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I will fill the Drog hole

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Fernando Torres is confident that he can fill the hole that Didier Drogba has left since leaving Chelsea.

Torres, who joined Chelsea from Liverpool for £50m, is now the front man for Chelsea and he believes he is ready to take the place of Drogba, who left Chelsea this summer.

The Spaniard has previously struggled at Chelsea and found it hard to settle and score goals, but since the turn of the new season, he has scored three goals and is looking like his old-self.

“Didier is not here anymore, so there is more responsibility for me and I’m ready for the challenge,” the 28-year-old admitted in the Daily Star Sunday.

“Now, I am looking for new personal targets, like getting as many goals as possible – hopefully more than in my best season at Liverpool.”

Torres has also been talking about the new-look Chelsea side after a very busy transfer market and he believes they are ready to fight for the Premiership title once again.

He added, “I think all the fans are excited about the Premier League again, after a couple of years of not winning the trophy.

“So the Premier League is a big target and maybe we can become the first team to win two Champions Leagues in a row.

Alex William Batt

Easy as 1-2-3 for A V B

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A Jermain Defoe brace helped Tottenham secure their first win of the season after beating Reading 3-1 at the Madejski Stadium.

After one loss and two draws in his first three games, Andre Villas-Boas, was feeling the early season pressure as the Tottenham manager. Two home draws against West Brom and Norwich were both met with boos at the final whistle and the Portuguese man was very much in need of his first victory as Tottenham boss. As for newly promoted Reading, they have played a game less, as one of their games was postponed because of a waterlogged pitch. They were still looking for their first victory of the season after drawing and losing in earlier games, however it was the away team that came home with all three points after a dominating performance by the North London team.

The away side looked comfortable all of the first half and easily dominated the game but wasted several chances until Jermain Defoe swept home from a Aaron Lennon cross in the 18th minute. It wasn’t the cleanest of strikes from the Englishmen, but his shot nestled into the bottom corner leaving the Reading goalkeeper stranded. That was the only goal they could find in the first half depsite their dominance of possession.

The second half was a lot more even and Reading even looked like they could snatch something from the game. They looked a lot more comfortable on the ball and showed that they were ready to put up a fight. However in the 70th minute after great work from the right back, Kyle Walker, the ball fell to Gareth Bale who scuffed the shot but saw the ball loop into the top corner to make it 2-0 and to put the game to bed.

The goal of the game followed just three minutes later. Jermain Defoe picked up the ball just in the Reading half and stormed towards the last two Reading defenders. Gareth Bale pealed off to the right and dragged away one of the defenders, but Defoe wanted to go by himself and he then rifled the ball into the corner to make it 3-0 and to wrap up all three points for Spurs. Villas-Boas’ reaction on the touchline showed a sigh of relief and delight as he was just 15 minutes away from winning his first game as Tottenham boss.

In their last two games, Tottenham have conceded two late goals and that run continued with Reading sub, Hal Robson-Kanu, slotted home a consolation goal for Reading late-on.

Tottenham, goalscorer, Jermain Defoe hailed the players he has working around him after scoring two goals today:

“When you’re playing with quality players it’s not a problem [scoring]. Today we had a lot of a ball and I made sure my movement was good. We wanted the second goal to settle us down – when it’s 1-0 you panic a bit. It could have been a lot more. When a new manager comes to club it takes time [to produce results].”

The manager of Tottenham was also very proud of his players and is relieved to get the first win of the season:

“It was a well-deserved win. Everyone performed to their top level and it is a win that will lift us up for the season. We created lots of chances and the second goal gave us the stability. It was a good solid performance from everybody. The most important thing today was the motivation of the players to change the negative results at home. We were very good against West Brom, but not as prolific as today. Jermain [Defoe] is showing his abilities, the amount of shots he has on target is amazing. Every player improves through time and as the lone striker up front, he is linking well with the colleagues.”

So the first three points on the board for Villas-Boas and his men leave Tottenham in 10th place on five points, whilst Reading are sitting in 19th on just one point, but they have a game in hand.

Alex William Batt

Anton Ferdinand says he will never shake Terry’s hand

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A source very close to Anton Ferdinand has revealed that the QPR defender will never shake the hand of John Terry again.

The spotlight was on Anton Ferdinand yesterday as his QPR side went up against Chelsea and a lot of speculation was about whether or not he would shake Terry and Ashley Cole’s hand. He refused both of them. John Terry did put out his hand, but Anton walked straight past and in seeing this, Ashley Cole didn’t even make the attempt.

It has come out today that Anton Ferdinand will never shake the hand of John Terry because he has been appalled by the Chelsea captain’s behaviour.

A source close to Ferdinand revealed: “Anton has been appalled at the behaviour of John Terry and Ashley Cole.

“He made his mind up some time ago that he wasn’t going to shake their hands. 

“Anton will never shake JT’s hand.”

Not only was it Anton Ferdinand who refused to shake John Terry’s hand, QPR captain, Park-Ji Sung, also refused Terry’s hand during the coin toss.

It is apparent that this feud will never be sorted and will never end and this will once again bring up the debate whether the pre-match handshakes should be cancelled or not.

 

Alex William Batt

The 50 million pound strop

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Fernando Torres made no attempt to hide his frustration at being subbed at the weekend in the London Derby against Queens Park Rangers.

The Spaniard was replaced in the 81st minute and without even making eye contract with Di Matteo, he stormed off down the tunnel. The game finished 0-0 and Di Matteo was questioned after the game about Torres’ reaction after being subbed.

‘No player is happy when they come off, it’s not a problem. I just wanted to make a change.’ said Di Matteo

Di Matteo and his men will now get ready for their first game as defending champions in the Champions League where they face Italian champions, Juventus.

Alex William Batt

Get the price right, he’s all yours!

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Everton boss, David Moyes, today confirmed that if the right bid came in for want-away midfielder, Marouane Fellaini, then the club would seriously think about letting him go.

It was reported last week that the Belgium midfielder wanted to leave the club and since then, David Moyes, has had to have words with him about openly talking about his future, but now it seems that the Everton manager is prepared to let him go if the right offer comes in.

This has alarmed Chelsea who are willing and ready to make a staggering £30m bid for the 24-year old.

Moyes has said: ‘I won’t say there’s no chance in the next window because everybody is available throughout the world if the offer is right,’ Moyes said.

‘But one thing I know is the transfer window is closed so he’s not going anywhere right now.’

Alex William Batt

Is this NBA or the EPL? Asks Roberto Mancini

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Manchester City boss, Roberto Mancini, said that Stoke’s goal in the 1-1 draw that took place on Saturday belonged on the basketball court rather than the football pitch.

Stoke took the lead in the game against the champions when Peter Crouch bundled in a goal past Joe Hart, but replays show that the big-man used his hand to control the ball and to knock it past a Man City defender. This incident went un-noticed by match referee, Mark Clattenburg and the goal stood. 

Later on in the game, new signing, Javi Garcia got an equaliser for City, but it was Crouch’s goal that got all the headlines.

After the game, Mancini was left bemused at how the referee could miss such a blatent handball.

Mancini said for Crouch’s goal “you should talk about NBA basketball, not football”.

“I don’t understand how it’s possible the referee didn’t see it,” he added.

“I didn’t see this from the bench but I saw all my players wanted to talk with the referee.

“The incredible thing was the referee was behind Crouch. Sometimes it can happen that the handball is not voluntary, but not today.”

Manchester City now prepare themselves for a massive Champions League clash against Spanish champions, Real Madrid.

Alex William Batt

Odemwingie apologise for red card

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West Bromwich Albion striker, Peter Odemwingie, has apologised for his actions that saw him get sent off in West Brom’s 3-0 defeat at Fulham on Saturday.

The Nigerian striker saw red after kicking out at Fulham defener, Sascha Riether, when the score was just 1-0 in the first half. After the game, Odemwingie, apologised to the team and the staff and said that his emotions got the better of him.

“I wanted to foul the player because I thought he was angry towards me. But I should cool my emotions,” he admitted.

“I’ve said sorry to the players and to the staff. It’s a lesson to learn.”

He then went on to add that he lost his temper after feeling a kick to his ankle.

“I am looking at the incident in a different way now,” Odemwingie said. “That moment went very fast for me, I felt a kick on my ankle and felt an injustice that the linesman was so close but nothing was given.

“But now I think it was my fault. I lost my temper. I’m a professional and should have kept my cool, but it happens. It’s not my habit.”

The Nigerian will now miss the next three game for the baggies which include; Reading at home, Liverpool at home in the Capital One Cup and then Aston Villa away.

Alex William Batt

We’re gunner be in the title race, insists Wenger

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Arsenal manager, Arsene Wenger, is confident that his team can finally end their trophy-less run by winning the Premier League.

The Frenchman saw his side demolish Southampton 6-1 at the weekend and he is confident that his team have the quality to be challenging for the title come May.

Wenger said: “We have a chance for the title but first we must show consistency.

“We have the quality to do it but we have to show how much we want it.”

Arsenal now have a big couple of weeks coming up with the start of the Champions League and then an away game against champions, Man City, followed by a home game against current league leaders, Chelsea.

Wenger added: “We have a big week coming up because we go on Tuesday now to Montpellier in the Champions League and then on Sunday we play at Man City – and we have two interesting weeks coming up because we play Chelsea as well.

“We will know more about our team then but there is a positive energy in this team, a desire to play well together, and real team play. It is very exciting.”

Alex William Batt

Sir Alex condemns anti-Liverpool chants

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Manchester United and Liverpool are known as a fierce footballing rivalry, but today, the Manchester club condemned some of the songs that some fans were singing about Liverpool in their 4-0 home win against Wigan today.

A minority of Man United fans were taunting Liverpool and singing innapropriate chants about the Hillsborough disaster which has come back into the press this week after the release of Independant Panel Reports. 

On Friday, Sir Alex Ferguson said that he wanted both sets of fans to stop singing and taunting about both club’s disasters. The heated football rivalry has seen Manchester fans singing about Hillsborough and it has seen Liverpool fans singing about the Munich disaster.

A United spokesperson said the club “deplore” such songs.

After Saturday’s incidents, United released a statement that read: “The manager has made the club’s position very clear on this matter.

“It is now up to the fans to respect that.”

Alex William Batt

Big wins for Arsenal and Manchester United as champions held away

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It is common for teams to come back after the international break a bit rusty and a bit fatigued, but that wasn’t the case for Arsenal and Manchester United who both stormed to three points today. Arsenal hammering six past Southampton and Manchester United hitting Wigan for four. There were also big wins for Aston Villa and Fulham. However it wasn’t the greatest of days for Man City, Chelsea and Liverpool who were all held to draws against Stoke, QPR and Sunderland respectively. The early kick off saw Norwich and West Ham draw 0-0 in a very dull encounter.

First off to the Emirates where Arsenal showed just what they can do when they get going. Four goals in the first half rewarded a quality first 45 minutes for Arsene Wenger’s men. Unfortunately for Southampton two goals in the first half were unlucky own goals and they were sandwiched either side of a Podolski wonder free-kick and a Gervinho goal. Although the travelling away fans did have something to cheer about when Fox gave them a consolation goal just before half time. Not a goal that Arsenal keeper, Szczesny will want to see again. In the second half another Gervinho goal and a goal from ex-Southampton player, Theo Walcott, concluded what was a fantastic performance by Arsenal.

It took a while but four second half goals for Manchester United saw them beat Wigan Athletic at Old Trafford. With no Rooney and Van Persie only on the bench, it was down to Welbeck and Hernandez to lead the line for United and after just five minutes, Hernandez had the chance to give United the lead after they were awarded a penalty unfairly. Wigan goalkeeper, Al Habsi was wrongly accused of bringing down Danny Welbeck in the box. However, justice was served when the Wigan keeper denied Hernandez from the spot. The second half was a different story for United though as they scored four goals to see of Wigan. Paul Scholes gave them the lead on his 700th appearance and then Hernandez made up for his penalty miss earlier by slotting home from a Buttner cross. Buttner went from provider to goalscorer when he went on a mazy run and then drilled a shot past the Wigan keeper. A goal and assist summed up an impressive debut for the left back. Anothe debutant got in the scoresheet for Man United as well. Youngster, Nick Powell, smashed home a long range shot to secure all three points for United.

League leaders, Chelsea, looked to carry on their 100% start to the season when they went to Loftus Road, however that wasn’t the case as they were held to a 0-0 draw. All eyes were on the game before the match to see if Anton Ferdinand would shake John Terry and Ashley Cole’s hand. The QPR defender refused to shake their hands though. The biggest talking point during the game was a big penalty appeal that was turned down for Chelsea when Eden Hazard was brought down in the box, but the referee waved away protests. Over in Stoke, last years champions, Manchester City, were also held to a draw. They went 1-0 down to Stoke after Peter Crouch scored even though it appeared that he handled the ball in the build-up. City left the Britannia with one point though after new signing, Javi Garcia, grabbed an equaliser.

Dimitar Berbatov sealed his home debut with two goals against Steve Clarke’s WBA, which saw striker, Peter Odemwingie, sent off for kicking out at Sascha Riether. Steve Sidwell then secured the three points by making it 3-0 to the hosts. Paul Lambert’s, Aston Villa, also got a massive three points after beating Swansea 2-0 at Villa Park. Goals from Lowton and Benteke gave Villa their first win of the season.

The early kick off saw West Ham go to Carrow Road and they left with a point after the game ended 0-0. Not much to report from that game apart from one incident when Norwich midfielder, Andrew Surman, looked like he had been fouled inside the box, however the referee correctly said it was outside of the box and a free-kick was given. 

Sunderland and Liverpool kicked off in the evening and that game also ended in a draw. Goals from Fletcher and Suarez saw the teams both go home with a point.

So a great weekend for Arsenal and Manchester United seeing them rise to third and second in the league respectively. 

 

Alex William Batt

 

Managers and players reaction from today’s 3pm kick-offs

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Arsenal 6-1 Southampton:

Arsene Wenger: “We had a first half of a very high level. We were a bit lucky as well with the two own goals but overall we were top quality. We moved the ball at a very high pace and gave Southampton lots of problems. It is disappointing to concede a goal, especially the way we did, but you have to let one in at some point. A goal for Olivier Giroud is missing but it will come. “We have a chance for the title but first we must show consistency. We have the quality to do it but we have to show how much we can do it. When you love football you love to watch players like Santi Cazorla. His attitude is first-rate and he is technically brilliant. You can see already that he is at the heart of all our moves.”

Nigel Adkins: “Arsenal were very good. At times they were exhilarating as they have been in many times here, it was a lesson for our players. If you give quality players time they will hurt you and that’s what happened. We turned it over far too cheaply. Gaston Ramirez only trained with us for the first time last night but what an exciting prospect he is. He showed a bit of what he is about. We knew these first four games would be tough, we haven’t got any points but we will get ready for next week and now we have to start getting points on the board. This is a ruthless division.”

Manchester United 4-0 Wigan:

Roberto Martinez: “Today I knew, when you come to these places, you need to have a strong referee. The decision for the penalty was a shocking. I am not bothered about the score line, I will take responsibility for that but it is difficult to come to Old Trafford and have a referee who gets affected by the occasion. We have better standards than how we played today. First half we were brave, but giving the goal away, all of a sudden they relax a little bit more. We are nowhere near the level of last season, we have a strong squad and want to keep working. I was pleased with many aspects of our performance but have to congratulate Manchester United.”

Sir Alex Ferguson: “We had to start all over again after the missed penalty. They slowed the game down a lot, but we weren’t playing at the speed we play at. The second half we did after becoming more aggressive and played some penetrating football. Wigan playa a system which is difficult to play against. It is a good result.

Goalscorer, Alex Buttner: “I am happy we won the game and to score in my first game. I want to score and give assists to my team-mates. We played well in the second half and played good football. It is unbelievable, when I came on the field it was beautiful. I was nervous when I came on. It is a dream and I am enjoying it.”

Aston Villa 2-0 Swansea:

Paul Lambert: “We were worthy of the win – we were excellent. I thought Christian Benteke was unplayable at times. He’s only 21, but plays for the Belgium national team. The big lad will do fine for us.”

Michael Laudrup: “When things are going well you want the run to continue – but we had an international break. You never know how the players will be when they get back.”

Stoke 1-1 Manchester City:

Tony Pulis: “I haven’t seen it but if Peter has [handled it] I’m absolutely delighted to have got one against one of the big clubs. Usually it is the big clubs who get one against us.”

Roberto Mancini: “It was basketball – not football. I didn’t see it at the time. But now I’ve seen a replay, it’s incredible.”

Goalscorer, Peter Crouch: “There might have been a slight suspicion of handball, to be honest, but you carry on playing. We thoroughly deserved a point. Sometimes you gets breaks that go for you and sometimes you don’t. I’m delighted to have scored.”

QPR 0-0 Chelsea:

Mark Hughes: “Today we acquitted ourselves really well – we were assured and calm and we dictated to the European champions for long periods. We were good in possession and created chances. Credit to the players, I thought the performance was excellent.

Roberto Di Matteo: “It was a feisty derby with tackles flying in. In the first half we were very much in control and had a number of opportunities to score and were only missing a goal. We also had two penalty incidents and it’s a shame the referee didn’t see them or think they were penalties. The one on JT was an incredible one and the other one, maybe he thought there was not much contact [on Eden Hazard]. But it’s a clean sheet and a draw away from home and we will take it.”

Fulham 3-0 WBA:

Martin Jol: “That was a great afternoon – almost similar to the afternoons when [Mladen] Petric scored twice on his debut and last year when (Pavel) Pogrebnyak came in and scored two goals on his debut. It was a similar feeling. I was ever so pleased. There is space for optimism because Berbatov is a top, top striker. But so is Hugo Rodellega and I’m very happy with my strikers. Berbatov wants to play games, of course he didn’t play a lot of games at Manchester United, though last year he was still their top scorer I think. He wants to play his football – he’s 31 now.

Goalscorer, Dimitar Berbatov: “It was a great home debut. I had a feeling before the game that it would be a good day for the team and me. And it’s a great feeling. I feel satisfied with the result and my play, and all the supporters are happy as well. It was my first performance at home and I felt good because I was on the pitch playing. When I’m happy great things happen, like today. I scored and played with a smile on my face. Most important for me is playing every game and when I can do that I give my best performances.”

Steve Clarke: “We obviously came into the game in a good moment because we’ve had a good start to the season. But we expect difficult days and we expected a difficult game here. The sending off of Peter [Odemwingie] compounded our problems and we made it much worse by conceding a penalty in first-half injury time. Second half we were much better and played more like we can play. If we got it back to 2-1 it could have been a different story.”

Peter Odemwingie on his sending off: “I am looking at the incident in a different way now. That moment went very fast for me, I felt a kick on my ankle and felt an injustice that the linesman was so close but nothing was given. But now I think it was my fault. I lost my temper. I’m a professional and should have kept my cool, but it happens. It’s not my habit. I wanted to foul the player because I thought he was angry towards me. But I should cool my emotions. It’s a lesson to learn.”

 

Alex William Batt

Superb Arsenal hammer sorry Southampton

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Arsenal put all critics in their place today when they fired six past newly promoted Southampton today at the Emirates. A lot of people were wondering where Arsenal’s goals would come from this season after the departure of Robin Van Persie and after two 0-0’s in the first two games, people were right to wonder. However a confident 2-0 win at Anfield and then a sensational 6-1 win against Southampton has shown that Arsenal are more than capable of scoring goals. Two own goals and two goals from Gervinho helped Arsenal on their way to a 6-1 riot of Southampton who just couldn’t deal with the passing and the movement of the Gunners.

The game was pretty much wrapped up at half-time after an amazing 45 minutes for Arsene Wenger’s men. The goal scoring riot started when Podolski muscled off several tackles and then fed a perfect pass to Kieran Gibbs who’s powerful shot was saved by Davis but the ball unfortunately rebounded into the net after hitting Jos Hooiveld after just 11 minutes. Just after the half hour mark, Podolski fired in the goal of the game. After a free-kick was won about 25-yards out, Lukas Podolski put down the ball and then bulleted a left footed shot right into the top corner. Some would say it was Van Persie-esque. That was soon followed by a third from Arsenal after Gervinho was let through and he powered home a drive into the back of the net.

It didn’t stop their for the Saints. In the 37th minute, another Kieran Gibbs low drive was deflected over the Southampton keeper and into the back of the net. This time the unlucky player was Nathaniel Clyne. However just before half-time, there was something for the away fans to cheer about. Arsenal’s first goal conceded this season was one to forget for keeper, Szczesny as he fumbled a cross which left Fox with the simple task of slotting home the ball into the empty net. Arsene Wenger made his feelings clear about the goal and he was clearly not happy with the way they conceded. 4-1 at half time after a sensational first half performance by the home side.

The second half was a lot more positive for the Saints as they came out and really got in the faces of Arsenal. Not many chances were create, but the away side kept the ball better and pressed Arsenal a lot more. A very quiet second half was brightened up in the 71st minute when sub, Aaron Ramsey, did a great bit of skill to get past his man and was unlucky to see his shot his the post, only for Gervinho to pounce and put home his second of the game. A fully deserved second goal for the Ivoary Coast international, who looked a threat all game for Arsenal. It was Gervinho’s replacement who finished off the scoring as Southampton old boy, Theo Walcott, fired home Arsenal’s sixth and last of the game.

A dominating and confident performance is exactly what Arsenal would have wanted today and that is exactly what they got. Quite a sensational performance by the Gunners who’s passing was as good as ever and movement was as sharp as ever as well. Southampton struggled to get a grip of the game and it is the first real battering they have taken since being promoted to the Premier League.

Arsenal: Szczesny, Jenkinson, Mertesacker, Vermaelen, Gibbs, Coquelin (Ramsey 67), Arteta, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Cazorla, Podolski (Giroud 74), Gervinho (Walcott 74)Subs not used: Mannone, Koscielny, Andre Santos, Arshavin.


Scorers: Hooiveld (og) 11, Podolski 31, Gervinho 35, 71, Clyne (og) 37, Walcott.


Southampton: Kelvin Davis, Clyne, Hooiveld (Yoshida 28), Fonte, Fox, Puncheon, Ward-Prowse, Schneiderlin, Steven Davis (Ramirez 45), Lallana, Lambert (Rodriguez 76)Subs not used: Gazzaniga, Richardson, Mayuka, Chaplow. 


Scorer: Fox 45.


Referee: Kevin Friend.


Attendance: 60,097.

Alex William Batt

Ferdinand refuses Terry’s hand

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It is a shame when the actual football on display isn’t the talking point during a football match and that was the case today at Loftus Road. Anton Ferdinand decided to refuse the hand of John Terry before their two sides faced each other and then he also walked straight past Ashley Cole, who didn’t offer his hand out at all.

There was a lot of speculation about whether or not Anton would shake hands with Terry and Cole after the racism incident that took place in the corresponding game last season. It was alledged that John Terry hurled racial abuse to Anton Ferdinand during the game, but the England international was found not-guilty earlier this year. Despite this, Ferdinand still made it clear that he wouldn’t be shaking his hand, nor would he be shaking Ashley Cole’s hand. This is because Ferdinand believes Cole went behind his back by supporting Terry during the court case.

A lot of people expected the pre-match handshakes to be cancelled to avoid any issues with the two sides, but the Premier League insisted that they would go ahead as normal. When the two teams lined up, all the cameras and all the footballing world paid attention to Loftus Road to watch what would take place.

The Chelsea defender did hold out his hand to Anton, but the QPR defender walked straight past it without even looking at Terry. Cameras caught John Terry saying something to Anton, but it wasn’t clear to what it was. After witnessing the snub, Ashley Cole, who was later down the line, didn’t even put his hand out and neither player made eye contact with each other either.

So all the appeals for the players to just shake hands and put it to rest did not work and it will now be interesting to see whether Anton’s brother, Rio Ferdinand, will shake Terry and Cole’s hand when their teams face in late October.

 

Alex William Batt

All the teams for today’s 3pm kick offs

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Arsenal-Southampton line-ups:

Arsenal: Szczesny, Jenkinson, Mertesacker, Vermaelen, Gibbs, Coquelin, Arteta,Cazorla, Chamberlain,Gervinho, Podolski 

Southampton: Davis, Clyne, Fonte, Hooiveld, Fox, Ward-Prowse, Schneiderlin, S. Davis, Puncheon, Lambert, Lallana.

Aston Villa-Swansea line-ups:

Aston Villa: Guzan, Lowton, Vlaar [c], Clark, Lichaj, Holman, El Ahmadi, Ireland, Bannan, Weimann, Bent

Swansea: Vorm, Rangel, Tate, Williams, B Davies, Britton, De Guzman, Michu, Routledge, Dyer, Graham.

Fulham-WBA line-ups:

Fulham: Schwarzer, Riise, Hangeland, Baird, Sidwell, Berbatov, Duff, Hughes, Rodellega, Riether, Kacaniklic

WBA:  Foster; Jones, McAuley, Olsson, Ridgewell; Mulumbu, Yacob; Odemwingie, Morrison, Fortune; Long

Man Utd-Wigan line-ups:

Man United: Lindegaard, Rafael, Ferdinand, Vidic, Buttner, Nani, Carrick, Scholes, Giggs, Chicharito, Welbeck

Wigan:  Al Habsi, Boyce, Caldwell, Figueroa, Ramis, Beausejour, McArthur, McCarthy, Maloney, Di Santo, Kone

QPR-Chelsea line-ups:

QPR: Cesar, Ferdinand, Park, Johnson, Wright-Phillips, Granero, Nelsen, Bosingwa, Da Silva, Zamora, Faurlin.

Chelsea: Cech, Ivanovic, Luiz, Terry, Cole; Mikel, Lampard; Ramires, Hazard, Bertrand, Torres

Stoke-Man City line-ups:

Stoke: Begovic, Wilkinson, Shawcross, Huth, Wilson, Walters, Whelan, Nzonzi, Adam, Kightly, Crouch.

Man City: Hart, Maicon, Kompany, Lescott, Clichy, Nasri, Toure, Javi Garcia, Sinclair, Balotelli, Tevez


Alex William Batt

ARSENAL LINE UP FOR SOUTHAMPTON!

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ARSENAL TEAM:

Arsenal team: Szczesny, Jenkinson, Mertesacker, Vermaelen, Gibbs, Coquelin, Arteta, Cazorla, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Gervinho, Podolski