Pompey up to top

Bluebirds replace Blues

Way back for Becks after Hargreaves injury?

—— But for a couple of hours last Saturday and after the third game of the 2003-04 season, Portsmouth are the leaders of the top flight in English football for the first time since January 1952. Harry Redknapp’s Pompey move to the top of the Premiership with a 1-0 win at Charlton Athletic courtesy of a 74th minute strike from Lomano Tresor Lua Lua. They have yet to concede a goal.
New boys Reading are in to the top six with their third win in five games. They win 2-1 at Sheffield United. The Blades also came up from the Championship this season but have yet to notch their first victory.
Everton miss the chance to join Portsmouth at the top after two Paul Scharner goals give Wigan Athletic a 2-2 draw at Goodison Park.
There are goalless draws at Bolton Wanderers (v Middlesbrough) and Watford (v Aston Villa).

—— Cardiff City move back to the top of the Championship with a 4-1 trouncing of ten-man Luton Town at Ninian Park.
The morning’s leaders Birmingham City are surprisingly held to a 2-2 draw by Ipswich Town at St Andrews.
Over 35,000 are at the Stadium of Light to welcome Roy Keane in his first home game in charge of Sunderland. The former Manchester United midfielder’s 100% managerial record comes to an end though as strugglers Leicester City earn a deserved 1-1 draw.
With Hull City moving off the bottom with last night’s win against Sheffield Wednesday, there’s even more pressure on Leeds United boss Kevin Blackwell after they lose 0-1 at Coventry City.
Only Queens Park Rangers are now below the Whites as they lost 1-2 at Colchester United.

—— Nottingham Forest hold on to top slot in League One despite being held to a goalless draw by Carlisle United at the City Ground.
Tranmere Rovers are now only one point in arrears after their 3-1 win at Northampton Town.
Bristol City were 20th a month ago but they are up to third after a 3-1 win against Chesterfield at Ashton Gate.
Having started the season with a ten-point deduction, a point from a goalless draw in the Yorkshire derby with Doncaster Rovers takes Rotherham United into positive figures.
Otherwise, with six defeats from nine games, relegated Millwall would be bottom following a 0-1 defeat at Crewe Alexandra.

—— It’s a record-breaking day in League Two.
With Swindon Town surprisingly beaten at home by Peterborough United, Wycombe Wanderers’ club record sixth consecutive Football League win (2-0 at Rochdale) take Paul Lamberts’ Chairboys to the top of the table.
Early leaders Walsall are back up to third after a 2-0 win against Macclesfield Town at the Bescot Stadium.
Wrexham concede five for the second time in four days as they go down 2-5 at Stockport County. Adam Le Fondre becomes the first Hatter to score four goals in a league game since Brett Angell in a 6-0 win against Hartlepool United on this weekend 17 years ago.

—— The possibility of David Beckham returning to the England squad for next month’s Euro 2008 qualifiers will fill the column inches for the next few weeks following the news that Owen Hargreaves broke his left leg in Bayern Munich’s 2-1 league defeat by Arminia Bielefeld today.
Steve McClaren already knew he will be without the services of Tottenham Hotspur right-winger Aaron Lennon.