Manchester City 40/85; Draw 7/2; Bolton 9/1

All of a sudden Roberto Mancini appears to be facing a must-win game, and many are taking glee in noting that the dapper Italian has now lost more matches than his predecessor Mark Hughes.

It all started so well for Mancini with four straight-forward wins against Stoke, Wolves, Boro (FA Cup) and Blackburn, and a minor blip at Everton (losing 2-nil) was quickly forgotten after a terrific victory over neighbours United in the Carling Cup semi-final first-leg. But since City’s form has headed south. Defeat at Old Trafford was followed by a laboured victory over Portsmouth, and last weekend they lost again against relegation-threatened Hull.

Even so, the Citizens, boasting a formidable home record of eight wins and three draws of their 11 games so far this term in the league, should be favourites against Bolton on Tuesday night.

Up-form, Carlos Tevez’s (11/10 to score) hot-streak may have cooled in recent weeks, but since returning from his harrowing time at the African Cup of Nations strike-partner Emmanuel Adebayor (21/20 to score) has bagged two in two as the Togolese forward neatly slipped back into the Premier League fold.

Less good news surrounds the availability of Craig Bellamy. The Welsh attacker is set to miss the miss as a result of his long-standing knee injury, while Joleon Lescott will also likely be absent from the starting eleven as he continues his rehabilitation from injury. With Vincent Kompany is still struggling with a groin problem and Micah Richards doubtful because of a calf injury too, newbee Dedryck Boyata is likely to continue at the heart of the City defence which has only kept one clean sheet in their last five games.

Visitors Bolton appear to be starring down the barrel as they arrive at Eastlands with the Trotters carrying the shameful record of zero wins in their last seven Premier League away games. (Manchester City are 9/4 to win both halves.)

Adding to their woes is a long list of absentees. Croatian striker Ivan Klasnic is missing for the visitors with a calf complaint and while Gary Cahill, Sean Davis and Joey O’Brien are suffering from long term injuries. And it gets worse for Bolton as on-loan winger Vladimir Weiss is out as the Slovakian cannot face his parent club, while Andy O’Brien (thigh) and Fabrice Muamba (ankle) are both doubtful and Gavin McCann remains sidelined.

Down to their bare bones, Owen Coyle will be reliant on Kevin Davies (16/5 to score) to lead the line, possibly alongside Johan Elmander (16/5 to score), while the likes of Chung-Yong Lee (9/2 to score), Matty Taylor and Tamir Cohen will be asked to be support from midfield.

With Bolton having kept one clean sheet in their last 23 Premier League away matches (Bolton are 7/1 to keep a clean sheet, 1/8 against), and City haveing scored in their last 21 consecutive home matches (Manchester City are 11/10 to score in both halves), we expect City to claim the necessary points against Bolton although the performance could well be lacking.

101gg predicts: Manchester City 2 - Bolton 0 (7/1)

Manchester City 40/85; Draw 7/2; Bolton 9/1

Full match odds here.

While most European leagues are reaching the business end of the seasons, some countries are patiently waiting for their new campaigns to kick-off. This situation brought Swedish outfit Elfsborg and Russian powerhouse CSKA Moscow together in a friendly at the weekend, and the match was made famous by a remake of Paul Robinson’s infamous clanger against Croatia.

Substitute Gary Neville for Swedish defender Johan Karlsson and replace Robbo for keeper Joakim Wulff and be prepared to giggle!

Next we head to Portugal for the best/worst own goal of the week - a goal which may have a major impact in the outcome of the Liga Sagres season. Current league leaders Benfica missed the opportunity to secure an important win over Vitoria Setubal on Saturday, allowing four-points-behind Braga the chance to come storming back into the title race with two games in hand.

Benfica’s evening started well as they were gifted the lead thanks to an own goal from the wonderfully named Zoro, but the charity was soon reciprocated when Benfica centre-half David Luiz had a total brain meltdown. With not a single player pressurising him, and with time and space to hoof a clearance far up the field, all the plonker Luiz could pull off was this.

We end off our idiots of the week with a brilliant amateur video from the Racing Genk-Standard Liege match on Sunday night in Belgian. Ignoring all common-sense over the weather, check out the brilliant mankini wearing streaker!

Onto the list where its a brilliant collection of strikes once again. As usual, all we ask is that you sit back and enjoy!

1. Marat Izmailov (Porto v Sporting Libson, Feb. 2, 2010)

2. Caca (Flamengo v Olaria, Feb. 3, 2010)

3. Neymar (Santo Andre v Santos, Feb. 3, 2010)

4. Lionel Messi (Barcelona v Getafe, Feb. 6, 2010)

5. Gonzalo Higuain (Real Madrid v Espanyol, Feb. 6, 2010)

6. Mohamed Diame (Sunderland v Wigan, Feb. 6, 2010)

7. Robinho (Sao Paulo v Santos, Feb. 7, 2010)

8. Giannis Taralidis (Olympiakos v Levadiakos, Feb. 7, 2010)

9. Ayman Abdelaziz (Fenerbahce v Diyarbakirspor, Feb. 7, 2010)

10. Kevin De Bruyne (Genk v Standard Liege, Feb. 7, 2010) (3rd goal on the video)

***

Narrowly missing the cut were goals from Mbark Boussoufa, Hernanes, Orlando Engelaar, Eder Marcelo, Matthew Amoah, Edison Cavani, Ever Banega, George Boateng, Umut Bulut, Vicente Moreno and Didier Drogba.

Terry’s key moments arrived when the Blues’ skipper rose high to flick on a Malouda corner after just seven minutes which Drogba eventually turned over the line, and with a brilliant piece of leadership to orchestrate a Chelsea counter-attack from back to front after Terry won possession in his own penalty box.

Commenting on Terry’s performance on Match of the Day 2, Garth Crooks couldn’t resist dropping in a couple of blatant innuendos, referring to Terry’s ongoing “love-affair” with the Chelsea fans, before ending off his analysis referring to Terry’s “balls of steel.”

John Terry’s highlights against Arsenal can be seen here.

Good Weekend

Didier Drogba: Chelsea returned to the top of the table with a comfortable win over Arsenal, led by Didier Drogba who simply loves facing the Gunners. The Ivorian bulldozer has now scored 12 goals in 10 starts (12 matches in total) against Arsene Wenger’s side and he simply brushed aside a brittle Arsenal defence all afternoon.

The 31-year-old scored two in November at the Emirates and could well have claimed a hat-trick at Stamford Bridge on Sunday with a late free-kick crashing against the bar. Besides Drogba, Chelsea were faultless at the back and soaked up Arsenal’s pretty patterns with ease.

Carlo Ancelotti’s side now face a tough trip to Goodison Park on Wednesday night and with Manchester United in fine fettle, even a draw at Everton could be costly. Increasingly, the clash with United at Old Trafford on April 3 looks like a title decider.

(Chelsea are 8/11 to win the league, Didier Drogba is 7/2 to be top goalscorer.)

Manchester United: The fact United hit five past a woeful Portsmouth side on Saturday does not tell us a great deal about the quest for a fourth successive title. Crucially, Sir Alex Ferguson’s side have better goal difference than Chelsea after an incredible run that has seen them score 24 goals in their last seven matches.

There are some cracking games to come this month, including Aston Villa away on Wednesday, which is a rehearsal for the Carling Cup final. Next Tuesday, United travel to Milan to face the Rossoneri in the Champions League and there is also a tricky fixture at Everton to negotiate in the league.

(Manchester United are 13/8 to win the league, Wayne Rooney is 2/5 to be top goalscorer.)

Dirk Kuyt: The Merseyside derby was not pretty but once again Liverpool won out thanks to guts, commitment and a will to win that their opponents cannot live with even with a man advantage. Once again, embodying all those qualities was Dirk Kuyt who scored the winner (his 50th goal for Liverpool) with a typical piece of harassing that unsettled Everton and in particular Tim Howard.

The weekend was made even sweeter for Liverpool with Manchester City losing at Hull and Spurs and Villa drawing 0-0. A tough test awaits at the Emirates on Wednesday night but Rafa Benitez appears to have turned things round and with no goals conceded in their last four games there is a familiar solidity to Liverpool again.

(Liverpool are 6/4 to finish in the top four.)

Hull City: A week ago it looked a foregone conclusion that the Tigers were heading to the Championship and would endure another second half of a Premier League season similar to 2008/2009. Instead Phil Brown’s side produced two excellent performances to pick up a point off Chelsea and then see off Manchester City.

Terrific goals from Jozy Altidore and George Boateng secured the victory but it was another performance of terrific work rate and desire. Tom Crainey appears to be a real find for the cash strapped Tigers and if they can get Jimmy Bullard back on the pitch soon, another unlikely season in the Premier League is entirely possible.

(Hull are 7/5 to be relegated.)

Kevin Phillips: The 36-year-old striker took his tally to three for the season with a demonstration of what a deadly finisher he can be when coming off the bench.

Brian Laws: A first win for the unfancied manager in his fifth game in charge lifted Burnley to 15th in the table and they are another side who have been written off but could well surprise a few people. Laws should also take credit as new signing Daniel Fox chipped in with a goal and an assist.

(Burnley are EVS to be relegated.)

Jose Mourinho: As almost always seems to be the case, Inter Milan were the big winners in Serie A this weekend thanks to their 3-0 home win over Cagliari. Their lead at the top of the table now stands at eight points and with the Scudetto all but in the bag, the Champions League clash with Chelsea takes on major importance for the Special One and the Nerazzurri.

(Inter Milan are 1/10 to win the Scudetto.)

Roma: The win at Fiorentina took them up to second, two points ahead of third placed AC Milan. Claudio Ranieri is performing miracles in the Italian capital, Roma have won eight successive matches in all competitions and haven’t lost in 19 games.

(Roma are 1/4 to finish in the top three.)

Antonio Di Natale: The veteran Udinese striker claimed a hat-trick in the 3-1 win over Napoli. Di Natale (pictured) is the top goal scorer in Italy with 16 goals.

(Di Natale is 13/8 to win the Italian golden boot.)

Kaka: The Brazilian Galactico scored his first goal in the Spanish La Liga for three months.

(Real Madrid are 14/5 to win La Liga.)

Barcelona: Won again, despite being down to ten men for much of the match. Lionel Messi’s opener was a class finish and forget the fact they haven’t lost in the league all season, they haven’t even been behind in a La Liga match.

(Barcelona are 2/5 to win La Liga.)

Bayern Munich: The only team in the top five of the German Bundesliga to win this weekend. Louis van Gaal’s side are currently in a brilliant spell of form, unbeaten in 14 matches and have won their last eight games. The icing on the cake was the goal scoring return of Franck Ribery but Daniel van Buyten and Arjen Robben once again stole the show.

(Bayern are 2/5 to win the Bundesliga.)

Grenoble: Ligue 1’s bottom side stunned Auxerre with a 5-0 home win that was only Grenoble’s second victory of the league season.

Matt Derbyshire: The former Blackburn striker now has three goals in two games for Olympiakos. Does Fabio Capello know he exists?

Bad Weekend

Arsene Wenger: For the second week in succession Arsenal looked sloppy in defence and short of a cutting edge up front. The Chelsea second goal caught the Gunners on the break just as Manchester United did last week and this must be particularly galling for Wenger who previously used to watch his Arsenal side destroy teams in a similar manner.

There is much to blame Wenger for despite the fact calls for his departure from the Emirates are way too premature when one considers what he has brought to Arsenal and English football. It should not be lost on anyone that Drogba came from France and for all “The Professor’s” famed scouting, he missed out on one of the best strikers to emerge in Ligue 1 and the Ivorian has come back to haunt Arsenal on numerous occasions.

Returning to this season, Wenger has paid the price for not investing in a target striker to replace Robin van Persie. Arsenal’s title rivals have sat deep on successive weeks and sucked up the Gunners football which has little end product. Nowhere was this more evident than all the crosses lumped into the Chelsea box that never looked like being converted by the smurfs in red.

With the attack failing to function, the Arsenal defence was woeful in their attempts at marking John Terry and Didier Drogba for the first goal and there was a sense of inevitability about the second goal with no Arsenal defender strong enough to stop the Ivorian. In particular, Gael Clichy had a mare and the French full back is symptomatic of Wenger’s faith in certain players not being repaid as Arsenal fans watch the same matches over and over again.

(Arsenal are 7/2 to finish in the top two.)

Roberto Mancini: Mark Hughes was sacked for less. Mancini has now presided over three defeats as Manchester City boss whilst his predecessor only lost two games in 2009/2010.

The dapper Italian, already a darling of the English media has tasted defeat at Everton, Manchester United and Hull. Besides the first leg Carling Cup semi-final win over Sir Alex Ferguson’s side, Mancini has not overseen a win over a decent team.

Also worrying for Mancini was the poor performance from Patrick Vieira at the KC Stadium. Upcoming matches against Bolton, Stoke (twice, in the Premier League and FA Cup) all need to end in wins before a testing run against Liverpool (h), Chelsea (a) and Tottenham (h).

(Manchester City are 7/4 to finish in the top four.)

Portsmouth: Three own goals at Old Trafford sums up their season. Pompey have now claimed five points away from home in the league which looks likely to equal the number of owners they have collected in a season. A win against Sunderland tomorrow night is an absolute must.

(Pompey are 1/5 to be relegated.)

West Ham: A disappointing defeat at Burnley has left the Hammers in the relegation zone. New owners David Sullivan and David Gold have not brought the results on the pitch and Gianfranco Zola needs a win to boost confidence.

(West Ham are 4/1 to be relegated.)

Sunderland: Now without a Premier League win in 12 games. Sunderland are in freefall.

(Sunderland are 9/1 to be relegated.)

Discipline in Spain: An incredible 59 yellow cards and nine reds were handed out in Spain over the weekend.

AC Milan: Just weeks ago it looked like the Rossoneri would challenge Inter for the title, since their 2-0 defeat to their rivals from the San Siro, Leonardo’s side have failed to win in three matches. David Beckham played just ten minutes as a substitute for the Rossoneri yesterday with new signing Amantino Mancini preferred on the right.

(AC Milan are 1/4 to finish in the top three.)

Juventus: Still no victory for new coach Alberto Zaccheroni, the “Old Lady” are now seventh in Serie A, three points off a Champions League position.

(Juventus are 2/1 to finish in the top three.)

Bordeaux: Laurent Blanc may well be the new darling coach of the European press but his Bordeaux side only hold a three point lead after a disappointing defeat at Rennes.

(Bordeaux are 1/2 to win Ligue 1.)

Steve McClaren: FC Twente’s 3-0 defeat at Ajax leaves them playing catch up to leaders PSV and with only a six point lead over the Amsterdam giants.

(FC Twente are 14/5 to win the Eredivisie.)

Hertha Berlin: Lost again at Werder Bremen, Hertha have picked up just 11 points all season.

As a bonus, Andres Iniesta’s match highlights against Getafe can be seen here.

Sunday night in Brazil saw Atletico Mineiro take on Ipatinga in the Brazilian Mineiro I league, and the match was made memorable by an incredible opening goal early in the second half.

Ipatinga striker Jaja picked up the ball 30-yards from goal and, after shifting the ball past his covering defender, the number 9 took a pot-shot at the target. In truth the shot was weak, barely reaching the six-yard box with any pace whatsoever, yet unbelievably the ball ended up in the net after an atrocious howler from home keeper Fabian Carini.

Jaja’s “nuts” of Carini to score one the funniest goals of the weekend can be seen here.

As a bonus, the commentary from the guys at Soccer Saturday on Berbatov’s miss can be seen here.

Quote of the day: “John is the perfect captain for Chelsea. My captain has a fantastic attitude, he’s doing very well every game. For the team it is very important to have his leadership, he is always in control of the game, he has a very strong mentality. He’s working for his club and we’re happy. I’m not disappointed [that Terry was stripped of the England captaincy] because its not my decision, I don’t want to judge this decision. I knew that John met Capello [on Friday at Wembley] but I didn’t speak [with him] after that.” - Carlo Ancelotti.

Runner-up: “You have to congratulate Chelsea but we did not get a demonstration of football. But Chelsea were very efficient. We had mountains of possession and could not create it into a goal. We had 70 per cent of the possession. We were not running after the ball for 90 minutes. We were not in a position where we were dominated. We were always in an attacking position and had to risk things going wrong. Our spirit was great. I am completely happy with the performance and the spirit. We didn’t turn up against Manchester United. When we got into it [against Chelsea] we were completely dominant. They are very experienced at the back. They make the foul at the right part of the pitch, in the middle of the pitch, to stop a counter-attack. A little push, not enough to be a yellow card. They have a lot of tricks and are very experienced. They do that very well. They got one or two decisions from the referee.” - Arsene Wenger.

Today’s overview: You simply can’t keep John Terry out the news. For the second weekend running Mr. Chelsea forced the fourth estate to focus on his footballing abilities as the centre-half excelled in the 2-nil defeat of Arsenal on Sunday, while Didier Drogba also scalped the lion’s share of the plaudits.

But before we get to the football, the tabloids inject their daily dose of John Terry smut as The Mirror claim “sex cheat soccer star John Terry made an emotional phone call to his wife yesterday to deny having a one-night stand with topless model Orlaith McAllister. Terry, who paid Wayne Bridge’s ex Vanessa £800,000 not to sell her story, called his wife to reassure her there was no fling. Mum-of-two Orlaith is also said to be taking legal advice over the claims, and trying to contact Toni to deny sleeping with her husband.”

Martin Fricker then reports how “in an extraordinary outburst last night, John Terry’s mistress Vanessa Perroncel declared she still loves [Wayne Bridge] and wants him to take her back… Despite putting him through the ordeal, she hopes to get back with him for the sake of their three-year-old son.”

On Chelsea’s captain Richard Williams chugged “Terry played, as he always does, with a sort of controlled fury… Terry is a remarkable footballer whose leadership has been fundamental to Chelsea’s success over the past half-dozen seasons,” while Jeremy Wilson added “with important contributions in defence and attack, particularly his headed assist for Didier Drogba’s opening goal, Terry showed little sign of his football being affected by the loss of the England captaincy or a wave of allegations about his private life.”

Mark Fleming also sung the praises of JT. “Terry responded with just the kind of performance that had won their hearts all those years ago. He did not put a foot wrong, playing with calm authority and typical bravery.”

Oliver Kay commented “this felt like watching an old movie for the umpteenth time. It was a bit of a mish-mash, unsure at times whether it wanted to be art house or blockbuster, but, to the surprise of nobody except Arsene Wenger, it ended up as an action film, starring the irrepressible Didier Drogba… it was Drogba who proved the difference between these teams.”

The predictability of Chelsea’s victory was also highlighted by Henry Winter. “Such an educated Frenchman as Arsène Wenger must know the meaning of déjà vu. Once again, Arsenal failed to live with the physical demands of the game. Once again, they were caught out on the counter. Once again, they lacked a central attacking force. Unlike Chelsea. Once again, Didier Drogba destroyed Wenger’s side.”

Staying with Drogba, Matt Dickinson believes the Ivorian and Wayne Rooney are neck-and-neck to be crowned player of the year. “So who’s your money on? Which of the big boys is going to claim the honour? We are not talking Manchester United or Chelsea (although my pound is on the latter’s deeper squad prevailing), but Wayne Rooney or Didier Drogba for Footballer of the Year… It is Rooney and Drogba who lead the polls, as they do the goalscoring charts, by a fair distance.”

Almost seamlessly, Rob Kelly picks up the baton over in the Telegraph arguing “how Wenger could do with a talismanic striker in the mould of Drogba or Rooney. In the absence of the injured Robin van Persie, Arsenal have looked desperately short up front, both figuratively and literally. While the muscular Drogba stands at 6ft 3in and acts as the focal point of the Chelsea attack, Arsenal had to make do with the impish Andrei Arshavin, all 5ft 7in of him.”

For Kevin McCarra, Arsenal’s title challenge is as good as over. “Arsenal are being strangled by stereotype. Their familiar troubles against Chelsea and Manchester United were on display once more. The immediate impact of this match is to put the victors two points clear of the Old Trafford side but the impact on the visitors is more profound. They are nine points adrift and, barring unlikely triumph in the Champions League, this will be a fifth consecutive campaign without a trophy since Arsène Wenger’s team landed the 2005 FA Cup.”

Definitively, Glenn Moore barked “this defeat ends Arsenal’s championship challenge… The executioner was their old nemesis, Didier Drogba. Goals after eight and 23 minutes took his personal tally to 12 in 10 matches against Arsenal. Not bad for a player who, said Wenger after Drogba’s brace at the Emirates in November, ‘does not do very much.’”

The feeling that Arsenal will again win nothing this season left Paul Doyle seething with sarcastic comments. “Maybe Wenger is right and this side will grow into fearless conquerors. And maybe, if Robin van Persie were fit and the improving Nicklas Bendtner had been able to start, and no one else of importance were injured and all other players were on top form, Arsenal could have done more than mildly irritate United and Chelsea over the last week and would still be in the title race. And maybe Wenger’s financial prudence and devotion to playing one way will eventually pay off as other more profligate, less aesthetic clubs will meet their technical and monetary limits. He may be financial prudent but Wenger’s inflexibility makes him seem ever more like Wilkins Micawber, the chronically broke, eternally hopeful Charles Dickens character who was convinced his income would eventually soar because something would turn up.”

Tony Cascarino takes the classic knee-jerk position that the time may be right for Wenger to leave Arsenal. “Arsène Wenger is a genius. He has few peers in either the modern or monochrome era. But I’m sorry, if Arsenal don’t go close to winning the Champions League this season, some serious questions must be asked about his future at the club. Really, it has become that bad.”

Turning the Rio Ferdinand’s appointment as England captain, Oliver Kay takes time out to note “Rio is a torch-bearer for black footballers.” “In a season when rumblings have been heard about institutional racism in club boardrooms with regard to the small number of black managers employed, it seems like a cause for celebration — perhaps precisely because of the lack of attention it attracted.”

Martin Samuel then jumps into the discussion to chastise those claim Rio’s past should disqualify him from the England job. “Carry on like this and Ned Flanders or Champion the Wonder Horse would be considered too morally ambiguous to captain England. Yet surely if the desire is for footballers to be role models - and, considering his background, Ferdinand is in this way perhaps the most significant England captain of all time - they must be allowed to grow into the position. What chance does any player have if he is constantly forced to carry the baggage of youth? What chance has he if all mistakes, all indiscretions, every bump in the road and each moment he wished he could play over again, is brandished before him at every opportunity?”

Staying on an international footing, several scribes focus on England’s favourable 2012 European qualifying draw.

Matt Hughes picks up the consensus opinion that the draw could hardly have been much better for the Three Lions. “Capello got everything he asked for, with England being allotted one of the three groups of five and a trouble-free travel itinerary. A first visit to Montenegro is the farthest England will have to travel, with a short trip down the M4 to Cardiff the highlight of an uninspiring group.” Henry Winter simply added “this was a Euro 2012 draw that was just what the doctor ordered for the English patient.”

Being tall should come with a hazard warning.

Peter Walker flags up a new study with suggests that taller players are more likely to be penalised than shorter opponents. “A study of more than 100,000 fouls in domestic, European and international football showed that the greater the height difference between the players involved then the more chance the referee will adjudicate in favour of the shorter one.”

Staying with offbeat articles, Patrick Barclay wishes the Premier League could have the financial nous of the Bundesliga. “The annual report of the Bundesliga makes a reassuring read. The English elite division may be a den of profligacy, greed, debt and exploitation — and that is just to consider Manchester United and Portsmouth — but the Germans exude prudence and care. The total debt of all 36 clubs, including those of Bundesliga 2, is about £600 million, a figure that dismayed United supporters will recognise as being £125 million short of their club’s burden. Not that the Germans are especially proud of it. Their crowing is confined to a little table showing their admission prices to be the lowest among the top five divisions in Europe.”

Keeping with Manchester United’s debt problems, Joe Bernstein reveals that “Manchester United fans are planning a boycott of season tickets in the summer to try to force the Glazer family out of Old Trafford.  Thousands of supporters hope hitting the owners in the pocket will persuade them to leave after putting the club more than £700million in debt.”

We finish with the tabloid lies.

The Daily Mail get far too excited farting “Jose Mourinho has put Liverpool and Manchester City on red-alert after revealing he has a £5.5million buy-out clause in his Inter Milan contract.” Similarly, Anthony Kastrinikas attempts to stir up excitement bleating “Maroune Chamakh last night hinted he would choose a move to Arsenal over Liverpool.”

Birmingham 2 - Wolves 1 (Premier League, February 7, 2010) (Longer highlights here and MOTD highlights here.) Wolves break the deadlock at St. Andrews minutes before the halftime interval, as Johnson deflected a cross on to his own post and striker Kevin Doyle was in the right place at the right time to tap home with Hart sprawled on the ground. Birmingham levelled the match 10 minutes from time when Fahey’s chipped a pass over to the far post where old-timer Kevin Phillips claimed his second goal of the season with a header across goal. Kevin Phillips then went on to steal all the headlines with a second five minutes from time, Carr raced down the right and his cross eventually arrived to the Phillips who controlled the ball on his chest before volleying a wonderful finish past Hahnemann.

***

Nottingham Forest 2 - Sheffield Wednesday 1 (Championship, February 6, 2010) Dexter Blackstock’s first-half penalty gave Forest the lead before Luke Varney levelled with 17 minutes left for the Owls. But Billy Davies’ side claimed maximum spoils as Blackstock grabbed his second goal.

Hartlepool 2 - Leeds 2 (League One, February 6, 2010) Luciano Becchio bagged a brace for Leeds United but a 90th minute goal from Hartlepool’s Antony Sweeney denied the promotion hopefuls as the encounter dramatically finished 2-2.

Tranmere 0 - Oldham 1 (League One, February 6, 2010) Pawel Abbott’s ninth goal of the season eased some of the pressure on Oldham boss Dave Penney as they recorded a second win from 12 games.