Premier League round-up

Pearson leaves Newcastle

Aston Villa came from behind to beat Newcastle United 4-1 at Villa Park. Michael Owen gave the visitors an early lead before Dutchman Wilfred Bouma scored the equaliser with his first goal in 76 matches. Martin O’Neill’s men then ran out winners thanks to a John Carew hat-trick.

There were 1-0 home wins for Everton and Middlesbrough against Reading and Fulham respectively. The result at Goodison Park means Steve Coppell’s men are now in the bottom three of the Premier League.

Elsewhere, Tottenham Hotspur won 0-3 at Derby County, Portsmouth continued their fine away form with a 0-1 win against Bolton Wanderers at the Reebok Stadium, West Ham United were held to a 1-1 draw by Birmingham City at Upton Park and Sunderland beat Wigan Athletic 2-0 at the Stadium of Light.

Watford returned to the top of the Championship with a 1-2 victory over Ipswich Town at Portman Road - ending the Suffolk club’s 20-game unbeaten home record in the process. The Hornets were able to take advantage of West Bromwich Albion’s 2-1 reversal against Barnsley at Oakwell to move one-point clear at the summit. Bristol City are in third place - level on points with the Baggies - after a 2-1 home victory over Sheffield Wednesday while Stoke City visited Molineux and beat Wolverhampton Wanderers 2-4.

Struggling Crewe Alexandra held runaway League One leaders Swansea City to a 2-2 draw at Gresty Road. The Swans were 0-2 ahead at half-time but second-half efforts from Julien Baudet and Tom Pope levelled the score. Second-placed Doncaster Rovers converted two penalties as they beat Bristol Rovers 2-0 at the Keepmoat Stadium and Nottingham Forest are up into third following a 2-0 win over Millwall at the City Ground.

League Two leaders Milton Keynes Dons were held to a 1-1 draw at home by Rotheham United. This result allowed Darlington to move within six points of the leaders - with two games in hand - after a 1-0 home win over Barnet. Hereford United are third after beating struggling Dagenham & Redbridge 4-1 at Edgar Street.

In the Scottish Premier League, Rangers and seven points clear from Celtic at the top after a 2-0 victory over Falkirk at Ibrox. Kris Boyd and Steven Naismith were on target for the home side. Meanwhile, Heart of Midlothian beat Gretna 2-0 at Tynecastle, Motherwell beat 10-man Kilmarnock 1-0 at Fir Park with Dave Clarkson grabbing the winner in injury-time and both Dundee United and St Mirren were held to 1-1 home draws against Hibernian and Inverness Caledonian Thistle respectively.

In the Africa Cup of Nations, Ghana beat Ivory Coast 4-2 in the third-fourth place play-off in Kumasi.

Newcastle United coach Nigel Pearson has left the club.

Nathan Davies

Charlton beat Palace

Smith wins prize

Manchester United duo Sir Alex Ferguson and Cristiano Ronaldo have won the Premier League’s Manager of the Month and Player of the Month awards for January.

In the Championship, Charlton Athletic beat Crystal Palace 2-0 at The Valley, thanks to a second-half Luke Varney double.

Everton striker Yakubu Aiyegbeni has been left out of the squad to face Reading at Goodison Park tomorrow failing to return on time from the Africa Cup on Nations. The 25-year-old Nigerian was due to report back with his club on Wednesday after his country’s quarter-final defeat by hosts Ghana but he did not arrive until Friday and may also face a club fine of a fortnight’s wages, estimated to be about £80,000.

England defender Micah Richards has signed a new five-and-a-half year deal with Manchester City. The 19-year-old is now contracted with City until June 2013.

Sheffield United have signed Wigan Athletic striker David Cotterill, 20, on loan until the end of the season.

As reported yesterday, AFC Bournemouth have gone into administration and have been docked 10 points to send them to the bottom of League One. The Cherries are believed to be £4m in debt. Business recovery specialists Begbies Traynor have been appointed as the club’s administrators. At the official announcement, chairman Jeff Mostyn said:

“It was difficult to see how Bournemouth was going to avoid the inevitable. Without any off-the-pitch income there was no way anybody could have helped this club survive. I’ve tried to stabilise Bournemouth but even I ran out of resources.”

Rangers boss Walter Smith has won the Clydesdale Bank Premier League manager of the month award for January.

Nathan Davies

Africa Cup of Nations

Cherries enter administration

All 20 English Premier League clubs have agreed to explore a proposal to extend the season to 39 games with the 10 extra matches to be played at various venues around the world such as the Far East, Australia and the USA. The additional fixtures would be played in January and could start as early as the 2010/11 season. The details of how the system would work have yet to be finalised but there could be a seeded draw - based on league position - to determine which clubs play each other. Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore said:

“The ‘international round’ is an exciting and innovative proposal that needs careful consideration before being introduced. However, this concept recognises the truly global appeal of the Barclays Premier League whilst understanding that the traditions of the English game have always underpinned our success. We believe that an ‘international round’ of matches will enhance the strength of the Barclays Premier League as a competition; create extra interest in all 20 Premier League Clubs at home and abroad; and allow increased investment in talent development and acquisition, facilities as well as our football development and community programmes. The globalisation of sport is both an opportunity and a challenge; one that needs addressing in a responsible way. We are a better competition for being a cosmopolitan league and have benefited from our increased international reach. Nonetheless, it is critical we retain our English character by improving our efforts to produce home-grown talent, deepening our commitment to community engagement and continuing our investment in the grass-roots.”

Premier League clubs will be allowed to name seven substitutes in matches from the start of next season.

At the Africa Cup of Nations, Cameroon beat host nation Ghana to seal a place in the tournament final. Alain Nkong scored the only goal of the game on 71 minutes. Cameroon defender Andre Bikey was sent off in the 90th minute for pushing a medical official to the ground. In the other semi-final, Egypt beat Ivory Coast 4-1.

Derby County defender Claude Davis could be out for the rest of the season. The 28-year-old will have a knee operation tomorrow.

Sunderland midfielder Liam Miller is out of action for up to a month after damaging a calf muscle in the Republic of Ireland’s 1-0 friendly loss to Brazil in Dublin.

Southampton have decided that caretaker bosses John Gorman and Jason Dodd will remain in charge at the club for the “foreseeable future”.

John Hartson has announced his retirement from football after leaving West Bromwich Albion last month. The 32-year-old former Celtic and Arsenal striker won 51 caps for Wales.

AFC Bournemouth have gone into administration and will be docked 10 points, which will send them to the bottom of League One. The Cherries are believed to be £4m in debt. Business recovery specialists Begbies Traynor have been appointed as the club’s administrators.

Nathan Davies

International friendlies

Cup clash under investigation

Today was a day of remembrance as the world of football paid tribute to the 23 people - including eight Manchester United footballers - who died in the Munich air disaster on February 6 1958. The 50th anniversary of the tragedy was marked by a memorial service at Old Trafford, a ceremony at the crash site and a minute’s silence at Wembley before England’s friendly against Switzerland.

The international friendlies of interest saw England beat Switzerland 2-1 at Wembley in Fabio Capello’s first game in charge, Wales beat Norway 3-0 at the Racecourse, Northern Ireland lost 0-1 to Bulgaria ending their six match unbeaten home record and the Republic of Ireland lost 0-1 against Brazil at Croke Park.

Tottenham Hotspur will not be allowed to field Alan Hutton in the UEFA Cup this season as the right-back played for Rangers in the Champions League and now that the Scottish club have now dropped into the UEFA Cup he is ineligible to play in the competition for his new club.

Defender Clive Clarke has left Sunderland by mutual consent following concerns about his health. Clarke has not played a first-team game since collapsing at half-time in a Carling Cup tie at Nottingham Forest in August 2007 when on loan at Leicester City. He was fitted with a pacemaker after the scare.

AFC Bournemouth have been hit with a winding-up petition from HM Customs and Revenue. However, chairman Jeff Mostyn has moved to assure fans about the club’s future and claims Bournemouth are protected from their creditors after a third successful notice of intention to appoint an administrator was lodged on Monday. Mostyn spoke in an official statement:

“We are extremely disappointed at the stance taken by the Revenue. A further Notice of Intent to appoint an administrator was lodged and accepted by the High Court on Monday 4 February. In the circumstances, HMRC will be asked to withdraw their petition.”

The Scottish Football Association and Scottish Football League will investigate after objects were thrown during last night’s CIS Insurance Cup semi-final at Tynecastle between Aberdeen and Dundee United. Supporters in the Aberdeen end of the stadium threw objects at referee Iain Brines as he sent-off Aberdeen striker Lee Miller while the match was also briefly halted after Aberdeen goalkeeper Jamie Langfield was pelted by missiles, including a plastic cup of tea. In addition, Dundee United goalkeeper Lucasz Zaluska could also be in hot water with the SFA after he was spoken to by police who were unhappy with gestures he made towards some Aberdeen fans. United won the match 1-4.

Nathan Davies

Football League review

Cup clash postponed

Dundee United came from behind to book their place in the CIS Insurance Cup final with a 1-4 success over Aberdeen at Tynecastle. Andrew Considine gave the Dons a 17th minute lead but strikes from Darren Dods, Christian Kalvenes, Craig Conway and Morgaro Gomis set up a Hampden final against Rangers. To make matters worse for Jimmy Calderwood’s men they had Lee Miller sent-off on 67 minutes.

In League One, Bristol Rovers beat Cheltenham Town 2-0 at the Memorial Stadium.

In League Two, Lincoln City beat Macclesfield Town 1-2 at Moss Rose while Stockport County won 2-3 at Bury.

England Under-21’s only need a point from their final game to assure themselves a play-off to reach the 2009 European Championships after a routine 3-0 triumph over the Republic of Ireland. The goals all came in the second-half from Stephen O’Halloran (own goal), James Milner and Theo Walcott.

Scotland Under-21’s lost 2-1 to their Portuguese counterparts as the host nation reached the final of the Vale do Tejo tournament. It was a disappointing result to mark Billy Stark’s first match in charge and to make matters worse Kilmarnock’s Jamie Hamill saw red after two bookable offences. Scotland will play Ukraine on Wednesday in a third/fourth-place play-off.

Wales beat Malta 0-4 at the Hibernian Ground in Corrachino to top their UEFA Under-21 championship qualifying group.

England manager Fabio Capello has named Steven Gerrard as captain for Wednesday’s friendly with Switzerland at Wembley.

Northern Ireland have welcomed Motherwell defender Stephen Craigan back into the squad for Wednesday night’s friendly match against Bulgaria at Windsor Park after his club’s Scottish Cup fifth round tie against Dundee was postponed.

Steven Reid has been ruled out of the Republic of Ireland’s friendly against Brazil at Croke Park on Wednesday with a knee injury. Stoke City’s Glenn Whelan had been called up as a replacement.

A row has developed over the African Player of the Year awards after Frederic Kanoute won the 2007 title. Didier Drogba claims that he was told that he had won but had to travel to Togo to accept the prize. The Ivory Coast striker refused to make the journey as it would have interrupted his preparations for the Ivory Coast’s Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final with Guinea in Ghana. Drogba asserts that he was told that if he didn’t turn up then the prize would go to the runner-up. Subsequently, Drogba does not wish to be considered for the award in future.

Benjani Mwaruwari’s protracted move from Portsmouth to Manchester City has finally gone through with Pompey to receive an initial fee of £3.87m for the 29-year-old, who has signed a two-and-a-half year deal at the City of Manchester Stadium. If the Zimbabwe striker makes 75 senior starts for his new club the fee will rise to a total of £7.6m.

Middlesbrough’s Afonso Alves has been granted a work permit and will join up with his new team-mates tomorrow.

Jermain Defoe has made his loan move to Portsmouth permanent and signed a four-and-a-half-year deal at Fratton Park.

Blackburn Rovers goalkeeper Brad Friedel has signed a one-year extension to his contract, which will keep him with the Ewood Park club until 2010.

Charlton have completed the signing of 23-year-old Portuguese centre-half Paulo Monteiro as a free agent after he was released by Romanian side Farul Constanta.

Plymouth Argyle have parted company with striker Cherno Samba. The 23-year-old has not featured for The Pilgrims first-team this season.

Scott Sellars is the new assistant manager at Chesterfield after the departure of Alan Knill to become Bury boss.

Motherwell’s Scottish Cup fifth-round tie against Dundee at Fir Park has been postponed for the second time due to a waterlogged pitch. Well stated: “Despite having pitch covers in place since Sunday morning, the ground beneath the turn has not had sufficient time to de-saturate. And the SFA official has deemed the park unsafe for top-flight football.”

Nathan Davies

England U-21 withdrawals

Bury appoint Knill

In the Africa Cup of Nations, holders Egypt progressed to the semi-finals after a 2-1 victory over Angola. The Egyptians who are unbeaten in the tournament since 2004 will now face the Ivory Coast for a place in the final. Cameroon beat Tunisia 2-3 after extra-time in the later match in Tamale to set up a last-four contest with host nation Ghana.

Manchester City defender Nedum Onuoha and Middlesbrough midfielder Lee Cattermole have both withdrawn from the England Under-21 squad through injury ahead of tomorrow’s European Championship qualifier against the Republic of Ireland at St Mary’s Stadium.

New Scotland manager George Burley has confirmed Terry Butcher and Steven Pressley as his assistants.

Motherwell defender Stephen Craigan has pulled out of Northern Ireland’s friendly against Bulgaria at Windsor Park on Wednesday as he is needed for club duty in Tuesday’s Scottish Cup fifth round replay against Dundee.

Republic of Ireland defender Andy O’Brien has announced his retirement from international football ahead of Wednesday’s friendly against Brazil at Croke Park. The 28-year-old Bolton Wanderers defender has not played for the Republic for over a year but he was named in the squad for the Brazil game. Ipswich Town’s Alex Bruce is called up as a replacement.

Manchester United have incurred an automatic £25,000 fine from the Football Association for having seven players booked during Saturday’s 1-1 draw against Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane. Edwin van der Sar, Cristiano Ronaldo, Wes Brown, Nani, Nemanja Vidic, Wayne Rooney and Carlos Tevez were all cautioned.

Tottenham Hotspur have been dealt a blow with the news that 18-year-old left back Gareth Bale will miss the rest of the season with a foot injury. Bale originally sprained a ligament against Birmingham City in December.

Cheltenham Town have re-signed Craig Armstrong on a deal until the end of the season after the 32-year-old was released by Gillingham.

Leeds United have appointed Steve Staunton as assistant manager to Gary McAllister, on a contract until the end of the season.

Alan Knill has been appointed as the new manager of Bury. Chris Brass, who had been in caretaker charge of the League Two strugglers, will revert to his role as the club’s centre of excellence manager.

Nathan Davies

Fulham beat Villa

Scottish Cup quarter-final draw

Kevin Keegan is still looking for his first win since returning as Newcastle United manager after a 1-1 draw with Middlesbrough at St James’ Park. Michael Owen put the Magpies ahead after an hour but Robert Huth headed an equaliser on 87 minutes.

Fulham came from behind to beat Aston Villa 2-1 at Craven Cottage. The visitors took the lead on 68 minutes when Aaron Hughes put through his own net. However, Simon Davies equalised five minutes later and Jimmy Bullard netted a blistering free-kick on 85 minutes to give Fulham boss Roy Hodgson his first victory in charge of the club.

In the Scottish Cup fifth round, Hibernian and Rangers played out a goalless draw at Easter Road. Rangers finished the match with 10-men after goalkeeper Alan McGregor was sent-off on 88 minutes for bringing down the on-rushing Dean Shiels outside the box.

In the Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final stage, Ghana came from behind to beat Nigeria 2-1. Yakubu Aiyegbeni put Nigeria into the lead with a first-half spot-kick before Michael Essien levelled on the stroke of half-time. After an hour, Ghana captain John Mensah was sent off for a professional foul but in the 82nd minute Nottingham Forest’s Junior Agogo was on hand to ensure the Black Stars progressed. In the later game, Ivory Coast booked their place in the semi-finals with a thumping 5-0 win against Guinea.

Aston Villa striker Gabriel Agbonlahor is a major doubt for England’s friendly with Switzerland on Wednesday after pulling his hamstring during the first-half of their Premier League contest against Fulham at Craven Cottage. Jermain Defoe has been called up as cover.

West Ham United pair Craig Bellamy and Danny Gabbidon have pulled out of Wales’ friendly match with Norway at the Racecourse on Wednesday due to a lack of match fitness.

Portsmouth have admitted that striker Jermain Defoe is only on loan with the club and he hasn’t, as thought, penned a permanent deal. A Pompey spokesman said: “Defoe’s transfer was done as an initial loan because of time restraints. The full documents will be signed and registered this week and this is a standard method when you have little time.”

The Scottish Cup quarter-final draw has been made. Aberdeen host holders Celtic at Pittodrie while the other ties depend on the outcome of games that were originally postponed and replays. Queen of the South - the only other team definitely through to the last eight so far - have been drawn at home against either Motherwell or Dundee while Ross County or St Johnstone will host St Mirren or Dundee United. The winners of the Rangers v Hibernian replay will face a visit from Livingston or Partick Thistle.

Nathan Davies

Premier League round-up

Capello cuts squad

A dramatic afternoon in the Premier League saw Arsenal establish a two-point lead over second-placed Manchester United. The early kick-off saw Arsenal end Manchester City’s unbeaten record at the City of Manchester Stadium with a 1-3 victory. Emmanuel Adebayor put the visitors ahead on nine minutes before Eduardo da Silva doubled the lead after 26 minutes. City pulled one back through Gelson Fernandes two minutes later but Adebayor sealed the result late-on with his 21st strike of the season.

This result put Arsene Wenger’s men top of the league but Manchester United could regain top spot if they managed to beat Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane. Spurs had other ideas though and took the lead after 21 minutes through Dimitar Berbatov. It looked like the home side would hold on to this slender advantage but a last-gasp effort from Carlos Tevez earned a point for the defending Champions.

Elsewhere, Birmingham City are in the relegation zone after being held to a 1-1 draw by Derby County at St Andrews, Kevin Kilbane scored the only goal of the game as Wigan Athletic beat West Ham United at the JJB Stadium and Reading suffered their sixth successive defeat as Bolton Wanderers visited the Madjeski Stadium and went home with a 0-2 win.

Second-half goals from Peter Crouch, Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard saw Liverpool return to winning ways with a 3-0 triumph over Sunderland at Anfield.

At Fratton Park, Portsmouth and Chelsea drew 1-1 with Jermain Defoe scoring the equaliser on his debut after Nicolas Anelka had given the visitors the lead.

Blackburn Rovers and Everton played out a goalless draw at Ewood Park.

In the Scottish Cup, Celtic beat Kilmarnock 1-5 at Rugby Park to cruise into the quarter-finals while Aberdeen beat visitors Hamilton Academicals 1-0 and Queen of the South returned from Morton with a 0-2 win. The ties between St Mirren and Dundee United and Livingston and Partick Thistle both finished goalless. The contest between Ross County and St Johnstone was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.

Fabio Capello has reduced his 30-man England squad to 23 players ahead of Wednesday’s friendly with Switzerland at Wembley. The injured Emile Heskey and Ledley King have had to withdraw while Stewart Downing, Michael Carrick, Nicky Shorey, Glenn Johnson and Curtis Davies have been dropped.

Nathan Davies

Kanoute wins award

Cup clash postponed

It will not become clear until next week whether the Premier League will sanction Benjani’s transfer from Portsmouth to Manchester City. The deal was not completed by the close of the transfer window and Premier League officials are currently studying the paperwork in an effort to decide if City had progressed far enough in terms of registering the transfer.

Fredi Kanoute has become the first European-born player to win the African Footballer of the Year award. The French-born Sevilla forward is the first winner from Mali since Salif Keita won the inaugural award in 1970.

FIFA will not rule on Rangers striker Daniel Cousin’s proposed move to Fulham until next week. Under FIFA rules, a player cannot play for three clubs in a season without receiving special dispensation. Cousin has already played for Lens and Rangers this term but the Ibrox giants have now agreed a £3m fee with Fulham for the Gabon striker and he may be able to move outside the transfer window, which closed yesterday.

Manchester City have applied to enter this summer’s Intertoto Cup.

Reading midfielder Stephen Hunt has signed a new three-and-a-half-year with the club.

Poland international Maciej Zurawski has left Celtic and joined Greek outfit Larissa for a fee of about £500,000.

Dundee United have appealed to FIFA after their move for Cardiff City goalkeeper David Forde was blocked due to the ruling that prevents a player from playing for three clubs in the same season. Forde has turned out for Cardiff in the FAW Premier Cup and went on emergency loan to Luton Town.

Tomorrow’s Scottish Cup fifth-round tie between Motherwell and Dundee at Fir Park has been postponed following a pitch inspection.

Nathan Davies