Sunday Mercury

Big Eok's Plea for New Faces

BLUES boss Alex McLeish again gave further evidence of his need for further signings by only naming six substitutes at Tottenham yesterday. The visitors, who were beaten 2-1 by an injury-time Aaron Lennon winner for Spurs, fell one short of their full allocation, four days after they had only filled their bench with five players for the Carling Cup tie at Southampton.

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WOLVES ................1 HULL CITY.............1 ...................................... PAGES 2-3 STOKE ..................1 SUNDERLAND ...... 0 ...................................... PAGES 4-5 SHEFF UTD........... 2 WEST BROM ........ 2 ...................................... PAGES 6-7 BLACKPOOL ......... 3 COVENTRY ........... 0 ............................................PAGE 8 WALSALL ............. 0 GILLINGHAM ........ 0 ............................................PAGE 9

Mccarthy Men Miss 3 Chances ; Chance Blown of First Home Win

WOLVES missed three glaring second half chances as Mick McCarthy's gallant side threw away the chance to record a richly deserved first home win of the season. Andy Keogh fired miserably wide when clean through, Kevin Doyle saw his closerange shot cleared off the line by the brilliant Michael Turner and substitute Sam Vokes failed to connect with a golden headed chance in stoppage time as Wolves were forced to settle for a point.

United Stun Gunners with Gutsy Victory

MANCHESTER UTD 2 ARSENAL 1 MANCHESTER United roared back from a half-time deficit to record a controversial victory over Arsenal at Old Trafford.

Goal-Shy Rovers Miss Out

BLACKBURN 0 WEST HAM 0 BLACKBURN boss Sam Allardyce was left to rue his side's form in front of goal once again after a goalless draw at home to West Ham.

Ancelotti: We Can Win Prem ; Chelsea 3 Burnley 0

CARLO Ancelotti believes his players have the quality to win the Premier League in his first season after watching them destroy new boys Burnley at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea's victory came with a brand of football that was stylish, exciting and fluid.

Pulis: Kitson Woe Is Over ; Potters' Boss Backs Striker After Tough Year

STOKE manager Tony Pulis believes Dave Kitson is ready to make his mark at the club after a difficult year following his pounds 5.5million move from Reading. The 29-year-old striker scored the only goal against Sunderland at the Britannia Stadium with his first Premier League goal.

Gerrard Late Show Gives Rafa Boost

BOLTON 2 LIVERPOOL 3 LIVERPOOL boss Rafael Benitez praised his players' response to his criticism over their early-season lack of responsibility following the 3-2 victory against 10-man Bolton.

Bednar 'Like New Signing' ; Czech's Impact in First Game Back

ROMAN Bednar made an explosive impact in his first League game back for table-topping Albion but it wasn't enough to claim a victory at Sheffield United. The Czech international, who earlier this month returned from a three-month ban following the use and possession of drugs, twice put Roberto Di Matteo's men ahead at Bramall Lane.

Bulls Saved by Tristan's Late Strike

HEREFORD 2 PORT VALE 2 TEENAGE striker Tristan Plummer, on loan from Bristol City, snatched a point for Hereford United by firing in a 79th-minute penalty.

Late Leveller Hits Robins

DARLINGTON 1 CHELTENHAM 1 CHELTENHAM remain unbeaten away from home in Coca-Cola League Two but manager Martin Allen was disappointed that his team failed to win at Darlington.

Bluebirds Get Wings Clipped

CARDIFCity, Championship leaders yesterday morning, were brought back down to earth with a bump as they lost 2-0 to Doncaster Rovers. The Bluebirds had led Middlesbrough, Newcastle United and West Bromwich Albion on goal difference but were outplayed by Sean O'Driscoll's side at the Keepmoat Stadium.

Coleman: We Were Abysmal ; Disjointed Sky Blues Are Taken Apart

CHRIS Coleman pointed the finger of blame at himself after an 'abysmal' day at the seaside for Coventry City. The Sky Blues slumped to a 3-0 defeat against Blackpool and never looked capable of mounting a comeback.

Charlton Still Firmly On Summit

RAMPANT Charlton enjoyed a 4-0 win at struggling Tranmere to keep their place at the Coca-Cola League One summit. Lloyd Sam opened the scoring in the 24th minute with Jose Vitor Semedo doubling the lead two minutes later. Sam scored again four minutes after the break and Nick Bailey's 68thminute strike rounded off an impressive performance.

Away Joy for Shrews

PAUL Simpson wore a relieved smile after his Shrewsbury side broke their away duck this season with a comfortable victory at the Crown Ground. Shrewsbury's promotion push was severely dented last season by their poor away record so Simpson was pleased to pick up the three points on the road.

Treble Glory for Brewers

LEAGUE Two newcomers Burton recorded their third win of the campaign in a game of wildly fluctuating fortunes at the Pirelli Stadium. Burton romped into a three-goal lead inside 11 minutes after punishing some shocking defending by the Cobblers.

Byfield Fails to Break Drought

CHRIS Hutchings' shot-shy Sad-dlerwere held to a scoreless stalemate after never looking like getting goals against the Gills. Not even a late cameo appearance from returning striker Darren Byfield could inspire Walsall during a bore draw at the Banks's.

It's White Har Rt-Ache ; Lennon Grabs a Late Winner to Sink Blues

TOTTENHAM 2 Crouch 72mins, Lennon 95mins BIRMINGHAM 1 Bowyer 75 mins BRAVE Birmingham were robbed of a deserved point at White Hart Lane yesterday as Tottenham's Aaron Lennon pounced - in the FIFTH minute of injury time.

City Ground Bust-Up As Forest Floor Rams

NOTT'M FOREST 3 DERBY COUNTY 2 NOTTINGHAM Forest boss Billy Davies insists the unsavoury scenes at the end of the clash with Derby did not sour the Reds' first victory in almost six-and-a-half years over their east Midlands rivals.

It's Lee-Thal Stuff As Ace Smith Nets ; Killer Tigers Hit High-Flyers for Six

Corby Town ................................. 3 Gloucester City ............................6 LEE Smith notched a hat-trick as the Tigers roared to victory over high-flying hosts Corby. It took him just seven minutes to open his account with a long- distance effort over stranded keeper Mark Osborn.