)
Emmanuel Adebayor
Substitutes
Robin Van Persie
Carlos Vela
Theo Walcott(73)
Johan Djourou(46)
Kieran Gibbs
Aaron Ramsey(85)
Lukasz Fabianski

Bolton Wanderers
Jussi Jaaskelainen
Gretar Rafn Steinsson
Danny Shittu
Andrew O'Brien
Jlloyd Samuel
Ebi Smolarek(56)
Fabrice Muamba(82)
Kevin Nolan
Ricardo Gardner
Joey O'Brien(61)
Kevin Davies
Substitutes
Ali Al Habsi
Nicky Hunt
Mustapha Riga(56)
Heidar Helguson
Gavin McCann(61)
Ricardo Vaz Te(82)
Tamir Cohen

By Arse fc

Wenger Reveals Eduardo Surprise Boost As Arsenal Striker Very Much On Course

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is anticipating a surprise boost as Eduardo da Silva is progressing ahead of schedule in his recovery from a horrific leg break.
The Croatian international suffered the injury blow during a Premiership game at Birmingham last season, and has missed the action since.
However, the 25-year-old former Dinamo Zagreb ace has taken rapid strides in his rehabilitation from the career-threatening injury, and had earlier this month expressed hope that he would be back playing by Christmas.
Wenger has now revealed the latest update on his Brazil-born striker, and is quoted as saying on the club's official website: "He [Eduardo] is still very much on course and he could be a very good surprise because he is a little ahead of schedule."

by Niraj Prabhu

French Trio Still Absent For Arsenal

Silvestre is yet to appear for The Gunners since his move from arch-rivals Manchester United this summer, aggravating muscular problems, while Diaby sustained injury in the pre-season Emirates Cup tournament.Nasri was the next to be sidelined, picking up a knee injury during international duty with France, though Wenger was dealt no new fresh blows following the north Londoner's Champions League clash away at Dynamo Kiev. "The good news from last night is that nobody has come back with any knock or severe injury," Wenger said. "We have no injuries from last night and we have no-one coming back as well, so the group will be stable. "For Diaby, I would say two more weeks [until he is fit], Silvestre and Nasri should be available for Hull [on September 27]." Arsenal's trip to the Reebox Stadium will be their third away clash in eight days, and Wenger is preparing to shift around his plans in order to rest several memebers of his squad. "There will be a little bit of rotation of course, because it was a very physical game and we had to give absolutely everything. But I cannot tell you yet how it will work," he added.

By Will Wood

Premier League report scores on Saturday

    
             Liverpool 2 - 1 Manchester U.


    Blackburn R. 0 - 4 Arsenal


            Fulham 2 - 1 Bolton W.


    Newcastle U. 1 - 2 Hull C.


             Portsmouth 2 - 1 Middlesbrough
    West Bromwich A. 3 - 2 West Ham U.


     Wigan Athletic 1 - 1 Sunderland


   Manchester C. 1 - 3 Chelsea

By Arse fc

Manchester City 1-3 Chelsea Match Report

Manchester City 1 Robinho 13

Chelsea 3 Carvalho 16, Lampard 53, Anelka 69

It's a showdown between the two richest clubs in the world (not counting QPR), so we might as well talk about money, I guess. Oh look, here's a copy of A New Model for Partnership in Football by Garry Cook of Manchester City.
What this marketing genius wants is this: City to become the "Virgin of Asia and the world", whatever that means; specially branded Manchester City cars (presumably with collapsing doors and square wheels); restaurants called City Eating; a range of City isotonic beverages ("City Powered, City Energy and City 24/7", he's actually seriously thought about this, hasn't he); funny City Flowers which you'd better not smell unless you want to get drenched by City Water; and a PREMIER LEAGUE WITH A MAXIMUM OF 14 TEAMS IN IT AND NO PROMOTION OR RELEGATION. Suddenly Peter Kenyon doesn't look quite as objectionable as he once did. This is some feat, right here.
Anyway, the football, which appears to be an afterthought these days, will kick off at: 5.30pm.
Manchester City give a debut to Robinho, who spent the week doing his level best to get Bolivians sent off without actually being touched, and succeeding: Hart, Zabaleta, Dunne (c), Richards, Ball, Kompany, Hamann, Ireland, Wright-Phillips, Robinho, Jo.Subs: Schmeichel, Ben Haim, Elano, Garrido, Fernandes, Evans, Sturridge.
Poor old Chelsea, who wanted Robinho but couldn't afford it, and will have to make do with Joe Cole, passed fit after being cracked upside his head against Croatia on Wednesday: Cech, Bosingwa, Carvalho, Terry (c), A Cole, Malouda, Lampard, Mikel Obi, J Cole, Deco, Anelka.Subs: Hilario, Ivanovic, Bridge, Kalou, Alex, Belletti, Drogba.
Non-sequitur dept. Israel's Tel Ben Haim is only on the subs bench. The United Arab Emirates does not recognise Israel as a nation state.
Robinho runs out onto the Eastlands turf, with a thousand-yard stare which in no way suggests he's suddenly realised what he's done, and we're off! City kick off and lose the ball within 12 seconds. Chelsea stroke it around the back awhile. "If Manchester City become successful on top of being super-rich, it will destroy a brand identity cultivated through much blood, sweat and unremitting failure," writes Ian Copestake, noting the thundering irony at the centre of Cook's masterpiece, A New Model for Lunacy in Football.
3 min: City can't get the ball at the moment, but no matter because Chelsea aren't doing very much with all their possession. Nice passing, though. Stroke, stroke, stroke, stroke, strokity, stroke: it's like watching Liverpool from the 1970s, or a film in a Soho "art" house.
4 min: Suddenly a bit of life from City, though: Wright Phillips cuts inside from the right, exchanges passes with Robinho, and nearly sets Jo free in the area. Lovely play; City will hope this is a harbinger of things to come.
5 min: Another lovely move from City, as Robinho scampers down the inside-right channel and lays off to SWP in the centre. The resulting attempt to curl into the top-right corner is well wide, but the right idea. "To look into the eyes of Gary 'Garry' Cook is to look into the eyes of Death itself," suggests Patrick O'Brien, overegging the pudding, but only by half a yolk. "Are your opening paragraphs fiction?" Nope. If I could come up with tales like that, do you think I'd be wasting them here? "It beggars belief that someone who can scientifically be proven to have an IQ in the negatives can be so well rewarded. City 24/7? Christ on a stick. Can we sink any lower?" Probably, yes, give it time.
8 min: Robinho sets Jo scooting down the left. Having started the move, he puts an end to it with a woeful attempt to meet Jo's cross, laying the ball back to a non-existent Wright-Phillips. But he's looking fresh and lively. Maybe it was all that lying down against Bolivia on Wednesday night.
11 min: Carvalho hacks Jo down right on the edge of the Chelsea D. It's a clumsy challenge, and a promising position for City. And you're not going to believe what happens next...
12 min: INEVITABLE GOAL!!! Manchester City 1-0 Chelsea. Robinho opens his City account after approximately 720 seconds. He dinks a shot towards the top-right corner. It flicks off Mikel's back and sails into the net. So simple. Cech and Terry have a blazing row about the setting up of the wall, Terry seemingly irritated that someone has had the brass neck to suggest he has done something wrong. Dear me.
15 min: INEVITABLE RESPONSE!!! BECAUSE THIS IS MANCHESTER CITY WE'RE TALKING ABOUT!!! Manchester City 1-1 Chelsea. From a Lampard corner on the right, Carvalho heads towards the bottom-right corner. The ball hits the back of Joe Cole's heel and flies straight back to the big defender, who absolutely thrashes the ball into the roof of the net with his right boot. Great finish.
18 min: This is a wonderfully open game. Wright-Phillips drops a shoulder and skidaddles down the centre of the pitch. It looks like he's going to break clear but Terry stands his ground and bodychecks the winger. That looked like a free kick, but the referee isn't having any of it.
20 min: There's a bit of an edge to this game already. Terry seems to be in a very strange mood indeed. He slides in on Robinho, this time fairly, but what thump in the tackle. It's almost as if Chelsea have come out with the intention of keeping the nouveau riche in their place. Which is a bit, er, rich, but there you have it.
22 min: Super stuff from Bosingwa, who twists and turns Ball down the right and stands the ball up in the centre for Anelka. The striker's header is inexplicably high and wide; that should have been Chelsea's second.
23 min: This is a really entertaining match. Now it's City's turn to spurn a fantastic chance, Ireland blasting wildly over from the edge of the area after being set clear by a beautiful flick from Jo.
26 min: A lull. At last.
27 min: The lull doesn't last long. From an Ashley Cole cross, Malouda loops a header over the advancing Hart and off the crossbar. The ball bounces back and nestles in the prone keeper's arms. Ultra-fortunate for City, because there was no flag. Justice was done, though, because Malouda looked well offside. "Can we please change the picture of Gary Cook on the webpage?" begs a possibly suicidal Taylor Hanton. No. "Every time I hit refresh I am greeted by the sight of that lop-sided grin of his. It's a lead balloon and you know it. Perhaps some bunny rabbits, or some rainbows instead?" This is the world we live in, sorry.
30 min: Chelsea are enjoying nearly all of the possession, though they're wasting a lot of it with witless long balls down the flanks.
33 min: Very poor from Carvalho, who fannies around down the right and allows Wright-Phillips to steal away with the ball and free Jo down the right. Jo cuts into the box and tries to curl it into the top-left corner, but the effort is deflected away by Terry for a corner. The corner is a waste of my time, your time, everyone's time.
35 min: Robinho tries to swan down the right wing controlling the ball with his heels. That's just not going to work. He's miscontrolled it, basically, but the Setanta commentators coo like it's 1970 in sunny Mexico City. If he's going to be compared to Garrincha every time the ball clanks off his shin, this is going to get very tiresome.
38 min: Joe Cole tries to break free of the City back line but falls over. There's been a notable decline in quality over the past few minutes.
40 min: Hart takes a quick long throw to Robinho and it nearly ends in a goal. To Chelsea. It's intercepted by Bosingwa, then Anelka crosses from the right for Malouda, who heads weakly back to Hart. On the balance of play, Chelsea should be leading this match.
42 min: Now Anelka has a dig himself from eight yards. It's so very, very weak, not that he seems overly bothered. A study of insouciance, is Nic.
44 min: This half is just petering out. They might as well end it now.
Half time: Manchester City 1-1 Chelsea. Wright-Philips dances down the right wing and is upended by Mikel. That's the first booking of the match. Just before the whistle, Ashley Cole has a pelt from 25 yards, cutting across the ball and sending a dipping, swerving volley towards the top-right corner. The effort is only just over the bar. And then the whistle goes, to a smattering of home applause. Chelsea have been the better side by far, but then again what an entrance by Robinho.
And we're off again! And within 10 seconds or so Joe Cole tears clear down the right and nearly finds Malouda at the far post with a deep cross. We've pretty much picked up immediately where we've left off.
47 min: Robinho makes the worst pass in the history of all football, an effort to find a player five yards away which goes ten yards off target. He's gone from the sublime to the ridiculous today.
49 min: Joe Cole has a dig from distance which is deflected. The ball loops into the air, falls over the head of Richards, and to the feet of Lampard, who volleys on the turn and only just shoots over. "I met Garry Cook when he was a Nike stooge," claims A.N.Onymous. "Was most surprised to hear he'd become an executive at City as he didn't have much to say. Now I understand why. I honestly cannot remember anything interesting about him at all. Oh, he likes basketball and Michael Jordan."
51 min: There seem to be two Robinhos: the one who was a revelation at Santos, and the one who was a disappointment at Real Madrid. Santos Robinho scored in the first half, but now its Bernabeu Robinho strutting his stuff: he dances around pointlessly down the right, while Jo waits impatiently, and lays a ball into space where only space exists.
53 min: GOAL! Manchester City 1-2 Chelsea. So simple by Lampard, who drives into the box, drops a shoulder, edges the ball to the left then immediately slaps it low and hard into the centre. Typical City, I'm contractually obliged to say it.
55 min: Santos Robinho scoots towards the Chelsea area having stolen the ball from a Chelsea player I failed to identify. Brilliant. His ball towards Jo isn't great, and the move breaks down. But that was wonderfully determined play.
59 min: Lampard lifts a ball into the City area. Anelka takes it down brilliantly and is about to pull the trigger when Richards shoves him over with both hands. That should have been a penalty, but the ref isn't giving anything.
61 min: Hamann is replaced by Fernandes.
62 min: The ball is rolled out right, Pele-to-Carlos-Alberto style, to the onrushing Zabaleta. Zabaleta is no Carlos Alberto; the ball just about stays in the stadium.
64 min: Brilliant play from Wright Phillips, who cuts inside from the right, allows Robinho to pull Terry out of position, and lays the ball across to Ireland, who is free in the area. He takes a whack, but Carvalho is quick to recover and blocks the shot. That was incisive attacking, spectacular defending, and a frankly terrible effort from Ireland, who really should have scored.
66 min: Lampard has a thrash at the ball from 25 yards. The ball goes straight down the centre of the pitch, then Hart's throat.
68 min: Lampard swings a ball in from the right, Malouda heads off target for the 483rd time this match.
69 min: BRILLIANT AND DIRECT, THIS: Manchester City 1-3 Chelsea. Fast feet from Malouda in the centre, who drags the ball left and right to elude a couple of challenges, before slipping the ball forward to Joe Cole. Cole immediately swishes it further forward, sending Anelka clear; the former City striker makes no mistake and coolly slides the ball under the advancing Hart. This game is over - literally for Cole and Malouda, whose fine efforts here were their last of the match. Drogba and Belletti replace them before the restart.
73 min: Ireland takes a corner from the left which is claimed spectacularly by Cech. Why am I mentioning this total non-event? I don't know.
77 min: RED CARD! John Terry is sent off and will miss Chelsea's upcoming match against Manchester United. Standing in the middle of the City half, Deco sends a terrible pass backwards which is intercepted by Jo in the centre circle. The striker strides forward and is cynically pulled back by Terry. Carvalho was possibly covering, which lends a bit of controversy to the sending off, but either way Jo was ready to scamper clear, so Chelsea can't rage too much. And it's not as though they're going to let this slip anyway.
81 min: Chelsea reshuffle at the back, Alex coming on for the sacrificed Anelka.
83 min: Ireland cuts inside from the left, draws three men, and lays off to Ball on the edge of the area. The resulting effort is laughably bad. A real chance to pull a goal back for City, there, and it was totally wasted.
84 min: Sturridge replaces Ball as Mark Hughes goes for broke.
86 min: Bernabeu Robinho jigs down the left, but he's going nowhere this time.
88 min: City are pinging it around in pretty triangles, but the minute they get near the Chelsea box the ball is invariably lost.
90 min: Jo nearly breaks clear into the box down the left but Alex comes across and ushers the ball out of play from a corner - which is easily cleared.
Full time: Manchester City 1-3 Chelsea. Sturridge has a crack on goal from just inside the area but a Chelsea defender slides in with determination to block. "Well done Terry," cries Setanta commentator Craig Burley. With Terry off the pitch, it's pointed out that the challenge was in fact made by Alex. "Yeah, but Terry was in there as well," insists Burley, suggesting Praise For England's Brave Captain comes as default in commentary these days. Anyway, that's the end of the action; Chelsea go back to the top of the table.

From guardian.co.uk

Liverpool 2-1 Man United Match Report

Ryan Babel came off the bench to help Liverpool beat Manchester United 2-1 in an exciting Premiership clash at Anfield on Saturday. It was also Rafa Benitez’s first league win over their bitterest rivals as in charge of the Reds.
The victory puts Liverpool at the top of the table after four games, ahead of Chelsea’s trip to Manchester City later on Saturday.
Carlos Tevez put Sir Alex Ferguson’s side up early into the game, but the Merseysiders got on level terms courtesy of Wes Brown own goal. Substitute Babel scored the winner late in the second half.

The Red Devils got off to a great start with summer-signing Dimitar Berbatov on debut, and Tevez up front, while Wayne Rooney started on the right flank.
Berbatov had the first crack at the rivals from the penalty area after a confident passing move by United, but the former Spurs striker’s shot struck defender Martin Skrtel’s arm prompting stifled calls for a penalty kick. But Howard Webb saw nothing wrong.

United did not have to wait for long to make the breakthrough as they took the lead inside three minutes with Berbatov laying the ball for Tevez to find the target.

The classy Bulgarian took the ball to the right by-line sucking Javier Mascherano and Fabio Aurelio leaving gap for Tevez to move in to the area and pulled the ball back for the Argentine, who fired the ball past Pepe Reina from the centre of the area.

The Reds had almost a perfect response as Dirk Kuyt showed good technique to volley with outside of his foot, only to see the shot from 20 yards, miss the target narrowly.
The home side improved tremendously with the passage of time and it was more of an even contest thereafter.

In the 12th minute, Reds had a great chance off a corner by Aurelio as Van der Sar lost the ball, however, Kuyt’s shot from left side of six-yard box was blocked in a goalmouth scramble by the Dutch keeper.

Reds debutante Albert Riera showed flashes of his talent in dribbling skills and quick runs on the left wing. He also had a claim for a penalty kick.
United gave away an own goal in the 27th minute as Van der Sar and right-back Wes Brown made a mess of a deflected ball. Xabi Alonso’s long ranger was deflected by Evra and the ball was heading for the left side of the penalty area when the United keeper came up with an injudicious dive only to flap the ball on Brown and the rebound took the ball into the net.

Tevez almost put United back in front as his cleverly-timed flick went over the cross bar after Anderson sent a superb ball from left.
Liverpool enjoyed a confident start to the second half as they put pressure on United, who however, saw Evra make a couple of crucial clearances – first off a cross from Riera and then Robbie Keane.

In a rare attack by United after the restart, Paul Scholes unleashed a long-ranger, that was however over the bar. But the the Reds kept on knocking on the door at the other end.
Liverpool opened up the United defence with Keane making floated angular ball for Benayoun, whose run was clever, but the Israeli failed to control the ball to keep it in play. Soon after, Keane missed a great opportunity as he could not make contact with Mascherano’s attempted shot.

Growing in confidence, the Reds grew adventurous as centre-back Skrtel bombed up with a run and tested Van der Sar with a fierce strike just past the hour mark.

Berbatov looked to be struggling with a knock and received treatment on the sideline for an apparent knee problem. And with United not having a striker on the bench, Ferguson kept the 27-year-old on.

Benitez introduced England midfielder Steven Gerrard in the 68th minute taking off Benayoun. The regular Reds skipper had started on the bench after recovering from a groin operation.

Reina, who was untroubled for most part of the second half, made a supped finger-tip save off a stunning long-ranger from substitute Ryan Giggs in the 70th minute.

Mounting unrelenting pressure in the second half, the Reds finally got their due as substitute Babel made it 2-1 for the home side in the 77th minute after Mascherano and Kuyt combined from the right side following a patient build-up. United veteran Giggs kept the ball inexplicably in play rather than clearing the ball to safety when Mascherano was in pursuit and the Argentine gained possession to set up Kuyt, who in turn found the Dutchman Babel unmarked at the top of the box.

Mascherano, who had been excellent in the second half, had to leave the field with a strain and Benitez sent on defender Sami Hyypia in the closing stages of the game. United were down to 10 men when defender Nemanja Vidic was sent off after two bookings at the end of regulation time, and Liverpool held out in the frantic closing minutes for a deserving victory.

Teams:
Liverpool: Reina, Arbeloa, Aurelio, Carragher, Skrtel, Alonso, Mascherano (Hyypia 87), Riera (Babel 72), Benayoun (Gerrard 68), Keane, Kuyt.
Substitutes not used: Cavalieri, Dossena, Ngog, Torres.

Man United: Van der Sar, Brown, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra, Anderson (Nani 78), Carrick (Giggs 46), Scholes (Hargreaves 66), Rooney, Tevez, Berbatov.
Substitutes not used: Kuszczak, Evans, O’Shea, Fletcher.

by Niraj Prabhu

Blackburn Rovers 0-4 Arsenal - Match report Adebayor hat-trick hero

Arsenal began their long-distance week in the best possible style with a comfortable 4-0 win at Blackburn on Saturday.
England hero Theo Walcott set up the first for Robin van Persie in the eighth minute. But after that Emmanuel Adebayor took centre stage. He nodded home a first just seconds before the break, slotted home a penalty in the 81st minute and hooked home his hat-trick goal in injury time.
Blackburn were competitive in the opening 45 minutes but faded badly after the restart. Arsenal were efficient rather than stylish but that was the requisite quality this afternoon. They have now played six games this season, winning five and conceding just one.
It is a proud record but one that will be severely tested this week as Arsenal follow this trip with journeys to Kiev and Bolton - a total of 3,400 miles.
Speaking of journeys, Jack Wilshere started along the road to Arsenal glory this afternoon. His late substitute appearance made him the youngest player to appear in a League game for the club at just 16 years 256 days.
In the build-up Wenger had indicated that another teenage prodigy, Walcott, might be left on the bench after his midweek exploits in Zagreb. In the end he only moved position. Emmanuel Eboue retained his role on the right so the 19-year-old switched to the left.
In fact, Walcott was the only change to the side that hammered Newcastle two weeks ago. But there were major changes on the bench with youngsters Kieran Gibbs, Aaron Ramsey and Wilshere all named among the replacements.
Blackburn were lively early on, mostly through Brett Emerton. The Australian’s low-slung crosses from the right would be a persistent danger in the opening period but it would be Arsenal who took their chances.
They grabbed the first in the eighth minute. Walcott picked up the ball on the left hand side, darted in-field, hurdled a couple of challenges and fed Van Persie just inside the area. The Dutchman cleverly allowed the ball to run across his body then stabbed a shot beyond Paul Robinson and into the far corner of the net.
Blackburn might have responded immediately. Arsenal failed to clear their lines and the ball ran loose on the edge of the area. Roque Santa Cruz was the first to react but he slid a shot over the bar with the help of a slight deflection off Kolo Toure’s head. A key moment.
Arsenal might have made Blackburn pay an immediate penance. Adebayor led a three-man breakaway and fed Walcott on the left. The former Southampton star set himself up to steer a sidefoot shot into the far corner but sliced his effort well wide.
Overall, however, Blackburn responded well to going behind. Arsenal seemed satisfied with their goal and allowed the home side more space to go forward. Wenger’s men were just happy to cash in where they could on the break.
Although it invited pressure, that policy should have brought them a second goal on the half-hour when an unmarked Van Persie fired into the sidenetting after collecting the ball six yards out.
However Blackburn had hit their groove after that and probably deserved to draw level before half-time. Firstly Santa Cruz scuffed an effort wide, then Steven Reid went close and then finally Keith Andrew somehow failed to convert a low cross from the right. In the final minute of the half the Paraguayan striker nodded over at the far post.
But there would be a sucker-punch. Deep into injury time, Denilson floated over an inviting cross to the far post on to the head of Adebayor. The Togolese striker had the simplest of jobs to steer home his first Premier League goal of the campaign.
Blackburn tried to rally in the opening minutes after the restart but it soon fizzled out. As a result, Arsenal took the ascendency by creating a number of clear opportunities.
Walcott nearly pulled off a carbon copy of his opener for England on Wednesday, Eboue’s piledriver was tipped over the bar by Robinson and then Toure somehow failed to turn in a corner from only four yards out.
Blackburn were still competitive but it seemed that they had run out of ideas. Nine minutes from time, Arsenal ended the argument when Eboue tumbled under a challenge from Stephen Warnock and Adebayor stroked home from the spot.
Wilshere came on in the final stages to break a record and Adebayor steered home his third – Arsenal’s fourth – on the whistle.
It was his 50th goal for the club.
At full time, the visiting players were quick to thank the fans and head to the dressing room.
They needed to get home asap. It is a big week.
But they had started the right way

By Richard Clarke

Blackburn: Robinson, Simpson (Derbyshire 73), Samba, Nelsen, Warnock, Emerton, Reid, Andrews, Pedersen (Treacy 69), Roberts (McCarthy 69), Roque Santa Cruz. Subs Not Used: Kerimoglu, Brown, Mokoena, Villanueva.

Arsenal: Almunia, Sagna, Toure, Gallas, Clichy, Eboue (Ramsey 82), Fabregas, Denilson, Walcott (Song Billong 64), Adebayor, Van Persie (Wilshere 84). Subs Not Used: Fabianski, Djourou, Bendtner, Gibbs. Booked: Denilson.

Goals: Van Persie 8, Adebayor 45, 81 pen, 90. Att: 23,041

Ref: Mike Dean (Wirral).

From Asenal.com

Pavlyuchenko Score Against Arsenal And You Are A Hero

Russian International Roman Pavlyuchenko might just have arrived at Tottenham Hotspur, but the striker has been made fully aware of what will make him a hero at White Hart Lane by his Spurs team-mates, score against North London rivals Arsenal.
26-year-old Pavlyuchenko signed for Spurs for £14million from Spartak Moscow this summer, after catching the eye of Tottenham boss Juande Ramos with his performances in EURO 2008, Ramos also tried to sign his Russian strike-partner Andrei Arshavin.
Pavlyuchenko has revealed that his new team-mates at Spurs have wasted no time in telling the striker how to become an instant idol to the faithful at White Hart Lane, and that is to score against Arsene Wenger’s Gunners.
The Russian said: “At the Spurs camp they put it like this to me — score against Arsenal and you are a hero.”
Given that Tottenham have only beaten Arsenal once in their last 22 meetings. The Russian’s ability to score against Spurs’ bitter rivals will be crucial, and should he score the winning goal at the Emirates Stadium, Pavlyuchenko would certainly become a hero, with Tottenham not tasting victory on Arsenal soil since 1993.

From www.premiershiplatest.com

Ronaldo claims City are an 'option'

Former World Player of the Year Ronaldo has claimed Manchester City and Flamengo are "two options" for him as he looks to find a new club.

The portly Brazilian is back in South America working on his fitness after a serious knee injury.
Ronaldo is a free agent and on the lookout for new employers after seeing out his contract at AC Milan.
City have been linked with the former Real Madrid and Barcelona hitman as they look to bring in some big names to boost their profile.
Flamengo are also chasing Ronaldo and the 31-year-old says he is delighted to attract interest from both clubs.
"Flamengo and Manchester City are two options," Ronaldo told Brazilian website Terra. "But nothing more than that - there is nothing concrete.
"The most important thing is that there is interest from big teams."
Ronaldo also revealed that he hopes to regain his place in the Brazil squad once he returns to full fitness.
"It's clear that I have nostalgia for the national team but I am continuing with the utmost calm," added Ronaldo. "I want to first return to the right spot physically and then come back to play and then think about Brazil."

From http://www.teamtalk.com/

Real Madrid target Huntelaar or Aron Lennon to replace Robinho

Real Madrid has let Robinho go to Man City without having a replacement to move into the team, so they are now drawing up a shortlist of targets to prepare for the January transfer window.

According to the Spanish sports journal AS, the Ajax striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar is the favourite to arrive at the Bernabeau in January, now that the Spanish giants have 40 million euros to spend from the sale of Robinho.

Huntelar will cost around €25million euros, but he is expected to be lined up as the natural successor to Ruud Van Nistelroy, who, although he is still a great goalscorer, is now 32 years old and his body may not be able to take the strain as in previous years.

For a real attacker/winger to replace Robinho, there are not too many choices available and it is said that Aaron Lennon could be the perfect choice. He needs to gain a little stregth, but with the massive array of midfielders at White Hart Lane, it is possible that Lennon may be surplus to requirements by January.

One thing is for sure. Madrid will be splashing the cash in January.

From footylatest