Premiership round-up

Two stunning long-range strikes from Cesc Fabregas and Emmanuel Adebayor saw Arsenal brush aside north London rivals Tottenham 3-1 at White Hart Lane to go top of the Barclays Premier Leage.
A trademark free-kick from Spurs' teenage star Gareth Bale gave the hosts the lead after 15 minutes before Adebayor equalised after 65 minutes.
Both sides had plenty of chances in a free-flowing derby but Fabregas continued his fine goalscoring record this season by drilling home a powerful drive from 30 yards.
That seemed to have sealed Tottenham's fate - and heaped more pressure on manager Martin Jol - but Adebayor's injury-time effort, a thunderous volley on the turn put daylight between the sides.
Manchester United had earlier briefly gone level on points with Liverpool at the top of the table but needed Nemanja Vidic to score a late winner against Everton at Goodison Park.
Sir Alex Ferguson's side, who have yet to show the form which saw them wrest the title from Chelsea last year, were heading for a goalless draw when the Serbian centre-half climbed highest to meet Nani's corner and break the deadlock.
That goal, in the 83rd minute, sealed the points but was unlucky on an Everton side who could have taken the lead when Andrew Johnson saw his goalbound effort cleared off the line by Paul Scholes.
The former England midfielder had earlier gone close but missed with a volley from 10 yards.
Liverpool, who lead United on goal difference, could not match their all-action display against Derby last time out and instead stuttered to a 0-0 draw with Portsmouth.
Fernando Torres, Steven Gerrard and Ryan Babel all started on the bench as Reds boss Rafael Benitez shuffled his pack.
Andriy Voronin went closer than anybody else, striking the crossbar with an opportunistic volley while Jose Reina saved his side at the other end, beating away Kanu's first-half penalty.
West Ham launched a second-half onslaught to condemn Middlesbrough to a 3-0 defeat at Upton Park.
Lee Bowyer's fine volley opened the scoring after 46 minutes after good approach work from Carlton Cole, who was a first-half replacement for the injured Craig Bellamy.
Cole then had a hand in the second, an unfortunate own goal from Luke Young who turned his cross past his own goalkeeper.
Dean Ashton then claimed his first goal since recovering from a punishing series of injuries which kept him out for the whole of last season.
Tuncay Sanli, on for the injured Jeremie Aliadiere, was unlucky to see his deft chip hit the woodwork but Boro were well beaten.
Clint Dempsey gave Fulham a half-time lead over Wigan at the JJB Stadium but Jason Koumas' penalty 10 minutes from time saw it finish 1-1.
Dempsey pounced in the 11th minute, turning the ball home left-footed from 12 yards but more worrying for the Latics was the sight of recalled England striker Emile Heskey limping from the pitch.
Hameur Bouazza was penalised for an 80th-minute foul on Mario Melchiot, allowing Koumas to equalise from 12 yards.
At the Stadium of Light, £5million signing Kenwyne Jones started to repay his transfer fee with one goal and one assist in the 2-1 win over Reading.
The former Southampton man gave the Black Cats the lead in the first period when he cut inside his man before smashing the ball left-footed past Marcus Hahnemann.
He started the second half just as brightly, playing in Ross Wallace 90 seconds after the restart and allowing the Scot to slot home before Dave Kitson headed the Royals' consolation.
Sunderland's fellow Premier League newcomers Birmingham also earned three points against strugglers Bolton.
Olivier Kapo grabbed his second of the season when he turned home Sebastien Larsson's teasing cross after 37 minutes, with the Swede later hitting the bar with a curling free-kick from the edge of the box.
Chelsea were made to settle for a point against Blackburn after a second half `goal' was controversially ruled out by referee Howard Webb. Chelsea looked to have sealed all three points when Salomon Kalou converted a cross from Juliano Belletti but Webb disallowed the goal for offside.
Chelsea had squandered a host of first-half chances but Blackburn, who lost defender Christopher Samba late in the game with a serious head injury, could have stolen the points if Petr Cech had not tipped Robbie Savage's late effort over the crossbar.

Manchester United defender Mikael Silvestre has been ruled out for the rest of the season after suffering a cruciate knee ligament injury in the 1-0 win at Everton. The 30-year-old went down in agony after trying to turn as he made a tackle during the first half at Goodison Park and was clearly in a lot of discomfort as he was carried off on a stretcher.

via soccernet

Wenger hints at new deal

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger expects there will be a development in his contract negotiations on Thursday or Friday this week.
The Frenchman's current deal expires at the end of this season and there had been speculation that close ally David Dein's departure from the board last season might make him think twice before agreeing new terms.
But Wenger, who has been with Arsenal since 1996, says he feels a 'responsibility' to the young side he is building at the Emirates Stadium and now looks almost certain to stay on.
'Am I still motivated to go on at Arsenal? Yes absolutely.

'With all the young players I signed, I feel a kind of responsibility.
'I am in talks with Arsenal. I can't see any drawback to extend. There will be some news on Thursday or Friday.'
Wenger believes some of the up-and-coming stars have stepped up their game since the departure of talisman striker Thierry Henry to Barcelona this summer.
'We had a nice start to the season. We still have our technical game, and we have a young team that has got a little more experience,' Wenger said.
'We lost the star of our club, Thierry Henry, so it has changed something indeed.
'But you know maybe it has pushed the youngsters to take on more responsibilities.
'It is a little early to take stock after three matches at home. Our real challenges will be away from home against the big teams.'

Lampard to miss Isreal Match

England midfielder Frank Lampard is out of Saturday's Euro 2008 qualifier with Israel at Wembley - and is rated 50-50 to face Russia four days later.
Lampard, 29, tore a thigh muscle in training with Chelsea last week and has returned to his club for treatment.
Coach Steve McClaren was more upbeat on Steven Gerrard's toe injury, saying he should recover to play on Saturday.
John Terry and Owen Hargreaves missed training on Tuesday, but both are set to take part in Wednesday's session.

Lampard will join up with the squad once again on Saturday so England can reassess his progress.

McClaren said: "Frank came and joined us last night, we looked at the scans and have liaised with Chelsea.
"He's gone back there for rehab - the injury is not as serious as we first thought, although hopefully we'll assess him on Saturday.
"He may be 50-50 for next week - and Chelsea are giving him every chance of being available for us."
Gerrard continued his rehabilitation from a broken toe with some gym work, but he has assured McClaren he will be fit for England's crucial double-header.
"All being well Stevie will be available on Saturday," added McClaren.
"I want him to play, the team do, the fans do and so does the whole country. We need big players and Stevie is one for us.
"We're assessing it day by day. He's getting better and hopefully by the end of the week we'll have a better idea."
Terry reported for duty on Monday feeling slightly unwell, but the England captain is not a doubt for Saturday's crucial Group E encounter.
Everton defender Joleon Lescott took part in his first England training session and recalled striker Emile Heskey was involved for the first time in three years.