RESULT MATCH

With the vast majority of the Premier League having far from penny-pinched in a summer of lavish spending, that even some WAGS may have baulked at, the hype ahead of this season's opening salvo of games was as frenzied since its inauguration.

It would, then, come as little surprise had what ensued proved to be the proverbial damp squib but on the contrary, swelled grounds across the county were treated to an opening day of genuine quality and intrigue.

Wayne Rooney's fractured foot has dominated Monday's back pages, and rightly so, but what should not be forgotten was the fine football which went before it.

Black Cats delight

The script-writers would perhaps have sniggered at what transpired in Saturday's early kick-off in the North East, as Michael Chopra, to some still an impostor in red and white stripes, shrugged off his Newcastle leanings, to come off the bench for Sunderland and score the most accomplished of injury-time winners.

Tottenham, tipped to break the into the promised land of the 'Top Four', were left crestfallen, as Roy Keane celebrated his return to the big time with customary aplomb.

Then came Sven Goran Eriksson's return to English shores with a trip to the capital, to face a West Ham side that is shorn of Tevez but replete with a rostra of big money buys, not unlike Manchester City in fact.

Sven's back

Of the two, it was City's new boys that stole the honours, as Sven breathed a sigh of relief in the realisation he had not succumbed to any video nasties, with the Brazilian Elano in particular impressing in an accomplished 2-0 victory.

Over in the North West, there was only ever to be one winner in the battle of Bolton past and present. Big Sam's Newcastle delivered a performance that was both punchy and pacey, while Little Sam's Bolton were pallid, anaemic in comparison.

Obafemi Martins, wary of the arrival of Mark Viduka and imminent return of Michael Owen, stole the personal plaudits with a brace in the 3-1 success.

Midas touch of the weekend goes to Blackburn boss Mark Hughes, after a pair of his strikers came off the bench, to sink a Middlesbrough side that had previously led through Stewart Downing's free-kick.

First came the swarthy Roque Santa Cruz, seemingly straight off a film set, to power home a thumping header, before Matt Derbyshire, less glamorous but no less potent, curled a magnificent winner.

The doom-mongers in the Midlands have cast Derby as lambs to the slaughter, but at Pride Park they were silenced, as Billy Davies' side fought back to claim a 2-2 draw against Portsmouth.

Big things are expected from Everton this season and for large spells at Goodison Park they did not disappoint, with Leon Osman and Victor Anichebe rendering Antoine Sibierski's debut goal for Wigan mere consolation.

In Saturday's final game, Fernando Torres may have made his bow in Liverpool's 2-1 win at Aston Villa, but it was Steven Gerrard that reaffirmed his status as Anfield's top dog with a late free-kick winner of sublime execution.

Sunday's round of matches had plenty to live up to and, for the most part, they did not disappoint.

Sanchez fumes

A rare noon kick-off in North London saw Arsenal's Jens Lehmann make his annual entry into the season's bloopers video, courtesy of a comical slip that handed a grateful David Healy a goal on his Fulham debut.

A familiar Achilles of missing a raft of chances appeared to flare up as the game entered its final five minutes, but Robin van Persie and Alexander Hleb had other ideas, in netting a goal apiece, which had Lawrie Sanchez fuming, in a manner that one suspects will not be the last time this season.

After Arsenal's style council it was over to the west side of the capital, as Jose Mourinho's Chelsea proceeded to put on a performance that belied their status as being disciples of dour.

Embracing an attacking mantra and a lackadaisical approach to defending, Chelsea were cute on the eye as they came from behind to win 3-2, as Birmingham goalkeeper Colin Doyle endured an afternoon best resigned to the scrapbook.

With Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea having all tasted sweet opening day success, the pressure was on Manchester United to do likewise.

Thankfully, after all the excitement that had passed before it, United and Reading produced a sober snooze-fest that was ideal for a pleasant Sunday afternoon nap.

Although, Rooney's injury woke even the neutral, as Sir Alex Ferguson's woes at a lack of a breakthrough were exacerbated by the news his attacking talisman now faces up to two months on the sidelines.

Honourable mentions must also go to Martin Laursen, who scored the season's first own goal, and Dave Kitson, who got himself a red card just 37 seconds after entering the field as a second half substitute at Old Trafford.

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ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE SCORE

FT Arsenal 2 - 1 Fulham
1' D. Healy Fulham
83' R.v. Persie (pen.) Arsenal
90' A. Hleb Arsenal

FT Chelsea 3 - 2 Birmingham C.
15' M. Forssell Birmingham C.
18' C. Pizarro Chelsea
31' F. Malouda Chelsea
36' O. Kapo Birmingham C.
50' M. Essien Chelsea

FT Manchester U. 0 - 0 Reading

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ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE SCORE

FT Sunderland 1 - 0 Tottenham H.
90' M. Chopra Sunderland

FT Bolton W. 1 - 3 Newcastle U.
11' C. N'Zogbia Newcastle U
21' O. Martins Newcastle U
27' O. Martins Newcastle U
50' N. Anelka Bolton W

FT Derby County 2 - 2 Portsmouth
5' M. Oakley Derby County
27' B. Mwaruwari Portsmouth
83' J. Utaka Portsmouth
84' A. Todd Derby County

FT Everton 2 - 1 Wigan Athletic
26' L. Osman Everton
75' V. Anichebe Everton
80' A. Sibierski Wigan Athletic

FT Middlesbrough 1 - 2 Blackburn R.
31' S. Downing Middlesbrough
62' R.S. Cruz Blackburn R
79' M. Derbyshire Blackburn R

FT West Ham U. 0 - 2 Manchester C.
18' R. Bianchi Manchester C
87' D.M. Geovanni Manchester C

14' Aston Villa 1 - 2 Liverpool
31' M. Laursen (o.g.) Liverpool
85' G. Barry (pen.) Aston Villa
87' S. Gerrard Liverpool

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NEW SEASON

WELCOME BACK ENGLISH PREMIERSHIP

Finally english league has come and we can see attractive match . While many observers will see this weekend's opening round of the English Premier League as a first chance to see new talent, assess off-season progress and enjoy their first taste of top-flight football in several months, for premiership managers and players it's just like any other round, with points being very much - well, the point.

While the rest of us come to terms with seeing former Reading star Steve Sidwell in a Chelsea strip, Spanish young gun Fernando Torres at Merseyside, and Mark Viduka in the black and white of Newcastle United, managers are all too aware that points in round one are as valuable (more so in some cases) as points earned in the final few weeks.

For Manchester United, it's simply a case of picking up where the club left off several months ago. Sir Alex Ferguson has spent around $125 million in the off season and will test his side against Reading at Old Trafford in round one.

With Carlos Tevez, Owen Hargreaves and Nani (among others) bolstering a side already dripping with talent, United seem to have a very good chance of landing back-to-back titles. And the Red Devils have already landed a psychological blow to Chelsea through a dominating performance in the Community Shield.

After a honeymoon season following promotion, Steve Coppell's Reading should be satisfied with anything close to its eighth-placed 2006-2007 finish.

Chelsea opens its account with what would normally be a routine home match against promoted Birmingham City. But the Blues have an injury list as long as many clubs' playing rosters, and Steve Bruce's boys won't have a better chance of taking something away from Stamford Bridge.

John Terry, Didier Drogba, Claude Makelele, Salomon Kalou, Michael Ballack, Andriy Shevchenko, Wayne Bridge and Paolo Ferreira are non-staters for Chelsea in round one. Jose Mourinho could only field 11 outfield players at training in midweek, with 14 players needing treatment of some sort.

Ashley Cole left training clutching a thigh, and Frank Lampard, of those who did train, has a broken toe. Michael Essien and Lassana Diarra have also been hampered by minor knee complaints, while Claudio Pizarro is still a few weeks away from being match fit.

Birmingham has also had cash to spend in the off season. Stuart Parnaby will add starch to the club's traditional defensive strength, talented former Ajax midfield player Daniel De Ridder has pace and guile aplenty, and a raft of other imports leaves Bruce's side a decent chance of avoiding the drop.

Liverpool, which faces Martin O'Neill's Aston Villa away in a tricky opening match, has recruited heavily and now has six proven finishers and creators, including Torres, Andriy Voronin, Yossi Benayoun and Ryan Babel. Rafael Benitez has assembled a formidable-looking armada to challenge Manchester United and Chelsea for the title.

Liverpool have started with tortoise-like pace In the past three seasons under Benitez, building just 10 points from their opening seven games in each campaign. The Reds have still finished in the top four each year (except 2004-2005, when finishing fifth and Everton fourth) and with Steven Gerrard moving to the centre of midfield, surely a better start awaits. From there, who knows?

Villa manager Martin O'Neill will be happy if his side can turn just a few of last season's draws into wins. The Villans earned a single point in no less than 17 matches in 2006-2007 (the most of any club, and 10 more than Blackburn, for example) and finished in 11th place.

The form of former West Ham United duo Marlon Harewood and Nigel Reo-Coker will be key, as will the progression of last season's surprise, Gabriel Agbonlahor, and John Carew. With a slightly sharper attack and few more goals, Villa could well emulate former glory days with European football next season. O'Neill certainly knows what it takes to get there.

At Arsenal, enough has been said about the departure of Thierry Henry. Manager Arsene Wenger, himself the subject of ongoing speculation about his future, now has a chance to prove the past two seasons have not been a waste of time.

His players are no longer "kids", although you'd still be hard pressed to name four outfield players over the age of 25, so there really is no excuse. Wenger would never have placed all his eggs in one basket and would have at least contemplated the scenario of life without his France striker.

These "kids" reached the final of the Carling Cup last season, and would have topped a table made up exclusively of the Big Four's results against each other. They've proved they have the talent; now consistency is needed. It's all about converting the chances created by Wenger's fluent attacking style, and in new boy Eduardo da Silva and Robin van Persie, perhaps they have the balance to challenge.

Against a new-look Fulham, which is targeting a top-10 finish and has recently recruited Melbourne Victory defender Adrian Leijer, Arsenal should be too good at home.

Down the road, Tottenham Hotspur has spent megabucks in an effort to overhaul bitter rival Arsenal for a Champions League berth. Ledley King's fragility has been countered with the purchase of Younes Kaboul, while Gareth Bale has joined the mix and Darren Bent finally gets a chance do show what he can do with decent service (he scored as many Premier League goals as Wayne Rooney last season, while playing for Charlton).

Spurs' away clash with Roy Keane's promoted Sunderland is one of the tastiest first-round matches.

The Black Cats could prove to be the Reading of this season, having looked easily the best of the promoted clubs in the final weeks of last year's Championship. And in Keane, they have a man who knows what it takes to succeed.

What seems to distinguish this season from others in recent memory is the fact that so many clubs have no excuses left to offer fans (and shareholders) should another year of European dreams fail to materialise.

Newcastle United, Aston Villa, Everton, Blackburn and Manchester City are just some of the clubs starting the season with renewed confidence. How long that confidence remains in tact, though, is another matter entirely.

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CUP

Arsenal On Fire

Lazio and Arsenal kicked off the Amsterdam Tournament in the splendid Amsterdam ArenA - and the Gunners ran out winers with an encouraging performance from Eduardo Da Silva.

The big story pre-match was the granting of a work permit to Eduardo Da Silva, Arsenal's Brazilian-born Croatian striker who joined from Dinamo Zagreb this summer. Eduardo takes his place in the Arsenal

In the first half Arsenal have a luck let-off when Pandev breaks clear and bears down on goal. Almunia gets a crucial touch that forces Pandev wide enough for Senderos to dispossess him with a superb tackle

Arsenal, having upped the tempo, take the lead through Nicklas Bendnter, The young Dane looked to have been forced too wide on the right but he cut in a low angled drive to the far corner to put the Gunners ahead. The goal came when Clichy crossed from the left and Fabregas's shot was deflected into the path of Bendtneron (minute 18')

Arsenal are sloppy from the corner and Pandev takes full advantage with a neat swivel and shot as Arsenal appeal in vain for a non-existent foul on Eduardo, who dwelt too long on the bal rather than hacking it clear. The Gunners must be kicking themselves. They reacted too slowly(minute 40')

In the second half Arsenal have replaced Gael Clichy and Cesc Fabregas with Tomas Rosicy and Mathie Flamini

From Rosicky's corner, Eduardo pulls off his marker for an unmarked header into the net(minute 55')

The final whistle sounds and it's a winning start for Arsenal in Amsterdam. Given that Arsenal fielded a young team that is far from their first choice starting XI, it was a very good workout for Arsene Wenger's side. They get five points for that win, but will be particularly pleased with the promising display by new striker Eduardo.

other match :

Ajax Amsterdam 2 - 0 Atletico Madrid

Emirates CUP for Arsenal

Robin van Persie produced a moment of brilliance to fire Arsenal to victory over Inter Milan and claim the Emirates Cup.

The Gunners had shown plenty of spirit and glimpses of the quality they will need to have an impact on next season's title race during an entertaining encounter with the Italian champions.

Then just when the match seemed to be heading towards a draw, van Persie - out since breaking his metatarsal in January - smashed home a winner following superb close control in the six-yard box.

As expected, manager Arsene Wenger made several changes from the starting XI for yesterday's victory over Paris St Germain.

Those changes included bringing in centre-back William Gallas, who was named captain ahead of Kolo Toure, and handing a first-team debut for teenage winger Kieran Gibbs.

Summer signing Eduardo da Silva was still missing as he awaits next week's appeal to the Home Office for a work permit.

Inter were very disappointing against Valencia yesterday, and having also rotated several of their players, the Italians offered little threat during the opening exchanges.

Van Persie looked lively in attack for the Gunners and was ably supported by Alexander Hleb.

On 20 minutes, a clever step-over from Hleb created a shooting chance just outside the box for van Persie but Julio Cesar forced away his low effort.

Former Everton defender Marco Materazzi was cautioned for a late challenge on Emmanuel Eboue as the Arsenal defender, playing on the wing, surged down the right flank.

From the resulting free-kick, a yard outside the area, van Persie forced a good reaction save from Cesar at his near post.

Mathieu Flamini - on target against PSG yesterday - made the Inter keeper work again to stop his low 20-yard strike.

Summer signing Bacary Sagna also saw his angled shot saved as Arsenal and van Persie shot over from a free-kick.

Wenger kept the same XI for the second half, with Eboue again dangerous down the right.

Arsenal felt they should have been awarded a penalty when van Persie went down following what looked like a push by defender Cristian Chivu, a big-money summer signing from Roma but referee Mark Halsey was unimpressed.

Van Persie needed brief treatment on his shoulder following the awkward fall but was soon up and running again.

Out of nothing, Inter snatched the lead on 52 minutes.

Cesar the midfielder floated the ball over from the right and Honduras striker David Suazo got above Gallas to power a header in off Jens Lehmann's right-hand post.

Eboue smashed an angled drive over as Arsenal looked to quickly get back on level terms.

The equaliser came on 68 minutes through Hleb. Following a break down the right, Sagna cut the ball back to the penalty spot.

Francesco Toldo, on at the break for goalkeeper Cesar, made a brilliant save to keep out Hleb's first effort, but had no chance of stopping the low shot into the corner from the rebound.

The Inter keeper produced another fine reaction stop to deflect away van Persie's close-range effort flowing a low right-wing cross from Hleb.

Young Danish striker Nicklas Bendtner came on for Gibbs to add some weight to the Arsenal attack in the final 10 minutes.

Yet it was van Persie who the game late on. There looked little danger when Eboue fed the Dutchman, surrounded by blue shirts, on the right side of the area.

However, van Persie produced a sublime dragback to turn defender Daniele Pedrelliez inside out - before smashing the ball high into the roof of the net.

Second place is Paris saint Germain ,3st Valencia and Inter Milan the last.

Inter Milan - Valencia : 0-2
Arsenal - PSG : 2-1

Valencia - PSG : 0-3
Arsenal - Inter : 2-1

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PRE SEASON

Henry hails Barca switch

The Frenchman completed his £16.1million move from Arsenal on Monday after successfully coming through a medical at Camp Nou.
Henry, who has signed a four-year deal at Barca, was overjoyed to make the move to the Spanish giants and he hopes he can be a success at the club.

"I am really pleased to be here," said Henry.

"It has been a long chase but I'm finally here and happy to be here and I can't wait to go out there and show what I can do to the fans
"Hopefully I can be a great asset for the team.

"I haven't set any targets or objectives. It has to be a club target.
"Barcelona is always a club that wants to win everything. I am going to try my hardest to help as much as I can.

"It has to be a team effort right from the start."

Henry admitted he hopes to finally win a UEFA Champions League winners' medal at Barcelona after missing out on one at Arsenal
"I have to live and breathe Barcelona," added Henry. "It is a dream for everyone to win the Champions League and I'm sure it will be the dream of Barcelona to win it again next season.
"It is the only thing I didn't win [at Arsenal] but the most important thing is that Barcelona is successful and they win silverware."

Henry hopes the Arsenal fans can understand his decision to leave Emirates Stadium. I have to show respect to Arsenal that's why before I left I wentto talk to the website. I wanted to be genuine and speak the truth.

"Hopefully they will appreciate what I have done there and I have certainly enjoyed my time over there.

"I always said that if I ever left Arsenal it would have been to play for Barcelona. I am here right now, no disrespect to anybody but that was my choice.

"The way Barcelona play football, the fans, just being here and seeing what I'm noticing right now, it's outstanding. It was always in my mind if I was going to leave it would be for Barcelona Football Club."

Henry admitted that there will no rivalry with Samuel Eto'o as both players battle for a place in Barca's side next season as he revealed he is close friends with the Cameroon star.
"The relationship I have with Samuel is from a long time ago," noted Henry.
"I know a lot of players in the team but on top of that Samuel and I have been really close in the past two years.

"He came to see me at my house when I got injured a few months ago and I came to see him when he he had an operation (in the early part of last season).
"I know you guys (the media) would not like us not to be friends but we are friends."(skysport)

Arsenal Board Split On Wenger's Choice Of Anelka

With the club's all-time goalscorer heading for Barcelona, Wenger's preferred choice to fill the gap in Arsenal's attack is Nicolas Anelka.

Manager Arsene Wenger now has just three strikers at his disposal in the form of Robin van Persie, Emmanuel Adebayor and Theo Walcott.

Jeremie Aliadiere has been sold to Middlesbrough and Julio Baptista has returned to Real Madrid after failing to impress in a loan spell.

The first names to be linked with the Gunners in the Saturday press are those of Nicolas Anelka and Carlos Tevez.

Bolton have previously made it clear that they wish to hold on to the former Arsenal striker and are likely to resist a bid from the Gunners.

West Ham are also desperate to keep Tevez at Upton Park for another season but a big-money offer from Arsenal may test their resolve.

Ajax’s Klaas Jan Huntelaar has also been linked in the last few weeks.

And that seems to have convulsed a board that used to be a byword for calm, stable stewardship.

For although in purely footballing terms the choice of Anelka to succeed Henry is a logical one - the Bolton Wanderers striker being blessed with pace, excellent technique and an astute eye for goal - he comes with enough baggage to fill the hold of a small airliner. Especially at Arsenal, where his career first took off.

Wenger, a long-time admirer of Anelka's game, brought the then teenager to Highbury from an outraged Paris St-Germain in 1997, and in the 1997-98 season Anelka burst onto the Premiership scene as Arsenal clinched a Premiership-FA Cup double. Anelka's arrival hastened the exit of Arsenal legend Ian Wright, but after one more productive season at the club Anelka was accused of holding the Gunners to ransom as he engineered a lucrative move to Real Madrid.

His team-mates, the Arsenal fans and the board were glad to see the back of the moody young Frenchman, who earned the nickname 'The Incredible Sulk' while at Highbury, though Wenger has never publicly said a word against him.

Arsenal received a club-record £23million from Real, and replaced him, ironically, with Thierry Henry.

Anelka was not a huge success at Madrid and went on to "enjoy" spells back at Paris St-Germain, then Liverpool, Manchester City, Fenerbahce, Bolton and France, without ever fully shaking off his moody reputation.

Yet Wenger described Anelka last year as his greatest discovery, the most prodigious talent he had uncovered, so it is not surprising that he is now in his thoughts as Henry settles into Camp Nou life.

Nor is it surprising that the board are unhappy with Wenger's choice.
Reportedly, the board have not forgotten or forgiven that Anelka made himself public enemy number at Arsenal in the summer of 1999. And the prospect of his returning to the club has apparently split the board for a second time in little more than three months.

The first split forced Wenger's ally and friend, David Dein, out of the club over US billionaire Stan Kroenke's growing involvement.

Now the reported vetoing of Wenger's move for Anelka will seem like another snub for the French manager, whose contract expires in 12 months' time and may not, at this rate, be renewed.

There is clearly a big risk that if Anelka is Wenger's first choice, and the board prevent him bringing the player back, then the manager will feel that a wedge is being driven between himself and the club after a highly successful ten-year association.

Relations between Wenger and the board appear to have been strained since Dein quit, but it is not clear how popular a returning Anelka would be with the fans. He would certainly have to perform wonders on the pitch, and upset nobody off it, to stand a chance of earning their respect. Affection may be too much to hope for, although ultimately it is success that keeps fans happy.

Wenger has himself been linked with Real Madrid, although he insists he will see out the coming season at the Emirates Stadium. Beyond that is anybody's guess at the moment. That could, of course, also affect Anelka's thinking. Would he want to co me back if he thought his champion at the club, Wenger, would be off in a year's time?
Anelka is said to be available from Bolton for around £11million.

Thierry Henry insists that his relationship with Arsene Wenger has not been tarnished as a result of his decision to move and he hopes he stays on at Arsenal.

Henry had suggested one of the main reasons for his departure to Barcelona was because of the uncertainty regarding Wenger's long-term future.

However, the 29-year-old believes Wenger will remain at Arsenal next season and he says he did not fall out with his fellow Frenchman over his decision to leave Emirates Stadium.
"I will like him to stay there because it is important for the club," said Henry.

"If he goes it will be very difficult - but I can't talk for someone else.

"The relationship I had with Arsene was out of this world - you can't imagine. I was talking to him about private stuff, about anything.

"That relationship goes beyond me going to Barcelona. We didn't have a fight (about him moving to the Camp Nou).

"We sat down and talked and we both respected each other and my relationship with him will always remain, whatever happens."

Wenger also paid tribute to Henry for his contribution to Arsenal over the eight years he was at the club.

"Thierry has been tremendous for us since he arrived in 1999," Wenger told the club's official website. "He has excelled both as part of a team and individually. In short, he has become an Arsenal legend.

“Personally, I would like to thank Thierry for the huge contribution he has made to the club's success over the past eight years.

"To his great credit, he has mixed skill and style together with an appetite for winning. This wonderful combination was integral to our historical 49 games unbeaten run and all the honours he won at Arsenal, together with Thierry becoming the club's record goal scorer - an achievement which in my view is unlikely to be surpassed.

“It was Thierry's decision to leave Arsenal but he goes with my blessing. On behalf of everyone at the club, we wish him the very best for the future."

Meanwhile, Henry has played down fears over his fitness after he spent much of last season on the sidelines.

"I had an injury last season which stopped me playing but if you look at my record of injuries there is only one, so hopefully I am sure I am back for good," continued Henry.

"Today I had a medical and I passed the medical easily, nothing was bad anywhere. I just need a little more rest and maybe not having played much the season before can be good for this season."(skysport)

Barca tie up Toure deal

Barcelona have announced the signing of Yaya Toure from Monaco.
Toure arrived in Barcelona for talks on Sunday and he has agreed personal terms and passed a medical at Camp Nou.

Barca have been chasing Toure for some time and they are believed to have paid €12million (£8million) for the Ivory Coast international.

Toure, who is the younger brother of Arsenal's Kolo, is regarded as one of the best young players in Europe.

The 24-year-old is Barca's second signing of the summer following the high-profile capture of Thierry Henry.

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