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Page last updated at 22:17 GMT, Wednesday, 28 January 2009

Premier League as it happened

WEDNESDAY'S RESULTS
Blackburn 2-2 Bolton
Chelsea 2-0 Middlesbrough
Everton 1-1 Arsenal
Man City 2-1 Newcastle
West Ham 2-0 Hull City
Wigan 1-1 Liverpool

GOALFLASHES AND MAJOR INCIDENTS (all times GMT)

606: DEBATE
To get involved use 606 or text us your views & comments on 81111. (Not all contributions can be used)

By Jonathan Stevenson

2212: Tim Lovejoy is taking your calls on BBC Radio 5 Live right now and there are plenty of angry Liverpool fans lining up already. Match of the Day is on BBC One and online at 2245 GMT, and Caroline Cheese will be back in this very seat on Saturday when the Premier League goes again. Enjoy.

2208: "A message to Martin O'Neill: I don't care about the Uefa Cup or the FA Cup, please just concentrate on the Premier League. This is our best chance to break it up for years."
dirk_1978 on 606
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2206: "If United win on Saturday, we're five points behind and still having to play Chelsea on Sunday. It looks like it's going to be too late before Rafa learns."
John, Liverpool, via text on 81111

2203: Man City are ninth? How did that happen? Blimey.
Premier League table

2200: Liverpool are in a bit of a mess, aren't they? Yes, argumentative fans, you are two points off the top of the league and still in the FA Cup and Champions League, I know. But since Rafa's rant, your season has taken an alarming turn for the worse. And taking Steven Gerrard off when you are drawing? Utter madness.

2157: "Am I the only one who thinks Tim Howard should have saved that? It basically would have hit him in the face, but he fell backwards and let it go in overtop of him. He's made a few mistakes recently with Gerrard's goal midweek as well."
The Isle of Manc on 606
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2155: "I want to be sick. Best I've seen us play, and robbed."
Evertonian, Liverpool, via text on 81111

2153: Full-time West Ham 2-0 Hull City

2152: Full-time Blackburn 2-2 Bolton

2152: Full-time Everton 1-1 Arsenal

2152: Brett Emerton sends over another cross from the Blackburn right and Ryan Nelsen glances a header against the base of the Bolton post with Jussi Jaaskelainen nowhere near.

2150: GOAL Everton 1-1 Arsenal
Brilliant goal to equalise right at the end of the game, Abou Diaby sends a ball over the top to the inside left channel to Robin van Persie and the Dutchman hammers a left-foot volley past Tim Howard and into the Everton net. Should have saved it probably, but a good hit nevertheless.

2149: By the way, West Ham's 19-year-old striker Savio Nsereko has come on for David di Michele to make his debut.

2147: Blackburn are still unbeaten under Sam Allardyce and that Benni McCarthy goal has probably prolonged Big Sam's run, at the expense of his old club.

2145: GOAL Blackburn 2-2 Bolton
Blackburn get the equaliser their play deserves, as Brett Emerton swings over a cross from the right, Chris Samba heads it towards the back post, Jason Roberts turns it across the goalline and Benni McCarthy is on hand to knock it into the net.

2144: Tim Cahill has limped off for Everton at home against Arsenal, with Victor Anichebe coming on.

2143: "With Duke saving the Noble penalty, it's just a shame we haven't got King at Hull anymore. A right royal occasion."
Stu, Birmingham, via text on 81111

2141: "Benitez tried to play Ferguson's mind games, and he's failed. Never play the master at his own game, tough lesson for Benitez."
MU-Blade on 606
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2139: Full-time Manchester City 2-1 Newcastle

2138: Liverpool are not out of the title race, to suggest otherwise would be bordering on insanity. But this little run they have gone on is threatening to cost them in a very big way, like Arsenal's run of draws did last season.

2138: Full-time Chelsea 2-0 Middlesbrough

2137: Full-time Wigan 1-1 Liverpool

2135: Almost one of the great introductions to English football, Hugo Rodallega nearly made himself a hero in Manchester - his stunning 25-yard free-kick beats Pepe Reina all ends up and slaps against the Liverpool crossbar. Oh my word.

2133: "Is Joe Kinnear taking us down? Not on his own, but with Ashley, Wise and Llambias at his side we're only going one way!"
Al, Newcastle, via text on 81111

2131: In all that insanity, Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard was taken off and replaced by Robbie Keane at Wigan. That is a decision I am not even going to try and understand.

2129: PENALTY SAVED
Roque Santa Cruz appears to control a long pass with his arm but bursts into the Bolton box and is brought down by Jussi Jaaskelainen. Benni McCarthy's penalty, which isn't brilliant, is saved by Jaaskelainen, with the keeper getting up well to deny Keith Andrews from the rebound.

2129: PENALTY TO BLACKBURN

2127: GOAL Wigan 1-1 Liverpool
Lucas will not endear himself much to Liverpool fans like that, it's a silly challenge that brings down Jason Koumas in the Reds box and up steps Mido to slot home from the penalty spot.

2126: PENALTY TO WIGAN

2126: GOAL Chelsea 2-0 Middlesbrough
Another Frank Lampard corner and it's another Salomon Kalou goal, this time a straightforward header whilst unmarked in the middle of the box. It's not been pretty but Chelsea should have the points in the bag now.

2126: GOAL Blackburn 1-2 Bolton
Stephen Warnock pulls a goal back at Ewood. Benni McCarthy it was with the slide-rule pass before Warnock clips a right-footed shot past Jussi Jaaskelainen, who is unsure whether Warnock intended to shoot or cross. That is possibly Blackburn's first shot on goal.

2124: GOAL Manchester City 2-1 Newcastle
Wayne Bridge dallies on the ball to the left of the City penalty area and David Edgar robs him, crossing to the far post for Andy Carroll to roll into the net. Newcastle are back in it.

2123: Alex Song's ball in is headed goalward by Robin van Persie, but Tim Howard is in the right place to gather comfortably.

2123: "Looks like we're going to have to win the Champions League this year to qualify for it next season!"
ArsenalJim on 606
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2121: Hugo Rodallega comes on for Amr Zaki as Wigan try to breach the Liverpool rearguard at the JJB Stadium.

2120: GOAL Manchester City 2-0 Newcastle
He scored against the Magpies in his last appearance for West Ham and he's done the damage again tonight. Pablo Zabaleta finds Craig Bellamy just inside the Newcastle box and he turns nicely, shooting into the opposite corner to bamboozle Steve Harper and wrap up the points.

2119: GOAL Everton 1-0 Arsenal
He's like Duncan Ferguson in his prime, isn't he? Leighton Baines sends over a delicious cross from the Everton left and Tim Cahill rises powerfully to nod into the Gunners net.

2118: Dirk Kuyt comes on for Yossi Benayoun at Wigan, while Jimmy Bullard is on for his Hull debut at West Ham.

2117: Calamity for Salomon Kalou at Chelsea, who completely mis-kicks after Ross Turnbull saved Frank Lampard's free-kick. At Wigan, Steven Gerrard fires a shot a couple of feet wide from 18 yards.

2116: Fernando Torres is taken off at Wigan and replaced by Albert Riera. Meanwhile at Blackburn, Roque Santa Cruz comes on for Andre Ooijer.

2115: Shaun Wright-Phillips is the next to go down in the Newcastle box after a tackle from Jose Enrique, but there's nothing doing there, either.

2115: Craig Bellamy goes down in the Newcastle box but referee Mike Jones waves away his penalty appeals, with the Welshman smiling ruefully as he slowly gets back to his feet.

2114: "Torres' touch just hasn't been there today. Mr Keane, your club needs you."
Matt, Wirral, via text on 81111

2112: Damien Duff has a pass across the face of goal cleared off the line at Manchester City by Pablo Zabaleta, while Tim Cahill rifles an effort into the Arsenal side-netting at Goodison.

2110: GOAL West Ham 2-0 Hull City
Easily what they deserve, the Hammers. A free-kick from the right is half-cleared to David di Michele, who hits a left-foot shot against the post from 12 yards and Carlton Cole, who simply cannot stop scoring, taps in from a couple of yards.

2108: Boro are going to go for it a little more at Chelsea, with Afonso Alves and Tuncay coming on for Marlon King and Mohamed Shawky.

2107: Joey Barton has been taken off at Manchester City to a crescendo of boos - he has picked up an injury and is replaced by debutant Peter Lovenkrands. Could Joe Kinnear actually be taking Newcastle down?

2107: "Looks like the substitutions might decide the game at Goodison Park, and with Arsenal's superior bench I'd have to go with them for the late goal."
SCG on 606
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2104: Hull have 45 minutes to avoid a sixth successive league defeat, away against West Ham.

2104: Big Sam has it all to do as Blackburn and Bolton get started again at Ewood Park.

2103: The Everton-Arsenal contest gets under way in the second half.

2101: GOAL Chelsea 1-0 Middlesbrough
Sighs of relief all around Stamford Bridge as Frank Lampard floats over another corner from the right, David Wheater half-clears it and the ball falls for Salomon Kalou to earn immediate redemption and smash in into the roof of the net from eight yards.

2100: Chelsea should score from a corner from the right, but after Michael Ballack heads it goalwards and Alex flicks it on too, Salomon Kalou glances over from point-blank range. Cue more groans.

2058: Wigan have started the second half a bit brighter, but they look a little short of attacking options in the final third. Colombian striker Hugo Rodallega, £4.5m is sat on the bench.

2057: "Why are we playing the same system as we played against Man City? We were punished then, we should have been punished today."
Craig from Hull, via text on 81111

No half-time teamtalk on the pitch today though, I'm sad to announce.

2055: I am reliably informed by some of the 606ers in the know that David Beckham is having yet another superb game in an AC Milan shirt. What a legend.

2053: "Carlton Cole has certainly earned the right to be a serious selection consideration for Capello. He's having another superb game."
Adam0912s on 606
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2050: We're back in the mixer at the JJB Stadium as well now as Liverpool look to earn a crucial victory against Wigan.

2049: Didier Drogba comes on for Florent Maloua at Chelsea and they are back under way. Why do they persist with Malouda? He's useless.

2048: We are back under way between Manchester City and Newcastle at Eastlands.

2048: Half-time West Ham 1-0 Hull City

2048: Half-time Everton 0-0 Arsenal

2048: Half-time Blackburn 0-2 Bolton

2047: "Every time we play Bolton that Kevin Davies scores! He scored one league goal for us when we paid £7.5m for him."
Mark, a cold Blackburn fan, via text on 81111

2046: West Ham should be several goals in front - they beat the Hull offside trap for the umpteenth time and Carlton Cole's shot is brilliantly saved once again by Matt Duke, who recovers well to push away the rebound as well.

2043: Didier Drogba is going through his warm-up routine at Stamford Bridge, sounds like they need him today. Apparently, boss Phil Scolari was involved in a bit of chat with some of the Boro backroom staff on their way down the tunnel. I wonder if the phrase 'park the bus' was uttered...

2043: Brett Emerton is booked at Ewood Park for a poor, heavy challenge on Gretar Steinsson.

2042: Carlton Cole sends David di Michele away down the left and his first-time cross is poked on to the post by Jack Collison from six yards. That is a beautiful move and Hull are getting ripped apart.

2041: "I'm delighted that Moyes still hasn't rushed into signing a emergency striker. I think the team has benefited from giving Cahill the challenge of playing up front. A draw against Arsenal would be a decent result, but it wouldn't surprise me if Cahill gets us more than a point late on tonight."
toffeebluecard on 606
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2037: Hull bomb forward in search of an immediate reply at West Ham and Daniel Cousin's cross from the right is headed straight at Robert Green by Manucho.

2036: Half-time Wigan 0-1 Liverpool
Steven Gerrard almost doubles Liverpool's lead with a free-kick from an outrageous distance that narrowly misses seconds before the break.

2034: GOAL Blackburn 0-2 Bolton
Kevin Davies puts Bolton two-up after Gretar Steinsson crosses from the right and Davies has his first effort saved by Paul Robinson from point-blank range, but the striker makes sure with the rebound. Ropey defending from the hosts.

2034: GOAL West Ham 1-0 Hull City
Unlucky on Matt Duke, who had just made a brilliant save from David di Michele. This time, Carlton Cole's shot across the keeper forces him to palm the ball into Di Michele's path and he makes no mistake from close range.

2033: Half-time Chelsea 0-0 Middlesbrough
Chelsea are booed off after a 45 minutes in which they failed to create a clear-cut chance.

2033: Half-time Manchester City 1-0 Newcastle

2032: "Stevo, Beckham just scored a great free-kick for Milan in front of Capello. He has still got it."
Louis, via text on 811111

2031: David di Michele is just about clean through at West Ham, but his left-foot finish from 15 yards is frankly rubbish and it's closer to going out for a throw than anything else. Woeful.

2028: GOAL Wigan 0-1 Liverpool
Liverpool get the goal their play just about deserves, Javier Mascherano sliding a fabulous pass into the path of Yossi Benayoun inside the Wigan box, the Israeli taking it round Mike Pollitt and from a really narrow angle keeping his cool superbly and executing the finish brilliantly via a post to put the Reds in front.

2027: Arsenal's Abou Diaby is booked for a poor tackle on Tim Cahill at Everton.

2025: "I'm a red, but right now Everton impress me in every way."
livrule on 606
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2023: PENALTY SAVED
Carlton Cole is surrounded by four Hull players in the box and as Sam Ricketts tries to win the ball, he appears to catch Cole and after he tumbles, the referee gives a penalty. But Mark Noble's effort is magnificently saved by the strong right hand of Matt Duke, on his Premier League debut. Fabulous penalty save, that.

2022: PENALTY TO WEST HAM

2021: Daniel de Ridder crosses from the Wigan left and Emmerson Boyce looks miles offside, but he isn't - he does, however, waste the chance by nodding wide from 10 yards.

2019: James Collins heads wide and Hull are in trouble at West Ham, just a few moments ago David di Michele had gone on a mazy, brilliant run at the heart of their defence and wanted a penalty when he tumbled. Lively, from the Italian.

2017: Matt Duke flaps at a corner at West Ham but then redeems himself from the rebound with a good save from Jack Collison. Moments later, David di Michele curls a gorgeous shot against the post from 20 yards - that's the inside of the upright too, you can't get much closer.

2015: GOAL Blackburn 0-1 Bolton
Bragging rights are Bolton's for now as the ball is played to Ariza Makukula down the Bolton right and he crosses to the far post where Matty Taylor is on hand to slide it home. They hadn't scored in their last four games, the Trotters.

2014: It's a scrappy opening at Upton Park with West Ham and Hull trading long balls in the London rain. Valon Behrami gets the first chance, but blazes just over. The in-form Carlton Cole is looking lively up front for the Hammers.

2013: Tim Cahill heads wide from eight yards from Mikel Arteta's cross from the Everton left. Oh so quiet...

2012: "Tim Cahill for player of the season? He has been immense for Everton this year."
Matt in Hertford, via text on 81111

2010: Middlesbrough are getting 10 men behind the ball at Chelsea - even when they are going forward. Marlon King is very much ploughing a lone furrow up top, so don't put money on Boro scoring tonight.

2007: Liverpool are firmly on top at Wigan right now, with Steven Gerrard at the heart of all their attacks. Wigan are hanging on a little.

2006: "Got to say, this is definitely the sort of game where Wigan will miss someone with the quality of Palacios. Would have dealt with Gerrard much better than how Wigan are dealing with him now."
Riquelminho on 606
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2004: Michael Owen's evening is all over, the Newcastle striker limps off. At Everton, Robin van Persie hammers in a left-foot free-kick that Tim Cahill bravely heads away.

2002: GOAL Manchester City 1-0 Newcastle
Wayne Bridge crosses from the left and Robinho, with his back to goal, takes a touch and then tees up Shaun Wright-Phillips to lash the ball past Steve Harper at the far post.

2001: Under way at West Ham and Everton.

2000: Under way in the Sam Allardyce grudge match at Blackburn.

1959: Fernando Torres glances a header against the Wigan post from a Steven Gerrard cross from the left as Liverpool go desperately close to an opener. Meanwhile at Chelsea, Ashley Cole heads into the side-netting from close range.

1958: "(See 1940) Good signing for Blackburn if they pull it off. Pogrebnyak is much better than Pavlyuchenko, only missed the Euros through injury."
Nick, IOW, via text on 81111

1956: Robinho clips a free-kick from 22 yards over Steve Harper's crossbar.

1955: Nigel de Jong hasn't taken long to make his mark on English football - quite literally in Michael Owen's case, as the Dutch midfielder's challenge has left the Newcastle striker hobbling around a bit at Eastlands.

1954: It's all quiet so far. The calm before the storm, methinks.

1952: Amr Zaki gets a kick in an accidental collision with Javier Mascherano, but the Egyptian striker will be OK to continue.

1951: "I hear the atmosphere at Wigan is like a feztival these days. Not too bazaar given their position in the table."
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1949: Blackburn welcome back striker Jason Roberts for the visit of Bolton, while Roque Santa Cruz drops to the bench. Brett Emerton and Andre Ooijer are also back in the starting line-up. Bolton make two changes to the side that suffered a last-gasp defeat to Man Utd. Captain Kevin Nolan is back in the starting XI after serving a two-match suspension while new signing Sebastien Puygrenier starts in defence. New winger Mark Davies is on the bench.

1947: And they've kicked off at Wigan and Chelsea now too.

1945: Manchester City v Newcastle United gets under way very promptly.

1944: Teams are on their way out at the JJB Stadium, Stamford Bridge and the City of Manchester Stadium, with three of tonight's games set to kick-off.

1943: "Oh to be in charge of music at Wigan tonight. Who could resist playing the Bangles track, "Walk like an Egyptian"!"
Everton Steve, High Wycombe, via text on 81111

Pharaoh enough. What do you mean I've done that gag before? Maybe I'm in denial...

1942:Everton make two changes from the side that drew 1-1 in the FA Cup at Liverpool. Marouane Fellaini returns after suspension and Mikel Arteta has recovered from the rib injury that kept him out at Anfield. Victor Anichebe and Segundo Castillo drop out. Arsenal make six changes from the side which drew in the Cup at Cardiff, with Manuel Almunia returning in goal and defenders William Gallas and Gael Clichy back after injury and suspension respectively.

1940: Blackburn team news on the way, but reports just coming in say Rovers are closing in on the signing of Zenit St Petersburg's Russian striker Pavel Pogrebnyak. Which suggests, you'd have to say, that Roque Santa Cruz is on his way out of Ewood Park.

1938: Remarkably, Man City have only played once in the last 25 days - in that time, their nearest and dearest neighbours have played an extraordinary eight times. So they should be fresh, then. Even Robinho, despite his unanticipated jaunt to Brazil.
Man City poised to fine Robinho

1935: "Liverpool will win nothing playing Torres up front and Gerrard breaking forward. We need two up top players, ditch one of the two holding midfield players and slide Gerrard into a middle four."
Strongbow546 on 606
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1932: BLACKBURN v BOLTON LINE-UPS
Blackburn: Robinson, Ooijer, Samba, Nelsen, Warnock, Emerton, Andrews, Grella, Pedersen, Roberts, McCarthy.
Subs: Bunn, Kerimoglu, Roque Santa Cruz, Mokoena, Villanueva, Givet, Simpson.
Bolton: Jaaskelainen, Steinsson, Cahill, Puygrenier, Samuel, Kevin Davies, Muamba, Nolan, Basham, Taylor, Makukula.
Subs: Al Habsi, Smolarek, Gardner, Mark Davies, Riga, Shittu, Andrew O'Brien.
Referee: Mike Dean (Wirral)

1929: West Ham new boy striker Savio Nsereko gets a place on the bench just a few hours after getting international clearance. Hull's new signing Jimmy Bullard is a sub, while his boss Phil Brown has thrown in Matt Duke between the sticks.

1927: As if it wasn't already going to be spiky enough at Eastlands, by the way, former Manchester City bad boy (as opposed to current) Joey Barton starts for Newcastle today. Marvellous, he says, rubbing his hands together with glee.

1925: John Terry returns to the Chelsea side in place of Ricardo Carvalho, who is out with a hamstring injury. Jon Obi Mikel is in for Juliano Belletti. Didier Drogba again has to make do with a place on the bench. Marlon King makes his Middlesbrough debut in place of Afonso Alves, who drops to the bench. They make three other changes from the FA Cup match against Wolves with Brad Jones replacing Ross Turnbull in goal, Emmanuel Pogatetz in for Andrew Taylor and Tony McMahon replacing Tuncay Sanli in a defence-minded swap.

1923: "City's charge for Europe starts tonight. We've got the left-back, midfield animal and new striker we needed. Heads back, hold tight."
Trinder, Eastlands, via text on 81111

Woah there, tiger. Relegation battle first, then Europe. It's all about priorities.

1921: MANCHESTER CITY v NEWCASTLE UNITED LINE-UPS
Man City: Hart, Richards, Onuoha, Kompany, Bridge, Zabaleta, Ireland, De Jong, Wright-Phillips, Robinho, Bellamy.
Subs: Schmeichel, Elano, Vassell, Jo, Garrido, Fernandes, Caicedo.
Newcastle: Harper, Edgar, Taylor, Bassong, Jose Enrique, Geremi, Barton, Coloccini, Duff, Owen, Carroll.
Subs: Forster, Gutierrez, Xisco, Lovenkrands, LuaLua, Donaldson, Inman.
Referee: Mike Jones (Cheshire)

1920: WEST HAM v HULL CITY LINE-UPS
West Ham: Green, Neill, Collins, Upson, Ilunga, Behrami, Parker, Collison, Noble, Di Michele, Cole.
Subs: Lastuvka, Boa Morte, Nsereko, Faubert, Tristan, Tomkins, Sears.
Hull: Duke, Ricketts, Turner, Zayatte, Dawson, Marney, Ashbee, Kilbane, Geovanni, Cousin, Manucho.
Subs: Myhill, Fagan, Garcia, Mendy, Halmosi, Folan, Bullard.
Referee: Howard Webb (S Yorkshire)

1920:Wigan boss Steve Bruce makes five changes from the team that lost to Manchester City. Having sold Emile Heskey and Wilson Palacios, Bruce starts with new signing Mido alongside fellow Egyptian Amr Zaki, while Mike Pollitt, Emmerson Boyce, Michael Brown and Daniel de Ridder also come in. Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez makes three changes from the team that drew with Everton, with Yossi Benayoun, Fabio Aurelio and Lucas Leiva replacing Dirk Kuyt, Andrea Dossena and Xabi Alonso - so Robbie Keane has to settle for a place on the bench.

1918: WIGAN v LIVERPOOL LINE-UPS
Wigan: Pollitt, Melchiot, Boyce, Scharner, Figueroa, De Ridder, Brown, Cattermole, Taylor, Zaki, Mido.
Subs: Kingson, Edman, Watson, Koumas, Rodallega, Kapo, Camara.
Liverpool: Reina, Arbeloa, Skrtel, Carragher, Aurelio, Benayoun, Leiva Lucas, Mascherano, Babel, Gerrard, Torres.
Subs: Cavalieri, Dossena, Agger, Keane, Riera, Kuyt, Alonso.
Referee: Phil Dowd (Staffordshire)

1916: So, Robinho does play for Manchester City. The Brazilian had been released by West Yorkshire Police investigating an alleged sex assault in a Leeds nightclub. City boss Mark Hughes gives Holland international midfielder Nigel de Jong his debut, while Craig Bellamy makes his first start up front since signing from West Ham for £14m.

One player who could be joining City in the very new future is Shay Given, who is not in Newcastle's starting line-up. Instead, Steve Harper, who recently signed a new contract with the Magpies, starts in goal. BBC Radio 5 Live believe Newcastle will let Given go if City make a realistic offer of about £8m for the Republic of Ireland international.

1915: EVERTON v ARSENAL LINE-UPS
Everton: Howard, Hibbert, Jagielka, Lescott, Baines, Osman, Arteta, Neville, Pienaar, Fellaini, Cahill.
Subs: Nash, Yobo, Castillo, Rodwell, Jutkiewicz, Anichebe, Gosling.
Arsenal: Almunia, Sagna, Djourou, Gallas, Clichy, Nasri, Denilson, Song Billong, Diaby, Adebayor, Van Persie.
Subs: Fabianski, Toure, Vela, Ramsey, Bendtner, Eboue, Gibbs.
Referee: Andre Marriner (W Midlands)

1914: "Why put Keane on the bench? If we score goals and play well, he won't get on, if we don't score and need goals, he's not exactly the ideal person to bring on. Rafa should have started him, especially if he plans to sell him."
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1910: Oh to be a fly on the wall in either dressing-room at Eastlands, right now, as Manchester City meet Newcastle United. Both clubs have had their well-documented problems in recent times, and they respectively lie four and two points above the drop zone. I wonder if Shay Given will pop along for a viewing?
Given 'ready for Man City talks'

1907: CHELSEA v MIDDLESBROUGH LINE-UPS
Chelsea: Cech, Bosingwa, Alex, Terry, Ashley Cole, Mikel, Kalou, Ballack, Lampard, Malouda, Anelka.
Subs: Hilario, Ivanovic, Drogba, Ferreira, Deco, Mancienne, Stoch.
Middlesbrough: Turnbull, McMahon, Wheater, Riggott, Pogatetz, Adam Johnson, O'Neil, Shawky, Bates, Downing, King.
Subs: Jones, Taylor, Emnes, Alves, Huth, Sanli, Arca.
Referee: Lee Probert (Wiltshire)

1906: Robbie Keane is on the Liverpool bench tonight, while Dirk Kuyt does not start a league game for the first time this season.

1905: See 1852: Apparently, they are 'Smoggies'. I think that's quite cool, but then I was a Junior Red once upon a time (not Liverpool, no).

1903: "Rafa I'm begging you to pick a strong side. It's time to get serious. We're no longer top, and we need to play our best players week in week out to have any chance of keeping pace with united. That means no David N'Gog."
Steve, a worried but still optimistic Liverpool fan in Bracknell, via text on 81111

1900: Stevo's Predos:
Blackburn 2-1 Bolton
Chelsea 3-0 Middlesbrough
Everton 1-1 Arsenal
Man City 3-2 Newcastle
West Ham 2-0 Hull City
Wigan 1-2 Liverpool
Lawro's predictions

1858: This is not confirmed team news, but we are hearing that Robinho does start for Manchester City tonight. Full teams on the way.

1855: "Anyone else finding it strange to be in a relegation fight and a European qualification campaign at the same time?!"
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1852: If you happen to be a Rover, a Wanderer, a Blue, a Toffee, a Gunner, a Citizen, a Magpie, a Hammer, a Tiger, a Latic or a Red, then please get in touch via the usual means, with texts to 81111 and by joining the debate on 606. And yes, I've missed one of you out - Middlesbrough. Er, what are you, Boro fans?
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1848: It's another massive night of Premier League action, with six games in total. As well as Wigan-Liverpool, there is Blackburn v Bolton, Chelsea v Middlesbrough, Everton v Arsenal, Man City v Newcastle and West Ham v Hull City. With so much at stake at the top and 13 teams separated by eight points at the bottom, there's everything to play for once again.

1845: There are perhaps two main protagonists who are threatening to derail Liverpool's bid to win a first league championship in 19 years. The first is a familiar foe - Sir Alex Ferguson, the Manchester United manager who is eyeing up his 11th Premier League crown.

The second, as many Liverpool fans have been suggesting in recent weeks, is Reds boss Rafael Benitez. Since 'Papergate', when he vented his Spanish spleen in a tirade aimed at Ferguson, Liverpool have stuttered to three consecutive unconvincing draws. In the same time, United have won six in a row, smashing in 16 goals and conceding only three.

But all is not lost, not by a long way. Tonight, Liverpool travel to Wigan knowing that their first league win in exactly a month will put them level on points with United at the top of the division. Benitez can still win this very personal duel, but he can little afford another slip-up.

Print Sponsor


Barclays Premier League Table
01 February 2010 22:00
    P GD PTS
1 Chelsea 23 38 54
2 Man Utd 24 36 53
3 Arsenal 24 32 49
4 Tottenham 24 20 42

5 Liverpool 24 16 41

6 Man City 22 14 41
7 Aston Villa 23 13 40
8 Birmingham 23 -1 34
9 Everton 23 -1 32
10 Blackburn 24 -15 28
11 Fulham 23 -2 27
12 Stoke 22 -7 26
13 Sunderland 23 -10 24
14 Wigan 22 -23 22
15 West Ham 23 -9 21
16 Bolton 22 -15 21
17 Wolverhampton 23 -21 21

18 Burnley 23 -23 20
19 Hull 23 -26 20
20 Portsmouth 22 -16 15

see also
Blackburn 2-2 Bolton
28 Jan 09 |  Premier League
Chelsea 2-0 Middlesbrough
28 Jan 09 |  Premier League
Everton 1-1 Arsenal
28 Jan 09 |  Premier League
Man City 2-1 Newcastle
28 Jan 09 |  Premier League
West Ham 2-0 Hull
28 Jan 09 |  Premier League
Wigan 1-1 Liverpool
28 Jan 09 |  Premier League


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