Young's day

Ashley Young's winner deep into injury time took Villa back into fifth place in the Barclays Premier League as they beat Everton 3-2 in a thrilling finish.

Steve Sidwell had given Villa the lead after just 31 seconds, only for Joleon Lescott to put Everton level by the break.
Phil Jagielka's poor backpass gave Young the chance to put Villa ahead again, before Lescott's injury-time equaliser looked to have given Everton a point.

But just 60 seconds later, Young broke clear to guide home the winner and leave Everton shattered.

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Liverpool enjoys staying on top

Goals from Xabi Alonso, Yossi Benayoun and Steven Gerrard gave them a 3-1 victory over Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park. It was just the result Benitez was looking for after successive goalless draws against Fulham and West Ham United.
"We have shown we can manage the pressure. When you have a game like this, you know you might have problems," said Benitez.Rafael Benitez says Liverpool can handle the pressure after keeping their place at the top of the table.

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Adriano for Chelsea?

The rumours has spread, Didier Drgoba might leave Chelsea for Inter for the near future but there might be a new Brazilian star coming to the premier league, Adriano.
The current Inter striker has been rumoured to join Chelsea with a swap of Drogba over to Inter.

Adriano, who has been dropped from then the 1st choice striker for Inter, might be partnering Ankelka in the strike force. Will he, just like Robinho be able to adapt so well in the premier league??? We will see about it IF the rumours are true about him.

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Man City v Arsenal

Arsenal have the chance to leapfrog third-placed Manchester United who do not play until the evening when Sir Alex Ferguson's men face Aston Villa who won 0-2 at the Emriates last time out

City have never scored more than one goal in any of their 22 Premier League matches against Arsenal and will be chasing only their second Premier League victory over Arsenal.

The Gunners have won eight and lost one of their last nine top-flight matches at City who have lost more matches (18) and dropped more points (60) to Arsenal than to any other club in the Premier League.

City team news

Captain Richard Dunne, midfielder Gelson Fernandes and striker Danny Sturridge could all return to Manchester City's squad.

Dunne and Fernandes have both completed one-match bans for their red cards against Tottenham a fortnight ago, while Sturridge has returned to training following three weeks out with an ankle injury.

However, Fernandes faces a late fitness check after coming off during Switzerland's midweek friendly win over Finland, while manager Mark Hughes could also add another goalkeeper to his squad as cover for the injured Joe Hart if he can make a suitable loan signing.

Arsenal team news

Arsenal forward Robin van Persie returns from suspension for the trip to Manchester City but midfielder Cesc Fabregas serves a one-match ban.

Kolo Toure (calf) is doubtful, while Theo Walcott (shoulder) and Emmanuel Eboue (knee) are on the sidelines along with long-term absentees Tomas Rosicky (knee) and Eduardo (ankle).

Emmanuel Adebayor only returned from his ankle complaint last week so will require assessment before a decision is made.

William Gallas has been dropped and stripped of the Arsenal captaincy, the outspoken defender has paid the price for his verbal attack on his Arsenal team-mates and will not appear in Saturday's trip to Manchester City.

Squads

Manchester City: Schmeichel, Zabaleta, Richards, Dunne, Garrido, Wright-Phillips, Kompany, Ireland, Mwaruwari, Robinho, Vassell, Fernandes, Ben-Haim, Jo, Onuoha, Ball, Hamann, Elano, Sturridge, Evans.

Arsenal: Almunia, Diaby, Sagna, Nasri, Denilson, Silvestre, Clichy, Bendtner, Vela, Ramsey, Song, Djourou, Fabianski, Adebayor, van Persie, Wilshere, Simpson.

Possible Full Time Score: Manchester City 2 Arsenal 2

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Liverpool v Fulham

Both Liverpool and Fulham are going for a third successive Barclays Premier League victory but the Cottagers have never won in 27 visits to Anfield in any competition, a record stretching back to 1934.

The Merseysiders are unbeaten in their last 17 home matches while Roy Hodgson's men have taken just one point on their travels.

Liverpool, who will go top if they get a better result than Chelsea, are at their most dangerous in the last 15 minutes of top-flight matches this term, when nine of their 21 goals have been scored; Fulham are also at their most susceptible then, as five of 11 goals have been shipped in the closing quarter-hour.

The Reds have scored 14 goals as they won their last four home Premier League meetings with Fulham who suffered their club record defeat at anfield when they lost 10-0 in a League Cup tie 22 years ago.

Last season Fernando Torres scored a fine individual goal as the Reds ran out 2-0 winners. Steven Gerrard also scored a penalty in the match.

Fulham were still under the stewardship of Lawrie Sanchez when the sides met at Anfield in November of last year. Now Roy Hodgson has made the job his own, with solid home form taking Fulham to 10th place in the Barclays Premier League.

Liverpool team news

Steven Gerrard is out of the match after the muscle tear which ruled him out of England's win in Germany on Wednesday.

Gerrard has been in light training but Liverpool assess his chances of being fit for next week's Champions League game with Marseille as only 50-50.

Full-back Alvaro Arbeloa returns after a one-match ban and Robbie Keane has recovered from the shoulder injury which kept him out for the Republic of Ireland.

Fulham team news

Fulham have included Dickson Etuhu in their squad.

It is the first time the midfielder has been available for first-team duty since his August transfer from Sunderland after recovering from a knee injury.

Manager Roy Hodgson has no other injury concerns other than long-term absentee Diomansy Kamara (knee).

Squads

Liverpool: Reina, Arbeloa, Carragher, Agger, Aurelio, Mascherano, Alonso, Lucas, Babel, Benayoun, Kuyt, Torres, Keane, Riera, Cavalieri, Hyypia, Plessis, Dossena.

Fulham: Schwarzer, Pantsil, Hughes, Hangeland, Konchesky, Davies, Bullard, Murphy, Gera, Zamora, Johnson, Zuberbuhler, Nevland, Gray, Dempsey, Andreasen, Etuhu, Kallio, Baird, Seol, Stoor.

Possible FullTime Score: Liverpool 2 Fulham 0

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Chelsea v Newcastle United

Chelsea take on Newcastle United at Stamford Bridge knowing they will guarantee top spot if they notch a fifth successive Barclays Premier League victory.

Only goal difference is keeping the Magpies out of the relegation zone. They have not won on the road this season and have not beaten Chelsea in London since Andy Thomas got a brace and Peter Beardsley the other in a 1-3 victory on 22nd November 1986.

Chelsea have won their last six consecutive home league matches against Newcastle, conceding just one goal. They have kept clean sheets in nine of the 15 Premier League meetings at the Bridge.

Last season a depleted Chelsea side won this fixture 2-1 thanks to goals from Michael Essien and Salomon Kalou. A Wayne Bridge own-goal had brought Newcastle back into the match before Kalou's late strike.

Team Updates:
Chelsea injuries(i) and suspensions (Y) or (R)
Alex(i), Essien(i), J. Cole(i), Carvalho(i), Belletti(i), Di Santo(i)

Newcastle injuries(i) and suspensions (Y) or (R)
Taylor(i), Viduka(i), Xisco(i), Gonzalez(i), Smith(i)

Possible Full Time Score: Chelsea 3 Newcastle 0

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Aston Villa might just be in the Big Four

Sir Alex Ferguson has paid tribute to Martin O'Neill, saying the Aston Villa manager could lead his club into the top four.

At one point during his time at Celtic, O'Neill was thought of as Ferguson's possible successor at Manchester United.

As the Scot has ruled out stepping down in the immediate future, O'Neill's name has drifted out of the frame.

Instead, he has grasped the challenge provided by owner Randy Lerner at Villa Park with both hands, assembling an impressive squad packed with young English talent.

After a brief stutter, victory at Arsenal last week took the Midlands giants level on points with the Gunners. And Ferguson does not feel it is totally beyond the realms of possibility that Villa will have gatecrashed the top four by the season's end.

"They can finish in the top four," said Ferguson.
They are level with Arsenal and not far behind us, which is a good position to be in. It will be interesting because it is such a competitive league.

"Without question, Martin O'Neill is one of the best managers in the game.

"The only way you can judge managers is how they prove themselves over a period. And the job he has done at Leicester, Celtic and now Aston Villa makes him an obvious top manager."

The work O'Neill has done is also having an impact at international level.

Gabriel Agbonlahor and Gareth Barry were in the side that defeated Germany in Berlin on Wednesday, with Ashley Young and Curtis Davies muscling their way on to the bench.

Ferguson can see the positive effects as O'Neill sticks with the same side on a regular basis.

"He has built up a squad over the last couple of years that allows him consistent team selection," said Ferguson. "He doesn't make many changes and sticks by his format all the time."

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Nasri silenced United

Arsene Wenger got the response he wanted as Arsenal bounced back from turmoil to defeat Manchester United 2-1 thanks to a brace from Samir Nasri.

Gunners manager Wenger admitted dressing room morale was low after their 4-4 draw with rivals Tottenham and the defeat at Stoke - but this win at the at the Emirates Stadium breathes life into their campaign and lifts them above United in the Barclays Premier League.

Wenger had Emmanuel Adebayor injured and Robin van Persie suspended but Nasri provided the attacking threat, taking advantage of slack marking in each half to grab his fourth and fifth goals of the season.

Rafael da Silva, on as a substitute, volleyed home a late strike to give Sir Alex Ferguson's men hope - but there was no repeat of the memorable Spurs comeback.

It was Arsenal's first test this season against their traditional top-four rivals - and Wenger's men passed the examination.

First blood went to Arsenal, with Nasri's opener coming midway through the first half after Patrice Evra fouled Bacary Sagna on the right touchline.

Nasri's second came three minutes after the restart.

Fabregas wriggled around Neville and spotted Nasri unmarked on the penalty area, with the France youngster given enough space to bide his time and lash past Van der Sar.

Ronaldo was presented with a chance to pull a goal back but his finish, after meeting Park's cross with a first-time volley, went just the wrong side of Almunia's post.

Clichy then clattered into Ronaldo and earned a booking, with the action almost non-stop at this stage.

Rooney had a header saved by Almunia and he was inches from getting on the end of a Ronaldo cross, while Carrick picked up a yellow when he caught Almunia with a boot to the head.

Almunia's injury forced him off and Lukasz Fabianski was required off the bench for the last 12 minutes.Rafael, on as a substitute, pulled one back with less than a minute left - but Arsenal held on after six minutes of stoppage-time for the win they needed.

Man of the match : Samir Nasri (Arsenal)

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Liverpool v West Brom

Fernando Torres is back in Liverpool's squad for the Premier League fixture against West Bromwich Albion after missing six matches with a hamstring injury.

The Spanish striker is expected to start the evening kick-off against the Baggies at Anfield although Reds boss Rafael Benitez will not make a firm decision until nearer kick-off.

He would like to reunite Torres with strike colleague Robbie Keane, who was forming an impressive partnership with the Spaniard before injury ruled out the 24-year-old.

Team Update

West Brom are once again without central defenders Leon Barnett and Abdoulaye Meite.

Barnett is recovering from minor knee surgery while Meite will miss an eighth successive match as he continues his recovery from a calf strain.

Scottish international midfielder James Morrison is fit to play after recovering from the back problem that forced him off against Blackburn Rovers last Saturday.

Midfielder Filipe Teixeira, who has not played since March due to a knee ligament injury, is set to return to the squad.

Squads

Liverpool: Reina, Arbeloa, Carragher, Agger, Hyypia, Aurelio, Dossena, Benayoun, Babel, Gerrard, Mascherano, Alonso, Pennant, Lucas, Kuyt, Torres, Keane, Riera, Cavalieri.

West Brom: Carson, Kiely, Zuiverloon, Hoefkens, Barnett, Donk, Olsson, Robinson, Cech, Morrison, Greening, Koren, Teixeira, Valero, Brunt, Miller, Bednar, Moore, Slusarski, MacDonald, Pele.

Possible Full Time score: Liverpool 3 West Brom 0

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Spurs continues their hot form

Roman Pavlyuchenko pounced on the stroke of full-time to lift Tottenham Hotspur off the foot of Barclays Premier League.

Liverpool took the lead with just two minutes on the clock through a magnificent finish by Dirk Kuyt that saw Heurelho Gomes exposed.

Jamie Carragher's own goal appeared to have salvaged a point for Spurs but Harry Redknapp's side had grander ideas.

With injury time approaching, Pavlyuchenko tucked home a Darren Bent pass to deny the Reds their return to the summit of the table and end the top flight's last unbeaten record.

Liverpool allowed a flurry of chances to slip by, with Steven Gerrard and Xabi Alonso missing the pick of them, until Carragher rose high in the 69th minute to nod into his own net.

They should have been out of sight before Carragher struck while Spurs displayed more of the fighting spirit which served them so well against Arsenal in midweek.

The victory rung up Redknapp's seventh point in three matches since replacing Juande Ramos a week ago, a remarkable return given Spurs' dismal position until his arrival.

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Ronaldo is back to score again

They may not have won, or even claimed a point, but Hull City's triumphant march on the Barclays Premier League won fresh admirers after they finally gave way in a pulsating duel with Manchester United.

At 4-1 up just before the hour mark, the Premier League and European champions should have cruised home.

Instead, they reached the final whistle severely rattled as Bernard Mendy and Geovanni breathed new life into the contest and forced Sir Alex Ferguson's men to cling on for maximum points, with Cristiano Ronaldo netting a double.

As they had already won at Newcastle United, Tottenham Hotspur and, more pertinently, Arsenal this season, Hull had every reason for optimism as they travelled across the M62 to Old Trafford for a league match for the first time since 1975.

They refused to buckle even after Ronaldo had given United a third minute lead, although the slack marking that allowed Ronaldo to exchange passes with Dimitar Berbatov before seeing his shot cannon in off Boaz Myhill's left-hand post would eventually return to haunt them.

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Manchester United v Hull City

Wes Brown will miss Manchester United's match with Hull City on Saturday after picking up an ankle injury.

Brown should be fit to face Celtic on Wednesday but his absence means Gary Neville is set for the right-back slot.

Edwin van der Sar and Michael Carrick should also be handed starting berths as United look to keep the pressure on Barclays Premier League leaders Liverpool.

Team Updates

Hull will make their first change in six matches with captain Ian Ashbee suspended for tomorrow's Barclays Premier League trip to Manchester United.

Ashbee must serve a one-match ban after being booked for the fifth time this season against West Bromwich Albion last weekend.

Bryan Hughes, a substitute four times this season, could come in but Bernard Mendy is also an option.

Record signing Anthony Gardner faces a further three weeks out after pulling a thigh muscle in a friendly against Leeds on Monday. Gardner lost his place last month after injuring his opposite thigh.

Squads

Manchester United: Van der Sar, Kuszczak, Foster, Neville, Rafael, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evans, O'Shea, Evra, Ronaldo, Carrick, Fletcher, Anderson, Giggs, Nani, Park, Rooney, Berbatov, Tevez.

Hull: Myhill, McShane, Turner, Zayatte, Dawson, Marney, Hughes, Boateng, Geovanni, King, Cousin, Barmby, Garcia, Windass, Mendy, Halmosi, Folan, Ricketts, Giannakopoulos, Duke.

Possible Full Time score: Man Utd 4 Hull City 0

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Stoke City v Arsenal

Stoke City manager Tony Pulis is expected to name an unchanged side for Saturday's home match against Arsenal after being impressed by the performance in Wednesday's win over Sunderland.

With no new injury worries, the Stoke manager took his players through a light training session today to finalise preparations for the Barclays Premier League match.

Winger Liam Lawrence, who has missed the last four matches, is expected to be out for another month after undergoing surgery to repair a torn ankle ligament.

Team Updates

Arsenal are likely to be without defenders William Gallas and Emmanuel Eboue as manager Arsene Wenger considers whether or not to make significant changes to the side which allowed Tottenham Hotspur to make an unlikely comeback at the Emirates on Wednesday.

Captain Gallas is almost definitely out with a hamstring problem, opening the door for Kolo Toure's return, and Eboue faces further tests on a knee injury,

Midfielder Denilson (back), defenders Bacary Sagna and striker Emmanuel Adebayor all returned to the starting line-up against Spurs and should be fit once more.

Striker Eduardo is closing in on a return from his broken leg, but Czech winger Tomas Rosicky (hamstring) looks set to remain in recovery until the new year.

Squads

Stoke: Sorensen, Griffin, Shawcross, Abdoulaye Faye, Higginbotham, Soares, Diao, Olofinjana, Delap, Sidibe, Fuller, Simonsen, Kitson, Pericard, Amdy Faye, Tonge, Wilkinson, Sonko, Whelan, Cresswell, Cort.

Arsenal: Almunia, Sagna, Silvestre, Gallas, Clichy, Walcott, Eboue, Fabregas, Denilson, Nasri, Van Persie, Adebayor, Fabianski, Toure, Vela, Bendtner, Diaby.

Possible Scoreline: Stoke 1 Arsenal 4

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Chelsea v Sunderland

Chelsea are without defender Ricardo Carvalho for Saturday's Barclays Premier League visit of Sunderland.

The Portuguese injured his thigh in the 3-0 win over Hull City in midweek and could be out for up to three weeks according to coach Luiz Felipe Scolari's initial assessment.

Joe Cole is a doubt after a knock to his ankle in the same ma tch.

Meanwhile Didier Drogba (knee), Michael Ballack (foot) and Michael Essien (knee) remain on the sidelines.

Team Update

Kenwyne Jones is likely to make his first start of the season for Sunderland after recovering from knee ligament damage.

Goalkeeper Craig Gordon (ankle) is still struggling so Marton Fulop is expected to start his third match in a row.

Phil Bardsley suffered a dead-leg at Stoke on Wednesday but he should recover in time.

Roy Keane has said there will be changes after the 1-0 defeat at Stoke City, and Teemu Tainio, Nyron Nosworthy and Pascal Chimbonda are pushing for a return.

Squads

Chelsea: Cech, Cudicini, Hilario, Ferreira, Bridge, A Cole, Obi, Ivanovic, Alex, Terry, Lampard, Sinclair, Mancienne, Belletti, Anelka, Malouda, Stoch, Kalou, Deco, Bosingwa, J Cole.

Sunderland: Gordon, Fulop, Colgan, Bardsley, Chimbonda, Ferdinand, Nosworthy, Collins, McCartney, Malbranque, Whitehead, Tainio, Leadbitter, Miller, Yorke, Richardson, Reid, Diouf, Jones, Cisse, Chopra, Murphy, Healy, Waghorn.

Possible Scoreline: Chelsea 2 Sunderland 0

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Fergie To Quit, Mourinho 'Obsessed' With United - Blues Source

Inter Milan boss Jose Mourinho recently admitted that he plans to return to the English Premier League, leading The Mirror to sensationally link the Portuguese gaffer with an eventual move to Manchester United.

The Old Trafford club moved quickly to play down the reports, but now the link has been strengthened. For starters, a high ranking Stamford Bridge official has revealed that 'The Special One' has always fancied being the Red Devils' ringmaster.

Asked about the rumours by the News of the World, the official revealed: "Jose always made his love of United very clear. In fact, he was obsessed with them and talked about being in charge of the biggest club in the world.

"He wanted to test himself in Italy when he left the Stamford Bridge, but it was obvious to most people he wanted to come back here with United to haunt us."

Hungry young guns such as Blackburn boss Paul Ince and Manchester City gaffer Mark Hughes have admitted that the Theatre of Dreams is their ideal managerial destination, but United could go for an elite coach such as Mourinho.

However, the Sir Alex Ferguson era would obviously have to end first before a new regime can be installed. Luckily for 'obsessed' Jose, Fergie admits that the end is nigh.

"I won't be doing a Bobby Robson and be a manager when I am 70," The 66-year-old told the Mail on Sunday. "It is just knowing when to quit.

"However, Football is like a drug which is difficult to give up and I'm hooked."

If the Mourinho prospect interests the Old Trafford board, perhaps they'll stage an intervention with football junkie Sir Alex.

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Manchester City v Stoke City

British record signing Robinho completed his first Manchester City hat-trick to take Stoke apart at Eastlands.

The £32.5 million Brazilian opened his account after just 14 minutes, then added another from Daniel Sturridge's excellent pass just after the re-start.

However, he saved the best until last, finishing off a flowing four-pass move 17 minutes from the end with a clinical finish past Thomas Sorensen.

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Liverpool end Chelsea's 86-game unbeaten home record

Xabi Alonso's solitary first-half goal ended Chelsea's 86-game unbeaten home league record and put Liverpool three points clear at the top of the Barclays Premier League.

Alonso struck in the ninth minute when his 20-yard shot deflected off Jose Bosingwa and left Petr Cech wrong-footed.

It was Chelsea's first defeat under new boss Luiz Felipe Scolari, but Liverpool were always in charge of a pulsating contest at Stamford Bridge and look real title contenders on this form.

Chelsea had not been beaten at home since Arsenal's 2-1 success in February 2004 but Liverpool deserved their triumph with an impressive display.

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Blackburn v Middlesbrough

Blackburn Rovers striker Roque Santa Cruz is doubtful for the Barclays Premier League match against Middlesbrough.

Santa Cruz is still troubled by a hamstring injury which caused him to miss the goalless draw at Bolton Wanderers last weekend.

Defender Christopher Samba is expected to shake off a knock suffered in that match after colliding with a post.

Team Updates

Turkey international Tuncay Sanli is expected to return to the Middlesbrough squad.

The playmaker has been sidelined since mid-September with a knee ligament injury but is set for a place on the bench at Ewood Park.

After serving a three-match ban, skipper Emanuel Pogatetz will return to the starting XI while Afonso Alves and Didier Digard are set for recalls.

Full-back Justin Hoyte (groin) is not expected to be declared fit so David Wheater is likely to move across to right-back.

Squads

Blackburn: Robinson, Simpson, Samba, Nelsen, Ooijer, Emerton, Tugay, Warnock, Villanueva, Roberts, Fowler, McCarthy, Derbyshire, Pedersen, Olsson, Andrews, Brown, Grella, Khizanishvili, Treacy.

Middlesbrough: Turnbull, Wheater, Taylor, Riggott, Pogatetz, Digard, O'Neil, Johnson A, Downing, Alves, Mido, Jones, Grounds, Shawky, Aliadiere, Walker, Emnes, Tuncay, Aliadiere.

Possible Scoreline: (Blackburn 1 Middlesbrough 1)

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Everton v Manchester United

Rio Ferdinand and Patrice Evra will return for Manchester United at Everton, with Michael Carrick pencilled in for a comeback against West Ham United on Wednesday.

Ferdinand (groin) and Evra (hamstring) both missed Tuesday's Champions League win over Celtic, while Carrick has been restricted to just 70 minutes' Barclays Premier League action all season with an ankle injury.

Dimitar Berbatov (hip) and Cristiano Ronaldo (knee) have recovered from minor knocks and will play at Goodison Park, while Paul Scholes and Owen Hargreaves (both knee) are out.

Team Updates:

Everton defender Tony Hibbert will have to undergo a fitness test on a sore ankle.

Joseph Yobo has returned to full strength following illness and Victor Anichebe is also fit, having managed to shrug off a hamstring complaint.

However, Everton will again be without midfielder Tim Cahill who is still suspended following his red card in the Merseyside derby almost a month ago.

Squads

Everton: Howard, Baines, Hibbert, Yobo, Lescott, Jagielka, Arteta, Osman, Fellaini, Pienaar, Vaughan, Saha, Anichebe, Yakubu, Nash, Rodwell, Valente, Jutkiewicz, Gosling, Baxter.

Manchester United: Van der Sar, Kuszczak, Foster, Brown, Neville, Rafael, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evans, Evra, O'Shea, Ronaldo, Park, Fletcher, Anderson, Giggs, Nani, Rooney, Berbatov, Tevez.

Possible Scoreline: (Everton 0 Man Utd 3)

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Sunderland v Newcastle

Sunderland striker Kenwyne Jones has an outside chance of being involved in Saturday's Wear-Tyne derby against Newcastle United.

The 24-year-old returned to action for the reserves on Wednesday evening, along with fellow frontman Martyn Waghorn (also knee), almost five months after damaging knee ligaments, but manager Roy Keane has insisted he will take no risks with either.

Nyron Nosworthy is back in the squad after recovering from a hamstring tear, while Dwight Yorke is over his gruelling international exploits with Trinidad and Tobago and Liam Miller is back from a groin problem.

Unavailable:

Newcastle manager Joe Kinnear will make a late check on midfielder Nicky Butt. The 33-year-old picked up a foot injury in Monday's 2-2 draw with Manchester City, but is expected to be available.

Striker Michael Owen will miss out as he continues his recovery from a groin injury.

However, Kinnear will be able to welcome back full-back Habib Beye, whose appeal against his red card against City was successful, and midfielder Joey Barton after the completion of his six-match ban.

Argentinian midfielder Jonas Gutierrez could also return from his fractured collarbone, but Mark Viduka (Achilles) and Alan Smith (foot) are still out.

Squads

Sunderland: Gordon, Fulop, Chimbonda, Ferdinand, Collins, Nosworthy, McCartney, Diouf, Whitehead, Miller, Reid, Richardson, Malbranque, Tainio, Henderson, Cisse, Murphy, Healy, Chopra, Jones, Waghorn.

Newcastle: Given, Harper, Beye, Edgar, Enrique, N'Zogbia, Taylor, Coloccini, Cacapa, Bassong, Tozer, Butt, Guthrie, Geremi, Duff, Barton, Jonas, Doninger, Xisco, Ameobi, Carroll, Donaldson, Ranger, Danquah.

Possible scoreline: (Sunderland 1 Newcastle 0)

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West Bromwich Albion v Hull City

The Barclays Premier League newcomers do battle for the first time since gaining promotion from the Championship last season.

Phil Brown's Hull have begun the campaign in excellent form and sit in third place, while the Baggies will be pleased with 10 points from their first eight fixtures

Hull City manager Phil Brown has close to a fully-fit squad available for Saturday's Barclays Premier League trip to West Bromwich Albion.

Brown has named an unchanged side for three consecutive matches but with broken-leg victim Craig Fagan the only player not to have trained this week, competition for places is high.

Record signing Anthony Gardner (thigh) is back in the squad and will travel but Brown is determined not to rush him. New signing Stelios Giannakopoulos and Nick Barmby are both in full training but will be left until after a behind-closed-doors friendly on Monday.

Injuries:

West Brom will again be without central defender Abdoulaye Meite, who will miss his sixth successive match as he continues to battle against the calf strain he suffered against former club Bolton Wanderers on 30th August.

Midfielder Filipe Teixeira, who has not played since March due to a knee ligament injury, has also had to put his comeback plans on hold again.

Teixeira is still being troubled by a calf problem that he picked up in training.

Squads

West Brom: Carson, Kiely, Zuiverloon, Hoefkens, Barnett, Donk, Olsson, Robinson, Cech, Morrison, Greening, Koren, Valero, Brunt, Miller, Bednar, Moore, Slusarski, MacDonald, Pele.

Hull: Myhill, McShane, Zayatte, Turner, Dawson, Marney, Ashbee, Boateng, Hughes, Geovanni, Halmosi, Cousin, Garcia, King, Mendy, Folan, Ricketts, Gardner, Windass, Duke.

Possible scoreline: (West Brom 1 Hull 2)

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Kuyt inspires Reds revival

Liverpool gave notice of their title credentials with a remarkable 3-2 victory at home to Wigan.

An Amr Zaki brace had the Latics ahead at the break, but two goals from Dirk Kuyt and a first for the club from Albert Riera saw the Reds claim three vital points.

A bright opening, on a slick surface, saw Wigan take the game to Liverpool from the off, although they were handed their opener on 29 minutes through some incompetent defending from the Reds.

Jose Reina's ill-advised pass to Daniel Agger saw the centre-half dwell on the ball long enough for Zaki to nip in, steal possession, and fire low into the bottom corner.

Rafa Benitez's side then came to life and levelled matters eight minutes later as Agger, making amends for his earlier error, laid on a simple finish for Kuyt.

The Dutch striker then crashed a 20-yard effort off the crossbar before Zaki stunned Anfield with a screamer seconds before the break.

Antonio Valencia's persistence down the right saw him throw a hopeful delivery into the box, from which his Egyptian team-mate sent an acrobatic volley arching into the top corner.

Wigan then looked comfortable during the second period until Valencia's recklessness 15 minutes from time saw him pick up two yellow cards in quick succession and head for an early bath.

Five minutes later and the 10-men were broken as Riera drilled home from the edge of the box following good work by Nabil El Zhar.

The turnaround was then completed on 85 minutes as Jermaine Pennant's cross picked out Kuyt, who scuffed a volley into the roof of net.

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Rooney's irresistible form continues

Wayne Rooney continued his scoring spree to tally the eight goals in six matches to set United on their way to victory. Rooney had already seen a first-half effort disallowed for a push on Gianni Zuiverloon when he broke the Baggies' resistance with an excellent solo effort 11 minutes after the re-start.


Cristiano Ronaldo and Dimitar Berbatov also found the net during a devastating 15-minute period for the Barclays Premier League champions, with Nani completing the scoring in the last minute. But it was a struggle until man-of-the-match Rooney broke the Baggies' resistance by scoring in his fifth successive match, a run that has yielded six goals for club and country and has now moved United into the top four. West Brom had every reason to be fearful and it appeared those worries were proved valid when the England striker tucked home midway through the opening period.


On first viewing, Rooney appeared merely to use his strength to push Gianni Zuiverloon to one side as he skipped onto Ronaldo's through ball. He then stepped inside Ryan Donk before beating Scott Carson from 10 yards. Television replays did not cast that much doubt on Rooney's challenge either but referee Mark Halsey thought otherwise and disallowed the goal for a push. It was the most notable moment of a frustrating half for the hosts, who dominated possession but failed to break a stoic West Brom defence in which Donk and central defensive partner Jonas Olsson were superb.

Man of the match: Wayne Rooney

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Manchester Derby

Manchester United (Carrick 90) 1-2 Manchester City (Vassel 24, Benjani45)

Vassel leaving United's defence in pain

Manchester City completed a league double over Manchester United on the day the city remembered the 50th anniversary of the Munich air disaster.

The last time City achieved such a feat was back in 1970 and the last time they won here was four years later.

Darius Vassell put City ahead in the 24th minute and Benjani Mwaruwari, on his debut, headed the second. United replied with an injury-time goal from Michael Carrick but City held on.

The minute's silence was immaculately observed inside the ground.

The teams were led out by managers Sir Alex Ferguson and Sven-Goran Eriksson, both of whom laid wreathes in the centre circle.

Every fan in the stadium held aloft red and blue scarves, distributed by the host club.

From the start, United were flowing towards their opponents' goal, Ryan Giggs seeing a seventh-minute volley touched over by Joe Hart.

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Aston Villa (Bouma 48, Carew 51,72, pen 90) 4 - 1 Newcastle (Owen 4)

Newcastle: Still unable to win

Kevin Keegan is still searching for his first win since returning to Newcastle United after hat-trick hero John Carew inspired a second-half comeback by Aston Villa.

The Magpies looked on course for their first win in nine Barclays Premier League matches after Michael Owen gave them a fourth-minute lead.

But Carew's treble blast after Wilfred Bouma's first-ever Villa goal kept Martin O'Neill's side on course for a European spot.

Villa were transformed in the second 45 minutes after barely causing the visitors a problem in the opening 45 half.

Villa clearly missed the presence of the injured Gabriel Agbonlahor up front in the first half.

But the introduction of Marlon Harewood at half-time made a big difference and the former West Ham United forward troubled Newcastle with his physical power.

Newcastle will take some heart from their first-half performance with James Milner a threat from the right flank against the club he spent a season on loan with.

But Keegan will be concerned with the way his side were overwhelmed for long periods once Villa had stepped up a gear.

Villa started brightly and Shaun Maloney did well to latch onto a flick-on from Carew and hold off the challenge of Cacapa before squaring the ball back to Stiliyan Petrov.

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Derby 0 - 3 Tottenham (Robbie Keane 68, Kaboul 81, Berbatov Pen 90)

Spurs are on fire at the moment

Tottenham Hotspur piled more misery on Derby County with three second-half goals in what proved to be a comfortable victory at Pride Park.

Captain Robbie Keane got the ball rolling midway through the second period before late goals from Younes Kaboul and Dimitar Berbatov's penalty sealed the win.

Derby had emerged from the half-time interval looking lively but fell behind in the 68th minute.

Steed Malbranque's right-foot shot was parried by Roy Carroll and the ball broke into the path of Keane, who simply stroked it home from six yards out for his 19th goal of the season.

Spurs took command and doubled their lead with nine minutes remaining. Aaron Lennon's corner bounced in front of Pascal Chimbonda, who headed the ball sideways to Kaboul.

He beat a man inside the area before firing a low left-foot shot into the bottom corner from 15 yards out.

Spurs were awarded a penalty in injury-time when Alan Stubbs was adjudged to have handled Malbranque's cross.

Berbatov coolly stepped up and sent Carroll the wrong way from the spot and added gloss to only the second away win of the season for the north London club.

A full house generated a terrific atmosphere in an end-to-end opening at Pride Park.

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