Saturday, October 31, 2009

Live text - Saturday football

GOALFLASHES AND MAJOR INCIDENTS (all times BST)

606: DEBATE
Your thoughts on the action

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

By Chris Bevan

1243: The Arsenal and Tottenham players make their way out on to The Emirates pitch... to use my final Halloween pun, it's a bit of a cauldron out there today. Sorry.

1242: BBC Sport's Phil McNulty at The Emirates: "The Carling Cup draw was not greeted with huge rejoicing by either set of supporters here. Two tough trips to Manchester, United for Spurs and City for Arsenal - watch those goal celebrations Mr Adebayor. What will catch England coach Fabio Capello's eye today? Jermaine Jenas used the build-up to this north London derby to remind Capello of his existence and there is also the chance for Peter Crouch to shine in front of a man who still appears to harbour doubts about his class at elite level."

From Jay, Gunners fan in London, via text on 81111: "Could it be that Nicklas Bendtner is played down the middle for Arsenal for once? He usually scores when he's not on the wing."

1241: The Tottenham players are in the tunnel at the Emirates, just waiting for Arsenal now. Robbie Keane is doing an impressive 'jumping on the spot' warm-up.

From kDamo on Twitter: "The Carling Cup draw has been kind to us (Villa), but it just means the big teams will knock us out in the semis instead."

1237: As far as the Carling Cup goes then, for starters, I'm sure Manchester City's former Arsenal striker Emmanuel Adebayor will be looking forward to seeing his old friends again. He's probably planning his goal celebrations now... they won't be too lively, I'd wager.

1235: Ten minutes to go until kick-off at The Emirates. England coach Fabio Capello has just taken his seat.

1232: That little lot should be quite interesting, shouldn't it? Who do you see making it through to the semi-finals then?

1230: CARLING CUP QUARTER-FINAL DRAW
Blackburn v Chelsea
Manchester United v Tottenham
Portsmouth v Aston Villa
Manchester City v Arsenal
Games to be played week commencing 30 November

From notscientific on Twitter: "Re 1221. Simple. Brown OUT."

From David, Spurs fan in Chippenham, via text on 81111: "Let's hope it's not a 'grave' day for Spurs, and we see a few 'ghouls' at The Emirates!"

1224: The Carling Cup quarter-final draw is just a few seconds away...

From TorreSamK9 on Twitter: "Liverpool have lost two of their last four against Fulham away. Let us hope that doesn't come back to 'haunt' them."

1221: You've probably already heard this week that under-fire Hull City boss Phil Brown is confident his players are a "million per cent behind him" today - 100 per cent just isn't enough these days is it? Sadly for Brown, he cannot be so sure of the support of his board, and incoming chairman - whoever that proves to be. A fair few rumours flying about that Brown will be sacked unless his side beat Burnley this afternoon at 'Fortress Turf Moor'... how do you see that one going, Tigers fans?

From sewey89 on 606: "Re 1207. There's more chance of the pumpkin rolling in the area than Zamora hitting it!"

1217: I'm told my Twitter link was wrong earlier but you can find the real me right here. Sorry about that.

1215: BBC Sport's Phil McNulty at The Emirates: "Big and confident talk from Spurs before the game - and as expected David Bentley and Peter Crouch get the nod in Harry Redknapp's starting line. Jermain Defoe is serving the final game of a three-game ban and will be a serious miss. Jonathan Woodgate is fit enough to take his place on the bench after suffering a head injury against Stoke City last Saturday."

1213: TEAM NEWS Arsenal v Tottenham
Manuel Almunia is back between the posts for Arsenal for the first time in five games with Lukasz Fabianski suffering from a thigh injury. Arsene Wenger is also without Tomas Rosicky, Denilson and Theo Walcott in midfield, so lines up with Nicklas Bendtner, Robin van Persie and Andrei Arshavin up front. Tottenham's former Gunners midfielder David Bentley makes his first Premier League start since January, while Jermaine Jenas is back in the side and Peter Crouch is up front alongside Robbie Keane with Jermain Defoe suspended.

1211: Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger on today's clash with neighbours Spurs: "We want to win and the fact it is a derby gives us a little bit extra special motivation for everybody to win. But when the game starts it will be just down to the quality of the display no matter how much other psychological involvement there is in the game."

1209: TEAMS Arsenal v Tottenham
Arsenal: Almunia, Sagna, Gallas, Vermaelen, Clichy, Fabregas, Song Billong, Diaby, Bendtner, van Persie, Arshavin. Subs: Mannone, Senderos, Nasri, Eduardo, Ramsey, Eboue, Gibbs.
Tottenham: Gomes, Corluka, King, Bassong, Assou-Ekotto, Bentley, Huddlestone, Palacios, Jenas, Keane, Crouch. Subs: Button, Hutton, Bale, Pavlyuchenko, Dawson, Kranjcar, Woodgate.
Referee: Mark Clattenburg (Tyne & Wear)

1207: I'm trying to keep the Halloween puns to a minimum folks, but I'm sure you'll join me in hoping for a spook-tacular afternoon, with a few tricks and treats in store for us all. It would be nice if they were topical too... what do you think the odds are on a Bobby Zamora shot hitting a stray pumpkin that has rolled into the Liverpool penalty area at Craven Cottage, and ricocheting past Pepe Reina?

1204: Here are the teams, and their draw numbers, that are in the hat for the upcoming Carling Cup quarter-final draw: Arsenal (1), Aston Villa (2), Blackburn (3), Chelsea (4), Manchester City (5), Manchester United (6), Portsmouth (7) and Tottenham (8). The ties will be played in the week commencing 30 November.

From rudeluded909 on 606: "I wonder if we'll be treated to a goal fest or tricked into a dull day of goalless football. Let's hope it's the former!!"

1202: I need you lot to get involved in today's action too of course. Trick or Tweet me on Twitter, text me on 81111 or have your say on 606. To paraphrase Richard Marx, I am right here waiting for your chat.

League Cup in 90 seconds

League Cup in 90 seconds (UK users only)

1200: So, what else is going on today? Quite a lot, I can tell you. Firstly, at around 1225 GMT, we've got the draw for the quarter-finals of the Carling Cup - featuring six of the top eight PL sides, oh and Blackburn and Portsmouth. I'll give you more details on that in a short while but, for now, feast your eyes on a round-up of this week's fourth-round ties... go on, it will only take you 90 seconds.

1158: Er, is now a good time to mention Tottenham's dismal record on the road against the Big Four? Spurs haven't won in their last 64 Premier League visits to Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool in a run that goes back to their 2-1 win at Anfield in August 1993. Shall I tell Harry, or do you want to?

1155: So, recent history is on Arsenal's side but the good news for Tottenham fans is that Spurs boss Harry Redknapp doesn't seem to care: "Arsenal play fantastic football but so do we. We have a squad here capable of matching anyone so we will be going there to win the game, absolutely. We always go for it and we only know one way to play. We'll be positive and take it to them. Certain parts of our game can cause them problems and we have to take it to them and give them something to think about."

1153: Yep, today sees the 162nd north London derby - which starts at 1245 GMT. It's the first of nine top flight games, which makes it the busiest Premier League Saturday for, ooh ages (definitely this season anyway).

1151 BST: Hello. I hope you're having a happy Halloween. Here's something really scary (for Tottenham fans): Spurs haven't beaten local rivals Arsenal in the Premier League for 10 years and are without a win on Gunners' territory - whether it be Highbury or The Emirates - since 1993. The good news? They have a chance to put that right today.


ะพ 1:51 AM

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