The Mid-week Review

Danny Wright keeps you up to speed with the mid-week happenings in the world of football, including news and views on the week’s Premiership action, and a catch up with the first round of the League Cup…

*** Tuesday ***

Spurs’ poor start continued as they slumped to a 3-1 home defeat to an impressive Everton side, goals from Joleon Lescott, Leon Osman and a deflected Alan Stubbs free kick cancelling out Antony Gardner’s leveller.

Steve McClaren was in attendance to watch the contenders to fill the presumably vacant Wayne Rooney England place, as the industry of Andy Johnson outshone an ineffective Darren Bent who was replaced on the hour by fellow England hopeful Jermaine Defoe.

Paul Robinson looked in good nick with some fine saves, meanwhile Mikel Arteta caused a beleaguered Tottenham backline no end of trouble; if Everton can keep their talisman fit then they are sure to go places this season.

There were plenty of upsets in the first round of the League Cup, Peterborough’s giant killing setting the tone as they felled Southampton 2-1 at London Road. Elsewhere, Shrewsbury upset Championship side Colchester by the same score, with League Two compatriots Rochdale dumping out Stoke on penalties.

Leyton Orient came up trumps in the London derby against QPR, the O’s chalking up a 2-1 win at Loftus Road, with football league new comers Morecambe sealing a miserable night for the Championship sides as they beat Preston 2-1 at Deepdale.

Other Championship casualties included Ipswich – beaten by MK Dons 5-3 on penalties – and Peter Taylor’s Crystal Palace, who also succumbed to the pressures of a shootout as they lost to Bristol Rovers.

Leicester, Barnsley and Blackpool all avoided upsets, as did Bristol City and Cardiff. Coventry and Burnley continued their good starts with wins over Notts County and plucky Grimsby respectively.

In other news, Cardiff City are to be taken to court by their main financial backers regarding claims they have not repaid more than £30m in debts. Chairman Peter Ridsdale said “Any allegations are refuted”, as Leeds fans turned in their graves. The news comes as a surprise to many considering Ridsdale’s impeccable handling of United’s accounts, that culminated in more than £50m of debts at Elland Road. Cardiff fans are now sleeping a little less easily, reports also claim.

*** Wednesday ***

Chelsea opened up a four point gap over Manchester United as they defeated Reading 2-1, an uncharacteristic error from Peter Cech giving the hosts the lead through Andre Bikey. Frank Lampard and a superb Didier Drogba effort handed the fluorescent-clad title chasers the win.

Harry Redknapp’s Portsmouth maintained their impressive home record against United as they stifled Fergie’s men in a 1-1 draw at Fratton Park; Paul Scholes put United ahead with a fine goal, but Benjani Mwaruwari’s bullet header levelled things up.

Pompey’s Sulley Muntari and United wing wizard Ronaldo saw red; the latter showed his football intelligence by head butting Richard Hughes two yards away from referee Steve Bennet who, you could say, had a good view of the incident.

England hopeful Chris Kirkland kept a clean sheet as his Wigan side beat Middlesborough 1-0 at the JJB, the Latics the beneficiary of Antoine Sibierski’s poaching in front of a paltry 14,007 crowd. Meanwhile, Sven’s Manchester City defeated Derby by the same score at Eastlands, with the first goal to be scored there for 227 days courtesy of Michael Johnson’s strike.

New owner Thaksin ‘Sinatra’ Shinawatra was in attendance to witness Kasper Schmeichel keep his second clean sheet of the season, one of his saves including the infamous ‘star jump’ save reminiscent of Dad Peter’s legacy.

Birmingham and Sunderland played out an entertaining 2-2 draw - Michael Chopra’s left foot screamer the pick of the bunch as Stern John claimed a controversial equaliser right at the death to deny Steve Bruce’s men.

Bolton’s defensive frailties got the better of them as they went down 2-1 at Fulham, but it was the visitors who took a bizarre lead when Tony Warner spilled the ball under no pressure for Heidar Helguson to tap home against his former club. Conditions were incredibly difficult as the rain lashed down, Bolton stopper Jussi Jaaskelainen fortunate to get away with a similarly embarrassing incident. Warner more than made up for the slip though, twice denying Nicolas Anelka with excellent saves.

Britain’s European hopefuls got off to a good start in the Champions League qualifying as Liverpool defeated Toulouse 1-0 and Arsenal take a healthy 2-0 advantage back to the Emirates as they beat Sparta Prague. Celtic drew 1-1 with Spartak Moscow to put them in good stead for the return leg. In the Carling Cup, Hull cruised into the next round with a 3-0 win over Crewe as Wolves beat Bradford 2-1 to complete the first round ties.
Things finally looked up for David Beckham as he scored one and created another in LA Galaxy’s 2-0 SuperLiga win over DC United. A trademark free kick and a telling through ball allowed Landon Donovan to seal the win and book a place against Mexican side Pachuca in the final.