...Alan Shearer broke Jackie Milburn's all-time Newcastle scoring record with his 201st goal in a vital 2-0 win over relegation strugglers Portsmouth. The Magpies were playing their first match under temporary manager Glenn Roeder and were 4/5 to win before kick off. An opener from Charles NZogbia and a second from Shearer gave Newcastle their first Premiership win in seven attempts.
In another personal goal scoring feat, Thierry Henry netted his 200th goal for arsenal as the Gunners overcame their away day fragility to win 2-0 at Birmingham City. Arsene Wengers side had not won away since beating Charlton Athletic on Boxing Day and will have had plenty of support at 11/10 against bottom-three Birmingham. A debut goal for Emmanuel Adebayor and Henrys landmark strike was enough to keep arsenal in fifth place.
Chelsea...more
...the without Chelsea market, pricing the White Hart Lane outfit up at 66/1.
West Bromwich Albion
West Brom are staring at a fight against relegation for the second successive season but have proved they have the stomach for the battle once before. Out of the bottom seven sides in the Premiership the Baggies have won the most home matches which will give manager Bryan Robson optimism.
Nigel Quashie arrived in a 1.5 million deal from Southampton while Jan Kozak and williams Martinez joined on loan from Artmedia Bratislava and Defensor respectively. Last seasons top goalscorer Robert Earnshaw was allowed to leave for Norwich in a 3.5 million deal. The Baggies are available at 4/5 for relegation but a better bet may be for them to stay up at Evens.
West Ham United
The largest deal of the transfer window was Dean Ashtons 7.25 million arrival from Norwich City. Following his seven goals last season for the Canaries, then fighting a losing battle against Premiership relegation, Ashton is seen as the man who can fire West Ham into Europe this term.
Another striker, Yaniv Katan, ...more
...Chelseas hopes to claim the Champions League for their own took a major setback after barcelona won the first leg at Stamford Bridge. The Blues had Asier del Horno sent off after 36 minutes but the 5/4 favourites took the lead on the hour through a Thiago Motta own goal.
From then on it was all barcelona and their breakthrough came with 20 minutes left when Ronaldinhos free kick was glanced in by john Terry for the second own goal of the evening. Samuel Etoo sealed the win for the 9/4 outsiders with 10 minutes left.
arsenal had better fortune against Spanish opposition, produc...more
...
A hat trick from Fredy Eastwood kept Southend United the summit of League One after beating promotion rivals Chesterfield 4-3 at the Recreation Ground. Eastwoods penalty after 52 minutes cancelled out Colin Larkins opener and his second four minutes later put the Shrimpers into the lead. The Spireites came back and lead 3-2 before veteran Shaun Goater levelled for Southend. A sublime 25 yard free kick from Eastwood seven minutes from time gifted Steve Ti...more