Arsenal Must Win Something

Arsenal haven't won anything since the 2005 FA Cup and Van Persie, who has spent much of this season out injured, says he cannot face the thought of a third consecutive campaign with no silverware.

But upon making his return to the first team fold, the Dutchman has vowed to fire the Gunners to Premier League and Champions League glory this season, honours he believes the squad fully deserve.

Winning A Must

"We have to win at least one trophy this season. If we don’t, then we would have played all the fantastic football for nothing," said the striker. “This is our moment and we need to win something. We all realise we are in a fantastic position and this has to be our year.

Double Dreams

"I am not a daydreamer," he continued. "I really think we can win the title and the Champions League this season. Why not? We have the qualities so we just need to stick together and believe in it. Belief can take you very far in football."

Arsenal have stumbled to four consecutive Premier League draws, surrendering the league lead to Manchester United at the weekend, while in the Champions League they face Liverpool in the quarter-finals.

"It is still in our hands to win the double and we have to take these opportunities because we have something special here at Arsenal," Van Persie added before going on to discuss his personal fitness. “Physically I can’t play a full 90 minutes yet but I’m getting there and I just need match fitness now," said the striker, who started his first league game for five months when Arsenal took on Middlesbrough on Saturday.

More Games Needed

"I need three or four games to really get back into my stride but I will give everything I have whenever I’m out on the pitch. It has been a very frustrating season for me. It started really well but now all I ever seem to do is talk about injuries. Yet I don’t feel as though I’m an injury-prone person.

"I suffered a thigh injury in October and then I came back too soon for the Carling Cup semi-final against Spurs and was out for another two months. I take full responsibility for that. It was all my fault. I was too emotionally involved because I was desperate to play.”

Van Persie and Arsenal travel to Chelsea on Sunday.

Yakubu Targets Top Four

Nigerian striker Yakubu Aiyegbeni is still coming to terms with Everton’s midweek Uefa Cup exit after losing a penalty shoot-out to Serie A outfit Fiorentina.The man they call ‘The Yak’ isn’t likely to internalise his frustrations, though, not with a visit to leaky Fulham in store on Sunday.


Only Thierry Henry has scored more Premiership goals than Yakubu since the 2003/04 season. Indeed, Yakubu is looking to add to his 12 Prem strikes as the season enters its crucial phase.


Yakubu insists the Toffees are ready to put their Euro heartache behind them and have fourth-placed Merseyside rivals Liverpool firmly in their sights.


"Going out of Europe will only make us more determined to finish in the top four this season," warned Yakubu. "I have a good feeling about the Fulham game because I scored a hat-trick against them at Goodison. I can feel there are more goals in me.


"They say it was the perfect hat-trick because I scored with my left foot, my right foot and a header - but for every goal I've scored at Everton, I owe the credit to my team-mates and the manager.


"Since I came here I am fitter, faster and better.


"It is a great compliment to the people around me that I have scored more goals in the Premier League than any striker apart from Thierry Henry over the past few years. Players like Henry only come round once in a lifetime and I look up to him, but the comparison will mean nothing if we do not have anything to show for all our hard work at the end of the season.


"Liverpool are favourites to finish fourth, but Everton beat them to it three years ago and we are capable of doing it again. It would be a fantastic achievement, but I believe in my team-mates and I think they believe in me to score the goals which will take us where we want to go.


"We will keep fighting together and, don't forget, we still have to go to Anfield. We were unlucky not to get at least a point against Liverpool at our place and that will be a massive game for both clubs."


Bridge Boy



Despite recent disappointment, Yakubu is relishing his Premier League career, which has flourished at Middlesbrough and now Everton. The footballing high-life is a far cry, he admits, from his days in native Nigeria with the Bridge Boys of Julius Berger.


"I have come a long way since I left Africa and I feel blessed that my career has brought me to such a good club as Everton," he said.


"My first club was called Julius Berger, which is a big Nigerian construction company with its own team.


"They had a grass pitch - not everybody in Africa is able to play on grass - and I remember thinking I was rich when I collected my first wages, which were small.


"After only four months I was spotted by Maccabi Haifa and I went to play for them in Israel. We won the title and [current Chelsea boss] Avram Grant was my coach there.


"I have been on a long journey since those days, and to play in the Champions League next season would be a proud moment."


Reds fans will be hoping that’s a Bridge too far for the Yak.

Fifa Rejects Premier League Plans

The president of football's world governing body Fifa has told the BBC that plans by the Premier League to host games abroad will never happen.
Sepp Blatter also warned that the proposal could harm England's attempt to host the 2018 World Cup.

"This does not take into consideration the fans of the clubs and it gives the impression that they just want to go on tour to make some money," Blatter said.

"This will never happen, at least as long as I am the president of Fifa."

Blatter's comments, in an interview with BBC sports editor Mihir Bose, are the strongest from the governing body since the Premier League's plans were revealed last week.

Top-flight clubs will consider plans to extend the season to 39 games with the extra matches taking place overseas.

But the idea has met with resistance in Asia, Europe and fans in England.

Blatter's stance effectively leave the proposals, for a round of games to take place in five different host cities from January 2011, dead in the water.

"The Premier League is richer than the others, they have more responsibility and what they are trying to do is contrary to this responsibility," he said.

"This is something I cannot understand and definitely the Fifa executive committee will not sanction such an initiative."

A Premier League spokesman said the clubs would "look forward to the opportunity to meet with Fifa in order to discuss this matter in full".

"This was always the starting point in relation to the issue of sanction for the proposed international round, and as such we will be making no comment until after that time," the spokesman added.

Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore had previously expressed his belief that Fifa could not stop the plan if the clubs receive the go-ahead from England's Football Association.

But Blatter rejected that claim.

"It is not true," he added. "Even if the FA did sanction it, all the national associations receiving these clubs would have to sanction it also. This will be very difficult.

"In addition to that, the Fifa executive committee will apply article two of the Fifa statutes: 'to prevent all methods or practices which might jeopardise the integrity of matches or competitions or give rise to abuse of association football'.

"This is abuse. The rich Premier League is trying to get richer and wants to expand the importance of that league."

There were early signs of Fifa disquiet when it was revealed the governing body had told the Premier League it could not consider the plans until the Football Association had contacted them.



It is understood the FA has held talks with Fifa and is ready to issue a statement distancing themselves from the proposals.

Blatter warned it could affect the FA's bid for the 2018 World Cup.

"When it comes to a decision of the executive committee concerning this matter of the 39th round, and I am sure they will be against it, then it will not have a positive impact on the bid from England for the World Cup in 2018," he added.

Scudamore's plans received a mixed reaction around the world, with the heads of the Asian Football Confederation and Football Federation Australia, which could host any proposed games, rejecting the idea.

The United Arab Emirates Football Association said it would welcome the plan but Uefa boss Michel Platini called it a "nonsense idea".

The proposals were also widely criticised by fans in England and Blatter said he understood their reaction.

"I support the fans 100%," he said. "If I was a fan in England I would say: 'no, please play at home and don't go and exercise your talents abroad'.

"If the plan includes official league matches then, as a fan, I would protest against this."

Fifa will examine the Premier League's proposals at its executive committee meeting on 14 March.

English PM Backs Fans On Global Proposal

Prime Minister Gordon Brown has called on the Premier League to listen to the views of the fans before moving ahead with plans to introduce overseas games.
Mr Brown also believes that the money earned from the foreign matches should be used to keep ticket prices down.

"Fans have to come first and you have to listen to their views on this," he told Radio 5 Live's Eamonn Holmes in an interview broadcast on Saturday.

"It's important to recognise that the money has to go back into the game."

All 20 Premier League clubs have agreed to explore a proposal to extend the season to 39 games from 2011, with the extra round of fixtures being played in five host cities.

The proposal has created a heated reaction, with many supporters unhappy with the plans, although Sunderland boss Roy Keane and Newcastle counterpart Kevin Keegan are among those to have given their support.

And Brown believes that a commitment to plough the extra money back into the English game would be one way of winning over the fans.

"I have just come back from China and India and the support for the Premier League and people watching matches there is just incredible," he added.

"Now if that is money that is going back into football, and if that is helping keep the price of tickets down in England, and if that means that more fans get more opportunities of going to matches as a result, then that would be something that I think people would want to take into account.

"There is no doubt about the worldwide interest in the Premier League. There is no doubt that that's good for football because it gets more money into the game in England.

"There is no doubt that the English Premier League has taken over from the Spanish and Italian as being probably the one that people would want to watch the most and therefore you have to get the best players into the league.

"So let's hear what the fans say on this."

Barclays Premier League Weekend Preview: Round 25

The midweek fixtures saw the top three all stay in touch of each other at the top, but also cracked open an interesting shell of teams chasing fourth spot. With Rafael Benitez’s Liverpool currently seventh, it looks like a tasty ending to the season for the neutral.

Mushtaq Quraishi looks ahead to another weekend of league football, with a number of away wins on the cards…



Saturday 2 February

Manchester City v Arsenal

Manchester City have not been playing to their full potential recently, with a defeat to Sheffield United in the FA Cup followed by a dull draw against bottom side Derby. The departures of strikers Samaras and Bianchi will no doubt have an effect on the side going forward, seeing as they haven’t got that many world-class attackers in the squad, particularly with the confusion surrounding Benjani. It seems as if the likes of Elano, Geovanni (if he ever plays!!) and Petrov will have to be at their very best and chip in with the goals if City are to have any chance of finishing fourth.

Arsenal have been brilliant since their shock Carling Cup defeat to local rivals Tottenham. Two consecutive 3-0 drubbings of Newcastle in the past week have got the Gunners back on track and they look well placed to challenge Manchester United at the top. Striker Adebayor is in hot form and should be gunning to grab another goal or two here.

Manchester City have been exceptional at home this season, though they are slowly losing that ‘fortress’ status. Nonetheless, Arsenal have recently discovered a new dimension to their game, that of hitting long balls to the forward men, which works effectively with Adebayor. I expect an Arsenal win.

Prediction: 0-1



Birmingham City v Derby County

Birmingham are one position above the drop-zone thanks to their goal difference. McLeish has discovered the challenge of managing a struggling side and it is up to him to get the team back on track. Birmingham are very disorganized at the back and don’t offer a lot going forward. But they have shown resilience earlier in the season and they will have to use their battling spirit during this tough game.

Derby are going down, but their performance against Manchester City shows they are improving under Paul Jewell. The Rams have brought in some experienced players of late just to get the belief going once again. Though they have only won one game this season, I think Jewell’s side have a good chance here, so long as they are confident and have a bit of belief in them.

Both sides are struggling and I would say Birmingham need the points more than Derby, seeing as Derby are all but relegated. However the Rams will make it hard for Birmingham, just as they have made life difficult for Manchester City, Newcastle etc. I tip Derby to scrape a rare win.

Prediction: 0-1



Blackburn Rovers v Everton

Blackburn Rovers have been out of the news recently, thanks to the chase for fourth spot between Liverpool, Villa, City and Everton. But I think Blackburn can also challenge for that final Champions League spot. They have shown at the beginning of the season that they are capable of going on good runs, keeping clean-sheets and scoring goals. Rovers are currently five points away from that much-wanted fourth spot and will have to ensure another good run should they wish to succeed this season.

Everton are holding on tight to that final Champions League berth, with a draw against the resurgent Spurs their last league result. Many Toffees fans will now be roaring their side on to qualify for the Champions League come the end of the season, thanks to their heroics in 2005, where they pipped local rivals Liverpool to that final CL spot. But they will need Yakubu back quickly if they are to achieve this, because they look slightly rusty going forward without the big man.

Both sides are equally matched, with Blackburn possibly the better off due to their lack of involvement in other competitions. I think a draw would be fair.

Prediction: 1-1



Portsmouth v Chelsea

Pompey’s defeat to Manchester United left them ninth in the table and six points away from fourth. Portsmouth have lost their grip on that spot due to absentees away on African Cup duty. However, they have brought in Milan Baros and Jermain Defoe to try and bring some experience to the squad going forward and I’m sure the former Liverpool man will show some creativity and add that spark to the side. As for the Champions League, I think it’s fair to say Portsmouth have little chance of making that now, however they should be pushing for a UEFA Cup spot at least.

Chelsea can play well, averagely or even badly and still get results. They have recently shown that they can also cope without experienced players through injuries, suspensions or international obligations. Overall, Grant’s side are hard to beat and though they should have thrashed Reading during the midweek game, they are still a brilliant outfit. Anelka is also looking more comfortable as time progresses and one can only wait for him and Drogba to form a lethal partnership, as soon as the latter comes back from African Nations Cup duty.

Portsmouth have been rubbish at home this season and have found it hard to score, which is one of the main reasons Baros and Defoe have been brought in. Chelsea are a hard-to-beat side so I expect them to battle it out for all three points here.

Prediction: 1-2



Reading v Bolton Wanderers

Reading are really in trouble now. They shouldn’t be lacking goals but they are and their defence is appalling. Arguably, their biggest problem is lack of creativity from midfield. Reading need to get back to basics and just pass the ball around a bit more, which will build their confidence up. They are going to struggle, yet I think they have enough to stay up.

Bolton are another team down in the dumps. They have accumulated 22 points this season and I would bring that all down to Nicolas Anelka, who has since gone to Chelsea. Without any real replacement for the Frenchman, one wonders where the goals are going to come from. It’s not even like their defence is good enough to keep clean sheets either. I think Bolton are likely to go down.

This is another six-pointer. Both sides have the same number of points, but Bolton have a much better goal difference than Reading. If Reading can create chances, they should win this game, but neither side is attractive to watch and I can only see a bore draw.

Prediction: 0-0



Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester United

With Hutton and Woodgate now at Tottenham, they should be a much more solid outfit, particularly at the back. Juande Ramos has sparked improvement at the club since his arrival and I think his quality buys during the transfer window should be trusted. Spurs now look raring to go and are trying to push for a late Uefa Cup spot. So long as the new players can adapt to the team quickly, I feel they can achieve a top six finish.

Manchester United are the in-team at the moment, with Cristiano Ronaldo clearly currently the world’s best player. The young Portuguese winger provides us with hours of entertainment and some real quality goals, but the question is how long will this continue? Well, even if Ronaldo does unexpectedly lose form, Fergie has enough match-winners in his side to keep him going. I expect United to win the league this season.

Spurs will make it harder for United than they did last week in the cup game, where they lost 3-1. I think it will be a tighter game with fewer chances, but I still think United will grab a late win.

Prediction: 1-2



Wigan Athletic v West Ham United

Wigan are a more battling side under Bruce and they showed their spirit during the FA Cup defeat to Chelsea recently. But they lack real cutting-edge and this could hurt their chances of survival. So it seems as if they will be involved in yet another dogfight and I fear they may go down. But, with a bit of thrill, they could climb the table.

West Ham’s win over Liverpool has shown how good they actually have been this season. The Hammers are in the top ten and deservedly so. They have a bit of bite about them and are good at holding teams back, as well as hitting them going forward. They will make a late attempt to secure a top-six finish, however, they could be a real force next season.

West Ham have been impressing all season whereas Wigan have been quite poor and inconsistent overall. West Ham seem to create more and play neater football, therefore they should get a win.

Prediction: 0-2



Liverpool v Sunderland

Liverpool are beginning to frustrate their fans now. The supporters are brilliant towards the manager and players, but despite us expecting the Reds to start winning games again, they simply fail to do so. Defeat to West Ham not only shows the quality of the League’s fringe sides this season, but also how far Liverpool have fallen back this campaign. I don’t feel rotation is much of a problem anymore, but the players are lacking belief and confidence. Also, why is Rafa still sticking with Dirk Kuyt? The Dutchman has surely proved he isn’t good enough to score goals and though he is a hard-worker, he isn’t carrying out the job for which he was bought.

Sunderland’s victory over Birmingham gives them a real lifeline in terms of staying up this season. The Black Cats look good enough to survive and a win here and there will keep them up. They didn’t play particularly well on the night but they will have to be at their best if they are to beat Liverpool.

Roy Keane’s whole aim for this game will be for his side to go out and frustrate an already frustrated Liverpool side! The Reds are playing badly at the moment and if Sunderland can take advantage of this they could end up winning the game or more realistically gaining a point. But, though they never seem to do so, I hope Liverpool can win this game!

Prediction: 2-0



Sunday 3 February

Newcastle United v Middlesbrough

Welcome back to Newcastle, Kevin! Kevin Keegan must really be wondering why he took his old job back. Newcastle’s back-to-back defeats to Arsenal have left us wondering whether they ever will improve. Of course Keegan will need time to sort his squad out, but he hasn’t exactly improved the squad since his arrival. I think Newcastle are just looking to finish mid-table this season but will try hard to achieve something in the following campaign.

Boro, the inconsistent side, are five points clear of the drop zone, so we could see them relax a bit over the next month. If they do, Newcastle will beat them. Boro haven’t really convinced they are that good this season and after letting Woodgate go I just can’t read what is happening at the club. They seem to just sell their best players but not replace them. I think they are very much still in relegation trouble, though they brought in Afonso Alves which should strengthen their attacking options.

I tip Newcastle to find a win here for the home faithful. The side will feel they can actually beat Boro, whilst Arsenal was quite a tall order. Boro are due a blip and I expect it to start here.

Prediction: 2-0



Fulham v Aston Villa

The Cottagers lack any half-decent players in their squad and are four points adrift of safety. They, like Derby, are edging closer and closer to certain relegation unless they win a handful of games on the trot, which they don’t have the quality to do. In other words - they are doomed!

Aston Villa are pushing for that fourth spot and of all the teams chasing (except Liverpool) I think they have the best chance. Martin O’Neill has a wonderfully talented side, but their only problem is lack of players. Nevertheless, the inclusion of nearly half a dozen Villa players in the England squad shows how much talent O’Neill’s side really have to display.

Villa have Agbonlahor, Young and Carew who are all lethal on the break and going forward. Their defence is solid as a rock, unlike Fulham’s. Villa should win comfortably.

Prediction: 0-2

Premier League bosses in deadline day scramble

Premier League clubs have until midnight tonight to bolster their squads this season as the January transfer window closes.


A number of possible moves were still in the pipeline this morning, with Middlesbrough waiting to hear whether they would be able to sign Heerenveen's Afonso Alves for a club record fee.


The Brazilian striker was in the crowd at the Riverside for Tuesday night's Premier League victory over Wigan and has appealed a decision to reject his application for a work permit.

Manchester City face a similar problem in their bid to recruit Nashat Akram and were waiting to see whether the Home Office would reconsider its decision to refuse the Iraq midfielder a work permit.

Manager Sven-Goran Eriksson has been on the lookout for a goalscorer all month and is reportedly eyeing up Portsmouth's Benjani Mwaruwari.

It is thought too Eriksson could be close to tying up a deal for FC Basle striker Felipe Caicedo.

Even though he is only 19, Caicedo has international experience and represented Ecuador at the Copa America last year.

Eriksson needs to boost his attacking options after letting under-performing Georgios Samaras and Rolando Bianchi join Celtic and Lazio on loan respectively.

Sunderland boss Roy Keane has made a late bid to sign Charlton midfielder Andy Reid. It is understood the Black Cats have tabled an offer in the region of £4million for the 25-year-old Republic of Ireland international.

Fulham's hopes of making Rangers striker Daniel Cousin their fifth January signing also hang in the balance after FIFA claimed yesterday they had still to make a decision on his £3million transfer.

Cousin played 20 minutes of league football as a substitute for French club Lens before completing his summer switch to Rangers and FIFA regulations forbid a player from playing for more than two clubs in one season.

Although midnight on January 31 is the official cut-off point for transfers, special dispensation to complete signings beyond that deadline can be sought.

Newcastle appeared set to make a host of signings following the return of Kevin Keegan as manager but he admitted yesterday he may end the month without making a single purchase.

Keegan must decide whether to make an improved offer for Derby midfielder Giles Barnes after seeing a bid rejected by the Premier League's bottom club this week.

Rams manager Paul Jewell has revealed he would be prepared to sell at the right price.

Keegan has already been snubbed by Jonathan Woodgate, who chose to leave Middlesbrough for Tottenham and the Magpies boss had been expected to turn elsewhere for defensive reinforcements.

Spurs finally put an end to the Alan Hutton transfer saga yesterday by signing the full-back from Rangers for a fee believed to be in the region of £9million.

He could yet be joined at White Hart Lane by Middlesbrough's Stewart Downing, if Spurs make a formal approach for the wantaway winger.

That decision could be influenced Wayne Routledge's move to Aston Villa.

Routledge became Villa first signing of the month when he agreed an 18-month deal in a transfer believed to be around £1.5million.

Villa boss Martin O'Neill is also being linked with a £2.2million move for goalkeeper Brad Guzan, who plays for MLS side Chivas USA as well as Spurs full-back Pascal Chimbonda.

Bolton last night won the race to sign Aston Villa central defender Gary Cahill, in a deal believed to be worth around £5million.

The young centre-back has signed a three-and-a-half-year deal at the Reebok Stadium, after weeks of uncertainty surrounding his future.

Everton 0-1 Chelsea (1-3 agg)

Classy Cole Goal Puts Chelsea In The Final

Everton 0-1 Chelsea (1-3 agg)

Joe Cole’s magnificent strike gave Chelsea the victory at Goodison Park and set up a Carling Cup final date with Tottenham at Wembley

Chelsea weathered the intense opening spells of the game to produce a level-headed and effective display of controlling football in the second leg of this Carling Cup semi-final.

Avram Grant's side were the better on the night and Joe Cole’s 69th minute super strike earned them victory on the night and a convincing 3-1 aggregate win.

The Blues will now procede to their third Carling Cup final in four seasons, and Tottenham await them at Wembley.

First Half

Goodison Park was positively rocking as kick-off approached in what Evertonians heralded as the club’s biggest game in over a decade.

The Toffees made just one change from the weekend win at Wigan as Manuel Fernandes came in for Hibbert. Phil Neville dropped into the right-back slot and the Portuguese into centre midfield.

For the visitors Wayne Bridge started in place of Ashley Cole and Steve Sidwell replaced Ballack. Contrary to expectation, Shaun Wright-Phillips was deemed fit to start.

Chelsea came close to taking the lead inside three minutes as Phil Jagielka valiantly nodded behind Wright-Phillips’ fierce goalbound drive. Juliano Belletti then curled one over the bar, but every surge forward by the hosts was matched by a roaring bellow from the stands, not least as Joleon Lescott’s header almost skimmed past a diving Petr Cech.

Andy Johnson dragged an effort wide as the game died down and Chelsea assumed control of possession, seemingly having weathered the early storm. Tim Howard in the Everton goal gathered a shot from Nicolas Anelka that Joe Cole almost toe-poked into the net.

The visitors troubled Everton in wide areas but struggled to break down the Toffees’ stubborn resistance around the penalty area. With nowhere to go, Florent Malouda curled a disappointing effort harmlessly high and wide.

But Everton, too, showed a willingness to use width in possession: Arteta’s terrific run down the right played in Johnson whose deflected shot rippled the side-netting. At the other end, Anelka lashed a long shot comfortably wide, the last meaningful action of this tense first half.

Second Half

Chelsea almost took the lead within 45 seconds of the restart. After great trickery from Joe Cole the England man opted to pass rather than shoot: Anelka rifled the ball against the bar; Howard was a beaten man – and a relieved one to see the ball ricochet clear.

With their fans now in full voice, the Blues seemed to sense a goal would virtually seal their spot in next month’s final, really piling the pressure on Everton. Valente did well to block Cole’s strike from a counter attack.

As Tim Cahill dropped back to aid in the midfield battle, Andy Johnson cut an increasingly isolated figure upfront for the home side. But they came close to breaking the deadlock through a well-worked Arteta corner that Neville thundered across goal.

Cech did well to parry and was called into action once more as Jagielka almost back-heeled in Osman’s bobbled shot. The keeper then spilled a cross but was awarded a free-kick before his mistake could be punished – it was hard to see where any infringement against Cech had occurred.

Everton now had the lion’s share of possession, but Chelsea caught them cold and punished them in the 69th minute. A pinpoint diagonal cross from deep from Malouda found Joe Cole, whose control was simply exquisite. Bringing the ball down with an outstretched right foot, he allowed one bounce before smashing a half-volley past a helpless Howard – a majestic strike in front of the watching England boss Capello that put Chelsea firmly in the driving seat.

Everton were shocked, but more heroics from Cech prevented Johnson from nabbing a quick equaliser. The visitors largely stifled Everton’s attempts to draw level as the Toffees’ cause began to look forlorn. Wright-Phillips broke and almost doubled the advantage, while substitute Pizarro fired inches wide. The Peruvian squandered another opportunity when one-on-one with Howard, but it mattered little as Chelsea secured a thoroughly deserved victory.

Chelsea's defence handled everything Everton threw at them, with Carvalho and Cech particularly outstanding, and few could doubt that Avram Grant does indeed care about winning this competition. Tottenham will be Chelsea's opponents in February’s final at Wembley.

Line-ups:

Everton (4-4-2): Howard – Neville, Jagielka, Lescott, Nuno Valente – Arteta, Carsley (Anichebe 70), Fernandes (Vaughan 78), Osman – Johnson, Cahill

Subs not used – Wessels, Hibbert, Stubbs

Chelsea (4-3-2-1): Cech – Belletti, Carvalho, Alex, Bridge – Wright-Phillips, Makalele, Sidwell – J Cole (Pizarro 82), Malouda (A Cole 90) – Anelka (Ben-Haim 90)

Subs not used – Cudicini, Ferreira

Goals:

0-1 J Cole, 69 (Malouda)


Cards:

Yellow: Carsley, Fernandes, Neville, Nuno Valente / Makalele, Belletti

BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE BRIEFING

Current league positions in brackets)


Saturday, January 19

Birmingham (16) v Chelsea (3)

Alex McLeish must decide whether to give a debut to full-back David Murphy after his £1.5million move from Hibernian. Skipper Damien Johnson missed a training session with a stiff back but is expected to be fit to play.

Chelsea are waiting on the fitness of midfielder Frank Lampard (thigh). John Terry is still out with a fractured foot along with Andriy Shevchenko (ankle) while Mikel John Obi, Michael Essien, Salomon Kalou and Didier Drogba are away on international duty in the African Nations Cup. New signings Branislav Ivanovic and Nicolas Anelka could make their first starts.

Last season: No corresponding fixture

Last five league matches: Birmingham L W D L D; Chelsea W D W W W

Top scorers: Cameron Jerome & Olivier Kapo (Birmingham) 5; Nicolas Anelka (Chelsea) 11

Referee: Rob Styles (Hampshire).

Blackburn (8) v Middlesbrough (14)

Brett Emerton (hamstring) and Tugay (groin) are set to come back into contention for Blackburn. Unsettled striker Jason Roberts is pushing for a starting berth after coming off the bench to score a last-minute winner at Bolton. South African midfielder Aaron Mokoena remains unavailable as he is on African Nations Cup duty.

Middlesbrough midfielder Julio Arca returns from suspension and could replace skipper George Boateng. Fellow midfielder Lee Cattermole was also due to return from suspension but is ill and is likely to miss the trip. Defenders Jonathan Woodgate and Emanuel Pogatetz return from a shin injury and illness respectively but strikers Mido and Ben Hutchinson are out.

Last season: Blackburn 2 Middlesbrough 1, Middlesbrough 0 Blackburn 1

Last five league matches: Blackburn L D W W W; Middlesbrough L L W L D

Top scorers: Roque Santa Cruz (Blackburn) 14; Adam Johnson & Stewart Downing (Middlesbrough) 5

Referee: Keith Stroud (Hampshire).

Fulham (19) v Arsenal (2)

Brede Hangeland was not signed in time to feature for Fulham. Full-back Paul Konchesky is suspended. Jimmy Bullard is fit following his long spell out with a serious knee injury. Ian Pearce, Brian McBride and Philippe Christanval have been back in training following injuries. Striker Diomansy Kamara is on African Nations Cup duty for Senegal.

Arsenal will have winger Tomas Rosicky back after suffering from a virus, but striker Robin van Persie will be sidelined for another couple of weeks by a niggling thigh problem.Theo Walcott is set to be rested ahead of the second leg of the Carling Cup semi-final with Tottenham. Johan Djourou (groin) is also out, while Kolo Toure, Emmanuel Eboue and Alex Song are away at the African Nations Cup.

Last season: Arsenal 3 Fulham 1, Fulham 2 Arsenal 1

Last five league matches: Fulham D L D L L; Arsenal W D W W D

Top scorers: Clint Dempsey (Fulham) 6; Emmanuel Adebayor (Arsenal) 13

Referee: Peter Walton (Northamptonshire).

Newcastle (11) v Bolton (15)

Newcastle manager Kevin Keegan will have few selection decisions to make. Emre's dismissal against Stoke in midweek means he, along with Alan Smith and Nicky Butt, is suspended, while Habib Beye, Abdoulaye Faye, Geremi and Obafemi Martins are away on African Nations Cup duty. Joey Barton is still unavailable and Peter Ramage (knee) remains on the sidelines.

Gretar Steinsson and Matt Taylor could play for Bolton after signing for the Trotters. Steinsson, a right-sided defender, arrived in a £3.5million deal from Dutch side AZ Alkmaar and Taylor finally completed his protracted move from Portsmouth. Gavin McCann is doubtful after sustaining a minor injury in last week's 2-1 home defeat by Blackburn. El-Hadji Diouf and Abdoulaye Meite are away on African Nations Cup duty.

Last season: Bolton 2 Newcastle 1, Newcastle 1 Bolton 2

Last five league matches: Newcastle D L L L L; Bolton W L L W L

Top scorers: Obafemi Martins (Newcastle) 7; Kevin Nolan & El-Hadji Diouf (Bolton) 4

Referee: Alan Wiley (Staffordshire).

Portsmouth (9) v Derby (20)

Portsmouth are set to give new signing Lassana Diarra his debut in midfield and he could replace fellow Frenchman Arnold Mvuemba. Glen Johnson could replace Noe Pamarot after recovering from a hamstring strain. Sean Davis could also return in midfield from a foot injury.

Derby full-back Tyrone Mears (shin) joins fellow defenders Jay McEveley (knee), Dean Leacock (groin) and Claude Davis (suspended) on the sidelines. Stephen Bywater (shoulder) and David Jones (hernia) also miss the game but there is better news on Kenny Miller and Stephen Pearson who have returned to training, with the former the more likely to feature.

Last season: No corresponding fixture

Last five league matches: Portsmouth L D L W L; Derby D L L L L

Top scorers: Benjani Mwaruwari (Portsmouth) 9; Kenny Miller (Derby) 7

Referee: Mike Dean (Wirral).

Reading (13) v Man Utd (1)

Reading will be without defender Michael Duberry (knee). Fellow defenders Ibrahima Sonko and Andre Bikey are both away on international duty, as is midfielder Emerse Fae, and wingers John Oster (ankle) and Glen Little (heel) remain sidelined.

England midfielder Owen Hargreaves is available again after being sidelined with a rib injury. Defender Wes Brown also comes into contention after suspension. Louis Saha is unlikely to be risked as he recovers from a knee problem.

Last season: Man Utd 3 Reading 2, Reading 1 Man Utd 1

Last five league matches: Reading W D L L L; Man Utd W W L W W

Top scorers: Simon Cox (Reading) 9; Cristiano Ronaldo (Man Utd) 22

Referee: Steve Bennett (Kent).

Tottenham (12) v Sunderland (18)

Spurs' Tom Huddlestone has completed a three-match ban but Steed Malbranque is suspended. Goalkeeper Paul Robinson, defender Ledley King and striker Dimitar Berbatov could return. Didier Zokora is on international duty but Darren Bent (knee), Gareth Bale (foot), Benoit Assou-Ekotto (knee) and Anthony Gardner (ankle) are out injured.

Sunderland winger Ross Wallace is out for the rest of the season after damaging knee ligaments. Defender Danny Higginbotham and midfielder Grant Leadbitter are out with toe fractures. Dickson Etuhu is on African Nations Cup duty with Nigeria, while Carlos Edwards continues his recovery from a broken leg.

Last season: No corresponding fixture

Last five league matches: Tottenham L W W L L; Sunderland L L W L W

Top scorers: Robbie Keane (Tottenham) 15; Kenwyne Jones (Sunderland) 6

Referee: Lee Mason (Lancashire).

Sunday, January 20

Man City (7) v West Ham (10)

Manchester City striker Nery Castillo has been ruled out for up to six weeks after fracturing a bone on his shoulder in the FA Cup victory against West Ham in midweek. City face the Hammers again on Sunday and apart from Castillo, Michael Johnson (abdominal strain) and Emile Mpenza (hamstring) are again ruled out through injury.

Danny Gabbidon is available for West Ham after recovering from a groin injury. Fellow centre-back James Collins is also pushing for a place. French midfielder Julien Faubert is edging closer to a first-team start. Hayden Mullins and Carlton Cole are in contention but Craig Bellamy is not expected to be ready.

Last season: West Ham 0 Man City 1, Man City 2 West Ham 0

Last five league matches: Man City D D D W L; West Ham W D W L W

Top scorers: Elano (Man City) 7; Dean Ashton (West Ham) 6

Referee: Phil Dowd (Staffordshire).

Wigan (17) v Everton (5)

Erik Edman could go straight into the Wigan side after his £500,000 move from French club Rennes. With Ryan Taylor (knee) and Carlo Nash (broken leg) the only absentees, manager Steve Bruce has virtually a full squad to choose from.

Striker Andrew Johnson is set to return to Everton's squad having recovered from a training knock. Leon Osman, out since mid-December with a broken toe, could also feature in the squad, while fellow midfielder Manuel Fernandes is available after completing a six-month loan deal at the weekend.

Last season: Wigan 0 Everton 2, Everton 2 Wigan 2

Last five league matches: Wigan D W L D W; Everton L W L W W

Top scorers: Marcus Bent (Wigan) 8; Ayegbeni Yakubu (Everton) 12

Referee: Lee Probert (Wiltshire).

Monday, January 21

Liverpool (4) v Aston Villa (6)

Danish defender Daniel Agger is the only certain absentee facing Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez after he suffered a recurrence of his metatarsal injury last weekend, sidelining him for a month. Fabio Aurelio has recovered from a hamstring problem and Steve Finnan and Javier Mascherano could return. Slovakian new boy Martin Skrtel could also get his first call-up to the squad.

Stuart Taylor is set to start as goalkeeper Scott Carson cannot play due to his loan from Liverpool. Skipper Gareth Barry is an injury doubt after suffering a bruised pelvis in training but defender Olof Mellberg is fit to return after missing the 3-1 home win over Reading through sickness.

Last season: Aston Villa 0 Liverpool 0, Liverpool 3 Aston Villa 1

Last five league matches: Liverpool W W D D D; Aston Villa D D W W W

Top scorers: Fernando Torres (Liverpool) 17; Gabriel Agbonlahor (Aston Villa) 7

Referee: Mark Clattenburg (Tyne & Wear).