Middlesbrough forward Tuncay Sanli has been ruled out for six weeks with a knee injury.
The Turkey international picked up a slight tear to his medial ligament while on World Cup qualifying duty last week, lasting just 13 minutes of the encounter with Belgium having netted in their previous match with Armenia.
There had been reports that Tuncay could be sidelined for four months, but he is being lined up for a return against Manchester City on 28th October.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Terry red card rescinded
Chelsea captain John Terry has won an appeal against the red card he picked up at Manchester City.
Terry was dismissed at Eastlands on Saturday after bringing down City striker Jo as the Brazilian threatened in the 77th minute.
Referee Mark Halsey deemed it a professional foul and showed Terry the red card, but Chelsea protested, and submitted a claim for wrongful dismissal.
Terry was dismissed at Eastlands on Saturday after bringing down City striker Jo as the Brazilian threatened in the 77th minute.
Referee Mark Halsey deemed it a professional foul and showed Terry the red card, but Chelsea protested, and submitted a claim for wrongful dismissal.
Liverpool and Chelsea triumph
It was a winning night for Barclays Premier League sides Liverpool and Chelsea in the Champions League.
Steven Gerrard ensured Liverpool got their Champions League campaign off to the best possible start with both goals in a 2-1 win at Marseille.
Liverpool are also paired with PSV and Atletico Madrid in Group D so manager Rafa Benitez will be delighted to have seen them open up with a victory at the Stade Velodrome.
Steven Gerrard ensured Liverpool got their Champions League campaign off to the best possible start with both goals in a 2-1 win at Marseille.
Liverpool are also paired with PSV and Atletico Madrid in Group D so manager Rafa Benitez will be delighted to have seen them open up with a victory at the Stade Velodrome.
Marseille 1-2 Liverpool
Steven Gerrard's brace helped Liverpool to a hard-fought win at Marseille in their Champions League Group D opener.
Lorik Cana beat the Reds offside trap to slot the French side ahead but Gerrard curled in a sublime outswinging 22-yard shot to level.
Gerrard scored his 99th goal for Liverpool when he slotted in a retaken penalty after Ryan Babel was fouled.
Mamadou Niang glanced a header wide and had a strike saved by Pepe Reina late on but the Reds held on for a win.
Liverpool had beaten Marseille 4-0 last December but found the current side a much-improved unit and hungry to avenge that defeat.
Marseille gave the Reds a stern test but found Liverpool's defence - in particular Reina - in stubborn mood, while Gerrard again rose to the occasion.
Lorik Cana beat the Reds offside trap to slot the French side ahead but Gerrard curled in a sublime outswinging 22-yard shot to level.
Gerrard scored his 99th goal for Liverpool when he slotted in a retaken penalty after Ryan Babel was fouled.
Mamadou Niang glanced a header wide and had a strike saved by Pepe Reina late on but the Reds held on for a win.
Liverpool had beaten Marseille 4-0 last December but found the current side a much-improved unit and hungry to avenge that defeat.
Marseille gave the Reds a stern test but found Liverpool's defence - in particular Reina - in stubborn mood, while Gerrard again rose to the occasion.
Chelsea 4-0 Bordeaux
Chelsea opened their Champions League campaign in emphatic fashion with a comfortable win against Bordeaux.
Frank Lampard headed Chelsea in front after only 14 minutes from Jose Bosingwa's perfect right-wing cross.
Joe Cole then glanced in Lampard's corner on the half-hour as Chelsea took complete control.
Florent Malouda added the third with a driven left-foot shot eight minutes from time and Nicolas Anelka tapped in a fourth in injury time
Bordeaux were tame opposition, with Chelsea keeper Petr Cech not forced into serious action at any point, but it was still an impressive show as the Premier League leaders continued the form that has taken them to the summit.
Chelsea boss Luiz Felipe Scolari, predictably, named the same team that outclassed Manchester City on Saturday - and they continued in imperious form.
It took last season's runners-up only 14 minutes to take the lead, Lampard arriving in a central position only six yards out to head Bosingwa's superb cross beyond Ulrich Rame.
Rame then saved well from Anelka and John Terry headed Lampard's free-kick just wide before Joe Cole deservedly doubled Chelsea's advantage on the half-hour.
Lmpard swung a corner into the near post and the England midfield man rose above the Bordeaux defence to glance home a neat header.
Lampard should have piled on the misery for Bordeaux three minutes later, but he uncharacteristically dragged a simple finish wide from close range.
Bordeaux, as they had to, showed greater ambition after the break and Fernando gave Chelsea a moment of anxiety after 50 minutes when he shot just wide.
Scolari, with the game seemingly under control, decided to make a change on the hour when he sent on fit-again Michael Ballack for Deco.
And Anelka should have wrapped things up almost immediately, but he shot into the side-netting from an angle.
Chelsea had taken their foot off the gas after the break and Scolari went through his full range of arm-waving as he became increasingly agitated with his side.
And his theatrics had the desired effect as they scored a beautifully fashioned third with eight minutes left.
Jon Mikel Obi opened up the Bordeaux defence with a powerful surge, and when Lampard released Malouda with a clever flick, the Frenchman fired an emphatic left-foot finish across Rame.
Ricardo Carvalho then headed against the bar and Anelka drove inches wide as Chelsea ended the game as they begun it, in complete control.
And they rounded off the night in style when Anelka slotted in a simple fourth after substitute Juliano Belletti's long-range shot rebounded into his path off the bar.
Frank Lampard headed Chelsea in front after only 14 minutes from Jose Bosingwa's perfect right-wing cross.
Joe Cole then glanced in Lampard's corner on the half-hour as Chelsea took complete control.
Florent Malouda added the third with a driven left-foot shot eight minutes from time and Nicolas Anelka tapped in a fourth in injury time
Bordeaux were tame opposition, with Chelsea keeper Petr Cech not forced into serious action at any point, but it was still an impressive show as the Premier League leaders continued the form that has taken them to the summit.
Chelsea boss Luiz Felipe Scolari, predictably, named the same team that outclassed Manchester City on Saturday - and they continued in imperious form.
It took last season's runners-up only 14 minutes to take the lead, Lampard arriving in a central position only six yards out to head Bosingwa's superb cross beyond Ulrich Rame.
Rame then saved well from Anelka and John Terry headed Lampard's free-kick just wide before Joe Cole deservedly doubled Chelsea's advantage on the half-hour.
Lmpard swung a corner into the near post and the England midfield man rose above the Bordeaux defence to glance home a neat header.
Lampard should have piled on the misery for Bordeaux three minutes later, but he uncharacteristically dragged a simple finish wide from close range.
Bordeaux, as they had to, showed greater ambition after the break and Fernando gave Chelsea a moment of anxiety after 50 minutes when he shot just wide.
Scolari, with the game seemingly under control, decided to make a change on the hour when he sent on fit-again Michael Ballack for Deco.
And Anelka should have wrapped things up almost immediately, but he shot into the side-netting from an angle.
Chelsea had taken their foot off the gas after the break and Scolari went through his full range of arm-waving as he became increasingly agitated with his side.
And his theatrics had the desired effect as they scored a beautifully fashioned third with eight minutes left.
Jon Mikel Obi opened up the Bordeaux defence with a powerful surge, and when Lampard released Malouda with a clever flick, the Frenchman fired an emphatic left-foot finish across Rame.
Ricardo Carvalho then headed against the bar and Anelka drove inches wide as Chelsea ended the game as they begun it, in complete control.
And they rounded off the night in style when Anelka slotted in a simple fourth after substitute Juliano Belletti's long-range shot rebounded into his path off the bar.
Monday, September 15, 2008
Stoke City 2: Everton 3
Tim Cahill celebrated his return to Everton's starting line-up with the winning goal against Stoke at the Britannia Stadium.
Cahill had missed the start of the season with a broken metatarsal that blighted him for much of the last campaign. But he marked his surprise inclusion by striking the decisive blow, heading home Mikel Arteta's corner in the 76th minute.
Everton looked like they would cruise to victory when goals either side of half-time from Yakubu and Victor Anichebe put them firmly in the driving seat.
But Stoke showed grit, and aided by the potent weapon of Rory Delap's long throw they fought back and restored parity through Seyi Olofinjana and Phil Jagielka's own goal.
However, they were denied what looked like an unlikely point when Cahill had the final word.
Cahill had missed the start of the season with a broken metatarsal that blighted him for much of the last campaign. But he marked his surprise inclusion by striking the decisive blow, heading home Mikel Arteta's corner in the 76th minute.
Everton looked like they would cruise to victory when goals either side of half-time from Yakubu and Victor Anichebe put them firmly in the driving seat.
But Stoke showed grit, and aided by the potent weapon of Rory Delap's long throw they fought back and restored parity through Seyi Olofinjana and Phil Jagielka's own goal.
However, they were denied what looked like an unlikely point when Cahill had the final word.
Blackburn Rovers 0: Arsenal 4
Emmanuel Adebayor was the hat-trick hero this time as Theo Walcott returned to club duty in a comfortable victory for Arsenal.
The 19-year-old returned to the side after his superb treble for England and set up the opening goal for Robin van Persie in the eighth minute.
Walcott looked full of confidence following his demolition of Croatia and with a Champions League match against Dynamo Kiev to come on Wednesday, he played only 63 minutes.
He was given a rapturous reception by the visiting supporters and a few of the home ones as well.
It was Adebayor who carried the main threat in this match and he was in irrepressible form.
Arsenal stamped their mark on the match with a marvellous goal in the eighth minute and Walcott was at the heart of the move.
He cut inside and weaved his way past a couple of players before picking out van Persie in the penalty area. The Dutch international showed the deftest of touches to beat goalkeeper Paul Robinson with a shot into the corner.
The 19-year-old returned to the side after his superb treble for England and set up the opening goal for Robin van Persie in the eighth minute.
Walcott looked full of confidence following his demolition of Croatia and with a Champions League match against Dynamo Kiev to come on Wednesday, he played only 63 minutes.
He was given a rapturous reception by the visiting supporters and a few of the home ones as well.
It was Adebayor who carried the main threat in this match and he was in irrepressible form.
Arsenal stamped their mark on the match with a marvellous goal in the eighth minute and Walcott was at the heart of the move.
He cut inside and weaved his way past a couple of players before picking out van Persie in the penalty area. The Dutch international showed the deftest of touches to beat goalkeeper Paul Robinson with a shot into the corner.
Fulham 2: Bolton Wanderers 1
Andrew Johnson finally made his Fulham debut but it was two other summer arrivals who starred as Roy Hodgson's side survived a late scare at Craven Cottage.
Zoltan Gera opened his account with an emphatic 15th minute finish and Bolton Wanderers cracked for a second time when Bobby Zamora pounced shortly before half time.
The visitors' defence was tormented by the irrepressible Zamora all afternoon and his goal was a moment of individual brilliance, evading two defenders before expertly finding the net.
Kevin Davies took advantage of a moment of hesitancy in Fulham's defence to pull one back with nine minutes to go as Bolton struck out of the blue.
It would have been an injustice had Gary Megson's team snatched a late point but Fulham should have made more of their chances.
For Fulham fans it was a glorious afternoon as Hodgson's passing philosophy - tailor made for the guile-free Trotters - reigned at sun-kissed Craven Cottage.
Mark Schwarzer had one save to make, keeping out a fine effort by Gavin McCann, until Bolton's late flurry sparked by Davies' fortuitous score.
Zoltan Gera opened his account with an emphatic 15th minute finish and Bolton Wanderers cracked for a second time when Bobby Zamora pounced shortly before half time.
The visitors' defence was tormented by the irrepressible Zamora all afternoon and his goal was a moment of individual brilliance, evading two defenders before expertly finding the net.
Kevin Davies took advantage of a moment of hesitancy in Fulham's defence to pull one back with nine minutes to go as Bolton struck out of the blue.
It would have been an injustice had Gary Megson's team snatched a late point but Fulham should have made more of their chances.
For Fulham fans it was a glorious afternoon as Hodgson's passing philosophy - tailor made for the guile-free Trotters - reigned at sun-kissed Craven Cottage.
Mark Schwarzer had one save to make, keeping out a fine effort by Gavin McCann, until Bolton's late flurry sparked by Davies' fortuitous score.
Newcastle United 1: Hull City 2
Newcastle United suffered a 2-1 home defeat by Hull City at St James' Park. A promising start was dashed by Marlon King's 34th-minute penalty, and by the time King doubled his tally nine minutes after the break, they saw no return. Debutant Xisco pulled a goal back nine minutes from time, but it was too little too late.
The Spaniard, one of two deadline day arrivals, headed a 13th-minute Charles N'Zogbia corner over the bar and then failed to get in a shot after being picked out by Geremi inside the box.
Danny Guthrie went close with 19 minutes gone then skipper Michael Owen, playing behind a front two of Xisco and Shola Ameobi, almost broke the deadlock 14 minutes before the break.
The England international timed his run to perfection to meet Geremi's free-kick, but keeper Boaz Myhill produced a fine reaction save to keep out his deft header.
Newcastle did not have it all their own way and Shay Given had earlier been forced to make a smart 14th-minute save from King's snapshot.
The Spaniard, one of two deadline day arrivals, headed a 13th-minute Charles N'Zogbia corner over the bar and then failed to get in a shot after being picked out by Geremi inside the box.
Danny Guthrie went close with 19 minutes gone then skipper Michael Owen, playing behind a front two of Xisco and Shola Ameobi, almost broke the deadlock 14 minutes before the break.
The England international timed his run to perfection to meet Geremi's free-kick, but keeper Boaz Myhill produced a fine reaction save to keep out his deft header.
Newcastle did not have it all their own way and Shay Given had earlier been forced to make a smart 14th-minute save from King's snapshot.
Portsmouth 2: Middlesbrough 1
Jermain Defoe's two second-half goals gave Portsmouth their first home win in six months - but not before manager Harry Redknapp had revert from his new 3-5-2 system.
Middlesbrough, with a raft of injured international stars missing, led against the run of play when burly striker Mido slotted in a chance created by Brazilian Afonso Alves.
But in the second half it was virtually a procession to their goal - Defoe passing up a hat-trick of other chances.
Pompey were lucky to survive in the fourth minute when Sol Campbell failed to cut out Didier Digard's cross from the right. Alves was so surprised he forgot to shoot, with only David James to beat.
With the hosts apparently dominating, Mido then caught them cold. Alves controlled a long ball down the left from Chris Riggott and found Mido with a sliderule pass.
Pompey's defence was slow to cover, and the big Egyptian slipped through neatly past the dozing Younes Kaboul to slot home.
Middlesbrough, with a raft of injured international stars missing, led against the run of play when burly striker Mido slotted in a chance created by Brazilian Afonso Alves.
But in the second half it was virtually a procession to their goal - Defoe passing up a hat-trick of other chances.
Pompey were lucky to survive in the fourth minute when Sol Campbell failed to cut out Didier Digard's cross from the right. Alves was so surprised he forgot to shoot, with only David James to beat.
With the hosts apparently dominating, Mido then caught them cold. Alves controlled a long ball down the left from Chris Riggott and found Mido with a sliderule pass.
Pompey's defence was slow to cover, and the big Egyptian slipped through neatly past the dozing Younes Kaboul to slot home.
Wigan Athletic 1: Sunderland 1
Amr Zaki continued his remarkable Barclays Premier League scoring record by blasting his fourth goal of the season to rescue Wigan Athletic a point and spare Titus Bramble's blushes at the JJB Stadium.
Bramble's 13th-minute own goal looked set to gift the three points to Roy Keane's Sunderland, before the 25-year-old Egyptian struck with a low shot past Craig Gordon 12 minutes from time.
It was a rich reward not only for the impressive Zaki but for Steve Bruce's men, reduced to 10 in the 85th minute by Lee Cattermole's sending-off, who had applied almost constant pressure.
Kevin Kilbane, Emile Heskey, Maynor Figueroa, Olivier Kapo and Zaki himself all had chances but were denied by a mixture of misfortune in front of goal and fine last-ditch defending by the Black Cats.
It was quite some performance from Keane's new boys George McCartney and Anton Ferdinand to suppress the hottest goalscorers in the country - who had notched 11 goals in their last two matches alone.
Despite a patchy start to the season, Keane will take heart from a hard-earned point - which could have been more if Djibril Cisse had converted two clear chances in front of goal.
Sunderland had started well, camping inside the Wigan box from the kick-off and gaining an early reward after Kieran Richardson's bright run down the left had ended in Chris Kirkland turning his low shot past the post.
Bramble's 13th-minute own goal looked set to gift the three points to Roy Keane's Sunderland, before the 25-year-old Egyptian struck with a low shot past Craig Gordon 12 minutes from time.
It was a rich reward not only for the impressive Zaki but for Steve Bruce's men, reduced to 10 in the 85th minute by Lee Cattermole's sending-off, who had applied almost constant pressure.
Kevin Kilbane, Emile Heskey, Maynor Figueroa, Olivier Kapo and Zaki himself all had chances but were denied by a mixture of misfortune in front of goal and fine last-ditch defending by the Black Cats.
It was quite some performance from Keane's new boys George McCartney and Anton Ferdinand to suppress the hottest goalscorers in the country - who had notched 11 goals in their last two matches alone.
Despite a patchy start to the season, Keane will take heart from a hard-earned point - which could have been more if Djibril Cisse had converted two clear chances in front of goal.
Sunderland had started well, camping inside the Wigan box from the kick-off and gaining an early reward after Kieran Richardson's bright run down the left had ended in Chris Kirkland turning his low shot past the post.
Manchester City 1: Chelsea 3
Manchester City slipped to defeat against Chelsea despite a debut-day opener from record signing Robinho.
The £32.5m man paid off the first instalment of his British record price-tag by putting Mark Hughes' men ahead with a superb 13th-minute free-kick.
But it was downhill all the way after that as Chelsea scored three times without reply, with Ricardo Carvalho, Frank Lampard and Nicolas Anelka scoring, to register a seventh straight win over City even though England captain John Terry was sent off for a professional foul.
It was a reality check Hughes did not need, although it should ensure expectations are lowered - until January's transfer window opens - and in Robinho the Blues have a talent to savour.
And it was perhaps no surprise Robinho should make the perfect start. Carvalho was unhappy at the free-kick in the first place as Jo went down for a foul.
It just added to the theatre as Robinho ushered away all his team-mates, before reintroducing Vincent Kompany as a token presence. He then took aim and calmly stroked the ball into the corner.
The £32.5m man paid off the first instalment of his British record price-tag by putting Mark Hughes' men ahead with a superb 13th-minute free-kick.
But it was downhill all the way after that as Chelsea scored three times without reply, with Ricardo Carvalho, Frank Lampard and Nicolas Anelka scoring, to register a seventh straight win over City even though England captain John Terry was sent off for a professional foul.
It was a reality check Hughes did not need, although it should ensure expectations are lowered - until January's transfer window opens - and in Robinho the Blues have a talent to savour.
And it was perhaps no surprise Robinho should make the perfect start. Carvalho was unhappy at the free-kick in the first place as Jo went down for a foul.
It just added to the theatre as Robinho ushered away all his team-mates, before reintroducing Vincent Kompany as a token presence. He then took aim and calmly stroked the ball into the corner.
Liverpool 2 : Manchester United 1
Rafael Benitez has finally got something to smile about after watching Liverpool beat Manchester United for the first time in his Anfield career thanks to an own goal from Wes Brown and Ryan Babel's winner.
The Liverpool manager had never beaten United in nine previous league matches, with the champions having won the last five meetings between these two giants.
But United wilted under a relentless second-half pressure, had Nemanja Vidic sent-off and saw substitute Babel secure victory.
Carlos Tevez put United ahead early on. But after a torrid opening period, Liverpool were level with a Wes Brown own goal before Liverpool dominated the second half and grabbed a priceless win with 13 minutes left.
Liverpool gave new signing Albert Riera his debut but Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres were not risked any closer to the initial action than the bench.
For the champions, Michael Carrick returned after an ankle problem, but all eyes were on £30m striker Dimitar Berbatov on his first appearance for his new club.
The champions were ahead after just three minutes. Berbatov was allowed to get to the line by some sloppy marking and covering, and Liverpool's defence was nowhere to be seen when his pulled back cross was lashed home by Tevez.
United were quicker and more mobile all over the pitch while Liverpool continually conceded possession.
The Liverpool manager had never beaten United in nine previous league matches, with the champions having won the last five meetings between these two giants.
But United wilted under a relentless second-half pressure, had Nemanja Vidic sent-off and saw substitute Babel secure victory.
Carlos Tevez put United ahead early on. But after a torrid opening period, Liverpool were level with a Wes Brown own goal before Liverpool dominated the second half and grabbed a priceless win with 13 minutes left.
Liverpool gave new signing Albert Riera his debut but Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres were not risked any closer to the initial action than the bench.
For the champions, Michael Carrick returned after an ankle problem, but all eyes were on £30m striker Dimitar Berbatov on his first appearance for his new club.
The champions were ahead after just three minutes. Berbatov was allowed to get to the line by some sloppy marking and covering, and Liverpool's defence was nowhere to be seen when his pulled back cross was lashed home by Tevez.
United were quicker and more mobile all over the pitch while Liverpool continually conceded possession.
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