Barclays Premier League

British police questioned Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp and four others Wednesday as part of an investigation into alleged corruption, the English Premier League club said.
One of the other five men arrested Wednesday was the club's chief executive, Peter Storrie.
Following his release later Wednesday, Redknapp said he had helped police with their enquiries and he thought that was the "end of it".
Along with Redknapp, three of the other man were released on Wednesday evening, a City of London spokeswoman told AFP.
"We all helped the police with their enquiries, but it doesn't directly concern me, it's other people involved," Redknapp said after returning to his home in Dorset, on the southern English coast.
He also confirmed that along with him and Storrie, former Portsmouth owner and Leicester City chairman Milan Mandaric had also been arrested.
"I've been answering questions to help the police," said Redknapp. "I am not directly concerned with their enquiries.
"They have to arrest you to talk to you, for you to be in the police station. I think that's the end of it, it didn't directly concern me."
Redknapp's lawyer Paul Martin, who is also representing Storrie, stressed that the pair were co-operating with police. He reiterated Redknapp's comments that the enquiries were to do with other individuals.
"Portsmouth Football Club can confirm that chief executive Peter Storrie and manager Harry Redknapp have today been asked to help police with their inquiries concerning a matter dating back to 2003," an earlier statement from the club read.
"This was prior to the new owner (Alexandre Gaydamak) taking control of the club at the beginning of 2006. The club is fully supportive of Peter and Harry, who are co-operating fully with City of London Police in this ongoing inquiry.
"Both are playing major roles in the continued success of Portsmouth Football Club."
City of London Police said earlier that they had detained five men aged 30, 48, 55, 60 and 69 on suspicion of conspiracy to defraud and false accounting as officers swooped on eight addresses across Britain.
Of them, only the 30-year-old remained in police custody on Wednesday evening, with the other four having been released on police bail, according to the police spokeswoman.
The force's economic crime unit is looking into alleged bribery in the British game. It is one of a number of such probes in recent years.
Former Scotland Yard chief John Stevens has been holding a separate inquiry into alleged irregular transfer payments in the Premier League.
The City of London Police, which takes the lead in fraud investigations around Britain, launched its investigation in late 2006.
In June 2007, Stevens, formerly Britain's top police officer, presented a report to the Premier League identifying 17 transfers as suspect.
He concluded there was no evidence of illegal payments to club officials or players and said all the clubs named had fully co-operated with his investigation.
In September 2006, undercover filming for a BBC television documentary appeared to suggest that Redknapp, 60 was discussing an illegal approach to a player. He denied anything untoward.
South coast club Portsmouth, under Redknapp's guidance, are currently an impressive sixth in the table having just missed out on qualifying for European competition last season.

Germany great Franz Beckenbauer and UEFA President Michel Platini are just two of the leading football figures who have already been consulted by Football Association (FA) chief executive Brian Barwick as he tries to find a successor to Steve McClaren as England coach.
McClaren was sacked last week hours after a 3-2 defeat against Croatia at Wembley meant England failed to qualify for next year's Euro 2008 tournament in Austria and Switzerland.
Barwick is understood to have told a meeting of the FA board here Thursday that he will consult other high-profile football figures in his search for a "world-class" manager.
Among those Barwick and Sir Trevor Brooking, the FA's director of football development and a former England midfielder, will be seeking opinions from are Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson, England legend Sir Bobby Charlton plus former England managers Sir Bobby Robson, Glenn Hoddle and Graham Taylor.
Current players such as England midfielder Steven Gerrard are also likely to have their views canvassed.

Bayern Munich would be forgiven for hoping for a draw when Werder Bremen welcome fellow title contenders SV Hamburg for the German Bundesliga's northern derby on Saturday.
In what has been a competitive start to the league season, Bremen, and more surprisingly Hamburg, have kept pace with the German giants who have a one-point lead going into this weekend's fixtures.
A win for either Bremen or Hamburg would prompt a new league leader for the first time this season, although celebrations are likely to be tempered by the fact that Bayern are likely to dominate struggling Armenia Bielefeld on Sunday.
The result of a draw in what is considered one of the hottest derbies in northern Germany would be the best result for Bayern, and could prove to be a turning point in the league season.
Whatever the outcome, Hamburg captain and midfielder Rafael Van der Vaart, who scored one of the goals in the 3-0 UEFA Cup rout of French side on Thursday, believes there will be plenty of drama.
"It promises to be a highly competitive match between two sides that have very little between them," said the Dutchman to twice-weekly magazine Kicker.
Bremen, driven by midfield talents of Diego, and Van der Vaart's Hamburg have both been keeping Bayern under pressure so far this campaign.
All three sides are alone in boasting nine wins from 14 matches, although Bayern top the other when it comes to defeats having conceded only once this season.
If the recent form of Bremen and Hamburg is anything to go by, Bayern should be worried - after hesitant starts to the season both sides have overcome defeats in mid-September to go on nine-match unbeaten streaks which include seven wins.
More worrying for Bayern is the fact that Bremen are awaiting the return from injury of a few first teams regulars, includign Torsten Frings, goalkeeper Tim Wiese, Hugo Almeida and Tim Borowski.
And Diego has warned: "When we are back at full strength, our chances of success will be huge."
Partly due to their failure to qualify for this season's Champions League, Bayern appear to be keeping a low profile on the continent this season.
But the Bavarians remain the dominant force in Germany and are likely to return to Europe's premier club competition - if they continue their form so far.
Another three points, against a team which has succumbed to six defeats in their last nine matches, will be expected when Ottmar Hitzfeld takes his troops to Bielefeld on Sunday.
Anything less than a draw would be disaster for Bayern, and nirvana for both Bremen and Hamburg.

Peter Crouch believes Liverpool are running into form just at the right time to ensure a glittering second half to the season.
The big striker, who is having to fight hard for every appearance in the club's forward line, can still enthuse about a run which sees Liverpool unbeaten in seven games.
In fact, they have lost just two of 22 games this term and are still unbeaten in the Premier League.
And they return to that competition on Sunday when improving Bolton visit Anfield, aiming to halt the Reds' march of four straight wins which have yielded 17 goals.
Crouch said: "It is starting to come good now. Eight goals against Besiktas, four again against Porto, three at Newcastle, two against Fulham.
"We are confident at the moment so I am sure we will go on to have a strong second half to the season."
New Birmingham manager Alex McLeish insists he already knows everything about the Premier League - despite Sunday's trip to Tottenham being his first match in charge south of the border.
McLeish's management experience has so far been restricted to spells in charge of Motherwell, Hibernian, Rangers and Scotland.
But he has kept tabs on events in the Barclays Premier League and has been an avid viewer of games on television - even if it has not always gone down well in the McLeish household.
He said: "If I wasn't at a game there was nothing like settling down on a Sunday and watching three or four games in a row.
"Her indoors is not too happy about it but I have followed the Premiership since its inception.
"There is probably no squad that I don't know about and no players that I don't know about."
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson admits he must tread carefully to ensure Louis Saha gets back to 100 percent fitness.
The French striker has suffered from a series of injury problems since joining the Red Devils from Fulham in January 2004 and played his first 90 minutes for almost a year in the defeat at Bolton last weekend.
He managed a further 79 minutes against Sporting Lisbon in the Champions League in midweek and Ferguson must now decide whether to keep him in his starting line-up as his old club Fulham visit Old Trafford on Monday night, with Wayne Rooney having been pencilled in for his return from an ankle injury.
Ferguson told the club's website, www.manutd.com: "Louis' last full game before the match at Bolton was last December.
"So you have to take that into consideration before talking about touch and confidence.
"He needs games, but it's difficult with the situation he is in with injuries. We have to be careful, but he felt great against Sporting and that's encouraging."
Fulham defender Moritz Volz is edging closer to a return from his injury problems this season.
The 24-year-old has suffered shoulder, groin and foot problems but played an hour of a reserve game this week and could be back for the Christmas schedule.
"I've got some extra fitness work to do for the next two weeks to get match fit again, and then, once I'm fit and available for selection, I've got another task on my hands - getting into the team," said Volz on fulhamfc.com.

The clamour for Martin O'Neill to become the new England coach is increasing with each victory and will reach deafening proportions if Aston Villa can finally end Arsenal's unbeaten start to the Premier League season.
O'Neill has moved swiftly to dismiss the notion that he will become the successor to Steve McClaren but as his burgeoning Villa team continue to improve the much maligned Football Association look more certain to plead with the Ulsterman to reconsider.
Villa have won their last four matches to move into a UEFA Cup place and a victory over Arsenal here on Saturday will take them to only three points behind Arsene Wenger's aristocrats.
Their 4-0 midweek win against Blackburn Rovers has only enhanced O'Neill's reputation across the country but, as with the England job, he is determined to quell any expectation.
"We've done nothing yet," he said. "I don't see it as a problem keeping people's feet on the ground.
"We got off to a decent start last season, and I accept we've got a lot more resilience now and we're a better team.
"But knowing the size of our squad we need to keep the players fit and, touch wood, they have been a bit lucky in that department.
"We've got a long way to go between now and January."
O'Neill's impressive start to the campaign will be tested to the limit by the Gunners, who currently top the table and are three points ahead of bitter rivals Manchester United.
Arsenal's attempts to inflict Villa's first defeat in six games will be spearheaded by Emmanuel Adebayor, who has assured the Gunners he has no plans to quit the north London club.
He said: "At this moment I am very happy in London and very proud about myself as I have settled well here. I enjoy my life in London.
"Before the season started when I was on holiday, I told myself that I should improve on the way I score goals. Even though I didn't play badly last season, I missed some scoring opportunities.
"So I resolved to score more goals and enjoy myself on the pitch. I am now very happy with my form and the way I have learnt from my previous mistakes.
"In football, you can never give an assurance. I have a very good contract, good money and the life in London is absolutely fantastic.
"But who knows? If Real Madrid comes with an offer of 100 million pounds (200 million dollars), Arsenal might be tempted to sell me. If Wenger tells me to go, I cannot fight to stay."
The Gunners, looking to bounce back from Tuesday's 3-1 Champions League loss to Sevilla - their first defeat in any competition this season -, could be without Cesc Fabregas after he sustained a hamstring injury in Spain.
Meanwhile while Dutch international striker Robin van Persie again looks set to be sidelined as he continues his recovery from a knee injury.

In a week where the managerial merry-go-round took several spins, Arsene Wenger - one of the Premier League's longest-serving bosses - will hope his youthful Arsenal side can bounce back from their first defeat of the season when they travel to Aston Villa.
The Premiership leaders' 3-1 reverse away to Sevilla in the Champions League on Tuesday ended Arsenal's 28-match unbeaten run.
Worse still was the hamstring injury sustained by Cesc Fabregas which looks likely to rule the Spanish international midfielder, who has scored 11 goals this season, out of the trip to Villa Park.
"We are very pessimistic for him, but he is still thinking he has a good chance," Wenger said of Fabregas.
"We will make a test tomorrow (Friday), we think he will be short for Saturday," added Wenger as he prepared his side to play a Villa team that beat Blackburn 4-0 on Wednesday.
Both club captain William Gallas and striker Emmanuel Adebayor are set to return after Wenger, conscious of Arsenal's busy December programme, rested the pair in midweek.
Victory would see Arsenal go six points clear of Manchester United ahead of their second-placed rivals' match against Fulham on Monday.
On the south coast, Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp will look to end a week where he was arrested as part of an ongoing police probe into football corruption by guiding the high-flyers to victory over Everton.
Whatever the truth of the allegations surrounding him, the mere fact he's been questioned by police may have scuppered any hope the 60-year-old Redknapp had of replacing Steve McClaren as England coach.
Redknapp is likely to receive a hero's welcome at Fratton Park with Pompey seventh in the table. But the hosts face an Everton side which thrashed Sunderland 7-1 last time out.
Chelsea manager Avram Grant has been happy to let the club's results speak for themselves since he replaced the charismatic Jose Mourinho in the hotseat at Stamford Bridge.
The Blues, who thrashed Rosenborg 4-0 in the Champions League on Wednesday, have gone 13 games unbeaten since the Israeli took charge and head into Saturday's match with London rivals West Ham just five points off top spot.
"He is a little bit reserved and different to what they had. He has gone about his business quietly," said West Ham manager Alan Curbishley.
The Hammers, under the equally understated Curbishley, are unbeaten in six matches but their boss was under no illusions about the scale of the task facing his side.
"When you play a top-four team you need a few things going for you. You also need your players to all be on form, you cannot carry anyone."
Manchester City's rise to third in the table has been one of the most unexpected achievements of the season thus far, transforming both the club's reputation for self-inflicted wounds and reminding England fans of the ability of Sven-Goran Eriksson, whose spell in charge of the national side was marked by a series of controversies over his salary and private life, as a club coach.
The Swede's side are away to Wigan on Saturday in what will be Steve Bruce's first game in charge of the drop candidates since his arrival from Birmingham.
City's start to the season means that Eriksson doesn't plan to be spending too much more of Thai owner Thaksin Shinawatra's money during the January transfer window.
"It won't be like August when we took in eight players. It will be very few.
"We are not going to gamble. We have a good squad and a good base."
Brazil midfielder Elano has already been ruled out of the trip to the JJB Stadium with a hamstring injury.
Bottom-of-the-table Derby, under new boss Paul Jewell, are away to Sunderland who are sure to have been told a few home truths by boss Roy Keane.
Meanwhile struggling Middlesbrough are set to be without injured Australia goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer for their match with Reading.
Saturday's other match sees Blackburn at home to Newcastle with visiting manager Sam Allardyce facing criticism from some fans despite the north-east club's best start to a league season in 10 years.
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez, whose side brought him some breathing space in his row with the club's American owners after their midweek Champions League success against Porto, takes the Reds on Sunday to Bolton, who will look to build on their surprise win over Manchester United.
Sunday's late kick-off match will sees Birmingham, in former Scotland coach Alex McLeish's first match in charge of the Blues, away to Tottenham with Manchester United at home to Fulham on Monday.

Chelsea have declined to comment on the release of a DVD in France in which striker Didier Drogba describes his "disgust" upon signing for the club.

It is unclear when the DVD - entitled 'The Incredible Destiny of Didier Drogba' - was recorded, but in it Drogba, who joined the Blues for £24million from Marseille in July 2004, talks about his reluctance to leave the French club for Stamford Bridge - even suggesting he hoped to fail his medical.

Drogba said: "I was disgusted. I realised that signing for Chelsea was disgusting. It's hard to explain. It's hard to understand because most of all, people see the financial side, or even the sporting side. But I simply wasn't happy."

He added: "I said to myself 'I couldn't give a damn' (that Marseille have accepted a bid). Maybe that's going to shock supporters of Chelsea, but I didn't want to leave.

"I even did some things that were almost absurd, in order not to go to Chelsea, such as during the medical.

"Going to the hospital in Paris, I was praying they would find a problem with my knee, or a problem with anything so the move would collapse."

Just last month the Ivorian striker was reported as saying he wanted to quit the club in the wake of Jose Mourinho's departure but his team-mates have rallied to his defence.

He later issued an apology, stating: "I am a Chelsea player and will be 100% committed and supportive to my manager, my team-mates and the club.

"I will not be discussing my future any further until I meet privately with the club at the end of the season."

What's Chelsea striker Didier Drogba thinking of these days?

His official DVD on sale in France has all the answers - Drogba admitted that the transfer to Stamford Bridge from Marseille was a huge mistake in his career.

According to The Sun newspaper, the African forward said that he was disgusted with himself for sccumbing to the temptation of Roman Abramovich's millions.

He further revealed he hoped for a knee injury that could have scuppered his move to Stamford Bridge. Drogba, 29, has already showed his displeasure at Jose Mourinho’s sacking. He even accused his fellow teammates of 'treachery' in the dressing room.

And, Drogba has repeated claims of quitting Chelsea at the end of the season. Yet, this stunning revelation on his tell-all DVD will undoubtedly anger the Chelsea management and fans. Drogba, earns more than £100,000 (US$200,000) per week, cannot deny his remarkable words, as they're given on his official DVD.

Said the Ivory Coast international angrily on his DVD: "The day I signed for Chelsea I just felt disgusted. I know this is something which can’t have happened to many players but that’s how it is. I was disgusted.

"I know that when I say this people are going to look at the financial aspect of my move — but money didn’t count for me.

"I was unhappy and it remains as simple as that.

"I was lucky as the French-speaking clan at Stamford Bridge in those days — Geremi, William Gallas and Claude Makelele — tried to help me.

"But the truth is I wanted to leave after only a few weeks. I wasn’t happy at all. I had no desire to be there."

Wished his own injury

Drogba's admission that his Chelsea move was 'disgusting' will definitely cause an uproar amongst his teammates and club backroom staff. But more remarkably, it's his own revelation that he wished an injury upon himself in order to avoid moving to London that would hurt the Chelsea faithful.

"I did some absurd things just so that I wouldn’t have to go to Chelsea," claims Drogba defiantly on his DVD.

"The medical was in a Paris hospital and I clearly remember praying they would find a problem with my knee or something so the move would collapse.

"I didn’t care what I’d lose, I wasn’t interested in the money I’d make, I simply didn’t want to leave Marseille.

"I admit that playing in England one day had always been a dream for me but the impact of being at Marseille completely changed me.

"I wanted to ‘do a Maldini’ — by staying with Marseille until the end of my career. I’d had affection for other clubs but this was pure passion."

Drogba's agent Thierno Seyde confirms that, upon the completion of the medical, the player's amazing determination and desire not to sign for Chelsea surfaced once again.

Seyde said: "The night before our flight to London I went down from Paris to Marseille to pick Didier up. At 4am Didier said to me, ‘I don’t want to go, forget it, it’s all off — I’m not going to Chelsea’.

"I told him that it was too late and that everything was set up. Initially, he still said ‘I don’t care’ but finally I managed to talk him round."

Arsenal preserved their place on top of the Premier League after William Gallas's late equaliser earned a dramatic 2-2 draw against Manchester United on Saturday.

Gallas's late intervention ensured Arsene Wenger's side stayed ahead of United on goal difference and extended their unbeaten run this season to 18 matches in all competitions.

The most eagerly-anticipated clash of the campaign surpassed expectations after a slow start at the Emirates Stadium. The game exploded into life when United went ahead in first half stoppage-time when Gallas turned Wayne Rooney's shot into his own net.

Arsenal were back on terms two minutes into the second-half as Cesc Fabregas collected Bacary Sagna's cutback to slot into the bottom-corner for his 10th goal of the season.

United regain the lead in the 82nd minute when left-back Patrice Evra burst into the penalty area before cutting a pass back to Ronaldo who swept his shot into the open goal.

The home team were not finished though and they snatched a point in the dying seconds when Gallas scored at the right end by turning in Theo Walcott's scuffed shot.

United manager Sir Alex Ferguson admitted his side had only themselves to blame.

"I can't believe it," he said. "We've thrown it away. I thought we had done it but this is football.

"Arsenal had some good possession, but I think we had the better chances. We were controlling the game."

Chelsea continue winning run

Frank Lampard helped Chelsea move into third place - within three points of Arsenal - as his goal set up a 2-0 win at Wigan.

Lampard followed his midweek League Cup hat-trick against Leicester by giving Avram Grant's side an 11th minute lead at the JJB Stadium.

Seven minutes later full-back Juliano Belletti scored his first goal since his move from Barcelona and Chelsea were well on the way to their seventh successive win, while Wigan have now lost six in a row.

Liverpool unimpressive

Liverpool's stuttering form continued as they were forced to settle for a 0-0 draw against Blackburn.

Rafa Benitez's side have won only one of their last four league games and are in danger of losing touch with the leaders.

Dirk Kuyt squandered a host of chances as the Reds ended Blackburn's seven-match winning run but still finished disappointed.

Juande denied first league win

New Tottenham manager Juande Ramos was denied a first league win as Middlesbrough fought back to draw 1-1 at the Riverside Stadium.

Ramos sprung a surprise by dropping star strikers Robbie Keane and Dimitar Berbatov and was rewarded when Darren Bent gave Spurs a 35th minute lead.

It was Bent's first league goal since August and only his third since his club record 16 million pounds move to White Hart Lane.

But Luke Young drew the hosts level in the 52nd minute and Spurs remain deep in trouble.

Pompey romp at Newcastle

Portsmouth beat Newcastle 4-1 thanks to an astonishing three-goal blast in the space of three first-half minutes at St James' Park.

Noe Pamarot started the spree for Harry Redknapp's side in the eighth minute.

Zimbabwean striker Benjani Mwaruwari added a second a minute later with his eighth goal of the season and John Utaka piled on the misery after 11 minutes to leave the home fans stunned.

That wasn't the end of the scoring as Sol Campbell's own goal five minutes later gave Newcastle a glimmer of hope.

But Portsmouth were in the mood and Niko Kranjcar's free-kick deflected in off Steven Taylor to secure their fourth consecutive away league win.

Toffees seal sweet victory

Everton scored twice in stoppage time to clinch a 3-1 win over Birmingham.

David Moyes's side took the lead through Yakubu's 10th minute strike before Birmingham levelled through Olivier Kapo's 80th minute goal. But Lee Carsley and then James Vaughan scored in the dying minutes.

Derby remain bottom

Aston Villa left struggling Derby rooted to the bottom of the table as second half goals from Martin Laursen and Ashley Young sealed a 2-0 victory.

Derby have won only one of their first 12 matches and already look destined for a quick return to the Championship.

Danish defender Laursen broke the deadlock at Villa Park in the 57th minute and Young put the result beyond doubt four minutes later.

Fulham finally win

Clint Dempsey gave Fulham their first league success in 10 matches as the American's second half strike sealed a 3-1 win against Reading.

Under-pressure Cottagers manager Lawrie Sanchez desperately needed a victory after a woeful run and his side got off to the perfect start when Simon Davies opened the scoring in the 18th minute.

Kevin Doyle equalised for Reading in the 54th minute but Dempsey struck and then David Healy added a third.

West Ham host Bolton on Sunday and Manchester City face Sunderland on Monday.

WEST HAM (PA SPORT) - Kevin Nolan struck deep into stoppage-time to earn Bolton a precious point against West Ham in a 1-1 draw at Upton Park, lifting Gary Megson's hopes of escaping relegation from the Barclays Premier League.

George McCartney opened the scoring in the 19th minute from Matthew Upson's flick-on, his first goal for West Ham, and it looked like another defeat for Megson.

But Danny Guthrie and Kevin Davies both hit the woodwork for the visitors, and Nolan struck at the death.

Megson is understood to have won around the dressing room with a stirring speech on his day on the job and it will need more resilience like this to escape the drop, particularly with Nicolas Anelka out injured at the moment with a hamstring complaint.

It is still more than two months since they tasted a league victory, and they have Liverpool and Manchester United coming up soon.

He knew a first win as Bolton boss would have taken his new club to 15th in the table, nosebleed territory after one league win all season.

Anelka's absence took away their unpredictability in attack and they punted balls forward for Kevin Davies to win in the West Ham penalty area.

Although Ivan Campo shaved the post with an early free-kick, it was the hosts who appeared the more confident, despite their lengthy list of injuries.

Mark Noble had a groin strain and Anton Ferdinand a hamstring problem, adding themselves to a treatment room already containing the likes of Dean Ashton, Craig Bellamy and Scott Parker.

The players remaining quickly imposed themselves on Bolton, Matthew Etherington and Nolberto Solano causing panic with dangerous deliveries.

Lee Bowyer appeared to have wasted a glorious chance in the 12th minute when Carlton Cole headed into his path and he fired wide with the goalkeeper to beat, but the flag was up anyway.

Etherington then got behind the Bolton defence when he outpaced Andy O'Brien but his low cross was cut out by Abdoulaye Meite, with the ball spinning to safety.

The opener came in the 19th minute after Bolton failed to clear a Solano corner.

Matthew Upson had an effort cleared off the line, then flicked on when the ball was crossed back in, and McCartney produced an acrobatic volley past Jussi Jaaskelainen.

It was the defender's first goal in West Ham colours - but he was required for his usual defensive duties two minutes later when El-Hadji Diouf was found on the edge of the area.

The controversial forward, jeered for an alleged spitting incident with West Ham fans earlier in his career, wriggled past Lucas Neill.

His shot looped off the Hammers captain and over goalkeeper Robert Green but McCartney headed off the line.

Bolton forced their way back into the reckoning with their forthright, direct style.

Gary Speed, back in the side and assured of his future at the club after Megson blocked a loan move to Sheffield United, fed off a knockdown but volleyed over the crossbar.

Danny Guthrie got on the end of a Davies header and struck the near post with his volley from just outside the area.

Nolan failed to purchase on an effort early in the second half, while Jaaskelainen was equal to a Solano volley when the midfielder did put his foot through the ball.

The Hammers had a penalty appeal waved away when O'Brien tussled with Bowyer. The feisty midfielder later picked up a booking for a hack.

Green then tipped over when Speed drilled a volley from the edge of the area but the Hammers goalkeeper then flapped at a corner but Davies could not direct his header on target.

Ricardo Gardner had to clear in the 65th minute when Luis Boa Morte latched onto a hopeful ball and took it around Jaaskelainen before pulling back, with Gardner getting ahead of Cole to head away from danger.

Cole had a close-range effort saved before he was substituted, while Davies clipped the bar from a Guthrie cross and Jonathan Spector hacked off the line in stoppage-time.

Then Nolan struck with seconds left after Lubomir Michalik flicked on a cross.

Gary Megson admits it will take time emerge from the shadow of Sam Allardyce at Bolton but he believes the stoppage-time equaliser at West Ham proves his players are willing to fight for the club.

Megson is almost a fortnight into the job and is still without a win, but Kevin Nolan's strike in the 94th minute earned a precious point in their battle to beat the drop and Bolton players celebrated like it was a victory.

Nolan was among the players whose future appeared uncertain during the final days of Sammy Lee's reign but the midfielder, along with Gary Speed who was in a similar position, showed at Upton Park that they are prepared to scrap to get themselves out of trouble.

Megson said: 'Footballers don't play for the manager first and foremost, they play for their families and then the football club.

'Your family stays constant, your football club can change, so that is what you're playing for.

'In terms of playing for the football club they couldn't have done any more. They ran themselves into the ground, they can pass better, cross better and finish better - but we can't show any more commitment or honesty.'

Megson is still shaping a team heavily influenced by Allardyce before his departure to Newcastle, followed by Lee's brief spell where style was put over substance.

'Of the team that started, 11 of them were signed by Sam Allardyce,' said Megson. 'They were brought in over a period of seven or eight years when Sam was there and brought into play a certain style that they were used to.

'There is no criticism of Sammy Lee, it's just trying to fit round pegs in round holes. We have got a few issues and playing in that manner suits us a bit at the moment.'

Megson is hoping the late equaliser will lift a team that has won one Barclays Premier League game all season. As poor as they have been, a victory would have taken them 15th.

He added: 'In terms of getting a way that suits us. You can't just take a pill and say 'you're confident'.

'From today that will help, the manner that we got a point will help.

'We have got issues, it's not right to broadcast them and they are not personal and are purely footballing ones.'

Megson felt a poor decision cost his new side a win against Aston Villa in his first game in charge, and McCartney's opener put a defeat on the cards.

'You have two choices - either the white flag goes up or you keep going,' said Megson. 'They certainly kept going.'

'We needed a bit of professionalism - one or two to get their foot on it and run it into the corner,' said boss Curbishley.

'If it had been Bolton, (El-Hadji) Diouf would have run it into the corner and attracted a foul.'

The consolation for Curbishley is Dean Ashton returning to training early next week, although Hayden Mullins picked up an injury to add to the lengthy list of players in the treatment room.

'Perhaps after the international break it may get better but at the moment it doesn't look like it will change,' he added.

Sporting director Damien Comolli insists Paul Robinson's position at Tottenham will not be affected by his comments following the infamous meeting between club officials and Juande Ramos at the start of the season.

Robinson spoke of his disappointment at how Martin Jol had been undermined in the first week of the campaign when details of the meeting at the Alfonso XIII hotel emerged.

Ramos has since taken over from Jol and there were suggestions chairman Daniel Levy remained upset at his goalkeeper's comments, although Comolli insists that is not the case.

'To suggest that Paul would be transfer-listed for something he said and that he has fallen out with the chairman as a result is utter nonsense,' said Comolli.

'Firstly, there was no row to talk about and Paul went out of his way to clarify his position immediately after, and secondly something of this nature would never affect a player's future at this club.'

Robinson has suffered a dip in form and has been guilty of a series of mistakes in Spurs' abysmal start to the season, leading to the club being linked with the likes of Manuel Neuer at Schalke and Samir Handanovic of Udinese.

Comolli, though, issued a statement to clarify that the 28-year-old's relationship with Levy has no bearing on his future.

'Normally we don't wish to react to such stories concerning the club or our players but there are occasions when we believe it is right to set the record straight, and this is one of them,' he added.

Meanwhile, Darren Bent insists he is happy to stay at White Hart Lane and fight for his place in the starting line-up.

'I am happy and settled at Spurs and stories that are saying otherwise could not be further from the truth,' said Bent, who scored in the 1-1 draw at Middlesbrough on Saturday.

'I am determined to establish myself in this team, that is the only thing I am focused on. I want to make an impact and do what I was brought here to do, which is score goals.'

ARSENAL (PA SPORT) - Arsenal midfielder Gilberto has denied a rift with manager Arsene Wenger over his recent exclusion from the side.

The Brazilian has struggled to regain his place, with Mathieu Flamini in outstanding form, and some reports claimed he had refused to play in Wednesday's Carling Cup win at Sheffield United - although he did in fact take the field.

Gilberto said in the Observer: 'It was strange, this thing that I had a fight with Arsene.

'I never did that. We have a mutual respect for each other and although I'm not happy to be on the bench, and he and everyone knows that, I always respect his decision about what he thinks is best for the team.

'I'm being very professional, so I don't understand how these things come out when we don't have any problem. I'm not the kind of person who would refuse to play.'

The 31-year-old's contract expires in 18 months and he is aware of interest from several major clubs, including Juventus, but will not make a decision on his future until next summer.

'We'll see at the end of the season what's going to happen,' he said.

'But now I just play football and don't think about what comes from outside.'

Aston Villa goalkeeper Scott Carson has revealed his desire to make his loan move from Liverpool permanent and is optimistic Martin O'Neill's side can provide him with European football.

Carson is currently only at Villa Park for this season but is keen to stay after adjusting to life with the midlands club.

Carson said: "I think something has been agreed whereby, if everyone is happy, it could be made a permanent transfer."

The England international has been in impressive form and kept another clean sheet in Saturday's 2-0 Barclays Premier League home success over rock-bottom Derby.

"It's obviously up to the boss but that's something I would welcome," Carson said. "I want to establish myself as a number one and preferably I would like to do it here.

"I've been out on loan a lot over the past couple of seasons and it's not easy when you keep moving up and down the country. It would be nice to settle at a club that I like and where the fans like me.

"I've settled in well here at Villa. Everyone has welcomed me and that has been a big help. What I want now is to be settled for the next five to 10 years. I want to play as many games as possible."

Villa are only four points off fourth spot in the Premier League after goals from Martin Laursen and Ashley Young disposed of Derby.

Carson said: "When I first came to Villa, I said I had to be looking to get into Europe and, from the way we have been playing, it is not out of the question.

"Some of our performances have been very encouraging and we should take heart from them. If we keep it going, we will pick up more points than we drop."

LIVERPOOL (PA SPORT) - Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez refused to be critical of his players despite their profligacy in the goalless draw at Blackburn costing them the chance to close the gap on the Barclays Premier League's top two.

Leaders Arsenal and Manchester United drew 2-2 earlier in the day but the Anfield side failed to take full advantage after wasting a hatful of chances.

But Benitez insisted: "The team is progressing, we are creating enough chances to win every game and this is positive. We just need to take the chances."

With more composure Dirk Kuyt could easily have had a second-half hat-trick while captain Steven Gerrard was unusually wasteful in front of goal, twice firing at former Liverpool keeper Brad Friedel.

Substitute Peter Crouch also had a header cleared off the line by David Bentley as all the visitors' best chances came in the last 20 minutes.

But Benitez, although disappointed, stressed he felt the team had done enough to take all three points.

"With the chances that we had I think could have won - clearly in the second half," said the Spaniard.

"It is important for me to see the team going forward with confidence and pressing and controlling the game.

"If you don't play well and you don't create chances it is a problem but if you create chances in every game for me that is the most important thing.

"Blackburn were playing well and they had some opportunities, but especially at the end were controlling more and we kept possession."

MANCHESTER (PA SPORT) - Croatia defender Vedran Corluka believes Manchester City owe their supporters a big performance at Eastlands when they face Sunderland later today.

Despite the Carling Cup victory against Bolton in midweek, he is still hurting from the mauling by Chelsea.

Corluka, 21, is aiming to help City bounce back in the Barclays Premier League and record their seventh straight home win.

He said: 'We want to show everyone we are a better team than the one that lost at Chelsea.

'Hopefully it was just one bad day. We all felt horrible. It was a horrible display.

'We did not defend well as a team but now we have to move on.

'It was important to get that victory against Bolton after what happened in London.'

The Chelsea match apart, City have played some free-flowing, attractive football under manager Sven-Goran Eriksson.

Corluka likes the way the former England boss sets his teams up.

He said: 'We like to play the ball on the floor and people enjoy that.

'We have a lot of skilful players and our results overall have been good.

'No-one really expected us to be high in the table at this stage but I feel we can still improve.'

Corluka looks set to switch to the centre against Sunderland - Micah Richards has a knee problem - with Nedum Onuoha returning at right back.

That would not be a problem for the former Dinamo Zagreb star, who arrived in the summer for a fee believed to be in the region of £7million.

Corluka said: 'I partnered Richard Dunne against Aston Villa so I am used to that role.

'I am happy at centre half as well as right back and will play wherever the manager decides.'

Bulgaria winger Martin Petrov could return after missing the cup victory against Bolton because of a toe injury.

Eriksson, however, remains guarded about whether Sweden's Andreas Isaksson will retain his place between the posts and keep out Joe Hart.

'They are both good goalkeepers, who deserve to play,' said the City boss. I have not made my mind up.

'While Joe did not play at Bolton it had nothing to do with the Chelsea result. We had decided before that game to change goalkeepers for the cup game.'

WIGAN (PA SPORT) - Wigan have parted company with manager Chris Hutchings.

Assistant manager Frank Barlow will take charge of the first team on a caretaker basis for the Barclays Premier League trip to Tottenham on Sunday.

In a statement, chairman Dave Whelan said: "This has been a very difficult decision for me and the board to make - but I felt we had to act in the best interests of the football club and its long-term future."

The Latics dropped into the relegation zone at the weekend, following their 2-0 home defeat against Chelsea.

Hutchings took over in the summer following Paul Jewell's surprise departure - and Wigan briefly topped the table earlier this season.

However, they have lost their last six matches in a row - with their last league victory coming against Sunderland at the JJB Stadium on August 18.

Saturday's home defeat to Chelsea was hardly unexpected, but Whelan has acted quickly in a bid to turn the season around.

"Having been so close to the team and such a big part of the success, I felt Chris deserved to be given the chance to take over as number one last summer and receive full backing from myself and the board to shape the team as he wished," Whelen added.

"Chris has worked very hard since becoming manager, and I cannot fault his effort and commitment to the cause.

"However, it is crucial for the development of Wigan Athletic that we maintain our Premier League status this season - and following results and performances in recent matches, we feel it is critical to act now.

"My energies will now be fully focused on getting the right man - firstly to stop the decline we have suffered in the last two months or so, and secondly to take us forward in the future," he said.

WIGAN (PA SPORT) - Sacked Wigan manager Chris Hutchings does not believe he was given enough time to put things right at the JJB Stadium.

Hutchings was relieved of his duties this morning after just seven months in charge following a dismal start to the Barclays Premier League season.

The Latics slipped into the bottom three after Chelsea condemned them to a sixth successive defeat on Saturday.

Wigan actually started the season well with two wins in their opening three games, enough to see them briefly top the table, but there has been little joy in the nine games since.

Hutchings, who took charge after Paul Jewell's resignation at the end of last season, has cited injuries as a factor behind the team's slump and feels he has been shown the door too hastily.

The 50-year-old told Sky Sports News: 'I'm very disappointed in the decision the chairman has made and disappointed we couldn't carry on the work we have started.

'These days, I think everybody says you need time to impose your own style of play.

'Everyone can see we had changed our style of play and that's no disrespect to how we had been playing before, which was successful. But we felt we wanted to try and take the club forward.

'We wanted to get more craft-like players, more skilful players and they have to integrate into the team.

'Obviously, when you're not given enough time, it's very, very disappointing.

'I didn't really feel time was up.

'We were having players who were coming back to full fitness.

'Another couple of weeks and Emile Heskey would have been fit.'

Hutchings was promoted to the Latics' hot seat after impressing as Jewell's number two during the club's rise to the top flight for the first time in their history.

He made 10 summer signings in a bid to consolidate but results have not matched expectations.

'You're judged by your results and we haven't got them in recent weeks,' Hutchings added.

'I'd introduced six or seven new players and that takes time to develop.

'These days, you don't seem to be getting that time, which is much needed.'

The club's decision to axe Hutchings brings to an end a second unhappy managerial posting for the former Chelsea defender. He also succeeded Jewell at Bradford in 2000 but that proved a similarly short stint.

Wigan chief executive Brenda Spencer said: 'We have been looking at this over the last few weeks. The results have just not been going for us.

'We felt that for the long-term future of Wigan Athletic that Wigan and Chris would have to part company.

'It is not about Chelsea, we hoped the results would go for us and we would pick up some points but football is not always like that.

'It's where you are in the league that denotes success.'

Attention will now turn to his successor with former Liverpool, Blackburn and Newcastle manager Graeme Souness having emerged as an early favourite.

Two bookmakers tonight suspended betting on the Scot taking charge at the JJB Stadium but Souness is also thought to be interested in the Republic of Ireland vacancy.

Jewell has also been linked with a return but Wigan say they have no particular candidate in mind and will conduct a thorough search.

OTTENHAM (PA SPORT) - Tottenham sporting director Damien Comolli is confident Dimitar Berbatov will not be looking to move in January following a meeting with the Bulgaria striker's agent.

Berbatov attracted interest from Manchester United over the summer but has not repeated the form of his debut season after netting only twice this term as Spurs struggle towards the foot of the Barclays Premier League.

The 26-year-old has been accused of having poor body language and appeared reluctant to warm-up as a substitute during the defeat to Newcastle, with suggestions he wanted to move.

Berbatov's agent, Emil Dantchev, travelled to England this weekend to meet Comolli, with Spurs' sporting director assured the £10.9million signing from Bayer Leverkusen was not playing for a transfer.

'It is simply not an issue,' said Comolli. 'I met with Dimitar's agent today and he assured me Dimitar is not looking for a move in January and simply wants to concentrate on helping the team push up the table.

'He is on a long-term contract with us and Juande (Ramos) sees him as an important part of our plans.'

With Spurs' Champions League hopes fading fast, Berbatov's future is expected to be uncertain again at the end of the season.

It has been widely reported he will be halfway through his four-year deal at the end of the season, and his value may be affected by the length of his deal.

New boss Juande Ramos dropped Berbatov to the bench on Saturday against Middlesbrough but the striker could feature against Hapoel Tel Aviv in the UEFA Cup this week.

MANCHESTER (PA SPORT) - Stephen Ireland put a season of controversy behind him with a Bonfire Night sparkler to preserve Manchester City's 100% home record with a 1-0 victory over Sunderland.

The midfielder has endured a difficult couple of months amid a much-publicised withdrawal from Republic of Ireland duty, when he was found to have lied about the death of both his grandmothers to hide the fact his partner had suffered a miscarriage.

Clearly though, Ireland's troubles have had no effect on his performances for City and the 21-year-old signalled his well-being by thunderously dispatching Darius Vassell's cross through Craig Gordon's legs to send Sven-Goran Eriksson's men soaring back into the top three and leave them just two points adrift of league leaders Arsenal.

It was tough luck on Sunderland, who worked tirelessly for manager Roy Keane but lacked the class in attack to collect the point their endeavour deserved.

Having presided over a goalless streak in this stadium that stretched from New Year's Day to his departure at the end of the season, former City boss Stuart Pearce must have endured an eerie sense of deja-vu during a tepid first half for which `damp squib' was the only appropriate phrase for November 5.

The England Under-21 boss was among a plethora of big-name managers, including Sam Allardyce and David Moyes, to watch the non-event unfold.

City fans may have finally responded to their team's fine form this term but the only thing which raised them from deep-rooted slumber was Keane's slow walk to the edge of his technical area.

So synonymous is the Irishman with Manchester United's success down the years, the mere sight of him emerging from the visitors dug-out was enough to send the home supporters into a state of apoplexy.

Indeed, anyone in the Sunderland camp able to notice the change in atmosphere might have been advised to tell Keane to remain in his seat to ensure he did not provide City with the fillip required to reach the standards seen in all their other appearances on this ground under Eriksson.

Star man Elano embarked on one mazy dribble but failed to test Gordon and the Brazilian also lined up a 35-yard free-kick, only for the expectancy to give way to groans as his shot flew harmlessly wide.

Returning front man Emile Mpenza spurned City's best chance, screwing Elano's through ball wide from 15 yards.

With only two points to show for his side's efforts on the road since their summer return to the top flight, Keane must have been delighted to restrict his hosts to such meagre pickings.

He may also have reflected on Anthony Stokes' failure to convert the clearest opportunity of the entire half when he rose to meet Grant Leadbitter's excellent cross and guided his header fractionally wide of Joe Hart's right-hand post.

In restoring Hart to his starting line-up ahead of Sweden World Cup star Andreas Isaksson, Eriksson had shown immense faith in the former Shrewsbury youngster, one of the more astute purchases of Pearce's reign.

Hart certainly had his wits about him at the start of the second period when Liam Miller fed Kenwyne Jones, whose first-time effort forced the keeper into a low save.

While there are quite a few Pearce purchases City might well have done without, Eriksson's mistakes in the transfer market have been rare.

Rolando Bianchi could be one though. The £8.8million forward may have scored City's first goal of the season at West Ham but the Italian has grown increasingly disenchanted with life in England.

Rumours have been growing that a January departure home is being lined up and speculation of a bid for Heerenveen's Alfonso Alves has only heightened such talk.

Given just over half an hour to impress, Bianchi did not make much of a case for further inclusion.

Thankfully for Eriksson, another of his substitutes, Darius Vassell, did.

In bringing Vassell on for Michael Johnson at the break, Eriksson made the kind of astute tactical switch so regularly lacking in his England days.

Vassell's added pace on the left provided City with an extra attacking outlet and the former England star left Nyron Nosworthy far too easily inside the box before crossing perfectly for Ireland to rattle home.

Sunderland huffed and puffed but in the end, Eriksson's men, with Vedran Corluka in fine form, eased home.

Sven-Goran Eriksson fears Manchester City matchwinner Stephen Ireland will face an FA sanction over his risque goal celebration during tonight's 1-0 victory over Sunderland.

The 21-year-old, who has already been in his fair share of trouble this term after inventing the death of both grandmothers to cover up his partner's miscarriage during Republic of Ireland duty earlier this season, belted home City's second-half winner, then pulled down his shorts to reveal a pair of pants bearing the Superman logo.

Given the match was beamed live around the world, it is unlikely the FA will let the matter pass without some kind of intervention.

And, while Eriksson was full of praise for his young midfielder, he accepted Soho Square chiefs may be in touch.

'Stephen scored a nice goal and I would like to leave it there. Maybe the FA will look at it - but I hope not.'

Although his team recorded their seventh straight home win, moved back into third spot and within two points of leaders Arsenal, Eriksson will hope Ireland is not hit with a charge, especially as Michael Johnson is facing a spell on the sidelines.

Johnson informed Eriksson he could no longer continue at half-time after his troublesome groin injury flared up again, which leaves little alternative other than to send the England Under-21 international for surgery.

'Michael just could not run anymore,' he said.

'We will make a decision on an operation tomorrow but with an international break coming up, now would be a good time to have it.

'I am not sure how long he would be out but it won't be a long time, maybe two or three weeks.'

In Johnson's absence, Ireland will be asked to shoulder extra midfield responsibilities.

And, while tonight's ill-advised escapade suggests much more maturity is required, Eriksson has nothing but praise for the way Ireland has responded to his earlier problems.

'Stephen's reaction to what happened earlier this season has been extremely positive,' he said.

'He has been training very well, I am just a little bit surprised it has taken him a bit of time to play better.'

Eriksson also confirmed Nedum Onuoha will be sidelined for around 10 days with a groin problem, while Micah Richards felt fit enough to stride into the home dressing room to inform his manager his knee injury had eased sufficiently for him to play in Sunday's mouth-watering clash with fellow top-four hopefuls Portsmouth at Fratton Park, which is good news for England coach Steve McClaren.

While most observers felt at least a modicum of sympathy for Sunderland boss Roy Keane, whose side were worthy of a point for their industry alone, the former Manchester United star - predictably booed everytime he left his dug-out was not in the mood to receive it.

'I don't feel hard done by,' he said.

'We didn't deserve anything because I don't feel we did enough to get anything out of the game. I don't think their goalkeeper had too many saves to make did he?

'They produced that one bit of quality and they scored.'

In-form striker Benjani Mwaruwari struck his fifth goal in three games to help Portsmouth to a 2-0 win against Wigan on Saturday.
Zimbabwe international Benjani's late effort at the JJB Stadium was followed by a solo strike from Glen Johnson to maintain Pompey's impressive start to the season.
The defeat extends Wigan's winless run to seven games as new manager Chris Hutchings's difficult start continues.
England defender Sol Campbell handed Pompey manager Harry Redknapp a boost before kick-off by declaring himself fit after suffering ankle problems during the midweek defeat in Russia.
The home team almost got off to the perfect start when Paul Scharner got to a Andreas Granqvist flick-on but unfortunately for the Austrian midfielder his effort hit the post.
Pompey, looking for their fifth successive win, shook off the early scare and started to pose an attacking threat of their own.
Their endeavour was almost rewarded in the fifth minute but striker Benjani was flagged marginally offside when in a clear goalscoring position.
The visitors then had a flurry of long-range shots, non of which caused Wigan goalkeeper Chris Kirkland undue concern, while for the hosts Antoine Sibierski headed wide of the goal from six-yards out.
Portsmouth started the second half brightly and nearly scored twice in two minutes.
Benjani took control of the ball in the left channel before manouevering space and striking a low drive which Granqvist managed to deflect for a corner.
From the resulting set-piece Campbell found himself free six-yards from goal but the former Arsenal man planted his header wide of the post.
Redknapp's men almost grabbed the lead in sensational fashion shortly after the hour mark, but Sulley Muntari's curling free-kick from 30-yards out went narrowly wide of the goal.
Benjani finally broke the deadlock in the 81st minute when he swept home from the penalty spot after being picked out by Muntari's cross.
The game was put beyond any doubt in the 86th minute when right-back Johnson scored his first Portsmouth goal.
The former Chelsea player drove unopposed down the right wing before cutting inside and unleashing a left-footed shot past Kirkland into the corner of the goal.

Manchester City's magnificent start to the season shows no sign of slowing as Elano's first half goal sealed a 1-0 win over Birmingham on Saturday.
The Brazilian's strike moved Sven Goran Eriksson's side into second place in the Premier League and, although Manchester United would jump over them with a win over Aston Villa in Saturday's late game, City's fans departed Eastlands dreaming of a title challenge.
Birmingham were obdurate opponents but they were unable to stop City maintaining their 100 percent home record this season.
This was a sixth win at fortress Eastlands and evidence of the success of Eriksson's reign doesn't come any clearer than that.
Steve Bruce could take heart from his side's battling display but defeat capped a traumatic week for the Blues boss, who was refused permission to speak to managerless Bolton, even though his future at St Andrews is far from secure.
Potential owner Carson Yeung is still to meet with Bruce to dicuss reports that he wants to bring in his own manager, but the Hong Kong businessman could only be impressed by his team's desire if not their cutting edge.
Birmingham had lost their previous three matches but they started brightly enough and had a chance to take the lead when goalkeeper Joe Hart was penalised for picking up Didi Hamann's back pass.
The indirect free-kick worked its way to Cameron Jerome but his powerful effort deflected wide.
Elano has a happy knack of scoring from long-range and he had Birmingham worried with a 25-yard free-kick that was just off-target.
Eriksson's side have played some superb football at times this season and they were beginning to hit their stride.
Birmingham defender Stephen Kelly alertly cleared from Vedran Corluka, then Martin Petrov drove a shot over.
Visiting teams have found Eastlands a fortress this season but Birmingham were giving as good as they got.
They threatened when Wilson Palacios put Jerome through but Hart raced off his life to block.
The hosts responded immediately and Richard Dunne glanced Petrov's cross wide.
Dunne had no need to rue that miss as Elano broke the deadlock in the 37th minute.
Corluka was the provider with an astute pass that gave Elano a clear sight of goal and the Brazil midfielder steadied himself to drive home his fourth goal of the season.
Birmingham protested that Fabrice Muamba had been fouled by Michael Johnson in the build-up, but referee Mike Dean waved away their complaints.
Driven on by a sense of injustice, Bruce's team should have equalised moments later, but Olivier Kapo's shot was easy for Hart.
Petrov nearly scored direct from a corner early in the first half but Kelly cleared off his line. The Bulgarian tested Maik Taylor with another effort soon after as City kept up their pressure.
When Elano shot just wide, the thought that City may regret so many misses started to loom. Birmingham certainly went close when Rafael Schmitz's shot was cleared off the line by Micah Richards.

Fulham, down to 10 men at the start of the second half, eked a point out of their relegation clash with Derby thanks in large part to the sterling efforts of their Finnish goalkeeper Antti Niemi.
Saturday's goalless draw moved Derby off the foot of the table above Bolton with six points, with Fulham up to eight points and out of the drop zone but that status may only last until Monday depending on how struggling Tottenham fare against Newcastle.
Fulham manager Lawrie Sanchez made five changes from the side that were beaten 2-0 by Portsmouth - among them Collins John who missed out with a fever.
Sanchez's counterpart Billy Davies made three changes from his team's last defeat to Reading, with forward Craig Fagan back after a four match suspension.
As the crowd at Craven Cottage, with an eye on the evening's World Cup final over in Paris, began to chant the rugby hymn Swing Low Sweet Chariot, Derby went close to taking the lead only for Kenny Miller's effort to be denied by the first of a series of important saves from Niemi.
Niemi was also on hand to save the hosts' embarrassment shortly afterwards after Aaron Hughes diverted a cross towards his own goal.
Fulham, looking every inch a side fighting against relegation, were down to 10 men three minutes after retaking the field following the break when defender Paul Konchesky was sent off for elbowing Fagan in the face.
Niemi was again called into action on the hour mark when he kept out a shot from Matt Oakley,
And the Finn, by far and away the star player on an indifferent afternoon for the Cottagers, produced another match-saver when blocking Miller's low shot in the 76th minute.
Diomansy Kamara produced one of Fulham's best chances to break the deadlock in the closing stages but the Rams' keeper Stephen Bywater maintained the status quo.
Fulham have now failed to land a league win since the second game of the season.

LONDON (AFP) - Didier Drogba let his actions speak louder than words as he fired Chelsea to a 2-0 win at Middlesbrough, while Arsenal consolidated their lead at the top of the Premier League with a 2-0 victory over Bolton on Saturday.
Drogba dropped a bombshell this week by revealing he is determined to leave the London club because the squad's morale had been shattered by Jose Mourinho's departure.
But Chelsea manager Avram Grant kept faith with the Ivory Coast striker at the Riverside Stadium and got the perfect response, with Drogba laying the foundations for the team's third successive win.
It took Drogba just eight minutes to show Chelsea what they would be missing if he did leave. He collected Frank Lampard's pass and drove a perfectly-placed shot past Mark Schwarzer for his third goal of the season.
Alex came in for John Terry and the Brazil centre-back ensured there was no need to rue the captain's absence when he scored his first goal for the club with a blistering free-kick in the 57th minute.
Grant said: "I'm happy with the win but I'm more happy that we are improving from game to game. The way we win is very important so we are trying to play more attacking football."
Kolo Toure was the unlikely hero as Arsenal beat managerless Bolton at the Emirates Stadium.
Arsene Wenger's side stretched their winning run to 11 matches - their best streak since 2002 - thanks to a superb long range goal from Toure in the 68th minute and Tomas Rosicky's effort 10 minutes from full-time.
The Ivory Coast defender's first goal since April was perfectly timed as Arsenal were struggled to break down Bolton, playing their first match since Sammy Lee's sacking.
With Bolton's resistence finally broken, Arsenal were able to turn on the style and Czech midfielder Rosicky put the result beyond doubt late on.
Wenger said: "I was concerned because Bolton were very resilient and know how to slow the game down. But we build our success by being patient and keeping a high tempo.
"Overall you can see there is a great spirit in the side." Liverpool striker Dirk Kuyt's stoppage time penalty snatched a dramatic 2-1 win over nine-man Everton in the 206th Merseyside derby.
Kuyt had already scored from the spot once at Goodison Park to cancel out Sami Hyppia's first half own goal and he held his nerve again to get Rafa Benitez's team back on track with only their second win in five league matches.
Hyppia had put Everton in front in the 38th minute when the veteran defender diverted Phil Jagielka's shot into his own net.
Steven Gerrard helped drag Liverpool level in the 54th minute when he surged into area and was hauled down by Tony Hibbert, who was sent off by referee Mark Clattenberg.
Kuyt drilled home the penalty and repeated the trick with just minutes to go after Phil Neville was sent off for handling Lucas's shot on the goalline.
Everton still had a chance for one last attack but Clattenburg denied them a penalty when Steve Finnan clearly hauled down Joleon Lescott.
Elano sent Manchester City second in the table as his first half goal sealed 1-0 win over Birmingham at Eastlands.
The Brazil midfielder shrugged off the draining effects of a long flight back from international duty in South America to open the scoring in the 37th minute.
Sven Goran Eriksson's side have won all six of their home league games this season and will be dreaming of at least a top four finish. Derby climbed off the bottom of the table after a dour 0-0 draw at 10-man Fulham.
Billy Davies's side collected their first away point of the season but will feel they could have done better after Paul Koncheskey sent off on the stroke of half time after an elbow on Craig Fagan.
Benjani Mwaruwari maintained his impresssive form as Portsmouth staged a late show to win 2-0 at Wigan.
Harry Redknapp's side were locked in a stalemate until the 81st minute when Zimbabwean striker Benjani scored his fifth goal in three matches.
Glen Johnson wrapped up Portsmouth's fifth consecutive victory when the right-back embarked on a surging run, topped by a fine finish in the 86th minute.
Benni McCarthy helped Blackburn inflict another awayday nightmare on Reading as Mark Hughes's side won 4-2 at Ewood Park.
South African striker McCarthy took his goal tally for the season to six as Rovers ran riot.
He broke the deadlock in the 18th minute and four minutes later Blackburn increased their lead when Roque Santa Cruz ended a flowing move with a fine finish.
It got even worse for Reading in the 32nd minute. Steve Coppell's side had conceded seven goals at Portsmouth in their last away game and they must have feared a repeat when Tugay curled in a stunning long range effort.
Kevin Doyle's 80th strike reduced the deficit. But McCarthy converted an 82nd minute penalty and Doyle's last minute effort was no consolation.
Manchester United travel to Aston Villa in Saturday's late match, while West Ham host Sunderland on Sunday and Newcastle play Tottenham on Monday.

MIDDLESBROUGH, England (AFP) - Chelsea's 2-0 win at Middlesbrough may have been very much in the mould of the Jose Mourinho-era, but it appears supporters of the Stamford Bridge club can look forward to winning with style in the future.
For two seasons Chelsea have faced accusations that their football does little to reflect the so-called beautiful game, but Avram Grant has assured Blues fans that negativity is a thing of the past.
Pointing to the appointment of Dutch tactician Henk Ten Cate as the catalyst for style over substance, Chelsea's Israeli manager said: "Today football is about entertainment.
"We need to win games but to do it by playing positive football. I do feel an obligation to entertain.
"That's the right way to play modern football. You need to win games but the way to win is important. I want to play better football but for now we're on the right track to win games."
It was Didier Drogba who demonstrated his true worth to Chelsea after a typically assured finish laid the foundations for a comfortable victory at the Riverside Stadium on Saturday.
The striker's eighth-minute goal settled early nerves and Brazilian defender Alex, standing in for the injured England international John Terry, set the seal on an invaluable win with a wonderfully executed free kick 12 minutes into the second half.
After 24 hours spent desperately backtracking, Chelsea's outspoken forward Drogba reverted to type against Middlesbrough as the lone forward charged with playing on the shoulder of the opposition defence.
The Ivory Coast international may regret telling the magazine, France Football, that he wished to leave Stamford Bridge in the wake of Jose Mourinho's departure but until January, at the earliest, he has no other option but to give his best for the Blues and their increasingly sceptical supporters.
"I think players need to speak on the pitch," added Grant. "Didier is doing that very well. All I care about is how my players behave on and off the pitch.
"Didier is a very positive guy in every respect. He's not negative. I don't see one player who's not 100 percent committed. I judge players on what they say to me and what they do in a game.
"With Didier whether it's in training, in my room, on the pitch - I just don't see a problem. For me it's a great honour for any player to belong to a club like Chelsea.
"If a player has problems then the only way for him to deal with them is to come and knock on my door and we'll find a solution."
Drogba required just eight minutes to soften the blow of his ill-judged words as he raced clear of Middlesbrough's lethargic back line and conjured up the type of cool finish which has turned heads across the continent.
The athletic African had talked about plying his trade in La Liga or Serie A and his third goal of the season, following fine work from the Frenchman Florent Malouda and the Chelsea captain Frank Lampard, was a strike worthy of any of Europe's leading leagues.
Alex's superb free kick 12 minutes after the restart was far superior and the Brazilian's touch of genious was a rare moment of brilliance on an afternoon where the mundane outweighed the memorable.
For Gareth Southgate, the Middlesbrough manager, an unforgiving trip to the Old Trafford home of Manchester United follows hot on the heels of this listless defeat.
"We need a spark," he admitted, after watching his team test Petr Cech just twice in 90 minutes. "It's the fourth game in a row where we've conceded a goal in the first 10 minutes and we always seem to leave ourselves a mountain to climb.
"Confidence is a bit short and we need some belief. It's for us to give the fans something to shout about. They're desperate for something to hold onto.
"There's been a lot of change here already and there will be more change in the future. I had hoped to get everything done in the close-season but there's still some way to go."

LONDON, (AFP) - Robbie Keane claimed a Spurs fightback to earn a 4-4 draw with Aston Villa had felt as good as a win after a night in which manager Martin Jol came within half an hour of the sack.

That is how long there was to play when Villa opened up a 4-1 lead but a Pascal Chimbonda strike and a Keane penalty set the stage for Younes Kaboul to snatch an 92nd-minute equaliser and a point that may come to be regarded as a turning point in Tottenham's season.

"To come back from 4-1 down is unbelievable," Keane said after an unbelievable night of drama at White Hart Lane on the club's 125th birthday.

"You talk about dead and buried but we showed lots of character. That's what we have in this team. When you're 4-1 down, you go hell for leather. It does feel like a sort of victory to us in many ways."

The players celebrated Kaboul's equaliser by sprinting to embrace Jol, who had looked distinctly like a condemned man when Villa's fourth goal, a Craig Gardner free-kick, went in in the 59th minute.

"You should have seen him (Jol) at the end when we scored the goal," Keane added. "He had the support from everyone. He's shown what a good manager he is over the past couple of years."

Jol showed the strain of the evening when he admitted: "I don't know what to feel.

"It was awful but on the other hand it was a big celebration at the end. We almost spoiled the night and it was a great night.

"But we came back from the death and that was a big positive but I don't think I've ever been involved in a game like this. We could have won it at the end."

Jol admitted that thoughts that this might be his last game in charge had crossed his mind but claimed: "I thought about my future for the last six weeks so that's nothing new."

Asked if he felt he was safe for the time being, he added: "I don't know. It's not up to me."

Jol must have thought he was in for a more relaxing evening than he finally endured when a bright start was capped by Dimitar Berbatov heading the home side ahead from a 20th-minute corner.

It may have been a memorable fightback but it was nevertheless a night that Tottenham's England goalkeeper Paul Robinson will want to quickly forget.

From the outset, it appeared that Villa had decided to test his confidence on crosses and that approach soon paid off.

Two minutes after Berbatov had given Spurs a lead that their early efforts merited, Robinson dropped a corner and Martin Laursen gratefully fired home.

The Danish defender did not know too much about his second goal which came after another flap by Robinson allowed Zat Knight to get on the end of a Gareth Barry cross, the ball finding its way into the net off Laursen.

There was nothing the hapless England goalkeeper could do about Gabriel Agbonlahor's 40th-minute strike. After taking the ball off Michael Dawson, the youngster wriggled his way into the box and produced a cool, low finish into the far corner of the net.

Agonlahor was also instrumental in winning the free-kick that allowed Gardner to make it four, his trickery resulting in Kaboul chopping him down on the edge of the area.

Gardner's strike appeared to sneak through the edge of the wall and Robinson was unable to keep it out despite getting a hand to the ball close to his right-hand post.

Chimbonda kick-started the fightback by following up smartly after Jermain Defoe connected with a cross from Gareth Bale with a shot that hit the post.

Villa had introduced Marlon Harewood in the hope he would provide an outlet from the relentless pressure from Spurs.

Instead, the former West Ham striker's first meaningful contribution was to hack down Darren Bent to concede the penalty that Keane converted with aplomb.

From then on an equaliser always looked on the cards and Villa were made to pay for their failure to clear a corner in the second minute of injury time, when Kaboul levelled from close range.

Prior to his late equaliser against Wigan Athletic last month, the former Charlton Athletic, Leeds United and Newcastle United player had not managed to score in 35 matches for the Hammers. He backed the Wigan strike up with a goal in the 3-0 win over Middlesbrough on Saturday.

Striker Dean Ashton's first goal since the 2006 FA Cup final after recovering from a broken ankle may have grabbed the headlines but Bowyer, 30, is convinced he can now contribute more to the Upton Park cause.

He said: "I am getting a lot more chances now. Balls are getting laid in front of me as I am making runs and I wasn't really getting that kind of service last year.

"I was making runs but no one was really seeing them. I had one chance against Middlesbrough and I took it and it turned the game for us. It is a great feeling to be scoring again as it is a big part of my game. I am pleased for Deano as well, as that has been a long time coming for him

Harewood was ruled out of Sunday's 1-0 defeat at Manchester City after pulling up in training on Friday and initial examinations suggested he could be out for two months with a stress fracture.

However, O'Neill has revealed the prognosis for the 28-year-old summer signing from West Ham United is far less serious than feared.

"At the end of training on Friday he pulled up with a problem at the back of the knee. He'd had a bit of discomfort there some weeks ago - at the back end of last season with West Ham - but I think the rest during the summer had allowed it to settle down," O'Neill told the club's website.

"This is the first time he's complained about it here and as a precaution we sent him for scans. The first one showed a possibility of a stress fracture.

"But after further examinations and the benefits of other scans, we don't think at this minute that the situation is as bad as all that. Marlon feels half-decent and we are now treating it as a lot of bruising around that area.

"So, though we're still cautious it might not be the length of time out we first feared. That would be great news."

Meanwhile, Patrik Berger is set for his first appearance of the season in the reserves.

The Czech Republic midfielder sustained a hamstring injury on the final day of pre-season and is desperate to return to action.

He said: "It's been very frustrating for me. At first we thought the injury would only keep me out for a short while but it has gone on and on.

"The worst thing about this has been that I did all the pre-season training, worked hard on my fitness and then suffered a setback. It was really bad timing.

"I just want to get back to action. Last season ended so well for me and I want to get back into contention for the first team."

Rovers have started their Barclays Premier League campaign well, and are unbeaten in their first five matches. They are now regarded as a genuine force in the league, and Hughes wants his team to continue living up to its enhanced reputation.

"The aim at the beginning of every season is to win something," he said. "But we're acknowledged as one of the better teams in the Premier League, and people are actually talking about us in those terms. That's something new for us, something we have to get used to, which raises expectations.

"I've always subscribed to the view you should work to those expectations, not try to dampen things down and hope to over- achieve. Fans want to believe there's a chance of winning big games, winning silverware."

"Sometimes there can be false dawns, but I just sense with this group of players we have now that the next step is to try and win some silverware if we can."

Hughes believes the current squad is the best he has ever had at Ewood Park. He added: "I think that's acknowledged by most people.

"We've good depth, good quality of players who can come in, so I have the option of rotating the squad if I feel the need to. I've not had to do that up until this point, but it's the first time the option has been open to me since I've been in charge. That shows the strength we have this year."

The American has scored three goals this season, including the opener in Saturday's 1-1 draw at Wigan Athletic. Dempsey's impressive goalscoring form has come as a result of being moved into attack by manager Lawrie Sanchez, due to striker Brian McBride's knee injury.

Dempsey told Fulham's official website: "I like being in attack and any time I can attack it's more exciting for me. I enjoy scoring, it's one of my favourite aspects of the game, so getting the opportunity to do that is a dream come true.

"But what's important to me is being on the field and being able to play and, not only that, being able to contribute. I feel that I'm able to do that so I'm enjoying it right now."

Chelsea have work to do in Champions League Group B after drawing 1-1 with outsiders Rosenborg at Stamford Bridge. Miika Koppinen turned in Marek Sapara's free-kick at the near post in the 24th minute to give the Norwegians a shock lead. Andriy Shevchenko headed the Blues level eight minutes after half-time but Chelsea could not force a winner.

Liverpool will be happier with their 1-1 draw with Portuguese club Porto in Group A. Lucho Gonzalez gave the home side an eighth minute lead from the penalty spot after Jose Reina had brought down Tarik Sektioui in the area. However, despite a lacklustre first-half display, Dirk Kuyt equalised for the Reds on 17 minutes when he headed home from close range after defender Sami Hyypia had nodded Steve Finnan's free-kick back across the area. Jermaine Pennant was sent-off for a second bookable offence after half-time but the Reds held on for a point

Germany's goalkeeper Jens Lehmann said on Thursday they will use last month's confidence-boosting win in England to make sure of success in Saturday's Euro 2008 qualifier against Wales.

With Germany leading their Euro 2008 qualifying group by five points, Lehmann says the loss of injured midfielders Michael Ballack and Torsten Frings, with Bernd Schneider suspended, will not pose a problem in Cardiff.

And Lehmann believess that after a virtual second-string Germany beat England 2-1 at the new Wembley last month, Germany have nothing to fear going to Wales.

"We know now we can sustain injuries and still win, that has given us a lot of self-confidence," said Lehmann.

"We have very good people who want to do well, that speaks volumes for the side.

"Hardly anyone was backing us to win in Wembley, but we got a good result despite the injuries and I am convinced we can do it again."

Germany were missing several key players for the Wembley game, but have a host of stars back for the trip to Cardiff including Klose, midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger, defender Marcell Jansen, Lukas Podolski and Mario Gomez.

Only half of the 74,500 tickets have been pre-sold for the Millennium Stadium clash, but Wales, fifth in Group D with seven points, will be looking to claim the Germans scalp after their 1-0 win in Bulgaria last month.

When the two sides last met in 2002, Wales pulled off an unlikely 1-0 win in the Principality and Germany's assistant coach Hans-Dieter Flick says the Germans are aware of the threat.

"This is a Welsh team who work ran, can run all day and play with a lot of passion, we will have to match that," said Flick.

Derby County striker Craig Fagan was Thursday banned for four matches after being found guilty of violent conduct over an incident in which he appeared to stamp on Liverpool's Alvaro Arbeloa.

Referee Alan Wiley failed to spot the incident during Liverpool's 6-0 win on Saturday but has since confirmed to the Football Association that, had he done so, he would have sent Fagan off.

Fagan disputed the official's interpretation of events but a disciplinary panel ruled Thursday that the stamp on Arbeloa's calf had been deliberate.

The loss of Fagan could scarcely have come at a worse time for his club with newly-promoted Derby, who have secured just one point so far this season, already looking doomed to an immediate return to the Championship.

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Germany goalkeeper Jens Lehmann lost his cool on Thursday during a press conference for the Germany team when he was persistently asked about his future at English giants Arsenal.

The 37-year-old has been under increasing pressure at the Premiership club since making costly blunders against Fulham and Blackburn.

But Germany's first-choice shot-stopper ran out of patience when asked to comment on statements made by Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger which had been interpreted in a negative light by a German journalist.

"Your whole interpretation of what has been said gets on my nerves," said Lehmann during a press conference in Cologne ahead of Germany's Euro 2008 qualifier in Cardiff.

"Do not ask me to interpret your interpretations."

Lehmann will play for Germany in Saturday's Euro 2008 qualifier in Cardiff after recovering from a damaged Achilles tendon, picked up during Germany's 2-1 win over England last month, and a sore elbow.

Germany are five points clear at the top of Group D with Wales in fifth place on seven points.

But Wales striker Freddy Eastwood, who scored the winning goal on his debut against Bulgaria last month, said Lehmann is Germany's "weak point".

"When you look at the form I'm in and the form he's in, I definitely fancy my chances against him," Eastwood said.

"We'll be looking at the German side for any weak points and I'm sure the gaffer will pick out Lehmann's form.

"Every player goes through a bad time and Lehmann seems to be having one at the start of this season. That's unlucky for him - but it's a good thing for us."

Lehmann has always been German head coach Joachim Loew's first-choice keeper since he took over as head coach from Jurgen Klinsmann after last year's World Cup.

And the 37-year-old plans to continue in the German team through to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa when he will be 40.

"I would like to do it, because I firmly believe we will be in great shape for the 2010 World Cup," said the Arsenal shot-stopper in an interview to appear in the Sueddeutsche Zeitung on Friday.

"We are looking good for the 2008 European Championships, but with the way the side is developing, we will be that much better. We have the talent."

Lehmann had been expected to retire after Euro 2008, but he plans to go on for another two years, even if that means going not as Germany's number one goalkeeper.

"If I keep playing well and stay injury free, I can play up until South Africa," he said.

"The team is playing really well and I would like to go to the 2010 World Cup, even if it means only going along as number three choice."

An injury crisis has not helped their cause but it is primarily a crisis of self-belief that England must overcome as they seek to put their Euro 2008 qualifying campaign back on track against Israel at Wembley on Saturday.

Although they have slipped to fourth place in group E, Steve McClaren's men retain control of their own destiny and, with four of their remaining five qualifiers at home, continue to be regarded as the side most likely to accompany Croatia to next year's finals.

Anything less than a victory on Saturday however would tip the balance of probability towards England missing out on a major tournament for the first time since the 1994 World Cup.

A defeat in Croatia, a home draw with Macedonia and the failure to break down Israel when the two sides last met, in Tel Aviv in March, have combined to leave McClaren's men with no further room for error.

It is, as Rio Ferdinand recognised, an unenviable position for which England's collection of stars have only themselves to blame.

"We've put ourselves in a position where it is win or die really," the Manchester United centreback said, while acknowledging that securing the required three points would be anything but a formality.

"They are a resolute team, they showed that in Israel," Ferdinand admitted. "They put their bodies on the line and they know what it is like to grind out a result. But it is up to us to break them down."

England's cause has not been helped by the injury jinx that has left more than 100 million pounds worth of playing talent either sidelined or battling for fitness.

Wayne Rooney, David Beckham, Gary Neville and Kieron Dyer all had to be left out of the squad altogether while Frank Lampard has been ruled out of the Israel match and is highly doubtful for the visit of Russia on Wednesday.

Peter Crouch is suspended -- which should ensure that Emile Heskey, surprisingly recalled to the squad after three years in the international wilderness, sees some action alongside Michael Owen, who also has a ready excuse for any rustiness he displays having only just resumed playing for Newcastle.

Owen Hargreaves meanwhile was fighting to overcome both tendinitis and a thigh strain, and if Steven Gerrard starts in midfield, as seems likely, it will be with the help of a pain-killing injection in his broken right toe.

The effects of that injection will begin to wear off after about an hour, by which time England will hope to have put the outcome of the match beyond doubt and ensured there is no repeat of the chorus of boos that echoed around Wembley at the end of last month's friendly defeat by Germany.

That setback ensured England are still looking for their first win at their rebuilt base and the evidence of their last meeting with Israel, which finished goalless, suggests a significant improvement is required if victory is to be secured on Saturday.

Israel adopted a prudent approach to the match in Tel Aviv but their caution was not so great as to prevent them carving out sufficient chances to have won the match.

Their captain, the Liverpool midfielder Yossi Benayoun, suggested his side's approach at Wembley would not be radically different.

"I don't care whether people say we are negative or not negative - we drew with England in Israel 0-0, which was a great result for us, and I will be happy to defend again and finish with the same result.

"You don't expect us to come to England and Wembley to play an open game and end up being 3-0 down after 20 minutes.

"We need to work hard in defence and work on quick attacks, hopefully steal a goal and draw or win the game.

"If we stay in the game in the first 20 to 25 minutes by defending solidly and keeping the score at 0-0 the supporters will lose their patience."

Rio Ferdinand is desperate to help England reach Euro 2008 to avoid the unappetising prospect of Sir Alex Ferguson laughing at his misfortune.

Steve McClaren's side go into Saturday's qualifier against Israel at Wembley knowing they must win to keep alive their hopes of making it to next year's finals.

England last failed to qualify for a major tournament 13 years ago when they missed out on the 1994 World Cup and Ferdinand can't bring himself to consider the possibility of a repeat.

The Manchester United defender admits his season would be ruined if England miss out. Almost as bad, it would leave him at the mercy of his club boss.

Ferguson is a proud Scot, who wouldn't miss the opportunity to remind Ferdinand about England's downfall.

"God forbid we don't qualify for this tournament," Ferdinand said. "It would be a catastrophe really. It would be a massive disappointment for the players, the country and the fans.

"It would be devastating. Even walking into the training ground and seeing the manager would kill me. It's his smirk.

"And I'd have to see the other players who would be going to the tournament. It wouldn't be a good place to be."

England have claimed just two wins in their last nine matches, and those came against Andorra and Estonia, hardly the most daunting of opposition.

They are no closer to living up to the hype of a so-called golden generation. Successive exits at the quarter-final stage of Euro 2004 and last year's World Cup suggest England are a decent rather than great team.

While Ferdinand is adamant the squad is talented enough to go the distance at a major event, he conceded England's underachievement is a real source of concern.

"I've been frustrated because I don't think we've ever fulfilled our potential," Ferdinand said. "We've never brought our club football together as a package with the England team.

"When each individual plays for their club they play fantastic football and we just need to get that into the England team. We need the confidence we have from our club football but we can't do it overnight.

"I don't know what it is. Every England manager has been trying to find the answer. We haven't been able to pin it down.

"After the World Cup a lot of us sat down for a good few hours and talked about it. We said at the time we actually thought we were going to win the tournament.

"We were sitting there in the hotel and you reflect on the tournament. The boys had a few drinks, just relaxing after the game. It's a numbness, like how the hell are we out of this tournament.

"You are asking yourself questions. A lot of the lads in the squad are very honest players and you are asking yourself whose fault is it."

With Group E leaders Russia coming to Wembley on Wednesday, the next week will go a long way to deciding England's fate, as well as McClaren's.

The beleaguered coach increasingly looks out of his depth as he tries to steer England into calmer waters and he cannot afford another lacklustre display.

Ferdinand knows the players have their manager's future in their hands, but he insists they have to cope with that kind of pressure if they want to succeed at international level.

"Playing for England is a different entity in terms of pressure and tension," he said. "There is so much history and nostaglia that goes with playing for your country.

"But I don't dread playing for England. The attention and pressure that is on England is a different level from club football, but that is something you have got to deal with if you want to be successful."

Steve Bruce is hoping Carson Yeung's proposed takeover of Birmingham will provide him with the major funding that other foreign investors have pumped into Barclays Premier League clubs.

Bruce has only spent a net £7million this summer, bringing in a dozen new players in a revamp of his squad.

Bruce told PA Sport: "It's been difficult so you have to wheel and deal and do a bit. I've been delighted with what we've done."

He added: "Johan Djourou, for instance, where could we buy him? To get him on loan from Arsenal is a real bonus for us.

"To be fair to the club owners, when they have to go into their pockets, they do so. They give everything the club generates towards my budget.

"When the new guy (Yeung) comes in, I look at all the other investors that have come into the Premier League, at Portsmouth, Manchester City, West Ham, everywhere you look, and what they have spent.

"We obviously hope that is going to be the case here as well. It will be a fantastic scenario if that happens."

Bruce has high hopes of his final transfer window capture in Celta Vigo midfielder Borja Oubina, who has joined on a season-long loan.

The City chief said: "He has got a couple of caps for Spain. It was one of those where it looked earlier last week he was going to Benfica.

"It didn't quite happen so we jumped on the back of it. We were disappointed with what happened with Peter Luccin in missing out when it looked as if it was a done deal."