Germany win Women’s World Cup

Domestic round-up

Everton move up to fifth in the Premier League after goals from Joleon Lescott and Steven Pienaar secured a 2-0 win over Middlesbrough at Goodison Park.

Germany won the Women’s World Cup with a 2-0 victory over Brazil in Shanghai to become the first team to retain the title. The United States of America finished in third place after beating Norway 4-1.

Michael Owen’s injury saga continues. Yesterday, Newcastle United boss Sam Allardyce suggested that the striker be back in action for next weekend’s clash with Everton after a successful hernia operation. However, Owen himself has admitted he is not so optimistic and expects to miss England’s crucial Euro 2008 qualifiers in October.

In the Championship, West Bromwich Albion brushed aside the challenge of visitors Queens Park Rangers 5-1 to move up to second place in the table.

Heart of Midlothian beat St Mirren 1-3 at Love Street thanks to goals from Andrew Driver, Michael Stewart and Andrius Velicka.

In the Blue Square Premier, Oxford United and York City shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw at the Kassam Stadium.

Nathan Davies

Terry fractures cheekbone

Carling Cup fourth round draw

Fratton Park was the place to be for goals this afternoon as Portsmouth beat Reading 7-4 - a new Premier League record for the most aggregate goals scored in a single match. Table toppers Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United all recorded 0-1 away victories at West Ham United, Wigan Athletic and Birmingham City respectively while Manchester City kept up their impressive form with a 3-1 triumph over Newcastle United at Eastlands.

In Scotland, Motherwell held Rangers to a 1-1 draw at Fir Park before Scott McDonald scored a hat-trick to secure a 3-0 victory over Dundee United that moved Celtic back to the top of the Scottish Premier League on goal difference.

Chelsea defender John Terry suffered a depressed fracture of the cheekbone in the goalless draw with Fulham at Stamford Bridge this afternoon. The injury occurred in a first-half challenge with Clint Dempsey and Terry was substituted at half-time amid fears that he may face a lengthy lay-off. The England captain will undergo surgery tomorrow but is a major doubt for England’s two vital Euro 2008 qualifiers in October. Chelsea’s misery was compounded when Didier Drogba was sent off and a decent display by Fulham meant it is now four games without a Premier League victory for the Blues.

Newcastle United boss Sam Allardyce believes Michael Owen stands a good chance of being fit for England’s vital Euro 2008 fixtures against Estonia and Russia in October. It was thought that the striker might miss six weeks after he was diagnosed with hernia problems but Allardyce said that Owen could even feature in the Magpies clash with Everton next weekend.

Coventry City’s reward for knocking Manchester United out of the Carling Cup is a fourth round tie against West Ham United at the Ricoh arena. Luton Town entertain Everton at Kenilworth Road while a trio of Championship sides have been drawn away to Premier League opposition. Leicester City face a stiff test at Chelsea, Blackpool travel to White Hart Lane to take on Tottenham Hotspur and Robbie Fowler will make an emotional return to Anfield as Liverpool host Cardiff City. Sheffield United play Arsenal at Bramall Lane. In addition, there are all-Premier League ties between Portsmouth and Blackburn and Bolton and Manchester City. The ties will be played the week commencing Monday 29 October.

Nathan Davies

FA decide not to intervene

Saints sign Ifil

Russian billionaire Alisher Usmanov has increased his stake in Arsenal, through his investment company Red and White Holdings Limited, to 23%. RAWHL is now the second-largest shareholder behind Arsenal director Danny Fiszman, who owns 24.11%. It also emerged that the North London club have held a meeting with the investment company that now owns nearly a quarter of the club’s shares. A club statement read:

“The board of Arsenal Holdings wish to confirm that a constructive meeting took place between Peter Hill-Wood, Keith Edelman and Farhad Moshiri of Red and White Holdings Limited. Board members of Arsenal Football Club wish to reiterate their intention of retaining their shareholding in the club and have no intention of selling any shares. The board believe that the continued success of the club can best be achieved by the company remaining independent.”

The Football Association has informed Leeds United they will not intervene over the Football League’s decision to dock them 15 points for a breach of insolvency rules. The Elland Road club’s chief executive Shaun Harvey said:

“We are amazed the FA do not feel it is appropriate to intervene in a matter which we believe is wrong. We will fully reflect on this surprising decision and are taking the advice of our legal team.”

FK Zeta have been fined £9,000 by Uefa after Rangers pair DaMarcus Beasley and Jean-Claude Darcheville were subjected to racist taunts from their fans during last month’s Champions League qualifier in Montenegro. Home fans also threw bottles on to the pitch and Rangers substitute Charlie Adam was struck by a lighter. A Uefa spokesman said:

“The charges against Zeta related to racist chanting and the throwing of missiles. They were fined 30,000 Swiss francs and 20,000 of that has to be paid immediately. The other 10,000 will have to be paid should their fans be guilty of the same behaviour in the next two years.”

Celtic have announced that former home secretary John Reid is set to take over from Brian Quinn as chairman of the Bhoys at the club’s AGM on 19 November.

Birmingham City striker Mikael Forssell will be out of action for a month after being told that he needs surgery to cure a hernia problem.

Southampton have signed Tottenham full-back Phil Ifil on loan for an initial three-month spell.

Nathan Davies

Grant cleared by Uefa

York win at home

The Football Association have charged Chelsea for failing to control their players during the 2-0 defeat at Manchester United on Sunday. Assistant manager Steve Clarke has also been charged with using abusive and/or insulting words towards officials. An official club statement read:

“Chelsea football club will be strongly defending the two charges issued by the Football Association today and will be considering that defence until we have to respond on October 12.”

Chelsea were incensed by referee Mike Dean’s decision to send off Nigerian midfielder Mikel Jon Obi in the first half for a challenge on Patrice Evra. In the same incident, Blues captain John Terry appeared to grab Dean’s red card as he was sending Mikel off but he escaped any punishment.

Chelsea manager Avram Grant is free to lead his players in the Champions League despite not having qualified for a Uefa Pro Licence, which is normally a prerequisite for coaching in European competition. A Uefa spokesman said:

“We are awaiting the outcome of discussions between Chelsea, the Israeli Football Association and the Premier League. But we have no intention of banning or taking any other disciplinary measure.”

Brazil beat the United States of America 4-0 to set up a Women’s World Cup final encounter with Germany in Shanghai on Sunday.

Michel Platini says he is not against using Hawk-Eye-style technology to end disputes about the ball crossing the goal line. The Uefa president cautiously admitted such a system could be a way forward, but he was “totally opposed” to the use of instant video replay.

Birmingham goalkeeper Richard Kingson has been released from hospital after fears that the Ghana international had suffered a head-injury. The 29-year-old was stretchered off when he collided with a goal post during his side’s 3-0 Carling Cup loss to Blackburn Rovers. Kingson said:

“I feel fully fit and the doctors think the same. I thank God I have been released from hospital and I now plan to return to training with my team. I didn’t know what had happened until I regained consciousness in the hospital and thankfully I didn’t have any cuts whatsoever.”

The draw for the quarter-finals of the CIS Cup has provided Hamilton Academical with a testing trip to face Dundee United at Tannadice while Motherwell will face Rangers at Fir Park. The other ties see Celtic play host to Heart of Midlothian and Aberdeen face a visit from Inverness Caledonian Thistle.

In the Blue Square Premier this evening, York City battled back from 0-2 down to beat Halifax Town 3-2 and record their first home win of the season.

Nathan Davies

Domestic round-up

PFA arrange legends match

Coventry City sprung the major surprise of the night as two Michael Mifsud goals were enough to knock Manchester United out of the Carling Cup at the third round stage. Defending champions Chelsea cruised past Hull City 0-4 at the KC Stadium, Everton struck three times without reply to beat Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough and a last-minute strike from Dean Ashton secured West Ham United’s passage against Plymouth Argyle at Upton Park. Also through to the Carling Cup fourth round are Leicester City who surprisingly beat Aston Villa at Villa Park. The only goal of the game came from Matty Fryatt. Blackburn Rovers and Tottenham Hotspur also progress after home wins against Birmingham City and Middlesbrough respectively. Bolton Wanderers needed extra-time to beat Fulham 1-2 at Craven Cottage.

It was a good night for away teams in the third round of the CIS Cup. Rangers cruised to a 0-4 triumph at East Fife’s Bayview Park while Celtic beat Dundee 1-2 at Dens Park. Hibernian entertained Motherwell with the away side winning 2-4 and the night was completed with Aberdeen’s 0-2 victory at Partick Thistle’s Firhill.

Michael Owen has been ruled out of England’s two Euro 2008 qualifiers against Estonia and Russia in October with a torn groin muscle. The injury-prone striker will see a specialist on Thursday to determine whether he also needs hernia surgery.

Chelsea have denied an interest in making Holland coach Marco van Basten their new manager. A statement from the London club read:

“Chelsea totally refute that the job of manager or first-team coach has been offered to any individual other than Avram Grant. No one at Chelsea has been authorised to speak to any individual about the post, either by the board or the owner. Any suggestions that any team plans or arrangements have been changed due to representations from the players are totally false.”

Russia coach Guus Hiddink has also been repeatedly linked with the job.

Germany reached the Women’s World Cup final with a 3-0 victory over Norway. The defending champions have now gone 529 minutes without conceding a World Cup goal, dating back to the 2003 tournament, which has broken China’s previous best mark of 442 minutes.

Southampton have signed Cameroon central defender Lucien Mettomo on a short-term contract until the end of the season.

Port Vale manager Martin Foyle has left the club by mutual consent.

The Professional Footballer’s Association will be holding a legends match at the City of Manchester Stadium on December 2 as part of the union’s centenary celebrations. Terry Venables will manage an England legends team captained by Alan Shearer while Sven-Goran Eriksson will lead an international XI skippered by Gianfranco Zola.

Nathan Davies

Domestic round-up

Salifou wins permit

Fernando Torres scored a hat-trick as Liverpool beat Reading 2-4 at the Madjeski Stadium to cruise into the fourth round of the Carling Cup. Arsenal also progressed after late goals from Nicklas Bendtner and Denilson sealed a 2-0 win over visitors Newcastle United. Manchester City secured their passage with a 1-0 victory over Norwich City at Eastlands, Portsmouth won at Burnley courtesy of a David Nugent strike while two goals from Robbie Fowler and another from Jimmy Floyd Hasslebaink helped Cardiff City eliminate West Bromwich Albion 2-4 at The Hawthorns. Luton Town will be the lowest-ranked team going into the hat for the draw for the last 16 after beating Charlton Athletic 3-1 at Kenilworth Road. Morecambe’s trip to face Sheffield United at Bramall Lane ended in a crushing 5-0 defeat. Blackpool finally saw off Southend United 2-1 after extra time.

First Division Hamilton Academical beat Kilmarnock 2-0 at New Douglas Park to progress to the quarter-finals of the CIS Cup. Inverness Caledonian Thistle joined the Accies in the last eight with a comfortable 3-0 home victory over Gretna while Lee Wilkie’s strike after an hour was enough to ensure that Dundee United knocked-out Falkirk at the Falkirk Stadium. Heart of Midlothian needed extra-time to defeat Dunfermline Athletic 4-1.

St Johnstone eased into the semi-finals of the Scottish Challenge Cup by beating Brechin City 4-1 at McDiarmid Park.

Torquay United beat Weymouth 3-2 to go top of the Blue Square Premier.

Mikel Jon Obi must serve a three-match ban after failing in his appeal against his red card in Chelsea’s 2-0 defeat at Manchester United. As Fifa does not allow cards to be downgraded Chelsea could only have won the appeal if they had proved that no action at all should have been taken. Mikel’s suspension may not be the last repercussion for Chelsea following the Old Trafford fixture as Blues captain John Terry appeared to grab referee Mike Dean’s red card as he sent off Mikel. Reports suggest Terry’s actions have been mentioned in Dean’s official report.

Moustapha Salifou, who signed for Aston Villa on transfer deadline-day, has finally obtained a work permit and is free to link-up with his new club. The Togo star, 24, signed a one-year deal and had been training with his former club FC Wil in Switzerland while waiting for clearance. Meanwhile Villa’s Norwegian striker John Carew will be out for up to six weeks with knee ligament damage.

Nathan Davies

School to help England practice

Arca sidelined

Arsenal are now Britain’s richest football club. Latest figures reveal the club’s turnover has broken the £200m barrier after the move from Highbury to the Emirates Stadium. The Gunners have been subject to takeover rumours after Alisher Usmanov increased his share in the club to 21% but managing director Keith Edelman says these results prove that Arsenal don’t need any outside investment.

Blessed Thomas Holford Catholic College in Altrincham will host Steve McClaren’s England squad ahead of the crucial Euro 2008 qualifier against Russia. The college has been chosen as a practice venue as it boasts an exact replica of the artificial surface that England will play on at the Luzhniki Stadium on 17 October. Headmaster John Cornally said:

“For our school to play a part in helping England qualify is marvellous. Lessons might be difficult that day but what we don’t want to do is get in the way of the important thing, which is for the England team to train without any interruptions or distractions. In exchange for a few autographs and signed shirts, we will make sure that happens.”

The Premier League is still awaiting documentation that will allow new Chelsea manager Avram Grant an extension to attain a Uefa pro licence. The 52-year-old Israeli can manage the club for a 12-week period without the necessary Uefa certificate. However, the Blues believe Grant has the equivalent qualifications that will allow him to continue beyond that.

Luiz Felipe Scolari has appealed against his four-match ban meted out by Uefa, which will be heard by the organisation’s Appeals Body on Thursday 4th October. Scolari was punished for an altercation with Serbia defender Ivica Dragutinovic, was suspended for four games and fined 12,000 euros (£8,360) for the row.

Birmingham City midfielder Borja Oubina - on loan from Celta Vigo - will be sidelined for at least six months with a knee injury.

Julio Arca is set for at least two months out with medial knee ligament damage. The 26-year-old Middlesbrough midfielder was carried off during the first half of Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Sunderland.

Nathan Davies

Premier League round-up

Women’s World Cup

Avram Grant’s first game in charge of Chelsea ended in a 2-0 defeat at Old Trafford as Manchester United moved to second position in the Premier League table. Carlos Tevez scored his first goal for the Red Devils with Louis Saha converting a late penalty. To make matters worse for the visitors they had midfielder Mikel Jon Obi sent off after only 32 minutes. Chelsea later confirmed that they would be lodging an appeal against the decision.

Elsewhere, Bolton Wanderers and Tottenham Hotspur remain in the relegation zone after a 1-1 draw at the Reebok Stadium, John Carew scored his first goal of the season as Aston Villa beat Everton 2-0 at Villa Park while Newcastle United striker Michael Owen is to undergo a scan on his injured groin for the second time in a week after being substituted in the second half of this afternoon’s 3-1 victory against West Ham United at St James Park. Kanu scored the only goal of the game as Portsmouth beat Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park,

Hibernian beat Celtic 3-2 at Easter Road with the help of two howlers from Celtic goalkeeper Artur Boruc. The result means Hibs are now the only unbeaten side in the Scottish Premier League. Rangers made the most of their Glasgow rivals defeat by beating Aberdeen 3-0 at Ibrox and replacing the Bhoys at the top of the league.

Manchester City goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel has signed a new four-year contract with the club.

In the Women’s World Cup, Norway reached the semi-finals after securing a narrow 1-0 win over hosts China while Brazil also progressed to the last four by overcoming Australia 3-2. The semi-final line up sees Germany face Norway while the USA play Brazil.

Nathan Davies

Gretna earn first-ever SPL victory

Women’s World Cup

Arsenal remain top of the Premier League after a crushing 5-0 victory over Derby County at the Emirates Stadium. Emmanuel Adebayor was the hero with his first hat-trick for the Gunners while Abou Diaby and Cesc Fabregas were also on the scoresheet. Elsewhere, Liverpool were held to a goalless draw at Anfield by Birmingham City while the 125th Tees-Wear derby at the Riverside Stadium ended in a 2-2 draw. The day’s late kick-off was at Craven Cottage where Fulham and Manchester City shared the spoils in a six-goal thriller.

Gretna recorded their first-ever Scottish Premier League victory after a late Allan Jenkins strike sealed a 3-2 victory over Dundee United at Fir Park.

Avram Grant’s future as Chelsea boss is already in doubt because he lacks a Uefa pro-license. Uefa and Premier League rules require anyone wishing to manage in the top flight to hold such a qualification, which means that Grant will have to seek special dispensation to manage the club for more than 12 weeks. Managers that have been granted dispensation in the past include Glenn Roeder, Gareth Southgate and Martin O’Neill.

England were knocked out of the Women’s World Cup after a 3-0 defeat by the United States in the quarter-finals while holders Germany eased to a 3-0 win over North Korea to reach the semi-finals.

Nathan Davies

Ferguson pays tribute

Former players escape charge

Jose Mourinho’s departure from Chelsea continues to command exhaustive media coverage with reports suggesting that the departure of the ‘special one’ could signal a mass exodus of players from Stamford Bridge. Other reports suggest that Mourinho wants to make a quick return to football management after he was quoted as saying: “I am waiting for the phone calls. I want to enjoy my life but I want to work.” However, Mourinho later quashed rumours that he might return to the Premier League by stating: “I will come back and manage here, but I don’t want it as my next step - it must be another country, another experience, another football.”

Even Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has said that Jose Mourinho’s departure from Chelsea is a “disappointment” for the game of football. Ferguson said he would miss the “personal challenge” he used to enjoy between himself and Mourinho.

“He was terrific for football and terrific for Chelsea. He brought something fresh and new to our game and I enjoyed the competition with him - I wish him well.”

Meanwhile, Avram Grant held his first press conference as Chelsea boss this afternoon and insisted that he will be in full control of team matters with no interference from owner Roman Abramovich. Grant said:

“I’m a person of my own. I’ve taken all my decisions in football on my own. If we lose, it’s down to me. I have full respect for what Jose Mourinho did in the past and I want to follow this success and make things of my own. But football is also entertainment. We need to win games and win trophies but we need to play positive football.”

Blackburn Rovers captain Ryan Nelsen has been ruled out for up to a month with a hamstring injury he sustained during the 2-0 Uefa Cup defeat at Greek side Larissa.

Cardiff City chairman Peter Ridsdale has offered to quit the club because he is fed up with abuse from supporters. Speaking to BBC Wales, the former Leeds United chairman said he is being driven out by fans who he says want former chairman and owner Sam Hammam back in charge of the club.

“Right now, I feel like walking away. The future for the football club would be bleak, maybe even liquidation. Do I want to do that? No, I really am passionate about what’s happening. Am I being driven away? Yes. I believe I am. I am getting more stick for saving Cardiff City than I did when things went wrong at Leeds. If the fans want Sam Hammam back in charge, as many of them are telling me, then maybe they should have him. People ring me saying when Sam Hammam left we were top of the Championship, but Sam Hammam could not even sign cheques for two years. It was me who brought in Michael Chopra, Stephen McPhail and more. The progress since those days has been unbelievable. Criticise me by all means, but don’t keep telling me you want Sam Hammam back. I have put half a million pounds of my own money into this football club. I have done that because I believe in what is happening here. How much of his own money did Sam Hammam put in?”

Ridsdale offered his resignation at a board meeting but was unanimously turned down by the club’s directors.

Two former England footballers will not be charged after they admitted driving off in a luxury private cab on a night out, police have said. Rob Lee, 38, and Warren Barton, 41, were arrested in July after the Mercedes E220 saloon was taken from Hackney Road, east London. The former Newcastle United stars admitted they drove off in the car when the owner stepped out of the vehicle. They then allegedly crashed it into a van and fled the scene. Officers said the owner of the car did not want to press any charges.

Nathan Davies