Newcastle 2 - 2 Tottenham

 
Defoe proved to be Tottenham's super-sub at St James' Park

Shola Ameobi came off the bench to score as Newcastle maintained their unbeaten start to the season by drawing with Tottenham.

Rafael van der Vaart opened the scoring from the spot after Steven Taylor was judged to have brought down Emmanuel Adebayor.
Demba Ba equalised for Newcastle from close range before substitute Jermain Defoe fired in low to put Spurs ahead.

Newcastle owners deserve credit - Pardew

But Ameobi won a point for Newcastle when he struck in from the angle.
It was an outstanding strike by the substitute who was played in with a cute flick from Magpies playmaker Yohan Cabaye.
The equaliser came four minutes from normal time although both the home side and the visitors could have take away all three points in a frenetic final five minutes.
Defoe twice had a chance to score, but his first shot was brilliantly blocked by Taylor before the follow-up was palmed away by Tim Krul.
And in stoppage time, Newcastle defender Fabricio Coloccini had a chance to become a hero but he fired wide after turning inside the six-yard area.

The finale was in stark contrast to a rather subdued first half during which Newcastle were content to contain the visitors.
The home side's disciplined approach was working a treat until five minutes before half-time, when they made an error.
Cabaye had the ball poked from his possession by Jake Livermore and Adebayor ran on to the loose ball before he was clipped by Taylor in the area.
Referee Lee Probert looked at his linesman for guidance before pointing to the spot.
The Magpies ditched their conservative tactics after the break and three minutes into the half they were level.
Argentine Gutierrez left Luka Modric sleeping on the left and got down to the by-line before dinking the ball into the area which was slid in by Ba for his fifth goal in three games.

Harry Redknapp regrets missed chances

However, Spurs, free from their chains, were now also able to play their game.
Adebayor was twice unlucky not to put his side back in front, first screwing a shot an inch wide before Krul cleared just as the Togo striker was about to shoot.
However, a minute later they finally scored the second when Defoe spun in a flash to drill a low strike past the Dutch goalkeeper.
Alan Pardew's men were now 22 minutes from losing their unbeaten record.
Both Cheik Tiote and Ryan Taylor went close when their long-range strikes were saved by Brad Friedel but the American stopper had no chance of saving Ameobi's rocket.
The home-grown striker picked up quick ball from Cabaye and rifled his effort low and hard into the bottom left corner of the Tottenham goal.
The Magpies remain in fourth while Spurs stay sixth in the Premier League table.
Newcastle manager Alan Pardew:
"In the second half we created a lot of pressure. Both teams wanted to try and win and that provided great entertainment
"Our reaction to going behind was great. It shows the spirit and character of our group. We have players on the bench who can come on and change the game.
"I'm proud of the players and proud of the staff and pleased for the owners who have taken a lot of criticism. Things take time."
Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp:
"When you are 2-1 up in the 86th minute you are looking for three points.
"This is a tough place to come but we felt comfortable at 2-1 and in a position to finish them off. We thought we could nick another goal.
"We started with Rafa but he looked a bit leggy and Jermaine came on full of beans and grabbed a goal. Both played their part and both scored a goal."

Liverpool 1 - 1 Man Utd

 
Javier Hernandez scored Manchester United's goal after coming off the bench. 
 

Substitute Javier Hernandez earned Manchester United a point after England striker Wayne Rooney was left out of the starting line-up at Anfield.

The Mexican levelled nine minutes from time after Steven Gerrard, making his first start since undergoing groin surgery in April, put Liverpool ahead with a 68th-minute free-kick.
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson revealed he dropped Rooney after he was left "devastated" by the three-match ban that rules him out of England's Euro 2012 group games following his red card in Montenegro.
As well as Rooney, Ferguson also left Hernandez and Nani on the bench in a much-changed United team.

We deserved three points - Dalglish

It looked like proving an expensive decision as Gerrard slotted a free-kick through the United wall to make it 1-0.
That was the signal for Ferguson to make changes - and Hernandez rescued a point with a close-range header.
Liverpool substitute Jordan Henderson almost snatched victory twice in stoppage time but United held on to end a run of three successive Premier League defeats at Anfield.
United were second-best for long periods as they struggled to adapt to an unfamiliar line-up and were ultimately fortunate to leave Merseyside with their unbeaten league run still intact.
And Ferguson was largely indebted to young keeper David de Gea, who has had his critics this season but made crucial saves to keep United in contention as they came under concerted pressure in the closing stages.

Ferguson, perhaps recalling how United had been comprehensively outfought in the 3-1 defeat at Liverpool last season, opted for a side with a more pragmatic look with Phil Jones moved into a midfield role.
And in an undistinguished opening, Jones had the best chance when he met Patrice Evra's cross at the far post but headed weakly off-target with what proved to be United's most inviting opening of the first half.
Liverpool captain Gerrard then created confusion in the United six-yard area with a whipped cross - but the clearest opportunity fell to Luis Suarez in the 33rd minute. Charlie Adam's shot deflected invitingly into the Uruguayan's path but, after cleverly wrong-footing Jonny Evans, he was thwarted by De Gea's block.
It was Liverpool who once again carried the momentum after the break and the recalled Rio Ferdinand was booked for a foul on Suarez, whose confrontational approach and brilliant natural ability was proving hard to handle.
After Evra was also shown a yellow card following a prolonged bout of bickering which also involved Suarez, Ferguson decided on a double change by replacing Park Ji-sung and Ashley Young with Nani and Rooney.
As they stood waiting to come on, Liverpool took the lead as Gerrard showed what his side have been missing. United hotly contested the free-kick awarded when Adam tumbled under Ferdinand's challenge - and Gerrard steered a 20-yard free-kick past De Gea, thanks in no small part to Ryan Giggs jumping out of the wall.

Ferguson frustrated with 'soft' free-kick

Ferguson then made another change as Liverpool moved within sight of victory, sending on Hernandez for Jones in the hope that the Mexican's goal-poaching instincts could be the catalyst for a comeback.
And so it proved when Hernandez arrived with perfect timing on to Danny Welbeck's flick from a corner to send a header flashing past Pepe Reina.
De Gea was United's hero again within seconds of Hernandez's equaliser, diving to his left to claw away Dirk Kuyt's shot as he got on the end of a superb cross from Stewart Downing.
Liverpool were still pressing for the winner in stoppage time with another substitute, Henderson, prominent. His angled finish was brilliantly turned away by De Gea and he also headed just over.
Defender Martin Skrtel should have done better than sky a chance into the Kop in the dying moments - and it was the Manchester United supporters who were happier with a point at the final whistle.

Morison to resume club rivalry against Wales team-mates

Morison scored his first international goal in Wales' 2-1 Euro 2012 qualifying win over Montenegro Wales striker Steve Morison says he is ready to resume club rivalries when Norwich face Swansea, four days after his country's game in Bulgaria. The 28-year-old striker could face Wales team-mates Ashley Williams, Neil Taylor and Joe Allen when the Swans come to Carrow Road on Saturday. "It's a fantastic game for both teams, it shows how far both teams have come. "It's a game both teams want to win, it's an exciting time for both places, what a game," he said. Both sides were promoted to the top flight this season along with QPR, and all three now sit together on eight points after seven games. Morison says that retaining a consistency from the way the team played in the Championship has been important. "We know what we're good at and we've concentrated on that, you need to stick to your guns, stick to your work ethic and your morals and see how far it can take you. "So far it's bode well for both teams," said Morison. As for the prospect of potentially being marked by Wales colleague Williams, Morison said: "It's a hard task, he's a very good player, and I look forward to it, I just hope I'm in the team."

Fulham to redevelop Craven Cottage

 

Fulham initially looked to leave Craven Cottage in 2002 

 

Fulham have unveiled plans to redevelop their Craven Cottage stadium and increase the capacity to 30,000.

The ground, which has been the Whites' home since 1896, currently holds 25,700 after several refurbishment projects over the past decade.
Recent reports suggested Fulham were looking to move to a new stadium and were considering a groundshare with west London neighbours QPR or Chelsea.
However, the club have confirmed that no such talks have taken place.
"We are still in the very early stages of the planning process and will be holding a public exhibition in mid-October, where we would very much welcome people's thoughts on our initial ideas," said Fulham chief executive Alastair Mackintosh.

We are confident that a redevelopment will improve the fans' matchday experience, and enhance our corporate offering, whilst remaining sympathetic to the design of this historic ground

Alastair Mackintosh Fulham chief executive

 

"This investment at Craven Cottage demonstrates yet again the chairman's continued ambition to see the club prosper and grow and to continue to compete at this level for many years to come.
"The venue would also be subject to wider facility improvements and, as part of the consultation process, the club will begin speaking to residents, supporters and other interested groups from next week.
"We are confident that a redevelopment will improve the fans' matchday experience, and enhance our corporate offering, whilst remaining sympathetic to the design of this historic ground."
Fulham thought they had played their last match at Craven Cottage at the end of the 2001-02 campaign, spending the following season at QPR's Loftus Road with the intention of starting out in a new stadium a year later.
Opposition to the proposal ended the process and spiralling costs eventually resulted in the Whites aborting plans for a new home.
Instead, the club invested money in refurbishment work to increase Craven Cottage's capacity to 25,700, while upgrading facilities.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Craven Cottage hosted the 2011 Women's Champions League final

Recent reports suggested Fulham had reignited their search for a new ground in west London and would be vying with neighbours QPR and Chelsea for suitable plots.
QPR chief executive officer Philip Beard said on Thursday that the club are looking to leave Loftus Road for a new stadium, preferably in the Shepherd's Bush area.
Meanwhile, Chelsea this week made an offer to Chelsea Pitch Owners - most of whose shareholders are fans - for the stadium's freehold in what has been seen as a precursor to a move to a new 60,000-seater ground.

Wolves fans' abuse of Karl Henry disgusting - Roger Johnson

 

Henry was born in Wolverhampton and joined his hometown club in August 2006 

 

Wolverhampton Wanderers captain Roger Johnson has said the club's own fans were disgraceful in abusing Karl Henry.

The midfielder was substituted during last weekend's defeat to Newcastle and was taunted by a section of the Molineux crowd.
"I thought it was a disgrace, disgusting. It stinks," said Johnson who replaced Henry as captain.
"If the fans want to have a bitch at me about it then fine, but I thought they were bang out of order."

There are no reasons for this sort of abuse. It should never happen, especially to someone who has served Wolves so well

Wolves skipper, Roger Johnson

 

Henry was the subject of sarcastic cheering when he was replaced by Wolves manager Mick McCarthy after 58 minutes for Adlene Guedioura.
Johnson believes 28-year-old Henry does not deserve such treatment after his lengthy service with the club.
The midfielder captained the club for three years, before being replaced in the role by summer signing Johnson.
Henry has made almost 200 appearances for the club and captained Wolves to promotion and two seasons in the Premier League.
Johnson added: "There are no reasons for that and it should never happen - and, for someone who's served this club so well for so long and been captain, it was undeserved.
"It's not going to help anyone."

Ivan Gazidis insists Arsenal do not need Champions League

 

Ivan Gazidis has been at Arsenal since 2008 

 

Chief executive Ivan Gazidis is confident Arsenal could still compete financially if they missed out on the Champions League.

The Gunners earned £26m from Europe last season but Gazidis believes they could still keep pace with the top English clubs without it.
They currently sit 15th in the Premier League table, 12 points behind leaders Manchester United.
"Every club has the temptation to think that money is the answer," he said.

We don't have a salary ceiling, I don't know where that story comes from

Ivan Gazidis Arsenal chief executive

 

"We would rather qualify for it but we have a really sustainable model that can cope. Not just cope, but we can do well and compete.
"It would be very foolish to build a business model that relied on being in the Champions League for perpetuity and I don't think any clubs do that and, if they do, then they probably aren't being run as responsibly as they should be."
Arsenal - who have been in the Champions League in each of the past 14 seasons - bought in £64m in transfer fees in the summer and spent £48.3m, with over half of that spent on transfer deadline day as Arsene Wenger boosted his squad with the signings of Andre Santos, Per Mertesacker and Mikel Arteta.
Gazidis was also quick to add that the Gunners would be able to compete with Chelsea and the two Manchester clubs in terms of player wages.
"We don't have a salary ceiling, I don't know where that story comes from," said Gazidis, who was speaking at Leaders in Football.
"We have a very sophisticated business model that looks at what we need to do to compete today and what we need to do to compete next year and five years from now."

FA says goal-line technology will not be used next season

Incidents such as Frank Lampard's disallowed goal in the 2010 World Cup have added to the impetus for introducing goal-line technology

Football Association general secretary Alex Horne has confirmed that goal-line technology will not be used in the Premier League next season.

Horne said accuracy testing would not be complete in time for the 2012-13 campaign, with 2013-14 more realistic.
The International Football Association Board (IFAB) will not approve any technology until after the 2012 European Championships finals.
Horne said: "I think that'll be too late for 2012-13."
He continued: "I think it'll be 2013-14 because there's then a big capital decision-making process for any league or any competition who want to apply [the technology]."

 

Goal-line technology 'not ready' for next season

Horne said there were eight or nine systems competing for licences and that all of them could prove successful in technology trials, with individual governing bodies then deciding which of them - if any - to use.
"There's not going to be one technology for all of world football," he said.
"There's a phase of testing up until March 2012 that will establish whether technology can actually achieve reasonable accuracy - 90 per cent, 99 per cent, maybe 100 per cent.
"It's happening live in stadia all around Europe. They can simulate light, they can simulate dark, they can simulate balls rolling across the line, balls being fired in from all different angles."
Horne also confirmed that the technology would only be used to establish whether or not a goal had been scored and not for decisions such as offside.
"Those single points of scoring a goal are so vital and there are so few of them in a football match compared to tennis or cricket that that is where we need the technology," he said.
"If you start using technology to judge offsides, for example, then I think you've gone too far."