Football Corner

Chelsea midfielder Steve Sidwell may be set for an early exit from Stamford Bridge with West Ham and Aston Villa both supposedly interested in the player. Sidwell joined the Blues during the summer on a bosman after he had rejected contracts from his then employers Reading but the large majority of Reading fans and football fans in general thought it was the wrong decision and so it has proved to be.

The only starts he is getting at the club are Carling Cup games and Sidwell is much better than that. Last season at Reading he was one of the Premier League's top performers and I would of loved if he had of stayed with the Royals for at least another season and developed his game further.

He was signed by former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho and he said that he will come in as good cover for when Chelsea African players go away for the African Cup of Nations in January but Sidwell shoudln't just be used as back up, he's a quality player and loads of Premier League sides would love to have him in their teams.

Villa and West Ham were both interested in him before he joined Chelsea and it has been widely rumoured that they may come back in for the player come the January transfer window. I would love for Sidwell to leave the Bridge in January and start playing first team football again because it's such a shame to see such a talent being wasted as he has been at Chelsea.

Tonight saw seven Carling Cup matches being played with seven Premier League clubs prevailing but not without any Halloween scares. The game of the night was definitely the tie between Chelsea and manager less Leicester. Chelsea got off to a shocker conceding a goal after just six minutes when Gareth McAuley headed past Cudicini in the Chelsea goal.

Frank Lampard got Chelsea back level after 20 mins with a fine strike and did the same soon after giving Chelsea a 2-1 lead. Mid-way through the second half Leicester grabbed a surprise equaliser when DJ Campbell finished well past Cudicini and Leicester were in the lead soon after when Carl Cort scored his first goal for the club.

Andriy Shevchenko got his side level with minutes to spare and Chelsea completed the comeback when Lampard netted his hat-trick. Juande Ramos got off to a flyer as new Spurs boss when his side defeated Blackpool 2-0 at White Hart Lane, the goals coming from in form Robbie Keane and Pascal Chimbonda to send the Spurs fans home happy.

Robbie Fowler's comeback to Anfield didn't end in victory for his Cardiff side. Liverpool ran out 2-1 winners but had to battle to see off the Championship side. Goals from Steven Gerrard and Nabil El Zhar secured the victory for Liverpool with Darren Purse popping up for Cardiff. Liverpool 2-1 Cardiff Sven Goran Eriksson's Man City left it late when seeing off Bolton at the Reebok. An 86 minute penalty from in form Elano sent City into the quaters. Bolton 0-1 Man City.

Elsewhere it finished: Luton 0-1 Everton (aet), Portsmouth 1-2 Blackburn, Sheffield United 0-3 Arsenal.

Noriwch City are apparently lining up a January transfer window move for out of favour Celtic striker Derek Riordan. Riordan has today said that he wants to leave the Glasgow side in January due to the lack of first team football. The player has had limited first team chances at Celtic Park since joining the club from Hibernian two years ago.

"I would rather go away and just concentrate on another club now," he said. "I don't want to go out on loan because then I'd come back and not play again. "I would rather get my head down somewhere else and get my career going again." Riordan was a terrific player at Hibernian and it has been a real shame to not of witnessed his ability at Celtic.

New Norwich boss Glen Roder is apparently lining up a £1 million bid and in my view that is a good price for a player that easily get Norwich 20 goals a season. I really hope Riordan moves because I think he will be a great asset to the Championship and I think he will be the man to fill the void that Rob Earnshaw has left at Norwich when he left to go to Derby in the summer.

It has been reported today that Chelsea are set to make a bid for Bolton Wanderers striker Nicolas Anelka. The player who has said on numerous occasions that he wanted to join a bigger club is set to be subject of a £12 million bid from the Londoners. Anelka has been linked with several clubs in recent months and it appears as though Chelsea are now leading the race for his signature.

Anelka's departure has become more likely since the arrival of new Bolton boss Gary Megson after it was said that Megson would struggle to hold onto his star players. Anelka has had an impressive scoring record this season in a side that has struggled in the league and that has attracted the attention of Chelsea boss Avram Grant.

Chelsea boss Grant is likely to be without striker Didier Drogba for the African Nations Cup in January and I think Anelka will fit into Drogba's role perfectly. I wouldn't be surprised if any of the other sides who were interested in him earlier in the season comeback in for him in January. This move would also fulfill Anelka's ambition to play again in the Champions League.

It has been rumoured today that Manchester City manager Sven Goran Eriksson is set to bid for Heerenveen striker Alfonso Alves. The player has been attracting the interest of several Premier League sides but Eriksson is looking to snap up the striker for a £9 million deal. City's strikers have struggled thus far this season, with Emile Mpenza the only one showing any signs of form.

Liverpool and Chelsea are also said to be interested in the player who scored an unbelievable seven goals in one game earlier this season. The Brazillian striker was signed by Heerenveen for a fee of 4.5 million euros from Malmo FF and last season he netted a club record 35 goals in 31 games.

I would really like to see Alves join the Premier League because what I have seen of him he has been terrific and would be a great asset to any Premier League side. City are in real need of a striker and Alves would fit the bill because at the moment their strikers have failed to score consistently enough. It will be very interesting to see who will secure the players signature come the opening of the January window.

Todays bet of the day comes from the Carling Cup tie between Portsmouth and Blackburn. After yesterday's near miss with my prediction of a score draw in the Coventry V. West Ham match I'm confident this bet will recouperate the loss. The bet is that the match finishes as a draw in 90 mins of play therefore going to extra-time. The odds are @ 9/4 @ Paddy Power and I think those odds are to good to miss.

Oscar Cardozo has today been linked with a January transfer window move to Newcastle after the players agent says he is not surprised of the interest from the Premier League club. It has been widely rumoured that Newcastle have watched Cardozo twice in the past month and are seemly very keen on lining up a bid for the 24 year old.

Cardozo, who scored the all important goal against Celtic in the Champions League last week, is rated at £6 million and it would come as no surprise to me if Benfica were to cash in on him. "This is not a surprise," the agent told The Sun. "Benfica know they have a big player on their hands and could make money."

Newcastle currently have a lot of strikers on their books in Martins, Owen, Ameobi and Viduka but this speculation that the Magpies are to bid for the Paraguayan leads me to believe that they may be offloading a striker in January. Martins, Owen and Ameobi have all been linked with exits from St. James' Park but will anything materialise from those rumours come January.

Chelsea are set to make an approach for three new players in the January transfer window including Ronaldinho and Lokomotiv Moscow midfielders Diniyar Bilyaletdinov and Branislav Ivanovic.

Ronaldinho has been the subject of much controversy in the Barca camp over the past few months with accusations of the Brazil star being unfit and too involved in the money matters of football. The former European Footballer of the year has started to fall out of favour recently with the success of South American youngsters Giovanni Dos Santos and Lionel Messi.

However, Chelsea will not get the Barca star cheap, it is said that the La Liga runners-up will expect a bid of at least £70 million, a world record transfer fee. AC Milan will also challenge Chelsea for the signature of the 27 year old. The arrival of the Brazilian in London may also see the exit of winger, Shaun Wright-Phillips which would arouse the interest of his former club Man City and Liverpool.


The Londoners are also chasing Lokomotiv Moscow pair Diniyar Bilyaletdinov and Branislav Ivanovic. Branislav Ivanovic is a Serbian defender whose versatility allows him to play midfield as well, he appeared in last Summer's U 21 European Championships for Serbia and Motenegro. Diniyar Bilyaletdinov is a Russian international who plays in midfield and it is rumoured that Chelsea will pay £20 million for the pair.

Aston Villa are set to make a January transfer window move for out of favour Liverpool striker Peter Crouch according to the mirror. Crouch, who has struggled to get a place in the starting eleven at Anfield, used to play for the Midlands club under David O'Leary. But he was sold in 2004 to Southampton after a forgettable stint at the club.

Crouch has been linked with numerous amounts of clubs during the past couple of months as speculation mounts that Liverpool are looking for a new striker and that would almost guarantee the departure of Crouch. Newcastle, Man City and Portsmouth are all said to be keen on signing the 26 year old, but Reds boss Rafa Benitez has insisted he's not for sale.

I think it's time for Crouch to leave Anfield because he has only had one Premier League start this season and that in turn has led to his omission from the England squad. I have seen figures like £10 million for Crouch but I don't think he is worth that. I feel £7 million would be a fair fee for the 6 foot 7 inch tall striker. It will be very interesting to see who he may join, that's if Rafa decides to let him go.

It has today been reported that Tottenham and Liverpool are going to make a move for Real Madrid centre-half Segio Ramos in the upcoming January transfer window.

The Spaniard has performed consistently well for the La Liga side and played a huge roll in last years league title success as well as featuring regularly for his national side, but it has been rumoured recently that the young galactico is unhappy at his current club.

It is quite clear that with Spurs' poor defensive record in their games this season new personnel are required in the back line at White Hart Lane. However with the Spanish connection at Liverpool with both players and manager, it is felt that the versatile defender would be more at home on Mersyside.

Because of the 21 year olds great talent it is said that Madrid will not let him go for anything less than €18 million. The possible arrival of the Spaniard at Anfield in January would almost certainly see the way out for Liverpool veteran Sami Hyypia.

Former Tottenham manager Martin Jol has been told that he will have to wait until the end of the season to take over as Ajax boss. Ajax have not yet named a permanent successor to new Chelsea assistant manager Henk Ten Cate and Jol has said in the past that he would be interested in the job. Jol said: "If I get a feeling about Ajax, I'll absolutely think about it."

However, a club spokesperson told BBC Sport: "I can imagine he is interested but nothing is going on. I think we will stay as we are until the summer." Jol has also mentioned though that he wouldn't mind staying in England to manage after calling it "a fantastic country". Jol has also been linked with the Holland national team but that is unlikely to happen.

I personally would like to see Jol manage at Ajax because I really won't to see how he would cope with a Champions League side. Ajax are a huge club and I think Jol has the capabilities to manager them although I wouldn't mind him staying in England and getting a job in the Premier League, whenever one becomes available. Wherever Jol ends up, I certainly wish him the best of luck.

West Ham are apparently lining up a January move for Juventus midfielder Tiago. The player who used to play for Chelsea has this season, failed to produce any kind of form for the Italian giants and it is reported in the Mirror that Hammers boss Alan Curbishley is very keen and is supposedly lining up a £8 million bid for the 26 year old.

During his time at Chelsea, he really impressed me and I think it would be a great move for West Ham to sign the Portuguese midfielder. I think he is the kind of player West Ham are looking for because he is a centre midfielder and also has an eye for goal and I think the £8 million fee would be fair.

Tiago was sold by Chelsea in 2005 after the arrival of Michael Essien at the Bridge and joined French side Lyon for a 10 million euro fee. Former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho would go on to say that selling Tiago was a mistake and I agree with him. He then joined Juventus for 13 million euro and I think if the Hammers were to sign him now it would be a real coup.

According to Sky Sports, Real Zaragoza playmaker Andres D'Alessandro is set for a return to the Premier League with more half a dozen sides lined up to buy the player. D'Alessandro, who used to play for Premier League side Portsmouth on loan has falling out with Zaragoza manager Victor Fernandez and team mate Pablo Aimar.

The player made a public apology and was welcomed back into the team but it is widely rumoured that the club are looking to sell the player come the opening of the January transfer window. Portsmouth are said to be among the sides looking to secure his signature after he impressed whilst on loan.

So who else may be interested in the 26 year old. Well I would guess that none of the big 4 would be interested but sides like Aston Villa, Newcastle, Man City and Everton would all fit the bill. D'Alessandro is obviously a quality player and I for one hope he rejoins the Premier League because I was largely impressed by the Argentine during his spell at Pompey.

Today's bet of the day comes from the League Cup game between Coventry and West Ham. Coventry obviously go into the game as under dogs but after beating Man United in the last round I certainly wouldn't be betting against them in tonights game. As you may of seen I've been in fine form on the betting seen in recent days so trust me with today's bet. The bet is a score draw (in 90 mins) @ 3/1 @ Paddy Power.

Just to let you all know that the game is on Sky Sports tonight at 7:45.

Arsenal and Liverpool are both keeping tabs on Manchester City star Micah Richards after it was reported that the players contract talks with the club stalled. He was apparently offered a club record £60,000 a week at the Manchester club but it has been rumoured that he has rejected the deal. Richards has been instrumental in City's terrific start to the season and it comes as no surprise that both clubs are interested in him.

It was reported a while ago that Richards said he would love to join Arsenal one day as he always admired them as a kid. Liverpool would be very keen on signing the player and he has been touted as a long term replacement to Sami Hyypia at Anfield. Arsenal boss Wenger has supposedly said in the past that he was a keen admirer of the player and that leads me to believe that he will join Arsenal if he leaves Eastlands.

I hope for City's sake and the players sake that he doesn't leave the club because Micah only has to look at Shaun Wright Phillips who left City for Chelsea and has since then failed to secure a first team place. In my opinion the player is worth as much as £20 million because he has performed consistently at City and has been one of England's top performers over the past few months.

It has today been reported that Arsenal and Real Madrid are going to battle it out for the signature of Newcastle centre-half Steven Taylor in the upcoming January transfer window.

The Greenwich-born defender has performed well for Newcastle in recent months and also as England U21 skipper. His heroic performances in last Summer's European U21 Championships in Holland have also attracted European attention to his talents, especially that of of Real Madrid manager Bernd Schuster and Arsene Wenger.

The hugely talented young centre-back is currently out of sorts at St James' Park and Toon boss Sam Allardyce has been very critical of the his recent form. Taylor has been linked with many clubs down south and would be a very useful player to have in any squad, even Real Madrids. It is thought that either club will have to pay between £6 million and £8 million for Taylor.

The departure of Taylor may also see a new face in Newcastle and it has been rumoured that the Geordies may make a move for Toffees defender, Joseph Yobo if a new defender is necessary.

West Ham defender Anton Ferdinand has today been linked with a move to Everton. The out of favour centre back is said to be increasingly frustrated at the lack of first team football and a move to Everton could be on the cards come the January transfer window. It has also been rumoured that the 22 year old could be used as bait for West Ham to sign Everton striker Andy Johnson.

Ferdinand who joined West Ham in December of 2002 as a trainee was handed his debut in August 2003 in West Ham first game of the 03-04 Championship season. Ferdinand's career hasn't been short of conterversal moments most notably back in Octbober 2006 when he was arrested on assault charges following a fracas outside a night club in Illford.

I really would like to see Ferdinand join the Merseyside club because I think he just needs a fresh start. He has played a few games this season but unfortunately he hasn't really shown everyone his best form. I would guess that if he were to join Everton in a money only fee then it would be for around about £5 million or so.

After the arrival of new Spurs manager Juande Ramos from Sevilla in the last week it has been reported that the London club are to make an approach for Ramos' former club stars Dani Alves, Fredi Kanoute and Andres Palop in the January transfer window.

The 23 million rated Dani Alves is highly regarded in Spain and has also been linked with Chelsea and Liverpool, but it is believed that the young Brazilian's decision may be influenced by his former gaffer, Ramos. Alves would be a great addition to the Spurs squad but you have to wonder if £23 million is slightly beyond the White Hart Lane budget.

Andres Palop played a big part in Sevilla's UEFA Cup success last season and with the recent poor form of England number 1 Paul Robinson, the services of Palop would be greatly availed of at Spurs. It is reckoned, though, that the UEFA Cup Champions will not accept any offers less than £8 million.

Former Tottenham striker Fredi Kanoute may also be on his way back White Hart Lane as his new found form has also benefited the La Liga side hugely. However after selling the 30 year old to Sevilla for a fee of €6.5 million the club will be at a great financial loss as they are expected to pay up to €25 million.

Liverpool are reportedly after Lazio striker Goran Pandev but the Merseyside club face stiff competition from German giants Bayern Munich. The 24 year old has impressed this season in the Champions League for Lazio and this apparently has caught the eye of Reds boss Rafa Benitez. The Macedonian was supposedly subject of a massive £17 million bid from Portsmouth last summer.

Pandev is contracted to Lazio until 2009 and there’s fears he could invoke FIFA’s Article 17 law next summer to buy himself out of his current deal. Liverpool signed Andriy Voronin and Fernando Torres this summer but Benitez is still said to be keen on bringing another striker to Anfield with Pandev his first choice.

It will be very interesting to see who out of Bayern and Liverpool sign the player. He is a quality player and I personally would love to see him join the Premier League. It is quite clear to see that the player wants to leave because of the suggestion that he may try and buy out his contract so Lazio should try and work out a deal to try and get some money from the player.

Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes is set to be out of action for at least three months after picking up a knee injury. The 32 year old injured his knee in the build to the Champions League group game against Dynamo Kiev and is set to undergo an operation on Thursday. Scholes has been an integral part of the United team in recent years and will be missed although I feel they have good cover in Hargeaves and Anderson.

Fellow United midfielder Michael Carrick is also sidelined at the moment but is expected to return to training early this week and may even feature in Saturday's game against Arsenal. This injury means that Scholes will be out until February which isn't good news at all considering he is in his last few years of playing for the Reds.

United played Hargreaves and Anderson for the weekends game against Middlesbrough and I thought both were excellent. Hargreaves plays the holding role in midfield terrific and I think he will probably keep Carrick out of the side. Hopefully all goes well with the operation for Scholes and hes back sooner than expected.

Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp has today signed a new 4 year deal at the club. Redknapp has been one of the main reasons behind the club's sudden emergence as one of the top teams in England. He has brought in players like Muntari, Utaka and Campbell all of which have been superb this season.

Redknapp returned to the club in 2005 after leaving to manage arch rivals Southampton but the Pompey fans welcomed him back with open arms. "Since returning to Fratton Park I have had nothing but the utmost support from the owner Sacha Gaydamak and chief executive Peter Storrie," he said. "The club is moving in the right direction. It's a great place to be and I can only see that getting better."

Storrie added: "Obviously it's a great coup for us to have one of the best managers in the business pledging his long-term future to the club. "Harry has done a great job, first rescuing the club from the jaws of relegation and then building a team now strong enough to challenge for a European place."

Portsmouth have had a terrific start to the season and few would bet against them finishing in a UEFA Cup place come the end of the season and that is largely down to Harry. When Harry left Portsmouth, the club appointed Alain Perrin and under him they were awful and I thought they were going to go down but thankfully for the club, he was sacked and Harry was brought in.

Liverpool have today been rocked by the news that Spanish stars Fernando Torres and Xabi Alonso are set for spells on the sidelines. Torres has been ruled out for at least three weeks with an abductor injury which he picked up in Liverpool's 1-1 draw with Arsenal. He was substituted at half-time and was replaced by Peter Crouch. The player had only returned to action after he was sidelined with a similar injury.

Alonso could be out for a bit longer after he fractured the fourth metatarsal in his left foot. He was also injured during Sunday's game in which he limped off after 70 minutes. Reds boss Rafael Benitez said: "Alonso has suffered the same injury again, the metatarsal, he felt something go in his foot. "Torres also has a similar injury, a problem with an abductor muscle. He could not work as hard as we wanted, we wanted his pace and it was not available.

"He just was not fit. We talked beforehand and he said he was fine. Now we must wait again, he had been out for some time and we have been pushing to get him back, but he has not been right and he still is not right. "I will need to check with the doctor to see how the players are in the next two days."

Obviously this isn't great news for Liverpool because both are key players for the side. It is especially bad news for Torres because since arriving at the club he hasn't really got a decent run in the side and I'm sure a lot of Liverpool fans were hoping the next few weeks would of seen him do so. Due to the injury to Alonso, I'm hoping out of favour Momo Sissoko gets a chance in the team because he needs some games to prove himself to Benitez.

Arsenal are apparently lining up a bid for Wolves attacking midfielder Karl Henry. The player who only joined Wolves a year ago from Stoke for £100,000 is attracting the interest of several Premier League clubs but it is thought that Arsenal have the edge because of Wolves boss Mick McCarthy supposed interest in swapping the player with Nicklas Bendtner of Arsenal.

The People report that a deal could be done involving Bendtner going to Wolves on loan and Arsenal a sum of cash for the permanent signing of the 24 year old. Bendtner has failed to grab a first team place in the Arsenal team after spending last season on loan at then Championship side Birmingham.

Liverpool are also said to be interested in the player and it will be interesting to see who he might join in January. He has scored once in ten appearances for Wolves this season but his overall contribution has been impressive. Henry has only signed a new contract at the club which will keep him at Molineux until 2011.

England have today been given the go ahead by FIFA to bid to host the 2018 World Cup. England had expressed an interest in hosting the competition back in 2005 but the World Cup usually takes turns in every continent and it wasn't meant to be Europe's turn again until 2022 after Germany hosted it in 2006 but according to the world governing body's vice-president Chung Mong-Joon that rule has been abolished.

Other countries including the USA, China, Russia and Australia have all expressed an interest in hosting the event whilst the Netherlands and Belgium are also interest, but with a joint bid. I would guess England might be favourites because senior FIFA officials like Franz Beckenbaur have said that it would be great to host the competition in the homeland of football.

One other factor that I think may help the England bid is that it has so many large stadia in the country like Old Trafford, The Emirates and Wembley and with the proposed plans of new stadia for several clubs in the English league I think England may just get the nod and wouldn't that be terrific to see.

Now this is a title that is going to go right to the wire. For years it's been Arsenal fighting United for the title, then it wen to United fighting Chelsea for the title but after this weeks action, I can see it turning into a four horse race. Arsenal and Liverpool played out a terrific 1-1 draw at Anfield, whilst Chelsea hammered in form Manchester City 6-0 at Stamford Bridge and Man United beat Middlesbrough 4-1 at Old Trafford.

Arsenal have surprised many people this season so far, including me, by the manner in which they have been winning games. They are still unbeaten and look a shadow of the team that finished 21 points behind Champions Man United last season. Cesc Fabregas in midfield for Arsenal has undoubtedly been the Premier League's best performer this season and I feel if he stays fit for the season then Arsenal will have a huge chance.

Liverpool are unbeaten so far this season but have drawn too many games. They are on 20 points with five wins and five draws. They looked superb against Derby earlier in the season beating them 6-0 but since then they have drawn against sides like Birmingham and Tottenham games that really should be winning to have a real chance but having said that they put up a good display against Arsenal on Sunday and if they can put in that kind of performance every week then they have a great chance.

Many people questioned Chelsea chances of winning this seasons title after they parted company with Jose Mourinho back in September. They appoint Avram Grant, who many people taught was the wrong choice for the job. Since then though they have looked good. Beating Man City on Saturday 6-0 has been the highlight but they went away to Middlebrough last week and performed really well in winning 2-0. I think if Chelsea are to keep all their key players in January and maybe sign a player or two there is no doubt they will be big contenders.

Current Champions, Man United have looked terrific after getting off to a miserable start. They collected only two points from a possible nine at the start of the season but since then they have won every game and have only conceded four goals all season. The pick of Uniteds performances has been there 4-1 victory over Aston Villa last weekend. The patnership of Tevez and Rooney upfront for United has been sensational and if they keep performing like this together then there is no stopping United.

So who do you think will end up winning the league... just leave a comment!

Former Leeds United assistant manager, Gus Poyet has today been announced as one of new Tottenham boss Juande Ramos' first team coaches. The news comes after intense speculation as to the future of Poyet at Leeds after it was confirmed by Spurs that they had made an approach for the Uruguayan.

Poyet was told to stay away from Leeds Uniteds 4-2 victory over Millwall on Saturday after it was feared that too much of the media attention would be on him rather than the game itself and current Leeds boss Dennis Wise didn't want his players being distracted.

The 39-year-old joins the club as one of two first-team coaches, alongside Marcos Alvarez, who worked with Ramos at former club Sevilla. Poyet played at White Hart Lane for three seasons between 2001 and 2004. A statement on the Leeds website on Monday said: "A compensation package has been agreed, the terms of which will remain confidential."

Leeds have been doing terrific under Wise and Poyet and I just hope for their sake that this doesn't affect the teams form. During his time at Spurs as a player, Poyet sustained many injuries but he still managed to score 23 goals in 98 games. I'm just wondering whats the reaction to the arrival of Poyet from all you Spurs fans?

Saturday it was @ evens, Sunday it was @ 3/1. Yes you may of noticed that I pulled off another bet of the day on Sunday when I correctly said that the Liverpool v. Arsenal match would end in a score draw and the odds were 3/1. The match ended 1-1 and I was left smiling. Thats two out of two now for me from the new "Bet Of The Day" feature so make sure next time to get the money on because I may just make you rich!

Aston Villa are interested in making the loan move of keeper Scott Carson permanent according to the News Of The World. The player who is on loan from fellow Premier League side Liverpool has impressed since joining the Midlands club and Martin O'Neill is said to be very keen on signing Carson full time. It is believed that Liverpool will want as much as £10 million for the player and I think that is good value for such a talent.

The player who joined Liverpool back in January of 2005 from Leeds United for a fee of £1 million but since then he has struggled to get his place in the Liverpool first team ahead of Jose Pepe Reina and has been forced to go out on loan to get some first team football.

The 22 year old has been tipped to break into the England starting eleven after impressing in the opening games of the Premier League season but last week he was sent off against champions Man United.

Carson has really impressed during the last two season whilst playing for Villa and last season in a poor Charlton side who went on to be relegated. I'm not too sure Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez will be too keen to sell such an emerging keeper because there is no doubt that if he keeps up this kind of form in recent years he will be England's number one.

Carlton Cole and Andrew Johnson of West Ham and Everton respectively may be the subjects of a part exchange deal between the two clubs in the coming January transfer window.

Carlton Cole has recently found some good form similar to that of which he showed at Chelsea some years ago as a promising youngster and has also managed to avoid injuries so far this season for the Hammers. Andrew Johnson however has struggled slightly, with the presence of Yakubu and Anichebe he has found it hard to spark in the Everton front line.

If the deal was to go through and Andy Johnson was to find some form, the partnership of himself and Dean Aston with a combination of speed, strength and superb finishing, it could be a strike force to be reckoned with in the Premier League.

As for Carlton Cole, it would be a tough fight between Anichebe and the former Chelsea man to see who would partner Nigerian striker Yakubu up front. It is expected that West Ham will offer Cole and £3 million for the former Crystal Palace striker.

The highlight of today's games in the Premier League was Liverpool against Arsenal in Anfield with both sides going into the game unbeaten, elsewhere Spurs new manager Juande Ramos watched from the stands as his side entertained Blackburn at White Hart Lane. Bolton began life with Gary Megson as manager when they took on Aston Villa at the Reebok and Everton travelled to Pride Park where they took on the league stragglers, Derby.

Tottenham went into their game against Blackburn third from bottom and in serious need of a win. Spurs went ahead after 49 minutes when Aaron Lennon was taken down in the box, the duty was left to Robbie Keane who coolly fired past Friedel. However, Blackburn's pressure paid off and Benni McCarthy pulled back an equaliser for Mark Hughes' men with a deflected shot creeping agonisingly over Spurs no.2 keeper Radek Cerny. Little did the White Hart Lane faithful know the worst was yet to come when in the dying seconds of the game Blackburn centre-half Chris Samba drilled home from the edge of the box. That 2-1 victory means 4 wins on the trot for Blackburn and that they move up into the UEFA cup places. What has Juande Ramos gotten himself into?

Bolton started today bottom of the league and in charge of them was Gary Megson. It was however a vibrant start from Bolton who earned their goal 22 minutes in when Nicolas Anelka curled a superb free kick into the top corner giving Thomas Sorensen no chance. But Luke Moore was to deny the former West Brom boss a debut victory as on 57 minutes the striker converted from close range after a controversial overrule from the referee over his linesman wrongfully giving Villa a throw. With a low attendance of just a little over 18,000, a league lowthis season, it's worrying times for Bolton.

At Pride Park Derby took on Everton, a game in which The Rams desperately needed something out of. But Mikel Arteta put a huge dent in the hopes of Derby putting the Toffees in front after 26 minutes. Yakubu doubled that lead after latching onto a Stephen Pienaar pass and striking home from close range. The game finished 2-0, and Derby posed little threat throughout the whole match.

Liverpool against Arsenal (match report below)

To view the Premier League table click on the link below http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/table/default.stm

Liverpool and Arsenal shared the spoils in this weekends big Premier League clash at Anfield in what was a thrilling encounter between two of the league's unbeaten teams.

Fernando Torres and Xabi Alonso both returned to the Liverpool starting line-up after injuries and for Arsenal Tomas Rosicky got his place ahead of Theo Walcott despite the England internationals outstanding performances in midweek.

The game started brightly with quick free-flowing football and several half chances at either end, and it was the home side who took the lead after only seven minutes. Xabi Alonso was fouled on the edge of the area after nice build up play by the Merseysiders and from the resulting free, Riise laid it off to Steven Gerrard who buried it to the right of Almunia.

Arsenal's best chance of the half came through Adebayor when the Togo international got through one on one with Pepe Reina, but the Spaniard stood tall and managed to get his body behind the oncoming shot.

A half time substitution from Rafa Benitez saw Peter Crouch replace the clearly unfit Fernando Torres and the 6' 7" striker had a point to prove to his gaffer. Arsenal started the second period much better, with much more possession but failing to break the stubborn Liverpool defence. That was until the 80th minute when Hleb's run on the left wing with a delayed pass from the Belarussian created space for Fabregas to squeeze home the equaliser.

The two best chances of the second half besides the goal both fell to the Londoners and they were both carbon copys of one another. The first came after Emmanuel Eboue's shot rebounded off the post into Cesc Fabregas' path, but the on-form midfielder blazed it high wide and certainly not handsome. The second was for Niclas Bendtner after Fabregas almost broke the post with his stunning 25 yard effort, the ball came to the young Dane who fired over an open goal from the edge of the box.

That said Liverpool did look dangerous on the counter attack and it took a last gasp challenge from William Gallas to stop Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard from getting his second of the game.1-1 it finished and both sides will probably be pleased with the result, a fair reflection on the game and keeping both sides unbeaten record.

There were several candidates for man of the match with outstanding performances from Xabi Alonso, Fabregas and Crouch when he came on. However one player stood out in my mind who I felt went unrecognised, Javier Mascherano for Liverpool. The Argentinian made a few match saving tackles and used the ball well when received.

Who was your man of the match? Leave us a comment with your choice.

This weeks premier league player of the week goes to Wayne Rooney of Man United for his terrific performance in his sides 4-1 win over Middlesbrough. Rooney scored once and set up another, but his alround contribution was brilliant. It was a very tricky decision this week between Rooney, Tevez and Drogba but eventually I came to the decision. Do you agree / disagree? leave a comment !

It has been reported this morning in The People that Chelsea are supposedly lining up a £15 million bid for Aston Villa and England star Gareth Barry. The player who has impressed in recent months for both Villa and the national team has coincidentally replaced Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard in the England team.

Lampard's future has been brought into question in recent weeks after it was reported that the player was subject to a bid from Italian giants Juventus. Another rumour is that Chelsea may offer either Steve Sidwell or Shaun Wright Phillips (both of whom have been linked with the midlands club in the past) as a part exchange for the 26 year old.

It would be very interesting to see how Barry would cope with playing for such a big club because the way in which he played for England in the recent Euro qualifiers was top drawer. Villa are a young team and no doubt in a few years time the will have a team that can challenge for Champions League places but will Barry still be with them?

Barcelona striker Eidur Gudjohnsen is set to leave Barca in January to sign for either Portsmouth or Manchester City. The player who signed for the Spanish giants last season has struggled to nail down a place in Barca boss Frank Rjkaard's first team and the news of the world say he is finally willing to call it a day at the Camp Nou.

Barca signed Gudjohnsen from Chelsea for a fee of around £8 million but I predict he may go for a shade lower than that, probably around the £6 million mark.

It hasn't been nice to see a player like Gudjohnsen sitting on the bench over the last year and I think he would be much better off coming back to England.The 29 year old still has three years left to run on his deal at Barca but few predict he will see out that amount of time.

Gudjohnsen would be a terrific signing and I think he will end up at Sven Goran Eriksson's Man City because Sven is desperate to bring in a quality striker in the January window and I feel Gudjohsen would fit the bill. He is the kind of player who can get you twenty goals a season and he works hard around the field in general.

Today's bet of the day comes in the clash between Liverpool and Arsenal at Anfield. Arsenal go into the tie on the back of a terrific 7-0 win over Slavia Prague in the Champions League in midweek, whilst Liverpool lost to Turkish side Besiktas 2-1. Although Arsenal go into to game in much better form, my bet is a score draw @ 3/1 @ Paddy Power.

By the way if you were logged on yesterday, you may or may not of seen my best bet for Saturday's action. Well if you didn't, it was Man United to score 3 or more goals against Middlesbrough @ evens, and what do you know, United won 4-1. So, now that I have your trust, believe in me on today's bet.

When Carlos Tevez was signed by Manchester United during the summer from West Ham, many people talked about how he would fit into the side. People said that Tevez and Rooney are too similar players and they couldn't play in the same team and boy have they proved the doubters wrong.

Sir Alex Ferguson has played the players alongside each other in the United attack and thus far they have really impressed. Both are players that love to play in a free role, ideally behind the strikers. One thing that really proves my point is that whenever Rooney and Tevez have played together this season United have won every game.

Tevez has now scored four goals this season (league), coincidentally all of which have come at the Stretford End at Old Trafford. Rooney on the other hand has also scored four goals in the league but the link play of both players has been exquisite, especially the assist by Rooney today (V. Middlesbrough) for Tevez to finish.

Ferguson has also been speaking about the pair : "They [Tevez and Rooney] are both good players. On an individual basis they are not going to let you down. "What we wanted to decide was where Wayne should play and where Carlos should play. "I think we have got that right. Wayne is terrific up front, he is marvellous.

He has power, he has got two great feet, he is brave, you will not intimidate him, he is good in the air and he has got pace. "He is the perfect foil for Carlos, who has the brain to drop in good areas, set the attacks going and turn defenders."

I just wonder, when the pair get to learn each others game even more in the upcoming months how good they will be. They will definitely become one of the greatest partnerships in Premier League history if they keep this kind of form up and I have no doubt they will.

Tottenham have tonight announced what many people have known for sometime, the appointment of Juande Ramos. Former Spurs boss Martin Jol resigned from the club on Thursday night but Spurs have wasted no time in appointing the former Sevilla manager Juande Ramos. Ramos left Sevilla on Friday night after is was widely speculated that he already had been approached by the Londoners about the vacancy.

The 53-year-old Ramos said: "I greatly appreciate the opportunity to work as head coach at Tottenham Hotspur." Newspaper reports suggest he will be paid up to £6m a year by Spurs. Ramos led Sevilla to the Uefa Cup title in each of the last two seasons and into the Champions League for the first time after they finished a close third behind Real Madrid and Barcelona last year.

"This has been the hardest decision of my life," he said after leaving the Spanish club. "My time at Sevilla has been the most important period of my life personally and professionally. I will be eternally grateful."

Back in August it was widely speculated that Spurs officials had meet up with Ramos in Spain about the job and ever since then former boss Jol had been tipped for the sack. It has also been rumoured that Tottenham have approached Leeds United about the availability of assistant boss Gus Poyet.

So now that the appointment has been confirmed, how much will he get now to spend in the January transfer window because Ramos will want to stamp his own mark on the team. There have been reports that he will receive as much as £40 million to try and lift Spurs from the relegation zone.

I would guess he may want to bring some of the players he managed at Sevilla and players like Kanoute and Dani Alves spring to mind. I feel he may want to invest in a new goalkeeper because the form of Paul Robinson isn't great at the moment and a keeper like Livorno keeper Marco Amelia. So who else might Tottenham buy in January?

It has been reported in The Sun, that European high fliers Real Madrid and Man Utd are going to battle it out to secure the signature of Partizan Belgrade's whizz kid Stevan Jovetic, once the Summer transfer window reopens.

Montenegrin FA president Dejan Savicevic has encouraged Manchester United to sign the 17 year-old striker after netting six times already for his club this year. Savicevic said, "Stevan could play in any of the biggest clubs in Europe" to The Sun newspaper.

It has been suggested that the destination club of Jovetic will have to pay Serbian Superliga club £7 million for his services. However Partizan president, Tomislav Karadzic says they will hold onto the player until the end of the season, "But Partizan won't rush. Our fans and coach Miroslav Djukic can rest at ease until next June".

Chelsea striker Scott Sinclair may be on his way out of the club come January, with a loan move the probable outcome. The player has failed to break into the Chelsea first team after impressing many people last season whilst on loan at Championship side Plymouth Argyle. He has been linked with no fewer than seven clubs, two of which are in the Premier League and the rest are in the Championship.

Sunderland, Sheffield United, Birmingham City, Wolves, West Brom, Cardiff and Crystal Palace are the clubs who are all said to be very keen on the 19 year old. I feel that it would be better for Sinclair to go to any of the Championship sides rather than a Premier League side because I think he would be guaranteed a place at any of them.

Sinclair is a very talented young player and it is no surprise as to the amount of clubs who are interested in him. Sinclair was recently sent home by the England under 19 management after breaking a curfew. I feel, wherever he ends up after the January transfer window, he will do well because when I saw him play at Plymouth he was outstanding.

Today's Premier League results saw Chelsea reignite their championship winning form with a rampant defeat over in-form Man City. Man Utd kept up their winning streak easing past Middlesbrough at Old Trafford. Birmingham scraped a win in a 5 goal thriller at home to Wigan, but only just. Reading got a much needed 3 points against Newcastle. A late Kenwyn Jones goal earned a point for Roy Keane's Sunderland at home to Fulham. West Ham saw out a nil-nil draw in Fratton Park.

After a 3rd minute wonder strike from Utd new boy Nani, a Jeremie Aliader equaliser gave the Teeside fans false hope as 3 more goals from Wayne Rooney and Carlos Tevez(2) sealed a 4-1 victory for the Red Devils.

Despite Marcus Bent putting Wigan in front twice at St. Andrews, two goals from Olivier Kapo including a penalty and a third from Liam Ridgewell gave the home side all three points in a thrilling game.

Reading overcame Newcastle at the Madejski, with Dave Kitson's 53rd minute strike giving the Royals the lead before Michael Duberry turned the ball into his own net to level things up. A super sub by Steve Coppell, saw Irish international Shane Long scoring within a minute of coming on to give Reading the win.

Simon Davies put Fulham in front at the Stadium of Light and Sunderland were up against it and an early bath for Black Cats defender Greg Halford didn't make matters easier for the home side. But a late header from Kenwyn Jones left the Londoners hanging on in the closing stages.

Premier League topscorer Benjani saw his late penalty saved by West Ham keeper, Rob Green to share the spoils at Fratton Park in an otherwise event less game.

Chelsea match report below.

To view the the premier league table click on the link below http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/table/default.stm

Here are some of the funniest football quote ever. If you have any other funny ones which I have missed please just leave us a comment and tell me them.

'The groin's been a little sore but after the semi-final I put it to the back of my head.' - MICHAEL HUGHES

'I've had 14 bookings this season - 8 of which were my fault, but 7 of which were disputable' - Paul Gascoigne

'The World Cup is a truly international event.' - John Motson

'I couldn't settle in Italy - it was like living in a foreign country.' - IAN RUSH

'It took a lot of bottle for Tony (Adams) to own up' - IAN WRIGHT on his team mate's admission of alcoholism

'If Glenn Hoddle said one word to his team at half time, it was concentration and focus.' - Ron Atkinson

'Their football was exceptionally good - and they played some good football.' - BOBBY ROBSON

'They (Rosenborg) have won 66 games, and they've scored in all of them.' - Brian Moore

'Liverpool's best chance ended when Beardsley shot himself.' - Daily Express match report

'...and France and Romania drew 1-0.' - MOIRA STEWART

'... and so they have not been able to improve their 100% record.' - reporter

'Hodge scored for Forest after 22 seconds - totally against the run of play.' - PETER LORENZO

'Gomes had scored four goals for Portugal against Andorra, including a hat-trick.' - BILL O'HERLIHY

'Ian Pearce has limped off with what looks like a shoulder injury.' - TONY COTTEE


'Wayne Rooney became the longest player to score in the Premier League' - BBCi

Chelsea have today beaten in form Manchester City 6-0 at Stamford Bridge. City went into the game on the back of three impressive home wins in the Premier League but looked a shadow of that side today at the Bridge. Chelsea took the lead early on in the game when Michael Essien finished after been slid in by Frank Lampard. Lampard did the same soon after, this time setting up Drogba to give Chelsea a 2-0 lead at the break.

City goalkeeper Joe Hart was unlucky to concede a third after superbly denying Lampard but Drogba was there to fire home his second of the match. Joe Cole got in on the act soon after when he strolled through the City defence to slot home and pile further misery on the travelling City faithful.

Soloman Kalou grabbed a fifth for the Londoners after he was slotted in by one of Chelsea's star performers on the day, Michael Essien and he shot the ball thorugh the legs of Joe Hart in the City goal. Once again Essien was the provider for Chelsea's sixth goal which came in the shape of, out of sorts, Andriy Shevchenko.

This result has come totally out of the blue. City have looked incredible this season, but today they just weren't at the races. They will want to get this result out of their systems quick so they can concentrate on getting back on track this season.

Obviously it's a terrific result for Chelsea because many people in recent months have questioned wheter or not they will be as good post Mourinho, but today they certainly proved they are. I'm sure Chelsea fans will be happy to see Drogba bagging a couple after the comments he made in the French magazine last week about wanting to leave the club.

Today's Premier League bet of the day comes from the Manchester United V. Middlesbrough match. The bet is United to score 3 or more goals @ evens @ Paddy Power. United have been in fine form lately and I can see them scoring at least three goals in this afternoons game against a poor Middlesbrough side.

Brazilian and AC Milan star Kaka has failed to rule out a move to Spanish giants Real Madrid. The 25 year old has been long linked with a move to Real but during the summer AC ruled out a possible deal for the play maker. Real are thought to be lining up a fresh bid for Kaka when the January transfer window opens as the La Liga champions bid to defend their title. Milan club president Silvio Berlusconi, however, has said that the Italian giants would do their up most to keep their prized asset at the club.

Kaka, though, has not ruled out a move to Spain after it emerged that former Real president Florentino Perez could be in line for talks with Milan. "I have a contract with Milan until 2011, I am not in a hurry to renew it and neither are Milan," Kaka told Italian media. "Florentino Perez must talk with Berlusconi. If they find an agreement okay, otherwise I stay here."

So if Kaka were to leave Milan, who might be brought in to try and fill the void. Well Kaka has hinted that fellow countryman Ronaldinho could be interested in joining AC, but would Barca sell? "Every time we meet up with the national team, Ronaldinho asks me about Milan, the team and the club," added Kaka."I don't know if he can come. Certainly he has feelings for us."

It would be amazing to see how AC would cope without Kaka and it would also be interesting to see how the player adapts to La Liga. There is no doubt, at this moment in time he is the best player in the world and arguably his best years are still ahead of him. I have a funny feeling that he feels he may of achieved everything he can at AC by winning the Champions League and so he may well join Real, but it would cost a humongous sum of money to lure him to the Bernabaeu.

Sheffield United have once again expressed an interest in signing Bolton veteran Gary Speed. It had been widely rumoured last week that Speed wanted out of the Reebok after he abandoned his coaching roles after he was left out of Bolton's games against Chelsea and Fk Rabotnicki. Speed's move underlined the growing hostility of senior players towards Sammy Lee's management style, but now Lee has gone.

It had also been rumoured that Speed may be on his way to Newcastle were former Bolton boss Sam Allardyce would offer him a coaching role at the club, but thus far nothing has materialised in the rumour. So you would of taught that after the arrival of Gary Megson at the club the speculation as to his future would of gone away, but that isn't the case. Sheffield United boss Bryan Robson is said to be very keen on offering Speed a three month loan deal at Bramill Lane.

Speed has been a great servant to the Premier League over the last 15 years or so, but could his time in the top division be over. I think if Robson was to sign him it would be a great move because although Speed is now 38, he hasn't lost any of his ability. He is still as fit as ever and knowing him he could go til he is 40. Wherever Speed ends up, wheter it be at Sheff Utd, Newcastle or even still at Bolton, I'm sure he'll do a great job whatever he's doing.

Manchester United are apparently interested in bringing Bayern Munich right back, Willy Sagnol to the club in January, according to the sun newspaper. United haven't had usual right back Gary Neville playing for the club all season due to injury and rumour has it that Fergie is interested in bringing the player to the club for a fee of around £4.5 million.

Another interesting fact is that because Sagnol has only just returned from a lengthy lay off himself, he could still possibly play for the Manchester club in Champions League matches this season if he were to join. The 30 year old Frenchman joined Muncih back in 2000 after leaving French side AS Monaco.

Sagnol has been one of the best right backs in European football in recent years and it doesn't surprise me that Ferguson has been linked with him because with club captain Neville now 32 years old, United will need cover for him in two or three years time. I feel the fee of £4.5 million sounds a fair one for a player that has won no fewer than ten domestic titles in Germany and a Champions League to boot and he may of had a World Cup to go with that if France hadn't of lost that epic Penalty shootout with Italy back in 2006.

Man Utd are set to make an approach for Atletico Bilbao midfielders Javi Martinez and Markel Susaeta, in the coming January transfer window.

Susaeta made his debut for Bilbao in September of this year against Barcelona in the Camp Nou, impressing the crowds and scoring their only goal in a 3-1 defeat by the La Liga runners up. Despite being registered for Bilbao B team at the start of the campaign the Spanish midfielder has now been handed the first team squad number of 27 and has appeared regularly in the Bilbao 16 man panel.

Javi Martinez was signed by Atletico Bilbao in 2006 at the age of 17 , for the large sum of €6 million, obviously proving what faith the Spanish club had in his ability. Although he hadn't played first team football at Osasuna, he has stood out frequently in the Bilbao colours.

It is expected though that Utd will have to splash out around £10 million pounds each on the two players to persuade the La Liga side to release the pair.

Liverpool midfielder Jermaine Pennat is likely to be out for at least two months after injuring his right shin. He came off in Liverpool's defeat to Besiktas on Wednesday night after 59 minutes and he is likely to face an operation on a stress fracture of the right shin. Club spokesman Ian Cotton said: "For the last eight weeks Jermaine has undergone intensive treatment. "But it has now been decided he requires surgery."

Pennant hasn't really done much since signing for Liverpool back in 2006. He was signed for a fee of £6.7 million from Birmingham but few feel he has lived up to that price tag. Due to the injury he is likely to miss out on Liverpool's upcoming games including Arsenal on Sunday.

Pennant has took part in everyone of Liverpool's Premier League games this season so who will replace him now on the right wing. Well I predict Rafa will probably start Yossi Benayoun a bit more and I think that will do the player the world of good because he just needs games and then Liverpool fans will see the best of the Israeli.

Sevilla striker Fredric Kanoute has today been linked with a surprise return to his former club Tottenham after is was reported that his current boss, Juande Ramos, is set to take the White Hart Lane hot seat. Kanoute left Spurs almost three years ago and has been a revalation in La Liga, scoring 30 goals last season for the UEFA Cup winners.

It has been rumoured today that the Mali striker, if the deal was to go through it would be for as much as £18 million, a club record fee for the Londoners. After signing for Spurs from London rivals West Ham, Kanoute soon became a fan favourite, but unfortunately for him he lost his place and was sold prior to the 2005-2006 for a fee of £4.4 million.

If Sevilla were to sell for the rumoured amount of £18 million they would make a huge profit from the fee they paid two seasons ago. I personally feel this would be a great signing for Spurs although I do think the £18 million price tag is a bit much for a 30 year old.

This would almost certainly spell the end of Jermain Defoe's career at Tottenham, with Man City and Portsmouth the most likely destinations for the England international. The 25 year old is reportedly unhappy at the lack of first team football at the club and it has been widely rumoured that an exit from the club is quite possible in the upcoming January transfer window.

This week sees two title challengers clash at Anfield. Liverpool take on Arsenal on the back of a poor Champions League result against Besiktas while Arsenal go into the game in fine form after steam rolling Slavia Prague in midweek. The pick of Saturday's games comes at Stamford Bridge were Chelsea take on in form Man City. After 5 games unbeaten many people are tipping Eriksson's City to break into the top 6 and few would bet against them getting a result.

Tottenham face Blackburn on Sunday hoping to start on a good note after the recent departure of Martin Jol from White Hart Lane. They have thus far failed to show anything like the kind of form they did last season, which saw them finish just outside the top 4. Man United face Middlesbrough this weekend hoping to carry on the form of the previous month or so, which has seen them climb to second from a start which only produced 2 points out of a possible nine in the opening games.

• Birmingham -V- Wigan : Cathal - 2-1. Niall - 1-1.
  
• Chelsea -V- Man City : Cathal - 2-1. Niall - 2-2.
  
• Man United -V- Middlesbrough: Cathal - 3-0. Niall - 4-0.
  
• Reading -V- Newcastle: Cathal - 1-1. Niall - 1-3.
  
• Sunderland -V- Fulham: Cathal - 3-0. Niall - 1-0.
  
• Portsmouth -V- West Ham: Cathal - 2-0. Niall - 3-2.
  
• Bolton -V- Aston Villa: Cathal - 1-2. Niall - 2-1.
  
• Derby -V- Everton: Cathal - 1-3. Niall - 1-2.
  
• Tottenham -V- Blackburn: Cathal - 2-2. Niall - 3-2.
  
• Liverpool -V- Arsenal: Cathal - 1-2. Niall - 1-1.

Have your say on our predictions, do you agree or disagree?

Several English topflight clubs including; Arsenal, Liverpool, Everton and Spurs are set to make an approach for Monaco whizz kid Yohan Mollo come the January transfer window according to The People newspaper.

With all respect to Mollo and your footballing knowledge, here is a brief background to the player. Born in July 1989 in France, Yohan Mollo is an attack minded midfielder that can play with equal ability on either wing. He has been referred to in the French media as a left-footed Cristiano Ronaldo.

Mollo, 18, has impressed with his performances in the French youth team and the above clubs feel that he is a great prospect for the future. Although yet to make a senior appearance in the Monaco senior team, the youngster has made it clear that he is determined to move to an English club in the near future and it is reported that Liverpool and Arsenal are favourites to answer the Frenchman's get-out plea.

Spurs and Everton have also been linked to the winger, but it is expected that the Gunners and the Reds' from Merseyside will dominate the bidding war with more funds available to these Premier League high-fliers. Whoever manages to secure the signature, it is expected that it will be for a fee of around £10 million.

England and Chelsea winger Shaun Wright Phillips is set for a January move to former club Manchester City. The player was said to of been unhappy at been dropped for the Champions League game against Schalke 04 on Wednesday and he said that he was considering his future. The player who left City two seasons ago for a 21 million pounds fee has struggled to gain a first team place since the move.

Although in recent games he has been starting for both Chelsea and England it appears as though now he is finally willing to call it a day. City boss Sven Goran Eriksson said today "I'd personally open the gates for him tomorrow if he wishes to return here," he told The Sun. "I won't pay his salary personally but I'll certainly open the gate. "Shaun has pace, good technique and is very direct. He's a good player, one I admire."

I feel this would be a terrific move for both Wright Phillips and Man City because City have been lacking an out and out right winger this season and I'm sure the player would love to play week in week out. Wright Phillips obviously has a lot of ability and it is has been a real shame to not see him produce the kind of form he did at City, at Chelsea. I believe the fee would be around about 15 million pounds or so.

Tottenham boss Martin Jol has tonight finally received, what many people taught was on the cards, the sack. Tottenham have got off to an absolute shocker of a start this season picking up only seven points from a possible thirty up for grabs and there have been calls for Jol's head ever since the second game this season. His final game in charge was tonight's game against Getafe in which they were defeated 2-1 despite taking the lead through Jermain Defoe.

Many people had said before tonights game that anything less than a victory would result in Jol getting the chop and that has proved to be the case. He took over three years ago after the brief spell of Jacques Santini at the Londoners. He led the club to two top 5 finishes in two seasons and had become a very popular figure with the Spurs faithful.

Speculation as to Jol's successor has been mounting for sometime now with names like Klinsman and Ramos repeatedly popping up. Ramos was rumoured to of talked to Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy at the beginning of the season and few would rule out a move for him now that Jol has gone. Mark Hughes is another name being mentioned although he is currently doing very well at Blackburn. So who do you think will take over now Jol has gone?

Tottenham striker Dimitar Berbatov is set to leave White Hart Lane after falling out with boss Martin Jol. Berbatov was said to of been unhappy at only being a substitute for the Newcastle game on Monday and he was even reluctant to come on. It is not taught that the Bulgarian will leave in January but is set to leave the club come next summer.

The clubs being linked with him at the moment are both of the Milan clubs and Real Madrid although I suspect by the time next summer arrives many other clubs will also be after the striker. I think that one reason why this move may not happen is if Spurs boss Martin Jol gets the chop the new manager may want to keep him at the club.

There is no doubt that Berbatov is a quality striker and he has just not produced the same form that he did last season. I'm not sure wheter or not Spurs fans would be too happy to see him go because there is no question that on his day he is one of the best strikers in the Premier League.Tottenham signed the player from Bayern Leverkusen last season and he immediatly impressed, but could he be set for an early exit?

Well, who in your mind has been player of the season, thus far? Well the obvious names that spring to mind are the likes of Elano at Manchester City. The player who was signed by Sven Goran Eriksson in the summer for 8 million pounds from Shaktar Donestk. He has got off to a wonderful start in the Premier League and is a definite candidate. Liverpool fans may argue that Fernando Torres has been the best, chipping in with four goals in a limited amount of games due to Rafa Benitez's rotation policy.

Cesc Fabregas. Who would deny that he has been the best player this season. The player has scored a load of goals already this season from midfield and has had numerous amount of assists for the Gunners. Gaby Agbonlahor at Aston Villa has got off to a splendid start this season as well as Villa team mate Ashley Young.

There are loads more players that have impressed this season and I'm sure you could argue the case for dozens more, but my player of the season so far is Benjani at Portsmouth. The player is top of the scoring charts in the league and has put in a string of spectacular performances already this season. Last season Benjani struggled to find the net and some people even questioned if he would keep his place over new signing David Nugent at the club and my word has he kept his place.

So, have your say, who do you think has been player of the season in the Premier League so far?

Manchester City boss Sven Goran Eriksson has said today that he has been given permission by City owner Thaksin Shinawatra to go out and spend some cash on a new striker in the January transfer window.

Although City have got off to a fantastic start to this Premier League season they have in Shinawatra's view and in my view lack that firepower up front. They signed Valeri Bojinov and Rolando Bianchi in the Summer for a combined fee of 14.5 million but unfortunately neither has made an impact largely down to injuries.

He said: "All the fans know we need strikers, so Sven is looking to add some players, not many - just a few." City have scored goals in abundance this season but most of them have come from midfield, in the shape of Elano and Martin Petrov and I think if they were to get a top quality striker in January they can challenge for that elusive top 4.

There have been rumours of Michael Owen coming from Newcastle and Nicolas Anelka coming from Bolton but who else has been attracting attention from Sven. Well Peter Crouch has been frozen out at Liverpool and Sven is supposedly very keen on bringing him to Eastlands.

Jermain Defoe's name has also popped up and I have no doubt he would be interested in a move because at the moment he isn't getting near enough game time to stake a claim for the England team.

Manchester City goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel is set to leave the high flying Premier League club and move to Championship side Cardiff City on a one month loan deal after losing his first team place. The son of former United legend Peter Schmeichel had started all of City's opening seven games this season but City boss Sven Goran Eriksson decided that Joe Hart deserved his place in goals and he has kept his place ever since.

Schmeichel was set for a loan move to Coventry City but that deal fell through due to financial difficulties at the club. Schmeichel is set to go straight into the Cardiff side to face Scunthorpe on Saturday. Manchester City boss Sven-Goran Eriksson was quick to stress that Schmeichel was still a part of his plans at Eastlands. He said: "This does not mean Kasper has no future here, he just needs to get some games."

I think this is the right thing for Schmeichel to do. He has had such a terrific start to his City carrer and unfortunately for some reason or another Sven has decided to play Joe Hart who hasn't put a foot wrong since stepping into the fold. He should go to Cardiff and play their for a month or possibly even longer and get some more vital first team football under his belt.

Bolton Wanderers have today appointed Gary Megson as their new manager after sacking Sammy Lee a week ago. Megson, who left Leicster City on Wednesday after club owner Milan Mandraic said Megson had made his feelings known that he wanted to join the Trotters, has been given a two and a half year deal at the Reebok Stadium.

Bolton have got off to an abysmal start this season and Bolton chairman Phil Gartside had this to say about Megson. "Gary has demonstrated he has the right temperament for a battle, which this season is undoubtedly going to be." Many people had speculated as to who would take over the job before this appointment with many Bolton fans wanting former Wigan boss Paul Jewell in charge.

So is this appointment good or bad news for the club. Well whilst Megson was in charge at West Brom when they were in the Premier League his win percentage was just 15 % not good reading for Bolton fans. Megson surely faces a tough task in keeping his star players at the club come January, with the likes of Nicolas Anelka already expressing an interest to leave the club.

I personally feel Megson won't quite cut it at Bolton. I feel he should of stayed at Leicester because I can personally see Bolton going down under him. I do appreciate that he is a manager that has ambition to manage at the highest level and who wouldn't take a job at a big club like Bolton but unfortunately I feel Gartside's decision to appoint Megson may yet backfire on him.