English Premier League

Ribery made his international breakthrough at the World Cup
Arsenal boss Arsenal Wenger wants to bring French World Cup star Franck Ribery to the Emirates Stadium, according to the winger's agent.

Ribery, 23, was linked with a £10m move to the Gunners in the summer but stayed at Marseille.

His agent Bruno Heidersheid told the News of the World: "Wenger likes Ribery a lot. He wanted to take him this summer but Marseille refused to sell.

"Arsene has made it clear he wants to take him next year."

Ribery moved to Marseille from Metz last summer and still has four years left on his contract.

Heiderscheid insists the France international is keen to join up with Wenger in the Premiership.

However, he has not yet had any official contact with the club.

"Franck would very much like to join Arsenal because of Arsene, the style of football they play and because his very close friend from the France team, Thierry Henry, plays for them," said Heiderscheid.

"I can categorically deny there is any agreement with Arsenal at this stage or even negotiations.

"These would have to take place in January at the earliest as we see how the season progresses with Marseille.

"Franck is now a very big player in Europe and it's true the biggest clubs want him badly."

Ribery was handed his international debut just before the World Cup and impressed with his pace and flair on the flank.

He is expected to take the role of the retired Zinedine Zidane for Les Bleus.

Wigan's Paul Scharner tackles Louis Saha
Ryan Giggs emerged from the bench to conjure up a rescue act for Manchester United at the JJB Stadium.

Half-fit and without a game for more than a month, Giggs was only named as a substitute by Sir Alex Ferguson as an emergency measure after Cristiano Ronaldo failed to recover from an ankle injury.

But the Welshman still had too much class for Wigan, turning the game on its head after Leighton Baines' stunning fourth-minute free-kick had given the Latics an interval lead.

It was Giggs' corner which provided Nemanja Vidic with the equaliser, by which point he had already succeeded in wiping all the early swagger out of Wigan's play.

A brilliant piece of control from Louis Saha allowed the Frenchman to put United in front four minutes after Vidic's header and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer maintained his recent fine form with a stoppage-time third to seal a deserved win.

For a long time though, it looked as though United would have to wait for their first Premiership away triumph since August.

With Park Ji-Sung, Gabriel Heinze and Mikael Silvestre injured and Giggs so far short of full fitness he was only supposed to be coming along for the ride, the loss of Ronaldo and skipper Gary Neville were major blows for the visitors.

Ronaldo, in particular, has been one of the major inspirations behind United's rise to the Premiership summit. Without the Portugal winger, Ferguson's side were ponderous and predictable, relying far too much on the overlapping runs of Patrice Evra to give them any width.

Evra did his best. But it was a thankless task, especially as Ferguson could hardly expect Wayne Rooney to hog the left flank, even though that was the station he occupied in a five-man United midfield.

Although his current form is a major talking point, few doubt Rooney will eventually return to his devastating old ways.

He came agonisingly close to achieving just that midway through the opening period too, taking down Evra's deep cross with his back to goal, beating two men, then smashing a thunderous shot against the Wigan bar.

Rooney also felt brave enough to let fly with a long-range shot, so clearly there are no issues with his confidence.

The same should have been true of the entire United side given their form before the international break, yet organisationally, they were a shambles, with Michael Carrick once more anonymous at the heart of midfield.

Losing such an early goal could not have helped, although the Red Devils had been given a warning of Baines' prowess given the full-back's brutal strike against Germany last Friday which helped seal England's passage into next summer's European Under-21 Championships.

Presented with a free-kick by Evra's handball, Wigan quickly laid the ball back to Baines, whose first Premiership goal arrowed into the top corner, giving Edwin van der Sar no chance.

For the next 20 minutes, the Red Devils clung on, with Gary Teale and Emile Heskey proving a particular threat.

Ferguson's decision to introduce Giggs at the break hinted at desperation yet, given the Welshman's form prior to his recent hamstring injury, it was an obvious move.

And what an impact he made too as United put their previous problems behind them and seized control.

Giggs had already suggested he was in the mood to create havoc before he delivered the pinpoint right-wing corner just past the hour mark which saw Vidic power home his first goal since arriving at Old Trafford in a £7million deal from Spartak Moscow in January.

The arrival of Giggs also released Rooney from his left-wing hell. Even though the youngster reverted to a more orthodox striking position, he dropped deep with more freedom than he had done before.

And, after one audacious attempt to set up Saha had met with an unhappy conclusion when the Frenchman drilled disappointingly wide, the next time the pair combined, it was with devastating consequences for Wigan.

First, Saha showed intelligent movement to reach Rooney's cross in the first place. Then, after an absolutely magnificent first touch to bring the ball down from shoulder height, the Frenchman produced a finish to match, beating Kirkland with a stabbed effort which bounced off the inside of a post.

Rooney, Saha and Solskjaer all had chances to ease United home before the third eventually arrived, courtesy of the Norwegian's clinical injury-time finish.

Teams

Wigan Kirkland, Boyce, Hall, De Zeeuw, Baines,Teale (Valencia 69), Landzaat, Scharner, Kilbane (Todorov 69),Camara (McCulloch 60), Heskey.

Subs Not Used: Pollitt, Jackson.

Goals: Baines 5.

Man Utd Van der Sar, Brown (Giggs 45), Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra,Solskjaer, Carrick, O'Shea, Scholes, Rooney, Saha.

Subs Not Used: Kuszczak, Smith, Richardson, David Jones.

Booked: Ferdinand, O'Shea.

Goals: Vidic 62, Saha 66, Solskjaer 90.

Att: 20,631

Ref: S Bennett (Kent).

Reading's Stephen Hunt tackles Michael Essien
Champions Chelsea required a deflected Frank Lampard free-kick to claim a 1-0 win at Reading and regain parity with leaders Manchester United at the top of the Premiership.

The victory came at a cost however as goalkeepers Petr Cech and Carlo Cudicini were both stretchered off on an evening when expensive summer signing Mikel Jon Obi was also red-carded.

Chelsea must now prepare for their Stamford Bridge showdown with Barcelona in midweek in fear of having to play their third choice goalkeeper.

Reading made Jose Mourinho's side fight all the way - literally on some occasions as erratic referee Mike Riley struggled to maintain control - and striker Kevin Doyle hit a post in the first half.

The result ended a 31-game unbeaten run at the Madejski Stadium for the Premiership newcomers, who had seen manager Steve Coppell named manager of the month following a fine start to the campaign few pundits had predicted.

That this was to be no dull evening was apparent from the very first minute when Stephen Hunt marked his first Premiership start by catching Cech a blow to the head as the goalkeeper slid out to collect a throughball.

The Czech international was stretchered off following four minutes of treatment to be replaced by Cudicini.

Reading defender Ivar Ingimarsson quickly identified himself as the game's most conspicuous character by heading a good early chance wide after Hunt had picked him out from a corner.

Chelsea replied with a long-range effort from Andriy Shevchenko that Marcus Hahnemann was able to deal with but the American goalkeeper was completely flummoxed by Ingimarsson's next contribution.

That was a header on to his own bar after Paulo Ferreira, one of four changes to the Chelsea line-up, had supplied a pacy cross from the right.

Arjen Robben fired a good opportunity across goal and wide before Ingimarsson was booked for barging into Shevchenko just before the half-hour mark.

Reading's best opportunity of the half arrived four minutes later when Doyle, whose penalty had set up a 1-1 draw with Manchester United in the previous home match, struck a post.

Hunt had set up the chance with a run into the danger zone from the left that combined control with persistence and Doyle, shooting on the turn, saw his effort smack Cudicini's left-hand post.

Royals skipper Graeme Murty limped off soon after to be replaced by Andre Bikey as the champions finished the half strongly.

First Didier Drogba fired a free-kick over and then forced a save from Hahnemann before fortune favoured Mourinho's men in the shape of a stoppage-time lead.

Lampard won a free-kick in the 'D' as Ibrahima Sonko challenged and the defender's booking seemed especially harsh as the England man appeared to have gone down all too easily.

Worse misfortune was the follow for the home side as Lampard's low free-kick was diverted past Hahnemann off the boot of - inevitably - the luckless Ingimarsson.

John Terry was booked for dissent seven minutes after the restart after the England skipper had needed to be smart to prevent Leroy Lita from getting on the end of a Doyle cross, with the speed Hunt was allowed to take a free-kick presumably his main beef with referee Mike Riley.

Michael Essien needed treatment just before the hour mark after being caught in the face as Doyle challenged and in the 62nd minute Chelsea were down to 10 men when Mikel received his second yellow.

The Nigerian, who had been booked in the 43rd minute for tripping Hunt, hauled Sonko back by the shoulders and had to go.

Joe Cole, back after a knee injury came on for Shevchenko straight after and instantly sparked a mass shoving match by going to ground as Steve Sidwell challenged.

Sidwell then fired a long-range shot narrowly wide before Reading sent Shane Long on for Lita with 17 minutes remaining. A Bikey booking, for a foul on Drogba, followed and when the Cameroon international impeded the striker again he was also banished to the stands to make it 10 against 10 for the remaining six minutes.

The final act of an extraordinary tale saw Drogba hook a goal-bound header from Nicky Shorey away before it could cross the line in stoppage time.

Cudicini was on the ground at that point, having been clattered by Sonko as Reading piled bodies forward in search of a last-gasp equaliser.

Again play was held up at length; again the Chelsea goalkeeper was unable to continue and Terry had to go in goal for the remaining seconds.

Teams

Reading Hahnemann, Murty (Bikey 36), Sonko, Ingimarsson,Shorey, Ki-Hyeon (Little 64), Sidwell, Harper, Hunt,Lita (Long 73), Doyle.

Subs Not Used: Stack, Gunnarsson.

Sent Off: Bikey (83).

Booked: Ingimarsson, Sonko, Bikey.

Chelsea Cech (Cudicini 5), Paulo Ferreira, Terry, Boulahrouz,Bridge, Obi, Lampard, Essien, Robben (Kalou 82),Shevchenko (Joe Cole 63), Drogba.

Subs Not Used: Ricardo Carvalho, Wright-Phillips.

Sent Off: Obi (62).

Booked: Obi, Terry.

Goals: Ingimarsson 45 og.

Att: 24,025

Ref: M Riley (W Yorkshire).

Juan Pablo Angel slides in on Calum Davenport
Skipper Gareth Barry's superb strike rescued Aston Villa's unbeaten record and spared striker Juan Pablo Angel's blushes in a pulsating Premiership clash with Martin Jol's side who finished with 10 men.

Angel sent his spot-kick wide after Spurs defender Calum Davenport had been red-carded for a professional foul and then with 14 minutes remaining headed a Jermain Defoe corner into his own net.

But Barry salvaged a point although Spurs will take satisfaction from gaining their first away point of the campaign.

Tottenham were comfortably the better side in the opening 45 minutes with Danny Murphy and Jermaine Jenas impressing in the centre of the park while Defoe looked sharp up front.

Former Arsenal player Stuart Taylor, who was deputising for shoulder injury victim Thomas Sorensen, was far the busier of the two keepers.

But Villa, for whom Stiliyan Petrov caught the eye in the centre of the park, came more into the game after the interval and almost won it in a grand finale.

Paul Robinson was greeted by a crescendo of boos when he took his place in the Spurs goal in front of the Holte End after his blunder for England in Croatia.

The first save of note came from Taylor after 15 minutes when he beat out a powerful effort from the edge of the box by Defoe who managed to create a yard of space for himself.

Hossam Ghaly was spoken to by referee Martin Atkinson after a late challenge on Petrov before Villa tested Robinson for the first time.

Baros made space down the right before turning an inviting ball back into the path of Angel whose first-time drive was gathered by Robinson.

Michael Dawson missed a golden chance to put Spurs ahead after 21 minutes after McCann was adjudged to have fouled Didier Zokora.

Danny Murphy's free-kick was flicked on by Jermaine Jenas to Dawson who was unmarked barely a yard from goal.

But he sent his header against the base of a post and the rebound hit Villa defender Liam Ridgewell and ended up in the arms of a relieved Taylor.

The visitors were starting to get on top with Murphy and Jenas impressing in the centre of the park.

Another Murphy free-kick caused problems to the Villa defence and a Ghaly volley was turned aside by Taylor. Defoe was looking sharp and Taylor was forced to beat out another effort after he had dispossessed Hughes.

Taylor clung onto Jenas' thumping drive before Villa created their best chance of the opening half in injury time.

Baros spun past Davenport after receiving a McCann pass and found himself with only Robinson to beat but he hesitated and the opportunity was squandered.

Dawson needed treatment in the opening seconds of the second period after accidentally being caught on the side of the head by Angel and he was eventually substituted by Paul Stalteri.

Pascal Chimbonda moved into the centre of the Spurs defence alongside Davenport with Stalteri slotting in at right-back.

Ghaly was yellow carded for bringing down Baros in full flight as Martin O'Neill's side began to knock the ball around in more confident fashion.

Spurs boss Martin Jol brought on Aaron Lennon after 59 minutes in place of Ghaly for his first senior action since recovering from a knee ligament injury.

Gabriel Agbonlahor almost scored in the 69th minute when he met a cross from substitute Didier Agathe but Robinson was alert and managed to parry the ball away.

Davenport was sent off after 73 minutes after being adjudged to have committed a professional foul on Agbonlahor in the box.

But Angel let Tottenham off the hook by sending the spot-kick wide of Robinson's goal.

Then in the 76th minute Angel headed a harmless-looking corner from Defoe into his own net although Taylor should have come and claimed the ball.

Back came Villa and Barry's superb strike rescued a share of the spoils with nine minutes remaining and then Robinson beat out Angel's fierce drive.

Teams

Aston Villa Taylor, Hughes, Mellberg, Ridgewell, Barry,Agbonlahor, McCann, Petrov, Davis (Berger 77), Angel,Baros (Agathe 65).

Subs Not Used: Olejnik, Laursen, Bouma.

Goals: Barry 81.

Tottenham Robinson, Chimbonda, Dawson (Stalteri 52),Davenport, Assou-Ekotto, Jenas, Zokora, Murphy,Ghaly (Lennon 59), Berbatov (Davids 77), Defoe.

Subs Not Used: Cerny, Keane.

Sent Off: Davenport (73).

Booked: Ghaly.

Goals: Angel 76 og.

Att: 42,551

Ref: M Atkinson (W Yorkshire).

Hoyte (right) tries to beat Bouazza
Arsenal's charge up the Barclays Premiership table continued with a comfortable 3-0 win over Watford at the Emirates Stadium.

Following a slow start to the campaign, it is now six straight wins in all competitions for the Gunners, who have a league match in hand on both leaders Manchester United and Chelsea.

Arsenal always looked good value this afternoon against an out-classed Watford side, who have yet to record a Premiership win.

An own goal from Jordan Stewart set the hosts on their way, before captain Thierry Henry scored one and made another for strike partner Emmanuel Adebayor either side of half-time.

The first decent chance of the match came after nine minutes.

Good work by Henry down the right saw the ball drop to Tomas Rosicky on the edge of the penalty area.

His fierce drive was beaten away by Watford keeper Ben Foster, who then scrambled up to block Adebayor's goal-bound, angled cut-back.

The Gunners were soon on the attack again.

A throughball from Theo Walcott - making a first start for Arsenal - set Cesc Fabregas away behind the defence.

The Spaniard rounded the advancing keeper, but had been forced to dart wide on the left - and his shot flew into the side netting.

Watford, with only four points so far, were struggling to get out of their own half.

There was, however, a few moment of panic on the Arsenal area on 19 minutes.

A poor clearance by keeper Jens Lehmann was charged down and broke for Marlon King down the Watford right.

His centre flew across goal, where Damien Francis just failed to make a clean connection at the far post.

The visitors continued to press - and King should have done better when he volleyed over the top from close range following a knockdown into the six-yard box.

At the other end, Watford skipper Gavin Mahon hacked a loose ball away from Fabregas, who was looking to pounce in the six-yard box following a jinking run from Rosicky which had brought another decent reaction save from Foster.

Arsenal finally went ahead on 33 minutes. Fabregas' deep free-kick was flicked on towards the far post by Adebayor, where, under pressure from Kolo Toure, the unfortunate Stewart glanced the ball past his own goalkeeper.

Despite the somewhat lucky nature of the goal, the home side were nevertheless worthy of their lead.

Henry left his two markers tackling thin air as he skipped into space on the edge of the penalty area - and was just inches away from curling a low shot into the far corner.

The brilliant Frenchman then made it 2-0 in the 43rd minute.

Henry held off the over-close attentions of Jay DeMerit to latch onto a flick from Adebayor.

Once the Arsenal captain was clear and in full flight, there was no stopping him, as he confidently stroked home a fourth goal of the season.

The hosts continued where they had left off at the start of the second half, with Walcott cutting inside from the left and unleashing a curling drive just over on 53 minutes.

Foster then dived bravely at the feet of Adebayor as the Arsenal striker looked to touch in Justin Hoyte's right-wing cross.

With 26 minutes left, Walcott was given a deserved rest, replaced by Belarus midfielder Alexander Hleb.

Rosicky was within inches of making it 3-0 when he drilled in a low 18-yard effort, which Foster tipped around his right-hand post at full stretch.

Henry then showed some quick thinking to unselfishly set up Adebayor for a tap-in on 67 minutes.

Fabregas' perfectly-timed pass released the Arsenal captain ahead of the defence down the right channel.

Henry drew the goalkeeper before, so aware of his team-mates, sliding the ball ahead into the path of Adebayor, who slotted into an empty net.

Francis should have quickly pulled a goal back for Watford - but headed straight at Lehmann from six yards following King's cross from the right.

Hleb needed some treatment on his ankle after a late sliding challenge from Mahon, before fit-again left-back Gael Clichy was given a run-out for the last 10 minutes in place of William Gallas.

There was still time for Lehmann to save well down to his left from King's fierce snap-shot - which just about summed up Watford's afternoon.

Teams

Arsenal Lehmann, Djourou, Gallas (Clichy 81), Toure, Hoyte,Walcott (Hleb 64), Fabregas, Silva, Rosicky (Van Persie 74),Adebayor, Henry.

Subs Not Used: Almunia, Song Billong.

Goals: Stewart 33 og, Henry 43, Adebayor 67.

Watford Foster, Doyley, DeMerit, Shittu, Stewart,Smith (Henderson 45), Mahon, Francis, Bouazza (Powell 54),King, Young.

Subs Not Used: Lee, Mackay, Spring.

Booked: Smith.

Att: 60,018

Ref: H Webb (S Yorkshire).

Blackburn's David Bentley fouls John Arne Riise
Craig Bellamy ended the perfect week with his first league goal for Liverpool - but it could not salvage their 100% home Premiership record.

Bellamy, captain of his country, scored his first Wales goal for 20 months in midweek, and followed that up with a face-saving equaliser against the club he left in the summer to move to Anfield.

Blackburn more than deserved their point and led at the break through Benni McCarthy, who swept home a fine cross from David Bentley.

Liverpool toiled away without much cohesion or confidence, and boss Rafael Benitez will hope to have some of his injured stars back for the midweek Champions League trip to Bordeaux.

The Anfield chief was without Mohamed Sissoko and Dirk Kuyt, both injured playing for their countries, and that saw a recall for Fabio Aurelio and Peter Crouch.

Blackburn keeper Brad Friedel had recovered from a groin problem to keep his place.

Early chances went begging, first when Friedel failed to gather a John Arne Riise long throw, and a surprised Crouch failed to connect in the six-yard box. Then from Jermaine Pennant's chip, Steven Gerrard saw a header sail wide.

Rovers survived thanks to Lucas Neill's goalline clearance from a Crouch shot, Friedel having only palmed away a Riise drive. Crouch was then unable to get enough power behind a 12-yard shot.

Blackburn were looking to Bentley and he responded with an excellent delivery of deep, angled balls into the box.

A couple had previously had caused uncertainty in Liverpool's defence, and when he produced another on 17 minutes, it fell perfectly for the unmarked McCarthy to drive past Jose Reina.

On 28 minutes Bentley was booked for catching Riise in full flow down the left, but Liverpool were not creating anything. The movement and control had gone from their game.

Gerrard, playing in the central midfield role he is constantly denied by club and country, found space to curl in a 20-yard shot that Friedel dived to touch away to his left.

Friedel needed lengthy treatment after that, and a change of shirt, but was able to continue. Neill was booked for a string of fouls on Pennant.

A half-time change saw Riise moved to left midfield and Aurelio to left back, while within seven minutes Luis Garcia was on in place of Pennant.

Neill had Reina scurrying across his goal chasing a 30-yard shot that went wide, before Robbie Savage was booked for a foul on Gerrard. Still Liverpool were not testing Friedel.

Even when Crouch headed down for Luis Garcia, the Spaniard failed to connect on the far post, while Riise drove wide after a Steve Finnan cross had eluded Crouch and Bellamy.

But on 64 minutes Bellamy did connect. Aurelio's corner sailed into the box and the striker nodded home from six yards - his first league goal for the club, following on from his first Wales goal for 20 months.

At last Liverpool came to life. Riise failed by inches with a cross-shot as the pressure increased on the Rovers defence, with Gerrard turning on the edge of the box to send a screamer into the Kop.

Liverpool's ideas petered out and Blackburn could have stolen it. Sami Hyypia was booked for tripping Savage when the Welshman was charging through after winning possession, and he took the free-kick himself, curling the effort just over from 25 yards.

Then Blackburn almost scored when Hyypia failed to clear and Bentley found a yard of space but still could not beat Reina from eight yards.

Teams

Liverpool Reina, Finnan, Hyypia, Carragher, Aurelio,Pennant (Luis Garcia 53), Alonso, Gerrard, Riise, Crouch,Bellamy.

Subs Not Used: Dudek, Gonzalez, Paletta, Zenden.

Booked: Hyypia.

Goals: Bellamy 64.

Blackburn Friedel, Emerton, Ooijer, Khizanishvili, Neill,Bentley, Savage, Kerimoglu (Mokoena 72),Pedersen (Gallagher 72), McCarthy (Roberts 80), Nonda.

Subs Not Used: Brown, McEveley.

Booked: Bentley, Neill, Savage.

Goals: McCarthy 17.

Att: 44,206

Ref: M Clattenburg (Co Durham).

Nwankwo Kanu heads Portsmouth into the lead
Portsmouth piled on the agony for West Ham as Kanu's sixth goal in seven games and a late strike by Andy Cole subjected Alan Pardew's team to a sixth consecutive defeat.

The goals enabled Pompey's former West Ham boss to maintain an unbeaten record against his old club since leaving Upton Park in 2001.

And for Redknapp's rejuvenated south coast side it was a return to winning ways after defeats by Bolton and Tottenham halted a fine start to the Barclays Premiership campaign.

Veteran striker Cole's goal, the day before his 35th birthday, made the points safe as he spun on a fine cross by fellow substitute Lomana LuaLua to drill past Roy Carroll for his first Pompey goal just six minutes after coming on for Benjani Mwaruwari.

Pardew sent out a side shorn of injured Argentinian striker Carlos Tevez, while compatriot Javier Mascherano sat on the bench until the last few minutes.

The under-fire Hammers chief gave 40-year-old Teddy Sheringham his first start of the campaign but replaced both his strikers in the second half.

But it was Kanu who had Hammers reeling with a 24th minute strike, his sixth of the season, in a passionate game which produced eight bookings by referee Graham Poll - four for each side.

Pardew's team faced a tough prospect trying to beat former goalkeeper David James - making his 165th consecutive Premiership appearance.

But it was another former West Ham man, Glen Johnson, who had the first shot for Portsmouth, set up by Gary O'Neil.

The full back, on loan from Chelsea, ended a determined run with a shot from 20 yards which went just wide.

Fratton Park had the "full-house" notices up for the first time this season, with West Ham taking their full allocation of tickets among the 20,000 capacity.

Paul Konchesky tried his luck from 30 yards after a throw by fellow full-back Jon Spector in the ninth minute - but his drive was well off target.

James had to move smartly to come off his line and grab the ball at the feet of Bobby Zamora after Sheringham's cross two minutes later.

But within a minute Pedro Mendes had released a trademark 30-yard blast at the other end which took a deflection wide.

O'Neil and Nigel Reo-Coker both appeared to be harshly booked by Poll, as the rhythm of a game which flowed with competitiveness and skill was interrupted.

But West Ham left a gaping gap in defence when Kanu rose virtually unchallenged to head home the game's opening goal from Johnson's cross in the 24th minute.

The visitors were left complaining about the Nigerian holding down Anton Ferdinand as he delivered his close-range strike - but they should have looked instead at their shoddy defending.

Twice more they left big holes for Kanu before the break - and he really should have added a second goal six minutes after the first instead of slicing wide left-footed after O'Neil set him up.

Four minutes later the former Arsenal, Inter Milan and Ajax ace was again horribly off target after Benjani supplied the service.

West Ham had plenty of possession in the first half and their fighting spirit also earned bookings for captain Matthew Etherington and Sheringham - who steered a back-flick just wide in their best scoring opportunity before the break.

Manuel Fernandes, making his first Premiership start in an all-Portuguese midfield with Mendes, almost doubled Pompey's lead early in the second half when he finished a fine move by shooting just wide.

And Sol Campbell's header plus Mendes' follow-up shot also tested the visitors after Kanu volleyed powerfully over.

Hayden Mullins hit the outside of a post, clipping a shot off James' body, before the former England goalkeeper got down well to hold Konchesky's long-range drive.

But Cole secured a much-deserved victory for the home side in the 82nd minute.

Teams

Portsmouth James, Johnson, Primus, Campbell, Stefanovic,O'Neil, Pedro Mendes, Fernandes, Taylor, Mwaruwari (Cole 77),Kanu (LuaLua 66).

Subs Not Used: Kiely, Pamarot, Davis.

Booked: O'Neil, Campbell, Pedro Mendes, Johnson.

Goals: Kanu 24, Cole 82.

West Ham Carroll, Spector, Gabbidon, Ferdinand, Konchesky,Benayoun (Mascherano 86), Reo-Coker, Mullins, Etherington,Zamora (Harewood 70), Sheringham (Cole 70).

Subs Not Used: Green, Dailly.

Booked: Reo-Coker, Sheringham, Etherington, Konchesky.

Att: 20,142

Ref: G Poll (Hertfordshire).

Mark Viduka holds off Jorge Nuno Valente
Middlesbrough brought Everton's unbeaten start to the season to an end as strikers Yakubu and Mark Viduka rediscovered their touch in front of goal.

Yakubu converted a 26th-minute penalty and, after he had seen a second spot-kick saved by Tim Howard after 65 minutes, Viduka slotted home what proved to be the winner six minutes later.

The Nigerian and midfielder Lee Cattermole both wasted glorious opportunities to put the game out of sight, and Tim Cahill ensured a tense finish with a well-taken 77th-minute strike.

However, the Teessiders managed to hang on in front of a crowd of 27,156 to claim just their second win of the season.

Everton arrived unbeaten in eight games in all competitions so far this season to meet a side which badly needed a win.

Boro had collected three points only once under new manager Gareth Southgate before kick-off, and those from unlikely victims Chelsea.

The fact that they had scored only twice in their last six games was a concern, although with the team-sheet including the names of both Yakubu and Viduka, Southgate signalled his intent from the off.

However, for 15 minutes or so, the omens were not good as Andrew Johnson and Cahill, prompted by the excellent Mikel Arteta, threatened to rip Boro apart.

Robert Huth, belatedly making his Premiership debut for the club following his £6million move from Chelsea, and Emanuel Pogatetz found themselves repeatedly stretched in the absence of the injured Jonathan Woodgate.

And with England winger Stewart Downing struggling to get involved early on, the visitors were comfortable at the back.

Huth had to hack away a 12th-minute Arteta cross after he had left Andrew Davies for dead on the left and then Simon Davies blasted a long-range volley wide.

Yakubu was denied a 14th-minute penalty after going down under Joseph Yobo's challenge, but referee Mark Halsey had no hesitation in pointing to the spot 12 minutes later.

Jason Euell charged down Phil Neville's attempted clearance and the ball ran into the path of the Nigerian, who was unceremoniously dumped to the turf by Howard as he came from his line.

Yakubu stepped up to send Howard the wrong way to claim his third goal of the season and his second in as many games.

Viduka might have made it 2-0 within three minutes after Nuno Valente completed a catalogue of errors in the visitors' defence by serving the ball up to the Australian, but Tony Hibbert got in a foot before he could pull the trigger with the goal at his mercy.

Hibbert's departure through injury minutes later saw Neville asked to slot in at right-back, and he was left in Yakubu's wake nine minutes before the break as the striker raced on to Downing's ball over the top only to blast his shot high over.

Downing took Neville apart after 42 minutes to allow Viduka to set up Euell, but his placed shot was hacked away by Nuno Valente.

Johnson returned in lively mood, although his efforts were too often left to count for nothing by poor supply from the men around him.

His claims for a penalty went unanswered after 57 minutes went he went to ground under Pogatetz's challenge, and Joseph Yobo headed just over from an Arteta corner seconds later.

But as they searched for an equaliser, the visitors were looking vulnerable at the back and central defenders Joleon Lescott and Yobo had to make vital interceptions to deny Euell and then Yakubu.

The game should have been over after 65 minutes when Boro were awarded a second penalty when Lescott was penalised for handball, but Howard dived low to his right to keep out Yakubu's effort.

Cattermole, playing wide on the right, blazed wide with just Howard to beat three minutes later, but Viduka was not so wasteful when Euell's flick left him with the simplest of tasks to make it 2-0 on 71 minutes.

However, Cahill's jinking run and emphatic finish made for a nail-biting final 13 minutes as the visitors pushed for an equaliser.

Howard had to beat away a left-footed effort from Cattermole, but most of the action was at the other end and Lee Carsley saw a drive deflected wide with two minutes remaining.

Teams

Middlesbrough Schwarzer, Davies, Huth, Pogatetz, Taylor,Cattermole (Parnaby 83), Euell, Boateng, Downing (Arca 90),Yakubu, Viduka.

Subs Not Used: Turnbull, Rochemback, Maccarone.

Booked: Cattermole.

Goals: Yakubu 27 pen, Viduka 71.

Everton Howard, Hibbert (Beattie 33), Yobo, Lescott,Nuno Valente (Van der Meyde 90), Davies (McFadden 75), Carsley,Neville, Cahill, Arteta, Johnson.

Subs Not Used: Wright, Weir.

Goals: Cahill 77.

Att: 27,156

Ref: M Halsey (Lancashire).

All Kickoff Times listed in London Time (HK - eight hours)

Saturday October 02, 2006

Match	Time	Stadium
Watford vs Fulham	20:00	Vicarage Road Stadium
Wigan Athletic vs Manchester United	12:45	The JJB Stadium
Arsenal vs Watford	15:00	Emirates Stadium
Aston Villa vs Tottenham Hotspur	15:00	Villa Park
Liverpool vs Blackburn Rovers	15:00	Anfield
Manchester City vs Sheffield United	15:00	City of Manchester Stadium
Middlesbrough vs Everton	15:00	The Riverside Stadium
Portsmouth vs West Ham United	15:00	Fratton Park
Reading vs Chelsea	17:15	Madejski Stadiu

Sunday October 15, 2006

Newcastle United vs Bolton Wanderers

16:00

St James' Park

Monday October 16, 2006

Fulham vs Charlton Athletic

20:00

Craven Cottage

Saturday October 21, 2006

Wigan Athletic vs Manchester City	12:45	JJB Stadium
Tottenham Hotspur vs West Ham United	13:00	White Hart Lane
Blackburn Rovers vs Bolton Wanderers	15:00	Ewood Park
Charlton Athletic vs Watford	15:00	The Valley
Chelsea vs Portsmouth	15:00	Stamford Bridge
Everton vs Sheffield United	15:00	Goodison Park
Middlesbrough vs Newcastle United	15:00	The Riverside
Aston Villa vs Fulham	17:15	Villa Park

Sunday October 22, 2006

Manchester United vs Liverpool	13:00	Old Trafford
Reading vs Arsenal	16:00	Madejski Stadium

Saturday October 28, 2006

Sheffield United vs Chelsea	12:45	Bramall Lane Ground
Arsenal vs Everton	15:00	Emirates Stadium
Bolton Wanderers vs Manchester United	15:00	Reebok Stadium
Fulham vs Wigan Athletic	15:00	Craven Cottage
Liverpool vs Aston Villa	15:00	Anfield
Portsmouth vs Reading	15:00	Fratton Park
Watford vs Tottenham Hotspur	15:00	Vicarage Road Stadium
Newcastle United vs Charlton Athletic	17:15	St. James Park

Sunday October 29, 2006

West Ham United vs Blackburn Rovers

16:00

Upton Park

Monday October 30, 2006

Manchester City vs Middlesbrough

20:00

City of Manchester Stadium

Barthez pictured after his last-ever game
Fabien Barthez has announced his retirement from football.

The 35-year-old goalkeeper, who was a member of France's World Cup-winning team in 1998, made the announcement on French television channel TF1.

"I am quitting the French team, I am quitting club football," he said.

Barthez, whose last game was Les Bleus' World Cup final defeat to Italy this summer, has been without a club since he was released by Marseille at the end of last season.

The mercurial Barthez, who has also played for Toulouse, Monaco and Manchester United in an illustrious career, added: "I am going to continue enjoying myself without football."

Aside from the World Cup 1998 triumph, Barthez also won the European Championship with France in 2000, while he kept goal for Marseille when they lifted the European Cup in 1993.

That title has since been stripped from the Mediterranean giants after they were found guilty of match-fixing and bribery.

Barthez began his professional career in 1990 with Toulouse before moving to Marseille.

He joined Monaco in 1995 and completed a switch to United five years later. He then returned to Marseille near the end of the 2003/04 season.

Fabien Barthez factfile

1971: June 28 - born in Lavelanet.

1990: Signs professional contract at Toulouse.

1991: September 21 - Makes first-division debut for Toulouse in match against Nancy.

1992: Joins Marseille.

1993: Wins French title and Champions League. Club later stripped of league crown due to their involvement in match-fixing scandal.

1994: Stays with Marseille despite club's enforced relegation to second division because of financial irregularities. Makes France debut in a match against Australia in May.

1995: Joins Monaco.

1996: Handed four-month ban for use of recreational drugs.

1997: Wins Ligue 1 title.

1998: June/July - Concedes just two goals in seven games as France win World Cup on home soil. Wins Yashin Award as the best goalkeeper of the tournament.

2000: Wins Ligue 1 title. Helps France win Euro 2000 before completing a £7.8million move to Manchester United.

2001: Wins Premiership title, United's third in a row.

2003: Wins Premiership title, but is dropped for final three league games of 2002/03 season after series of blunders. Wins Confederations Cup with France.

2004: January - Joins Marseille on loan after losing place to Tim Howard at United.

April - Agrees two-and-a-half-year deal at Marseille.

2005: February - Reported for spitting at referee in friendly between Marseille and Moroccan team Raja Casablanca.

April - Banned for six months because of spitting incident, with last three months being suspended. FFF appeal, arguing the punishment should be for a minimum of six full months. Suspension eventually extended to six full months.

2006: June - Starts World Cup in Germany as France's first-choice goalkeeper, despite there being pressure on coach Raymond Domenech to play Gregory Coupet.

July - Starts final against Italy, which France lose 5-3 on penalties after match finishes 1-1 after extra time.

October - Announces retirement.

Since the disappointment of losing the World Cup final in July, Barthez has been looking for a way back into club football with Toulouse, the club where he first made his name.

But that move did not materialise and it seems to have been the final straw for the custodian.

"The only club I wanted to go to was not so happy to have me," he continued on TF1. "It happens and you have to live with it.

"I needed an adventure and I have only done things that I want to."

The bald-headed Barthez, who was as renowned for his glaring errors as his magnificent reflexes and shot-stopping abilities, played 87 times for his country after making his debut against Australia in 1994.

His eccentricities have also come to shape his profile, with a four-month ban for the use of recreational drugs in 1996 followed by a six-month suspension for spitting at a referee last year.

Torres - not going anywhere
Atletico Madrid have once again told Manchester United that Fernando Torres is not for sale.

The 22 year-old Spaniard admitted that the Old Trafford club showed an interest in him during the summer, leading to fresh speculation that Sir Alex Ferguson had made a £5million down-payment to sign the player at the end of the season.

However, these reports have angered Atletico sporting director Jesus Garcia Pitarch who told Sky Sports: ""We are tired of this question.

"Atletico is a club that doesn't speak about rumours, but I insist that we have not received any proposition from United or any other club in recent times for Torres.

"For us this subject is closed. El Nino is our player and has just signed a contract with Atletico for a long time and it is our intention not to sell him."

Torres, who scored three goals at the World Cup for Spain, has been linked with a host of clubs in the past, including Chelsea and AC Milan.

LuaLua - expecting to be dropped
Lomana Lualua admits he is still not fit enough for Portsmouth's Premiership side - and fears he may be dropped for the next match at home to West Ham.

Lualua, who has flown to Tripoli for DR Congo's African Nations Cup qualifier against Libya, made his first league start since April in the 2-1 defeat at Tottenham on Sunday - and almost snatched a point when his last-gasp header forced a flying save from Paul Robinson.

But the Pompey striker, who damaged an ankle against Arsenal towards the end of last season and aggravated it in a pre-season friendly, confessed he would not be surprised if he was axed by manager Harry Redknapp for the October 14 home clash with the Hammers.

He said: "I wasn't happy with how I played against Spurs. It was disappointing.

"But it was my first real game, and on reflection I'm not as fit as I could be. I'm lacking sharpness.

"I just wanted to play. But on balance, it might have been better waiting. When I was injured I was trying to get over the ankle problem. I wasn't concentrating on my running and fitness so much.

"I would like a run in the team, but to do that I need my sharpness. I would be happy with just some kind of run-out against West Ham - but to be honest, I would understand it if I didn't start."

He is hoping he can improve his fitness on international duty.

"I have a game for Congo now and I need to play for my fitness. I need to play - and they need me," he said.

"I know I have to fight for my place at Pompey, and so I want to get back to the right level quickly."

Luque - double strike for reserves
Newcastle striker Albert Luque hopes to force his way into the side for the clash against Bolton a week on Sunday.

The Spaniard fired a double for the reserve side on Wednesday in a 4-1 win over Liverpool and hopes that his all-round display will have caught the eye of manager Glenn Roeder.

He told the Newcastle Evening Chronicle:"I will continue to work hard, and maybe I can get back into the team for the next game against Bolton.

"I was very happy to score the two goals - I remembered how to score them from when I was in Spain! It was a good game for me, and a good result for the team."

Luque expressed his disappointment at having to play for the reserves.

"It is hard for me to play in the reserves, and I have to be honest and say that I did not expect to be playing in the second team when I moved from Spain," admitted Luque.

"But life changes, and when Glenn asks me to play in the reserves, I will play - no problem.

"I am a professional, and I know I have to show the right attitude.

"The team against Liverpool was a very young one, and as a senior player I know I have to help them and try and show them an example."

Ferdinand - not giving up hope
Rio Ferdinand is refusing to give up on his dream of becoming Manchester United captain one day.

The England international stood in for Roy Keane on a number of occasions in the past and was touted as being the Irishman's long-term successor.

However, when Keane left the club in November of last year, manager Sir Alex Ferguson named a trio of potential skippers - but Ferdinand was not one of them.

Eventually Gary Neville was handed the armband on a permanent basis, but Ferdinand is not giving up on one day following his international team-mate.

He told the Manchester Evening News:"I would be lying if I said I wasn't gutted about not getting the captaincy."

"The manager had said in the past I could be the next captain after Keaney and the lads were asking what had happened between me and the gaffer, but nothing had happened.

"I figured it was because of what had gone on with the contract. But there weren't any explanations and I didn't expect the manager to speak to me. I didn't need to be spoken to about it or reasons given. I wasn't captain before Gary so there was no need for him to say anything to me and tell me why he'd done it.

"The manager has picked Gary Neville who I think is a great captain. There are no arguments from me on that score. He is a Manchester lad, United through and through and you couldn't ask for anyone better.

"However, I would definitely still love to be captain and carry the great traditions on. It remains an ambition."

Rooney - insists he doesn't blame the FA
Wayne Rooney insists he does not blame the Football Association for failing to overturn the three-match ban he picked up for his sending off in a pre-season friendly.

The England striker was sent off while playing for Manchester United against Porto in Amsterdam and the suspension imposed by the Dutch FA was upheld by their counterparts at Soho Square.

Coupled with a two-match international suspension for his red card in the World Cup quarter-final against Portugal in the summer, Rooney has featured in just six competitive games so far this season and looks as though he is lacking in match sharpness.

Reports had suggested the 20-year-old was unimpressed by the way the FA dealt with the situation.

But a spokesman for Rooney said: "Wayne does not blame the FA for any aspect of his current game.

"He is wholly committed in every way to England."

Rooney is expected to start for England despite his off-colour form in the forthcoming Euro 2008 qualifiers against Macedonia and Croatia.

Tevez and Mascherano joined West Ham on deadline day
Argentina coach Alfio Basile believes Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano need to leave West Ham for the sake of their careers.

The pair made the shock move to London on transfer deadline day in August from Brazilian club Corinthians.

But they have both struggled for form since joining the Hammers, who have failed to win since the duo's arrival.

Basile is now concerned Tevez and Mascherano's disappointing club displays will translate onto the international stage.

"I hope both of them leave that club as soon as possible," he told TyC Sports.

"I think they are half-hearted and I'm really worried about that. They play as if they are unenthusiastic.

"I hope for God's sake that Mascherano can go to Juventus as it has been said, even if he has to play in the second division (in Italy).

"And Tevez can play in any position in the attacking line, but not as a left-winger like he is currently playing."

Basile also expressed "surprise" at Juan Roman Riquelme's decision to retire from the national team at the age of 28 for family reasons.

"I can talk to him to ask him to return, but his mother is more valuable to him," Basile said.

But the coach says there are "very good players" to replace the Villarreal playmaker, including Borussia Monchengladbach's Federico Insua and Real Zaragoza's Pablo Aimar.