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.'