SOCCER:
A nightmare November continued today for Chelsea after suffering a third defeat this month in the Barclays Premier League. The Blues dominated their clash away to Birmingham at St Andrews, but suffered a 1-0 loss following a 17th minute winner from Lee Bowyer.
Birmingham manager Alex McLeish said the result was outstanding, with excellent performances from his players, mainly man of the match Ben Foster:
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Chelsea remain top of the table on goal difference, but have been joined on 28-points by Manchester United. Alex Ferguson’s side secured a 2-0 victory against the nine-men of Wigan at Old Trafford.
Patrice Eva and Javier Hernandez netting for United, while Wyane Rooney came off the bench to make his return from injury. Antolin Alcaraz and Hugo Rodallega were sent off for Wigan in the second-half, but United remain unbeaten this season.
United manager Alex Ferguson was pleased with the reception Rooney recieved from the fans when introduced at half-time:
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Tottenham came from 2-0 down to secure a 3-2 victory and their first away at Arsenal in 17-years in the Premier League today. Goals from Sami Nasri and Marouane Chamakh put the Gunners 2-0 ahead, before Garreth Bale, Rafael van der Vaart and Younes Kaboul all scored in the second-half for Spurs to secure all three-points.
Spurs manager Harry Redknapp paid tribute to former Arsenal captain William Gallas after the game:
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Bolton moved into fourth place in the Premier League table today following a 5-1 victory over Newcastle at the Reebox Stadium. Goals from Chung-Yong Lee and two each for Kevin Davies and Johan Elmander for Wanderers, while Andy Carroll was on target for the Magpies, who had Fabricio Coloccini sent off.
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Stoke City managed a third straight Premier League victory today with a 3-0 victory against West Brom at the Hawthorns. Matthew Etherington put the visitors head from the penalty spot on 55 minutes, before new Irish International Jonathon Walters scored twice in the closing five minutes.
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Wolves suffered a fourth straight defeat in the Premier League today after a 2-1 loss at Blackpool. The home side went 2-0 ahead at Bloomfield Road after goals from Luke Varney and Marlon Harewood in the first half. Irish International striker Kevin Doyle pulled one back late for Wolves, but Blackpool secured all three points.
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Queens Park Rangers returned top of the English Championship after today’s series of matches. Neil Warnock’s side were 3-1 winners at home to Preston, while Cardiff City suffered a surprise 2-0 defeat at home to Nottingham Forest. Roy Keane’s Ipswich Town moved into the bottom half of the table following a 1-0 defeat at Hull.
The latest score from the evening game is:
Sheffield United 0-1 Crystal Palace (LATEST – 5:20pm)
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Rangers are three points clear of Celtic after today’s matches in the Scottish Premier League. Kenny Miller scored a hat-trick for Rangers in their early 3-2 victory at Kilmarnock, before Celtic were held to a 1-1 draw at home to Dundee United. Gary Cooper had opened the scoring for the Hoops, before Sean Dillon equalised for United in stoppage time.
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