Football League round-up

Mansfield loan midfield duo

Kevin Phillips struck his 21st goal of the season as West Bromwich came from behind to earn a point against Charlton Athletic at The Valley. Greg Halford had given the home side the lead on the half hour but Phillips restored parity three minutes before the break.

League One leaders Swansea City were held to a 1-1 draw by Southend United at Roots Hall. Jason Scotland gave the visitors the lead but Hal Robson-Kanu equalised for the Shrimpers. Yeovil Town beat promotion-chasing Doncaster Rovers 2-1 at Huish Park while 10-man Nottingham Forest beat Northampton Town 1-2 at Sixfields.

The top two teams in League Two met at stadium mk this evening but Milton Keynes Dons and Peterbrough United had to settle for a point each after a 1-1 draw. Meanwhile, Stockport County beat Macclesfield Town 2-0 at Edgeley Park.

Ipswich Town have signed 21-year-old Manchester United defender Danny Simpson on loan for the rest of the season.

League Two strugglers Mansfield Town have signed midfielders Kevin Horlock and Neil Wainwright on loan until the end of the season from Scunthorpe United and Darlington respectively.

Nathan Davies

England to face USA and Czech Republic

SPL hand Gretna cash advance

Fabio Capello has announced a provisional 30-man England squad ahead of the friendly with France in Paris on March 26. David Beckham has been recalled and could be inline to win his 100th cap while 19-year-old Arsenal winger Theo Walcott has been called up for the first time since the 2006 World Cup finals. Also included are Middlesbrough defender David Wheater, Portsmouth’s Jermain Defoe and Aston Villa striker Gabriel Agbonlahor are also included. The three chosen goalkeepers are Portsmouth veteran David James, Aston Villa’s Scott Carson and Wigan Athletic’s Chris Kirkland.

England will play the USA in a friendly at Wembley on May 28 while the Czech Republic will also face Fabio Capello’s men at Wembley on August 20.

UEFA has fined Lyon £2,520 after Manchester United’s Cristiano Ronaldo was targeted with a laser pen during their Champions League tie at Stade Gerland on February 20. UEFA’s Control and Disciplinary Committee imposed the fine for “incidents of an unsporting nature”. Meanwhile, Bolton Wanderers and Everton have also been fined by UEFA.  Wanderers were fined £5,000 for crowd disturbances during their UEFA Cup match against Atletico Madrid on February 21 (Atletico were fined £15,000 after fans threw missiles and fireworks during the match) while Everton were fined £2,520 after fans invaded the field and threw missiles during their UEFA Cup match at SK Brann of Norway on February 13. Bolton can appeal against the decision, but Everton’s fine is final.

The Premier League has ruled that Jermain Defoe is ineligible to play for Portsmouth against former club Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane on Saturday. A Premier League spokesman said: “The rules are clear. A player taken on loan, even if that deal is made permanent, may not play against the team that loaned him.”

Barnsley have signed FA Cup goalkeeping hero Luke Steele from West Bromwich Albion on loan until the end of the season, with a permanent switch taking place in the summer. The 23-year-old’s initial loan period ended on Monday but the new deal means Steele can feature for the Tykes in their FA Cup semi-final clash with Cardiff City on April 6 at Wembley. However, if Barnsley meet West Brom in the Cup final, Steele will not be eligible.

Blackpool have signed Nottingham Forest striker Grant Holt for the remainder of the season.

The Football Association have overturned the red card shown to Colchester United defender Phil Ifil during Tuesday’s 1-3 defeat against Hull City at Layer Road.

Southampton have signed 30-year-old goalkeeper Richard Wright on a one-month loan deal from West Ham United.

In League One, Tranmere Rovers beat basement side Port Vale 2-0 at Prenton Park.

In the Blue Square Premier, Grays Athletic beat struggling Droylsden at The Recreation Ground.

The Scottish Premier League has agreed to give Gretna a six-figure advance of money due to them at the end of the current campaign. The money should allow them to fulfil their remaining fixtures and pay their players.

Nathan Davies

Thriller at White Hart Lane

Partick earn replay

Scottish League review 

Birmingham City raided

Judge rules in favour of Cardiff

Norwich loan Ritgers  

Sahar extends Owls stay

Swans assistant arrested

Cristiano Ronaldo bagged a brace as Manchester United beat Bolton Wanderers 2-0 at Old Trafford to move three points clear of Arsenal at the top of the Premier League. Bolton have now lost their last five league games.

Meanwhile at White Hart Lane, Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea shared eight-goals in a thrilling contest. Didier Drogba gave the visitors a third minute lead but Jonathan Woodgate levelled on 12 minutes. Michael Essien put Chelsea ahead at the break and Joe Cole extended the lead after 52 minutes. Dimitar Berbatov and Tom Huddlestone pulled Spurs level but with just 10 minutes remaining Cole struck his second of the evening to seemingly win it for the Blues. However there was still time for one final twist as Robbie Keane curled in a spectacular equaliser on 88 minutes.  

Partick Thistle earned a Scottish Cup quarter-final replay with Rangers at Firhill after a 1-1 draw at Ibrox. Damon Grey gave the visitors the lead on 67 minutes but Kris Boyd levelled for Walter Smith’s men just two minutes later.

Ayr United won their Second Division clash with Airdrie United 0-2 at New Broomfield.

In the Scottish Third Division, Elgin City beat East Stirling 3-0 at Borough Briggs.

Birmingham City FC offices have been raided by police conducting an ongoing investigation into football corruption” though a spokeswoman said it was not linked to the Lord Stevens inquiry into transfers and illegal payments to agents. Birmingham insisted the raid related to a police inquiry into “an unconnected third party or third parties” and that no-one connected with the club had been questioned or arrested.

A High Court judge - Mr Justice Briggs - has rejected a bid by Swiss investment bank Langston to force Cardiff City to repay £24m in loans. Langston is suing the club over the loan and had sought immediate payment, which would have resulted in the financial destruction of the Bluebirds. The case could now go forward to a full trial if both sides cannot resolve the issues.

Norwich City have signed 24-year-old Blackburn Rovers striker Maceo Rigters on loan until the end of the season.

Sheffield Wednesday have extended the loan of Chelsea striker Ben Sahar for a further month. Sahar will remain at Hillsbrough until April 19.

Swansea City assistant manager Graeme Jones was arrested after watching his side beat Bristol Rovers 0-2 at the Memorial Stadium last night following an alleged incident in the tunnel between Jones and Rovers defender Danny Coles. A Swans statement read: “Graeme was involved but, after being questioned by the Avon and Somerset Police, was released pending further investigations. Graeme and the club have cooperated fully with the police over the matter. The two clubs are in constant dialogue and no further statements will be made until the matter has been fully investigated.”

Nathan Davies

Football League round-up

There were two games in the Championship this evening with Hull City strengthening their bid for a end of season play off place with a 1-3 win over 10-man Colchester United at Layer Road while Wolverhampton Wanderers beat Scunthorpe United 2-1 at Molineux.

League One leaders Swansea City stretched their lead at the top of the table to nine points with a 0-2 win at Bristol Rovers. At the Galpharm Stadium, Huddersfield Town beat Brighton & Hove Albion 2-1.

In their Scottish Cup quarter-final replay at Celtic Park, Aberdeen beat Celtic with Darren Mackie scoring the only goal of the game on 69 minutes. The Dons now face Queen of the South in the last four. First Division St Johnstone are also through to the semi-finals after beating St Mirren of the Scottish Premier League 1-3 at St Mirren Park. The Perth side will meet the winners of tomorrow nights clash between Rangers and Partick Thistle at Ibrox.

At Central Park, 10-man Queen’s Park beat struggling Cowdenbeath 2-4 while Second Division leaders Ross County were held to a goalless draw at Victoria Park by Brechin City.

In the Scottish Third Division, Albion Rovers and Stranraer drew 1-1 at Cliftonhill while Dumbarton recorded a 1-0 home win over Stenhousemuir.

The Football Association has launched a new five-year National Game Strategy, which will see £200m invested in English grassroots football. The money will be used to encourage more children to play the sport, improve facilities, develop skills and coaching and recruit more referees.

The Football Association has rejected calls from FIFA disciplinary chief Marcel Mathier to increase the ban on Birmingham City’s Martin Taylor who was banned for three matches for the foul on Eduardo da Silva that broke the Arsenal star’s leg. an FA spokesman said: “It would be unreasonable at this stage of the season to change our disciplinary procedures on the basis of one case. That would be a dangerous precedent to set. Serious foul play carries a three-match ban and the only cases where that has been increased is where there has been a clear case of intent and no-one is suggesting that happened in this case. We will be reviewing our procedures at the end of the season and consulting with the whole game, and dangerous tackles are certainly an area we will be looking at. We will also be requesting a meeting with Fifa for their input.”

Blackburn Rovers have signed free agent Johann Vogel on a two-and-a-half year deal with the option of a further year. The-31-year-old Swiss midfielder was released by Real Betis in December 2007. 

Newcastle United goalkeeper has had groin surgery in Germany today and will be out of action for six weeks. The 31-year-old has not played since February 23 when the Magpies slimped to a 1-5 defeat against Manchester United at St James’ Park.

Leeds United goalkeeper Casper Ankergren has been charged with improper conduct by the Football Association after he allegedly threw a missile at Swindon Town supporters at the end of United’s win at the County Ground at the beginning of March. The 28-year-old Dane has until 1 April to respond to the charge.

Rotherham United have gone into administration and appointed XL Business Solutions as their administrator. The League Two club have been deducted 10 points and fall from 7th to 11th in the table.   

Gretna players have voted against strike action and Saturday’s clash with Celtic at Almondvale is likely to go ahead although the administration-hit side will be severely weakened as up to a dozen squad members have refused to play unless guarantees are given that their contracts would be honoured until the summer.

Nathan Davies

Scotland squad announced

Gretna players paid - in part

Birmingham City and Newcastle United drew 1-1 at St Andrews as both clubs continue to struggle at the wrong end of the Premier League table. James McFadden gave the home side the lead on 33 minutes but Michael Owen struck level in the second half.

New Scotland boss George Burley has named his first squad ahead of the Hampden clash with Croatia on March 26. Burley has given call-ups to Heart of Midlothian defender Christophe Berra and Hibernian striker Steven Fletcher while Sunderland’s Russell Anderson has also been recalled. David Weir of Rangers has been left out because of his club’s busy domestic schedule and the only other player to drop out of the previous squad is injured West Bromwich Albion striker Craig Beattie.

John Toshack has named the Wales squad for the friendly in Luxembourg on March 26. Hull City goalkeeper Boaz Myhill and Stockport County’s Ashley Williams are called up for the first time. Doncaster Rovers duo Brian Stock and Stephen Roberts are also included while Portsmouth defender Richard Duffy earns a recall. Derby County striker Rob Earnshaw misses out. Wolverhampton Wanderers goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey and Tottenham Hotspur defender Chris Gunter have been demoted to the Under-21’s who have a crucial European qualifier in Bosnia-Herzegovina on the same day. 

Bolton Wanderers goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen is out for the rest of the season due to a back problem picked up during the warm-up of the UEFA Cup clash with Sporting Lisbon at the Reebok Stadium on March 6. There are fears that the 32-year-old may have played his last game for Bolton as he is out of contract at the end of the season.

West Ham United have appointed Gianluca Nani as the new technical director at Upton Park. The Italian will quit his role as sporting director of Serie B side Brescia and begin his role in June. 

Blackpool are investigating allegations of racist chanting by their own supporters during the Lancashire derby with Preston North End at Bloomfield Road on Saturday. BBC Radio Lancashire received a number of calls complaining that Blackpool fans chanted racist slogans during the goalless draw.

Gretna players have been paid a fraction of their wages by the club’s administrator. The sum amounts to 55% of one week’s pay, although they are still owed two full weeks plus bonuses. Meanwhile, the Scottish Premier League have ruled that Gretna will play their next two ‘home’ fixtures at Livingston’s Almondvale due to drainage problems at Motherwell’s Fir Park where they currently groundshare. The poor condition of Fir Park has already led to a number of postponements. Gretna entertain Celtic at Almondvale on Sunday and Inverness Caledonian Thistle on April 5.

Nathan Davies

Premier League round-up 

Le Fondre hits hat-trick

Home win for Burton

Rangers lift CIS Cup

Bilbao keeper hurt

Fulham beat Everton at Craven Cottage with the only goal of the game coming in the second-half when Brian McBride headed home a deflected Simon Davies cross. This was only Fulham’s fourth victory in the Premier League this season.

Wigan Athletic beat Bolton Wanders 1-0 at the JJB Stadium despite having Jason Koumas sent-off after only four minutes for a late challenge on Gary Cahill. Emile Heskey’s 33^rd minute volley proved decisive.

Manchester City won at home in the Premier League for the first time since December after coming from behind to beat Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 at the City of Manchester Stadium. Robbie Keane gave the visitors the lead with his 21 goal of the campaign but second-half goals from Stephen Ireland and Nedum Onuoha saw City take the points.

In League Two, Adam Le Fondre struck a hat-trick to help Rochdale beat Accrington Stanley 4-1 at Spotland.

In the Blue Square Premier, Burton Albion beat visitors Weymouth 2-1.

Rangers lifted the CIS Cup after beating Dundee United 3-2 on penalties after a 2-2 draw at Hampden.

Last night’s La Liga clash between Real Betis and Athletic Bilbao at the Manuel Ruiz de Lopera stadium was abandoned after 72 minutes after Bilbao goalkeeper Armando was hit in the face by a bottle thrown from the stands. The visitors had just taken a 1-2 lead.

Nathan Davies

Premier League round-up

SPL review

Fir Park waterlogged again

East Fife crowned champions

Cristiano Ronaldo scored the only goal of the game as Manchester United beat Derby County at Pride Park to climb to the top of the Premier League. Arsenal had the chance to regain top spot as they faced Middlesbrough in the evening kick-off at the Emirates Stadium but were held to a 1-1 draw. Former Gunners striker Jeremie Aliadiere gave Boro the lead and it was left to Kolo Toure to salvage a point for Arsene Wenger’s men with five minutes remaining. Mido was sent off for the visitors on 88 minutes after a foul on Gael Clichy. Toure’s late strike means Arsenal are level on points with United but with an inferior goal difference and having played a game extra.

Chelsea beat Sunderland 0-1 at the Stadium of Light with John Terry’s effort proving the difference between the sides. The Blues have now won nine of their last 12 games.

Elsewhere, Liverpool came from behind to beat Reading 2-1 to record their fifth successive Premier League victory, Portsmouth beat Aston Villa 2-0 at Fratton Park as both teams ended the game with 10 men when Sulley Muntari and Olof Mellberg were sent off in separate incidents and West Ham United beat Blackburn Rovers 2-1 at Upton Park.

In the Scottish Premier League, crisis club Gretna managed to field a team against Aberdeen at Pittodrie despite several first-team regulars refusing to play in the absence of medical insurance. Unfortunately, a bad week got worse for the visitors - who entered administration this week - as they slumped to a 3-0 defeat. Elsewhere, Hibernian beat Kilmarnock 2-0 at Easter Road to move third, St Mirren and Heart of Midlothian drew 1-1 at St Mirren Park and Falkirk won 0-1 at Inverness Caledonian Thistle thanks to a goal four minutes from time from Billy Clarke.

The match between Motherwell and Celtic at Fir Park was been postponed because of a waterlogged pitch. A number of Motherwell and Gretna SPL matches at Fir Park have been postponed this season due to a waterlogged pitch - a situation that Motherwell chairman John Boyle has apologised for due to the inconveniances it has caused to supporters. Boyle also stated that he will ask the SPL for permission to relocate future games.

East Fife beat East Stirlingshire 0-3 at Firs Park to seal the Scottish Third Division title and become the first team in Britain to win a league trophy this season.

Nathan Davies

Champions League draw

UEFA Cup draw

FIFA reject Premier League plan

Agger out for season

Evans escapes charges

Heath joins Colchester

Stoke loan Bothroyd

Halifax file for administration

Gretna to play tomorrow

The Champions League quarter-final draw was made in Nyon, Switzerland today. Arsenal were paired together with Liverpool - the first time the club will have met in European competition - with the first leg to be played at the Emirates Stadium on April 2, with the return leg at Anfield on April 8. Meanwhie, Manchester United face a double-header with Roma, Chelsea tackle Fenerbahce, with Schalke 04 versus Barcelona the other fixture.

The semi-final draw was also made with winners of the Arsenal-Liverpool tie drawn against Chelsea or Fenerbahce while Manchester United or Roma face Barcelona or Schalke 04. The two-legged semi-finals will take place on April 22/23 and April 29/30.

The draw for the quarter-finals of the UEFA Cup has also been made with Rangers to meet Sporting Lisbon. The first leg is at Ibrox on April 3, with the return leg in Lisbon seven days later. Walter Smith’s men would face either PSV Eindhoven or Fiorentina in the semi-finals if they beat their Portuguese opponents. In the other quarter-final ties, Bayer Leverkusen take on FC Zenit St Petersburg, Bayern Munich face Getafe and Fiorentina versus PSV Eindhoven.

FIFA’s executive committee has unanimously opposed the Premier League’s plan for overseas matches.

Liverpool defender Daniel Agger, 23, will sit out the rest of the season with a metatarsal injury.

Manchester United and Northern Ireland defender Jonny Evans will not face charges after allegations of rape during a private party at the Great John Street Hotel, Manchester, in December 2007. The Crown Prosecution Service said there was insufficient evidence to proceed.

Colchester United have signed 26-year-old defender Matt Heath on a month’s loan from Leeds United.

Stoke City have signed 25-year-old striker Jay Bothroyd on a month’s loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Halifax Town have filed notice of their intent to enter administration, which will go before the courts on March 26.

Gretna will play Aberdeen at Pittodrie tomorrow after the Scottish Premier League advanced some of the money the club needs to survive until at least the league splits in five matches time. Meanwhile, former Carlisle United boss Roddy Collins is heading an Irish consortium - the McMullen Group - aiming to buy the club.

Nathan Davies

Bolton out of Europe

Gretna crisis deepens

Thieves hit Raydale Park

McInally named Firs Park boss

Rangers are through to the quarter-finals of the UEFA Cup despite losing the second leg of their last-16 clash with Werder Bremen 1-0 in Germany. Brazilian Diego scored the only goal of the game but Walter Smith’s men did enough in the first leg at Ibrox to progress 1-2 on aggregate.

The Glasgow giants are the only British club left in this season’s UEFA Cup after Bolton Wanderers lost 1-0 at Sporting Lisbon and 2-1 on aggregate.

Gretna Football Club plan to continue to operate but the club’s administrator, David Elliot of Wilson Field Limited, has underlined that the situation is worsening quickly while the search continues to find £30,000 for the trip to play Aberdeen at Pittodrie on Saturday. Elliot said:

“The position has not improved from yesterday, it has deteriorated and I am not convinced we will be able to put a team out on Saturday. That would mean we are breach of league rules and would leave us open to be fined and face other penalties. Unfortunately we are running out of time. Motherwell have been very helpful and have offered a compromise on the amount the club have to pay them in each home game in an effort to get the club through. My thanks also go out to the other clubs that are to wishing to help and I very much want to play the fixture on Saturday, but I still don’t have the funds and the players have still not been paid. There is a willingness on the part of all parties to continue but it should be remembered each player is now facing a situation where their contract has been breached. They should be paid and they haven’t been. The players will need to consider their own positions. There is, until 27th March, the opportunity to move to another club if they wished. I can’t stand in their way - morally, ethically or legally. I have had a meeting with the players. They are considering their positions and I was impressed by the loyalty and the way in which they are wanting to keep the football club playing. But we have a lack of players in certain positions and I believe it may well be necessary to seek permission to postpone the match on Saturday. I am not giving up. I will try again tomorrow to get the team sorted out but as of today I do not have a team that we can put out on Saturday.”

To make matters worse for Gretna thieves broke into a changing room at Raydale Park and stole kit belonging to players some time between 5pm on Wednesday and 8.30am on Thursday.

East Stirlingshire have installed former Greenock Morton boss Jim McInally as their new head coach.

Nathan Davies

Premier League round-up

Football League review

SPL round-up

Lescott signs new deal

James pens extension

Helsingborg loan Granqvist

Tore Andre Flo retires

Shrews appoint Simpson

Gretna face closure

Both Everton and Tottenham Hotspur crashed out of the UEFA Cup on penalties this evening after both winning their second leg ties. Everton beat Fiorentina 2-0 at Goodison Park to tie the aggregate scores at 2-2 before losing 4-2 on penalties. Yakubu hit the post with his spot-kick while Phil Jagielka saw his effort saved by Fiorentina goalkeeper Sebastien Frey. Meanwhile, Dimitar Berbatov struck to give Tottenham Hotspur a 0-1 win in Holland against PSV Eindhoven to level the aggregate score but the North Londoners went on to lose 6-5 on penalties. Jermaine Jenas saw PSV keeper Heurelho Gomes save his tame effort and Pascal Chimbonda saw his dreadful penalty roll wide.

There were three Premier League games this evening. Frank Lampard scored four goals as Chelsea beat Derby County 6-1 at Stamford Bridge, Portsmouth beat struggling Birmingham City 4-2 at Fratton Park and Aston Villa and Middlesbrough drew 1-1 at Villa Park.

In the Championship, Crystal Palace held West Bromwich Albion to a 1-1 draw at The Hawthorns and Cardiff City beat Hull City at Ninian Park. Stephen McPhail scored the only goal of the game in the first minute.

Bristol Rovers and Northampton Town shared the spoils after a 1-1 draw at the Memorial Stadium in this League One clash.

In League Two, Accrington Stanley twice came from behind to beat Morecambe 3-2 at the Fraser Eagle Stadium while Chester City lost 0-1 at the Deva Stadium against Bradford City.

In the Scottish Premier League, Celtic and Dundee United played out a goalless draw at Celtic Park while Colin Nish scored the only goal of the game as 10-man Hibernian beat Motherwell at Easter Road.

Everton defender Joleon Lescott, 25, has signed a new deal that ties him to the club until Summer 2012.

England goalkeeper David James has signed a new deal with Portsmouth, which runs until the end of the 2009-10 season.

Wigan Athletic have loaned Andreas Granqvist to Helsingborg until the end of the season.

Leeds United striker Tore Andre Flo, 34, has announced his immediate retirement from football.

Paul Simpson has been appointed as the new manager of Shrewsbury Town. The former Preston North End boss has confirmed he will be keeping the current backroom staff at the club.

Gretna have entered administration, been docked 10 points and face closure unless they find the funds to fulfil their remaining Scottish Premier League fixtures. Chief executive Graeme Muir has resigned with administrator David Elliot of Wilson Field Limited now in charge of this sinking ship. Elliot wasted no time in underlying the seriousness of Gretna’s plight and confirmed the need to find £30,000 by lunchtime tomorrow to keep the club afloat.

“The club has a fixture on Saturday in Aberdeen and needs funds for transportation, accommodation and wages. We are looking for a scenario where emergency funding can be put in place to allow time for more medium to long-term funding to be obtained. To fulfil that fixture on Saturday, I need to be able to secure emergency funding to pay the wages and to secure transportation and an overnight stay. I estimate that would be £30,000. At this point in time, I don’t have it. I would not allow people to work and not be paid their wages. If I can’t see that they can be paid their wages then I would have to stop. I cannot allow the position to get worse. We are in negotiations with somebody but I’m not prepared to tell you who it is. If I haven’t got an answer by lunchtime tomorrow, it will be too late to start booking hotels and transportation and to convince the players to stay on. This is critical. This is not a bluff. Gretna are potentially 24 hours from oblivion. I would have to stop the club.”

Without the financial backing of Brooks Mileson who is seriously ill in hospital, Gretna have also been hit by the demands of two former managers seeking payments of £800,000 and £100,000, while the club are in arrears with ground-sharing payments to Motherwell.

Nathan Davies