Chelsea slip lets Gunners into last chance saloon

February 6, 2010


Wayne Rooney was widely believed to have shattered Arsenal’s Premier League title hopes when he orchestrated Manchester United’s 3-1 win over the Gunners at the Emirates stadium last weekend.

So tamely did Arsene Wenger’s men surrender that it was hard to resist the conclusion that the title race had just been downgraded from a three to a two-club contest.

Wenger, understandably, begged to differ and Chelsea’s unexpectedly lacklustre display in a 1-1 draw at Hull on Tuesday suggested the Arsenal manager was right to predict a few more twists in the plot before the denouement of what has been an intriguing season.

Chelsea’s midweek slip means Arsenal can move back to within three points of their London rivals if they can repeat last season’s win at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

The way in which Arsenal were bullied into submission by Didier Drogba when the two clubs met at the Emirates in November will not give Gunners fans any great cause for optimism, but Wenger is confident of engineering a reaction from his players to last weekend’s humiliation.

“Against United, we were naive,” the Frenchman admitted. “We were completely not at our level and now we need to deliver something special to stay in the race.”

Chelsea’s recent tendency to concede goals from set pieces – described as their Achilles heel by Hull boss Phil Brown – could prompt Wenger to start Denmark striker Nicklas Bendtner, who is fit again after three months out following groin surgery.

“Nicklas gives us a physical presence up there,” Wenger acknowledged. “He is not totally ready yet, but at the moment we are short in that position, so we are happy to have him back.”

Abou Diaby is also back from injury and could be brought in to stiffen a midfield that was overrun in the defeat by United, who could return to the top of the table by beating crisis club Portsmouth at Old Trafford on Saturday.

Avram Grant’s side have lost 16 of their 23 league matches so far this season and, although performances of late have been spirited, do not look capable of producing the goals they need if they are to escape relegation.

With United scheduled to take on Aston Villa on Wednesday, manager Sir Alex Ferguson may take the opportunity to give Rooney a rest, which could mean a rare start for Michael Owen, who is rapidly running out of time in which to persuade Fabio Capello that he deserves an England recall.

Elsewhere, Liverpool entertain Everton in the 213th Merseyside derby with both clubs having found some form of late.

Victory in the lunchtime fixture on Saturday would lift Liverpool back into the top four for a few hours at least and manager Rafael Benitez believes a six-match unbeaten run shows his side are on the mend.

“I think we can find the form of last season if we can fix two or three things,” the Spaniard said. “We have a lot of players coming back from injury and we are moving in the right direction.”

Manchester City, arguably the club best-equpped to deny Liverpool the final Champions League spot, travel to Hull with Wayne Bridge set to play for the first time since revelations of England team-mate John Terry’s affair with his former girlfriend.

Manager Roberto Mancini believes the left-back is in the right state of mind to feature in a match which could also see Patrick Vieira make his injury-delayed debut for the club.

“The private side is not important,” said Mancini. “He has been working very well on the pitch. That is what is important.”

The other two contenders for Champions League football next season, Tottenham and Aston Villa, meet at White Hart Lane on Saturday evening.

“Villa are there or thereabouts, right near us in the league and if we’ve got any aspirations of finishing fourth we need to go there, certainly at White Hart Lane, and win games like that,” said Spurs striker Peter Crouch.

“Three points for us and none for them gives us a bit of a gap so that’s what we’re looking to do.”

Fixtures (1500 GMT unless stated)

Saturday

Bolton v Fulham, Burnley v West Ham, Hull City v Manchester City, Liverpool v Everton (1245GMT), Manchester Utd v Portsmouth, Stoke v Blackburn, Sunderland v Wigan, Tottenham v Aston Villa (1730GMT)

Sunday

Birmingham v Wolves (1330GMT), Chelsea v Arsenal (1600GMT)

LONDON (AFP)

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Ancelotti admits set pieces troubling Chelsea

February 3, 2010


The storm centred on John Terry’s future as England captain is not the only headache that Carlo Ancelotti has to deal with at the moment.

The Chelsea boss is also grappling with his team’s tendency to leak goals from set pieces amid fears it could cost them dear at the business end of the season.

The depth of Chelsea’s squad has seen them installed as favourites to reclaim the Premier League title from Manchester United.

But with United starting to hit form, Chelsea’s problems in defending corners and free-kicks have once again been put in the spotlight by the ease with which Steven Mouyokolo headed Hull into the lead in Tuesday’s 1-1 draw at the KC Stadium.

Didier Drogba cancelled out Mouyokolo’s strike but Hull might easily have claimed all three points if Anthony Gardner had not missed an excellent chance from Tom Cairney’s free-kick.

“I know very well how many goals we have conceded from set pieces,” said Ancelotti. “Every team here in England has a very good jumper and a very good striker and it can happen that you concede a goal.

“How we score, sometimes we can concede. I think we did our best but it was a tough game and Hull played well and put a lot of pressure on us.”

Hull boss Phil Brown admitted he had identified Chelsea’s weakness on set pieces as a potential key to the outcome of the match.

“It’s my job to investigate how to score goals against Chelsea and they’ve conceded something like nine out of 10 of their goals, or something like that, from set pieces,” Brown said.

“If that’s the Achilles heel for Chelsea then we have to exploit it.”

LONDON (AFP)

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Ancelotti backs Terry as Chelsea held by Hull

February 3, 2010


Carlo Ancelotti has backed John Terry to come through his personal crisis and lead Chelsea to the title despite his side’s disappointing failure to overcome Hull City in a 1-1 draw at the KC Stadium.

Terry’s week of woe showed no signs of improving as he was subjected to abuse on Humberside on Tuesday evening.

And just to make matters worse he was booked before having to watch his side drop two crucial points against Phil Brown’s struggling team, blowing their chance to open up a four-point lead over Manchester United at the top of the table.

Terry had to run a gauntlet of hate from the home supporters that promises to become a regular event for the defender, but Ancelotti insists his captain can handle the flak and will carry on playing.

Terry will meet England manager Fabio Capello later this week to discuss his future as his country’s captain following reports of his affair with the former girlfriend of international team-mate Wayne Bridge.

But he has the backing of Ancelotti, even if the Italian admits he might give the centreback a family holiday later this month when Chelsea face Cardiff City in the FA Cup fifth round at Stamford Bridge.

Ancelotti said: “Nothing can distract our concentration in this competition. In every game the Chelsea team has good focus and we can play good football.

“Concentration is always on top. This is an issue for me and John Terry. I think it’s not a problem. You can see the line-up against Cardiff.

“If he needs a holiday he will have one and if not, he will play against Cardiff.

“I don’t like to speak about this. It’s not a question I want to speak about.

“For him (Terry) nothing has changed. He continues to play a very good game and every game he’s living a good moment.

“He’s doing his best. The atmosphere in the team is the same. There has been no change.

“We are in a good position now. We are top. We know Manchester United are very good and it will be a long race until the end of the season.

“We are happy to have a two-point lead. This was an opportunity, but it’s impossible to win every game.”

Chelsea had to rely on Didier Drogba’s clinical free kick to salvage a point for the league leaders. It was his 20th goal of the season and cancelled out Stephen Mouyokolo’s opening goal for Hull, his first for the club.

Ancelotti praised the impact Drogba had on his return to the side following international duty at the African Cup of Nations and believes his form and fitness will be key as the season enters its final third.

Ancelotti added: “It’s an important moment for us, but we need to have all the players in good condition between now and the end of the season.”

Hull rode their luck at times with goalkeeper Boaz Myhill once again impressive but Brown is convinced this result can provide his side with the belief that they have what it takes to go on and avoid relegation for the second season in succession.

“Against the quality of the opposition, that performance is right up there. I’m just disappointed we can’t perform like this on a more regular basis,” said Brown.

HULL (AFP)

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Hull apply the brakes to Chelsea title charge

February 3, 2010


Didier Drogba celebrated his return to Premier League duty with a first half equaliser at the KC Stadium to cancel out Stephen Mouyokolo’s earlier effort on a frustrating night for Carlo Ancelotti’s Chelsea.

Drogba struck his 20th goal of the season on 43 minutes to haul the Premier League leaders level after Hull defender Mouyokolo had headed Phil Brown’s Hull City side into a surprise lead with his first ever goal for the top flight strugglers.

But despite Drogba coming to the rescue it wasn’t enough to help Chelsea secure the win they so badly needed to restore their four point advantage over Manchester United at the top of the table.

The London club now have a lead of just two points and United manager Sir Alex Ferguson will be thankful to Hull for holding his great rivals to a draw to blow the title race wide open.

Ancelotti had the luxury of recalling Drogba for the first time since he departed for the African Cup of Nations over four weeks ago, while England internationals Joe Cole and Ashley Cole had to be content with a place on the bench.

John Terry also maintained his place in the side despite the on-going pressure on him to resign as England captain following his off-field problems while Deco was recalled to the starting line-up.

Brown, meanwhile, made just one change to the side which was held to a disappointing draw with Wolves last weekend, recalling Craig Fagan on the right wing in place of Bernard Mendy. The Hull manager resisted the temptation to hand a full debut to new loan signing Amr Zaki.

Hull had gone nine games without a victory and found themselves entrenched in the relegation zone. Considering Manchester City were the next visitors to the KC Stadium then the immediate future looked bleak.

But Chelsea struggled to find their rhythm from the start and seemed to make Hull’s evening easier than expected.

Frank Lampard worried Boaz Myhill with a swerving drive inside nine minutes which the Hull goalkeeper could only palm straight to Nicolas Anelka but the French striker stubbed his shot badly wide with the goal at his mercy.

It wasn’t until the 24th minute that Chelsea threatened again when Branislav Ivanovic sent over an inch-perfect cross for the waiting Michael Ballack but all the German midfielder could do was power his diving header straight at Myhill from close range.

The longer the game went on the more Hull seemed to grow in confidence but it still came a surprise when they took the lead with their first real attack of the game.

Terry was nowhere to be seen as Stephen Hunt swung over a corner and Mouyokolo rose the highest to head past the helpless Petr Cech.

But Hull’s lead always looked fragile and it lasted just 13 minutes before Drogba levelled the scores with a powerful free kick into the bottom corner of Myhill’s goal.

Hull could have restored their lead on the stroke of half time when Tom Cairney’s free kick found the head of the unmarked Anthony Gardner, but the defender could only direct his effort over the crossbar.

Yet Chelsea always carried a threat and Myhill had to be at his best to keep the scores level with a fine double save just before the hour mark.

First he got down sharply to tip wide a skidding drive from Florent Malouda before producing an even better stop to keep out Drogba’s downward header from Malouda’s cross as Brown’s men hung on for a point that is of much more use to them than Chelsea.

HULL, England (AFP)

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United eye return to the top

January 23, 2010


With Chelsea and Arsenal otherwise engaged on FA Cup duty, Manchester United can steal a march on their rivals and return to the top of the Premier League table with victory over Hull at Old Trafford.

United’s third-round defeat by League One Leeds ensured United were able to bring forward their meeting with the Tigers, originally scheduled for the middle of next week, and they can’t afford to pass up the opportunity of three points.

Arsenal moved to the top of the table with a 4-2 win over Bolton in midweek but United could return to the summit with a win over Phil Brown?s side.

United manager Sir Ferguson surprised some with the strength of the team that he fielded in the League Cup semi-final first leg against Manchester City on Tuesday.

That match ended in a 2-1 defeat and now Ferguson must decide how many of his first-choice players he can afford to rest on Saturday ahead of the second leg against City at Old Trafford on Wednesday.

Ryan Giggs is likely to sit out the Hull match and Gary Neville may feature while Dimitar Berbatov’s knee problem could mean a rare Premier League start for Michael Owen.

The game looks likely to come too soon for Rio Ferdinand, who is working his way back from several months on the sidelines with a back injury and Ferguson is still digesting the news that John O?Shea is likely to miss the rest of the season with a leg problem that he picked up in November.

Even though United were beaten at City, assistant manager Mike Phelan saw some promising signs and insists they can string some victories together if they start taking their chances.

Phelan said: “We want to keep some consistency in our game. At City there were signs that Manchester United are on the way forward.

“If we can stick the ball in the back of the net we are in business

“People keep saying the League Cup is not on anyone’s priority list but it is a cup game.

“When you get to the semi-final of a cup you want to get to the final. Both clubs are desperate for that.”

Hull boss Phil Brown is hoping that his side’s relegation battle can be boosted by the return of captain Ian Ashbee before the end of the season.

Ashbee has been out since May with a hamstring injury but has also been diagnosed with a recurrence of the degenerative bone condition that he struggled with early in his career.

Brown said: “I would never write Ian Ashbee off, never. Even if he said he wasn’t fit, I still wouldn’t write him off.

“The beauty of Ash of late is that he’s got a new focus in life, and that is that he can see light at the end of the tunnel.

“When anyone can’t see that, I can understand how they must feel and how hard it is to motivate yourself.

“But all of a sudden, I can see a realignment of his focus and I think he can see an end to all of this. We are seeing a different Ian Ashbee now, and long may that continue.”

Amr Zaki, the Egyptian striker who is joining Hull on loan, will not be considered for this weekend’s match because he is not fully match fit.

MANCHESTER, England (AFP)

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Zaki set for Hull loan move

January 18, 2010


Egypt’s Amr Zaki is set to return to the English Premier League in a loan spell with Hull until the end of the season, subject to receiving a work permit, the top-flight strugglers said Monday.

Zaki, who scored 11 Premier League goals for Wigan during a loan spell last term, will be joining from Egyptian club Zamalek if the deal is approved.

Hull manager Phil Brown will hope Zaki’s latest stint in England is as productive as his last as the Tigers look to climb out of the relegation zone.

“We are pleased to confirm the loan signing of Amr Zaki from Zamalek FC,” a statement on Hull’s official website, www.hullcityafc.net, said Monday.

“The player yesterday (Sunday) signed a loan agreement until the end of the season to join Hull City AFC.

“As is the case with all non-EU (European Union) transfers, there are work permit and other red tape issues still to be confirmed, but we are expecting the player to return to England and join Hull City on Friday this week.

“The playing contracts are signed and confirmed, however the final details must be undertaken before the loan can commence.”

Zaki said he was looking forward to playing in the Premier League again.

“I’m happy to be back in the Premier League through Hull City,” he told his official website, www.amrzaky.com, on Sunday.

“Tigers are good side and I’m looking forward to do my best for the team.

“I want to thank both Phil Brown and (chairman) Adam Pearson for the faith they showed in me and my target is to repay this faith on the field by helping my team-mates to do the best for the club and for the fans.

“I’ll travel back to Cairo on Tuesday to finish some stuff then back to join my team on Thursday.”

Hull’s leading scorer in the league this season is Republic of Ireland midfielder Stephen Hunt with five.

HULL, England (AFP)

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Does Angola attack really endanger the World Cup or just Africa’s image?

January 12, 2010

The bloody attack on Togo’s team bus in Angola is a huge tragedy for African football and like it or not, has cast a shadow over the World Cup in South Africa in five months time — the biggest sports event ever staged on the continent.

It is highly debatable whether the attack, which killed two members of the Togolese delegation as they arrived for the African Nations Cup and forced the squad’s evacuation on Sunday, really increases the risk to teams and spectators in South Africa.

Without a doubt, however, it has struck a blow against Africa’s concerted efforts to improve its image and reverse decades of gloomy stereotypes painting the entire continent as racked by conflict, disease and despair. Both the Nations Cup, held in a country which only emerged from a 27-year civil war in 2002, and the World Cup were intended to help the process of rehabilitating the continent’s image.

South African organisers reacted with undisguised irritation to immediate suggestions that the Angolan attack should raise concerns over the globe’s most watched event. Over the weekend, Hull City Manager Phil Brown was quoted as saying the attack threw a question mark over the World Cup and other Premier League coaches were said to have called for their expensive African players to be called  back from Angola. In contrast, Arsenal’s Arsene Wenger said the players should stay, suggesting other managers were motivated more by club self interest than a genuine security concern.

Chief World Cup organiser Danny Jordaan described suggestions that the Angolan attack had implications for the global event as “nonsensical”, tartly pointing out that South Africa does not even have a border with Angola. The attack in the enclave of Cabinda took place thousands of kilometres from South Africa, and the reaction in some European countries reinforces a tendency which regularly causes anger and frustration on a continent where many countries are enjoying stability and attracting unprecedented investment. A while back some Kenyan friends of mine established a Facebook group called “Africa is not one country” in reaction to the common failure of Europeans and Americans to distinguish between vastly different African nations with traditions, geographical location and cultures as diverse or more diverse than those in Europe.

Jordaan’s angry reaction to attempts to taint the World Cup with the Angolan attack clearly revealed this irritation and perhaps also anxiety that such suggestions might stick. “To say what happened in Angola impacts on the World Cup in South Africa is the same as suggesting that when a bomb goes off in Spain, it threatens London’s ability to host the next Olympics,” he said.

Security analysts seem divided over whether the Angolan attack means the World Cup faces an increased risk. Most see the parallels as stretched to say the least–South Africa is a country with a multitude of social problems but at peace since the end of apartheid 15 years ago, with no rebel movements and no record of recent terrorist attacks. Africa’s richest economy, it enjoys impeccable credentials in the Third World and among radical movements because of its unaligned foreign policy and criticism, for example, of the Iraq war. It also has a much more highly developed security apparatus and crime fighting resources than Angola, even if the police are regularly accused of corruption. It boasts of organising at least 150 international events, including rugby and cricket world cups, without problems.

Until the Angolan attack, concern about World Cup security had focused primarily on the threat from criminal gangs, given that South Africa has one of the world’s highest rates of violent crime, including around 50 murders a day. But South African police say they have also trained intensively in techniques to fight both terrorism and football hooligans and are ready for any threat.

However, police spokesman Vish Naidoo has acknowledged that the presence of high profile teams from known terrorist targets, like England and the United States, does present a risk, while analysts say the greatest danger of the Angolan attack is that it will encourage copycat actions from groups who have seen the dramatic impact of a comparatively small and easily-organised action against a team during a high-profile tournament. While teams and officials will be heavily guarded, foreign fans will be more vulnerable.

However well-prepared they think they are, South African authorities would do well to reinforce their preparations and assess whether new threats now exist. Many critics have said Angola’s biggest mistake was complacency over the situation in Cabinda and a politically-motivated decision to stage Nations Cup matches in the only part of the country where a real threat still existed.

Even if South Africa’s preparations are impeccable, the biggest casualty beyond the Togolese victims of the attack will be Africa’s image among the majority of uninformed people in West who too often tar one country with the troubles of another and whose prejudices have been sadly reinforced by events in a place many had never heard of before last Friday.

Source

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QPR set to sign Hull City’s Folan

January 8, 2010


Championship side Queens Park Rangers appeared to have agreed a loan deal to sign Hull City forward Caleb Folan.

Folan, who recently returned from a loan spell at Middlesbrough, is being loaned again by Premier League strugglers Hull.

Republic of Ireland international saw his time at Middlesbrough interrupted by injury with the powerful frontman making just one appearance for the Teesside outfit.

But Folan is now back to full fitness and QPR boss Paul Hart is keen to lure him to Loftus Road as he looks to bolster his attacking options.

Folan’s agent Hayden Evans has confirmed Hull are happy to loan out the 27-year-old and a deal has been agreed between both clubs.

“Hull have advised us they are happy to loan out Caleb,” Evans told skysports.com

“The two clubs have agreed a loan deal and now just a few details need to be finalised.

“Caleb was unfortunate with injury at Middlesbrough, but he is now fully fit again.”

Folan could be joined by Hull team-mate Daniel Cousin at Loftus Road with Hart also keen on bringing the Gabon international to the West London club on loan.

Tigers’ boss Phil Brown has admitted that both strikers, Caleb Folan and Daniel Cousin, are likely to leave the club in the transfer window, as he is under pressure to trim about £9m from the wage bill.

“Caleb has expressed a desire to leave and we have agreed to it,” said Brown.

“Daniel’s on African Nations duty and it’s hard for him to come back and sign papers. Until that happens then there won’t be a deal on the table.”

Brown said chairman Adam Pearson’s financial constraints meant departures were inevitable.

“I can’t do anything else but accept it,” said Brown.

“He is the man in charge and if that is the deal I will try to get on with it.

“We have got some good players here. Every manager wants a big squad that can compete at this level and cope with two or three games in a week.

“You need a big squad but there has been interest in a number of players at our football club and we are considering each interest on its merits.”

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Hull boss Brown furious at FA charge

December 24, 2009


Hull manager Phil Brown has hit out at the English Football Association after his club were charged with misconduct following last weekend’s brawl at Arsenal.

Brown’s team and Arsenal were both hit with the FA Charge of failing to control their players after a mass confrontation involving 21 of the 22 players on the field at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday.

The row started after Arsenal’s Samir Nasri appeared to tread on the ankle of Hull midfielder Richard Garcia late in the first half.

But Brown, whose side lost 3-0, has defended the reaction of his players and made it clear the club will be contesting the charge.

“There was an incident for some reason, and I can’t answer the accusations against Nasri. He decided to light the touchpaper,” Brown said.

“It was there for everybody to see. It needed to be dealt with more severely and hasn’t been.

“Why we are up for a charge I don’t know. I defend the players to the hilt. As far as I am concerned that lad has gone in there with the intent to start a fight, to start a ruck.

“Maybe it was because Arsenal were hitting a brick wall in terms of the way they were playing, I don’t know.

“We were doing our job to the best of our ability and maybe that’s why they’ve decided to light the touchpaper, I’ve no idea.

“For us to come under criticism yet again is absolutely scandalous, and we’ll be defending it.”

HULL, England (AFP)

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Liverpool in search of Arsenal revival

December 12, 2009


Liverpool started this season with hopes of winning their first English title since 1990; they face Arsenal on Sunday desperate to maintain their bid for a top four finish.

Ending the season among the English Premier League’s leading quartet will guarantee Liverpool Champions League football next season.

This term’s Champions League efforts have been dismal by the five-times European Cup winners’ own standards.

Liverpool had already seen their hopes of advancing to the knockout stages disappear before Wednesday’s dispiriting 2-1 loss to Fiorentina.

The Reds are seventh in the Premier League, 12 points behind leaders Chelsea, and must now take on third-placed Arsenal, one of their regular ‘Big Four’ rivals.

“Without a doubt that (finishing in the top four) has to be the main aim this season,” said Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard.

“It’s obviously important for the club, and having played in the Champions League for such a long time, it’s very important.

“We’ll be right up for the Arsenal game on Sunday. If we can get three points there and take that into the Wigan game, we can turn a corner.”

Liverpool will at least be bolstered by the return of star striker Fernando Torres, who came on as a second-half substitute against Fiorentina after a month out injured.

“Torres’s return is massive for me, massive for everyone,” Gerrard insisted.

“He’s the main man, he’s our top scorer and we need him back firing.

“If that happens I’m sure we’ll move back up the league and get in the top four places.”

Arsenal, who’ve lost two of their last three Premier League matches, are likely to deploy a more familiar looking side at Anfield after manager Arsene Wenger fielded a largely inexperienced line-up for this week’s ‘dead’ Champions League loss away to Greek club Olympiakos.

Saturday sees the rest of the Premier League in action with champions Manchester United, now just two points behind leaders Chelsea, at home to fifth-placed Aston Villa.

Injuries mean England midfielder Michael Carrick is likely to start again as a centre-back but, after three straight wins, the player said confidence at Old Trafford was overcoming United’s fitness problems.

“We won’t take our foot off the pedal now,” Carrick insisted.

Chelsea, looking to return to winning ways after last weekend’s loss to Manchester City, will be without injured midfielder Michael Essien (hamstring) for the visit of an Everton side who are three points above the drop zone and have won just once in their last nine league games.

Portsmouth, who on Thursday denied reports they were about to enter administration, will climb off the bottom if they win away to Sunderland and fellow strugglers Bolton are beaten by Manchester City.

Wolves, also in the bottom three, are away to high-flyers Tottenham while West Ham, who are only a point clear of the relegation zone, travel to Birmingham City.

All eyes in Stoke’s early kick-off match against Wigan are set to be on James Beattie after the striker was involved in an alleged dressing-room bust-up with manager Tony Pulis last weekend.

In other matches, Hull City manager Phil Brown is up against his mentor Sam Allardyce, back from heart surgery, as the Tigers take on Blackburn, while Fulham will try to bolster their fine home record when Burnley, who’ve struggled away from Turf Moor this term, come to west London.

Fixtures (1500GMT kick-off unless stated)

Saturday

Birmingham v West Ham, Bolton v Manchester City, Burnley v Fulham, Chelsea v Everton, Hull v Blackburn, Manchester United v Aston Villa (1730GMT), Stoke v Wigan (1245GMT), Sunderland v Portsmouth, Tottenham v Wolves

Sunday

Liverpool v Arsenal (1600GMT)

LONDON (AFP)

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