Toyota Football Fever Show 13

* Professional club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only.

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What the UK papers said this week? (Bit of a West Ham week this week ? !!!)

1) Icelander finally takes over at the Eastenders

EGGERT MAGNUSSON has vowed to bring the good times back to the club - and to keep faith with manager Alan Pardew.

The Icelandic businessman, who is due to take over as chairman in a couple of weeks, said he would explore the long-term possibility of West Ham eventually moving to the 2012 Olympic stadium.

The club announced to the Stock Exchange this week that their main shareholders including chairman Terry Brown had agreed a price for the sale - £85million plus an agreement to take on West Ham’s £22.5million debt.

Magnusson, 59, said: “I am both delighted and honoured that Terry Brown and his colleagues wish to support our offer for West Ham.

2) Rovers can’t cater for that

BLACKBURN’S European gravy train was nearly derailed on Wednesday — by a catering truck.

The lorry collided with the plane due to take Mark Hughes and his team to Holland for tonight’s UEFA Cup clash with Feyenoord. The party had to hang around Manchester Airport while a replacement jet was flown in.

Rovers then suffered from a case of mistaken identity as their American pilot admitted he had boasted to his English in-laws that he was flying ‘Blackburn Rockets’ to Holland.

The Blackburn players howled with laughter when he owned up to his blunder and Hughes said: “You have to smile when stuff like this happens.

3) Rehab for bets and drink goalie

PREMIERSHIP star Roy Carroll has been battling a booze and betting addiction at a top clinic. The £25,000-a-week West Ham and ex-Man United goalie hit the bottle after losing a fortune gambling with pals and in online casinos.

He blew even more trying to win back the cash he had lost — at one stage owing £30,000 to another high-profile West Ham team mate. Depressed Carroll, 29, then launched into punishing weekend binges, downing vodka and Bacardi shots and strong lager

West Ham boss Alan Pardew said: “We fully support Roy. He has gone about tackling his issues in the right way.”

4) Ferdinand charged with assault

WEST HAM star Anton Ferdinand was today charged with assault and violent disorder following an alleged brawl outside an Essex nightclub. The charges relate to an incident which took place outside Faces nightclub in Ilford, on October 2.

The 21-year-old defender and brother of Manchester United star Rio, will appear before magistrates in Redbridge on Friday.

The SEM group, which represents Ferdinand, this afternoon issued a statement insisting that the player was innocent.

5) West Ham to splash the cash on the forgotten kid

ALAN PARDEW looks set to spend a large portion of the estimated £15m transfer fund he has been given by new chairman Eggert Magnusson on Chelsea misfit Shaun Wright-Phillips.

Wright- Phillips would cost in the region of £10m for the Hammers, and the youngster would surely be desperate to move after enduring an unhappy spell at Stanford Bridge.

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Quotes of the Week

"I know a lot of the players at Charlton and they weren't having Iain." "The one thing Iain doesn't know is how to manage big players. Does he think such a player is going to go boxing or do extra laps in training? He'd say, 'No, f*** off, I'm on £45,000-a-week - how about you do it'" - Simon Jordan lets the world know why Iain Dowie was sacked.

"Chelsea is just like Colo Colo, but there is money there" – Fifteeen year-old Chilean Chelsea target Nicolas Millan, sums up Chelsea better then any adult could.

"It's the players who are thick who are causing the problems. They are not going to get their brains back, that's for sure" - Neil Warnock identifies the problem at Sheffield United… but maybe the wrong problem.

"He did very well for us. Mind, I'd have killed him if that went in. What on earth was he doing there?" - Martin O'Neill gets a bit scary after his young player Isaiah Osbourne almost scored from a diving header off his own post.

"We wanted to keep it quiet, and didn't make an issue of it. We went through the proper channels and hoped it would die a death." Choosing his words carefully, Reading boss Steve Coppell… on the death threats received by two of his players.

Initiate call ins from listeners

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Last Weeks Premiership Results

Man City 3	Fulham 1
Corradi (12, 32) Barton (45)	John (62)

Report: Bernardo Corradi ended his goal drought with a first-half double as Manchester City made up for the loss of their proud home defensive record by sweeping past Fulham 3-1. Corradi's first goals for his club set up the simplest of victories for Stuart Pearce's men with midfielder Joey Barton effectively wrapping up the contest in first-half injury time.

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Arsenal 1	Newcastle 1
Henry (70)	Dyer (30)

Report: Thierry Henry once again proved Arsenal's talisman as he grabbed their equaliser in a 1-1 home draw with Newcastle. The brilliant Frenchman was introduced as a second-half substitute when his team were trailing 1-0 - and promptly smashed in a free-kick to level on 70 minutes.

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Chelsea 1	West Ham 0
Geremi (22)

Report: Geremi found the top corner with a delicious free-kick as Barclays Premiership champions Chelsea defeated London rivals West Ham 1-0 at Stamford Bridge. Jose Mourinho's men knew even a big win would probably not take them to the top of the league this weekend, but they maintained the pressure on leaders Manchester United with their victory

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Everton 1	Bolton 0
Arteta (60)

Report: Everton boss David Moyes had pleaded before the north-west derby with Bolton for someone to provide the goals that the Toffees will be denied by Tim Cahill's two-month lay-off - and he could not have got a better response than the first goal of the season from Mikel Arteta. In a game based so strongly on toil, workrate and setpieces, it was good to see that sheer skill was able to secure the 1-0 win.

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Portsmouth 2	Watford 1
Kanu (44) LuaLua (pen 89)	DeMerit (32)

Report: Lomana LuaLua blasted home an 88th-minute penalty to leave Watford broken-hearted after a brave battle to resist a below-par Portsmouth ended in a 2-1 defeat at Fratton Park. Pompey needed Kanu's eighth goal of the season just before half-time to drag them back into the match after Jay DeMerit capitalised on poor marking at a corner to head the Hornets in front in the 32nd minute.

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Reading 2	Charlton 0
Seoul ki-Hyeon (18) Doyle (72)

Report: Les Reed's managerial debut ended in a disappointing 2-0 defeat after his Charlton side were outplayed at Reading. Goals from Seol Ki-Hyeon and Kevin Doyle wrapped up a second straight home win for Steve Coppell's side and left the Addicks exactly where they had been under Ian Dowie - at the bottom of the Premiership table.

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Sheff Utd 1	Man Utd 2
Gillespie (13)	Rooney (30, 75)

Report: Two-goal Wayne Rooney sparked a come-from-behind victory against Sheffield United at Bramall Lane to keep Manchester United top of the Barclays Premiership. The visitors, and Rooney especially, were not to be denied as the striker made it three goals in four days after finding the net in England's 1-1 draw in Holland in midweek

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Middlesbrough 0	Liverpool 0

Report: Liverpool's wait for an away win in the Premiership this season goes on despite mounting a siege in a goalless draw at Middlesbrough. The Reds at least left Teesside with a first away point since the opening day of the season, but they will feel they should have ended their miserable run of results on their travels.

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Wigan 0	Aston Villa 0

Report: Wigan were involved in their first goalless Premiership match at the 50th time of asking as they fought out a stalemate against Aston Villa. The last time the Latics were involved in a scoreless league encounter was in April 2005, against QPR in the Championship.

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Blackburn 1	Tottenham 1
Tugay (23)	Defoe (pen 62)

Report: Veteran Blackburn playmaker Tugay endured the highs and lows of football as his side had to settle for a point at home to Tottenham. He made the breakthrough with a stunning 25-yard volley only to be sent off in an incident which led to Spurs' equaliser. Tugay was adjudged to have hauled back Hossam Ghaly, and Jermain Defoe scored from the penalty spot.

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Team of the Week - Reading

Steve Coppell’s side have been the undoubted success story from amongst the promoted side so far this year, and another three points were added in a good performance at the Madjeski against Charlton. This follows on from the win last week against a supposedly better Spurs team, and the Royals are now are half way to reaching that magic 40 point mark.

Player of the Week - Wayne Rooney

The Boy Wonder is certainly back to his sparkling best, as a double against minnows Sheffield United and a goal for England proved. Now all the Liverpool lad has to do is score against Chelsea next week and the remaining doubts about not performing in big games will disappear, as he goes a long way to confirming he is England’s most talented player.

Donkey of the Week - Les Reed

Last weeks donkey was outgoing Charlton manager Iain Dowie, and this week it seems apt to give the award to new manager Les Reed. Who!? was the cry from most footy fans when he was given the job, as the excuses that he was a great coach were rolled out by the club. Wasn’t Glenn Roeder a great coach as well? Usually new managers have a good first result – Charlton though were awful against Reading, and do you know what – I don’t think its going to get much better!

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Upcoming Premiership Games (Sat 25th, Sun 26th)

Aston Villa v Middlesbrough
Suspensions
Injuries AST - Laursen, Moore
MID - Parlour, Viduka, (Parnaby), (Downing)
Prediction 1-0

Reason: Villa seem to have formulated an excellent strategy for nicking games by the odd goal, similar to Everton a couple of seasons ago. They don’t have the best players, but their hard work and excellent attitude seems to carry them through and I can see another narrow win here against an unpredictable Boro side.

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Bolton v Arsenal
Suspensions
Injuries BOL - Fortune, O’Brien, Gardner
ARS - Gallas, Diaby, Lauren, (Rosicky)
Prediction 2-1

Reason: Bolton are a very tough team to break down, particularly at the Reebok, and Arsenal have had many a problem here before. They haven’t quite got their form right so far this season, and I can see this turning into another nightmare for Arsene, as Arsenal drop more points

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Charlton v Everton
Suspensions EVE - McFadden
Injuries CHA - Lisbie, (Diawara), (Kisheshev), (Myhre), (Traore), (Sorondo), (Gibbs)
EVE - Cahill, Hibbert, Pistone, (Naysmith)
Prediction 0-1

Reason: Charlton just haven’t had enough time to gel as a unit with the changes that Iain Dowie made to tactics and personnel. Now a new manager has come in, I expect that he will be trying to turn back the clock to Alan Curbishley’s time at the club, and that is a recipe for disaster for Charlton. I can see Everton winning this one by a single goal as the Addicks continue to struggle.

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Fulham v Reading
Suspensions
Injuries FUL - Bullard, Elrich, Pembridge, Christanval, (Brown)
REA - Convey, Cox, Mate, Kitson, (Halls)
Prediction 2-1

Reason: Despite Reading’s last couple of good results at home, I can see a victory for Chris Coleman’s side here. They played poorly last week and will be trying to rectify that at Craven Cottage – Coleman has got his side playing some good football, particularly at home, which should be enough to end Reading’s run.

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Liverpool v Man City
Suspensions
Injuries LIV - Sissoko, Kewell
MAC - Mills, Jihai, (Sinclair), (Beasley), (Dabo), (Isaksson)
Prediction 3-0

Reason: Liverpool are waiting to explode at the moment – and this could be the game that they do it. Man City have an awful away record this season, and despite last weeks win, I think this will be one way traffic at Anfield..

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West Ham v Sheff Utd
Suspensions
Injuries WHM - Carroll, Ashton, (Collins)
SHF - Armstrong, Akinbiyi, Tonge, (Webber), (Bromby)
Prediction 2-0

Reason: With the takeover uncertainty now lifted over Upton Park, and the new owner seemingly right behind Alan Pardew, his team can play with a little more confidence. A home game against the Blades may be the perfect way to welcome in the new regime – with three points.

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Man Utd v Chelsea
Suspensions
Injuries MAN - Ji-Sung, (Solskjaer)
CHE - Cech
Prediction 1-1

Reason: Manchester United will be desperate not to lose to Chelsea at Old Trafford, and Jose Mourinho’s men may settle for a point as well. The game should be close, and I think that despite the home advantage, the result will end in a draw – both Managers going home relatively happy.

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Newcastle v Portsmouth
Suspensions
Injuries NEW - Krul, Bernard, Moore, Babayaro, Ameobi, Owen, (Carr)
POR - Johnson, (Mwaruwari)
Prediction 2-1

Reason: Newcastle sneaked a point against Arsenal last week, and that could give them the confidence they need to put a run together and move themselves up the table. The defensive mistakes remain though, and with Pompey’s solid back line, I however feel this will end with a Toon win.

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Tottenham v Wigan
Suspensions
Injuries TOT - Jenas, Gardner, Chimbonda, Stalteri, Davenport, Tainio, (Lennon)
WIG - Teale, Taylor, (Skoko)
Prediction 2-1

Reason: Tottenham have got a good set of players, but they just haven’t clicked yet, particularly in the midfield. At home though, they look more assured, and they may well be too much for Wigan to handle in this game.

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Tue 28th & Wed 29th

Watford v Sheff Utd
Suspensions
Injuries WAT - King, Carlisle
SHF - Armstrong, Akinbiyi, Tonge, (Webber), (Bromby)
Prediction 1-2

Reason: It is the battle of the promoted sides here, and I think that Neil Warnock’s men will have the advantage, with Watford’s long-ball style of football playing into their hands. The blades should just nick this one.

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Aston Villa v Man City
Suspensions
Injuries AST - Laursen, Moore
MAC - Mills, Jihai, (Sinclair), (Beasley), (Dabo), (Isaksson)
Prediction 2-0

Reason: Aston Villa will feel that their two fixtures this week should give them six points, and there is no reason why that shouldn’t happen. Manchester City have a poor record away from home, and with Villa’s miserly defensive record, the Villans should take all three points.

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Fulham v Arsenal
Suspensions
Injuries FUL - Bullard, Elrich, Pembridge, Christanval, (Brown)
ARS - Gallas, Diaby, Lauren, (Rosicky)
Prediction 1-3

Reason: Arsenal have had problems recently breaking teams down, but I don’t think that will be such an issue here, as Fulham’s style of play is slightly more geared up for attacking football. This will play into Arsene Wenger’s hands, and I think it will allow Arsenal to take all three points in this London derby.

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Liverpool v Portsmouth
Suspensions
Injuries LIV - Sissoko, Kewell
POR - Johnson, (Mwaruwari)
Prediction 1-0

Reason: This game is a battle between two sides with supposedly solid defenses, and I think it will be a much fiercer fight for the Reds than against Man City. Having said that, Liverpool’s home record in the league this year is Championship form, and they should nick this midweek match with the crowd cheering them on.

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Man Utd v Everton
Suspensions
Injuries MAN - Ji-Sung, (Solskjaer)
EVE - Cahill, Hibbert, Pistone, (Naysmith)
Prediction 2-0

Reason: Everton always put up a decent performance against Man Utd at Old Trafford, and will no doubt solidly defend against a more skilful team. United though are playing well at the moment, and I can see them dominating this game and scoring a couple in the second half to stay top of the league.

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Barclays Premier League: Top 10 players

Barclays Premiership: Table

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