SFA cancels Petrescu talks

The Scottish Football Association has cancelled a meeting with Unirea Urziceni head coach Dan Petrescu's agent about the Scotland manager's job, following the leak of details to the media.

Petrescu is rumoured to have applied for the job and has impressed some members of the SFA with his increasingly glittering CV.

His London-based representative Frances de Souza was set for an informal chat with SFA chief executive Gordon Smith to present Petrescu's credentials in person.

However, following details of the meeting being leaked to the media the meeting has now been cancelled and Petrescu will only be approached should he make it on to the SFA's yet-to-be-drawn-up shortlist.

The 41-year-old first came to the attention of British observers playing for Romania in the 1994 World Cup in America. After that he spent one season with Sheffield Wednesday before being snapped up by Chelsea and spending five successful years at Stamford Bridge.

Shorter spells with Bradford City and Southampton followed before, in 2004, Petrescu became the manager of Rapid Bucharest.

This season his reputation has grown as the manager of Unirea Urziceni - the Romanian team in the same Champions League group as Rangers - especially following their impressive 4-1 victory at Ibrox.

Speaking to BBC Radio Scotland last month, he said: 'If someone was to ask if I'm interested I would talk to them because any national team job is a big honour.

'They would have to give me a call because I am not the type of person to approach them and say, 'listen I want to have this job'.'

Meanwhile, following the receipt of 20 applications for the post last week, SFA chief executive Gordon Smith would not speak of individual candidates.

'The matter was discussed extensively and vigorously,' he said.

'We will now initiate that process in the coming weeks.

'It remains the Scottish FA's intention to appoint and present a new national coach in time for the Euro 2012 qualification draw on February 7th.'

The previous Scotland manager, George Burley, was sacked last month after a bleak time in charge.

Liverpool 1-2 Fiorentina

Liverpool's disastrous Champions League campaign was brought to an end with a 2-1 defeat to Fiorentina at Anfield.

Yossi Benayoun gave Liverpool the lead in the first half as he headed in Steven Gerrard’s free kick.

But the Israeli’s opening goal was cancelled out by Martin Jorgensen’s strike before Alberto Gilardino grabbed victory for Fiorentina in the final minute.

The defeat means Liverpool finish with their lowest ever points tally in the Champions League, while Fiorentina progress to the last 16 as winners of Group E ahead of Lyon.

Although it was another disappointing night for Rafael Benitez, he was able to welcome back Fernando Torres from injury while handing Alberto Aquilani his first start since joining the club in August.

Liverpool started brightly with Aquilani immediately involved as he sent an inviting pass to Andrea Dossena on the left who whipped in a cross to the near post which Dirk Kuyt couldn’t apply a finishing touch to.

Daniel Agger almost handed Fiorentina the lead though with a poor backpass, however Diego Cavalieri managed to get to the ball before the advancing Mario Santana.

Liverpool continued to outdo their opponents in the possession stakes, but they struggled to create many openings with Benayoun guilty of giving the ball away in a number of promising positions.

In contrast Fiorentina always looked a threat with former AC Milan striker Gilardino playing on the shoulder of Agger and stretching the Liverpool defence.

It was Lorenzo de Silvestri who came closest to opening the scoring for the Italians with a header that Cavalieri did well to push over his bar before diving low to his left to save Riccardo Montolivo’s volley from the following corner.

Liverpool took the lead before half-time though when Benayoun sent a glancing header into the net from Gerrard’s swinging free kick from the right.

Gilardino had the chance to equalise immediately after the restart but Cavalieri managed to smother the Italian’s header after he arrived at the front post unmarked to meet Gianluca Comotto’s cross.

Liverpool began to threaten their visitors' goal more as they upped the tempo and Agger should have scored his team's second on the hour, but failed to make contact with the ball as he dived to meet another Gerrard free kick.

And Fiorentina took immediate advantage of their hosts' failure to double their lead when they broke quickly to equalise with Gilardino laying on a pass for Jorgensen to arrow a low shot past Cavalieri.

Benitez introduced Torres from the bench as they looked to regain the lead and the Spaniard supplied an excellent cross for Dossena but he failed to get his head to the ball.

The game became stretched in the final ten minutes as both teams pushed to find a winning goal with Cavalieri denying Montolivo from distance.

And the Italians finished the game the stronger, snatching victory in the final minutes when Gilardino slotted the ball past Cavalieri to compound Liverpool’s miserable Champions League campaign.

Olympiakos 1-0 Arsenal

Arsenal ended their Group H qualifying campaign with a 1-0 defeat at Olympiakos after Arsene Wenger fielded the youngest-ever side in Champions League.

Wenger chose to select virtually a reserve side, giving a debut to a left-back called Tom Cruise.

With Alex Song being the only Arsenal regular making an appearance in a side with an average age of 20, hopes of an away victory seemed like mission impossible.

But the young Gunners, despite already being assured of qualification to the knock-out stages, started brightly - showing adhesive control while passing at pace.

Olympiakos, needing a point to ensure a place in the last 16, initially struggled to find their rhythm. When they did they showed a willingness to shoot from distance, finishing the half more strongly than their opponents.

Playmaker Aaron Ramsey was far and away Arsenal's most creative player throughout the game with Theo Walcott offering their best chance of scoring.

But Walcott's fine running with and without the ball is not matched by his finishing power - his final touches reminiscent of Michael Owen when the Manchester United player was struggling for form earlier in the season.

There were no such finishing problems for Olympiakos when they opened the scoring early in the second half after a slick move which started in the centre circle.

A fine pass released the Brazilian Leonardo, who needed just one touch before he fired a left-footed shot past the advancing Fabianski from the corner of the six-yard box.

Arsenal nearly equalised with a counter-attack of their own, Ramsey bursting into the penalty box and passing to Carlos Vela - only for the Mexican's shot to hit the legs of the grey-haired Olympiakos goalkeeper Nikopolidis.

The same striker had another chance in the 70th minute, toe-poking a chipped shot over the bar after another fine Ramsey pass.

Olympiakos responded quickly, Leonardo getting behind the Arsenal defence to shoot from the same spot where he had scored from earlier. This time the impressive Fabianski pulled off a fine save.

The Gunners' goalie also came to the rescue a few minutes later after another quick Olympiakos break left him as the last line of the defence.

Arsenal might have snatched a slightly undeserved draw had Olympiakos goalscorer Leonardo not made a reflex goal-line clearance from a Ramsey shot in the last minutes of normal time.

City pair on mend after swine flu

Manchester City duo Craig Bellamy and Vladimir Weiss are set to resume training before the weekend after recovering from doses of swine flu.

Slovakian international midfielder Weiss came down with the disease almost a week ago and has been laid low since before City's 2-1 home win over Chelsea last Saturday.

Bellamy reported suffering cold and flu symptoms over the weekend and was tested for the H1N1 strain on Monday, although he has since recovered and could be back in training before the squad heads to Bolton this weekend.

The Welsh international also has a bruised knee, which kept him out of the impressive win over the Blues, but could be in contention for a return for the trip to the Reebok Stadium.

The two will be joined at Carrington by fellow first team returnee Stephen Ireland, who also missed last week's game with a minor knee injury.

United boosted for Villa visit

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed that at least three of his injury-ravaged stars are set to return for this Saturday's Premier League match against Aston Villa.

Strikers Wayne Rooney and Dimitar Berbatov are set to return from hamstring and knee injuries, respectively, but arguably the most important first-team regular back in the fold is central defender Nemanja Vidic.

The Serbian international has been out with the flu for the past week - missing United's 4-0 win at West Ham on Saturday and the 3-1 success at Wolfsburg in the Champions League on Tuesday.

But Ferguson talked up Vidic's chances of being fit for the arrival of Villa at Old Trafford.

'We expect Vidic to be ready for Saturday,' the manager said.

'We'll be ok with that - I'm happy enough if I can play a back four of [Darren] Fletcher, [Michael] Carrick, Vidic and [Patrice] Evra.'

United played a back three against the German side earlier in the week, with midfielders Fletcher and Carrick joining Evra in defence.

However, against Villa, Carrick would partner the returning Vidic in the centre of a four-man back-line with Fletcher on the right flank and Evra in his customary left-back role.

QPR suspend Magilton

Queens Park Rangers have suspended their manager Jim Magilton pending an investigation into an incident at Monday's 3-1 defeat to Watford.

Magilton was left seething after his beleaguered side surrendered a 1-0 lead to slump to a third defeat in four games at Vicarage Road.

In a short statement, the west Londoners said: 'The club can confirm that manager Jim Magilton has been suspended with immediate effect, pending an internal investigation.

'The suspension relates to an incident which occurred at Monday's Championship fixture against Watford at Vicarage Road.'

It is thought the incident in question may refer to Magilton's decision to lock Hungarian midfielder Akos Buzsaky out of the dressing room after what was described as 'a difference of opinion'.

Buzsaky, who came on as a second-half substitute against the Hornets, was left to seek shelter from the freezing evening in a public toilet inside the ground.

After the game, Magilton admitted his team had shown 'no collective desire to get a result' and vowed to ask 'one or two harsh questions' of his squad.

Despite spending vast sums of money on wages and player transfers in recent months since being taken over by new billionaire owners, QPR have failed to pull up many trees in the Championship so far this season.

After 20 games, the Hoops sit 12th in the table and ten points off the pace of the automatic promotion contenders.

The latest news means Magilton's position is now under threat, just six months after he was appointed as the successor to Paolo Sousa in June.

Magilton is Rangers' eighth manager since Ian Holloway was let go after five years in charge in February 2006.

Gerrard admits title frustration

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard admits this season has been 'frustrating', given the Reds' inability to challenge for the Premier League title.

Having already lost five games in the league this year - just one short of their total number of defeats in the two previous seasons put together - Liverpool are languishing in seventh, 12 points behind leaders Chelsea.

And Gerrard, who has League Cup, FA Cup and Champions League winners' medals, is desperate to add a domestic title to his trophy cabinet.

'It is frustrating to be where we are in the league now because this was meant to be the year where we were going to be right up there all the way through,' said the Reds skipper, who led the team to second place behind Manchester United last year.

'It is important for us to try and get back up to the top of the table.

'I will continue to fight for the Premier League from now until I stop playing. Hopefully I can add it to my collection because it would round a fantastic career off.'

Gerrard, 29, admitted time is running out for him to guide his boyhood club to domestic success and said he hopes to do so before he is forced to hand the captain's armband on to someone else.

'It would be extra special if I could do it as captain in the next couple of years,' he continued.

'I am not sure how long I am going to be captain for - probably another two or three years.

'If not as captain, then hopefully I can still lift it as a Liverpool player.'

In July, Gerrard committed himself to the club until 2013 but hinted it could be his last contract as a player and he would retire when it expires at the age of 33.

Bullard facing eight-week layoff

Hull City midfielder Jimmy Bullard could be out for up to eight weeks after suffering a medial ligament sprain of his left knee.

Bullard, a club record £5 million signing from Fulham in January, collapsed during the 3-0 defeat to Aston Villa on Saturday and underwent scans on Monday.

However, despite facing up to a two-month layoff - and missing the busy Christmas schedule - Tigers boss Phil Brown has hailed the test results as good news amid fears the injury could have ended the influential midfielder's season.

'Jimmy is going to be out between six and eight weeks, a totally separate injury to anything he has had before,' Brown told Sky Sports.

'It is a grade 2 sprain on his medial ligament, it is not connected with anterior cruciate ligament.

'On the negative front we are losing a very good player for six weeks, but on the other side it could have been a lot longer.'

Bullard only recently returned to first-team action after suffering a right knee injury on his Hull debut back in January, but has been in fine form - winning the Premier League's November player of the month award.

Brown hopes to have the playmaker back in action 'before the [January] transfer window closes' and said the player's time in the physio room would give the medical staff the chance to do some strengthening work to avoid future problems.

'It gives us a chance to strengthen his other leg - it hasn't been a problem but it gives us a chance to strengthen,' the manager added.

Hull's defeat to Villa at the weekend was their first in five matches after two wins and two draws in the Premier League last month.

Premier League clubs "taking advantage of fans"

The Liberal Democrats have launched a stinging attack on Premier League clubs they claim are taking advantage of dedicated supporters to profit during the recession.

Research published by the Lib Dems today shows the range of tickets on offer to fans vary from as little as £7 up to around £92 for the most expensive seats in the top grounds.

The price of a pint of beer inside grounds also varies by more than 40 per cent, from £2.70 up to £3.80.

And the party's sports spokesman Don Foster claims this is indicative of the way leading top-flight clubs are maximising profits from a captive audience.

'These figures show that Premier League clubs are a long way from ending their love affair with money,' Foster said.

'Not only do fans have to pay sky high prices for tickets, but if they want to enjoy a pint of lager they can end up paying way over the odds.

'Clubs must not continue to take advantage of the goodwill of their dedicated followers, particularly in this time of economic recession.'

London clubs Arsenal and Chelsea are among the most expensive grounds to visit, with tickets for some seats at Category A priced games at the Gunners' Emirates Stadium topping the £90 mark.

Wigan Athletic, Sunderland and Wolves are rated as the best value for money in the English top flight.

Hughes: We don't fear anyone

Manager Mark Hughes has defiantly claimed his Manchester City side are a match for anyone in the top four after victory over Chelsea.

Hughes went on to praise the workrate of his side after watching his team secure a thrilling 2-1 win over the Premier League leaders at Eastlands on Saturday.

City fell behind early in the first half to an Emmanuel Adebayor own goal before turning the game on its head through an Adebayor atonement and a Carlos Tevez free kick.

Hughes then had to endure a late penalty from Frank Lampard, which was saved by the once again impressive Shay Given.

It left Hughes in buoyant mood as he spoke to the waiting media: 'It was a fantastic effort by everyone and I thought we were good value for the win.

'We will take great belief from this, we have taken on all top four teams given a decent account of ourselves.

'We beat Arsenal and Chelsea at home, drew away to Liverpool and were very unlucky to not get something at Old Trafford so we can take great confidence.'

Speaking about the Lampard missed penalty, Hughes claimed he had complete faith in Given before it was taken.

'We're just trying to find out when is the last time he missed a penalty,' he added.

'We think it's three years but to be fair he hasn't come against Given on all those occasions.'

Cahill: We deserved our point

Everton midfielder Tim Cahill believes his side fully deserved a point against Tottenham Hotspur after coming back from 2-0 behind.

Spurs scored twice in the first 15 minutes of the second half through Jermain Defoe and Michael Dawson.

But Louis Saha and Cahill scored in the final 13 minutes to give Everton a draw, and the Australian midfielder believes the Toffees deserved a point.

'We needed that point a lot,' said the Australian.

'Going 2-0 down didn't look good, but the gaffer did well by putting two strikers on and we deserved the two goals we scored late on.

'We tried our hardest and managed to pick ourselves up after going two goals behind and I think there was a bit of justice at the end after all the effort we put in.'

Goalkeeper Tim Howard was Everton's hero with an injury time penalty save, which he put down to his own research before the game.

'Louis Saha passed on a few words of advice from the bench but I kind of knew what to expect from Jermain,' the American commented.

'It's easy now to research how different players take penalties and I try to make sure I leave no stones unturned, and luckily it paid off.'

Ferguson frustrated by injury headache

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson says the champions' growing injury list is leaving him anxious over squad selection.

Gary Neville and Wes Brown both withdrew from United's 4-0 defeat of West Ham with injuries, meaning the Old Trafford side are missing ten senior squad members.

Michael Carrick and Patrice Evra were forced into playing at centre-back in the away victory and Ferguson has admitted he faces a defensive crisis ahead of the upcoming Champions League tie against Wolfsburg.

'I don't know where I'm going to get a back four for Tuesday,' the Scot admitted.

'The injuries in defence are becoming a bit of a headache to us. Michael Carrick stepped in and did very well.'

The Reds manager said he expected the return of Nemanja Vidic after flu and would most likely play Carrick alongside the Serbian in defence.

'Carrick's got the composure and the pace and it was a good performance in the second half,' Ferguson said after the 4-0 win at Upton Park. 'We used our experience.'

West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola said Paul Scholes' opening strike had changed the tone of the game on Saturday.

'We were defending well and they didn't create much,' he added. 'We have no complaints - our players gave everything.

'When you play the champions it's always difficult and if you give them something they will exploit it. The second goal killed us.'

Fulham 1-0 Sunderland

Fulham beat Sunderland 1-0 at Craven Cottage thanks to a first-half goal from Bobby Zamora, who notched his sixth goal of the Premier League campaign.

The win lifts Roy Hodgson's side to eighth - only two points behind Liverpool - and should have come in more comprehensive fashion, with Zamora hitting the bar before the break and Erik Nevland wasting a golden chance by firing straight at Marlon Fulop.

Clint Dempsey, Aaron Hughes and Damien Duff returned to the Fulham lineup having been rested for the midweek Europa League victory against CSKA Sofia and the London side were on top for much of the first half.

They took the lead in the seventh minute as Zamora headed home a deep John Pantsil cross as the visitors' defence dithered and looked likely to extend their lead with every break.

Zamora headed a Paul Konchesky onto the crossbar and later provided a fine lay-off for Nevland, who could only shoot straight at Fulop, before placing the follow-up over the bar.

Sunderland appeared for the second half with more energy and Darren Bent looked dangerous, knocking a tempting pull-back into the Fulham box before firing just wide from a Kieron Richardson cross.

The England man leant back too far with another chance, blasting the shot over, while Bolo Zenden could have levelled the scores late on with a low drive.

But Roy Hodgson's men defended with resolve and sealed their second victory of the week to climb to eighth.

Everton 2-2 Tottenham Hotspur

Everton came from two goals behind to earn a deserved 2-2 draw with Tottenham Hotspur at Goodison Park.

Jermain Defoe and Michael Dawson scored twice in the opening 15 minutes of the second half, but goals from Louis Saha and Tim Cahill, plus an injury time penalty save from Tim Howard, gave Everton a share of the spoils and stopped Spurs moving past rivals Arsenal into third place.

Both sides began brightly with Everton's Jack Rodwell being the first to test the opposition goalkeeper with a low drive that was easily kept out by Heurelho Gomes.

Peter Crouch had a golden chance to put Spurs ahead after he breached the Everton offside trap, but he disappointingly shot over from 12 yards.

Crouch's strike partner Defoe came close on the ten minute mark after a neat turn on the edge of the box, but his left foot shot was saved by Howard.

Everton's injury crisis deepened after 15 minutes when Joseph Yobo was forced off, which gave youngster Seamus Coleman his Goodison Park debut.

Despite the change, it was Everton who were gaining the upper hand and Jo came close with a volley across the box, after a disguised pass from Rodwell.

Spurs defender Dawson gave away a free kick on the edge of the box after half an hour and goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes was forced into action to keep out Leighton Baines' curling free kick.

Two minutes later, the visitors should have taken the lead when Niko Kranjcar found Defoe, but the in-form striker dragged his shot wide.

Tempers boiled over in the 36th minute when Maruoane Fellaini reacted to a challenge from Benoit Assou-Ekotto with resulted in a tussle between the pair, earning both players a yellow card.

Four minutes before half time, the increasingly threatening Defoe forced Howard into action once again, but the American goalkeeper did well to get a hand to the ball after Defoe attempted to take it past him.

A minute after the break, Defoe finally got his goal. Aaron Lennon whipped in a cross to the near post and Defoe half-volleyed the ball into the roof of the net.

Crouch came agonisingly close to doubling Spurs' lead in what would have been fortunate circumstances. Tony Hibbert's attempted clearance rebounded off Crouch's foot and was heading into the corner, but Howard pulled off a remarkable save to push the ball inches past the post.

Everton were struggling to create any opportunities of note, with a speculative effort from Jo their only attempt on goal.

However, the away side doubled their lead just before the hour when Dawson powerfully headed in a Kranjcar corner to leave Everton with a mountain to climb.

It was Spurs who looked more likely to extend their lead rather than Everton pull a goal back, with Gareth Bale and Crouch seeing their efforts miss the left hand post by inches.

However, an inspired run by the impressive Coleman helped the Toffees reduce the deficit. He breezed past Bale down the right hand side and delivered a precise cut-back for substitute Saha to volley high into the net.

A bit of magic from Saha nearly brought his team level with seven minutes to go. Steven Pienaar delivered a ball into the box and the French striker connected with an overhead kick from 12 yards that just missed Gomes' left-hand post.

But Everton equalised with four minutes to go after another burst down the right by Coleman. His cross went to the back post was met by Baines and his cross-shot was turned in at the back post by Cahill to the delight of the Goodison Park crowd.

However, one minute into injury time, Spurs were awarded a penalty when Hibbert barged into Wilson Palacios, leaving the referee no option but to award the spot-kick. Defoe stepped up, but his penalty was saved by the feet of Howard to gain his side a deserved point.

Man City 2-1 Chelsea

A Carlos Tevez free kick gave Manchester City a 2-1 victory and their first win over Chelsea in eight meetings in a marvellous encounter at the City of Manchester Stadium.

In a gripping game which showcased both the beautiful and the ugly side of the Premier League a goal at either end by Emmanuel Adebayor and a Tevez strike ensured City came away with the three points, after Frank Lampard had a penalty saved.

Chelsea started with the intent of a team who have scored in all of their Premier League games this season.

A wonderful move by Chelsea eight minutes in eventually found Didier Drogba in the clear but just as the end result appeared to be a formality he shot right at Shay Given who parried the shot. Then minutes later we had the opening goal.

A wrongly given corner after Ashley Cole was tackled by Shaun Wright-Phillips resulted in first blood to Chelsea.

A cross by Michael Ballack to the back post was helped back across goal by Drogba right to Lampard whose goal-bound effort was blocked on the line only to land at the feet of Anelka who once again found his shot blocked before it unluckily rebounded of Adebayor for an own goal.

Although Chelsea appeared to be in control of the game, they were doing so on the back foot. City gained more and more confidence as the half wore on and started to create openings for themselves.

Wright-Phillips had a shot parried by Petr Cech at near post midway through the half before Gareth Barry had an on-target effort deflected for a corner.

The pressure continued and a floating delivery from Barry found the head of Micah Richards who beat the oncoming fist of Cech, but with the ball floating into the net Ricardo Carvalho managed to arch his neck and clear it off the line.

From the subsequent corner Wright-Phillips powered a shot from the edge of the area only for it to hit Richards' hand as he tried to protect himself from the rocket shot. Chelsea appealed for a handball, whilst the ball fell to Adebayor who poked home from close range.

Chelsea protested with John Terry appearing the most vocal but the goal stood.

Straight down the other end and Chelsea won a free kick after a foul on Lampard. Drogba stepped up and curled a shot that Shay Given, though the shot was on his side, struggled to reach before it drifted just wide.

Where the first half was enterprising the second half was border line volatile with Chelsea, not used to losing, showing signs of getting very frustrated.

Wright-Phillips, who stumbled past Ashley Cole through a mixture of determination, luck and skill, found himself at the by-line before he cut the ball back to Adebayor who scuffed his shot which was easily cleared away by Carvalho.

A free kick for City followed, after a foul by Carvalho, and was sized up and swiftly put away by Carlos Tevez for a City goal. There were concerns of the positioning of Cech for the goal who was wrong footed by the shot but should have done better.

Chelsea continued to push forward, fuelled through a mixture of anger and injustice. Ten minutes from the end Drogba found himself free in the area only to be felled by Nedum Onuoha for a penalty.

The usually reliable Lampard took on the responsibility but his penalty was saved by Given down to his right to the absolute delight of the City supporters.

Lampard looked crestfallen but Chelsea still pumped forward. A side-rule pass by Michael Essien put Drogba clean through but the in form forward put his shot wide when he usually would scored.

It meant that the doom and gloom has now been lifted from City who are now unbeaten in nine games. Chelsea lose their buffer at the top of the table and now sit just two points clear of Manchester United courtesy of Carlos Tevez. Now that's some irony.

Four-star United increase pressure on Chelsea

Manchester United kept up the pressure on league leaders Chelsea by winning 4-0 at West Ham on a day when Arsenal beat Stoke 2-0 and Birmingham won 3-2 at Wigan.

The Red Devils are now two points off Chelsea who play their game-in-hand against Manchester City later tonight.

The Hammers started the match heartened by the sight of Darren Fletcher playing out-of-position at right-back, alongside a makeshift centre-back partnership featuring Gary Neville and Wes Brown.

West Ham also had injury problems to contend with, meaning that Carlton Cole and Matthew Upson sat out the game.

Ryan Giggs, a candidate for the 2009 BBC Sports Personality of the Year, was in the thick of the early action, conceding the ball near his own penalty box but getting a vital touch to clear the danger moments later.

Neville was angered to be substituted just after the half-hour mark, perhaps feeling that he could run off an injury on the pitch. His temper was not helped by the decision to bring on midfielder Michael Carrick in his place.

His strop was soon forgotten when Scholes scored just before half-time. The ginger midfielder said this week that he wished he could be playing more first-team games and he showed his continuing worth when he chested down a pass outside the penalty box and hit a half-volley which Robert Green arguably should have got more than a hand to.

The visitors doubled their lead in the second half when Darron Gibson shot from outside the 18-yard box - after a smart one-two involving Giggs and Wayne Rooney - to claim his third goal of the week.

A close-range goal finally arrived courtesy of Antonio Valencia with the same player crossing for Rooney to add the fourth a little later.

Junior Stanislas would have grabbed a consolation goal for West Ham, had he not shot wide.

At the Emirates Stadium a 2-0 win for Arsenal against Stoke City put Arsene Wenger in a hand-shaking mood.

Wenger chose to retain only three of the players he picked for the Carling Cup defeat against Manchester City, with Andrey Arshavin and Samir Nasri returning to the line-up and both having early chances as Arsenal began the match at a frantic pace.

Rory Delap checked the home side's progress with some finely-taken throw-ins but the Irish player is less convincing with the ball near his feet and he conceded a penalty after tripping Arshavin.

Gunners' skipper Cesc Fabregas took the penalty which was saved well by Sorensen, but the Spaniard made up for his mistake in open play in the 26th minute, exchanging passes with Arshavin before the Russian 'assassin' shot low into the corner of the goal.

A second goal nearly followed amid farcical scenes a dozen touches later when Traore's cross hit the post and Fabregas's volleyed follow-up hit team-mate Emmanuel Eboue.

The luckless Eboue hobbled off early in the second half, with Wenger hoping that the player won't be joining the likes of Robin van Persie, Gael Clichy and Kieron Gibbs on the long-term injury list.

Arshavin provided a distraction from the treatment-table woes when his deflected shot hit the bar, before substitute Aaron Ramsey's shot, hit with the outside of his boot from outside the penalty area, avoided the woodwork to put Arsenal two-up.

Stoke had no answer to Arsenal's passing prowess and were well-beaten by the time Wenger shook hands with Potters' manager Tony Pulis.

Birmingham City, meanwhile, extended their unbeaten league run to six games with a 3-2 win at Wigan.

The battling nature of the play soon claimed some casualties; Brum defender Roger Johnson had his nose bloodied after a clash with Hugo Rodallega and injury-prone Wigan goalkeeper Chris Kirkland was forced off with a back injury.

At the other end Birmingham keeper Hart was powerless to stop Charles N'Zogbia's curling shot from hitting his net in the 33rd minute, Rodellega claiming the vital assist.

Birmingham's equaliser came when no Wigan player took responsibility for Sebastian Larsson's free kick, the ball floating into the net even though it was more of a cross than a shot.

Lee Bowyer then boosted his popularity with Birmingham fans by supplying a long pass which led to his side taking the lead after Benitez skinned Titus Bramble for pace and shot past Mike Pollitt.

Birmingham's third resulted from another curling Larsson free kick, this one hit with more scoring intent than his previous effort, though Wigan clawed back a goal in the last minute through a Junior Gomez free-kick.

Villa move up as Bullard limps off again

Aston Villa cruised to a 3-0 win over Hull at Villa Park in a game marked by yet another injury to integral Tigers midfielder Jimmy Bullard.

Goals by Richard Dunne, James Milner and a John Carew penalty secured a comfortable victory for Villa against a Hull side knocked sideways by the injury to Bullard.

The Hull midfielder left the pitch in tears after twisting his knee after an innocuous stumble over Petrov, with Hull already a goal down at this point.

Dunne burst through a static Hull defence to finish with aplomb of the underside of the crossbar on the 13th minute. Hull were playing with just one man up front and as such struggled to maintain any sort of cohesive possession.

Just before the half hour mark the home side doubled their lead after more woeful Hull defending.

A throw in to Villa was quickly taken to Milner who lobbed the keeper from just outside the area with the Hull defenders guilty of ball watching.

Although there was still almost an hour to go in the game Hull seemed to lose all belief.

Villa completed the scoring in the 88th minute when Carew coolly slotted home a penalty after

An entertaining bottom of the table clash at Molineux saw Wolves grab a vital three points from luckless Bolton Wanderers in a 2-1 win.

The action was unrelenting starting with an opening goal after just two minutes. A wicked free kick delivered by Nenad Milijas into the area, flicked on by Christophe Berra, fell to Jody Craddock who got his foot to the ball and steered it into the back of the net. The goal pushed the home side on providing them with impetus lacking in their most recent games.

During the opening siege Ricardo Gardner had to clear off the line for the away side and Jussi Jaaskelainen produced two smart saves.

Bolton only began to threaten at the start of the second half as Wolves found themselves caught between holding what they had and trying to score another.

But just as Bolton looked like securing an equaliser Milijas seemed to have secured the three points for Wolves. The Serbian midfielder struck a magnificent 30 yard shot which flew past the helpless Jaaskelainen for a great goal.

The impressive Milijas was again centre of the action when Wolves contrived to hit the bar from one of his free kicks before the complexion of the match changed through a consolation goal by Bolton.

It was substitute Johan Elmander who forced home a scrambled corner. The goal signalled an onslaught from Bolton who did everything but score in the last ten minutes, including having a goal disallowed. But it was Wolves who hung on for a memorable win.

In stark contrast, Blackburn Rovers and Liverpool battled out a 0-0 draw in a game of few chances. Liverpool, slowly rebuilding their season, reproduced the form shown at Everton last weekend with a gritty performance ultimately lacking in quality.

Rovers, missing David Dunn and Jason Roberts, battled as only a Sam Allardyce team knows how to.

The best chance of the game fell to Liverpool and much maligned striker David Ngog, after Glen Johnson had broke down the right wing and cut the ball back to the French forward who found himself just six yards from goal.

The ball proceeded to take a massive bobble, leaving Ngog with no choice but to hit the bar with his shot before Dirk Kuyt smashed the rebound straight at Paul Robinson.

Portsmouth 2-0 Burnley

Goals from Herman Hreidarsson and Aruna Dindane saw Portsmouth claim a vital three points as they defeated Burnley at Fratton Park.

The host's 2-0 win ses them climb off the bottom of the table - pending Wolves' home clash with Bolton - and means Pompey are only four points behind 17th placed West Ham.

A home win looked unlikely when Dindane's feeble first-half penalty was saved but the Ivorian made up for his poor effort by heading home a Jamie O'Hara cross.

Hreidarsson, who had won the home side's penalty in questionable fashion, gave Portsmouth the lead 20 minutes into the second half, firing home after slick passing from Dindane, Kevin-Prince Boateng and Nwankwo Kanu.

Burnley began the game the better of the two sides, but it was the home team who threatened first when Boateng shot from 25 yards, forcing Brian Jensen into a diving save.

The visitors wasted a golden chance to take the lead in the 17th minute when Wade Elliott crossed for Steven Fletcher, but after an exquisite first touch, he mis-hit his shot from six yards and the ball rolled into the arms of the goalkeeper.

Just after the half hour, Portsmouth gained a fortunate penalty when Elliott raised a foot at the onrushing Hreidarsson. The Icelandic defender fell to the floor before any contact was made, but referee Phil Dowd gave the penalty.

However, justice prevailed when Dindane saw his spot-kick and resulting rebound kept out by Jensen to keep the score goalless.

Burnley responded well and came close to taking the lead but Andre Bikey could only send his six-yard header over and the two teams went into the break level, with Portsmouth faced with a chorus of boos from their own fans.

Boateng pushed his shot wide of the post in the opening minutes of the second half, before Burnley almost took the lead as Asmir Begovic saved well from a Kevin McDonald strike.

Fletcher came close again ten minutes later, but it was the home side who took the lead, with Hreidarsson again the centre of attention.

A fine passing move was completed by a low drive from the defender after good advantage had been played while Dindane struggled for position on the left flank.

Boateng nearly extended the lead five minutes later, only to shoot into the side netting, before Dindane sealed the three points for the hosts in the 84th minute, heading unmarked past Jensen from O'Hara's cross.

Avram Grant's first win as Portsmouth, and the south coast's side third of the season, comes after a troubling week during which the club secured a loan so as to pay players' wages for November.

Capello content with World Cup draw

Fabio Capello has admitted England's draw for the group stages of next summer's World Cup finals is 'not so bad'.

The Three Lions were paired with USA, Algeria and Slovenia in one of the easiest sections, with only Capello's nation of birth Italy (Paraguay, New Zealand and Slovakia) regarded as having an easier task in the opening round.

If he is picked in the 23-man squad next year, the draw could mean David Beckham plays a number of his MLS counterparts in the group stage when England take on the United States.

Capello picked out the Americans as the major threat in Group C, given their experience in South African conditions from the Confederations Cup earlier this year, but also warned against complacency against Algeria and Slovenia.

'The team with more experience is the USA, they have played here,' the head coach explained.

'We played against USA and Slovenia home, we played well and we won but when we have to play here in June it will be different.

'The game against Algeria will be noisy, and Algeria is a very good team - they beat Egypt [in their final qualifier].

'When you play a World Cup every game is not easy.'

Capello admitted England's task could have been much more difficult, saying Brazil's task of seeing off Ivory Coast and Portugal to progress from Group G 'is not easy'.

Nevertheless, it seems the Italian is looking further ahead than the first round, adding: 'It is the World Cup. We have to win.'

England's opening game of next year's World Cup will be against USA in Rustenburg on Saturday June 12th, with Algeria and finally Slovenia rounding off their opening three fixtures.

England drawn with USA in World Cup

England will take on the United States, Algeria and Slovenia after the draw was made for the group stage of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

The favourable draw means Fabio Capello's side will be favourites to qualify for the knockout stages.

However, because England were drawn out in Group C - next to arguably the ubiquitous Group of Death, Group D - the Three Lions will be forced to take on one of the more dangerous sides in the tournament in Germany, Ghana, Serbia or Australia in the second round.

The rest of the draw sees five-time champions Brazil given a tough route into the second round, with Portugal and Ivory Coast drawn into their section. Minnows North Korea are expected to be the whipping boys in Group G.

Hosts South Africa also face one of the more difficult tasks with Mexico, Uruguay and France placed in Group A.

Group B sees Argentina, Nigeria, South Korea and Greece drawn together; Group E features Netherlands, Denmark, Japan and Cameroon; and Group H is made up of Euro 2008 winners Spain alongside Switzerland, Honduras and Chile.

Defending champion Italy have the easiest draw of all the seeded nations with Paraguay, New Zealand and Slovakia likely to provide little more than a warm-up for the latter stages in Group F.

The opening game of the 2010 World Cup will see South Africa take on Mexico on June 11th.