Tottenham v Arsenal preview

North London bragging rights will be at stake on Sunday afternoon as Tottenham welcome neighbours Arsenal to White Hart Lane for what promises to be a pulsating encounter.

The two sides have played out some cracking games over the years and particularly in recent times, with April's breathtaking 3-3 draw still fresh in the memory.

It was a difficult summer for both clubs as transfer speculation regarding key players dominated the headlines, and the uncertainty spread onto the pitch at the start of the 2011-12 campaign.

However, while Arsenal remain under severe pressure, there have been far more encouraging signs coming out of Spurs over the past few weeks and there is a growing feeling this could be the season they finally overhaul the Gunners.

Tottenham's form began to turn around after the window slammed shut, with Luka Modric still at the club despite wanting to leave and Emmanuel Adebayor and Scott Parker arriving to strengthen key areas in Harry Redknapp's starting XI.

Having suffered heavy defeats to Manchester United and Manchester City in their opening two games, Spurs have bounced back with three wins in a row to stay in touch with the leading pack and raise hopes about a return to the top four.
They missed out on UEFA Champions League qualification last term and had to settle for a spot in the Europa League, when Redknapp has opted to make wholesale changes to his team and rest senior players.

He will therefore revert to his first-choice line-up for the visit of Arsenal after having to come from behind to beat Shamrock Rovers on Thursday night, meaning Adebayor is in line to face his former club.

William Gallas will not have the chance to take on the Gunners after suffering a fresh calf injury this week, while Michael Dawson (Achilles) and Tom Huddlestone (ankle) are also out.

Steven Pienaar is available to play his first game of the season after overcoming a groin problem, while Aaron Lennon will require a fitness test after coming off against Shamrock with a stiff groin.
Arsenal news

Arsenal are two points and seven places behind their capital rivals, having also played a game more, going into Sunday's eagerly-anticipated fixture.

Arsene Wenger has had one of his less stressful weeks so far this season, though, having followed up a Premier League victory over Bolton with a win against Olympiakos in the UEFA Champions League and received support from club owner Stan Kroenke.

His position could soon come under the microscope again if the Gunners lose to Tottenham, and with the derby in mind Wenger decided to rest several players himself for the midweek European fixture.

The likes of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Andre Santos pushed their claims for inclusion this weekend by scoring against the Greeks and performing well, but it is likely there will be wholesale changes.

Robin van Persie and Aaron Ramsey are among those set to earn recalls after starting on the bench in the Champions League, while Wenger will be hoping to welcome back a number of other influential players.

Theo Walcott, Laurent Koscielny and Gervinho were all ruled out of the 2-1 win over Olympiakos and will be assessed closer to kick-off.


Yossi Benayoun and Sebastien Squillaci are back in training but unlikely to be involved, while Johan Djourou, Thomas Vermaelen and Abou Diaby remain sidelined.

Jack Wilshere is another long-term absentee after it emerged this week he may be out of action for up to five months following ankle surgery.

Possible starting XIs

Tottenham: Friedel, Walker, Kaboul, King, Assou-Ekotto, Van der Vaart, Modric, Parker, Bale, Adebayor, Defoe.

Arsenal: Szczesny, Sagna, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Gibbs, Ramsey, Song, Arteta, Walcott, Gervinho, Van Persie.

Source: www.skysports.com

Fulham v QPR preview

Fulham host West London rivals Queens Park Rangers for the first time in over ten years this Sunday.

The last derby involving the two clubs was in the old Division One during the 1990/91 season, when the Cottagers were 2-0 winners on both occasions.

And, despite their lack of Premier League experience in recent years, QPR have made a better start to the campaign than their near-neighbours.

Rangers are seven places and four points above Fulham in the table and will take confidence from two away wins in three trips this season.

Last weekend's dramatic draw with Aston Villa took their unbeaten run to three games and they have not lost since Joey Barton and Shaun Wright-Phillips arrived at the club.

Fulham are still searching for their first league win under Martin Jol but the Cottagers have proven to be difficult to beat, earning four draws in their six top flight games.

Their Europa League form has been more encouraging and Thursday night's 2-0 win over Odense has taken them to second in their group.

Fulham have already played 17 competitive games this season, compared to QPR who have been involved in just seven matches.

Striker Andrew Johnson has returned to goalscoring form, after his brace in Denmark on Thursday took his tally for the season to six.
Team news

After missing the trip to Scandinavia, Bobby Zamora is expected to be back in the squad for the visit of QPR.

Zamora, along with Moussa Dembele, has been missing due to an illness and remained in London during the week.

Jol is still without long-term absentee Simon Davies but Aaron Hughes may be involved despite a recent knee problem.

For the visitors, striker DJ Campbell could be in line for a recall to the first team after coming on just after the hour mark in last weekend's draw with Villa.

Danny Gabbidon, injured against Wolves a fortnight ago, may return to the side after being absent due to a knee complaint.

Kieron Dyer (foot) and Rob Hulse (knee) continue to miss out for Neil Warnock's team and Armand Traore is suspended following his red card against Aston Villa.

Possible starting XIs

Fulham: Schwarzer, Kelly, Hangeland, Hughes, Riise, Duff, Murphy, Etuhu, Dempsey, Johnson, Zamora.

QPR: Kenny, Young, Ferdinand, Gabbidon, Connolly, Wright-Phillips, Barton, Derry, Faurlin, Taarabt, Bothroyd.

Bolton v Chelsea preview

Bolton host Chelsea at the Reebok Stadium on Sunday aiming to halt a miserable run of form.

Owen Coyle's side have suffered five successive league losses since their opening day win at QPR to slump to the foot of the top flight table.

But history is against the Trotters as opponents Chelsea are unbeaten in their last 15 Premier League games against Bolton (winning 12 and drawing three) with the Blues winning the last six in a row and not conceding in the last four.

Andre Villas-Boas' side go into this clash on the back of a three-match unbeaten run since their 3-1 defeat at Manchester United.

The Blues beat Fulham on penalties in the Carling Cup, defeated Swansea 4-1 in the Premier League and then earned a creditable 1-1 draw in Valencia in their midweek UEFA Champions League tie.
Team news

Bolton boss Coyle faces further selection issues ahead of his side's clash with the Blues.

Coyle is already without a number of long-term injured, with the casualty list compounded this week when it was announced midfielder Stuart Holden faces another six months on the sidelines with a knee problem.

To add to his woes, on-loan Gael Kakuta is ineligible as he cannot face his parent club, David Wheater and Ivan Klasnic are suspended, and goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen is doubtful with a leg knock.

For Chelsea, striker Fernando Torres is suspended after he was sent off in the victory over Swansea.

Frank Lampard could keep his place in the starting line-up after he was recalled for the midweek trip to Valencia and scored in the 1-1 draw.

Striker Daniel Sturridge is fit after he missed Saturday's win over Swansea with a knee injury and also sat out the Valencia draw at Valencia.

Goalkeeping understudy Hilario is still a week or two away from recovering from a hip and back complaint, while Michael Essien (knee) is a long-term absentee.
Possible starting XIs:

Bolton: Jaaskelainen, Boyata, Knight, Cahill, Robinson, Pratley, Reo-Coker, Muamba, Petrov, Davies, Tuncay.

Chelsea: Cech, Bosingwa, Luiz, Terry, Cole, Ramires, Lampard, Mikel, Mata, Drogba, Anelka.

Source: www.skysports.com

City back on track as United stay top

Manchester City put a turbulent week behind them with a 4-0 victory at Blackburn on Saturday as Premier League leaders Manchester United rode their luck in a 2-0 win over Norwich.

Manchester City's Italian striker Mario Balotelli (R) scores their second goal during the English Premier League football match against Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park. City won 4-0. (AFP Photo/Andrew Yates)

City, who suspended Carlos Tevez following his refusal to come off the bench in the Champions League defeat at Bayern Munich, bounced back in style with goals from Adam Johnson, Mario Balotelli, Samir Nasri and Stefan Savic.

The win left City level with United on 19 points after seven games, with the two Manchester rivals four points clear of Newcastle in third place.

However the defeat piled the pressure on Rovers boss Steve Kean, with Blackburn fans unfurling a "Kean Out" banner as the Indian-owned club crashed to their fifth defeat of the season.

At Old Trafford, leaders United needed late goals from Anderson and Danny Welbeck to secure all three points against the Canaries.

However it was a far from convincing display by Sir Alex Ferguson's side, whose defence had been exposed during a 3-3 draw with FC Basel in midweek.

Norwich were left ruing a costly miss by Anthony Pilkington in the second half, the midfielder missing a one-on-one chance with Anders Lindegaard shortly before Anderson's 68th-minute strike lifted United.

Welbeck added the second on 87 minutes to secure the win and maintain United's grip on top spot.

"They set out to defend and made it difficult," Ferguson said.

"Even though they hit long balls to the big lad up front they had chances. Once we cleaned up our game in the second half we were better."

In Saturday's early kick-off, Liverpool downed 10-man Everton 2-0 after another stormy edition of the Merseyside derby at Goodison Park.

Second-half goals from £35 million striker Andy Carroll and Uruguayan international Luis Suarez sealed the points for Kenny Dalglish's men after Everton midfielder Jack Rodwell was controversially sent off.

Dalglish later admitted the sending off of Rodwell for a robust challenge on Suarez in the 23rd minute had swung the game in Liverpool's favour.

"I think until they lost a man it was even," Dalglish told Sky Sports. "I didn't think there was much between the teams. Obviously sometimes the numerical advantage works in your favour, sometimes it doesn't.

Everton manager David Moyes was dismayed at Rodwell's dismissal after replays showed he had won the ball cleanly.

"I'd have been disappointed if the referee had given a free-kick for that," Moyes said. "But at the end of the day it wasn't the referee that lost us the game. It was ourselves because we made a couple of defensive laspes."

In other games Saturday, Aston Villa downed Wigan 2-0 at Villa Park with the strikeforce of Gabriel Agbonlahor and Darren Bent getting the goals.

Agbonlahor broke the deadlock on 36 minutes, rifling in his fourth goal of the season after a superb pass from Scottish international Barry Bannan.

Bent effectively sealed the points for Villa in the second half, volleying in from Agbonlahor's pass on 62 minutes.

Sunderland and West Bromwich Albion battled to a 2-2 draw in a topsy-turvy game at the Stadium of Light.

A disastrous opening spell for Sunderland saw West Brom go 2-0 up after only five minutes, with Shane Long and James Morrison taking advantage of slack defending by the struggling home side.

Yet Sunderland had cancelled out West Brom's whirlwind start by the 26th minute after goals from striker Nicklas Bendtner and striker Ahmed Elmohamady hauled them back into the contest.

"It was incredible. An awful start but there was spirit and togetherness there to drag us back into the game," relieved Sunderland boss Steve Bruce said.

Newcastle maintained their strong start to the season with a 2-1 win over Wolves at Molineux which left Alan Pardew's Magpies in third place.

In-form Newcastle striker Demba Ba struck his fourth goal in two matches to put the visitors ahead on 17 minutes, before Jonas Gutierrez added a second in the 38th minute.

Steven Fletcher pulled a goal back for Wolves on 88 minutes in a furious late onslaught and there was controversy as Mick McCarthy's men had what looked like a legitimate Kevin Doyle goal disallowed and a penalty appeal turned down.

McCarthy described both decisions as "poor" but insisted: "We blame ourselves first and foremost."

Sunday's games see Chelsea travel to Bolton, while Tottenham face Arsenal in the north London derby.

Fulham face QPR in a west London derby while Swansea host in-form Stoke.

Source: www1.dtinews.vn

Hoang Anh Gia Lai chairman claims ready to withdraw from V-League

Chairman of Hoang Anh Gia Lai football team Doan Nguyen Duc said he is ready to withdraw from the topflight V-League if the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) does not take actions to improve the tournament.

Chairman of Hoang Anh Gia Lai football team Doan Nguyen Duc

Duc made the statement at a conference of chairmen in Hanoi on September 29 whose clubs will compete in the V-League 2012 season. The meeting focused on discussing the weaknesses hounding Vietnamese football and the selection of head of the organising board for V-League following Head of the board Duong Nghiep Khoi resignation.

Chairman Duc decried the series of problems besetting the VFF, saying that, “I and other football team leaders have come here not to listen to the VFF, raise ours hands to vote and then go home. What we want is not just a change in the head of the organising board, but an improvement in the federation’s operation model. It is normal to restructure an enterprise, and the same can be said for the VFF.”

The quality of the V-League has been on the decline and this is the right time for VFF to seriously look at its shortcomings which have their roots as far back as five years ago, but have not yet been settled, he added.

“I think V-League head Duong Nghiep Khoi does not lack the necessary skills but the VFF’s current operational mechanism means he won’t get any better,” Duc noted.

He shared that, “I’ve been involved in football for a decade, and I’ve never wanted to give it up. However, if VFF doesn’t reform, I’ll withdraw from the V-League immediately. Later, I’ll invest in young players to create a firm foundation for the national team.”

According to Duc, weak refereeing, organisational problems and disciplinary issues are the main reasons for the bad quality of V-League.

“I could buy English giants Arsenal, therefore, there’s no reason why I couldn’t help domestic football. Nevertheless, the VFF has to acknowledge its shortcomings,” the chairman emphasised.

Earlier, Hanoi ACB Chairman Nguyen Duc Kien proposed establishing a break-away Super Liga due to his frustration with the V-League. The Super Liga could comprise of six to seven clubs and offer a ‘fairer’ football environment according to its proponents. Chairman Duc also supported the recommendation.

Clubs are expecting a major shift in the VFF’s operations and the threat of a potential Super Liga may well be a tactic to express their desire for a clean-up of the murky world of match fixing and bribery that dogs Vietnamese football.

Source:www1.dtinews.vn

VFF accepts rebel chairmen football reform proposal

The Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) has accepted a proposal by football club chairmen to establish a Vietnam Professional Football Company (VPF).

VFF Vice Chairman Le Hung Dung said the VPF project was feasible

In an interview with DTiNews, Vice Chairman of the VFF Le Hung Dung, said the establishment of the company would mark a turning point in Vietnamese football, helping reduce shortcomings in the organisation of the top-flight V-League.

Is it pressure from the clubs that has led to the VFF approving the establishment of the company?

As leader of the VFF, I can say now that it was not about the club chairmen, but everything to do with the future of the country’s football. VFF Deputy Chairman Pham Ngoc Vien had proposed reforms previously, but they remained too theoretical.

I think the VPF project recommended by Hanoi ACB Chairman Nguyen Duc Kien and other club chairmen is feasible. I am grateful for their initiative. If the project is implemented quickly, I believe the 2012 V-League season will be successful.

Do you think that the existence of the VPF will reduce the VFF’s influence?

I think that the company will not affect VFF’s role. Indeed, it will help VFF to organise the V-League on a better footing. This also offers favourable conditions for the VFF to focus on finding and developing players for the national squad.

Based on the chairmen’s proposal, The VFF will hold 35.5% of VPF’s charter capital with the remainder held by the 14 V-League clubs. The VFF will have to discuss league issues with the clubs, and no longer have the right to decide things by itself.

Can the establishment of the VPF be considered a breakthrough for Vietnamese football?

If all commitments between VFF and the team chairmen are implemented correctly, the VPF will be a great turning point for domestic football. The company will help to deal with serious problems which have led to public outrage, such as poor refereeing and accusations of bias. The company may face a few teething difficulties, but it sure to make a difference in the long term.

Do you think that the proposed salary of VND30-50 million (USD1,442-USD2,403) per month for a referee will help deal with potential match fixing?

Improving the income of referees is vital, so that they can fully devote themselves to their work. I’m strongly in favour of the proposal.

Referee salaries will be between VND30-50 million a month, depending on their capacity and prestige. I think that the new levels of pay should help mitigate some of the problems.

Prior to the annual VFF season review meeting, club chairmen issued a manifesto calling for widespread reform of Vietnam’s top V-League. Six chairmen Nguyen Duc Kien of Hanoi ACB, Doan Nguyen Duc of Hoang Anh Gia Lai, Vo Quoc Thang of Dong Tam Long An, Le Tien Anh of Khataco Khanh Hoa, Hoang Manh Truong of Vissai Ninh Binh and Nguyen Van De of Thanh Hoa proposed the formation of a Vietnam Professional Football Company.

The company will have a charter capital of over VND22.8 billion (USD1.1 million), of which VFF will contribute to 35.5% of the total and the rest held by 14 football team. Each team will contribute VND1 billion.

VFF said it will work with the chairmen on the development of the VPF project early next week. The company should be established prior to the VFF’s annual general meeting.

Source:www1.dtinews.vn

Villa end Wigan hoodoo Aston Villa 2 - 0 Wigan

Aston Villa claimed their second win of the season and remain unbeaten as they finally defeated Wigan at Villa Park. Gabby Agbonlahor opened the scoring before providing the second for Darren Bent to seal the points in a comfortable 2-0 win.

Draw specialists Villa finally turned one point into three as they recorded their first Premier League victory over Wigan at home and only their second win in 13 games against the Latics.

Villa were ahead at the break thanks to Agbonlahor's dynamite strike.

Barry Bannan's delightful long ball found the run of the striker and he cut inside Gary Caldwell and then outside, before lashing his explosive right-foot effort past the helpless Ali Al Habsi into the roof of the net for his fourth of the season.

The visitors thought they should have been awarded a penalty midway through the second half when Franco Di Santo claimed he had been felled by Alan Hutton's clumsy challenge but referee Mark Clattenburg waved away appeals.

And Villa soon doubled their lead when Agbonlahor showed tremendous pace to race away from James McArthur and Emmerson Boyce before his low cross found Bent hanging at the back post to slot the ball home for his first goal in four games.
Threaten

Villa were the first to threaten with Agbonlahor making a powerful run but his eventual shot was deflected into the hands of Al Habsi.

A deep ball into the Wigan box from Villa skipper Stiliyan Petrov was headed by Bent into the path of the lively Agbonlahor but he was unable to keep his shot down.

Bent seized on a mistake by Mohamed Diame and teed up Stephen Ireland whose shot was deflected wide in a promising start by the home side.

Wigan skipper Gary Caldwell became the first player to be booked after 19 minutes after appearing to catch Agbonlahor with an elbow.

Bent connected with the resulting free-kick from Bannan but he could not keep his header down.

Bent was looking sharp and it needed a fine save from Al Habsi to keep Villa on level terms.

Bannan's pass over the Wigan defence was chested down by Bent, but Al Habsi blocked his powerful close-range volley.

Good play by Agbonlahor allowed Ireland a free run at the Wigan area but he scooped his shot over the bar.

It came as no surprise when the impressive Agbonlahor put Villa ahead after 36 minutes.

Warnock won possession and found Bannan whose ball over the top was seized on by Agbonlahor. He turned inside Caldwell before lashing a powerful shot past Al Habsi from 15 yards.

Wigan tried to retaliate and a mistake by Fabian Delph almost gifted them an equaliser. Victor Moses was able to free Di Santo whose low cross-shot flashed inches wide of the far post.

Same vein

Agbonlahor began the second half in the same vein as the first and almost doubled Villa's lead within 60 seconds.

A mazy run took Agbonlahor past Boyce, Watson and James McCarthy and his curling shot beat the dive of Al Habsi but flew inches wide.

Villa were in command and it needed a desperate block from Caldwell to keep out Bent's low shot after Delph had created the opening.

Wigan had claims for a penalty rejected after a challenge by Alan Hutton on Di Santo.

But Villa were soon back on the offensive and Al Habsi produced another excellent save to keep out Bannan's curling 20-yard drive at full stretch.

Agbonlahor was a constant menace and after 62 minutes he created the second goal for Bent.

He made a 50-yard run down the left flank before sending over an inviting centre which Bent side-footed past Al Habsi into the corner of the net.

Al Habsi made another excellent save to fingertip Petrov's fierce drive around the post.

Villa keeper Shay Given was called into meaningful action for the first time in making a double save to deny substitute Shaun Maloney and Di Santo.

Source: www.skysports.com