Premier League opening day summary

Hull made a dream start to life in the Premier League, but fellow newcomers Stoke and West Brom were both beaten.

The Tigers, tasting top-flight football for the first time in their history, came from behind to defeat Fulham at a packed and passionate KC Stadium.

But Stoke were made to pay for two defensive lapses as they were beaten 3-1 by Bolton, while brave West Brom went down 1-0 to Arsenal at Emirates Stadium.

Paul Ince’s first game in charge of Blackburn ended in a 3-2 victory over Everton and Middlesbrough enjoyed a 2-1 triumph against Tottenham.

Dean Ashton grabbed an early double in front of watching England boss Fabio Capello as West Ham defeated Wigan 2-1 at Upton Park.

The evening game saw Sunderland entertain Liverpool and The Reds started their title challenge on a winning note courtesy of Fernando Torres’ late winner.

Early wobbles

Hull were all at sea in the opening moments against Fulham, and it was no surprise when Seol Ki-Hyeon was given space between the centre-backs to flick Jimmy Bullard’s cross into the bottom corner.

But the Tigers recovered from their early wobbles, with Geovanni firing home an excellent equaliser before the break following a superb run and shot from outside the box.

And Folan made sure his name will forever be remember in Hull as he stroked home the winning goal nine minutes from time after Paul Konchesky’s error gifted the ball to Craig Fagan.

Samir Nasri’s early goal was enough for Arsenal as they held out against West Brom to secure a 1-0 victory at Emirates Stadium.

A typical flowing move from the Gunners saw Denilson cut the ball back for the £12million summer signing to slot beyond Scott Carson.

The Baggies improved after the break and came close to equalising only for Johan Djourou to clear Paul Robinson’s shot off the line.

Stoke’s jubilation at their top-flight return evaporated in the opening 45 minutes as Bolton cruised into a 3-0 half-time lead.

The Potters fell behind to a freak goal from Gretar Steinsson in the 34th minute, when his cross-shot from out on the right wing somehow flew into the top corner of the net.

Then poor marking at two set-pieces before the break allowed Kevin Davies and new signing Johan Elmander to head home.

Ricardo Fuller pulled one back in the second half, but it was all in vain for Tony Pulis’ side.

 

Last-gasp glory

Andre Ooijer’s last-gasp strike secured victory for Paul Ince in his first Premier League game in charge of Blackburn at Everton.

Ince did not have to wait long to celebrate Rovers’ first goal of his management, with David Dunn showing quick feet to create space on the edge of the box before beating Tim Howard all ends up.

But Mikel Arteta’s clever free-kick caught new arrival Paul Robinson napping as he whipped the ball in at the near post to level matters before the interval.

Everton then edged in front when Arteta escaped down the left and delivered an inch-perfect cross to the far post for Yakubu Aiyegbeni to head home.

But the lead was short-lived as Stephen Warnock found Roque Santa Cruz in behind the home defence and the big striker slotted home before Ooijer had the final say.

Middlesbrough enjoyed an impressive opening day victory over big-spending Tottenham.

David Wheater, who had a goal ruled out in the first half, scored with 19 minutes remaining from point-blank range after Spurs failed to clear a corner and Afonso Alves’ initial shot fell to the defender at the back post.

And Mido made it 2-0 with time running out as he deflected Gary O’Neil’s shot beyond Heurelho Gomes, before Robert Huth’s late own goal.

West Ham striker Ashton sent a message to watching England coach Capello with two early goals against Wigan.

Ashton’s first was a stunning strike, as he turned Paul Scharner and lashed a fearsome shot beyond Chris Kirkland from the edge of the area, before adding a close-range second when Wigan failed to deal with a corner from the left.

Amr Zaki gave the Latics hope after the break with another excellent finish, volleying home after Emile Heskey had flicked on a long throw into the box, but the Hammers held on.

Liverpool left it late at Sunderland, but kicked off their Premier League with a 1-0 win thanks to Torres’ winner.

Chances were at a premium at the Stadium of Light with neither side creating any first half chances of note.

Both sides had opportunities to forge in front, but with the game scoreless entering the last ten minutes of play a draw looked on the cards.

However, the visitors did not read the script and Xabi Alonso picked out Torres with a neat through-ball with the Spain international striker dispatching a pin-point right-footed shot past the helpless Craig Gordon to snatch all three points.

Premier League Transfers

ARSENAL

Ins: Aaron Ramsey (Cardiff, £5m), Samir Nasri (Marseille, undisclosed), Amaury Bischoff (Werder Bremen, undisclosed).

Outs: Gilberto Silva (Panathinaikos, £1m), Alexander Hleb (Barcelona, £11.8m), Jens Lehmann (Stuttgart, free), Mathieu Flamini (AC Milan, free), Kerrea Gilbert (Leicester, loan).

ASTON VILLA

Ins: Steve Sidwell (Chelsea, £5m), Curtis Davies (West Brom, undisclosed), Brad Friedel (Blackburn, £2m).

Outs: Thomas Sorensen (released), Patrik Berger (Sparta Prague, free), Luke Moore (West Brom, £3m).

BLACKBURN ROVERS

Ins: Robbie Fowler (Cardiff, free), Paul Robinson (Tottenham, £3.5m), Carlos Villanueva (Audax Italiano, loan), Danny Simpson (Manchester United, loan).

Outs: Stephane Henchoz (released), Bruno Berner (released), Peter Enckelman (Cardiff, free), Brad Friedel (Aston Villa, £2m), David Bentley (Tottenham, £15m).

BOLTON WANDERERS

Ins: Johan Elmander (Toulouse, £10m), Fabrice Muamba (Birmingham, £5m), Mustapha Riga (Levante, undisclosed), Danny Shittu (Watford, undisclosed).

Outs: Daniel Braaten (Toulouse, undisclosed), Andranik Teymourian (Fulham, free), Stelios Giannakopoulos (released), Ivan Campo (released), El Hadji Diouf (Sunderland, £2.5m).

CHELSEA

Ins: Jose Bosingwa (FC Porto, £16.2m), Deco (Barcelona, £8m).

Outs: Steve Sidwell (Aston Villa, £5m), Ben Sahar (Portsmouth, loan), Ryan Bertrand (Norwich, loan), Slobodan Rajkovic (FC Twente, loan), Claude Makelele (Paris St Germain, free), Khalid Boulahrouz (Stuttgart, £4m), Tal Ben Haim (Manchester City, undisclosed), Shaun Cummings (MK Dons, loan).

EVERTON

Ins: None.

Outs: Lee Carsley (Birmingham City, free), Stefan Wessels (VfL Osnabruck, free).

FULHAM

Ins: John Pantsil and Bobby Zamora (West Ham, £6.3m), Tony Kallio (Young Boys Bern, undisclosed), Andranik Teymourian (Bolton, free), Zoltan Gera (West Brom, free), David Stockdale (Darlington, undisclosed), Mark Schwarzer (Middlesbrough, free), Fredrik Stoor (Rosenborg, undisclosed), Pascal Zuberbuhler (Neuchatel Xamax, free).

Outs: Dejan Stefanovic (Norwich, undisclosed), Nathan Ashton (Wycombe, nominal fee), Elliot Omozusi (Norwich, loan), Ricardo Batista (Sporting, undisclosed), Tony Warner (Hull City, free), Carlos Bocanegra (Stade Rennais, free), Brian McBride (Toronto, free), Philippe Christanval, Jari Litmanen, Simon Elliott, Kasey Keller (all released).

HULL CITY

Ins: Peter Halmosi (Plymouth, £2m), George Boateng (Middlesbrough, £1m), Tony Warner (Fulham, free), Bernard Mendy (Paris St Germain, free), Geovanni (Manchester City, free), Craig Fagan (Derby, £750,000), Anthony Gardner (Tottenham, loan).

Outs: Michael Bridges (Carlisle, loan), Henrik Pedersen (Silkeborg IF, free), David Livermore (Brighton, free).

LIVERPOOL

Ins: David Ngog (Paris St Germain, undisclosed), Emmanuel Mendy (Murcia Deportivo, free), Diego Cavalieri (Palmeiras, undisclosed), Andrea Dossena (Udinese, undisclosed), Philipp Degen (Borussia Dortmund, free), Robbie Keane (Tottenham, £20.3m).

Outs: Jack Hobbs (Leicester, loan), Godwin Antwi (Tranmere, loan), Adam Hammill (Blackpool, loan), Scott Carson (West Brom, £3.25m), Peter Crouch (Portsmouth, £11m), Harry Kewell (Galatasaray, free), Paul Anderson (Nottingham Forest, loan), Anthony le Tallec (Le Mans, undisclosed), John Arne Riise (Roma, £4m), Besian Idrizaj (Wacker Tirol, free), Danny Guthrie (Newcastle, undisclosed), Robbie Threlfall (Hereford, loan), David Martin (Leicester, loan), Sebastian Leto (Olympiakos, loan).

MANCHESTER CITY

Ins: Jo (CSKA Moscow, £18m), Tal Ben Haim (Chelsea, undisclosed).

Outs: Georgios Samaras (Celtic, undisclosed), Andreas Isaksson (PSV Eindhoven, undisclosed), Geovanni (Hull, free), Emile Mpenza and Paul Dickov (both released), Sun Jihai (Sheffield United, free), Matthew Mills (Doncaster, £300,000).

MANCHESTER UNITED

Ins: None.

Outs: Adam Eckersley (AC Horsens, free), Gerard Pique (Barcelona, £5m), Tom Heaton (Cardiff City, loan), Chris Eagles (Burnley, £1m), Danny Simpson (Blackburn, loan)

MIDDLESBROUGH

Ins: Didier Digard (Paris St Germain, £4m), Marvin Emnes (Sparta Rotterdam, £3.2m).

Outs: George Boateng (Hull City, £1m), Fabio Rochemback (Sporting, free), Lee Dong-Gook (released), Mark Schwarzer (Fulham, free), Steve Thompson (Port Vale, free), Lee Cattermole (Wigan, £3.5m).

NEWCASTLE UNITED

Ins: Danny Guthrie (Liverpool, undisclosed), Jonas Gutierrez (Real Mallorca, undisclosed).

Outs: Emre (Fenerbahce, undisclosed), David Rozehnal (Lazio, £2.9m), Peter Ramage (QPR, free).

PORTSMOUTH

Ins: Peter Crouch (Liverpool, £11m), Ben Sahar (Chelsea, loan), Glen Little (Reading, free), Omar Alieu Koroma (Banjul Hawks, undisclosed).

Outs: Sulley Muntari (Inter Milan, £12.7m), Omar Alieu Koroma (Norwich, loan).

STOKE CITY

Ins: Seyi George Olofinjana (Wolves, £3m), Dave Kitson (Reading, £5.5m).

Outs: Marlon Broomes (Blackpool, free).

SUNDERLAND

Ins: Pascal Chimbonda (Tottenham, undisclosed), David Meyler (Cork City, undisclosed), Nick Colgan (Ipswich, free), Teemu Tainio (Tottenham, undisclosed), El Hadji Diouf (Bolton, £2.5m), Steed Malbranque (Tottenham, undisclosed).

Outs: Andrew Cole (Nottingham Forest, free), Greg Halford (Sheffield United, loan), Ian Harte and Stephen Wright (both released), Ross Wallace (Preston, loan).

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR

Ins: John Bostock (Crystal Palace, £700,000), Heurelho Gomes (PSV Eindhoven, undisclosed), Luka Modric (£15.8m), Giovani dos Santos (Barcelona, £4.7m), David Bentley (Blackburn, £15m).

Outs: Pascal Chimbonda (Sunderland, undisclosed), Paul Robinson (Blackburn, £3.5m), Teemu Tainio (Sunderland, undisclosed), Joe Martin (Blackpool, undisclosed), Robbie Keane (Liverpool, £20.3m). Anthony Gardner (Hull City, loan), Steed Malbranque (Sunderland, undisclosed), Jake Livermore (Crewe, loan).

WEST BROM

Ins: Scott Carson (Liverpool, £3.25m), Marek Cech (FC Porto, £1.4m), Gianni Zuiverloon (Heerenveen, £3.2m), Luke Moore (Aston Villa, £3m).

Outs: Kevin Phillips (Birmingham, free), Curtis Davies (Aston Villa, undisclosed), Martin Albrechtsen (Derby County, free), Zoltan Gera (Fulham, free), Luke Daniels (Shrewsbury, loan).

WEST HAM UNITED

Ins: Valon Behrami (Lazio, £5m), Balint Bajner (Liberty Salonta, undisclosed), Jan Lastuvka (Shakhtar Donetsk, loan).

Outs: John Pantsil and Bobby Zamora (Fulham, £6.3m), Richard Wright (Ipswich, undisclosed).

WIGAN ATHLETIC

Ins: Amr Zaki (Zamalek, loan), Olivier Kapo (Birmingham, £3.5m), Daniel de Ridder (Birmingham, free), Lee Cattermole (Middlesbrough, £3.5m).

Outs: Andreas Granqvist (Groningen, £600,000), Julius Aghahowa (Kayserispor, undisclosed), Salomon Olembe (Kayserispor, free), Josip Skoko (Hajduk Split, free), David Cotterill (Sheffield United, undisclosed).

Manchester United and Spurs – £25m for Berbatov

It looks like United will get Berbatov for approximately £25 million.

United have officially started negotiations with Spurs about the Bulgarian striker, although Spurs have apparantly said they will hold out for £28 million.

Ferguson has followed and made enquiries about Berbatov for the past 2 seasons and now appears to be the right time to make an official approach.

I think that Berbatov would be an amazing signing for United, the service he would receive from that team would surely see him hit the 30 goal mark and I see him as the key to deciding whether Ronaldo can go or not.

If they sign Berbatov expect to see Nani start making more appearances as they test the set up for Ronaldo’s departure, and if I am to be totally honest, with Dimitar on the books and Nani maturing into a top player in his own right, I think United can more than survive without Ronaldo.

I think they will have it more their own way this year than they did last year. They got off to a slow start last year, this year I expect to see them come flying out of the blocks and with Chelsea and Arsenal going through quite big changes at the moment I really can’t see Manchester United having much trouble defending their crown as Premier League champions.

And as an Everton supporter that’s not an easy thing to say!!

What do you think about the proposed signing of Berbatov?
Please leave a comment below.

Redknapp going for top 4 with Peter Crouch at Portsmouth?

I’m a massive fan of Harry Redknapp. I don’t really care about any gossip that follows him regarding deals etc.

I like him as a person, he always seems to give an honest and straight answer when talking about his football, whether it be his teams he is talking about or others. More importantly though I like him as a football manager and for me that is what he is, a manager not just a coach.

There’s two types of gaffer. There’s the all round manager such as Redknapp, Fergie, Wenger and the newer bread such as Mark Hughes and David Moyes. Then there is the more modern coach, who knows all the the drills for the training pitch, is tactically very aware of what goes on but perhaps can’t hold or comand the full respect of their players. Into this category I’d probably put the likes of Scholari, Paul Ince, Steve Copell and Steve McClaren.

I have to admit I prefer the Manager approach. I think the old fashioned “boss” approach has better results and always will in the Premier League.

Harry has continued to make progress as Portsmouth boss and in the signing of Peter Crouch I think he will take Portsmouth up another position or two. I would love to see Crouchys goals take Portsmouth above Liverpool in the coming season. For this could really come back to haunt Benitez.

I just wish Everton had made an offer but I have said that year in year out about Moyes and Everton, and Moyes always pleasantly surprises me just as I am getting frustrated.

 

Scolari takes the Chelsea hotseat.

Luis Felipe Scolari, “Big Phil”, was last night named as Chelsea boss.
The job that nobody wanted was finally filled by the Portugal boss just minutes after Portugals impressive 3-1 win against the Czech Republic.

I couldn’t help but chuckle to myself about his influence in the premier league already.

It all clicked into place, his helping hand at unsettling Ronaldo at United makes sense now. Knowing he was going to be Chelsea boss next season makes him want to get rid of the largest thorn he is likely to encounter, taking 40 goals a season off their nearest rivals is certainly a help.
Saying that the best move to help his career is to go to Real Madrid is a shocking statement, when you realise he was only actually saying that to benefit his own career, not that of Christiano Ronaldo.

So is it a good signing?
Well I think “Big Phil” has a bit to do to actually convince me. Of course the purists will say that he has won the world cup!!! But that was with a team that could have won the world cup managerless. Brazil where a dream team and Scolari moved on quickly after that, knowing expectations would be too much to live up to. In fairness he was right though and things began to fall apart a little after his departure.

His appointment at Portugal has coincided with some outstanding talent emerging. I am sure the Portuguese will be gutted to see him go, and the players I am sure will want to send him out with another trophy.

So why do I suggest I am still to be convinced?
Well I think Brazil and Portugal have spoilt Scolari for choice having world class talent to choose from.
Of course the bank balance at Chelsea ensures he can build a dream team of his own now but it’s the first season that I will be interested in. Will he be able to keep the key players he has and if so will he turn them back into champions?

I think he will be a great cup manager and so I wouldn’t be surprised to see them take the European cup this year (although if Ronaldo goes to Madrid I would love to see United meet Real in the final!!) but I am not convinced he can take the league.