Becks rules out Prem return

Fry stands down at Posh

—– It seems unlikely that young striker Matt Harrold would have thought he would have a devastating effect on the career of one of the greats of English football, but that appears to be the case after manager Bryan Robson’s reign at West Bromwich Albion comes to an abrupt end after 22 months.
Following relegation from the Premiership last season, chairman Jeremy Peace announces: “In view of the results since early 2006, it’s been decided a change is necessary if the club is to achieve its aims.”
The aims would appear to be exceptionally ambitious as, but for Harrold’s late equaliser for Southend United at The Hawthorns on Saturday, the Baggies would be level on points with third-placed Burnley and only three points behind the top two in the Championship after eight games.
Robson’s assistant Nigel Pearson is placed in temporary charge.

—– David Beckham rules out a return to the Premiership but confirms his desire to return to the England team.
Speaking to BBC Radio, 31 year-old Becks says: “I played for Manchester United for many years and they’re the team I support and love.
“I don’t think I could put another shirt on and play against United at Old Trafford. I’m happy playing my football in Spain with Real Madrid.
“I still hope I will play for England again - that’s why I’ve not retired from international football because I want to play again.
“If I was a betting man then I wouldn’t bet on me playing again, but I really want to.”

—– Peterborough United owner Barry Fry stands down as chairman to be replaced by Darragh MacAnthony.
Fry, who will revert to director of football at London Road, explains: “I have taken the club as far as I can and have no more resources to put money into this club.
“There is no doubt Darragh can take this club forward and his expertise in the business world will help hugely.”
The 30 year-old Dubliner becomes the Football League’s youngest chairman. He is the owner of MacAnthony Realty International - an overseas property company that has a reported annual turnover of £100million.
It is anticipated that MacAnthony will complete a takeover of the League Two club in due course.

Wenger celebrates Gunners decade in style

Rangers hit by Killen double

—– On the biggest day of the Premiership season so far, there are capital wins for Chelsea and Arsenal.
A fantastic goal from Didier Drogba just before the break gives Chelsea a 1-0 win against Liverpool at Stamford Bridge. The champions are down to ten men for the last forty minutes after Michael Ballack receives a straight red card for the first time in his career.

—– The day after the tenth anniversary of the announcement that Arsene Wenger would replace Bruce Rioch as manager of Arsenal, the Gunners celebrate in just about the best way possible with a 1-0 win at Manchester United. Having struggled to get their season off the ground, a late strike from Emmanuel Adebayor could prove to be a season-changing goal.

—– Glenn Roeder returns to West Ham United with his Newcastle United side, and comes away from Upton Park with a 2-0 win. Blackburn Rovers move off the bottom with a 4-2 win against Manchester City. Tottenham Hotspur have now failed to score in 343 Premiership minutes after a 0-0 draw with Fulham at White Hart Lane.

—– A week before their Old Firm visit to Celtic Park, Rangers remain four points behind leaders Celtic after a 1-2 defeat at Hibernian. Chris Killen scores both the Hibs goals.

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.

Blackburn draw in Austria

Palermo do Hammers Italian job

—– The ‘proper’ rounds of the UEFA Cup begin with away wins for Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur, an away draw for Blackburn Rovers but a home defeat for West Ham United.

—– With a place in the group stages at stake, Newcastle United are in the driving seat after Antoine Sibierski scores on his Magpies debut as the Toon win the first leg of their First Round tie against Levadia Tallinn in Estonia’s national stadium.

—– After a seven-year gap, Tottenham Hotspur make a victorious return to European competition with a 1-0 win at Slavia Prague. The UEFA Cup winners from 1972 and 1984 prevail with a first-half strike from Jermaine Jenas.

—– Blackburn Rovers come within a minute of their first-ever away win in Europe as they are denied by a last-gasp header by Marc Janko at Red Bull Salzburg. Having gone behind, Rovers had taken the lead before the interval with goals from Robbie Savage and Benni McCarthy.

—– Despite Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano making their first starts for West Ham United, it’s a disappointing night at Upton Park. Palermo take a 1-0 advantage back to Italy thanks to a strike from Andrea Caracciolo on the stroke of half-time.

Gunners retain Euro form

Keane agony for Whites

—– In their eagerly anticipated first-ever competitive meeting, Manchester United beat Celtic 3-2 in the Champions League clash at Old Trafford.
Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink put Celtic ahead after 21 minutes but United soon equalised via a Louis Saha penalty before the French striker swept home a second.
Shunsuke Nakamura’s free-kick put Celtic level before the break but Ole Gunnar Solskjaer hit the winner shortly after the re-start.

—– They may have struggled to get their Premiership season up and running, but Arsenal continue to find the Champions League to their liking.
Last season’s finalists enjoy a morale-boosting win in their opening Group G fixture at Hamburger SV.
Gilberto Silva converts the penalty resulting from keeper Sascha Kirschstein 10th minute dismissal before Tomas Rosicky’s superb strike seals the win.
Boubacar Sanogo’s last gasp consolation is the first goal conceded by Gunners keeper Jens Lehmann in a competition record of 853 minutes.

—– While Roy Keane might be forgiven for thinking that management is a piece of cake, Leeds United boss Kevin Blackwell must be thinking quite the opposite as Sunderland win 3-0 at Elland Road in the Championship.
The former Manchester United star has seen the Black Cats win both his games in charge after they lost all of their first five games of the season.
As Leeds drop in to the bottom three of the Championship level for the first time in over 20 years, the pressure increases on Blackwell. He mysteriously responds: “I think the fans need to know the real truth about this football club - but I don’t think it will ever come out in the short term.”

—– In League Two, Accrington Stanley beat Wrexham 5-0.
It’s their biggest win in the Football League since they beat Bradford Park Avenue by the same margin in March 1957.
Torquay United and Bristol Rovers draw 0-0.

Blues go top of Championship

Forest toppled

—– Chelsea begin their Champions League campaign with a hard-fought 2-0 win against Werder Bremen at Stamford Bridge.
Michael Essien puts Chelsea ahead after 23 minutes then Michael Ballack scores from the spot on 66 minutes after Frank Lampard hands over penalty duties.

—– With Steven Gerrard left on the bench, Liverpool’s Group C opener at PSV Eindhoven ends goalless.
Manager Rafa Benitez defends his decision to rest the influential skipper by saying: “We must accept nobody can play at 100% for every match. If you’re not 100% fit and ready then you’ll be rested like that.”

—– Cardiff City throw away a three goal lead at Plymouth Argyle to draw 3-3 and lose the leadership of the Championship.
Birmingham City take over at the top with a 2-0 win at Queens Park Rangers.
Third-placed Wolverhampton Wanderers fail to take advantage of Cardiff’s slip as they lose 0-1 to Derby County at Molineux.
Preston North End are up to fourth with a 1-0 win against West Bromwich Albion at Deepdale.
At the seventh time of asking, Hull City boss Phil Parkinson sees his new team win for the first time. The Tigers remain bottom despite the 1-0 victory at Leicester City.

—– League One leaders Nottingham Forest suffer their first defeat of the season as Oldham Athletic win 2-0 at the City Ground.
Second-placed Tranmere Rovers also lose (1-2 at Rotherham United) as do third in the table Port Vale (0-3 at Scunthorpe United).
Swansea City are the big winners as they move up to fourth with a 2-0 win at Brentford.

—— After losing their first game on Saturday, League Two leaders Swindon Town return to form with a 2-1 win against Milton Keynes Dons at the County Ground.
Lincoln City remain in close proximity with a 2-1 win against bottom club Macclesfield Town at Sincil Bank as do Wycombe Wanderers via a 2-1 success at Hereford United.

Leeds lose in front of low crowd

Hibs break away day drought

—– In their first game since the sensational signing of Argentina duo Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano, West Ham United are held to a 1-1 draw by Aston Villa at Upton Park.
A near sell-out crowd sees Tevez come on for the last half-hour while Mascherano remains on the bench.
The signing of two high-profile World Cup stars has sparked speculation that the Hammers are set for a change of ownership.
Manager Alan Pardew believes it has affected his team’s performance: “We are in a state of flux. There could be a takeover but I am going to protect the integrity and history of this club. We have always played and acted the right way. That is something that must not change.”

—– An added time goal from Jay Bothroyd gives Wolverhampton Wanderers their first league win at Leeds United since March 1981 to take them up to third in the Championship.
The attendance of 16,268 is the lowest at Elland Road since May 1989. Although that compares to an average of over 36,000 when they were relegated from the Premiership in 2004 (which lead to debts of £121million), earlier in the day, Leeds manager Kevin Blackwell claims the 16th placed club will be almost debt-free within a year.

—– After nine months without an away win, Hibernian win 3-0 at Dundee United in the SPL with all three goals coming in the second-half.

Everton bask in derby day win

Manager Keane off to winning start

—– In front of a new Premiership record crowd, Manchester United make it four wins out of four as Ryan Giggs’ goal against Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford means they’ve made their best-ever start to a Premiership campaign.
United are the third leaders of the day. In the early kick-off, Everton temporarily go top after they record their biggest Merseyside derby win since a 4-0 success at Liverpool in September 1964 and biggest win against their city rivals at Goodison Park since, amazingly, a 5-0 victory in April 1909. The hero of today’s 3-0 win is Andy Johnson who bags a brace.
Everton’s leadership is short-lived as they are overtaken by Portsmouth in the afternoon kick-off. Benjani Mwaruwari hits the only goal of the game against Wigan Athletic at Fratton Park as Pompey remain as the only Premiership team yet to concede a goal.
Chelsea are fourth after a 2-1 win against Charlton Athletic at Stamford Bridge.
Gary Speed joins Ryan Giggs as the only players to have scored in every Premiership campaign as his last minute penalty gives Bolton Wanderers a 1-0 win against Watford at the Reebok.
Arsenal continue to find their feet at their new home and are only one place above the bottom three after being held to a 1-1 draw by Middlesbrough.
Sheffield United miss two penalties and Blackburn Rovers miss one as they battle out a goalless draw at Bramall Lane.

—– Championship leaders Cardiff City lose 1-2 at Preston North End but stay top.
The big news in the division though is Roy Keane’s managerial debut. His new Sunderland team come from behind to win 2-1 at Derby County.
Birmingham City move up to second with a nervy 2-1 win against bottom-of-the-table Hull City at St Andrews while West Bromwich Albion go third as two goals in the last ten minutes gives them three points against Leicester City at The Hawthorns.

—– League One leaders Nottingham Forest make it 19 points from their first seven games as a 88th minute strike from Grant Holt gives them a 1-0 win at Yeovil Town.
Early leaders Port Vale return to winning ways with a 2-1 victory against Blackpool at Vale Park.
As Bournemouth boss Sean O’Driscoll prepares to depart to Doncaster Rovers, his last game after 23 years with the Cherries is a 1-0 win against Crewe Alexandra at the Fitness First Stadium. Another parting gift is the signing of former England international Darren Anderton.
Managerless Brighton & Hove Albion continue to heap the early agony on Nigel Spackman’s Millwall. The Seagulls win 1-0 at The New Den.

—– A minute of madness ends Swindon Town’s 100% record in League Two. The leaders lead 1-0 at Wrexham but goals in the 68th and 69th minutes condemn the Robins to their first defeat of the season.
Lincoln City close the gap at the top to just one point with Lee Frecklington’s first-half winner at Shrewsbury Town.

—– Celtic retain top spot in the SPL with a 1-0 win at Aberdeen via a 79th minute Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink strike.
Second-placed Rangers ease to a 4-0 win against Falkirk at Ibrox.

—– The Scottish First Division game between Hamilton Academicals and Clyde is abandoned when Accies defender Ross McCabe collapses after suffering heart failure. The 18-year-old defender was caught in the throat as a result of a challenge from Clyde’s Dougie Imrie. He was reported to be in a stable condition after being rushed to hospital.

—– There’s tragedy at Harrogate though where Hinckley United’s Matt Gadsby dies after collapsing on the pitch. The 27-year-old defender - who had played in the Football League for Walsall, Mansfield Town and Kidderminster Harriers - fell to the ground with no-one near him during the first half of the Conference North game. Hinckley’s match at Moor Green on Tuesday is postponed as a mark of respect.

McGhee goes at Brighton

O’Driscoll in at Doncaster

—– Liverpool move a significant step closer to leaving Anfield after being given the green light from the city council to build a new 60,000 all-seater stadium.
Council leaders approved a 999-year lease in Stanley Park - only 300 yards away from their famous current home - but Liverpool now have until the end of the month to convince the council it can finance the £180million for the project.
The new stadium will incorporate a centre with facilities for education, sport and community activities, along with a fully restored Stanley Park.

—– Brighton and Hove Albion part company with manager Mark McGhee and his assistant Bob Booker. Youth coach Dean Wilkins is placed in temporary charge.
The ex-Reading, Leicester City, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Millwall boss joined the Withdean club in October 2003 but leaves them in 17th place in League One following relegation from the Championship last season.
Seagulls chairman Dick Knight says: “Mark has lost the backing of the fans and I’ve taken the decision which I think is right for the club.”

—– With earlier speculation linking Kevin Keegan and other high profile names to the Belle Vue vacancy, Doncaster Rovers appoint AFC Bournemouth boss Sean O’Driscoll as their new manager.
It brings to end O’Driscoll’s 23-year association with the Cherries.
The 49 year-old remains in charge for his final game against Crewe Alexandra tomorrow before being officially unveiled by Rovers on Monday.
His assistant Richard O’Kelly follows him to their League One rivals to become Rovers first-team coach while Mickey Walker resumes his role as Rovers’ assistant manager.
Youth team coach Joe Roach and goalkeeping coach Stuart Murdoch (the former Milton Keynes Dons manager) will take temporary charge at Bournemouth.

—– Tranmere Rovers draw level on points with Nottingham Forest at the top of League One as a late John Mullin goal gives them a 1-0 win against Bristol City at Prenton Park.

Healy hat-trick means pain for Spain

Scots go top on the double

—– A year ago, he was in the midst of a goal famine for his new club Liverpool, but now Peter Crouch can do no wrong as his 11th goal in ten international appearances in 2006 clinches victory for England in Macedonia.
With two wins from their first two games, the tall centre-forward’s strike straight after half-time continues the perfect start to Steve McClaren’s reign as the Three Lions top their Euro 2008 qualifying group.
It’s hardly the most polished performance but England show their character to grind a result from a potentially tricky tie.
Thankfully, the game is played out in a far more pleasant atmosphere than England’s previous to Skopje three years ago.

—– On the eve of the first anniversary of their famous win against England, Northern Ireland do it again to record an even more remarkable victory against Spain to revive memories of their greatest-ever success at the 1982 World Cup finals.
On the back of Saturday’s disappointing defeat by Iceland, they come from behind twice with a glorious hat-trick from Leeds United’s David Healy.
The scorer of the winner against England nets Northern Ireland’s first hat-trick since Colin Clarke in the Faroe Islands in September 1991.
The last NI hat-trick scorer at Windsor Park was the legendary George Best against Cyprus in April 1971.
It’s not all good news though as coach Lawrie Sanchez’s future is in doubt. After excessive criticism following the Iceland set-back, he refuses to give any post-match interviews.

—– Scotland continue on their upward trend with a 2-1 win in Lithuania to go top of Group B.
Goals from Christian Daily and Kenny Miller extends their unbeaten away run to seven games.
With France beating Italy 3-1 in the same group, the Scots have an unlikely five-point advantage over the World champions after two games.

—– Further proof that there are easy games in international football as Germany create a new European Championship record with a 13-0 win in San Marino.
Lukas Podolski heads the list of seven different goalscorers with four goals.
The previous record win was Spain’s 12-1 humiliation of Malta in Seville on 21 December 1983.

—– Needing a win to reach the Play-Offs for next year’s European Under-21 Championship finals, Newcastle United’s James Milner nets a last minute winner as Peter Taylor’s England Under-21s snatch a dramatic 3-2 victory in Switzerland.