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Page last updated at 18:48 GMT, Saturday, 3 October 2009 19:48 UK

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Saturday football as it happened

GOALFLASHES AND MAJOR INCIDENTS (all times BST)

606: DEBATE

Your thoughts on the action

To get involved use 606 or text us your views & comments on 81111. (Not all contributions can be used)

By Jonathan Stevenson

1947: Thanks for your company today, sorry if the updates were a little slow at times, appreciate you persevering. Come back tomorrow, could be an interesting little day. Match of the Day is on BBC One and online at 2230 BST, and The Football League Show at 2330. Enjoy your evening.

1945: So Sunderland boss Steve Bruce is still waiting for his first win over Sir Alex Ferguson, and the Black Cats have now won only one of their last 14 away games in the Premier League. But they do have the consolation of jumping to sixth after collecting a point today.

From Colin in Portsmouth, via text on 81111: "Stonecoldsober - deserved? We were shocking today and were lucky to come away with a point."

Sunderland's Darren Bent: "The goal at the end came from Anton deflecting it into his own net, but until then the back four had played brilliantly, we did really well the entire match. The main thing is that we didn't lose, we've been in good form recently and we took it into this game. We worked hard and never stopped believing."

1934: Please stop getting in touch to complain about Man United scoring in injury time. The assistant signalled four minutes, and they scored after two minutes and 20 second. Please stop.

From stonecoldsober on 606: "It was a deserved point in the end. Credit to Sunderland for playing so well, but I think that is the correct result."

1927: A really enjoyable game of football - well done to Man United for persevering until the end, but Sunderland should feel very, very proud of their display today, not many times do you see a team go to Old Trafford and dominate for spells like they did. Terrific entertainment.

1925: Full-time Manchester United 2-2 Sunderland

United goal: Heartbreak for Sunderland, but United's late pressure pays off. The visitors can only half-clear a ball into their box and it falls for Patrice Evra - the Frenchman's shot is going wide, but deflects in off Anton Ferdinand.

1923: GOAL Manchester United 2-2 Sunderland

1921: We're into four minutes of added time. "Minimum," says the office's resident Man City fan. Michael Carrick shoots wide.

1919: Wayne Rooney's deep, inswinging cross from the left is headed up and over the bar by United's captain for the day, Nemanja Vidic.

1918: We've got three minutes of normal time left at Old Trafford. How much stoppage time, well, that's anyone's guess.

SENDING OFF (Kieran Richardson, Sunderland)
Silly, silly boy. The left-back concedes a free-kick as Luis Valencia tries to go past him, he's annoyed and kicks the ball away. Referee Alan Wiley doesn't have much choice but to show him a second yellow.

1914: It's defending for your lives time, as Phil Bardsley and Steed Malbranque both produce terrific challenges inside their own penalty area. Sunderland throw on Fraizer Campbell for Kenwyne Jones.

From Capital(RED) on 606: "The last time I saw Steed Malbranque play like this, Fulham beat Chelsea 1-0. Brilliant."

1908: Anton Ferdinand is booked for kicking the ball away, frustrated that a free-kick is given for his tackle on Dimitar Berbatov. Thirteen minutes left of normal time, it's Man Utd 1-2 Sunderland.

From Rob, Newbury, via text on 81111: "Speaking as a long-time United supporter - I see no bias here at all! It is not just a poor performance - it is a very strange one."

1905: So nearly 3-1 to Sunderland. Steed Malbranque gets into the United box down the right and his ball almost picks out Kenwyne Jones six yards out - only for Michael Carrick to make a magnificent and crucial intervention.

1904: Wayne Rooney is getting lively, too. He has one shot blocked by Michael Turner, while the next one is deflected wide by Anton Ferdinand. From the corner, Dimitar Berbatov heads over. Sunderland bring on Jordan Henderson for Andy Reid.

1902: Double change for Manchester United as Luis Valencia and Michael Carrick come on for Darren Fletcher and Danny Welbeck.

1900: For those of you wondering: no, I don't hate Manchester United. I also don't support them. I'd say I'm largely disinterested, in an interested sort of way - does that make enough sense? But sorry if you think I'm being biased - I mean, they're losing, so it's a bit difficult to say otherwise. They are putting some pressure on now, though, and Nani forces Craig Gordon to save from the edge of the box.

1857: I love Ian Holloway. Here's the Blackpool boss calling for the introduction of video replays after a couple of decisions go against him in his side's 4-1 defeat by Crystal Palace: "You've got (Fifa president) Mr Sepp Blatter sitting in his nice office dreaming of wonderful things for football, but why doesn't he come down here and see what mine and Neil Warnock's job is like when it is affected by human error? Why aren't we using laptops that are linked up and can give a decision in five seconds? A chimpanzee could do it - with not much training."

1856: Dimitar Berbatov tees up Wayne Rooney and his toe-poked finish from the edge of the box flies a yard wide of Craig Gordon's right-hand post.

1854: Nice build-up from United ends with Danny Welbeck firing a shot a couple of yards over from the edge of the Sunderland box - much to the blind fury of Wayne Rooney, who throws his arms down in frustration at his colleague.

1852: Let's praise Alan Wiley, too, for not automatically giving Ben Foster the free-kick there, as so many referees seem to do these days when goalkeepers don't claim the ball. Good officiating.

Sunderland goal: Didn't see that coming. Andy Reid and Kenwyne Jones swap passes and as Reid collects the ball, Jones makes for the United area. The Irishman lifts a cross into the United box and it looks for all the world as though it's Ben Foster's, but Jones gets up higher than the keeper and heads home. Sunderland have been magnificent today.

1849: GOAL Manchester United 1-2 Sunderland

1848: Thanks for reminding me Sunderland aren't behind, they're level. You're too kind.

1846: Nani's come to the party - fashionably late, obviously. His fine cross from the right looks a real testing one, but Michael Turner does well to head clear. Meanwhile, Sir Alex Ferguson is going berserk on the touchline after a foul was given against Anderson in the Sunderland box a few moments ago. He unleashes a verbal volley in the direction of the fourth official, so utterly needless.

1844: Can that goal galvanise Manchester United? Sunderland can count themselves a bit unlucky to be level.

United goal: Nani's cross from the right is poked goalwards by Wayne Rooney and Craig Gordon makes the save. But Sunderland only half-clear, John O'Shea crosses from the right and Dimitar Berbatov conjures an immaculate overhead kick to beat Craig Gordon from 14 yards.

1841: GOAL Manchester United 1-1 Sunderland

1840: Real opening again for Sunderland, but Kenwyne Jones' ball across the area just evades the onrushing Steed Malbranque, and Darren Bent doesn't have enough time to turn and get a shot in.

1838: Sloppy stuff from Anton Ferdinand, who lazily heads back to Craig Gordon and almost lets Nani in. The ball rebounds out to Wayne Rooney, but the striker's shot is blocked by Ferdinand, who immediately atones for his error.

1836: Back under way at Old Trafford for the second half of Manchester United 0-1 Sunderland - the hosts have brought on Anderson for Paul Scholes. Until today, United had picked up an astonishing 70 points from a possible 81 in their 27 league games so far in 2009.

From Anon, via text on 81111: "Alan Wiley calling Wayne Rooney 'Wazza' does little to dispel the feeling that referees are too close to the big clubs."

From Oneway86 on 606: "United have been shocking. Rooney is not challenging for anything and he doesn't seem interested. We need to get Welbeck off, awful. There's no balance in the team at all. I'm going to say Ferguson has got it wrong."

1825: By the way, Portsmouth boss Paul Hart has confirmed that their players will be paid on Monday. "No doubt," he added, for assurance.

1822: Sunderland haven't beaten Manchester United at Old Trafford since May 1968, when they triumphed 2-1 a few weeks before the Red Devils won their first European Cup. Can they pull it off today?

1819: Half-time Manchester United 0-1 Sunderland

1818: Appalling refereeing from Alan Wiley. Steed Malbranque pushes the ball past Patrice Evra and skins him on the inside, but Evra takes a clump of his shirt and Malbranque goes down. Wiley waves away Sunderland's protests - why on earth would he go down if he hadn't been fouled? Embarrassing.

1817: We're into two minutes of added time at Old Trafford.

From George, Bristol, via text on 81111: "How can it be that a team like Man Utd can't even have a striker on the bench who could change things? Not good so far."

1813: I can't remember seeing a Manchester United team give the ball away this much in one half - and, incredibly, Paul Scholes has been just about the worst culprit. Four minutes until hairdryer time at Old Trafford.

1810: Wayne Rooney gets a ticking off from Alan Wiley after a sneaky little kick out at Andy Reid after the ball had gone. Not impressive.

From guymanboy on 606: "I think this is the worst I've ever seen Rooney play. Ever ever."

1807: Half-chance for Darren Bent at the back stick after a lovely sweeping cross from the left courtesy of Andy Reid's wand of a left foot, but Bent tries to nod it back across the six-yard box and Nemanja Vidic heads it back to Ben Foster.

1805: Sir Alex Ferguson could not be any less pleased. He is sat, stony-faced, arms folded, chewing furiously in his seat.

1803: Thirteen minutes until half-time, it's still Manchester United 0-1 Sunderland, Will it be 13th time lucky for Steve Bruce against Sir Alex Ferguson?

1800: Kieran Richardson follows Paul Scholes into the book for a clumsily late challenge on young Danny Welbeck by the left touchline.

1757: The home fans are getting a bit frustrated by Nani, after another little flick goes straight to a Sunderland player.

1756: Paul Scholes is rightly booked for a cynical trip on Darren Bent as the goalscorer tries to get away from the veteran midfielder.

From Anon, via text on 81111: "Welbeck isn't a winger and never plays well as a winger so why has SAF played him on the wing?"

1750: United improve a little, with Nani threatening down their right-hand side. The hosts will not be able to call upon man of the moment Ryan Giggs today, as he is not even on the bench.

1746: I'd be absolutely amazed if a Steve Bruce team has started a game at Old Trafford better than this - Sunderland have been top-class so far. Andy Reid goes so close to picking out Lorik Cana, but Patrice Evra makes a vital interception.

From Sportsfan87 on 606: "Ben Foster really should have saved that."

Wolves manager Mick McCarthy: "I know Paul Hart well, but I'm not happy for him. I can't be. I wanted to heap more misery on him today. Sympathy is in short supply here."

Sunderland goal: That should wake them up - it's been embarrassingly quiet at Old Trafford so far. Lee Cattermole finds Darren Bent 22 yards out and he turns and slams a low right-foot shot into the bottom corner, past Ben Foster. He might as well have grabbed a loudspeaker and said "You see that, Capello??" Great finish.

1738: GOAL Manchester United 0-1 Sunderland

1737: Promising start for the Black Cats - though Steve Bruce probably isn't getting too excited as he hasn't won any of his 12 meetings as a manager with Sir Alex Ferguson. Ten defeats and two draws is all he has to show.

1734: All the early play is in the United half, as Patrice Evra heads an Andy Reid free-kick over his own bar and then the Irishman wastes another good chance to cross from the left.

1732: We are under way in Manchester, as the champions take on former hero Steve Bruce's Sunderland in front of England boss Fabio Capello, who hot-footed it from Bolton in double-quick time.

1728: Football League Fletch: "Correction - West Brom remain second in the Championship table, one clear of Boro, while Preston drop to fifth. In League One, Tranmere Rovers are third from bottom (and not second), still not great for John Barnes after his team's 5-0 hammering at Millwall."

1727: The teams are out at Old Trafford, and if my computer crashes one more time, I might just shove it out the window. Kick-off shortly in the north-west.

From WS_MUFC_87 on 606: "I really wish Giggs was playing today, this is the kind of weekend where we need to win as our rivals are playing each other."

Hull manager Phil Brown: "Managers and players are judged on the 90 minutes on a Saturday and we can breathe a little easier tonight. It was important to get ourselves out of the bottom three."

1718: Football League Fletch III: "League Two leaders Bournemouth were held to a goalless draw at Port Vale. Second place Rochdale play on Sunday while high fliers Dagenham & Redbridge were held at Hereford. More trouble on the road for Notts County, who drew at Cheltenham. Match of the day in the division saw Rotherham win 3-2 at Crewe, while Barnet beat Grimsby 3-0 in the division's most emphatic victory margin. Bottom club Darlington lost again."

Burnley boss Owen Coyle: "We have good players and a good team and are deserving of every point at home. It was an outstanding performance and I thought we should have won by a bigger margin. I don't think Birmingham ventured forward that much."

1714: Is Football League Fletch II better than I? Like the Godfather films, it's too close to call: "Nervous times for Tranmere boss John Barnes, who watched his team lose 5-0 at Millwall. Rovers are second from bottom and Barnes is under big pressure. Another stand out result from League One is Norwich's 5-1 win over in-form Bristol Rovers, while Colchester defeated Huddersfield in a meeting of two high-flying teams. Southampton kiss goodbye to their minus points status with an emphatic 4-1 win over Gillingham - with the impressive Adam Lallana notching twice. Leeds v Charlton finished goalless. Good value at Brentford, with the Bees losing 3-2 to Swindon, while Walsall and Carlisle finished 2-2."

From Jack, N14, via text on 81111: "Can I just say that as bad as Portsmouth have been this season, today's win means that they're now one point better off than Tottenham were at this stage last season - two points from eight games."

1709: Here's the first instalment of our three-part serialisation of Football League Fletch: "Drama of the day in the Championship is a late, late, late winner for Barnsley, at home to Ipswich. That will not please Roy Keane. At all. Newcastle remain top of the table after a goalless draw at home to Bristol City. Coventry v Leicester, Preston v West Brom and Sheff Utd v Doncaster also end with honours even. Victories for Crystal Palace, Derby, Nottingham Forest, Plymouth, Boro and Cardiff, who take the win of the div award for their 4-0 demolition of Watford at Vicarage Road. Boro's win - at Reading - sees them move into second place in the table ahead of the international break."

Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp on the leaving rumours: "(Laughs) It is absolute rubbish, just a load of nonsense. I have no idea where people dream this stuff up. I absolutely love it here, we have a good team, I'm delighted with the way we're playing and I am over the moon to be here."

1704: Manchester United keeper Ben Foster returns to the starting line-up along with Darren Fletcher and Paul Scholes, while Dimitar Berbatov replaces the injured Michael Owen in a side that has seven changes from the one that beat Wolfsburg. Sunderland make two changes from the team that thumped Wolves last time out, with Phillip Bardsley and Anton Ferdinand in for John Mensah and Paulo Da Silva.

1702: Manchester United v Sunderland line-ups:
Man Utd: Foster, O'Shea, Vidic, Jonathan Evans, Evra, Nani, Fletcher, Scholes, Welbeck, Rooney, Berbatov.
Subs: Kuszczak, Ferdinand, Brown, Anderson, Carrick, Fabio Da Silva, Valencia.
Sunderland: Gordon, Bardsley, Turner, Ferdinand, Richardson, Malbranque, Cana, Cattermole, Reid, Bent, Jones.
Subs: Fulop, McCartney, Nosworthy, Campbell, Henderson, Da Silva, Healy.
Referee: Alan Wiley (Staffordshire).

1659: Eleven goals from the afternoon kick-offs, and a good deal more from the Football League - Fletch will be updating us very, very shortly. Manchester United v Sunderland line-ups and team news on the way, too.

1656: Quite magical scenes at Molineux as Paul Hart and the Portsmouth players go across to their fans to celebrate their first points of the season. As the gaffer walks towards the tunnel, I swear I can see the semblance of a smile on his weary face.

1654: Full-time Hull 2-1 Wigan

1654: Full-time Burnley 2-1 Birmingham

1654: Full-time Wolves 0-1 Portsmouth
Surely no-one, but no-one, can begrudge Paul Hart and Pompey that? Well done lads.

Blues goal: Sebastian Larsson curls a free-kick into the corner of Brian Jensen's net from 22 yards, but it may be too little, too late.

1652: GOAL Burnley 2-1 Birmingham

1651: Full-time Bolton 2-2 Tottenham

1649: There will be five minutes of added time at Hull, not doing anyone's blood pressure any good. At Wolves, Michael Kightly slices wide from 15 yards and then gets involved in some handbags with Tal Ben Haim.

1647: Someone's been watching videos of Matthew Le Tisser, haven't they Greg Halford? Wolves play a free-kick back to Halford 22 yards out, he flicks the ball up and hammers in a right-foot volley that David James parries away, and when Karl Henry lays it back to Sylvan Ebanks-Blake, the striker blazes wastefully over.

Wigan goal: Squeaky bum time for Phil Brown now, as Jordi Gomez's shot is parried by Boaz Myhill and Scott Sinclair heads into an empty net.

1645: GOAL Hull 2-1 Wigan

1644: Greg Halford curls a 28-yard free-kick just past David James' right-hand upright as Wolves continue to look for an equaliser at home against point-less Portsmouth.

From footballandethics on 606: "Kranjcar for £2.5m is an absolute bargain. Diamond buy, considering Arsenal had a £13.75m bid rejected a season ago."

1642: More from the prolific Football League Fletch: "I bet Paulo Sousa is a happy man, his Swansea side lead against QPR, who are down to nine men after Ben Watson's dismissal. Barnsley's Iain Hume has missed a penalty against Ipswich, while Derby now lead 2-0 against the Owls and Plymouth have regained the lead against Scunthorpe. Not a good afternoon for Watford, who trail 4-0 at home to in-form Cardiff, who have slapped 10 goals in their last two games. Oh, and Sheff Utd have equalised against Doncaster."

1640: Hull are well on top at home against Wigan, but Wolves are struggling to get back into it against Pompey, who will be absolutely desperate to hang on. They've even had a couple of recent corners, Paul Hart's boys.

1637: Football League Fletch: "Two goals in four second-half minutes has put Bradford 2-0 up at Northampton, who obviously didn't turn a corner with their midweek win over Rotherham. Cheltenham have equalised against Notts County while Crewe and Rotherham is locked at 2-2. A thriller, obviously. Torquay have levelled against Bury and Barnet are now three to the good against Grimsby. No easy points at Underhill for visiting sides."

1636: So, as it stands, it's Burnley 2-0 Birmingham, Bolton 2-2 Tottenham, Hull 2-0 Wigan, Wolves 0-1 Portsmouth.

From Bob at work in Guildford, via text on 81111: "Come on Pompey, hold on. Never boring being a Pompey fan."

1632: Football League Fletch: "Brighton are down to 10 men and trailing to MK Dons, with Jermaine Easter on the scoresheet. Oops, Hartlepool's 1-0 lead becomes a 2-1 deficit at Exeter, while Saints lead 3-1 against Gillingham - surely Pard's men will finally be moving out of their minus points situation. Some good news for John Barnes, sort of. Millwall have failed to add to the four-goal advantage they raced into at home to Tranmere."

Spurs goal: They're level now - thanks to some pretty average defending from the hosts for once. A Niko Kranjcar corner heads for the back post, where Vedran Corluka nods it over Jussi Jaaskelainen and into the net.

1630: GOAL Bolton 2-2 Tottenham

1629: Jermain Defoe turns and shoots from the edge of the area and Jussi Jaaskelainen spills, and Peter Crouch fires the rebound against the Bolton keeper and off the crossbar.

Hull goal: Kamil Zayatte intercepts a poor pass by Emmerson Boyce and charges down the right flank before dinking over a cross for the unmarked Geovanni to sweep home Hull's second goal with an emphatic finish. This is the first time since 31 January that the Tigers have scored two goals in a Premier League match.

1627: GOAL Hull 2-0 Wigan

Bolton goal: Lovely stuff. For everything written about Bolton, that is a brilliant goal. A lovely interchange of passes ends with Chung-Yong Lee backheeling Tamir Cohen in down the left, and his chipped cross to the far post is headed in by Kevin Davies, who likes playing against Spurs.

1625: GOAL Bolton 2-1 Tottenham

1625: Football League Fletch has some happy news: "All happening in the Championship - Nottingham Forest briefly trailed at Peterborough but now lead 2-1. Blackpool have pulled a goal back at Crystal Palace while Boro are now 2-0 up at Reading and Plymouth are leading against Scunthorpe. Paulo Sousa is up against his former team today as Swansea play QPR, who have had Martin Rowlands sent off but there are no goals to talk about in that one so far."

From redboychris on 606: "A long and vital 20 minutes or so now for Hull and Pompey to hold on."

1623: It's more even now at Bolton, but the hosts could've gone ahead there as Gary Cahill heads a corner over.

1621: They deserved a bit of luck after last week and my word Pompey have had some there. Michael Kightly swings in a cross from the Wolves right and Mark Wilson sticks his arm out, it hits it, and referee Howard Webb gives a corner. Amazing decision.

Burnley goal: Cracking one-two, what a goal that is. Andre Bikey - playing in midfield, don't forget - plays a give-and-go with David Nugent and rolls the ball past the advancing Joe Hart. Birmingham have got to have a go now.

1619: GOAL Burnley 2-0 Birmingham

Hull goal: That's how to attack a corner. Dean Marney whips one in from the left and Jan Venegoor of Hesselink rises at the near post to thump a header into the floor and in.

1618: GOAL Hull 1-0 Wigan

1618: Wigan attack again, with Charles N'Zogbia bending in a dangerous low cross from the right which appears to be perfectly weighted for Mohamed Diame to tap in before Paul McShane gets back to clear with a brilliantly timed sliding tackle. Hull are improving but they are still on the backfoot.

1616: Golden chance for 2-0 Burnley, but Steven Fletcher can only roll the ball against the post after chesting it down in the Birmingham box. At Bolton, Peter Crouch fires just over for Tottenham from 16 yards.

1614: Michael Kightly handles inside the Pompey penalty area and the Wolves players - presumably unsighted - appeal for a spot-kick. Cheeky.

1612: A rare chance for Tottenham at the Reebok, Aaron Lennon cutting in from the right and bringing a smart save from Jussi Jaaskelainen left-footed, Wilson Palacios spooning the rebound miles wide.

Burnley goal: No World Cup call-up for Joe Hart - not on this evidence, anyway. Tyrone Mears plays Steven Fletcher down the left and he races into the area, hitting a fairly harmless left-foot shot that hits Hart as he falls down and ends up in the back of the net. Terrible goalkeeping.

1610: GOAL Burnley 1-0 Birmingham

1608: It's all Wigan at Hull, bad news for the hosts. The Tigers' next few games are against Fulham, Portsmouth, Burnley, Stoke and West Ham - they need to be picking up some points out of that lot.

1605: Football League Fletch: "Plymouth had a pressure-relieving win at Peterborough in midweek but could do with a positive result at home, Home Park in fact, against Scunthorpe - that game is goalless. Colchester versus Huddersfield features two teams with promotion aspirations in League One but there are no goals there either. League Two high-fliers Dagenham & Redbridge are also involved in a match that has yet to see any goals. They are at Hereford."

1604: Back under way in all the Premier League games now and don't forget, we've got Manchester United v Sunderland to come at 1730 BST as well. Birmingham have brought on Liam Ridgewell and Sebastian Larsson at Burnley, while Wolves have sent Sylvan Ebanks-Blake and Michael Kightly on.

From Ollie at the Reebok, via text on 81111: "A fat guy singing 'Sex on Fire' on the pitch might just be the best entertainment we've had here today."

1557: My source tells me that Spurs are lucky not to be 4-0 down at the Reebok Stadium. And he's a Tottenham fan, before you get all precious on me. Pompey fans - don't even look at the 'as it stands table'. Please.

From sosollaz on 606: "In front of goal Bolton are creating much more than Spurs and look very dangerous, especially on set-pieces into the box. Spurs' attacks seem to break down in the final third."

1551: You want a half-time Football League Fletch update? You got it: "Quite a few matches are goalless at the break, including Newcastle v Bristol City, Brighton v MK Dons, Leeds v Charlton and Port Vale v Bournemouth. I wonder what John Barnes would give for a goalless draw right now - his Tranmere side are four down at Millwall. Doncaster's James Hayter has given his team the lead at Sheffield United while a strike from Ipswich's Grant Leadbitter is palmed into the path of Liam Rosenior, who has headed Roy Keane's team level at Barnsley. Been a busy week for Luke Rodgers, who bagged a hat-trick against Lincoln and has put Notts County 1-0 up at Cheltenham. Morecambe have equalised against the Shrews. Mikes Jones has put Bury in front at Torquay to shake things up at Plainmoor."

1547: Half-time Hull 0-0 Wigan

1547: Half-time Bolton 1-1 Tottenham

1546: Half-time Burnley 0-0 Birmingham

1546: Half-time Wolves 0-1 Portsmouth

1545: That is a piece of defending every bit as valuable as any goal you will see. Wolves are knocking on the Pompey door big time and after David James makes a save, Kevin Doyle prepares to fire into an empty net - until Tal Ben Haim gets his big frame right in the way. Cracking stuff.

1544: More Football League Fletch, my life it's a busy day: "Neil Warnock's Crystal Palace starting to hit some form, they lead 2-0 at home to Blackpool. Watford keeper Scott Loach has a shocker as he is completely deceived by a floated free-kick from Adam Matthews that sees Cardiff extend their lead. Barnsley have hit the crossbar against Ipswich, who have in turn just gone close to an equaliser. Down in League One, it's not going too well for Bristol Rovers, who now trail 4-1 at Paul Lambert's Norwich. No such problems for Swindon, who lead 2-0 at Brentford, while so far so good for Hartlepool fans who have made the looooooooong trip south to Exeter with their team 1-0 up. Veteran striker Darren Byfield has put Walsall 1-0 up at home to Carlisle. Saints back in front against the Gills through Ndiaye Papa Waigo, who is on loan from Fiorentina."

1542: Great stuff from Kevin Doyle, racing down the Wolves left and firing a brilliant ball across the six-yard box, but there are no team-mates there and Portsmouth survive.

1541: What a miss. Birmingham defender Roger Johnson cracks a shot across goal and team-mate Lee Bowyer has the simple task of sidefooting it in from point-blank range at the far post. Instead, the ball hits Bowyer's heel and goes away from goal rather than in it.

From Liam, Chelsea fan, via text on 81111: "Bad news for Chelsea. I've been told that Drogba will miss tomorrow's top of the table clash against Liverpool due to a groin problem."

1539: Things have settled down a bit at the KC Stadium after that flurry of early chances but Wigan have definitely taken the upper hand and are enjoying some long spells of possession in the Hull half without quite managing to break down the home defence.

1537: Golden chance for Bolton to restore their lead but Kevin Davies, collecting a long ball, fails to control the ball under pressure from Tom Huddlestone with just the keeper to beat six yards out.

1535: First shot on target at Turf Moor, Wade Elliott teeing up David Nugent to test Joe Hart low down to his right from 22 yards.

Spurs goal: They don't deserve it, but every goal counts one. Wilson Palacios clips a ball into the box, Peter Crouch knocks it down and Niko Kranjcar, sweet as you like, volleys into the bottom corner for his first Tottenham goal. It was their first shot of the game.

1533: GOAL Bolton 1-1 Tottenham

1532: Football League Fletch is flying: "It's been a reasonably long wait for Lee Croft but he has scored his first goal for Derby, who lead Sheffield Wednesday 1-0 as they look to bounce back from their 6-1 stuffing at Cardiff. Talking of the Bluebirds, they lead 1-0 at Watford after a Peter Whittingham penalty. Droppping down into League One and it has all gone wrong for John Barnes' Tranmere - they are 4-0 down at Millwall. Barnes is under massive pressure now - and the home fans aren't helping by singing "You're getting sacked in the morning". Gillingham have equalised at Southampton and Bristol Rovers have drawn level at Norwich. All happening."

1531: Beautifully worked free-kick from Wolves and the ball falls for Christophe Berra eight yards out, his shot deflected off target by a Pompey defender.

1529: How the hell are Pompey not 2-0 up? Tommy Smith jinks down the left and tees up Aruna Dindane, who sees his poked shot saved by Wayne Hennessey, before Smith blasts the rebound wide of the far post.

From Scott, Man Utd fan, via text on 81111: "I'm at Old Trafford and have just been told that Nemanja Vidic won't be playing today. He had a minor car accident this morning. Nothing serious."

1526: League Two fans, we haven't forgotten you. Football League Fletch: "Life isn't great for Darlington at the moment. They lost manager Colin Todd last weekend and are currently losing at home to Macclesfield. Barnet have had a decent start to the season and they lead Grimsby 2-0, while Shrewsbury are also two to the good at Morecambe. Crewe and Rotherham, with Ronnie Moore back in charge, are locked at 1-1."

1525: Another chance for Hull as Wigan half-clear, Geovanni whips in a cross from the left and Jan Venegoor of Hesselink glances a header wide of the far post.

1524: Wigan wake up, and create two decent chances in quick succession - first, Mohamed Diame lets fly from 25 yards with a sizzling strike that is pushed away by Boaz Myhill, who is up quickly to deny Jason Scotland from the rebound. Then, after Geovanni fires narrowly over for Hull, the Latics break quickly and Scotland battles through the home defence before seeing a low shot skid an inch wide. Much better from Roberto Martinez's side.

1522: Little in the way of action at Turf Moor, with Burnley doing most of the playing but Birmingham holding on fairly comfortably. No real chances to either side yet.

Pompey goal: That'll put a smile on old Harty's face. Kevin Prince Boateng, who has had an extremely lively start, swings over a brilliant cross from the right and Hassan Yebda, at the back post and on his first Premier League start, nods past a stranded Wayne Hennessey.

1519: GOAL Wolves 0-1 Portsmouth

1518: More Football League Fletch and we're warming up nicely: "Some selected highlights from League One - and life doesn't get any easier for beleaguered Tranmere boss John Barnes. His team trail 2-0 at Millwall. Saints, still on minus points, could do with a win and Ricky Lambert's goal means they are winning against Gillingham. Brentford have lost form of late and trail 1-0 at home to Swindon. And the Manager of the Month curse? Bristol Rovers boss Paul Trollope won the award for September but the Pirates are losing at Norwich."

From SimpreZola on 606: "Kevin Keegan for Pompey?"

1515: Here's the man you've been waiting for, Football League Fletch: "An early update from the Championship and the problems mount for Ipswich boss Roy Keane. His team have fallen behind against Barnsley, with Iain Hume scoring for the Tykes. Crystal Palace are leading against Blackpool thanks to Alan Lee's header, while Middlesbrough lead Reading thanks to a header from defender Sean St Ledger, who recently joined Boro on loan from Preston.

1514: A bit of a let-off for Wigan. Stephen Hunt finds Nicky Barmby running into the area with a searching cross-field pass but the Hull skipper, under pressure from Emmerson Boyce, gets his attempt at a first-time finish horribly wrong and his flick rolls harmlessly wide.

1513: Wolves' Matt Jarvis runs at the Pompey defence and takes them on down the left, his shot at the near post saved by David James. At Bolton, Ricardo Gardner slips in Tamir Cohen and his shot is saved by Carlo Cudicini.

1510: Geovanni comes forward down the left and picks out Dean Marney, in a bit of space, on the edge of the area but he fires straight at Chris Kirkland. Hull have made a really lively start but have nothing to show for it so far.

From Geoff, a Hull fan, via text on 81111: "It's so hard to stay loyal to Phil Brown at the moment. Another baffling team selection at home. Five across the middle. Altidore and Ghilas on the bench. I don't understand, I just don't understand."

1506: Decent opening for Portsmouth, Kevin Prince Boateng turning smartly inside the Wolves area and slamming in a shot that Wayne Hennessey pushes away at his near post.

1505: Decent shout for a Hull penalty at the KC Stadium. Stephen Hunt causes Chris Kirkland problems when he hoists the ball into the box and, at the far post, Nicky Barmby slams a shot goalwards, which hits Maynor Figueroa - maybe on the arm, maybe not - TV replays are inconclusive. Tigers boss Phil Brown thinks it's a sure-fire spot-kick, but referee Mark Clattenburg thinks otherwise.

Bolton goal: That didn't take long - early goal for the watching England manager Fabio Capello, too. A long throw (is that another set-piece goal?) isn't dealt with by Spurs and after Chung-Yong Lee's shot at the far post is parried back out by Carlo Cudicini, Ricardo Gardner slams the rebound into the roof of the net.

1502: GOAL Bolton 1-0 Tottenham

From DrRichie on 606: "Stevo - can't believe you haven't mentioned the game of the day in League One. Leeds take on Charlton as the two look to bounce back to old glories. Prediction: 2-1 Leeds in front of 38,000 fans."

1500: Wolves get us started at Molineux, and the Hull-Wigan and Burnley-Birmingham games are under way too.

1459: Early, they are under way in the Bolton v Spurs game.

1457: Let's face it, today can go either of two ways. It could be as dull as a Wayne Rooney interview: "I did a backflip once when I scored, like Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink used to, and that's why my mates call me Jimmy." Or, it could be as entertaining as watching Olympic beach volleyball on Copacabana beach with Caipirinha in hand. Only time will tell.

1453: There was talk in the local newspapers, my colleague tells me, that Phil Brown would go five at the back for Hull this afternoon, with Kevin Kilbane slotting into a three-man central defence. BBC Radio 5 live believe this is indeed how the Tigers are going to line up against Wigan.

1450: Ten minutes to go until kick-off. You excited yet? I bet Phil Brown and Paul Hart are. Remember - we haven't lost a Premier League manager yet this season.

From Socks, via text on 81111: "I see Brown's tactics are 'if an area lacks, just shove more players in that position'. We could've won this with a Hesselink and Altidore pairing up front. Way to go, Browny..."

1444: Under-pressure Hull City boss Phil Brown tries to end a four-game losing streak by making three changes from the team that were thrashed 6-1 by Liverpool last weekend. Kamil Zayatte, Dean Marney and new captain Nicky Barmby (the Tigers' fifth skipper already this season) come in, replacing Liam Cooper, George Boateng and Kamel Ghilas. Wigan stick with the same team that beat Chelsea last week, although midfielder Olivier Kapo is back on the bench after recovering from knee ligament injury.

From chizzleface on 606: "Why the devil would Happy Harry want to leave Spurs right now? Unless there's some serious unrest at boardroom level that could be about to destabilise the club then he's got it all going for him at the Lane. It's ridiculous to suggest that he could be sacked as well..."

1439: Football League Fletch: "West Brom end a sequence of three defeats to remain in second place in the Championship after a hard-earned draw at third-placed Preston. Coventry and Leicester also cancelled each other out, drawing 1-1."

1435: Wolves make just one change from the side that lost 5-2 at Sunderland last week with Kevin Foley coming in for the injured Segundo Castillo. Foley will slot in at right-back, with Greg Halford going to right midfield and Dave Edwards moving to centre midfield. Right-back Steve Finnan makes his Portsmouth debut after recovering from a pre-season hamstring tear, while Hassan Yebda comes into midfield in place of Aaron Mokoena - the man he replaced during last week's 1-0 defeat by Everton.

1432: Burnley boss Owen Coyle makes one change from the side beaten 5-0 by Tottenham, defender Steven Caldwell replacing midfielder Joey Gudjonsson for his first Premier League start this season. Birmingham are without striker Christian 'Chucho' Benitez as he has returned to Ecuador after his father was involved in a car accident. Garry O'Connor comes in to take his place, while defender Franck Queudrue returns after injury and replaces Gregory Vignal. James McFadden also starts as Sebastian Larsson drops to the bench.

From Anon via text on 81111: "Jurgen Klinsmann to be next Spurs manager. This rumour gathers pace all the time. Getting twitchy about these Redknapp rumours since last night!"

1426: Bolton make just the one change for the visit of Spurs, with last week's match-winner Chung-Yong Lee replacing Ivan Klasnic up front. Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp opts to drop Jermain Defoe, who has a hand injury, to the bench for the first time this season, so Peter Crouch and Robbie Keane start in attack, while Tom Huddlestone partners Sebastien Bassong at the back with Michael Dawson on the bench.

1423: Wolves v Portsmouth line-ups:
Wolverhampton: Hennessey, Foley, Mancienne, Berra, Elokobi, Halford, Henry, Edwards, Jarvis, Doyle, Keogh.
Subs: Hahnemann, Craddock, Kightly, Ebanks-Blake, Milijas, Zubar, Maierhofer.
Portsmouth: James, Finnan, Wilson, Ben-Haim, Kaboul, O'Hara, Brown, Yebda, Boateng, Dindane, Smith.
Subs: Begovic, Mokoena, Williamson, Utaka, Vanden Borre, Webber, Belhadj.
Referee: Howard Webb (S Yorkshire)

1421: Hull City v Wigan line-ups:
Hull: Myhill, McShane, Sonko, Kilbane, Dawson, Zayatte, Barmby, Marney, Geovanni, Hunt, Vennegoor of Hesselink.
Subs: Duke, Altidore, Halmosi, Mouyokolo, Ghilas, Olofinjana, Cairney.
Wigan: Kirkland, Melchiot, Bramble, Boyce, Figueroa, N'Zogbia, Diame, Thomas, Rodallega, Scharner, Scotland.
Subs: Pollitt, Cho, Koumas, Gomez, Sinclair, Kapo, King.
Referee: Mark Clattenburg (Tyne & Wear)

1419: Bolton v Tottenham line-ups:
Bolton: Jaaskelainen, Ricketts, Cahill, Knight, Samuel, Gardner, Muamba, Cohen, Lee, Kevin Davies, Taylor.
Subs: Al Habsi, Robinson, Steinsson, Mark Davies, Klasnic, McCann, Shittu.
Tottenham: Cudicini, Corluka, Huddlestone, Bassong, Assou-Ekotto, Lennon, Jenas, Palacios, Kranjcar, Keane, Crouch.
Subs: Gomes, Hutton, Bale, Bentley, Naughton, Defoe, Dawson.
Referee: Mike Jones (Cheshire)

1417: Burnley v Birmingham line-ups:
Burnley: Jensen, Mears, Carlisle, Caldwell, Jordan, Alexander, Steven Fletcher, Elliott, Bikey, Blake, Nugent.
Subs: Penny, Duff, McDonald, Gudjonsson, Kalvenes, Thompson, Eagles.
Birmingham: Hart, Carr, Roger Johnson, Dann, Queudrue, Fahey, Ferguson, Tainio, McFadden, Bowyer, O'Connor.
Subs: Maik Taylor, Ridgewell, Larsson, Phillips, McSheffrey, O'Shea, Carsley.
Referee: Kevin Friend (Leicestershire)

1415: Were we talking about managers who need wins..? Wolves, in 16th, face Portsmouth, in 20th, and safe to say Paul Hart's need is ever so slightly greater than Mick McCarthy's. Seven straight defeats for Pompey now - the only club ever to have started as badly and avoided relegation was Liverpool, 110 years ago. Hart's boys are winless in their last 16 Premier League away games, too, since a 2-1 win at Sunderland, 330 long, long days ago.

From Anon (you'll soon see why), via text on 81111: "I know, Stevo, that top footballers are paid inordinate amounts of money - but how big must Ferdinand's gaffe be to enable him to stage the 2016 Olympics..?"

1407: First of the day from Football League Fletch: "The Championship match between Preston and West Brom has improved after the break, but still no goals. Neil Mellor should have done better from 20 yards but his strike lacked power and the nearest we have got to an opener remains Graham Dorrans' first-half effort that hit the post. An hour played at Deepdale. Meanwhile in the other early kick-off, it's Coventry 1-1 Leicester."

From bealog on 606: "Ridiculous situation at Newcastle. This whole Keegan damages case shows what a poor appointment Wise was. Keane to Celtic? Why leave Spurs? Keane's had more Premiership teams than I've had hot dinners. Time to settle down. Cahill £20m? Now the world is going mad. He's good, but not THAT good. PS Home wins all the way today."

1404: Look away Hull fans, there aren't too many positives to shout about prior to your meeting with Wigan. You don't need me to tell you that while you were receiving a 6-1 spanking at Liverpool, the Latics were cruising to their first win against a big four team, 3-1 against Chelsea. The Tigers' 2009 record does not make for pleasant reading: two wins; 12 points; 17 defeats; 17 goals scored; 46 goals conceded. Boy does Phil Brown need a result today.

1400: Stevo's Predos:
Bolton 1-2 Tottenham
Burnley 1-1 Birmingham
Hull 1-2 Wigan
Man Utd 3-1 Sunderland
Wolves 1-1 Portsmouth
Lawro's predictions

1356: Burnley, meanwhile, put their 100% home record to the test when they host Birmingham at Turf Moor. The Clarets have not beaten the Blues on home soil since 10 April 1976, in the old Division One - but check this out for a stat: Birmingham have not scored a goal this season before the 75-minute mark. Have some of that.

1353: So, what's the chat today? Well, Bolton v Tottenham could throw up a surprise - although, would it be a shock if the Trotters won, really? They lost their first Premier League home game against Spurs at Burnden Park, but haven't lost any of the subsequent nine at the Reebok Stadium. Warning for the visitors: all eight of Bolton's goals this season have come from set-pieces. Rocket science it ain't.

From Rich, Sutton, via text on 81111: "Four draws in the afternoon fixtures. That's right - draws!!"

From worldie_boy on 606: "Stevo, Can we please have an as it stands table in action now please? I want to see us with just one point!"

1342: Line-ups and team news to follow shortly, no worries on that front. Meanwhile, worth mentioning a pair of fabulous achievements from two of the greatest gaffers football has ever seen. Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger this week celebrated becoming the club's longest-serving manager, while his insatiable Manchester United counterpart Sir Alex Ferguson walked off with his 24th manager of the month award yesterday. Twenty-four. Count them. Heavens above.

1337: As your Brucie bonus, Football League Fletch is in the house too today to fulfil all your Championship, League One and League Two desires. Drop us a line, won't you? Texts to 81111, and hopefully the 606 thread will not get hijacked by the insane, as it tends to do once in a blue moon.

1334: And those games, starting with the 1500 BST kick-offs, are: Bolton v Tottenham, Burnley v Birmingham, Hull v Wigan and Wolves v Portsmouth. At 1730, champions Manchester United take on old boy Steve Bruce's improving Sunderland.

1330: There might not be many games today, but I've a feeling there's enough to talk about to keep us busy. Here's a list to get you started - and remember, it's your special day:
- The quite shambolic Newcastle signing of Ignacio Gonzalez.
- The ludicrous rumour that Harry Redknapp is set to quit Spurs.
- Roman Abramovich's "in no way sinister" visit to Chelsea training.
- The suggestion that Bolton's Gary Cahill would cost £20m.
- Tottenham's Robbie Keane being linked with Celtic.
- The shambling shell of Portsmouth Football Club.
- The fact that Wayne Rooney's mates call him Jimmy.
- Oh, and today's games. Oops.

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Premier League results

3 Oct 2009 23:59 UK

Home Team	Score	Away Team	Time
Bolton	2-2	Tottenham	R
Burnley	2-1	Birmingham	R
Hull	2-1	Wigan	R
Man Utd	2-2	Sunderland	R
Wolverhampton	0-1	Portsmouth	R

Premier League table snapshot

As it stood on 3 Oct 2009 23:59 UK

Position	Team	P	GD	PTS
1	Man Utd	8	11	19
2	Chelsea	7	10	18
3	Tottenham	8	7	16
4	Liverpool	7	12	15
5	Man City	6	7	15
6	Sunderland	8	3	13
7	Arsenal	6	10	12
8	Aston Villa	6	4	12
9	Burnley	8	-9	12
10	Everton	6	-2	9
11	Wigan	8	-7	9
12	Bolton	7	-1	8
13	Stoke	7	-4	8
14	Blackburn	6	-3	7
15	Birmingham	8	-3	7
16	Wolverhampton	8	-7	7
17	Hull	8	-12	7
18	Fulham	6	-4	6
19	West Ham	6	-3	4
20	Portsmouth	8	-9	3

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