Derby County

[Freddy Adu]

[IMG]http://www.*************.com/javaImages/fc/9a/0,,12306%7E3316476,00.gif[/IMG] Choose another club Arsenal Aston Villa Birmingham City Blackburn Rovers Bolton Wanderers Chelsea Derby County Everton Fulham Liverpool Manchester City Manchester United Middlesbrough Newcastle United Portsmouth Reading Sunderland Tottenham Hotspur West Ham United Wigan Athletic Founded: 1876 | Nickname: Boro | Ground: Riverside Stadium | Capacity: 35,100 [IMG]http://www.*************.com/javaImages/19/bc/0,,12306%7E3324953,00.gif[/IMG] [IMG]http://www.*************.com/javaImages/9a/d1/0,,12306%7E3330458,00.png[/IMG] [IMG]http://www.*************.com/javaImages/58/fc/0,,12306%7E3341400,00.png[/IMG] [IMG]http://www.*************.com/javaImages/59/fc/0,,12306%7E3341401,00.png[/IMG] [IMG]http://www.*************.com/javaImages/f5/d0/0,,12306%7E3330293,00.png[/IMG] [IMG]http://www.*************.com/javaImages/95/bb/0,,12306%7E3324821,00.jpg[/IMG] Middlesbrough Football Club Riverside Stadium, Middlesbrough, TS3 6RS, TS3 6RS Tel: 0844 499 1234 Visit Official Site > Buy Tickets > Official Club Shop > Stadium Directions >	[IMG]http://www.*************.com/shim.gif[/IMG]
[IMG]http://www.*************.com/shim.gif[/IMG]	[IMG]http://www.*************.com/shim.gif[/IMG]	[IMG]http://www.*************.com/shim.gif[/IMG]

Middlesbrough


Overview
Middlesbrough have spent the last nine seasons in the Premier League and 12 seasons in total. The 2004/05 season represented their best in the Premier League, as they secured a 7th place finish. Otherwise, Boro have generally been comfortable in the top flight and often excelled in the cup competitions.
After finishing runners-up in the League Cup in 1997 and 1998, Boro won the trophy for the first time when, under Steve McClaren, they defeated Bolton Wanderers 2-1 at the Millennium Stadium . Two years later, they were beaten by Sevilla in the Uefa Cup final after a dramatic run which saw them mount stunning late comebacks in the previous two rounds against Basel and Steaua Bucharest respectively.
Current manager Gareth Southgate helped the north east club to a 12th place finish last season. Middlesbrough paid the first-ever four-figure transfer fee for a player in 1905 when they spent £1,000 on centre forward Alf Common.

Club Heritage
Middlesbrough Football Club was originally formed in 1876 by Middlesbrough Cricket team players to stay fit during the winter. In 1877, they recorded their first-ever result, a 1-1 draw with Teesside Wanderers. The club was elected to the Football League in 1899, with their inaugural league win coming at home against Grimsby.
In 1903, the club moved to Ayresome Park from Linthorpe Road, where they had been playing since 1877. The club was relegated to the Second Division in the 1923-24 campaign after 22 straight seasons in the top flight. They were promoted again three seasons later, with striker George Camsell scoring 59 league goals.
After a number of promotions and relegations, one of the club's highest-ever goalscorers emerged in the 1950s during a 20-year spell outside the top flight. Brian Clough scored 204 goals in 222 games before leaving for Sunderland. Once established back in the First Division, the club won its first-ever silverware in the 1975-76 season. They lifted the Anglo-Scottish Cup after beating Fulham over two legs.
There were major fears that the club would fold permanently after experiencing severe financial difficulties in the mid 1980s. However, with just 10 minutes to go before the deadline to pay the £350,000 required for Football League registration, a consortium led by Steve Gibson, a board member at the time, produced the money necessary to compete in the 1986-87 season. Two successive promotions secured the club's place in Division One and they were in the top flight for the inaugural Premier League season.

Premier League History
1992-93 - Relegated from Premier League
1993-94 - Manager Lennie Lawrence resigns
1994-95 - Bryan Robson appointed as player-manager
1994-95 - Promoted from Division One
1996-97 - Relegated from FA Carling Premiership
2001-02 - Robson resigns in summer 2001
2001-02 - Steve McClaren appointed manager
2002-03 - Massimo Maccarone signs from Empoli for a club record £8.15million
2003-04 - League Cup winners
2005-06 - McClaren resigns
2006-07 - Gareth Southgate appointed manager

[Freddy Adu]

[IMG]http://www.*************.com/javaImages/8d/92/0,,12306%7E3314317,00.gif[/IMG]

1	Everton	2	2	6
2	Man City	2	2	6
3	Chelsea	2	2	6
4	Sunderland	2	2	4
5	Newcastle	1	1	3
6	Arsenal	1	1	3
7	Blackburn	1	1	3
8	Liverpool	1	1	3
9	Fulham	2	2	3
10	Wigan Athletic	2	2	3
11	Portsmouth	2	2	2
12	Man Utd	2	2	2
13	Birmingham	2	2	1
14	Derby County	2	2	1
15	Reading	2	2	1
16	Aston Villa	1	1	0
17	Middlesbrough	2	2	0
18	West Ham	1	1	0
19	Bolton	2	2	0
20	Tottenham	2	2	0

[Freddy Adu]

[IMG]http://www.*************.com/javaImages/8d/92/0,,12306%7E3314317,00.gif[/IMG]

1	Everton	2	2	6
2	Man City	2	2	6
3	Chelsea	2	2	6
4	Sunderland	2	2	4
5	Newcastle	1	1	3
6	Arsenal	1	1	3
7	Blackburn	1	1	3
8	Liverpool	1	1	3
9	Fulham	2	2	3
10	Wigan Athletic	2	2	3
11	Portsmouth	2	2	2
12	Man Utd	2	2	2
13	Birmingham	2	2	1
14	Derby County	2	2	1
15	Reading	2	2	1
16	Aston Villa	1	1	0
17	Middlesbrough	2	2	0
18	West Ham	1	1	0
19	Bolton	2	2	0
20	Tottenham	2	2	0

Full Table

[Freddy Adu]

Late drama in opening weekend games

Late goals and significant contributions by newcomers to the Barclays Premier League mark the new season.

Spectators were richly entertained in the opening round of matches as spectacular goals and late twists of fate meant no one could take their eyes off any of the games until the final whistles blew up and down the country.
Newly promoted Sunderland scored the first goal of the season - pulling off a shock result against big-spending Tottenham. New £5million signing Michael Chopra came off the substitutes bench to hit the decisive strike with practically the last kick of the game.
Former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson made his Barclays Premier League debut as Manchester City manager at Upton Park where his expensively assembled, multi-national side got off to the perfect start with an impressive win against West Ham United. Both City's goals came from new signings - Rolando Bianchi in the first half after impressive work by Elano, before Geovanni put the result beyond doubt in the 87th minute.
After the game Eriksson commented: "We played some really good football - not for 90 minutes because we suffered as well but we started well and the last 15 minutes we did very well again."

spectacular own goal
Liverpool's talismanic captain Steven Gerrard was another late scorer as his superb 87th minute free kick proved the winner against Aston Villa. Liverpool had gone ahead in the 31st minute when the luckless Martin Laursen hit a spectacular own goal, deflecting Dirk Kuyt's cross past keeper Stuart Taylor.
Elsewhere other teams widely expected to be challenging for the top of the table did not have it all their own way. Chelsea were made to work hard for three points in a five-goal thriller against Birmingham City at Stamford Bridge. And Arsenal were given a fright after just 52 seconds when a horrendous mistake from goalkeeper Jens Lehman gifted Fulham debutant David Healy an easy goal. The Cottagers' keeper Tony Warner, on as a late substitute for Anti Niemi who was injured in the warm-up, pulled off a string of fine saves before a Robin van Persie penalty in the 94th minute brought matters level ahead of a dramatic last minute winner from Alexander Hleb - securing the points for the Gunners.
But perhaps the biggest shock came at Old Trafford where last season's champions Manchester United were held in the weekend's only goalless draw by Reading who made the Red Devil's work hard against resolute man-for-man marking. Reading's Dave Kitson earned himself the unwanted statistic of being the season's first sending-off - lasting just 37 seconds after coming on as a substitute - a high tackle on Patrice Evra bringing out referee Rob Styles' red card.

long range strike
Newcastle United manager - Sam Allardyce - went back to former club Bolton Wanderers and looked on proudly as his new charges raced into a 3-0 half time lead. Nigerian striker Obafemi Martins led the way with two goals, the first a stunning overhead kick followed by a deflected long range strike. Bolton rallied in the second half with a goal from Nicolas Anelka but the Newcastle defence held firm for the rest of the game.
Afterwards Allardyce was full of praise for his players: "The application by the players was terrific and I think that the quality of the finishing was the difference between the two teams. I'm not sure what level these players are at yet but they are starting to hit a standard I don't want them to drop."
Blackburn Rovers came from behind to beat Middlesbrough 2-1 at the Riverside. New signing Roque Santa Cruz scored within minutes of coming off the bench to equalise before another substitute - England Under-21 star Matt Derbyshire - scored a spectacular goal with just his third touch.

unstoppable header
Barclays Premier League newcomers Derby County shared the points in a four-goal thriller with Portsmouth at Pride Park as they got their campaign off to a creditable start. Pompey had countered the Rams early goal with two of their own before another debut man Andy Todd - son of former Derby player and manager Colin - powered an unstoppable header into the top of the net in the 84th minute.

In the remaining match of the weekend Everton built up a two-nil lead over Wigan Athletic before an 80th minute goal from yet another debutant - Antoine Sibierski - made it a nervous last ten minutes for the Toffees.

[Freddy Adu]

[IMG]http://www.*************.com/javaImages/8d/92/0,,12306%7E3314317,00.gif[/IMG]

1	Everton	2	2	6
2	Man City	2	2	6
3	Chelsea	2	2	6
4	Sunderland	2	2	4
5	Newcastle	1	1	3
6	Arsenal	1	1	3
7	Blackburn	1	1	3
8	Liverpool	1	1	3
9	Fulham	2	2	3
10	Wigan Athletic	2	2	3
11	Portsmouth	2	2	2
12	Man Utd	2	2	2
13	Birmingham	2	2	1
14	Derby County	2	2	1
15	Reading	2	2	1
16	Aston Villa	1	1	0
17	Middlesbrough	2	2	0
18	West Ham	1	1	0
19	Bolton	2	2	0
20	Tottenham	2	2	0

Full Table

[Freddy Adu]

[IMG]http://www.*************.com/javaImages/8d/92/0,,12306%7E3314317,00.gif[/IMG]

1	Everton	2	2	6
2	Man City	2	2	6
3	Chelsea	2	2	6
4	Sunderland	2	2	4
5	Newcastle	1	1	3
6	Arsenal	1	1	3
7	Blackburn	1	1	3
8	Liverpool	1	1	3
9	Fulham	2	2	3
10	Wigan Athletic	2	2	3
11	Portsmouth	2	2	2
12	Man Utd	2	2	2
13	Birmingham	2	2	1
14	Derby County	2	2	1
15	Reading	2	2	1
16	Aston Villa	1	1	0
17	Middlesbrough	2	2	0
18	West Ham	1	1	0
19	Bolton	2	2	0
20	Tottenham	2	2	0

Full Table

[Freddy Adu]

Late drama in opening weekend games

Late goals and significant contributions by newcomers to the Barclays Premier League mark the new season.

Spectators were richly entertained in the opening round of matches as spectacular goals and late twists of fate meant no one could take their eyes off any of the games until the final whistles blew up and down the country.
Newly promoted Sunderland scored the first goal of the season - pulling off a shock result against big-spending Tottenham. New £5million signing Michael Chopra came off the substitutes bench to hit the decisive strike with practically the last kick of the game.
Former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson made his Barclays Premier League debut as Manchester City manager at Upton Park where his expensively assembled, multi-national side got off to the perfect start with an impressive win against West Ham United. Both City's goals came from new signings - Rolando Bianchi in the first half after impressive work by Elano, before Geovanni put the result beyond doubt in the 87th minute.
After the game Eriksson commented: "We played some really good football - not for 90 minutes because we suffered as well but we started well and the last 15 minutes we did very well again."

spectacular own goal
Liverpool's talismanic captain Steven Gerrard was another late scorer as his superb 87th minute free kick proved the winner against Aston Villa. Liverpool had gone ahead in the 31st minute when the luckless Martin Laursen hit a spectacular own goal, deflecting Dirk Kuyt's cross past keeper Stuart Taylor.
Elsewhere other teams widely expected to be challenging for the top of the table did not have it all their own way. Chelsea were made to work hard for three points in a five-goal thriller against Birmingham City at Stamford Bridge. And Arsenal were given a fright after just 52 seconds when a horrendous mistake from goalkeeper Jens Lehman gifted Fulham debutant David Healy an easy goal. The Cottagers' keeper Tony Warner, on as a late substitute for Anti Niemi who was injured in the warm-up, pulled off a string of fine saves before a Robin van Persie penalty in the 94th minute brought matters level ahead of a dramatic last minute winner from Alexander Hleb - securing the points for the Gunners.
But perhaps the biggest shock came at Old Trafford where last season's champions Manchester United were held in the weekend's only goalless draw by Reading who made the Red Devil's work hard against resolute man-for-man marking. Reading's Dave Kitson earned himself the unwanted statistic of being the season's first sending-off - lasting just 37 seconds after coming on as a substitute - a high tackle on Patrice Evra bringing out referee Rob Styles' red card.

long range strike
Newcastle United manager - Sam Allardyce - went back to former club Bolton Wanderers and looked on proudly as his new charges raced into a 3-0 half time lead. Nigerian striker Obafemi Martins led the way with two goals, the first a stunning overhead kick followed by a deflected long range strike. Bolton rallied in the second half with a goal from Nicolas Anelka but the Newcastle defence held firm for the rest of the game.
Afterwards Allardyce was full of praise for his players: "The application by the players was terrific and I think that the quality of the finishing was the difference between the two teams. I'm not sure what level these players are at yet but they are starting to hit a standard I don't want them to drop."
Blackburn Rovers came from behind to beat Middlesbrough 2-1 at the Riverside. New signing Roque Santa Cruz scored within minutes of coming off the bench to equalise before another substitute - England Under-21 star Matt Derbyshire - scored a spectacular goal with just his third touch.

unstoppable header
Barclays Premier League newcomers Derby County shared the points in a four-goal thriller with Portsmouth at Pride Park as they got their campaign off to a creditable start. Pompey had countered the Rams early goal with two of their own before another debut man Andy Todd - son of former Derby player and manager Colin - powered an unstoppable header into the top of the net in the 84th minute.

In the remaining match of the weekend Everton built up a two-nil lead over Wigan Athletic before an 80th minute goal from yet another debutant - Antoine Sibierski - made it a nervous last ten minutes for the Toffees.

[Freddy Adu]

[IMG]http://www.*************.com/javaImages/8d/92/0,,12306%7E3314317,00.gif[/IMG]

1	Everton	2	2	6
2	Man City	2	2	6
3	Chelsea	2	2	6
4	Sunderland	2	2	4
5	Newcastle	1	1	3
6	Arsenal	1	1	3
7	Blackburn	1	1	3
8	Liverpool	1	1	3
9	Fulham	2	2	3
10	Wigan Athletic	2	2	3
11	Portsmouth	2	2	2
12	Man Utd	2	2	2
13	Birmingham	2	2	1
14	Derby County	2	2	1
15	Reading	2	2	1
16	Aston Villa	1	1	0
17	Middlesbrough	2	2	0
18	West Ham	1	1	0
19	Bolton	2	2	0
20	Tottenham	2	2	0

Full Table

[Freddy Adu]

[IMG]http://www.*************.com/javaImages/8d/92/0,,12306%7E3314317,00.gif[/IMG]

1	Everton	2	2	6
2	Man City	2	2	6
3	Chelsea	2	2	6
4	Sunderland	2	2	4
5	Newcastle	1	1	3
6	Arsenal	1	1	3
7	Blackburn	1	1	3
8	Liverpool	1	1	3
9	Fulham	2	2	3
10	Wigan Athletic	2	2	3
11	Portsmouth	2	2	2
12	Man Utd	2	2	2
13	Birmingham	2	2	1
14	Derby County	2	2	1
15	Reading	2	2	1
16	Aston Villa	1	1	0
17	Middlesbrough	2	2	0
18	West Ham	1	1	0
19	Bolton	2	2	0
20	Tottenham	2	2	0

Full Table

[Freddy Adu]

Late drama in opening weekend games

Late goals and significant contributions by newcomers to the Barclays Premier League mark the new season.

Spectators were richly entertained in the opening round of matches as spectacular goals and late twists of fate meant no one could take their eyes off any of the games until the final whistles blew up and down the country.
Newly promoted Sunderland scored the first goal of the season - pulling off a shock result against big-spending Tottenham. New £5million signing Michael Chopra came off the substitutes bench to hit the decisive strike with practically the last kick of the game.
Former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson made his Barclays Premier League debut as Manchester City manager at Upton Park where his expensively assembled, multi-national side got off to the perfect start with an impressive win against West Ham United. Both City's goals came from new signings - Rolando Bianchi in the first half after impressive work by Elano, before Geovanni put the result beyond doubt in the 87th minute.
After the game Eriksson commented: "We played some really good football - not for 90 minutes because we suffered as well but we started well and the last 15 minutes we did very well again."

spectacular own goal
Liverpool's talismanic captain Steven Gerrard was another late scorer as his superb 87th minute free kick proved the winner against Aston Villa. Liverpool had gone ahead in the 31st minute when the luckless Martin Laursen hit a spectacular own goal, deflecting Dirk Kuyt's cross past keeper Stuart Taylor.
Elsewhere other teams widely expected to be challenging for the top of the table did not have it all their own way. Chelsea were made to work hard for three points in a five-goal thriller against Birmingham City at Stamford Bridge. And Arsenal were given a fright after just 52 seconds when a horrendous mistake from goalkeeper Jens Lehman gifted Fulham debutant David Healy an easy goal. The Cottagers' keeper Tony Warner, on as a late substitute for Anti Niemi who was injured in the warm-up, pulled off a string of fine saves before a Robin van Persie penalty in the 94th minute brought matters level ahead of a dramatic last minute winner from Alexander Hleb - securing the points for the Gunners.
But perhaps the biggest shock came at Old Trafford where last season's champions Manchester United were held in the weekend's only goalless draw by Reading who made the Red Devil's work hard against resolute man-for-man marking. Reading's Dave Kitson earned himself the unwanted statistic of being the season's first sending-off - lasting just 37 seconds after coming on as a substitute - a high tackle on Patrice Evra bringing out referee Rob Styles' red card.

long range strike
Newcastle United manager - Sam Allardyce - went back to former club Bolton Wanderers and looked on proudly as his new charges raced into a 3-0 half time lead. Nigerian striker Obafemi Martins led the way with two goals, the first a stunning overhead kick followed by a deflected long range strike. Bolton rallied in the second half with a goal from Nicolas Anelka but the Newcastle defence held firm for the rest of the game.
Afterwards Allardyce was full of praise for his players: "The application by the players was terrific and I think that the quality of the finishing was the difference between the two teams. I'm not sure what level these players are at yet but they are starting to hit a standard I don't want them to drop."
Blackburn Rovers came from behind to beat Middlesbrough 2-1 at the Riverside. New signing Roque Santa Cruz scored within minutes of coming off the bench to equalise before another substitute - England Under-21 star Matt Derbyshire - scored a spectacular goal with just his third touch.

unstoppable header
Barclays Premier League newcomers Derby County shared the points in a four-goal thriller with Portsmouth at Pride Park as they got their campaign off to a creditable start. Pompey had countered the Rams early goal with two of their own before another debut man Andy Todd - son of former Derby player and manager Colin - powered an unstoppable header into the top of the net in the 84th minute.

In the remaining match of the weekend Everton built up a two-nil lead over Wigan Athletic before an 80th minute goal from yet another debutant - Antoine Sibierski - made it a nervous last ten minutes for the Toffees.

[Freddy Adu]

Late drama in opening weekend games

Late goals and significant contributions by newcomers to the Barclays Premier League mark the new season.

Spectators were richly entertained in the opening round of matches as spectacular goals and late twists of fate meant no one could take their eyes off any of the games until the final whistles blew up and down the country.
Newly promoted Sunderland scored the first goal of the season - pulling off a shock result against big-spending Tottenham. New £5million signing Michael Chopra came off the substitutes bench to hit the decisive strike with practically the last kick of the game.
Former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson made his Barclays Premier League debut as Manchester City manager at Upton Park where his expensively assembled, multi-national side got off to the perfect start with an impressive win against West Ham United. Both City's goals came from new signings - Rolando Bianchi in the first half after impressive work by Elano, before Geovanni put the result beyond doubt in the 87th minute.
After the game Eriksson commented: "We played some really good football - not for 90 minutes because we suffered as well but we started well and the last 15 minutes we did very well again."

spectacular own goal
Liverpool's talismanic captain Steven Gerrard was another late scorer as his superb 87th minute free kick proved the winner against Aston Villa. Liverpool had gone ahead in the 31st minute when the luckless Martin Laursen hit a spectacular own goal, deflecting Dirk Kuyt's cross past keeper Stuart Taylor.
Elsewhere other teams widely expected to be challenging for the top of the table did not have it all their own way. Chelsea were made to work hard for three points in a five-goal thriller against Birmingham City at Stamford Bridge. And Arsenal were given a fright after just 52 seconds when a horrendous mistake from goalkeeper Jens Lehman gifted Fulham debutant David Healy an easy goal. The Cottagers' keeper Tony Warner, on as a late substitute for Anti Niemi who was injured in the warm-up, pulled off a string of fine saves before a Robin van Persie penalty in the 94th minute brought matters level ahead of a dramatic last minute winner from Alexander Hleb - securing the points for the Gunners.
But perhaps the biggest shock came at Old Trafford where last season's champions Manchester United were held in the weekend's only goalless draw by Reading who made the Red Devil's work hard against resolute man-for-man marking. Reading's Dave Kitson earned himself the unwanted statistic of being the season's first sending-off - lasting just 37 seconds after coming on as a substitute - a high tackle on Patrice Evra bringing out referee Rob Styles' red card.

long range strike
Newcastle United manager - Sam Allardyce - went back to former club Bolton Wanderers and looked on proudly as his new charges raced into a 3-0 half time lead. Nigerian striker Obafemi Martins led the way with two goals, the first a stunning overhead kick followed by a deflected long range strike. Bolton rallied in the second half with a goal from Nicolas Anelka but the Newcastle defence held firm for the rest of the game.
Afterwards Allardyce was full of praise for his players: "The application by the players was terrific and I think that the quality of the finishing was the difference between the two teams. I'm not sure what level these players are at yet but they are starting to hit a standard I don't want them to drop."
Blackburn Rovers came from behind to beat Middlesbrough 2-1 at the Riverside. New signing Roque Santa Cruz scored within minutes of coming off the bench to equalise before another substitute - England Under-21 star Matt Derbyshire - scored a spectacular goal with just his third touch.

unstoppable header
Barclays Premier League newcomers Derby County shared the points in a four-goal thriller with Portsmouth at Pride Park as they got their campaign off to a creditable start. Pompey had countered the Rams early goal with two of their own before another debut man Andy Todd - son of former Derby player and manager Colin - powered an unstoppable header into the top of the net in the 84th minute.

In the remaining match of the weekend Everton built up a two-nil lead over Wigan Athletic before an 80th minute goal from yet another debutant - Antoine Sibierski - made it a nervous last ten minutes for the Toffees.

[Freddy Adu]

[IMG]http://www.*************.com/javaImages/8d/92/0,,12306%7E3314317,00.gif[/IMG]

[IMG]http://www.*************.com/namedImage/12306/multiLeagueTableLogoPREM.gif[/IMG]

Pos	Team	Pts
1	Everton	6
2	Newcastle	3
3	Man City	3
4	Chelsea	3
5	Arsenal	3
6	Blackburn	3
7	Liverpool	3
8	Sunderland	3
9	Derby County	1
10	Portsmouth	1
11	Man Utd	1
12	Reading	1
13	Birmingham	0
14	Aston Villa	0
15	Fulham	0
16	Middlesbrough	0
17	Wigan Athletic	0
18	Bolton	0
19	West Ham	0
20	Tottenham	0

[IMG]http://www.*************.com/namedImage/12306/multiLeagueTableTabOnPREM.gif[/IMG] [IMG]http://www.*************.com/namedImage/12306/multiLeagueTableLogoPREM.gif[/IMG]

Pos	Team	Pts
1	Everton	6
2	Newcastle	3
3	Man City	3
4	Chelsea	3
5	Arsenal	3
6	Blackburn	3
7	Liverpool	3
8	Sunderland	3
9	Derby County	1
10	Portsmouth	1
11	Man Utd	1
12	Reading	1
13	Birmingham	0
14	Aston Villa	0
15	Fulham	0
16	Middlesbrough	0
17	Wigan Athletic	0
18	Bolton	0
19	West Ham	0
20	Tottenham	0

Full Table

[Freddy Adu]

[IMG]http://www.*************.com/javaImages/8d/92/0,,12306%7E3314317,00.gif[/IMG]

[IMG]http://www.*************.com/namedImage/12306/multiLeagueTableLogoPREM.gif[/IMG]

Pos	Team	Pts
1	Everton	6
2	Newcastle	3
3	Man City	3
4	Chelsea	3
5	Arsenal	3
6	Blackburn	3
7	Liverpool	3
8	Sunderland	3
9	Derby County	1
10	Portsmouth	1
11	Man Utd	1
12	Reading	1
13	Birmingham	0
14	Aston Villa	0
15	Fulham	0
16	Middlesbrough	0
17	Wigan Athletic	0
18	Bolton	0
19	West Ham	0
20	Tottenham	0

[IMG]http://www.*************.com/namedImage/12306/multiLeagueTableTabOnPREM.gif[/IMG] [IMG]http://www.*************.com/namedImage/12306/multiLeagueTableLogoPREM.gif[/IMG]

Pos	Team	Pts
1	Everton	6
2	Newcastle	3
3	Man City	3
4	Chelsea	3
5	Arsenal	3
6	Blackburn	3
7	Liverpool	3
8	Sunderland	3
9	Derby County	1
10	Portsmouth	1
11	Man Utd	1
12	Reading	1
13	Birmingham	0
14	Aston Villa	0
15	Fulham	0
16	Middlesbrough	0
17	Wigan Athletic	0
18	Bolton	0
19	West Ham	0
20	Tottenham	0

Full Table

[Freddy Adu]

Derby County 2 Portsmouth 2

Derby County earned a 2-2 draw at home to Portsmouth thanks to a goal from debutant Andy Todd.

After Benjani Mwaruwari had cancelled out Rams captain Matt Oakley's fourth-minute opener later in the first half, the game then exploded late on with two goals in two minutes.
John Utaka, a £7million buy from Rennes this summer, appeared to have grabbed the limelight with an 82nd-minute strike at Pride Park.
However, within seconds defender Todd, a free transfer from Blackburn Rovers, clinched a deserved point for Derby on their return to the Barclays Premier League with a diving header. Manager Billy Davies' side were certainly excellent value for the draw.
Pompey manager Harry Redknapp has spent heavily over the summer, so the pressure is on, yet his team remain without an away win in 2007 as they finished last term with five defeats and four draws.

no mistake
Derby's season was barely four minutes old when goalkeeper Stephen Bywater punted a long goal-kick upfield where Steve Howard managed to outjump Sol Campbell, who was wearing the captain's armband for the first time. Howard's header looped into space with barely a blue shirt within yards of Oakley who was given a clear sight of David James' goal. The former Southampton midfielder, who scored on his last outing against Pompey in January 2005 when he helped knock them out of the FA Cup, made no mistake with a crisp right-foot drive from 15 yards.
Pride Park erupted and from that moment it appeared as if another of the league's new boys would claim three points on the opening day, as Sunderland had remarkably done against Spurs earlier in the day.
In the 10th minute it should have been 2-0 as the Pompey defence made a hash of clearing a loose ball from their area. Steaming through from midfield Todd took the ball in his stride on the edge of the area, only to scoop his 12-yard shot over the crossbar.
That was followed by centre-back Darren Moore rising unopposed to an Oakley free-kick floated to the far post, planting a firm header goalwards, only for James to make a clean catch on his line.
But then Portsmouth started to find their feet, and after Bywater had denied Pedro Mendes on the half volley from 25 yards, Redknapp's side were back on level terms in the 27th minute.
New boys Sulley Muntari and David Nugent, £7million and £6million respectively, played their part in teeing up Mwaruwari, who had scored just six goals in his previous 50 appearances. The Zimbabwe striker first shimmied his way past Andy Griffin, a free transfer signing from Portsmouth, before passing the ball underneath Bywater.
After Utaka forced a fine save from Bywater soon after, the Rams came within a whisker of heading into the break with the lead. However, Steve Howard's downward glancing header to a right-wing cross from Craig Fagan clipped the outside of James' left-hand post.

missed opportunities
After the interval the chances continued to fall Derby's way. The first was thanks to a wayward Muntari pass along the halfway line that was intercepted by Fagan. The 24-year-old then outpaced Campbell as they bore down on goal, but again James showed fine agility as he was at full stretch in saving Fagan's low shot from the edge of the area.
Derby appeared as if they would pay for their missed opportunities when another two of Pompey's new faces in Sylvain Distain and Hermann Hreidarsson combined to set up Utaka.
But the Rams refused to go under, sparked by 75th minute substitute Gary Teale. It was the Scotland international who laid the ball on a plate for Todd to score the equaliser.

[Freddy Adu]

Derby County 2 Portsmouth 2

Derby County earned a 2-2 draw at home to Portsmouth thanks to a goal from debutant Andy Todd.

After Benjani Mwaruwari had cancelled out Rams captain Matt Oakley's fourth-minute opener later in the first half, the game then exploded late on with two goals in two minutes.
John Utaka, a £7million buy from Rennes this summer, appeared to have grabbed the limelight with an 82nd-minute strike at Pride Park.
However, within seconds defender Todd, a free transfer from Blackburn Rovers, clinched a deserved point for Derby on their return to the Barclays Premier League with a diving header. Manager Billy Davies' side were certainly excellent value for the draw.
Pompey manager Harry Redknapp has spent heavily over the summer, so the pressure is on, yet his team remain without an away win in 2007 as they finished last term with five defeats and four draws.

no mistake
Derby's season was barely four minutes old when goalkeeper Stephen Bywater punted a long goal-kick upfield where Steve Howard managed to outjump Sol Campbell, who was wearing the captain's armband for the first time. Howard's header looped into space with barely a blue shirt within yards of Oakley who was given a clear sight of David James' goal. The former Southampton midfielder, who scored on his last outing against Pompey in January 2005 when he helped knock them out of the FA Cup, made no mistake with a crisp right-foot drive from 15 yards.
Pride Park erupted and from that moment it appeared as if another of the league's new boys would claim three points on the opening day, as Sunderland had remarkably done against Spurs earlier in the day.
In the 10th minute it should have been 2-0 as the Pompey defence made a hash of clearing a loose ball from their area. Steaming through from midfield Todd took the ball in his stride on the edge of the area, only to scoop his 12-yard shot over the crossbar.
That was followed by centre-back Darren Moore rising unopposed to an Oakley free-kick floated to the far post, planting a firm header goalwards, only for James to make a clean catch on his line.
But then Portsmouth started to find their feet, and after Bywater had denied Pedro Mendes on the half volley from 25 yards, Redknapp's side were back on level terms in the 27th minute.
New boys Sulley Muntari and David Nugent, £7million and £6million respectively, played their part in teeing up Mwaruwari, who had scored just six goals in his previous 50 appearances. The Zimbabwe striker first shimmied his way past Andy Griffin, a free transfer signing from Portsmouth, before passing the ball underneath Bywater.
After Utaka forced a fine save from Bywater soon after, the Rams came within a whisker of heading into the break with the lead. However, Steve Howard's downward glancing header to a right-wing cross from Craig Fagan clipped the outside of James' left-hand post.

missed opportunities
After the interval the chances continued to fall Derby's way. The first was thanks to a wayward Muntari pass along the halfway line that was intercepted by Fagan. The 24-year-old then outpaced Campbell as they bore down on goal, but again James showed fine agility as he was at full stretch in saving Fagan's low shot from the edge of the area.
Derby appeared as if they would pay for their missed opportunities when another two of Pompey's new faces in Sylvain Distain and Hermann Hreidarsson combined to set up Utaka.
But the Rams refused to go under, sparked by 75th minute substitute Gary Teale. It was the Scotland international who laid the ball on a plate for Todd to score the equaliser.

[Freddy Adu]

Late drama in opening weekend games

Late goals and significant contributions by newcomers to the Barclays Premier League mark the new season.

Spectators were richly entertained in the opening round of matches as spectacular goals and late twists of fate meant no one could take their eyes off any of the games until the final whistles blew up and down the country.
Newly promoted Sunderland scored the first goal of the season - pulling off a shock result against big-spending Tottenham. New £5million signing Michael Chopra came off the substitutes bench to hit the decisive strike with practically the last kick of the game.
Former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson made his Barclays Premier League debut as Manchester City manager at Upton Park where his expensively assembled, multi-national side got off to the perfect start with an impressive win against West Ham United. Both City's goals came from new signings - Rolando Bianchi in the first half after impressive work by Elano, before Geovanni put the result beyond doubt in the 87th minute.
After the game Eriksson commented: "We played some really good football - not for 90 minutes because we suffered as well but we started well and the last 15 minutes we did very well again."

spectacular own goal
Liverpool's talismanic captain Steven Gerrard was another late scorer as his superb 87th minute free kick proved the winner against Aston Villa. Liverpool had gone ahead in the 31st minute when the luckless Martin Laursen hit a spectacular own goal, deflecting Dirk Kuyt's cross past keeper Stuart Taylor.
Elsewhere other teams widely expected to be challenging for the top of the table did not have it all their own way. Chelsea were made to work hard for three points in a five-goal thriller against Birmingham City at Stamford Bridge. And Arsenal were given a fright after just 52 seconds when a horrendous mistake from goalkeeper Jens Lehman gifted Fulham debutant David Healy an easy goal. The Cottagers' keeper Tony Warner, on as a late substitute for Anti Niemi who was injured in the warm-up, pulled off a string of fine saves before a Robin van Persie penalty in the 94th minute brought matters level ahead of a dramatic last minute winner from Alexander Hleb - securing the points for the Gunners.
But perhaps the biggest shock came at Old Trafford where last season's champions Manchester United were held in the weekend's only goalless draw by Reading who made the Red Devil's work hard against resolute man-for-man marking. Reading's Dave Kitson earned himself the unwanted statistic of being the season's first sending-off - lasting just 37 seconds after coming on as a substitute - a high tackle on Patrice Evra bringing out referee Rob Styles' red card.

long range strike
Newcastle United manager - Sam Allardyce - went back to former club Bolton Wanderers and looked on proudly as his new charges raced into a 3-0 half time lead. Nigerian striker Obafemi Martins led the way with two goals, the first a stunning overhead kick followed by a deflected long range strike. Bolton rallied in the second half with a goal from Nicolas Anelka but the Newcastle defence held firm for the rest of the game.
Afterwards Allardyce was full of praise for his players: "The application by the players was terrific and I think that the quality of the finishing was the difference between the two teams. I'm not sure what level these players are at yet but they are starting to hit a standard I don't want them to drop."
Blackburn Rovers came from behind to beat Middlesbrough 2-1 at the Riverside. New signing Roque Santa Cruz scored within minutes of coming off the bench to equalise before another substitute - England Under-21 star Matt Derbyshire - scored a spectacular goal with just his third touch.

unstoppable header
Barclays Premier League newcomers Derby County shared the points in a four-goal thriller with Portsmouth at Pride Park as they got their campaign off to a creditable start. Pompey had countered the Rams early goal with two of their own before another debut man Andy Todd - son of former Derby player and manager Colin - powered an unstoppable header into the top of the net in the 84th minute.

In the remaining match of the weekend Everton built up a two-nil lead over Wigan Athletic before an 80th minute goal from yet another debutant - Antoine Sibierski - made it a nervous last ten minutes for the Toffees.

[Freddy Adu]

Late drama in opening weekend games

Late goals and significant contributions by newcomers to the Barclays Premier League mark the new season.

Spectators were richly entertained in the opening round of matches as spectacular goals and late twists of fate meant no one could take their eyes off any of the games until the final whistles blew up and down the country.
Newly promoted Sunderland scored the first goal of the season - pulling off a shock result against big-spending Tottenham. New £5million signing Michael Chopra came off the substitutes bench to hit the decisive strike with practically the last kick of the game.
Former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson made his Barclays Premier League debut as Manchester City manager at Upton Park where his expensively assembled, multi-national side got off to the perfect start with an impressive win against West Ham United. Both City's goals came from new signings - Rolando Bianchi in the first half after impressive work by Elano, before Geovanni put the result beyond doubt in the 87th minute.
After the game Eriksson commented: "We played some really good football - not for 90 minutes because we suffered as well but we started well and the last 15 minutes we did very well again."

spectacular own goal
Liverpool's talismanic captain Steven Gerrard was another late scorer as his superb 87th minute free kick proved the winner against Aston Villa. Liverpool had gone ahead in the 31st minute when the luckless Martin Laursen hit a spectacular own goal, deflecting Dirk Kuyt's cross past keeper Stuart Taylor.
Elsewhere other teams widely expected to be challenging for the top of the table did not have it all their own way. Chelsea were made to work hard for three points in a five-goal thriller against Birmingham City at Stamford Bridge. And Arsenal were given a fright after just 52 seconds when a horrendous mistake from goalkeeper Jens Lehman gifted Fulham debutant David Healy an easy goal. The Cottagers' keeper Tony Warner, on as a late substitute for Anti Niemi who was injured in the warm-up, pulled off a string of fine saves before a Robin van Persie penalty in the 94th minute brought matters level ahead of a dramatic last minute winner from Alexander Hleb - securing the points for the Gunners.
But perhaps the biggest shock came at Old Trafford where last season's champions Manchester United were held in the weekend's only goalless draw by Reading who made the Red Devil's work hard against resolute man-for-man marking. Reading's Dave Kitson earned himself the unwanted statistic of being the season's first sending-off - lasting just 37 seconds after coming on as a substitute - a high tackle on Patrice Evra bringing out referee Rob Styles' red card.

long range strike
Newcastle United manager - Sam Allardyce - went back to former club Bolton Wanderers and looked on proudly as his new charges raced into a 3-0 half time lead. Nigerian striker Obafemi Martins led the way with two goals, the first a stunning overhead kick followed by a deflected long range strike. Bolton rallied in the second half with a goal from Nicolas Anelka but the Newcastle defence held firm for the rest of the game.
Afterwards Allardyce was full of praise for his players: "The application by the players was terrific and I think that the quality of the finishing was the difference between the two teams. I'm not sure what level these players are at yet but they are starting to hit a standard I don't want them to drop."
Blackburn Rovers came from behind to beat Middlesbrough 2-1 at the Riverside. New signing Roque Santa Cruz scored within minutes of coming off the bench to equalise before another substitute - England Under-21 star Matt Derbyshire - scored a spectacular goal with just his third touch.

unstoppable header
Barclays Premier League newcomers Derby County shared the points in a four-goal thriller with Portsmouth at Pride Park as they got their campaign off to a creditable start. Pompey had countered the Rams early goal with two of their own before another debut man Andy Todd - son of former Derby player and manager Colin - powered an unstoppable header into the top of the net in the 84th minute.

In the remaining match of the weekend Everton built up a two-nil lead over Wigan Athletic before an 80th minute goal from yet another debutant - Antoine Sibierski - made it a nervous last ten minutes for the Toffees.

[Freddy Adu]

Rams: We won't be "soft touch"

Derby County have warned off other Barclays Premier League clubs eyeing up their talented young players.

Giles Barnes has repeatedly been linked with Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United but Rams chairman Peter Gadsby insisted Derby are not a selling club.
The exciting young midfielder is currently out with a foot injury but that has not stopped speculation that another top-flight club could move for the 19-year-old before the transfer window closes. Derby have already dismissed one bid from West Ham and Gadsby made it clear they would be watching the situation closely.

take advantage
"The situation with Giles Barnes is that he is a very important part of this club," Gadsby said. "My advice to him would be to stay here and get his head down and take advantage of playing under a manager in Billy Davies who has an excellent track record of bringing on young players.
"We had an approach that we didn't want and the offer was unacceptable. We will be monitoring the Giles Barnes situation closely.
"This club has a history of being pillaged but interested clubs would be mistaken to think that Derby County is a soft touch. We are not a club that needs to sell, we are interested in progressing."

[Freddy Adu]

Rams: We won't be "soft touch"

Derby County have warned off other Barclays Premier League clubs eyeing up their talented young players.

Giles Barnes has repeatedly been linked with Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United but Rams chairman Peter Gadsby insisted Derby are not a selling club.
The exciting young midfielder is currently out with a foot injury but that has not stopped speculation that another top-flight club could move for the 19-year-old before the transfer window closes. Derby have already dismissed one bid from West Ham and Gadsby made it clear they would be watching the situation closely.

take advantage
"The situation with Giles Barnes is that he is a very important part of this club," Gadsby said. "My advice to him would be to stay here and get his head down and take advantage of playing under a manager in Billy Davies who has an excellent track record of bringing on young players.
"We had an approach that we didn't want and the offer was unacceptable. We will be monitoring the Giles Barnes situation closely.
"This club has a history of being pillaged but interested clubs would be mistaken to think that Derby County is a soft touch. We are not a club that needs to sell, we are interested in progressing."

[Freddy Adu]

[IMG]http://www.*************.com/javaImages/8d/92/0,,12306%7E3314317,00.gif[/IMG]

1	Everton	2	2	6
2	Man City	2	2	6
3	Chelsea	2	2	6
4	Sunderland	2	2	4
5	Newcastle	1	1	3
6	Arsenal	1	1	3
7	Blackburn	1	1	3
8	Liverpool	1	1	3
9	Fulham	2	2	3
10	Wigan Athletic	2	2	3
11	Portsmouth	2	2	2
12	Man Utd	2	2	2
13	Birmingham	2	2	1
14	Derby County	2	2	1
15	Reading	2	2	1
16	Aston Villa	1	1	0
17	Middlesbrough	2	2	0
18	West Ham	1	1	0
19	Bolton	2	2	0
20	Tottenham	2	2	0

Full Table

[Freddy Adu]

Late drama in opening weekend games

Late goals and significant contributions by newcomers to the Barclays Premier League mark the new season.

Spectators were richly entertained in the opening round of matches as spectacular goals and late twists of fate meant no one could take their eyes off any of the games until the final whistles blew up and down the country.
Newly promoted Sunderland scored the first goal of the season - pulling off a shock result against big-spending Tottenham. New £5million signing Michael Chopra came off the substitutes bench to hit the decisive strike with practically the last kick of the game.
Former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson made his Barclays Premier League debut as Manchester City manager at Upton Park where his expensively assembled, multi-national side got off to the perfect start with an impressive win against West Ham United. Both City's goals came from new signings - Rolando Bianchi in the first half after impressive work by Elano, before Geovanni put the result beyond doubt in the 87th minute.
After the game Eriksson commented: "We played some really good football - not for 90 minutes because we suffered as well but we started well and the last 15 minutes we did very well again."

spectacular own goal
Liverpool's talismanic captain Steven Gerrard was another late scorer as his superb 87th minute free kick proved the winner against Aston Villa. Liverpool had gone ahead in the 31st minute when the luckless Martin Laursen hit a spectacular own goal, deflecting Dirk Kuyt's cross past keeper Stuart Taylor.
Elsewhere other teams widely expected to be challenging for the top of the table did not have it all their own way. Chelsea were made to work hard for three points in a five-goal thriller against Birmingham City at Stamford Bridge. And Arsenal were given a fright after just 52 seconds when a horrendous mistake from goalkeeper Jens Lehman gifted Fulham debutant David Healy an easy goal. The Cottagers' keeper Tony Warner, on as a late substitute for Anti Niemi who was injured in the warm-up, pulled off a string of fine saves before a Robin van Persie penalty in the 94th minute brought matters level ahead of a dramatic last minute winner from Alexander Hleb - securing the points for the Gunners.
But perhaps the biggest shock came at Old Trafford where last season's champions Manchester United were held in the weekend's only goalless draw by Reading who made the Red Devil's work hard against resolute man-for-man marking. Reading's Dave Kitson earned himself the unwanted statistic of being the season's first sending-off - lasting just 37 seconds after coming on as a substitute - a high tackle on Patrice Evra bringing out referee Rob Styles' red card.

long range strike
Newcastle United manager - Sam Allardyce - went back to former club Bolton Wanderers and looked on proudly as his new charges raced into a 3-0 half time lead. Nigerian striker Obafemi Martins led the way with two goals, the first a stunning overhead kick followed by a deflected long range strike. Bolton rallied in the second half with a goal from Nicolas Anelka but the Newcastle defence held firm for the rest of the game.
Afterwards Allardyce was full of praise for his players: "The application by the players was terrific and I think that the quality of the finishing was the difference between the two teams. I'm not sure what level these players are at yet but they are starting to hit a standard I don't want them to drop."
Blackburn Rovers came from behind to beat Middlesbrough 2-1 at the Riverside. New signing Roque Santa Cruz scored within minutes of coming off the bench to equalise before another substitute - England Under-21 star Matt Derbyshire - scored a spectacular goal with just his third touch.

unstoppable header
Barclays Premier League newcomers Derby County shared the points in a four-goal thriller with Portsmouth at Pride Park as they got their campaign off to a creditable start. Pompey had countered the Rams early goal with two of their own before another debut man Andy Todd - son of former Derby player and manager Colin - powered an unstoppable header into the top of the net in the 84th minute.

In the remaining match of the weekend Everton built up a two-nil lead over Wigan Athletic before an 80th minute goal from yet another debutant - Antoine Sibierski - made it a nervous last ten minutes for the Toffees.

[Freddy Adu]

[IMG]http://www.*************.com/javaImages/8d/92/0,,12306%7E3314317,00.gif[/IMG]

[IMG]http://www.*************.com/namedImage/12306/multiLeagueTableLogoPREM.gif[/IMG]

Pos	Team	Pts
1	Everton	6
2	Newcastle	3
3	Man City	3
4	Chelsea	3
5	Arsenal	3
6	Blackburn	3
7	Liverpool	3
8	Sunderland	3
9	Derby County	1
10	Portsmouth	1
11	Man Utd	1
12	Reading	1
13	Birmingham	0
14	Aston Villa	0
15	Fulham	0
16	Middlesbrough	0
17	Wigan Athletic	0
18	Bolton	0
19	West Ham	0
20	Tottenham	0

[IMG]http://www.*************.com/namedImage/12306/multiLeagueTableTabOnPREM.gif[/IMG] [IMG]http://www.*************.com/namedImage/12306/multiLeagueTableLogoPREM.gif[/IMG]

Pos	Team	Pts
1	Everton	6
2	Newcastle	3
3	Man City	3
4	Chelsea	3
5	Arsenal	3
6	Blackburn	3
7	Liverpool	3
8	Sunderland	3
9	Derby County	1
10	Portsmouth	1
11	Man Utd	1
12	Reading	1
13	Birmingham	0
14	Aston Villa	0
15	Fulham	0
16	Middlesbrough	0
17	Wigan Athletic	0
18	Bolton	0
19	West Ham	0
20	Tottenham	0

Full Table

[Freddy Adu]

Late drama in opening weekend games

Late goals and significant contributions by newcomers to the Barclays Premier League mark the new season.

Spectators were richly entertained in the opening round of matches as spectacular goals and late twists of fate meant no one could take their eyes off any of the games until the final whistles blew up and down the country.
Newly promoted Sunderland scored the first goal of the season - pulling off a shock result against big-spending Tottenham. New £5million signing Michael Chopra came off the substitutes bench to hit the decisive strike with practically the last kick of the game.
Former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson made his Barclays Premier League debut as Manchester City manager at Upton Park where his expensively assembled, multi-national side got off to the perfect start with an impressive win against West Ham United. Both City's goals came from new signings - Rolando Bianchi in the first half after impressive work by Elano, before Geovanni put the result beyond doubt in the 87th minute.
After the game Eriksson commented: "We played some really good football - not for 90 minutes because we suffered as well but we started well and the last 15 minutes we did very well again."

spectacular own goal
Liverpool's talismanic captain Steven Gerrard was another late scorer as his superb 87th minute free kick proved the winner against Aston Villa. Liverpool had gone ahead in the 31st minute when the luckless Martin Laursen hit a spectacular own goal, deflecting Dirk Kuyt's cross past keeper Stuart Taylor.
Elsewhere other teams widely expected to be challenging for the top of the table did not have it all their own way. Chelsea were made to work hard for three points in a five-goal thriller against Birmingham City at Stamford Bridge. And Arsenal were given a fright after just 52 seconds when a horrendous mistake from goalkeeper Jens Lehman gifted Fulham debutant David Healy an easy goal. The Cottagers' keeper Tony Warner, on as a late substitute for Anti Niemi who was injured in the warm-up, pulled off a string of fine saves before a Robin van Persie penalty in the 94th minute brought matters level ahead of a dramatic last minute winner from Alexander Hleb - securing the points for the Gunners.
But perhaps the biggest shock came at Old Trafford where last season's champions Manchester United were held in the weekend's only goalless draw by Reading who made the Red Devil's work hard against resolute man-for-man marking. Reading's Dave Kitson earned himself the unwanted statistic of being the season's first sending-off - lasting just 37 seconds after coming on as a substitute - a high tackle on Patrice Evra bringing out referee Rob Styles' red card.

long range strike
Newcastle United manager - Sam Allardyce - went back to former club Bolton Wanderers and looked on proudly as his new charges raced into a 3-0 half time lead. Nigerian striker Obafemi Martins led the way with two goals, the first a stunning overhead kick followed by a deflected long range strike. Bolton rallied in the second half with a goal from Nicolas Anelka but the Newcastle defence held firm for the rest of the game.
Afterwards Allardyce was full of praise for his players: "The application by the players was terrific and I think that the quality of the finishing was the difference between the two teams. I'm not sure what level these players are at yet but they are starting to hit a standard I don't want them to drop."
Blackburn Rovers came from behind to beat Middlesbrough 2-1 at the Riverside. New signing Roque Santa Cruz scored within minutes of coming off the bench to equalise before another substitute - England Under-21 star Matt Derbyshire - scored a spectacular goal with just his third touch.

unstoppable header
Barclays Premier League newcomers Derby County shared the points in a four-goal thriller with Portsmouth at Pride Park as they got their campaign off to a creditable start. Pompey had countered the Rams early goal with two of their own before another debut man Andy Todd - son of former Derby player and manager Colin - powered an unstoppable header into the top of the net in the 84th minute.

In the remaining match of the weekend Everton built up a two-nil lead over Wigan Athletic before an 80th minute goal from yet another debutant - Antoine Sibierski - made it a nervous last ten minutes for the Toffees.

[Freddy Adu]

[IMG]http://www.*************.com/javaImages/8d/92/0,,12306%7E3314317,00.gif[/IMG]

1	Everton	2	2	6
2	Man City	2	2	6
3	Chelsea	2	2	6
4	Sunderland	2	2	4
5	Newcastle	1	1	3
6	Arsenal	1	1	3
7	Blackburn	1	1	3
8	Liverpool	1	1	3
9	Fulham	2	2	3
10	Wigan Athletic	2	2	3
11	Portsmouth	2	2	2
12	Man Utd	2	2	2
13	Birmingham	2	2	1
14	Derby County	2	2	1
15	Reading	2	2	1
16	Aston Villa	1	1	0
17	Middlesbrough	2	2	0
18	West Ham	1	1	0
19	Bolton	2	2	0
20	Tottenham	2	2	0

Full Table

[Freddy Adu]

Late drama in opening weekend games

Late goals and significant contributions by newcomers to the Barclays Premier League mark the new season.

Spectators were richly entertained in the opening round of matches as spectacular goals and late twists of fate meant no one could take their eyes off any of the games until the final whistles blew up and down the country.
Newly promoted Sunderland scored the first goal of the season - pulling off a shock result against big-spending Tottenham. New £5million signing Michael Chopra came off the substitutes bench to hit the decisive strike with practically the last kick of the game.
Former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson made his Barclays Premier League debut as Manchester City manager at Upton Park where his expensively assembled, multi-national side got off to the perfect start with an impressive win against West Ham United. Both City's goals came from new signings - Rolando Bianchi in the first half after impressive work by Elano, before Geovanni put the result beyond doubt in the 87th minute.
After the game Eriksson commented: "We played some really good football - not for 90 minutes because we suffered as well but we started well and the last 15 minutes we did very well again."

spectacular own goal
Liverpool's talismanic captain Steven Gerrard was another late scorer as his superb 87th minute free kick proved the winner against Aston Villa. Liverpool had gone ahead in the 31st minute when the luckless Martin Laursen hit a spectacular own goal, deflecting Dirk Kuyt's cross past keeper Stuart Taylor.
Elsewhere other teams widely expected to be challenging for the top of the table did not have it all their own way. Chelsea were made to work hard for three points in a five-goal thriller against Birmingham City at Stamford Bridge. And Arsenal were given a fright after just 52 seconds when a horrendous mistake from goalkeeper Jens Lehman gifted Fulham debutant David Healy an easy goal. The Cottagers' keeper Tony Warner, on as a late substitute for Anti Niemi who was injured in the warm-up, pulled off a string of fine saves before a Robin van Persie penalty in the 94th minute brought matters level ahead of a dramatic last minute winner from Alexander Hleb - securing the points for the Gunners.
But perhaps the biggest shock came at Old Trafford where last season's champions Manchester United were held in the weekend's only goalless draw by Reading who made the Red Devil's work hard against resolute man-for-man marking. Reading's Dave Kitson earned himself the unwanted statistic of being the season's first sending-off - lasting just 37 seconds after coming on as a substitute - a high tackle on Patrice Evra bringing out referee Rob Styles' red card.

long range strike
Newcastle United manager - Sam Allardyce - went back to former club Bolton Wanderers and looked on proudly as his new charges raced into a 3-0 half time lead. Nigerian striker Obafemi Martins led the way with two goals, the first a stunning overhead kick followed by a deflected long range strike. Bolton rallied in the second half with a goal from Nicolas Anelka but the Newcastle defence held firm for the rest of the game.
Afterwards Allardyce was full of praise for his players: "The application by the players was terrific and I think that the quality of the finishing was the difference between the two teams. I'm not sure what level these players are at yet but they are starting to hit a standard I don't want them to drop."
Blackburn Rovers came from behind to beat Middlesbrough 2-1 at the Riverside. New signing Roque Santa Cruz scored within minutes of coming off the bench to equalise before another substitute - England Under-21 star Matt Derbyshire - scored a spectacular goal with just his third touch.

unstoppable header
Barclays Premier League newcomers Derby County shared the points in a four-goal thriller with Portsmouth at Pride Park as they got their campaign off to a creditable start. Pompey had countered the Rams early goal with two of their own before another debut man Andy Todd - son of former Derby player and manager Colin - powered an unstoppable header into the top of the net in the 84th minute.

In the remaining match of the weekend Everton built up a two-nil lead over Wigan Athletic before an 80th minute goal from yet another debutant - Antoine Sibierski - made it a nervous last ten minutes for the Toffees.

[Freddy Adu]

Redknapp has Utaka faith

Harry Redknapp believes John Utaka will cause shockwaves in the Barclays Premier League.

Portsmouth manager Redknapp has warned Barclays Premier League defences that new £7million striker Utaka has the ability to rip them apart - starting against champions Manchester United on Wednesday.
Utaka was one of five new Pompey faces for the curtain-raiser against promoted Derby County at Pride Park on Saturday when his skill and pace proved an impressive outlet for his side's attacks in a 2-2 draw.

plenty of skill
His smart 84th-minute strike looked a winner, until Derby's even later equaliser, but Redknapp said: "John was excellent. He showed he's got good feet, he's strong, can play through the middle and can play wide. He'll be a threat to teams for sure. When I went to watch him at Rennes in France he played up front with Jimmy Briand, also a good player.
"I liked the pair of them. I tried to get both because they were terrific together. At first in training John looked a little too laid-back and I worried about him, asking myself if I had made a ricket. But then I told myself to wait until the games come and, sure enough, he showed what he can do. You could see John's got quick feet, plenty of skill and he can rip you to pieces."

[Freddy Adu]

[IMG]http://www.*************.com/javaImages/8d/92/0,,12306%7E3314317,00.gif[/IMG]

1	Everton	2	2	6
2	Man City	2	2	6
3	Chelsea	2	2	6
4	Sunderland	2	2	4
5	Newcastle	1	1	3
6	Arsenal	1	1	3
7	Blackburn	1	1	3
8	Liverpool	1	1	3
9	Fulham	2	2	3
10	Wigan Athletic	2	2	3
11	Portsmouth	2	2	2
12	Man Utd	2	2	2
13	Birmingham	2	2	1
14	Derby County	2	2	1
15	Reading	2	2	1
16	Aston Villa	1	1	0
17	Middlesbrough	2	2	0
18	West Ham	1	1	0
19	Bolton	2	2	0
20	Tottenham	2	2	0

Full Table

[Freddy Adu]

[IMG]http://www.*************.com/javaImages/8d/92/0,,12306%7E3314317,00.gif[/IMG]

1	Everton	2	2	6
2	Man City	2	2	6
3	Chelsea	2	2	6
4	Sunderland	2	2	4
5	Newcastle	1	1	3
6	Arsenal	1	1	3
7	Blackburn	1	1	3
8	Liverpool	1	1	3
9	Fulham	2	2	3
10	Wigan Athletic	2	2	3
11	Portsmouth	2	2	2
12	Man Utd	2	2	2
13	Birmingham	2	2	1
14	Derby County	2	2	1
15	Reading	2	2	1
16	Aston Villa	1	1	0
17	Middlesbrough	2	2	0
18	West Ham	1	1	0
19	Bolton	2	2	0
20	Tottenham	2	2	0

Full Table

[Freddy Adu]

[IMG]http://www.*************.com/javaImages/8d/92/0,,12306%7E3314317,00.gif[/IMG]

1	Everton	2	2	6
2	Man City	2	2	6
3	Chelsea	2	2	6
4	Sunderland	2	2	4
5	Newcastle	1	1	3
6	Arsenal	1	1	3
7	Blackburn	1	1	3
8	Liverpool	1	1	3
9	Fulham	2	2	3
10	Wigan Athletic	2	2	3
11	Portsmouth	2	2	2
12	Man Utd	2	2	2
13	Birmingham	2	2	1
14	Derby County	2	2	1
15	Reading	2	2	1
16	Aston Villa	1	1	0
17	Middlesbrough	2	2	0
18	West Ham	1	1	0
19	Bolton	2	2	0
20	Tottenham	2	2	0

Full Table

[Freddy Adu]

[IMG]http://www.*************.com/javaImages/8d/92/0,,12306%7E3314317,00.gif[/IMG]

1	Everton	2	2	6
2	Man City	2	2	6
3	Chelsea	2	2	6
4	Sunderland	2	2	4
5	Newcastle	1	1	3
6	Arsenal	1	1	3
7	Blackburn	1	1	3
8	Liverpool	1	1	3
9	Fulham	2	2	3
10	Wigan Athletic	2	2	3
11	Portsmouth	2	2	2
12	Man Utd	2	2	2
13	Birmingham	2	2	1
14	Derby County	2	2	1
15	Reading	2	2	1
16	Aston Villa	1	1	0
17	Middlesbrough	2	2	0
18	West Ham	1	1	0
19	Bolton	2	2	0
20	Tottenham	2	2	0

Full Table