Toon takeover talks continue

Trouble mars Nancy / Feyenoord tie

—– Although they come under heavy pressure, with a goalless draw at Eintracht Frankfurt, Newcastle United clinch the point they needed to finish top of Group H in the UEFA Cup.
The significance is it means that they avoid the Champions League teams who had failed to get through the group stages in the next round.
The injury ravaged Toon field their strongest side available. Six of their virtually untried substitutes remain on the bench.
Delighted manager Glenn Roeder says: “It has been a magnificent effort by a squad that is severely ravaged by injuries to finish with 10 points with three wins and a draw.”
Their success in Europe has come at the expense of a relegation struggle in the Premiership though.

—– The Belgravia Group confirm that they remain determined to conclude a deal to takeover Newcastle United, and would like to be in control in time for the January transfer window.
The Jersey-based investment group had been expected to launch a £235million takeover earlier this month.
A spokesman insists: “We are still in talks which may or may not lead to a deal but from our perspective we are still very keen to do a deal.
“The transfer window is approaching and I think from both parties’ perspective that is something to focus the minds.”
Belgravia made its interest in the club public in the summer but, so far, have yet to make an offer for the Premiership club.

—– The UEFA Cup tie between Nancy and Feyenoord is suspended for more than half-an-hour following crowd trouble at the Marcel Picot stadium.
Nancy raced to a 3-0 lead before Dutch supporters try to smash the glass barriers in the stands and throw seats at stewards.
The game was stopped on 78 minutes and played to a finish after the delay.
Trouble was reported in the town before the game, and Feyenoord are already under investigation after Blackburn Rovers’ Morten Gamst Pedersen was hit by a plastic beer cup thrown from the crowd in last week’s UEFA Cup match in Rotterdam.

United and Chelsea’s two horse race

Blues miss top chance

Arsenal’s first defeat by Fulham since New Year’s Day in 1966 practically ends the Gunners hopes of regaining the Premiership title.
With Manchester United and Chelsea both winning again, the 1-2 defeat at Craven Cottage leaves Arsenal 13 points behind the top two in sixth place.
Whereas Arsenal lost 1-3 at Bolton Wanderers on Saturday, Chelsea grind out a typical 1-0 win at the Reebok Stadium with Michael Ballack scoring the goal.
Manchester United have little trouble overcoming Everton 3-0 at Old Trafford where Gary and Phil Neville become the first-ever brothers to captain opposing teams in the history of the Premiership.
Portsmouth maintain their unlikely Champions League challenge as they stay in third place following a goalless draw at Liverpool.
Manchester City win their first away game of the season while Aston Villa lose their unbeaten home record as City post an impressive 3-1 win at Villa Park.

Birmingham City miss out on the chance to go to the top of the Championship as they go down by the odd goal in seven in a thriller at Southampton.
The Saints raced in to a three-goal lead within the first 20 minutes as the title race hots up. Only five points separate the top seven.
Derby County’s sixth consecutive win - 2-1 against Ipswich Town at Pride Park - takes them up to fourth and only a point behind leaders Preston North End.
Unbelievably, the Rams are jeered off the pitch at half-time as they trailed 0-1. The lingering jeers turned to cheers though with a last-minute winner from substitute Arturo Lupoli.

Proud Preston close 55-year gap

Potters clip Bluebirds

—– It may still be November, but a key relegation clash sees Sheffield United clinch three vital points at Watford.
An 88th minute winner by former Hornet Danny Webber is bad enough for the home team to stomach but, not for the first time this season, they are on the wrong end of a controversial decision as the Blades’ striker was clearly in an offside position.
Admirably, Watford boss Adrian Boothroyd was in no mood to blame the officials: “Danny Webber’s goal was offside but let’s be right about things, we didn’t perform. They hit the post twice and deserved to win, simple as that.”
Despite the win, United are still in the bottom three but now level on points with Newcastle United and Blackburn Rovers.

Danny Webber’s match-winner was another decision that Waford have reason to feel aggreived about and, if those decisions had gone the other way, their position in the Premiership table would have looked very different today.
Indeed, if all the controversial goal incidents throughout the season were to be resolved and the combined points accumulations taken in to account, there would be some very different tales to tell.
With this in mind, we are aware of a new web site that rights obvious wrongs and allows you to vote on some of the questionable refereeing decisions.
And there’s also the chance to win cash prizes for your efforts.
Have a look at www.rightresult.net

—– For the first time since they won the Second Division title in 1950-51, Preston North End are at the top of the second tier of English football.
Preston’s proud achievement is slightly tempered by being denied a victory against Coventry City at Deepdale by a late equaliser.
They go to the top of the Championship as Cardiff City lose 0-3 at Stoke City. The Potters seal their fifth consecutive win with three goals in five minutes at the start of the second half.
Hull City boss Phil Parkinson suffers a humiliating first return to Colchester United. The seventh-placed Us, in their first-ever Championship campaign, thump the big-spending struggling Tigers 5-1 with Chris Iwelumo becoming the first Colchester player to score four goals in a league game since 1962.
Leeds United drop back in to the bottom three after a 1-2 defeat at Burnley.

Tevez says sorry

Gulls boss picks Czech mate

—– Italy’s World Cup winning captain Fabio Cannavaro has been named European Footballer of the Year by France Football magazine.
The Real Madrid centre-back becomes only the third defender to win the prestigious award.
Juventus keeper Gianluigi Buffon is the runner-up and Arsenal’s Thierry Henry in third.
The Ballon d’Or award is based on a vote by European football journalists.
The list of previous Ballon d’Or winners is:

1956 - Stanley Matthews, 1957 - Alfredo Di Stefano,1958 - Raymond Kopa, 1959 - Alfredo Di Stefano, 1960 - Luis Suarez, 1961 - Omar Sivori,1962 - Josef Masopust, 1963 - Lev Yashin, 1964 - Denis Law, 1965 - Eusebio, 1966 - Bobby Charlton, 1967 - Florian Albert, 1968 - George Best, 1969 - Gianni Rivera, 1970 - Gerd Muller, 1971 - Johan Cruyff, 1972 - Franz Beckenbauer, 1973 - Johan Cruyff, 1974 - Johan Cruyff, 1975 - Oleg Blokhin, 1976 - Franz Beckenbauer, 1977 - Alan Simonsen, 1978 - Kevin Keegan, 1979 - Kevin Keegan, 1980 - Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, 1981 - Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, 1982 - Paolo Rossi, 1983 - Michel Platini, 1984 - Michel Platini, 1985 - Michel Platini, 1986 - Igor Belanov, 1987 - Ruud Gullit, 1988 - Marco Van Basten, 1989 - Marco Van Basten, 1990 - Lothar Matthaus, 1991 - Jean-Pierre Papin, 1992 - Marco Van Basten, 1993 - Roberto Baggio, 1994 - Hristo Stoichkov, 1995 - George Weah, 1996 - Matthias Sammer, 1997 - Ronaldo, 1998 - Zinedine Zidane, 1999 - Rivaldo, 2000 - Luis Figo, 2001 - Michael Owen, 2002 - Ronaldo, 2003 - Pavel Nedved, 2004 - Andrei Shevchenko and 2005 - Ronaldinho.

—– West Ham United’s Carlos Tevez apologises for storming out of Upton Park after he was substituted against Sheffield United on Saturday.
The 22 year-old striker explains: “I know I did very wrong in going and I have made it clear to the manager and my team-mates that I in no way meant to disrespect them.”
Manager Alan Pardew accepts the apology and will allow the rest of the team to decide on his fine.
The Argentine international was brought to West Ham, along with Javier Mascherano, by Iranian-born Kia Joorabchian, whose planned takeover fell through prior to Eggert Magnusson’s arrival.

—– Torquay United chairman Chris Roberts names former Czech international defender Lubos Kubik as the League Two strugglers’ new manager.
The 42 year-old played in the 1990 World Cup for Czechoslovakia and also took part in the 1996 European Championships for the Czech Republic.
Kubik, who played for Slavia Praha and Fiorentina as well as in France and the USA, says: “Chris is my friend and I have come here to help him. I have a fresh start with the players.
“I did not have the chance to play here when I emigrated. I like football in England and the atmosphere and the people as well.”
His only previous managerial experience is an 11-game stint with Polish Second Division club Slask Wroclaw earlier this season.
Kubik takes over from Ian Atkins who is considering the offer of taking over as director of football at Plainmoor.

Sibierski lifts Newcastle

Spurs end Wigan run

—– In the meeting of the top two at Old Trafford, Ricardo Carvalho’s second-half header prevents leaders Manchester United from going six points clear of Chelsea.
Louis Saha gives United a first-half lead with a wonderful strike, bending the ball past Carvalho and keeper Carlo Cudicini.
Typically, Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho doesn’t miss his chance either: “United lost a big, big chance to open up six-point lead. It’s a better result for us than them. If I was in their place I would be very disappointed.”
Credit where it’s due, he is also quick to praise referee Howard Webb: “He did his job well. He had a good game and I think this is what people around the world want to see - a lot of good players and a lot of respect.”

—– Newcastle United end a run of nine Premiership games without a win as an Antoine Sibierski goal is enough to beat Portsmouth at St James’ Park.
Despite their heroics in the UEFA Cup, it’s their first home win in the league since the opening day of the season.

—– Two goals in the space of 90 seconds at the end of the first-half set Tottenham Hotspur on the way to a 3-1 win against Wigan Athletic at White Hart Lane.
Spurs move in to the top half of the table while the Latics suffer their first defeat in six Premiership games.

—– Bristol City are fourth in League One after a goalless draw at Swansea City while Bristol Rovers are ninth in League Two after beating Barnet 2-0 at the Memorial Stadium.

—– Celtic are held to a 2-2 draw at Hibernian so their SPL lead is reduced to a mere 13 points as Rangers bring their impressive European form home with a 3-0 win against Kilmarnock at Ibrox.
Aberdeen are level on points with Rangers after yesterday’s 3-0 victory at Dunfermline Athletic.

Hammer Egg off to winning start

Three on top of Championship

—– Arsenal’s title hopes are all but over as they fail once again at Bolton Wanderers. A Reebok visit again proves to be the Gunners’ bete noire in a 1-3 defeat. To make matters worse, former striker Nicolas Anelka scores twice - his first goals for Bolton.
New West Ham United owner Eggert Magnusson is given a rousing reception before kick-off at Upton Park. The new era gets off to a winning start but it is a tense 1-0 against Sheffield United.
While the Blades and Watford are in the bottom three, Reading - the other club to come up from the Championship - are genuine Europe contenders. The Royals are up to seventh with a 1-0 win at Fulham.
After regular use on the right-wing, Steven Gerrard is again reverted to a central midfield role and scores the only goal in Liverpool’s 1-0 Anfield victory against Manchester City.
After his terrible injury problems, Malcolm Christie scores his first goal for 21 months as Middlesbrough grab a 1-1 draw at Aston Villa.
New boss Les Reed secures his first point for Charlton Athletic but the Addicks remain on the bottom of the Premiership table after a 1-1 draw with Everton at The Valley.

—– There’s a three way tie at the top of the Championship.
Cardiff City (0-0 at Sheffield Wednesday) and Preston North End (0-0 at home to Crystal Palace) are joined on 37 points by Birmingham City who win 2-1 at Burnley.
Derby County move up to fourth with Jon Stead’s third goal in three games enough to claim the maximum reward against Leicester City at Pride Park.
West Bromwich Albion’s slump under new manager Tony Mowbray continues as their place in the Play-Off positions is taken by Stoke City following a 0-1 defeat at the Britannia Stadium.

—– Nottingham Forest are six points clear at the top of League One after a 3-1 win against Millwall at the City Ground.
Scunthorpe United, under caretaker manager Nigel Adkins, move back up to second as the division’s top scorer Billy Sharp hits a brace at Yeovil Town to take his tally to 14.
The weather claims its first Football League game of the season as Northampton Town’s game with Leyton Orient is called off due to a waterlogged pitch.

—– Walsall retain top slot in League Two with a 2-1 win against Notts County at the Bescot Stadium.
A last minute own goal takes Swindon Town up to second place following a 2-1 win against Bury at the County Ground.
Lincoln City lose ground with a 1-2 defeat at Wrexham.
With former Czech Republic international Lubos Kubik poised to take over on Monday, Ian Atkins expected last game in charge of Torquay United ends in a 2-5 drubbing at Peterborough United.

Should Sheffield United’s disallowed goal at West Ham United have been given?
Was Malcolm Christie’s goal for Middlesbrough at Aston Villa offside?
If those decisions had gone the other way, the Premiership table would have looked very different today.
Indeed, if all the controversial goal incidents throughout the season were to be resolved and the combined points accumulations taken in to account, there would be some very different tales to tell.
With this in mind, we are aware of a new web site that rights obvious wrongs and allows you to vote on some of the questionable refereeing decisions.
And there’s also the chance to win cash prizes for your efforts.
Have a look at www.rightresult.net

Tranmere second in One

Fergie dismisses Kenyon’s ‘biggest club’ claim

—– Warm handshakes before and after Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Championship game with Sunderland demonstrate Mick McCarthy insistence that his personal differences with Roy Keane were “dead and buried”.
His Wolves team dominate the Molineux clash that was overshadowed by the first meeting of the two managers since their bitter feud in Saipan four years ago which led to Keane leaving McCarthy’s Republic of Ireland World Cup squad.
Jemal Johnson gives Wolves an interval lead but Stephen Elliott’s late strike evens the honours.
McCarthy reflects: “Everybody has been dragging the row out. The media were desperate to see a bad reaction but all you’ve seen is a very good reaction and a terrific match.
“We’re two ultra competitive guys and perhaps we’re an example to others.”
Keane sighs: “It’s all history. The media have made a bigger issue of it than it is. I find it quite boring now. We’ll have a drink later, just like I do with the other managers.”

—– Goals from Chris Greenacre and Steve Davies lift Tranmere Rovers into second place in League One after their 2-0 win against Blackpool at Prenton Park.
Cheltenham Town move from bottom to our of the bottom four with a 2-0 win against fellow starugglers Brentford at Whaddon Road.

—– Ahead of their Sunday Premiership meeting at Old Trafford, Sir Alex Ferguson dismisses Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon’s claim that the London club will overtake Manchester United as the biggest club in the world.
Kenyon has stated that Chelsea are “more dynamic, more relevant” and that “by 2014 we want to be internationally recognised as the number one club.”
Sir Alex retorts: “It’s a nice time to say that stuff but I’m hardly going to tremble about it. How other teams look at these things is their business.
“All I know is that we have a great history and have all these supporters because we entertain. We will not change from that.”

LMA’s Southgate disappointment

Berger and Ehiogu head loan list

—– All four remaining British teams qualify for the last 32 of the UEFA Cup with a game to spare.
Tottenham Hotspur head Group B after a 1-0 win at Bayer Leverkusen.
Dimitar Berbatov, on his return to the BayArena following his £10.9million summer move to Spurs, scores the only goal after 36 minutes.
Blackburn Rovers reach this stage of a European competition for the first time courtesy of a goalless draw at Feyenoord.
Their celebrations are tempered after objects are thrown by the home crowd, including a plastic container of beer that hits Morten Gamst Pedersen.
With results earlier in the day, Newcastle United had already qualified for the Third Round before they kicked-off against Celta Vigo. Steven Taylor hits the winner with his first senior goal as they come from behind to win 2-1 at St James’ Park.
Rangers twice come from behind at Auxerre to grab the draw they needed to qualify from Group A thanks to goals from Nacho Novo and Kris Boyd.

—– The Premier League Board’s decision to allow Gareth Southgate to continue as Middlesbrough’s manager is met with derision by the League Managers’ Association.
The PLB extended the former England intenational’s dispensation to continue despite not having the required coaching badges and UEFA Pro Licence: “The LMA is disappointed the Premier League Board have chosen not to stick to the rule.
“The decision does not sit comfortably with those managers who were told that if they did not achieve Pro Licence status prior to the 2003-04 season, they would not be allowed to manage in the Premiership.”

—– On Transfer Deadline Day (Football League clubs will not be allowed to sign players on loan after today until the transfer window re-opens in January), the list of transactions is led by Patrik Berger’s move from Aston Villa to Stoke City and Ugo Ehiogu switch from Middlesbrough to Leeds United.
The full list of today’s moves can be found at our Transfer History section.

Liverpool are tops

Donachie is Lions king

—– Despite a 0-1 defeat at Werder Bremen, Chelsea qualify for the Champions League knockout stages.
Per Mertesacker’s 26th minute header keeps Bremen’s hopes of finishing ahead of Barcelona in Group A.
Bremen need to avoid defeat at Barca in their final group game to go through to the last 16 and knockout the reigning holders.

—– Liverpool are also safely through to the group stages with a game to spare.
Goals from Steven Gerrard and Peter Crouch secure victory over PSV Eindhoven at Anfield and the top spot in Group C.
The win comes at a cost though as they lose three players to leg injuries.

—– The Premier League Board give permission for Gareth Southgate to remain as manager at Middlesbrough for the rest of the season.
He had been given dispensation for his first three months in the job as he does not have the required coaching badges.
The rules say that a manager can remain as long as he has enrolled on the UEFA Pro Licence course and a PLB statement reads: “The board treats each case on its individual merits and no one case sets a precedent. Given the circumstances of his situation the board has consented to Middlesbrough’s request.”

—– League One Millwall confirm caretaker boss Willie Donachie as their new manager.
The 55-year-old former Scottish international took charge after Nigel Spackman’s sacking in September. He has since led the Lions out of the relegation zone.
Donachie has been the assistant to Joe Royle for much of his long coaching career including stints at Oldham Athletic, Everton and Manchester City.

Icelanders buy Hammers

Ritchie gets Barnsley chop

—– Celtic become the first Scottish club to reach the knockout stages of the Champions League while both Manchester United and Arsenal need to avoid defeat in their last group game.
Celtic create history at a pulsating Parkhead via a wonderful Shunsuke Nakamura free-kick and a last-minute penalty save from Artur Boruc against Manchester United.
After recent setbacks against Southend United and FC Copenhagen, United manager Sir Alex Ferguson (a former Rangers player) appears to be losing patience: “To be honest, losing this game is very hard to take. I am in shock.”
Arsenal have to come from behind to beat pointless SV Hamburg at the Emirates Stadium.
Emmanuel Eboue and Julio Baptista score in the last seven minutes as Arsenal fought back to top Group G. Rafael van der Vaart’s spectacular shot gives the German visitors a shock early lead but Robin van Persie’s cool finish drew the Gunners level after the break.

—– The only shock in the night’s FA Cup First Round replays is Macclesfield Town’s first win of the season. The 1-0 win at League Two leaders Walsall is also Paul Ince’s first victory as a manager.

—– Another Premiership club falls into foreign ownership as West Ham United announce they have accepted a £85million takeover bid from a consortium led by Eggert Magnusson, the president of the Icelandic FA.
They have secured agreements to buy 83% of shares and the Hammers’ board have recommended the offer to remaining shareholders.
Magnusson will replace Terry Brown as the Hammers chairman, although he will stay on at Upton Park as a director.
The 59 year-old member of UEFA’s executive committee reassures manager Alan Pardew about his position but the futures of Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano look less secure.
The Argentina internationals were brought to West Ham by Iranian-born Kia Joorabchian, who then led a takeover attempt that failed to lead to any offer for the East London club.

—– The latest in the catalogue of strange managerial sackings sees Andy Ritchie dismissed by Barnsley for not spending transfer funds.
The former Manchester United striker leaves Oakwell six months after he led the Tykes to promotion to the Championship and, as recently as last month, Barnsley rejected an approach from Yorkshire rivals Sheffield Wednesday to speak to Ritchie about their managerial vacancy.
Earlier in the week, he said he was disappointed that the Oakwell board had refused to discuss a new contract with him.
Although Barnsley are next-to-bottom, a lengthy official statement does not directly blame the current run of one win in 12 games: “The decision by the board follows the failure to resolve differences with the manager concerning the need to strengthen the first-team squad to ensure survival in the Championship.
“In the close season, the board had earmarked funding specifically for squad strengthening. It will be clear to fans that the desired strengthening of the squad has not been achieved.”
Academy manager Simon Davey is placed in temporary charge.

—– League Two Torquay United warn their players they face the sack if they repeatedly try to con referees.
New chairman Chris Roberts introduces the initiative having been disgusted by players diving and feigning injury during the World Cup: “It’s only getting worse and I sincerely believe clubs have to stand up and take responsibility for the conduct of their players. I want to win football matches but I want to win matches without cheating.”
Gulls players found guilty of clearly trying to gain an advantage by diving or feigning injury will be warned on the first two occasions, then placed on the transfer list or dismissed if they continue to transgress.
Roberts launched “The Torquay Initiative”, complete with its own website at www.torquayinitiative.org