Sunderland, North East, England News
London, Oct 5 DPA Arsenal missed a great chance to go top of the English Premier League, for 24 hours at least, when they were held to a 1-1 draw at Sunderland.
SPO3SportsArsenal miss chance to go topLondon, Oct 5 DPA Arsenal missed a great chance to go top of the English Premier League, for 24 hours at least, when they were held to a 1-1 draw at Sunderland. Arsene Wenger's side needed an injury-time header from Cesc Fabregas to snatch a share of the points that had seemed to be Sunderland's after Grant Leadbitter's 86th-minute goal Saturday. The result leaves Arsenal still one point behind joint leaders Chelsea and Liverpool, who both play Sunday, while champions Manchester United moved up to sixth after a 2-0 win at Blackburn. At the Stadium of Light, Arsenal were again frustratingly inconsistent and when Leadbitter scored four minutes from the end, it looked like the Gunners would suffer their third league defeat of the season. Robin van Persie had earlier been denied by a fine save from Craig Gordon, but Fabregas popped up in the box to head a Van Persie corner for a last-gasp equaliser to rescue Arsenal's blushes. Wenger was frustrated by Sunderland's excellent defence. "They defended with great spirit and were resilient for the whole game," Wenger said of the home side. "I like to think usually the team that takes the initiative should be rewarded, but it is not always like that in football. We lacked a little bit the sharpness to get them out of position. "We needed character to come back and at least get a point. Is it a good point or a bad point I don't know, but it was a frustrating day for us because we didn't create the chances we usually do and I must say, Sunderland defended very well." At a rainy Ewood Park, champions Manchester United were convincing winners over Blackburn Rovers. Wes Brown headed them in front midway through the first half, though Blackburn claimed Nemanja Vidic had impeded the goalkeeper, a claim seemingly backed up by television replays. United then doubled their lead 20 minutes into the second half thanks to a superb strike by Wayne Rooney, after a great burst of speed by Cristiano Ronaldo on the wing. Blackburn huffed and puffed in an effort to get back into the game, but United looked the more likely and ran out easy winners to move within three points of the top two. Middlesbrough also scored late on to snatch a 1-0 win at Wigan to move well away from the bottom three, Jeremie Aliadiere breaking the deadlock two minutes from the end. Manager Gareth Southgate praised his side's defensive effort before their late winner. "We were excellent across the back five today," he said. "It's the type of game where centre-halves get the opportunity to stand out and they certainly did that today. "Our mentality going into the game was different and you could sense a determination about them. The irony is we've played much better football in our last two games and taken nothing. "We said we had to keep doing the right things which we did defensively, then take our chances when they come. We managed to finish one of them today and that was the important thing." West Brom moved into the top half of the table thanks to a 1-0 win over Fulham, with Roman Bednar scoring midway through the second half.--DPAav/dg603 Words05101433
SPO3SportsArsenal miss chance to go topLondon, Oct 5 DPA Arsenal missed a great chance to go top of the English Premier League, for 24 hours at least, when they were held to a 1-1 draw at Sunderland. Arsene Wenger's side needed an injury-time header from Cesc Fabregas to snatch a share of the points that had seemed to be Sunderland's after Grant Leadbitter's 86th-minute goal Saturday. The result leaves Arsenal still one point behind joint leaders Chelsea and Liverpool, who both play Sunday, while champions Manchester United moved up to sixth after a 2-0 win at Blackburn. At the Stadium of Light, Arsenal were again frustratingly inconsistent and when Leadbitter scored four minutes from the end, it looked like the Gunners would suffer their third league defeat of the season. Robin van Persie had earlier been denied by a fine save from Craig Gordon, but Fabregas popped up in the box to head a Van Persie corner for a last-gasp equaliser to rescue Arsenal's blushes. Wenger was frustrated by Sunderland's excellent defence. "They defended with great spirit and were resilient for the whole game," Wenger said of the home side. "I like to think usually the team that takes the initiative should be rewarded, but it is not always like that in football. We lacked a little bit the sharpness to get them out of position. "We needed character to come back and at least get a point. Is it a good point or a bad point I don't know, but it was a frustrating day for us because we didn't create the chances we usually do and I must say, Sunderland defended very well." At a rainy Ewood Park, champions Manchester United were convincing winners over Blackburn Rovers. Wes Brown headed them in front midway through the first half, though Blackburn claimed Nemanja Vidic had impeded the goalkeeper, a claim seemingly backed up by television replays. United then doubled their lead 20 minutes into the second half thanks to a superb strike by Wayne Rooney, after a great burst of speed by Cristiano Ronaldo on the wing. Blackburn huffed and puffed in an effort to get back into the game, but United looked the more likely and ran out easy winners to move within three points of the top two. Middlesbrough also scored late on to snatch a 1-0 win at Wigan to move well away from the bottom three, Jeremie Aliadiere breaking the deadlock two minutes from the end. Manager Gareth Southgate praised his side's defensive effort before their late winner. "We were excellent across the back five today," he said. "It's the type of game where centre-halves get the opportunity to stand out and they certainly did that today. "Our mentality going into the game was different and you could sense a determination about them. The irony is we've played much better football in our last two games and taken nothing. "We said we had to keep doing the right things which we did defensively, then take our chances when they come. We managed to finish one of them today and that was the important thing." West Brom moved into the top half of the table thanks to a 1-0 win over Fulham, with Roman Bednar scoring midway through the second half.--DPAav/dg603 Words05101433
Woman hurt in hit-and-run crash
A woman is seriously injured when she is knocked down by a car which did not stop in Sunderland....
A woman is seriously injured when she is knocked down by a car which did not stop in Sunderland....
Fabregas grabs draw for Arsenal
Cesc Fabregas scores a late header to rescue Arsenal after Grant Leadbitter's stunning drive had appeared to hand Sunderland victory....
Cesc Fabregas scores a late header to rescue Arsenal after Grant Leadbitter's stunning drive had appeared to hand Sunderland victory....
Live - Saturday's Premier League
Sunderland host Arsenal, West Brom play Fulham and Wigan meet Middlesbrough, before Blackburn host Manchester United....
Sunderland host Arsenal, West Brom play Fulham and Wigan meet Middlesbrough, before Blackburn host Manchester United....
Schools closure plans considered
Parents are being invited to have their say on a massive shake-up of primary schools in Sunderland....
Parents are being invited to have their say on a massive shake-up of primary schools in Sunderland....
Man has lip bitten off in fight
A 27-year-old man has part of his lip bitten off in a fight at a Metro station in Sunderland, police say....
A 27-year-old man has part of his lip bitten off in a fight at a Metro station in Sunderland, police say....
Ten arrested during drugs raids
Police arrest ten people on suspicion of drugs-related offences during a early morning raids in Sunderland....
Police arrest ten people on suspicion of drugs-related offences during a early morning raids in Sunderland....
London, Sep 25 DPA After a slow start to the season, champions Manchester United will be looking to build some momentum this weekend when they face Bolton Wanderers in the Premier League.
SPO3SportsChampions Manchester look to build momentum after slow start PreviewLondon, Sep 25 DPA After a slow start to the season, champions Manchester United will be looking to build some momentum this weekend when they face Bolton Wanderers in the Premier League. Languishing in 15th place after one win, two draws, and one defeat, United are seven points behind leaders Arsenal, albeit with one game in hand. Chelsea and Liverpool, the other two main contenders to wrest the title from United, lie just one point behind Arsenal, so the champions cannot afford to lose too much ground. After a midweek win over Middlesbrough in the Carling Cup, United veteran Ryan Giggs believes the side is on the right track. "We have had a tough start," he said. "We didn't play well at the beginning of the season but over the last week or so we have played some really good stuff. "This team is capable of going on a run and winning 10 games on the trot. Hopefully, that run has started now and we can carry it on against Bolton." Bolton are one point worse off than United but manager Sir Alex Ferguson will be wary of the home side, especially as they were beaten 1-0 by Bolton at The Reebok last season. Ferguson could unleash Cristiano Ronaldo for his first league start of the season after injury, while fellow-midfielder Anderson could also start, having finally looked back on form after he returned jaded from Olympic duty with Brazil. "There is no doubt Anderson felt the effects of being in China," Ferguson said. "When he played his first game at Portsmouth the adrenalin kept him going but since then he has been pretty low. Now it seems he is back to his usual self, which is great to see." Arsenal, meanwhile, will be confident of staying on top as they prepare to face promoted Hull City at the Emirates Stadium. Hull have exceeded expectations so far, claiming eight points from five games, but with Arsenal having thrashed Sheffield United 6-0 in the Carling Cup, Arsene Wenger's side are full of confidence. "We look solid at the moment because we don't concede goals and when we concede them we respond," Wenger said. "It means the team has transformed the disappointment of not winning the league last season to a bigger hunger. "It looks now that all the four teams have found their rhythm. The only question mark until now was Manchester United, but they gave a strong response at Chelsea and from now on it will be a very interesting battle." Chelsea, who will be without Deco and Ricardo Carvalho, are away to Stoke City, while Liverpool play in the Merseyside Derby at Everton. Fourth-placed Aston Villa will look to maintain the pressure on the top three with a home win over Sunderland, while Manchester City, beaten by Brighton in the Carling Cup in midweek, play at Wigan Athletic Sunday. Bottom side Tottenham Hotspur will hope to build on their Carling Cup win at Newcastle by winning at Portsmouth, while Newcastle themselves take on Blackburn Rovers. Fulham and West Ham United clash at Craven Cottage, while Middlesbrough play West Bromwich Albion in the weekend's other match.--DPApt/dg588 Words25091317
SPO3SportsChampions Manchester look to build momentum after slow start PreviewLondon, Sep 25 DPA After a slow start to the season, champions Manchester United will be looking to build some momentum this weekend when they face Bolton Wanderers in the Premier League. Languishing in 15th place after one win, two draws, and one defeat, United are seven points behind leaders Arsenal, albeit with one game in hand. Chelsea and Liverpool, the other two main contenders to wrest the title from United, lie just one point behind Arsenal, so the champions cannot afford to lose too much ground. After a midweek win over Middlesbrough in the Carling Cup, United veteran Ryan Giggs believes the side is on the right track. "We have had a tough start," he said. "We didn't play well at the beginning of the season but over the last week or so we have played some really good stuff. "This team is capable of going on a run and winning 10 games on the trot. Hopefully, that run has started now and we can carry it on against Bolton." Bolton are one point worse off than United but manager Sir Alex Ferguson will be wary of the home side, especially as they were beaten 1-0 by Bolton at The Reebok last season. Ferguson could unleash Cristiano Ronaldo for his first league start of the season after injury, while fellow-midfielder Anderson could also start, having finally looked back on form after he returned jaded from Olympic duty with Brazil. "There is no doubt Anderson felt the effects of being in China," Ferguson said. "When he played his first game at Portsmouth the adrenalin kept him going but since then he has been pretty low. Now it seems he is back to his usual self, which is great to see." Arsenal, meanwhile, will be confident of staying on top as they prepare to face promoted Hull City at the Emirates Stadium. Hull have exceeded expectations so far, claiming eight points from five games, but with Arsenal having thrashed Sheffield United 6-0 in the Carling Cup, Arsene Wenger's side are full of confidence. "We look solid at the moment because we don't concede goals and when we concede them we respond," Wenger said. "It means the team has transformed the disappointment of not winning the league last season to a bigger hunger. "It looks now that all the four teams have found their rhythm. The only question mark until now was Manchester United, but they gave a strong response at Chelsea and from now on it will be a very interesting battle." Chelsea, who will be without Deco and Ricardo Carvalho, are away to Stoke City, while Liverpool play in the Merseyside Derby at Everton. Fourth-placed Aston Villa will look to maintain the pressure on the top three with a home win over Sunderland, while Manchester City, beaten by Brighton in the Carling Cup in midweek, play at Wigan Athletic Sunday. Bottom side Tottenham Hotspur will hope to build on their Carling Cup win at Newcastle by winning at Portsmouth, while Newcastle themselves take on Blackburn Rovers. Fulham and West Ham United clash at Craven Cottage, while Middlesbrough play West Bromwich Albion in the weekend's other match.--DPApt/dg588 Words25091317
BNP teacher could be struck off
A teacher who posted comments on a right-wing website during a lesson at a school near Sunderland could be struck off....
A teacher who posted comments on a right-wing website during a lesson at a school near Sunderland could be struck off....
Live text - Premier League
Sunderland host Middlesbrough in the first of five Premier League fixtures on Saturday....
Sunderland host Middlesbrough in the first of five Premier League fixtures on Saturday....
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