New Champions Crowned Manchester City 1 (Tevez 59) Chelsea 0

Manchester City ended Chelsea's flawless start to the Premier League season as Carlos Tevez's second-half solo goal settled a tense encounter at Eastlands.

Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti took on his City counterpart and fellow Italian Roberto Mancini with the men from Stamford Bridge riding high on the back of five straight League wins and a flurry of goals.

It was a golden sequence that had even Mancini predicting that Chelsea would cruise to the title again this season - but this meeting with big-spending City was also regarded as by far the biggest test of Ancelotti's champions.

And so it proved, as City stifled Chelsea's attacking potency with fiercely-disciplined defence and close midfield attentions, offering encouragement to those hoping to take their crown away and allowing captain Tevez to spring the trap on the hour.

The visitors conceded possession as Mancini's men broke from defence, and Tevez ran half the length of the pitch before making light of Ashley Cole's presence to fire his finish across Blues goalkeeper Petr Cech and in off the post.

A sign of Tevez's impact on this expensively-rebuilt City side was that it was his 25th goal in his last 29 Premier League matches and his sixth in his last five games against Chelsea.

The west Londoners, who hit the post through Branislav Ivanovic in the first half, were unable to mount any response and their lack of threat was underlined when Ancelotti removed a surprised Didier Drogba with 15 minutes left - but to no avail.

City doggedly defied all Chelsea's attempts to fight their way back into the game, with the influence of injured Frank Lampard badly missed.

For the home side, despite their manager's downbeat assessment of their ability to challenge Chelsea in the title race, this victory against a side that has carried all before them in the league will only add to their confidence that they can make an impact near the top of the table this season.

Mancini left exciting Adam Johnson on the bench, and the England winger's creation and unpredictability was missed in a dour first 45 minutes.

James Milner caused Chelsea's only moments of alarm, with a free-kick that was touched away by Cech and a driven low cross on the stroke of half-time that was scrambled to safety by John Terry with Tevez closing in.

The visitors did not offer much more as a attacking force, although they came closest to scoring on the half-hour when Alex headed into the path of Ivanovic, who headed against the post before forcing City keeper Joe Hart into a diving save from the rebound.

The second half opened with what could almost be termed a flurry of action after the stalemate of the opening period, with Hart turning away Nicolas Anelka's shot with his fingertips and Cech being forced to save down at his near post from David Silva.

And the renewed ambition from both sides saw Mancini's side go ahead after 59 minutes with a solo effort from Tevez. Ramires conceded possession under pressure from Milner, and when Yaya Toure fed Tevez, the Argentine ran unchallenged from the halfway line, with Terry and Cole in retreat, to score off the post.

The challenge had been thrown down to Ancelotti's men, but it was City who almost had the opportunity to add to their lead only for Alex to get a crucial touch to Tevez's cross with Silva lurking behind.

Drogba had endured a frustrating afternoon, but he still flashed a look of surprise in the direction of his manager when he was substituted with 15 minutes left. Former City youngster Daniel Sturridge was his replacement, and his Eastlands return was not well received as he was greeted by a storm of jeering.

The home side made a change of their own minutes later, when the limping Silva was replaced by Johnson - and Mancini's side were able to close out the victory in comfort.

Line Up's:

Manchester City: 25-Hart, 04-Kompany, 05-Zabaleta, 07-Milner, 18-Barry, 21-Silva, 28-Kolo Toure, 32-Tevez, 34-De Jong, 38-Boyata, 42-Yaya Toure Subs Used: 09-Adebayor, 11-A.Johnson, 17-Boateng

Chelsea: 01-Cech, 02-Ivanovic, 03-A.Cole, 05-Essien, 07-Ramires, 11-Drogba, 12-Mikel, 15-Malouda, 26-Terry, 33-Alex, 39-Anelka Subs Used: 18-Zhirkov, 23-Sturridge, 46-McEachran

Todays Scores & Scorers:

Arsenal 2-3 West Bromwich Albion: AR-Nasri (2), WBA-Odemwingie, Jara, Thomas

Birmingham City 0-0 Wigan Athletic

Blackpool 1-2 Blackburn Rovers: BP-Phillips, BR-Adam (O.G), Emerton

Fulham 0-0 Everton

Liverpool 2-2 Sunderland: LP-Kuyt, Gerrard, SU-Bent (2)

West Ham 1-0 Tottenham Hotspur: WH-Piquionne

Chelsea Rampant In Blackpool Stroll Chelsea 4 (Kalou 2, Malouda 12,41 Drogba 30) Blackpool 0

Chelsea may have continued their unbeliuevable scoring run today against Blackpool at Stamford Bridge today but many believe the Blues are an unknown quantity.

Matches against Wigan, Stoke City, West Brom, West Ham, Blackpool and MSK Zilina in the Champions League have seen Chelsea score 25 goals conceding only 2 but their sternest test comes next weekend when they travel to Eastlands and take on Roberto Mancini's Manchester City.

Today Chelsea went a goal up after only 2 minutes when Salomon Kalou tapped home from a corner.  The in-form Florent Malouda struck home 10 minutes later to double the lead only for Dider Drogba who is having an amazing start to the season made it 3-0 with Malouda hitting a low shot to make it 4-0 at half time.

Ancelotti may have had an eye on the Man City game as Chelsea took their foot off the gas in the second half but they still carved Blackpool open at will and could have increased their lead.

In true Ian Holloway style Blackpool never gave in and created chances.  Alex Baptistes strike was saved by Cech and a header from Dekel Keinan went wide.

DJ Campbell though he has reduced the deficite when he went round Petr Cech and his goal bound shot was cleared off the line by Ivanovic but this was as good as it got for the tangerines.

Chelsea now head off to Manchester for the game against City while Blackpool host Blackburn at Bloomfield Road.

Line-Ups:

Chelsea: 01-Cech, 02-Ivanovic; 03-Cole; 05-Essien; 07-Ramires; 11-Drogba; 12-Obi Mikel; 15-Malouda; 19-Ferreira; 21-Kalou; 33-Alex Subs Used: 10-Benayoun; 18-Zhirkov; 43-Bruma

Blackpool: 21-Gilks 03-Crainey; 05-Eardley; 06-Evatt; 11-Vaughan; 14-Grandin; 15-Baptiste; 16-Varney; 26-Adam; 31-Keinan; 39-Campbell Subs Used: 09-Harewood; 10-Ormerod; 12-Taylor-Fletcher

Todays Other Scores:

Manchester United 3-2 Liverpool: MU-Berbatov (3), LI-Gerrard (2)

Wigan Athletic 0-2 Manchester City: MC-Tevez, Y.Toure

West Ham Hammered By Pensioners West Ham United 1 (Parker 85) Chelsea 3 (Essien 2 & 83, Kalou 18)

The Premier League took a 2 week break for international commitments but it took Chelsea 2 minutes to get back into the swing of things against a West Ham side low on confidence.  This defeat for the Hammers makes it the worst start to a season in the clubs history and already there is uncertainty over the future of Avram Grant.

Chelsea on the other hand have a perfect 100% record this season and have already scored 17 goals in their 4 games conceding just the one by Scott Parker today.

We may only be 4 games into the season but West Ham find themselves rooted at the bottom of the table, 4 points adrift from safety and with games against Stoke City and Tottenham Hotspur they could be in danger of being further away from safety.

Back to the game and after 2 minutes Didier Drogba's cross from a corner found Essien unmarked to head his team in front, despite Carlton Cole's efforts to head the ball clear.

Chelsea's second goal had more than a hint of farce about it as Hammers goalkeeper Rob Green failed to cling on to a low Drogba free-kick. Upson pounced on the loose ball but his clearance cannoned into Kalou's heel and looped into the net.

Most people in the crowd knew the game was already over yet we hadn't reached the 20 minute mark.  The rest of the first half Chelsea were in control but West Ham managed to create some chances but nothing to worry Petr Cech in the Chelsea goal.

The second half saw West Ham try to take control but they couldn't get behind Chelsea and make Cech work, Chelsea seemed to have all the answers and then with 7 minutes left Essien got his second goal of the game.  Paulo Ferreira's cross found Essien who nodded home from close range.

Five minutes from time and West Ham got themselves on the scoresheet.  Cech cleared a West Ham corner but his punch found Parker who volleyed the ball over Cech and into the net.  If you heard the cheer of the West Ham crowd you wouldn't have realised they had scored.  The usual noise from the crowd had dwindled as the realisation of a relegation battle was starting to hit home.

Lineups:

West Ham: 01-Green, 3-Ben Haim, 08-Parker, 09-Cole, 13-Boa Morte, 15-Upson, 16-Noble, 21-Behrami, 23-Ilunga, 33-Obinna, 37-Jacobsen Subs Used 07-Dyer, 30-Piquionne

Chelsea: 01-Cech, 02-Ivanovic, 03-Cole, 05-Essien, 07-Ramires, 11-Drogba, 12-Obi Mikel, 19 Ferreira, 21-Kalou, 26 Terry, 39-Anelka Subs Used: 15-Malouda, 33-Alex, 44-Kakuta

Todays Other Scores:

Arsenal 4-1 Bolton Wanderers: AR-Koscielny, Chamakh, Song, Vela BW-Elmander

Everton 3-3 Manchester United: EV-Pienaar, Cahill, Arteta MU-Fletcher, Vidic, Berbatov

Fulham 2-1 Wolves: FU-Dembele (2) WW-Van Damme

Manchester City 1-1 Blackburn Rovers: MC-Viera BR-Kalinic

Newcastle United 0-2 Blackpool: BP-Adam(pen), Campbell

West Brom 1-1 Tottenham Hotspur: WB-Brunt TH-Modric

Wigan Athletic 1-1 Sunderland: WA-Alcaraz SU-Gyan

Malouda's Scoring Streak Continues Bosnia-Herzegovina 0 France 2

Florent Malouda's scintillating start to the season continued tonight as France overcome a plucky Bosnia in their Group D clash in Sarajevo.


After losing their opening match of the qualifying campaign at home to Belarus at the weekend the French knew tonights win was a must win game but it took Les Bleus until the 72nd minute to crack open a resolute Bosnian defense which was carved open by Real Madrid's Karim Benzema.


The goal must have knocked the wind out of Bosnia as 5 minutes later Malouda scored his fifth goal of the season and the second for France to make sure the 3 points were heading off to Paris.


Like Salomon Kalou at the weekend Malouda was the only scorer for the Unofficial Premier League Champions Chelsea.


All Chelsea's international stars can now head back to London and prepare for a London derby against bottom club West Ham United at Upton Park on Saturday.

Kalou On Target For Les Elephants Ivory Coast 3 Rwanda 0

Salomon Kalou was the only scorer at the weekend for the Chelsea players in International action as The Ivory Coast, with new coach Francois Zahoui in charge for the first time in a competitive game, had little trouble dispatching Rwanda in their first match of the 2012 African Cup Of Nations Group H match today.

First-half goals from Premier League trio Yaya Toure (11) of Manchester City, Salomon Kalou (19) and Emmanuel Eboue (40) from Arsenal put them 3-0 up and the score remained that way in Abidjan with the hosts earning a comfortable win in Group H.

Dider Drogba was omitted from the squad but "Les Elephants" highest ever goalscorer refused to call time on his international career saying he will always be up for selection for Francois Zahoui

Next Match: v Burundi (A) 8th October 2010

Chelsea Struggle To Name 25 Man Squad

Chelsea have struggled to name a 25 man squad for the start of the season only naming 4 home grown players in the now 21 man squad where only one, John Terry was actually a product of the Chelsea youth system.


The rules state a maximum of 17 non home-grown players are allowed in the squad with the other 8 being made up from home grown talent (trained by an English or Welsh club for three years before the age of 21).  


With Chelsea only being able to name 4 Chelsea must now face the opening 4 months of the season with a 21 man squad.


Should Chelsea suffer injuries and suspensions they can call on their current youth players which include Gael Kakuta and Daniel Sturridge to make up the numbers so there shouldn't be any real problems at the Bridge.


Chelsea's squad until January 1st 2011:


Homegrown players

Ashley Cole, Frank Lampard, John Terry, Ross Turnbull

Non homegrown players

Alex, Branislav Ivanovic, Didier Drogba, Florent Malouda, Henrique Hilario, John Mikel Obi, Jose Bosingwa, Michael Essien, Nicolas Anelka, Paulo Ferreira, Petr Cech, Ramires, Salomon Kalou, Yossi Benayoun, Yury Zhirkov

Hleb In Birmingham Loan Switch Fee: Loan

Birmingham City have signed the former Arsenal midfielder Alexander Hleb from Barcelona on a season-long loan deal.

The 29-year-old is Birmingham's sixth summer signing and the second on deadline day after they also completed a deal for the Czech defender Martin Jiranek this afternoon.

Hleb made 89 appearances for Arsenal before leaving the club to join Barcelona two years ago.

The Belarus international has struggled for first-team football in Catalonia, however, and was also farmed out on a season-long loan to the German side Stuttgart last season.

The City manager Alex McLeish described Hleb's arrival as a "major signing", less than a week after they missed out on securing the services of the Wigan Athletic winger Charles N'Zogbia.

"Hleb is a top quality player – one who at one stage we'd only actually dreamed about really," McLeish told the club's official website.

"Over the past year or so we have talked about him but with no real belief we could get him.

"We decided to give it a try and towards the end of the window we found out it might be possible.

"He is an extremely creative type who is skilful, a great dribbler and has an excellent touch and great feet.

"He has huge international experience and great pedigree due to playing for such clubs as Stuttgart, Arsenal and Barcelona.

"As with all the players we have brought to the club in recent times I'd like to thank the board for their support in making them happen."

Hleb joins fellow new signing Jiranek who joins from Russian club Spartak Moscow for an undisclosed fee, while the Chilean winger Jean Beausejour is expected to complete his transfer to St Andrew's later today.


Alexander Hleb's career:


1999-2000 - BATE - 10 apps (4 goals)
2000-2005 - Stuttgart - 137 apps (16 goals)
2005-2008 - Arsenal - 89 apps (7 goals)
2008 - Barcelona - 19 apps (0 goals)
2009-2010 - Stuttgart (loan) - 25 apps (0 goals)

International career:

2001 - Belarus - 54 apps (7 goals)

Wigan In Cleverley Deal Fee: Loan

Wigan have signed Manchester United midfielder Tom Cleverley on a season-long loan.

The England Under-21 international has previously had loan spells at Leicester and Watford in the last two seasons and has now gone to the DW Stadium to continue gaining experience.

"Tom is a very exciting young player and we are delighted he is coming to us," said Wigan manager Roberto Martinez.

"He can play in a number of positions and will provide us with some good new options, and add great competition to the squad.

"We have been watching him for some time and feel he is the right sort of player to join our squad; young, hungry, desperate to play for the club in the Premier League and to grow with us."


Tom Cleverley's career:


2007 - Manchester United - 0 apps (0 goals)
2009 - Leicester City (loan) - 15 apps (2 goals)
2009-2010 - Watford - 33 apps (11 goals)


International career:


2009 - England U21 - 7 apps (0 goals)

Liverpool Sign Konchesky Fee: Undisclosed

Defender Paul Konchesky has been reunited with former manager Roy Hodgson after finally completing his move to Liverpool from Fulham.

The 29-year-old has signed a four-year contract, with Reds reserve team players Lauri Dalla Valle and Alex Kacaniklic moving in the opposite direction as part of the deal.

Konchesky was at Anfield to watch his new team's victory over West Brom on Sunday but the completion of his deal was held up by negotiations and medicals for Dalla Valle and Kacaniklic.

The two-cap England international, who played under Hodgson at Fulham, will provide much-needed competition for Fabio Aurelio at left-back.


Paul Konchesky's career:


1997-2005 - Charlton Athletic - 149 apps (5 goals)
2003 - Tottenham Hotspur (loan) - 12 apps (0 goals)
2005-2007 - West Ham United - 59 apps (2 goals)
2007-2010 - Fulham - 97 apps (0 goals)


International career:


2003 - England - 2 apps (0 goals)

Jiranek In Brum Switch Fee: Undisclosed

Birmingham have signed Spartak Moscow captain Martin Jiranek for an undisclosed fee.

The 31-year-old defender has signed a one-year deal at St Andrews and Blues boss Alex McLeish is delighted with his new signing.

"We are short at the back with regards to defensive cover," he told bcfc.co.uk.

"Jiranek has tremendous experience on club, European and international fronts.

"He is a good presence and his arrival will keep Roger Johnson and Scott Dann on their toes."


Martin Jiranek's career:


1997-1998 - Bohemians Prague - 55 apps (4 goals)
1999 - Tatran Postorna (loan) - 11 apps (0 goals)
1999-2001 - Slovan Liberec - 32 apps (0 goals)
2001-2004 - Reggina - 100 apps (3 goals)
2004-2010 - Spartak Moscow - 136 apps (4 goals)

International career:

Czech Republic - 31 apps (0 goals)

Bolton Make Loan Swoop Fee: Loan

Bolton have signed Benfica striker Rodrigo Moreno on a season-long loan, subject to international clearance.

The 19-year-old moved to Portugal from Real Madrid last month as part of the deal that took Angel di Mario to the Bernabeu.

The Spain Under-19 international has quickly left the Estadio da Luz and joins former team-mate Marcos Alonso, who moved to Wanderers at the end of July, at the Reebok Stadium.

"We watched Rodrigo play alongside Marcos in the Real Madrid B team last season and we were obviously interested in signing the two of them," said Bolton assistant boss Sandy Stewart to the club's official website.

"He went to Benfica as part of the Angel di Maria deal but we still chased his signature and now we are delighted to eventually get him to our football club.

"We are looking forward to working with him and we are confident that he will bolster what is already a strong squad of players.

"He is a quick, exciting young player who can play upfront and in wide positions. Hopefully the fans will really take to him.

"Like Marcos, he will take a period of time to bed in because he will be playing in a different country, but we are very confident that he will have a successful time here."

Rodrigo Moreno's career:

2009-2010 - Real Madrid C - 4 apps (1 goal)

2009-2010 - Real Madrid Castilla - 18 apps (6 goals)

2010 - Benfica - 0 apps

Blackpool Grab Wycombe Teenager Fee: £325,000

Worldwide Football can reveal Wycombe Wanderers winger Matt Phillips has joined Premier League newcomers Blackpool in a move that could be worth close to £700,000.

The 19-year-old, a product of Wycombe's youth scheme, completed his transfer today after the clubs agreed a two-stage fee that will see Blackpool pay £325,000 now and a further sum if they remain in the Premier League next season. The second part of the fee will become payable even if Blackpool are relegated this season, provided they regain their top level status within four years.

Wanderers have also negotiated a generous sell on clause should Phillips subsequently leave Blackpool for another club. Phillips leaves with the blessing of the Wycombe manager, Gary Waddock, who said: "It's a great opportunity for Matty to play in the Premier League and we couldn't stand in his way. He's an outstanding prospect and I'm sorry to lose him, but it's a great move for him and excellent business for the football club."

The club's owner, Steve Hayes, told wwfc.com: "We didn't want Matty to leave, but how could we deny him the chance to further his career by moving to a Premier League club? We offered him a new, long term contract several months ago but he was reluctant to commit himself and once Blackpool came in he wanted to go.

"It was important that the deal was right for Wycombe and we believe we've negotiated a realistic fee for a player who wasn't a first team regular. Matt has been a model professional in his time with us and I have nothing but good things to say about him and his family. I wish him well."

Matt Phillips career:

2008-2010 - Wycombe Wanderers - 78 apps (8 goals)

Spurs Loan Croatian Keeper Fee: Loan

Worldwide Football can reveal Tottenham Hotpsur have signed Croatian goalkeeper Stipe Pletikosa on a year long loan deal from Spartak Moscow.
As its only a loan deal we can't see Pletikosa taking over the number one role from Heurelho Gomes but it could mean current number two, Carlo Cudicini's days at Tottenham could be numbered.
Pletikosa, 31, has played 80 games for his country and comes with plenty of Champions League experience and with Gomes currently injured and Cudicini at fault for Wigans goal at the weekend Pletikosa could find himself in the first team to face West Brom on 11th September.
It has been a quiet summer at White Hart Lane so far with this being only the third summer signing for Tottenham following the capture of Sandro and ex-Arsenal skipper William Gallas.


Stipe Pletikosa's career:


1996-2003 - Hajduk Split - 141 apps (4 goals)
2003-2007 - Shaktar Donetsk - 29 apps
2005-2006 - Hadjuk Split (loan) - 21 apps
2007-2010 - Spartak Moscow - 63 apps


International career:


1999 - Croatia - 80 apps