Saturday, March 13, 2010

Live - Saturday football

Live - Saturday football

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GOALFLASHES AND MAJOR INCIDENTS (all times GMT)
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By Chris Bevan

Goooooooaaaaaaaaal
Bolton goal: This has not been a day to remember for Wigan's defender Gary Caldwell, with his mistake allowing Matty Taylor to run in and hammer home Bolton's fourth goal.
1629: GOALFLASH Bolton 4-0 Wigan (Taylor)
1627: BBC Sport's Phil McNulty at Turf Moor: "The honeymoon is over for Burnley boss Brian Laws if Turf Moor's reaction to his replacement of Chris Eagles is anything to go by. The home fans made no attempt to disguise their disgust and they have a point. He has been one of Burnley's livelier performers and they desperately need creativity in attack now."
Football League Danny: "Top of the table goals to tell you about. In the Championship, West Brom now lead Blackpool 2-1 thanks to Robert Koren. Dexter Blackstock's netted a penalty for Nottingham Forest, but they still trail 3-1 at Preston. And League Two top dogs Rochdale are 1-0 up at Shrewsbury. Told you they were an unstoppable football machine."
1625: Here comes Joe Cole now, replacing Nicolas Anelka for Chelsea. He will have around half-an-hour against his old club and will hope to impress watching England coach Fabio Capello.
From sandeshgiri on Twitter: "Never seen Florent Malouda so confident and accurate."
1623: I can only apologise Bolton fans. For some reason, descriptions of your goals haven't been showing up today (I deleted the first one but not sure what happened for the last two - coding problems I think). I think I've fixed the problem now, so give this page a manual refresh and, er, feast your eyes.
1622: Fabio Capello is at Stamford Bridge today, watching Joe Cole warm up at the moment. He has also just seen Robert Green make a brilliant save to keep out Alex's header from Branislav Ivanovic's raking cross.
1619: Not much happening at the Britannia Stadium. Ricardo Fuller, who has just come on, has managed a scuffed effort for Stoke while Villa's best chances saw Stewart Downing's shot hit John Carew and deflect into the side netting.
Goooooooaaaaaaaaal
Birmingham goal: Blues pull level with a route-one effort, Cameron Jerome flicking Joe Hart's long goal-kick to Craig Gardner, who smashes a low drive beyond the sprawling Tim Howard.
Football League Danny: "Couple of interesting Championship goals for you. Michael McIndoe's equalised for the home side to make it Coventry 1-1 Plymouth. And Neil Warnock's QPR have levelled at his former club Sheffield United through Adel Taarabt - that's 1-1."
Goooooooaaaaaaaaal
Chelsea goal: John Terry strides forward imperiously and takes the ball to the edge of the West Ham area before playing it out to Florent Malouda on the left. The Frenchman, who has been outstanding this afternoon, sends over a superb cross that puts the ball on a plate for Didier Drogba to head Chelsea back in front.
1614: GOALFLASH Chelsea 2-1 West Ham (Drogba)
Goooooooaaaaaaaaal
Bolton goal: A Wigan attack breaks down and Bolton come forward quickly, feeding Fabrice Muamba, who takes the ball round Gary Caldwell and finds the bottom corner of the net for his first goal for Wanderers.
1613: GOALFLASH Bolton 3-0 Wigan (Muamba)
Goooooooaaaaaaaaal
Wolves goal: It gets worse for Burnley. They fail to clear a Matt Jarvis corner and Adlene Guedioura's shot from the edge of the box takes a deflection off the heel of Clarets defender Clarke Carlisle and flies into the bottom corner, beyond the reach of Brian Jensen.
1611: GOALFLASH Birmingham 2-2 Everton (Gardner)
Goooooooaaaaaaaaal
Bolton goal: (I promise not to delete this one folks) Gary Caldwell lunges in on Tamir Cohen after just 90 seconds of the second-half and referee Mike Dean points to the spot. Kevin Davies steps up to put away the penalty, hitting it low to the keeper's right.
1608: GOALFLASH Bolton 2-0 Wigan (Davies pen)
1608: PENALTY to Bolton
1607: GOALFLASH Burnley 0-2 Wolves (Carlisle og)
1605: Mind you, re 1603, you seem to get away with more foul throws in the Premier League than you ever did when I played Sunday League. Oh, every other top flight game has now restarted.
1604: We are back under way at Stamford Bridge...
1603: No-one else has mentioned this but, if you look at replays of Scott Parker's sizzling goal for West Ham, it appears Kieron Dyer took a foul-throw to set him up.
1601: Arsenal are in action at Hull in today's 1730 GMT kick-off, but I'm guessing Gunners fans (and Manchester United supporters too) will be following the next 45 minutes at Stamford Bridge with great interest. A draw would be a big blow to the Blues' title hopes.
1558: Any further thoughts on Gianfranco Zola's West Ham line-up now... or shall we leave it until full-time before deciding if it was genius/ridiculous?
Football League Danny: "League One time - Southampton are leading Leeds 1-0 thanks to Dan Harding's goal. And another big goal as Darren Ward makes it Millwall 1-0 Charlton. That's fifth hosting third, by the way."
1555: BBC Sport's Phil McNulty at Turf Moor: "Burnley do not deserved to be behind, but it was a calamitous error by Tyrone Mears that handed Wolves the lead. Burnley have scored in every Premier League game at Turf Moor this season - and they have never needed one more than they do now."
1554: Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp after his side's 3-1 win over Blackburn that maintains their strong challenge for fourth place: "You get a feeling about games and I thought today was going to be very difficult for us because they are a terrific side, so to pick up three points was great for us. Roman Pavlyuchenko is in an incredible run of form and if he can continue doing that until the end of the season we will get to be where we want to be."
From thomavenel on Twitter: "Re 1543. Considering the clubs he played for, that's quite an achievement from the Yak."
1549: HALF-TIME Stoke City 0-0 Aston Villa
1550: HALF-TIME Birmingham 1-2 Everton
1549: HALF-TIME Bolton 1-0 Wigan
1549: HALF-TIME Burnley 0-1 Wolves
1548: HALF-TIME Chelsea 1-1 West Ham
1547: Wigan have improved in the last few minutes, and not before time. They would be level too, if not for a fine, low one-handed save by Bolton keeper Jussi Jaaskelainen to deny Charles N'Zogbia.
Someone has struck the woodwork
1546: Burnley go very close to equalising in that relegation six-pointer, with David Nugent swivelling to hit the bar from inside the six-yard box after a Tyrone Mears free-kick causes chaos in the Wolves area. Meanwhile, things have got worse for Danny Fox, who has been stretchered out of the dug-out.
1543: Our friends at Infostrada Sports tell us that Yakubu Aiyegbeni's goal for Everton was his 75th in the Premier League making him the top scoring African player in the competition. He has one more goal than Chelsea and Ivory Coast striker - and freshly crowned African Footballer of the Year - Didier Drogba.
1542: More bad news for Burnley. Danny Fox has gone off with a back injury, to be replaced by Stephen Jordan. Fox is the Clarets' corner and free-kick specialist, so that could be a major loss. He was able to walk off the pitch but is now being given oxygen in the dug-out, so I'm guessing he is in a bit of pain.
Football League Danny: "Middlesbrough have equalised at home to Newcastle thanks to Barry Robson's shot. Leicester are the only top-six Championship team to be winning at the moment - they lead Cardiff 1-0."
From optajoe on Twitter: "25 - Chelsea have conceded more Premier League goals already in 2009-10 than in any full season since 2003-04. Generous."
1538: BBC Sport's Phil McNulty at Turf Moor: "Turf Moor is awash with anxiety after that Wolves goal - a nightmare for Tyrone Mears as his weak header gifted the chance to Matt Jarvis. Burnley boss Brian Laws wants his team to show 'no fear' - and they need to show strength of character after conceding a goal in that manner."
1537: Frank Lampard exchanges passes with Michael Ballack and drills in a low shot that is turned round the post by West Ham keeper Robert Green. A point won't be enough to take Chelsea back to the top of the Premier League.
1535: Bolton are on the attack again and it could easily be 2-0 to the home side at the Reebok Stadium. Wigan keeper Chris Kirkland has to be perfectly placed to keep out a point-blank header from Bolton striker Kevin Davies.
Football League Danny: "Preston are giving former manager Billy Davies a none-too-warm welcome as the Scot finds himself back at Deepdale with Nottingham Forest. The Lilywhites are 3-0 up after 34 minutes - this is a potential hammer blow for Forest's hopes of a top-two finish."
1534: A first effort on goal by Aston Villa, who have been quiet so far at Stoke. Stiliyan Petrov lets rip with a fierce drive from 35 yards that almost catches out Thomas Sorensen, who dives to his left and tips the ball round the post.
Goooooooaaaaaaaaal
West Ham goal: Pick that one out. I don't think Petr Cech and Hilario could have kept this out if they were both in goal at the same time so poor old Ross Turnbull has no chance. Former Chelsea midfielder Scott Parker finds space from a throw-in outside the box but there appears to be no danger until he spanks a stinging shot into the top corner from 25 yards out. Unstoppable.
Goooooooaaaaaaaaal
Birmingham goal: Keith Fahey delivers a ball in from the left for Cameron Jerome, who gets just enough contact to flick the ball across Tim Howard from just outside the six-yard box. The home side are back in it.
1530: GOALFLASH Chelsea 1-1 West Ham (Parker)
Goooooooaaaaaaaaal
Wolves goal: When you've only won one of your last 18 PL games, you don't need defending like this. Tyrone Mears tries to head the ball back to his keeper Brian Jensen but Wolves winger Matt Jarvis nips in first and is able to nick the ball past the big keeper. That was Wolves' first chance too.
1527: GOALFLASH Birmingham 1-2 Everton (Jerome)
1527: GOALFLASH Burnley 0-1 Wolves (Jarvis)
1526: Ah. I think we briefly lost my description of Bolton's goal at 1513 because of 'technical' issues (I deleted it). If you give this page a manual refresh it should be back, though.
Goooooooaaaaaaaaal
Everton goal: Still no stopping Everton. Steveen Pienaar loops over an inviting cross from the right and Yakubu meets it to nod home from close range.
1524: GOALFLASH Birmingham 0-2 Everton (Yakubu)
Goooooooaaaaaaaaal
Everton goal: Everton have made a storming start at St Andrew's. Joe Hart did brilliantly earlier to deny Steven Pienaar, clawing away the South African's curled effort at full stretch, but the Birmingham keeper was helpless to keep out Victor Anichebe's powerful effort after he cut inside and let fly with a shot that flew into the top corner. A superb finish.
1520: GOALFLASH Birmingham 0-1 Everton (Anichebe)
Football League Danny: "Peter Lovenkrands has put Championship leaders Newcastle ahead at derby rivals Middlesbrough. Second-placed West Brom are 1-1 with Blackpool, while in League One play-off chasing Huddersfield lead leaders Norwich 1-0 thanks to Neal Trotman."
1519: BBC Sport's Phil McNulty at Turf Moor: "Burnley keeper Brian Jensen has just escaped with a yellow card after a comedy flying head-butt challenge on Kevin Doyle as the Wolves striker went around him as he raced out of his area. Being clattered by the giant figure of "The Beast" is not recommended. Ever."
Someone has struck the woodwork
Almost a second Chelsea goal in the space of 60 seconds as another Florent Malouda cross is met by Didier Drogba at the far post, and his scuffed shot loops on to the top of the bar with Robert Green back-pedalling frantically.
Goooooooaaaaaaaaal
Chelsea goal: That Ilan miss just now looks costly already, doesn't it? Florent Malouda's corner is cleared but he gets a second bite of the cherry and crosses for Alex to head home unmarked at the near post.
1516: GOALFLASH Chelsea 1-0 West Ham (Alex)
1515: A golden opportunity is spurned by West Ham striker Ilan, who meets Mido's pull-back from around 10 yards out but skies his shot a mile over the bar.
Bolton goal: Kevin Davies gets a flick on a long Bolton clearance and it runs through to Johan Elmander, who slots home from the edge of the area with a cool finish.
1513: GOALFLASH Bolton 1-0 Wigan (Elmander)
1512: Noel, sorry Glenn, Whelan has had a pop at goal - allowing me to get his name right at the third time of asking. His shot flies high and wide.
1510: Ross Turnbull's first 10 minutes as Chelsea's 'number one' have been pretty uneventful. He hasn't touched the ball. At the other end, Michael Ballack tees up Didier Drogba but his fierce shot is deflected wide. The Hammers are under a LOT of pressure.
1507: A shout for a penalty at The Reebok. Bolton defender Zat Knight catches Wigan's Hugo Rodallega with a clumsy challenge as he tries to reach a bouncing ball. Rodallega goes to ground, but referee Mike Dean is having none of it.
From Martin from Darlo, via text on 81111: "Re 1456. Noel Whelan has played 34 minutes for Darlington over two games this season, getting injured in both, in one case after 40 seconds. I'll drive him to Stoke myself if you like?"
1503: A first chance for Chelsea. Florent Malouda has a sight of goal on the left-hand-side of the area but flashes his shot wide. He had more time than he thought and snatched at that a bit.
1502: We've started at St Andrew's and the Britannia Stadium too... and, finally, at The Reebok. That's all the 1500 GMT top flight games started then.
1501: Under way at Turf Moor... and at Stamford Bridge.
1500: I've never seen Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson kiss an opposing manager before a game... must be an Italian thing.
1459: An affectionate embrace at Stamford Bridge between Carlo Ancelotti and Gianfranco Zola, who kiss each other on both cheeks. Fabio Capello looks on from the stand... I wonder if he wants a kiss too?
From James in London, via text: "I probably speak for most West Ham fans here by asking what on earth is Zola doing with this line-up?"
1456: Noel Whelan was playing for Darlington last I heard... It's Glenn who is in the Stoke midfield (see 1452, now changed). Sorry.
1454: Ah, that Nikola Kalinic 'goal' (see 1435) was ruled out because of a handball. Replays show Kalinic did handle it before firing home, but inadvertently after he was barged by Michael Dawson as the ball dropped towards them. I sympathise with the Croatian striker because there was no intent there.
1452: TEAM NEWS Stoke v Aston Villa
Stoke make two changes from the side that drew with Burnley in midweek, with Danny Higginbotham and Glenn Whelan replacing Andy Wilkinson and Liam Lawrence. Aston Villa are unchanged from the side that knocked Reading out of the FA Cup last Sunday.
From JohnnyThunder29 on Twitter: "Roman Pavlyuchenko's resurgence has been so perfect it's hard to not believe that Harry Redknapp planned it."
1450: Tottenham midfielder Gareth Bale on his side's hopes of a top-four Premier League finish after their 3-1 win over Blackburn: "We're all confident here. It's going to be a tough battle between now and the end of the season but we think we can do it."
1448: TEAM NEWS Birmingham v Everton
Birmingham boss Alex McLeish makes two changes to the side that beat Portsmouth in midweek. Stephen Carr returns after being rested at Fratton Park, while Lee Bowyer also starts after recovering from illness. David Moyes makes one change to the Everton side that thrashed Hull last weekend, with Tim Cahill returning from the treatment room to replace the injured Leon Osman.
1446: Wolves manager Mick McCarthy on his side's battle to stay in the top flight: "I have reason to be calm because we are playing well. If we had been playing badly and getting slapped, I might be different. Despite the results, the performances have been terrific and I honestly believe, if we continue playing as well as we are, it has got to turn around. I'm not giving it the big bravado. I just think we will get more points than three other clubs."
1445: TEAM NEWS Burnley v Wolves
Burnley make two changes, with Wade Elliot starting in place of Steven Thompson and Andre Bikey recalled in place of Jack Cork, but top scorer Steven Fletcher misses his third game in a row with a broken hand. Wolves name the same starting XI and bench that Mick McCarthy selected for the 1-0 defeat by Manchester United. It is the fifth game in a row where his starting XI is unchanged.
1444: TEAM NEWS Bolton v Wigan
Bolton make two changes from the side thumped 4-0 by Sunderland last time out, recalling midfielder Tamir Cohen after suspension and also bringing in Andy O'Brien for the banned Sam Ricketts. Wigan manager Roberto Martinez freshens up his attacking options following the midweek win over Liverpool with January signing Victor Moses coming in to the starting line-up and Bolivian striker Marcelo Moreno dropping to the bench.
1442: Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti on his side's goalkeeping crisis: "I'm not worried. The performance of the team does not rely upon the goalkeeper. I don't want to say we can play without a goalkeeper, because that's an important player for the team, but I have confidence in Ross Turnbull. He has not played a lot of games this season but, with the work with our goalkeeping coach, he has improved very well."
1440: TEAM NEWS Chelsea v West Ham
Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti makes two changes to the side which beat Stoke 2-0 in the FA Cup. Ross Turnbull makes his first Premier League start for Chelsea in place of the injured Hilario, while Michael Ballack returns from suspension and replaces Solamon Kalou. Joe Cole is on the bench. West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola makes five changes with Fabio Daprela, Danny Gabbidon, Araujo Ilan, Kieron Dyer and Mido coming in for Julien Faubert, James Tomkins, Alessandro Diamanti, Carlton Cole and Guillermo Franco.
1438: FULL-TIME Tottenham 3-1 Blackburn
1437: TEAMS Stoke v Aston Villa
Stoke: Sorensen, Huth, Abdoulaye Faye, Higginbotham, Collins, Delap, Whelan, Whitehead, Etherington, Sidibe, Sanli. Subs: Begovic, Lawrence, Fuller, Kitson, Pugh, Wilkinson, Moult.
Aston Villa: Friedel, Cuellar, Dunne, Collins, Warnock, Downing, Milner, Petrov, Ashley Young, Heskey, Carew. Subs: Guzan, Luke Young, Sidwell, Agbonlahor, Delfouneso, Delph, Beye.
Referee: Kevin Friend (Leicestershire)
1435: Mind you, Blackburn should be right back in this. Nikola Kalinic finds the net at the other end with a corking shot on the turn from 25 yards but referee Howard Webb has already blown his whistle for a foul by Kalinic on Michael Dawson. I didn't see him do anything wrong myself.
1433: Robbie Keane's already got a hat-trick today, and Roman Pavlyuchenko has just gone very close to completing his own treble. His volley is going in until Chris Samba's acrobatic clearance stops it on the line.
Goooooooaaaaaaaaal
Tottenham goal: So much for the Blackburn fightback. Some terrible Rovers defending sees Pascal Chimbonda give Roman Pavlyuchenko time to mis-cue from Gareth Bale's free-kick and, when the ball isn't properly cleared, Chimbonda is AWOL again as Pavlyuchenko turns in Bale's cross from close range.
1430: GOALFLASH Tottenham 3-1 Blackburn (Pavlyuchenko)
1429: TEAMS Bolton v Wigan
Bolton: Jaaskelainen, Steinsson, Andrew O'Brien, Knight, Robinson, Lee, Muamba, Cohen, Wilshere, Kevin Davies, Elmander. Subs: Al Habsi, Taylor, Riga, Gardner, Klasnic, Shittu, Weiss.
Wigan: Kirkland, Boyce, Caldwell, Bramble, Figueroa, Scharner, N'Zogbia, Diame, Moses, McCarthy, Rodallega. Subs: Stojkovic, Amaya, Thomas, Scotland, Gomez, Sinclair, Moreno.
Referee: Mike Dean (Wirral)
1428: Spurs make a change, with Peter Crouch on for Jermain Defoe. I've got a feeling Crouch might do more defending than attacking in the next few minutes...
Goooooooaaaaaaaaal
Blackburn goal: Looks like I wrote Rovers off too soon. Morten Gamst Pedersen flights over a corner and, with Spurs keeper Heurelho Gomes in no-man's land, Chris Samba rises at the back post to power home a header. Tottenham aren't happy because Samba was climbing over Michael Dawson as he rose to meet the ball. The last 10 minutes might be a tad nervy for Spurs now...
1425: GOALFLASH Tottenham 2-1 Blackburn (Samba)
1423: TEAMS Chelsea v West Ham
Chelsea: Turnbull, Ivanovic, Alex, Terry, Paulo Ferreira, Ballack, Mikel, Lampard, Anelka, Drogba, Malouda. Subs: Taylor, Joe Cole, Zhirkov, Deco, Kalou, Sturridge, Bruma.
West Ham: Green, Spector, Upson, Gabbidon, Daprela, Ilan, Parker, Kovac, Behrami, Dyer, Mido. Subs: Stech, Cole, McCarthy, Tomkins, Collison, Diamanti, Stanislas.
Referee: Mark Clattenburg (Tyne & Wear)
1422: Oh dear. It's just not happening for Blackburn in front of goal today. Franco Di Santo crosses from the left and Nikola Kalinic, in trying to divert the ball towards the target, only succeeds in volleying it towards the corner flag.
1421: TEAMS Burnley v Wolves
Burnley: Jensen, Mears, Carlisle, Cort, Fox, Elliott, Alexander, Bikey, Eagles, Paterson, Nugent. Subs: Weaver, Duff, Edgar, Rodriguez, Blake, Jordan, Thompson.
Wolverhampton: Hahnemann, Zubar, Craddock, Berra, Ward, Foley, Guedioura, Henry, David Jones, Jarvis, Doyle. Subs: Hennessey, Elokobi, Ebanks-Blake, Keogh, Vokes, Milijas, Mancienne.
Referee: Steve Bennett (Kent)
1419: Blackburn boss Sam Allardyce makes his third and final substitution - Franco di Santo is on for Gael Givet. Time is running out for Rovers... under 15 minutes left for them to find at least two goals.
1416: TEAMS Birmingham v Everton
Birmingham: Hart, Carr, Johnson, Dann, Ridgewell, Gardner, Ferguson, Bowyer, Fahey, Jerome, Benitez. Subs: Taylor, Larsson, Phillips, McFadden, Michel, Queudrue, Tainio.
Everton: Howard, Neville, Jagielka, Distin, Baines, Anichebe, Heitinga, Arteta, Pienaar, Cahill, Yakubu. Subs: Nash, Hibbert, Yobo, Bilyaletdinov, Donovan, Gosling, Rodwell.
Referee: Lee Probert (Wiltshire)
From DavindaAulak on Twitter: "Has Howard Webb got something against Spurs? Bad decision at Liverpool to deny Jermain Defoe an equaliser, and now a clear pen turned down?"
1413: I'm not sure how or why that wasn't a penalty. After Martin Olsson's cross evades his team-mates in the Tottenham area, Spurs break forward and Gareth Bale is sent flying by a challenge from our friend Michel Salgado. Referee Howard Webb has a great view of the incident but points for a... goal-kick. Surely, if it wasn't a foul, then it was a dive by Bale? I'm confused.
1409: Spurs should really be 3-0 up. Wilson Palacios finds Luka Modric with an inch-perfect through-ball, but Modric shoots wide. A waste of a brilliant pass.
1406: Blackburn make a change: Keith Andrews is on for Brett Emerton. Rovers have got 30 minutes to try to salvage something.
1405: Tottenham are well in control of this one now. Just a reminder that, if the scoreline stays the same, fourth-placed Spurs will be three points ahead of fifth-placed Manchester City... although City will have two games in hand.
Goooooooaaaaaaaaal
Tottenham goal: A decent spell of Blackburn pressure comes to nothing and Spurs counter-attack at lightning speed with Jermain Defoe feeding Roman Pavlyuchenko, who lets fly with a low shot from the edge of the area that bounces under Jason Brown. I'm not sure the Rovers keeper will enjoy watching that one again.
1359: GOALFLASH Tottenham 2-0 Blackburn (Pavlyuchenko)
1358: More Robbie Keane news. Two more goals, in the space of 90 seconds, means the on-loan Spurs striker has bagged himself a hat-trick for Celtic.
1356: Our friends at Infostrada Sports have some dispiriting news for Blackburn fans. Tottenham are ahead at the break for the 13th time this season - and they have won every league game this season in which they have led at half-time.
1354: Blackburn threaten again but Michael Dawson (again) is there to hack the ball clear after Nikola Kalinic latches on to a header that drops to him in front of goal. A better touch from Kalinic there and he might have had a chance to shoot.
1352: Blackburn pump a long free-kick into the Spurs box but Michael Dawson is there to head clear. OWC (see 1339) would approve.
1350: Tottenham get the second half under way.
From MagnificentSeven on 606: "As a neutral, I have to say Gareth Bale is the best wing-back in the country. Unbelievable engine, technique, strength and pace."
Hmmm, I'm guessing that not many neutrals are saying that Blackburn's Michel Salgado is the best right-back in the country?
1346: Blimey, you just cannot stop Spurs strikers from scoring, even during half-time. Robbie Keane (who admittedly is on loan at Celtic from Tottenham) has just put his side ahead in their Scottish Cup quarter-final against Kilmarnock.
1343: I don't want to make things worse for any unhappy Blackburn fans but, judging from the replays I've just seen, Rovers should have had a penalty earlier in the first half when David Dunn was bundled over by Vedran Corluka after running into the box. Referee Howard Webb could say that Wilson Palacios played the ball at the same time but no doubt that Dunn was fouled.
From OWC, via text on 81111: "Wilson Palacios and Gareth Bale have been great but no one on the pitch is near Michael Dawson. If he doesn't go to South Africa, it'll be a disgrace."
1339: Blackburn started brightly enough at White Hart Lane but Tottenham have gradually imposed themselves on the game and had a few near-misses before Defoe's predatory strike gave them the lead in first-half injury time. Rovers have got 45 minutes to salvage something from the game but their away form, and lack of goals on the road, suggests that is unlikely.
From Rafael and Fabio - Perfect Combination on 606: "My earlier-season prediction of Spurs finishing in the top four is coming along nicely."
1334: HALF-TIME Tottenham 1-0 Blackburn
Goooooooaaaaaaaaal
Tottenham goal: I was just writing that Blackburn have done enough to deserve to be level at the break and this happens. Vedran Corluka flicks on a corner at the near post and Jermain Defoe pounces at the back post to turn the ball home.
1331: GOALFLASH Tottenham 1-0 Blackburn (Defoe)
1327: Hmmm. Blackburn keeper Jason Brown has had quite a lot to do since coming on, and his work is not finished yet. This time he makes a fine low save to keep out Jermain Defoe's shot from the edge of the area. We've got five minutes to go until half-time and the game is still goalless.
1322: Two chances in quick succession for Jermain Defoe... The first sees him forced away from goal when Gareth Bale finds him with another cute pull-back and he cannot even get a shot away. The second opening sees him run in to meet Benoit Assou-Ekotto's deep cross but Gael Givet gets the last touch and Jason Brown has to make a sprawling save to prevent an own goal.
1319: Er, no prizes for guessing who Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp has singled out as the weak link in Blackburn's defence. Michael Dawson finds Gareth Bale with a raking cross-field ball and the Welshman leaves Michel Salgado trailing in his wake as he cuts inside before dragging his shot across the face of goal. A bit of a waste in the end by Bale, but he did brilliantly to get himself a sight of goal.
1315: It's been a lively first half-hour at White Hart Lane. No goals yet but both sides showing plenty of attacking intent.
1312: Nope, Paul Robinson cannot continue. He limps off to applause from his old club's fans and even manages to wave back in appreciation. Jason Brown will take his place between the sticks for Blackburn.
From D_J_Bates on Twitter: "How many minutes has Eidur Gudjohnsen had for Spurs? Wonder if he regrets leaving the Nou Camp bench only to warm one at the Lane."

Eidur Gudjohnsen has joined Spurs on loan from Monaco, but I take your point...

1308: Blackburn right-back Michel Salgado is having a busy afternoon so far. This time he is skinned by Gareth Bale, who sends over a cross that Roman Pavlyuchenko sweeps narrowly wide at the near post. Still, I suppose Roman is getting closer... he might even get one on target next.
1305: A problem for Blackburn. Their keeper Paul Robinson has picked up a knock and may not be able to continue for much longer.
1304: A much better opening for Roman Pavlyuchenko this time, but he still cannot find the target. Benoit Assou-Ekotto battles to the left-hand bye-line before hooking over a cross that the Russian meets with a scuffed volley that bounces high and wide.
1301: By the way, all Premier League games this weekend will use a special red ball, to promote the Red campaign to fight AIDS in Africa.
1258: Blackburn are still coming forward, though, and again they should do better when Pascal Chimbonda gets forward well down the left and pulls the ball back for Martin Olsson, only for the Swede to fire in a weak shot that is easily blocked.
1255: Tottenham's first effort on goal sees Roman Pavlyuchenko pick up the ball in space about 30 yards out before firing in a shot that swerves (well) off target. Still, it was worth a pop.
From Ben AND SOLSKJAER HAS WON IT on 606: "Re 1233. Hopefully Jimmy Bullard can use his flowing, quick-wash locks to inspire a Hull side to victory over Arsenal later. Or even a draw is good, cheers Jimmy."
1252: Another Blackburn attack. Morten Gamst Pedersen curls in a superb inswinging free-kick from the right but Chris Samba, unmarked, somehow fails to make contact at the back post. The ball sails straight out of play, but that was a decent chance.
1249: Only one away win for Blackburn in the Premier League so far this season, which isn't great. They've not made a bad start today, though, threatening already with a dangerous-looking break that saw David Dunn run from his own half before getting crowded out on the edge of the Tottenham box.
1247: Here we go...
1246: The Tottenham players are in a huddle in the middle of the White Hart Lane pitch, and kick-off is just seconds away.
1242: Sounds a tough old life for Stuart (below) doesn't it? It gets worse, though. As he is in the Caribbean, he won't be able to watch Football Focus, which is now embedded on this page... a quick manual refresh will allow UK users only to watch it. Sorry Stuart.
From Stuart, skipper of Mojito, via text on 81111: "Anchored off Mustique in the Caribbean hoping Spurs can get another three points towards that fourth place!"
1233: About 10 minutes or so to go until kick-off at White Hart Lane. What to do in the meantime? Well, if you haven't seen it yet, I recommend you watch Jimmy Bullard's hilarious shampoo advert (a quick online search should do the trick). The best footballer/hair-product commercial since the heady days of Jason McAteer in the 90s (back when he had hair). Other all-in-one shampoo/conditioners are available by the way...
From JamieCutteridge on Twitter: "Everytime Danny refers to us (Rochdale) as the unstoppable football machine (see 1222) something goes wrong, can he please stop! 36 years of hurt!"
1228: TEAM NEWS Tottenham v Blackburn
Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe returns to the starting line-up, which means Peter Crouch starts on the bench in the only change to the side which drew against Fulham in last-week's FA Cup quarter-final. Blackburn boss Sam Allardyce makes three changes to the team which lost to Liverpool a fortnight ago, with David Dunn, Brett Emerton and former Spurs full-back Pascal Chimbonda all back in Rovers' starting line-up.
1225: I need you lot to get involved today too, obviously. You've got a choice, either Tweet me, get involved on 606 or get the texts in via 81111 (UK) or +44 7786200666 (worldwide). Don't be shy.
1222: There's plenty to keep Football League Danny occupied for the next few hours too. Here he is now actually, with what he describes as his "pick of the pops in the Football League today..."


Championship
Middlesbrough v Newcastle (North-east derby sees play-off hopefuls host rampant leaders)

League One
Southampton v Leeds (Ooh, it's like the Premier League 2003-04 season all over again)

League Two
Shrewsbury v Rochdale (Play-off wannabes host League Two's unstoppable football machine)

From Farslayer on 606: "The pressure is all on Ross Turnbull today. One big match and he will instantly enter the reckoning for that third goalkeeping spot in the England World Cup squad."
1216: A bit of info on Ross Turnbull for you. The Bishop Auckland-born shot-stopper has played only two first-team games for Chelsea since arriving at Stamford Bridge in the summer. He started last season as Middlesbrough's first choice (in the top flight) but was dropped in January. Boro, as you probably already know, went on to be relegated.
From The_Only_Martin on Twitter: "Theoretically, Turnbull has to be OK. He's the best we have for now. And he can't waste his chance. Crucial games..."
1213: TEAMS Tottenham v Blackburn
Tottenham: Gomes, Corluka, Dawson, Bassong, Assou-Ekotto, Kranjcar, Modric, Palacios, Bale, Pavlyuchenko, Defoe. Subs: Alnwick, Kaboul, Crouch, Gudjohnsen, Rose, Kyle Walker, Livermore.
Blackburn: Robinson, Salgado, Samba, Givet, Chimbonda, Emerton, Nzonzi, Pedersen, Olsson, Dunn, Kalinic. Subs: Brown, Roberts, Andrews, Diouf, Basturk, Hoilett, Di Santo.
Referee: Howard Webb (S Yorkshire)
1211: LOTS more going on elsewhere, obviously. The battle for fourth place continues with Tottenham hosting Blackburn in our first game (at 1245 GMT) and Aston Villa in action at Stoke (at 1500 GMT). There's also couple of relegation six-pointers between Burnley-Wolves and Bolton-Wigan and a mid-table encounter between Birmingham and Everton, before Arsenal look to maintain their title challenge at struggling Hull. That's a 1730 GMT kick-off.
From Whos_The_Daddy68 on 606: "Man Utd could go from first to third today - what a switcheroo that would be. Goes to show how tight it is up there..."
1207: Chelsea legend Gianfranco Zola is back at Stamford Bridge today as well of course. His West Ham side are desperately in need of a win to ease their relegation fears, but three points for the Blues against their London rivals will see them leapfrog Manchester United (who play Fulham tomorrow) at the top of the table. Should be quite tasty then.
1203: Injuries to Petr Cech, and now Hilario, mean 25-year-old Turnbull, who joined from Middlesbrough on a free transfer in the summer, will make his Premier League debut for the Blues against West Ham today, and probably face Inter Milan in the Champions League on Tuesday. No pressure then.
1200: Afternoon. So, do you know much about Ross Turnbull? Nope, me neither. I think that might all change in the next few days, though, because Chelsea's third-choice goalkeeper is about to take centre stage...

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