1. Brian Jensen (Burnley)

‘The Beast’, as he is affectionately known, may have conceded more goals than any other goalkeeper this season (73 in the league) but it would have been so much more if it wasn’t for his superb shot stopping. He was a bit of a late bloomer and didn’t play much first team football until he joined Burnley at the age of 28. Undoubtedly good enough to play in the top flight, the newly promoted clubs could do worse than consider adding the Dane to their ranks.

2. Ronald Zubar (Wolverhampton Wanderers)

The signing of Guadeloupian defender Ronald Zubar left many Wolves fans scratching their heads in wonder at who exactly he was. Language barrier problems which delayed his debut until October only added to the mystery, but since then neither club nor player has looked back. With 22 appearances in all, he has firmly established himself in the side and can play at both right back and centre half.

3. Phil Jones (Blackburn Rovers)

Despite having made less than ten senior appearances, Rovers have seen enough to hand 18 year old defender Phil Jones a five year contract. An outstanding performance on his league debut against Chelsea earned him rave reviews and he comfortably filled in for the injured Ryan Nelsen, starting seven consecutive games.

4. Jordan Henderson (Sunderland)

Sunderland supporters feared the worst when big money signing Lee Cattermole was ruled out for 12 weeks early on in the season but they need not have as Jordan Henderson stepped in to fill the void. Calling on the experience gained from a spell on loan at Coventry in 2009, the 19 year old looked comfortable in the middle of the park and picked up the club’s Young Player of the Year award.

5. Scott Dann (Birmingham City)

Unfortunately for Dann, the superb performances of defensive partner Roger Johnson have largely overshadowed his own excellent form throughout the season. Signed from Coventry City last summer, the 23 year old eased into the Premier League and looked immediately at home. He made 30 league appearances before a calf injury ended his campaign three games early.

6. Steven N’Zonzi (Blackburn Rovers)

An absolute bargain signing at just £500,000 from Amiens SC, 21 year old midfielder Steven N’Zonzi slotted into the Blackburn Rovers midfield as if he had been there for years. He netted his first goal in a defeat to Arsenal and his second against Everton was a stunning strike from outside the area. The French under 21 international was recently voted the club’s Player of the Year.

7. Lee Chung-Yong (Bolton Wanderers)

Korea Republic international Lee Chung-Yong is widely regarded as one of the hottest prospects from Asia, and his performances certainly lit up the Reebok Stadium this season. In January of 2009 he was named as one of the top 50 rising stars in football by The Times newspaper. He scored four times in 34 games after joining from FC Seoul in July last year.

8. Mohamed Diamé (Wigan Athletic)

Diamé finally joined Wigan in February after concerns over an alleged heart problem, but since finding his feet he has been excellent in midfield. He began his career with Lens but was forced into an extended absence because of health issues. The 22 year old returned to the game with Spanish lower league side Linares before making his name with Rayo Vallecano.

9. Hugo Rodallega (Wigan Athletic)

Rodallega joined Wigan in January of 2009 and made an immediate impact, in successive games against Manchester United and West Brom. Fans could be forgiven for being slightly apprehensive given what happened to his predecessor up front, Amir Zaki, but unlike the Egyptian, Rodallega has been a model professional and continues to shine. He scored an impressive ten goals to finsih the season as the club’s top scorer.

10. Alessandro Diamanti (West Ham United)

Alessandro Diamanti is the quitessential Italian footballer – charasmatic, flamboyant and very, very good. It’s hard to believe that just three years ago he was plying his trade in the fourth tier of Italian football before moving to the big time with Livorno in 2007. Gianfranco Zola was suitably impressed by the 26 year old’s Serie A performances and signed him on a five year deal. His first goal came from the spot against Liverpool, and he finished with seven in total.

11. Adam Johnson (Manchester City)

Eyebrows were raised when Manchester City’s big money January signing was a 22 year old winger from the Championship. However Brian Marwood and his scouting team have been proved correct in their decision to push for the acquisition from Middlesbrough. Johnson has shone since his transfer, and put in some superb performances, most notably away to Burnley where he contributed three assists. His form has been so good that there have been calls for him to be included in Fabio Capello’s England squad for the World Cup.

—————————————–Jensen————————————

—————————Zubar——-Dann——–Jones———————-

Lee————Henderson——–—Diamé——–N’Zonzi——–Johnson

—————————Diamanti—————-Rodallega——————-

Rovers’ victory in the 1994-1995 season, sandwiched between two periods of back-to-back  league successes for United, was every bit as much as a shock back then as it would be today. In the last season before a new era in British Football began with the groundbreaking formation of the Premiership, Rovers had finished a dismal 19th place in the old second division and few could have foretold the rapid upturn in fortunes that would be experienced by the Lancashire club who last tasted top-flight success in 1914.

In the middle of their lacklustre 1991-92 campaign, a local business man (and life-long Rovers fan) named Jack Walker chose to inject some of his hard earned cash into the club and by doing so sparked one of the greatest periods in the history of the club. In his first full season as chairman (1992-93) Walker drafted in the managerial expertise of Kenny Dalglish and the duo were not long in giving fans a taster of the effect they would have on the club as Rovers were promoted to top-flight for the first time in 26 years. Funded by Walker, Dalglish was able to bring in some players of true quality and in their maiden Premiership season they managed a more than respectable 4th place finish, only just missing out on a UEFA cup spot. Given the dark days that fans of the club had suffered through in the not so distant past, an air of undoubted positivity was emerging at Ewood Park and in just their second season in the upper echelons of English football, Blackburn Rovers ended an 81 year wait and once more got their hands on the top prize in domestic football.

In a season in which they fought long and hard with emerging giants Manchester United, it took until the last day of the season for the battle to be decided. Losing 2-1 to Liverpool, Rover’s dreams seemed to have come to a shattering conclusion until news trickled through that United, needing a win to take their third League title in a row, could only manage a 1-1 draw at Upton Park. Within four years of taking control of the club, Jack Walker had delivered the unthinkable.

Below we take a look at  what became of the main men of the Blackburn side who helped deliver this feat.

GK: Tim Flowers

Having risen to prominence during his spell at Southampton Flowers became England’s most expensive goalkeeper by completing a £2.4m move to Rovers in 1993 as part of Dalglish and Walker ‘s revolution. Flowers  went on to win the League in only his second season and was a pivotal part of the team in doing so, receiving much acclaim for his performances and giving back-up keeper Shay Given little sight of the first team. Flowers picked up 11 international caps during his time at Rovers but was never able to make a permanent claim on a starting berth for the national team although he was in the squad for both Euro 96 and WC 98. He remained at Ewood Park until 1999 when Rovers dropped from the top division and Flowers moved on to Leicester City where he collected a League Cup winners medal before retiring in 2003 following a series of loan moves to Stockport, Coventry and Man City. Following his retirement, he began a new career as a goalkeeping coach working first with Leicester and Man City before taking a role as assistant coach to Iain Dowie at Coventry, before joining him at QPR aswell. This season, when Dowie somehow landed the task of keeping Hull City in the top-flight following the sacking of Phil Brown, Flowers was once more drafted in as his sidekick.

RB: Henning Berg

Berg was a relative unknown before his move from Lillestrom for £400,000 in 1993 however a series of solid displays quickly resulted in him being regarded as a top-class defender throughout the league. Able to play both at right-back and centre-half, Berg’s versatility was one of his most attractive features and was vital for Blackburn in the succesful 94-95 season when he missed only two games. Having been part of the team to deny Manchester United league success in that season, Berg soon become a Red Devil when Alex Ferguson swooped for him in 1997. Berg went on to add two more league titles to his collection along with an FA Cup and a Champions League, famously being part of United’s 1999 treble success  (Berg actually missed both cup finals through injury). Berg moved back to Blackburn in 2000 and lasted three years before moving to Rangers for the 2003-2004 season before calling time on his playing career. In 2005 he took the reins of Lyn Oslo in his native Norway and has since gone onto manage Lillestrom where he remains to this day.

CB: Colin Hendry

The title winning season of 94-95 came in Hendry’s second spell at Blackburn having first joined them from Dundee in 1987 before also going on to play for Manchester City. Hendry earned a reputation as a tough tackling centre-half and was instrumental in Rover’s success. He remained at Blackburn until 1998 before moving back up north to play for Glasgow Rangers for two years, during which he managed to win a domestic trouble but also fall out with manager Dick Advocaat. Before moving back to his native land Hendry captained the national side at WC 98.

Hendry moved back to England in 2000 to play for Coventry, Bolton, Preston and Blackpool before hanging up his boots in 2003. He entered management in 2004 when he took control of Blackpool which was ultimately unsuccessful and he was sacked in 2005. A two year break followed before he became manager of Clyde however he lasted only five months when he was forced to retire due to the death of his wife.

CB: Ian Pearce

An inspired signing by Dalglish, Pearce made the move from Chelsea in 1993 having played only four games in three years for the London side. Pearce went on to form a formidable partnership with Hendry in the 94-95 season the pair were the bedrock of the side with their no-nonsense approach to defending. Pearce moved away from Ewood park in 1997, signing  on the dotted line at Upton Park for West Ham, with whom he went on to make 142 appearances. Pearce then moved across London to join Fulham in 2004 and played for four years at Craven Cottage in a spell that was often hampered by injuries. In 2008, now in the twilight of his career Pearce was forced to undergo trials at Southampton and Brentford as he looked for a club before ultimately rejoining Oxted & District FC, the club where his career had begun. Oddly, in 2009 he then re–entered the football league as a player/assistant manager with Lincoln City, serving as deputy to Chris Sutton.

LB: Graeme Le Saux

Another Walker/Dalglish signing when he came in 1993 from Chelsea, Le Saux became a virtual ever present for Rovers as they laid siege to the top spots in English football. His performances were noted by national boss Terry Venables and Le Saux went on to make 36 appearances for his country, including a period of being first choice left-back  left-back for the 1998 World Cup. In 1997, Le Saux became the most expensive defender in English football when he moved back to Chelsea where he won an FA Cup, League Cup and Cup Winners Cup  before moving to Southampton as part exchange for Wayne Bridge in 2003. Despite being married with two children, Le Saux frequently experienced abuse from opposition fans and players who tormented him with homosexual allegations, most famously Robbie Fowler in 1999 who bent over and repeatedly pointed at his backside as Le Saux prepared to take a free kick during a game against Liverpool. Le Saux vehemently denies these claims and still feels immense anger against Fowler, who he says has never apologized. Having ended his playing career in 2005 whilst at Southampton, Le Saux went on to do some punditry work for BBC however he quit once replaced by Mark Lawrenson. He has also appeared on Dancing on ice and Working Lunch.

RM: Stuart Ripley

Ripley waited until the twilight stages of his career to eventually fly the Ewood Park nest when in 1998, aged almost 31, he moved to the south coast to join Southampton. Ripley made 53 appearances for the Saints, but as his playing time began to run out he was forced to undertake loan spells at Barnsley and Sheffield Wednesday before eventually calling it a day in 2002.

As one of a rare breed, a footballer with a few brain cells, Ripley went on to graduate with a first class degree in Law and French and also open up a Physiotherapy & Sports Injury Clinic. Good on you, Stuart.

CM: Tim Sherwood

One of Dalglish’s first signings for Blackburn Sherwood had a difficult start to his Blackburn career before eventually finding his feet and putting in a string of fine performances for the club. Such were the level of these performances that when King Kenny expressed an interest to sign two little known French players by the name of Christophe Dugarry and Zinedine Zidane, Walker asked him “Why do you want to sign Zidane when we have Tim Sherwood?”. What could have been?! Feeling unsettled up north, Sherwood moved back to London with Tottenham in 1999 where he remained until 2003 when a bust-up with then coach Glenn Hoddle sealed his exit. Sherwood moved to the south-coast and joined Portsmouth with whom he enjoyed promotion success in his first season. An important member of the squad at Fratton Park, Sherwood was enjoying considerable amounts of first team action in the Premier League in 2003/04 before a broken leg ended his Pompey career. He moved back to the Championship in 2005 to join Peter Reid’s Coventry City but could not help them gain promotion and made only 11 appearances. At the end of the 2004/05 season his contract was terminated by mutual consent. Since leaving the game as a player, Sherwood has remained closely involved working both as a pundit on various channels and holding down a backroom position at White Hart Lane under Harry Redknapp.

CM: David Batty

Now making his second appearance in such a feature on BPF, Batty has enjoyed a colorful career. Having won a league title at Blackburn the tough tackling centre-mid went on to taste more (relative) success at Leeds United when he helped them challenge for domestic and European honours during the club’s golden period of the early 2000′s.

Batty’s time at Blackburn may be best remembered for the on-field fracas he had with then teammate Graeme Le Saux during a game against Spartak Moscow in 1996 that ultimately led to him submitting a transfer request and making his way to Newcastle, however this should not detract from an excellent career in which the player represented his country 42 times and rarely shirked responsibilities during battle.

LM: Jason Wilcox

One of the last of the league winning team to hang around, Wilcox made over 300 appearances for Rovers since beginning his career with the club in 1989. In leaving the club in 1999, Wilcox also has the strange record of tasting league victory and relegation with the same club. An excellent player in his day, Wilcox never had a shortage of clubs sniffing around him but his loyalty to the club who had given him everything was unremitting until a drop to the second division of English football gave him little other option. He moved to Leeds in a £4m move and, along with his old team mate David Batty, went onto enjoy some of the finest days of the clubs history, featuring prominently in their journeys into the business end of the UEFA Cup and Champions League in the early 2000′s. In what may seem to indicate some form of curse, Wilcox’s exit from Leeds was once more prompted by a relegation. In 2004 he moved to Leicester on a free transfer where he lasted two seasons, interupted by a potentially career ending cruciate ligament injury, before moving to Blackpool where in a nice twist of fate he tasted the joy of avoiding relegation before calling time on his career in 2006 following a bust up with some of the club’s backroom staff. In his day, Wilcox was often touted as the long-needed solution to England’s left midfield problem however frequent injuries ultimately held him back and he managed just three full England caps.

CF: Alan Shearer

Strongly considered as one of the greatest English players of all time, Shearer’s career is a model of consistency. Upon leaving Southampton to join Blackburn in 1992, Shearer would go onto become one of the most prolific strikers in Premier League history bagging a phenomenal 130 goals in 171 appearances for Rover’s and another 206 for Newcastle United as well as averaging almost a goal every two games for the international side. Shearer’s partnership with Chris Sutton over the 1994-95 season, dubbed the SAS, was every bit as clinical as its name suggests as the strike-pair shot Blackburn to league glory.

As Euro 96 came to a close, Shearer was edging nearer and nearer to an exit from Ewood Park and admits to very nearly signing for Manchester United only for the transfer to be halted by Jack Walker who refused to sell his prize asset to a main rival.In july 1996, Shearer became the most expensive player in world football when he moved to Newcastle United, his boyhood club then managed by local hero Kevin Keegan, for £15m. Despite some heroic performances and a raft of personal accolades, Shearer’s time at Newcastle was characterized by “nearly, but not enough” as he was a runner up in the Premiership (96), twice a runner up in the FA Cup (98 and 99)  and made suffer a series of European disappointments including a semi-final defeat in the UEFA Cup in 2003. A reversed decision on his retirement  in the summer of 2005 extended his playing career to the end of 2005-06 season when he eventaully called it a day after tearing a mdeial ligament in his knee with three games of the season to go.

Shearer’s incredible career saw him bag an incredible 379 club goals in 733 appearances and a raft of personal honours which I cannot begin to list here. A hero at Rovers and at Newcastle,, where a statue  (and a bar) are present in his honour, it seemed the only thing missing from his time as a player was more silverware.

Immediately after his playing career ended, Shearer took up a punditry role with the BBC working on both Match of the Day and the coverage of major tournaments. He is also hugely involved in various charities and is a patron of the Bobby Robson foundation and a supporter of other charitable oganisations like UNICEF, the Dream Foundation and the NSPCC, holding regular fundraisers for each.

Widely tipped to go into coaching at some stage of his career, Shearer frequently resisted the offers (from both England and Newcastle) until April 2009 when he stepped up to the plate to try save a struggling Newcastle from relegation. Given an 8 week break by the BBC he was seen as a messiah and his return to the dugout was hugely celebrated by the Toon faithful. His efforts  to keep his much beloved club afloat were not enough however (he managed just one win and two draws in eight games) and Newcastle dropped out of the top-flight for the first time in sixteen years. Specualtion immediately turned to his future at the club and with fans and players proclaiming his desire to stay, Shearer came out and said he would continue as manager if owner Mike Ashley would sell the club. This did not occur and Shearer’s temporary appointment remained exactly that.

CF: Chris Sutton

The other half of one of the most feared strike partnerships in top division history. Sutton became the most expensive British footballer ever when he made the £5m switch from Norwich to Blackburn in 1994. Although a pricey acquisition, Sutton’s fee was in no means a waste of money, scoring fifteen league goals in his first season and often acting as the perfect foil for Shearer.

Injuries frequently blighted the remainder of his Blackburn career but high points included a haul of 18 goals in the 1997-98 season before the fateful relegation in 1998-99, a season in which he featured just seventeen times in the league and scored only three goals. Sutton was sold to Chelsea for £10m following the relegation and he failed to make much impact at Stamford Bridge, managing only one league goal and three in total as he struggled to fit into the Blue’s system. He did however pick up an FA Cup winners medal with them in 2000, despite not even being on the bench in the final.

Sutton was to last only one season in London, as in the summer of 2000 he moved to Celtic for £6m, where he was to have a much happier time of it. During his time there he formed another irresistible strike partnership, this time with Henrik Larsson. He picked up three SPL titles, two Scottish Cups and two Scottish League Cups aswell as a UEFA Cup runners up medal scoring 60 goals in 130 appearances for The Hoops. His efforts were recognized in the 2003-04 season when he was named SPFA player of the year. In 2006 he moved back to England, signing on a free transfer to Birmingham but once more had to experience the pain of relegation after making just 11 appearances and being criticized as being over paid by owner David Sullivan. Strangely, Martin O’Neill signed him in October of 2006 on a season long contract to feature for his Aston Villa side but only three two months later Sutton suffered blurred vision in a game and was told that there was little option for him but to announce his retirement, which he did in July of 2007. Sutton currently manages League Two side Lincoln City, taking up the post in September 2009. His first season as a manager has seen some mixed results, he brought The Imps to the FA Cup third round for the first time since 1999 but has made little impact in terms of league position, although survival has been achieved.

This weekend we have six Premier League fixtures and two FA Cup semi finals at Wembley. As far as difficult games to predict go, FA Cup semi finals rank pretty highly, but I will take a look at where the best value lies for those looking for a speculative punt.

Aston Villa V Chelsea

First of all, a repeat of chelsea’s 7-1 hammering from a fortnight ago looks to be priced at around 150/1. In my opinion you’d be better off throwing your money down the nearest drain.

Aston Villa are looking to reach their second domestic final of the season and will be determined to redeem themselves from that drumming. On this premise, odds of 9/2 for a Villa win are good value.

Following that, all the prices on the correct score market for a Villa win are extremely good value.

A 1-0 win for Villa is priced at 12/1, a 2-1 win at 16/1 and a 2-0 win at 28/1. This is outstanding value for what is likely to be a tight and cagey semi final and if you are confident that Villa will win, get on them at these prices.

Chelsea have found some decent form in recent weeks and will be brimming with confidence after their victory over Manchester United last weekend. Their 7-1 demolition of Villa will also be fresh in the memory of exactly what they can achieve against this opposition.

They looked firmly in control for much of the game against Manchester United a week ago, and if Chelsea can recreate this form from kick-off on Saturday they will be very difficult to beat.

A 2-1 Chelsea win is best priced at 15/2, less than half the odds for the same scoreline in favour of Aston Villa. Despite being a likely final score, these odds represent little value in a game which could easily swing the other way. If you think Chelsea will win, backing them to win 3-1 at 12/1 would be a better punt.

I think both teams will score. After that it is anyone’s guess.

As this is the FA Cup, anything can happen. And in the spirit of the world’s greatest cup competition, I would be inclined to have a punt on the underdogs, Aston Villa to win at 9/2. The correct score is a nightmare to predict but any that see Villa win by one goal represent outstanding value.

A note to bare in mind with Aston Villa in any game is the first goalscorer. Gabby Agbonglahor is always a likely contender and usually scores early on in games, meaning you do not have to wait long for a return. At odds of 8/1 to score first in this game, it has extra value.

My bets:

Aston Villa to win 2-1 (@ 16/1)

Agbonglahor to score first (@ 8/1)

Tottenham V Portsmouth

Tottenham are understandably massive favourites for this one and it will be an achievement if injury-racked Portsmouth find enough players to turn up at Wembley on Sunday.

Pompey are currently 10/1 to win this game and progress to the FA Cup final, and you can be sure they will put up a solid fight.

If you fancy a punt on a fairytale ending to Portsmouth’s troubled season, you can get odds of 50/1 for them to win 2-0. Even if you think they have enough fight to take it to extra time you can get odds of 9/1 and 25/1 for a 1-1 or a 2-2 draw respectively.

In truth, I cannot see this one going anywhere other than a comfortable win for Tottenham. The only odds that represent any value in the correct score market barring an absolute drumming are Tottenham to win 4-1 at 20/1.

You can gain extra value by betting on the half time correct score. This way, a 2-0 Spurs lead would return odds of 11/2 and a 3-0 lead 18/1.

My bets:

Tottenham to win 4-1 (@ 20/1)

Tottenham to be leading 2-0 at half time (@11/2)

Blackburn Rovers V Manchester United

Wayne Rooney is actually out of this one which means a return to the midweek hypothesis of goals coming from midfield. Against Bayern I tipped Nani to score first but, despite netting twice, he was beaten to the first goal by Darren Gibson.

This weekend I fancy Nani to build on his outstanding midweek performance and score first against Blackburn on Sunday. At odds of 15/2 again, it is very good value if he starts.

Similarly, If Paul Scholes is back in the starting line up, he might be worth a punt for first goalscorer at 12/1.

I am expecting a tough game for United. Blackburn have been reasonably strong at home this season and have punched above their weight on occasions. I think United will win by one or two goals.

1-0 and 2-0 wins for Manchester United are both priced at 13/2 and represent reasonable value.

My bet:

Manchester United to win 2-0 (@ 13/2)

Nani to score first (@ 15/2)

Good luck!

An early strike from the Argentine striker set City on their way,and he bagged his second with less than five minutes gone in the second half, curling in an effort from the edge of the penalty area.

Defender Micah Richards added a stunning second in between, racing 80 yards to feed striker Benjani who struck a post but the England international was on hand to fire home the rebound.

Tevez rounded off a scintillating performance with an outstanding third goal as he coolly placed a shot past Paul Robinson to claim his first hattrick in the blue of City.

Striker Benjani was the architect of the first three goals in his first league outing of the season, and certainly justified his selection.

Blackburn struggled with the pace of City throughout, and it was all too easy to see why they have won just once on the road so far this season.

Their one moment of quality arrived after 70 minutes when Morten Gamst Pedersen pounced on a heavy first touch from Vincent Kompany to beat Shay Given with a neat finish.

Rovers lost Benni McCarthy to injury in the warm up and struggled up front, though they should have scored after an hour when midfielder Steven N’Zonzi headed wide from a free kick.

Allardyce tried to change things up with a double substitution at the interval and his side improved in the second period.

Richards and Vincent Kompany looked solid at the heart of the home side’s defence in the absence of Kolo Toure and Joleon Lescott, while Javier Garrido continues to justify Roberto Mancini’s faith in him.

Nigel De Jong must be aware that his place is under threat following the arrival of Patrick Vieira kept David Dunn, Rovers’ one genuine creative influence, quiet throughout.

The home side could have scored more, and substitute Robinho thought he had when he turned in a Tevez cross, but the linesman had flagged for offside.

City now move into the Champions League places, only six points behind rivals Manchester United with a game in hand.

The semi finals of the Carling Cup got a little bit more interesting last night when Manchester rivals City and United were drawn to face each other for a place at Wembley.

City overcame a young Arsenal side comfortably in their quarter final while holders United defeated Tottenham, whom they beat in last year’s showpiece, 2-0 on Tuesday.

Second half goals from Carlos Tevez, Shaun Wright-Phillips and youngster Vladimir Weiss lit up the City of Manchester Stadium and guided the club to its first major semi final since the FA Cup in 1981.

Manager Mark Hughes said he was looking forward to facing his former club in such a big game.

“I think the United draw was meant to be,” he told the club’s official website.

“I don’t know whether Fergie will stick with the kids, they have some very good ones. They defeated a near full strength Tottenham side but we know we can compete with them.”

In last night’s other game, league leaders Chelsea were dumped out of the competition by Blackburn Rovers after a penalty shootout.

The game finished 3-3 after extra time and Paul Robinson was the hero for Rovers, saving spot kicks from Michael Ballack and Gael Kakuta.

The Ewood Park club will face Aston Villa in the semi final after Martin O’Neill’s men defeated Portsmouth 4-2 on Tuesday.

CARLING CUP SEMI-FINAL DRAW:

Manchester City v Manchester United
Blackburn v Aston Villa

The ties will take place over two legs in the weeks commencing January 4 and 18.

It is 3.30 am and I’m at a fancy dress party in Dundrum, South Dublin. I am talking to a chicken that is half way through hatching. My flight to this weekend’s game is only three hours away and by the time I settle into my leaba (bed, in Irish!) a few short minutes later, my phone is ringing – the taxi is outside. Shit! It is time to go, and I have felt healthier! Eoin is my travel companion today and we still have our 100% win record stretching back since 2005. I am confident we will get over last Sunday’s defeat. My money is on 3-0 and Berbatov for first goal.

This morning we are flying with Ryanair to Liverpool. I feel dirty. It can’t be helped however; flights are under 20 quid and that is not something that can be turned down. The plan is a cunning one though – get some much needed sleep in the plane and then again in the airport. But things do not go according to plan. A while back, we discovered a prayer room in Liverpool airport, a room which is always empty. So, with apologies to the religiously precise out there, this has become a ‘Mecca’ for catching up on some sleep and avoiding the needless cost of hotels.

We settle in, alarms on for 11.00 but just 20 minutes later we are awoken. The airport manger has spotted us and asks us to move on. No room at the Inn.

I chose to ignore him, he sounds like a Scouse after all. I try to settle back to sleep while Eoin goes off for a walk.

The Catholic conscience within me takes over and I decide to leave a few minutes later. Some of the local lads are already in Manchester and looking for us to join their super session. Right now, beer is the last thing on my mind but it is time to get the bus to Manchester.

The 10.40 has already left and its not even 10.20 yet. So we are stuck here for well over an hour. I am now faced with the unthinkable situation of having to spend money on Merseyside. I feel even dirtier now. A full English takes first priority, newspapers, some tv in the airport lounge, then we head out to wait to for the bus. F**k! It is already full. The two polish ticket collectors think its really funny to tell us we have to wait an hour before telling us there are indeed, two seats left.

Eoin heads off down the back and by the time his backside hits the seat, he is asleep. I nestle into my seat half way up the bus, and look forward to a much needed hour of sleep. But it looks like I have got the short straw. I’m sitting beside a rather large woman, who thinks that not only has her ticket paid for her own seat but half of mine too. I spend the next hour looking sideways…

It’s still early doors as we hit some of the pubs with the local lads. We watch the entire Arsenal v Spurs game and then move on to a few other pubs. About 4.30 we head towards the ground. Liverpool are down to ten and losing 2-1. No wait, its nine and 3-1. Wonder if they should have let us sleep in that prayer room in Liverpool!

Nice bonus. There’s a good atmosphere about, evening games tend to bring that out, probably due to the fact that lads have been well souped by five.

We grab a few cans and meet up with a few lads who have also travelled over from Ireland. As we move on down, the customary ‘dirty burger’ is consumed. Onions, Bacon and some of Sainsbury’s finest errm….. maybe beef. We argue that if the stall has actually gotten bigger over the years. I say it has, the rest disagree. I argue that the legend of the dirty burger has probably seen their profits soar over the last few years. The reality is that the intake of alcohol all afternoon has clouded my judgment. This place is the food equivalent of a chubby lady at 3am. Beer required for maximum appreciation.

We get the team prediction pretty spot on, no real surprises this time. I did expect one of Rio or Vidic to be back in, but they are both out.

The first 20 minutes is perhaps the most uneventful I have witnessed in this hallowed ground. Blackburn have parked the proverbial bus and United aren’t getting a shot in. Van Der Sar is in danger of getting frost bite in front of us. First chance falls to Berba, whose header is tipped over by Robinson. Should have done better – super cross from Valencia. Robinson’s gloves are warmed again moments later as the Bulgarian hits a rasper from 30 yards, he looks well up for this today. Minutes later, the ball is in the net, Berba again, but Rooney is offside. Better, but still nothing special. Blackburn, swine flu and all, have come for a smash and grab.

The lads around me are getting restless. One of them is a funny, funny lad but sometimes he takes it a bit too far. He doesn’t like Berba or Nani and as the second half kicks off his slating of our number 9 continues. I turn to him “Right, Berbatov – first goal – a tenner on it!” ….”you’re on mate” , he says. Moments later, its 1-0. Easy money.

It was a quality strike. As Berbatov celebrates just feet in front of us, I turn to my mate who has a smile on his face.

“Keep the tener… the fact he shut you up is enough for me”. We agree on double or quits for the next game. And then, enter our new idol – Gabriel Obertan! We spend the next 30 minutes singing his name, acclaiming him to be the best player since Pele. New signings are great for morale, the people around us think we are insane. His first touch on Old Trafford soil is awful, but he goes on to have a decent game. We won’t mention his shocking miss. Had that gone in, you can guarantee that the word Obertan would have been in this article about 500 times.

The French genius is involved as Anderson crosses with about eight minutes left, for Rooney to whack home. Another class goal and three points in the bag. Owen misses a sitter as he clears the post and as the ball lands at our feet, my chances of 3-0 and Berbatov first goal are gone. Still, job done and we finally got a glimpse of the best player of all time.

Manchester is awash with costumes that night, but my lack of sleep since Thursday is catching up on me. We retreat to the airport about 12.30 am for some much needed kip on the check-in area floor. The return journey is via Manchester at 8am and less eventful this time (I won’t mention what happened for the same flight two weeks ago!!) . I arrive home about 11am and its time for proper bed. Wrecked. Will we ever cop on and do it right? Never, its all part of the fun.

Until the Everton game, Au Revoir.

Chelsea 1-0 Manchester United

Captain John Terry put Chelsea five points clear of Manchester United at the top of the Premier League with a second-half winner at Stamford Bridge. Terry glanced home a 76th minute free-kick from Frank Lampard although United claimed Didier Drogba was in an offside position. United had their chances with Wayne Rooney twice going close but the Blues made it a club record of 11 straight home wins. It was the home side who created the first goal attempt when Branislav Ivanovic burst down the right flank and let fly with a left-foot shot which Edwin van der Sar did well to hold at the near post.

Chelsea were in front in the 76th minute when Ashley Cole was fouled by Fletcher on the left flank. Terry rose to glance Lampard’s free-kick into the corner of the net but United were furious that Drogba appeared to be in an offside position as the ball bounced beyond Van der Sar and into the net. Rooney was booked afterwards and then Atkinson booked Evans and Carvalho in the 82nd minute as tempers flared. Valencia was lucky to remain on the pitch with a two-footed challenge on Lampard but Atkinson handed him a yellow card.

Wolves 1-4 Arsenal

Arsenal head into the international break resting nicely near the top of the Premier League table. Unbeaten in 13 matches in all competitions Arsene Wenger’s side are a clear and positive threat to Chelsea and Manchester United. They are scoring goals for fun – but not all of them are of their own making as Wolves will sadly testify. The newly-promoted team were bright and lively until the 28th minute when they were undone by their own hand.Ronald Zubar deflected the ball for an own goal and Jody Craddock followed suit seven minutes later. Wayne Hennessey looked totally bewildered and was beaten again in first half stoppage-time by Cesc Fabregas – his ninth of the season. Andrey Arshavin added a fourth in the 64th minute only or Craddock to score at the right end in the 89th minute.

Arsenal went ahead in the 28th minute and there was a stroke of luck about their effort. Fabregas swung in a corner from the left and the ball took a deflection off Zubar, under pressure from Eduardo, for an own goal. Eduardo was allowed plenty of space and raced forward only to see his chip deflected off Craddock and past Hennessey for the second. They extended their lead in stoppage-time when Fabregas scored in front of the posts after a simple ball from Robin van Persie. Andrey Arshavin netted in the 66th minute, latching onto Hennessey’s clearance from a corner by Fabregas, thumping the ball beyond the goalkeeper. Craddock scored at the right end this time when he powered home a header from substitute Matt Jarvis’ corner.

Manchester City 3-3 Burnley

Kevin McDonald had the last word in an amazing six-goal thriller which brought Burnley their first away point of the season and condemned Manchester City to a fifth successive draw. Graham Alexander’s penalty and a Steven Fletcher effort seemed to have Burnley well placed for their first top-flight away win since April 1976. But Shaun Wright-Phillips breathed fresh life into the home side two minutes before half-time and Kolo Toure and Craig Bellamy seemed to have set the stage for a City win in 15 raucous minutes either side of the break.

However, after spending almost all the second period on the back foot, Burnley found a final burst of energy three minutes from time. Substitute David Nugent crossed for Fletcher, whose nod back invited McDonald’s gleeful finish and drew boos of derision from City fans at the end as their team slipped out of the top four. Few of City’s expensive recruits were impressing. Wright-Phillips was one and it was no surprise he was the man who struck two minutes before the break, his shot flicking off former City defender Stephen Jordan to raise hopes of a successful second-half comeback. Lescott got behind Clarke Carlisle at the far post to reach a Gareth Barry free-kick and steer it into Toure’s path to tap it in. Bellamy completed the comeback running on to a Shawn Wright-Phillips cross at the far post, but Kevin McDonald’s late strike earned Burnley a well-deserved draw.

Aston Villa 5-1 Bolton Wanderers

John Carew produced an inspired performance as Aston Villa demolished Bolton to put their push for a European spot back on course with a resounding victory. The Norwegian international set up three goals – for Ashley Young, Gabriel Agbonlahor and James Milner – and scored one himself before Carlos Cuellar put the icing on the cake for Martin O’Neill’s side. Bolton have now leaked 15 goals in their last four games in all competitions and could only manage a single reply from substitute Johan Elmander. Carew was in unstoppable form with his power and aerial dominance and made it a miserable day for the former Villa defenders Gary Cahill and Zat Knight. But Milner was also impressive on the flank while Cuellar was outstanding at the back for Martin O’Neill’s side, who shrugged off the absence of suspended skipper Stiliyan Petrov and injured duo James Collins and Emile Heskey.

Tottenham 2-0 Sunderland

Sunderland striker Darren Bent missed a penalty on his return to White Hart Lane as Tottenham secured victory through goals from Robbie Keane and Tom Huddlestone. Bent had the chance to level for the visitors against the side he left in controversial circumstances last summer but Heurelho Gomes saved his spot-kick, a crucial moment in the Barclays Premier League game as Steve Bruce’s men were gaining momentum. Instead, Huddlestone grabbed his third of the season with an effort that crashed in off the crossbar, doubling the lead after Keane’s early strike.

Inevitably the focus was on Bent following his acrimonious departure when he ranted on Twitter about how long the deal was taking. There was nothing controversial on his social networking site on the day of the game, just a picture of his breakfast Weetabix. Benoit Assou-Ekotto’s hanging cross from the left was guided into Keane’s path by Peter Crouch, with the flag staying down as the Spurs skipper met the ball with a volley. Craig Gordon saved that effort but the ball squirmed through the Sunderland goalkeeper and was tapped in by the Republic of Ireland international, his eighth goal of the season. Heroic Gomes was inspired for the second half after bringing down Bent for the penalty, keeping Sunderland at bay on a number of occasions. Jermain Defoe set up Tom Huddlestone for the second, smashing a strike into the net in a cool fashion.

Scores:

Chelsea 1-0 Manchester Utd
Terry

Hull 2-1 Stoke City
Olfofinjana, Vennegoor of Hesslink; Etherington

West Ham 1-2 Everton
Hibbert OG; Saha, Gosling

Wigan 1-1 Fulham
Boyce; Dempsey (pen)

Wolves 1-4 Arsenal
Craddock; Zubar OG, Craddock OG, Fabregas, Arshavin

Man City 3-3 Burnley
Wright-Phillips, Lescott, Bellamy; Alexander (pen), Fletcher, McDonald

Tottenham 2-0 Sunderland
Keane, Huddlestone

Aston Villa 5-1 Bolton
A. Young, Agbonlahor, Carew, Milner, Cuellar; Elmander

Blackburn 3 Portsmouth 1
Roberts, Nelson, Roberts; O’ Hara

Still to come: Liverpool vs Birmingham (Monday, 8:00PM)

Arsenal v Tottenham Hotspur, 12:45, Emirates Stadium

Tottenham make the short trip over to the Emirates to do battle with Arsenal in the London derby. Manuel Almunia could be set for a recall to Arsenal’s starting XI for Saturday’s derby after Vito Mannone’s mistakes last week. Wenger is likely to make several changes from the side which beat Liverpool in the Carling Cup in midweek but Lukas Fabianski (thigh), Tomas Rosicky and Theo Walcott (both knee) miss out. Samir Nasri made his first appearance of the season against Liverpool after recovering from a broken leg and is likely to be on the bench on Saturday. No news has arrived concerning Tottenham’s line-up, with a number of names out. Jermain Defoe is still suspended, Jonathon Woodgate is missing and Michael Dawson is also a doubt.

Fantasty player pick: Cesc Fabregas
Prediction: Arsenal’s home form and Spurs injuries add up to a home win

Bolton Wanderers v Chelsea, 15:00, Reebok Stadium

Bolton manager Gary Megson has an almost fully fit squad to pick from. Johan Elmander made his return to first-team action after a hamstring injury when he came off the bench against Chelsea in the Carling Cup tie between the two teams on Wednesday night. Only long-term absentees Joey O’Brien and Sean Davis, who both have knee problems, remain on the sidelines. Chelsea have doubts over striker Salomon Kalou and defender Branislav Ivanovic ahead of their trip to Bolton. Both will undergo late fitness tests after collecting minor knocks in the Carling Cup win over Wanderers in midweek. But Ashley Cole (ankle), Jose Bosingwa (knee), Yury Zhirkov (knee), John Mikel Obi (knee) and Hilario (concussion) are all out. However, Chelsea welcome back John Terry, Ricardo Carvalho, Nicolas Anelka, Michael Essien and Frank Lampard. They were all rested in midweek.

Fantasy player pick: Joe Cole
Prediction: Can’t look past an away win

Burnley v Hull City, 15:00, Turf Moor

Hull City can move out of the bottom three if they beat Burnley at Turf Moor. Burnley manager Owen Coyle will give goalkeeper Brian Jensen “every chance” to recover from the injury he sustained in last weekend’s home defeat to Wigan. X-rays revealed the Burnley stopper, who has yet to resume full training, had suffered only slight ligament damage to his ankle so Diego Penny is on stand-by. The Clarets are still without long-term absentees Martin Paterson, Chris McCann (both knee) and Jay Rodriguez (ankle). Hull will be without goalkeeper Boaz Myhill for Saturday’s vital trip to Burnley. Jimmy Bullard did not train on Thursday due to a shin injury and a decision is still to be made on his participation at Turf Moor.

Fantasy player pick: Wade Elliot
Prediction: Burnley to get their home form back on track

Everton v Aston Villa, 15:00, Goodison Park

Villa ‘keeper Brad Friedel is set to make his 200th successive Premier League appearance at Goodison Park on Saturday. Stephen Warnock and Nigel-Reo Coker have knocks meaning Nicky Shorey and Steve Sidwell could be set for re-calls. Emile Heskey is a doubt, but John Carew is available for the visitors. Everton face a major injury crisis after playing three games in six days before their mid-week Carling Cup game. Leighton Baines is poised to return from a calf injury, while striker Louis Saha, who has a similar problem, will be given time to prove his fitness. Yakubu is in contention for a place in the starting XI after overcoming his heel problem to play against Tottenham Hotspur on Tuesday, while Joseph Yobo, who did not feature, could return after suffering concussion.

Fantasy player pick: James Milner
Prediction: Entertaining draw

Fulham v Liverpool, 15:00, Craven Cottage

Steven Gerrard will miss his third successive Liverpool match on Saturday with the groin injury he picked up playing for England in Ukraine earlier this month. Liverpool will also be without England full-back Glen Johnson (calf) for the match against Fulham at Craven Cottage. Italian midfielder Alberto Aquilani, who made his first-team debut at Arsenal in the Carling Cup on Wednesday, has picked up a virus and will not be in the squad while Rafael Benitez will give a late test to Fernando Torres (groin) but expects him to be available. Lucas Leiva is also missing due to a virus. Fulham will be without Danny Murphy against his old side, along with Andy Johnson, Simon Davies and Dickson Etuhu.

Fantasy player pick: Yossi Benayoun
Prediction: Hard fought draw

Portsmouth v Wigan Athletic, 15:00, Fratton Park

Wigan will be without defender Maynor Figueroa for their trip to Fratton Park. Paul Scharner is also doubtful with a hamstring injury as is Chris Kirkland with a dislocated finger. Pompey welcome back cup-tied quartet Kevin-Prince Boateng, Jamie’ O Hara, Mike Williamson and Tommy Smith. PapaBouba Diop and Hermann Hreidersson are still missing for the home side.

Fantasy player pick: Hugo Rodallega
Prediction: Wigan win

Stoke City v Wolverhampton Wanderers, 15:00, Britannia Stadium

Wolves welcome back Stefan Maierhofer after his one-match ban. Mick McCarthy is set to name an unchanged side, with Kevin Doyle and Sylvan Ebanks-Blake leading the line. On-loan Chelsea defender Michael Mancienne is available again for the visitors. Stoke are expecting Thomas Sorensen to be fit after injury. Mamady Sidibe is a doubt, while Tuncay is expected to start. Robert Huth is still suspended.

Fantasy player pick: Ryan Shawcross
Prediction: Stoke win

Sunderland v West Ham United, 15:00, Stadium of Light

Darren Bent is currently a doubt for this game, but should make the game in time. Fraizer Campbell, Phil Bardsley and George McCartney are also doubts, while Bolo Zenden and John Mensah have been ruled out. West Ham will be without the suspended Scott Parker, so midfielder Radoslav Kovac comes in. Kieron Dyer has a hamstring injury, while Alessandro Diamanti could re-called after starting on the bench against Arsenal.

Fantasy player pick: Darren Bent
Prediction: Home win

Manchester United v Blackburn Rovers, 17:30, Old Trafford

United have been hit with injuries to Nemanja Vidic, Rio Ferdinand and Ryan Giggs as they host Blackburn who are without a number of players who have contracted swine flu. Danny Welbeck is also missing for United, while Darren Fletcher and Ji-Sung Park both remain sidelined. Jason Roberts and Chris Samba are amongst those missing for Blackburn, but David Dunn should be fit after shaking off the virus. Pascal Chimbonda is fit after missing last week’s game, but Vince Grella has not fully recovered.

Fantasy player pick: Wayne Rooney
Prediction: United win

SUNDAY

Birmingham v Manchester City, 16:00, St. Andrews

Manchester City boss Mark Hughes expects Wayne Bridge, Craig Bellamy, Kolo Toure and Martin Petrov to be fit for Sunday’s only Premier League game at St. Andrews. Nedum Onuoha and Robinho are still recovering from injuries. Roque Santa Cruz is expected to drop down to the bench after scoring in mid-week, but Stephen Ireland may start after being left out of the last three league games. Joe Hart is inelidgeble for this one as he is on loan from Birmingham. Gregory Vignal is back for Brum both might have to settle for a place on the bench, Keith Fahey is still missing.

Fantasy player pick: Emmanuel Adebayor
Prediction: Narrow away win

Blackburn Rovers have confirmed that three players and two members of staff have been diagnosed with swine flu.

Christopher Samba and David Dunn both missed the 5-0 defeat at the hands of Chelsea on Saturday due to illness, although the club did not say which players had been struck down with the virus.

Rovers take on Peterborough in the Carling Cup on Tuesday and despite speculation, the game will definitely go ahead as planned.

Manager Sam Allardyce confirmed that the virus had broken out prior to the clash at Stamford Bridge at the weekend, and the club doctor is one of the members of staff to have caught the illness.

“It’s definitely swine flu – you’ve speculated on the names and I’ll leave it at that,” he said.

“We have had one more case this morning, one more player and there are a couple of staff.

“Other than that, the others that we left behind are recovering well but not available for tomorrow.”

A spokesperson for the Premier League confirmed Blackburn had made contact with them before the Chelsea match but that no postponement was requested – but Allardyce has criticised the league for guidelines binding clubs to play even if there is an outbreak of the virus.

“The Premier League has tried to sit on the fence by saying that we didn’t request to have the game called off,” he added.

“We knew we couldn’t get the game called off because we were told way back in February or March when we took some guidelines that unless there was some government legislation, everybody had to do whatever they had to do.

“If there was a swine flu outbreak, you couldn’t call a game off, no matter what. We knew we had to get 11 players on the field against Chelsea.

“We fulfilled our total, 100 per cent, responsibility by confirming two cases of swine flu and suggesting that it looks like one or two other players and members of staff had similar symptoms, and we made the same phone call to Chelsea.

“We just got on with it and put all the players we could together. We left about six players back here on stand-by, just in case a few more of the lads went down with symptoms on the Saturday morning – so we could get them on a train for the late kick-off.

“All those lads that were not quite 100 per cent said that they wanted to play and go out and do the best they could – and they did, so full marks to them.”

Chelsea jumped back to the top of the table after beating Liverpool at Stamford Bridge. Didier Drogba inspired the two second half goals, first after Javier Mascherano lost possesion in the middle of the park. Frank Lampard set the Ivorian striker through on the left who crossed for Nicholas Anelka, tapping in to score against his old side. Drogba’s strenght paved a route for himself, getting past Jamie Carragher along the byline and crossed for substitute Florent Malouda, who got in at the near post. Fernando Torres was kept quiet for the whole game thanks to the superb defending of Ricardo Carvalho and John Terry. Liverpool’s best chance to get on the scoreline came late on when Yossi Benayoun faked a shot to bring Hilario to ground, but his proper shot was pulled wide of the open goal. Hilario was the hero on a couple of occasions, the best keeping Gerrard’s long range effort out in injury time. Chelsea leapfrog Man United to return to the summit, while Liverpool suffer their 3rd league loss of the season, already surpassing the two games they lost last year.

***

Cesc Fabregas delivered one of the best performances of the season as Arsenal beat Blackburn 6-2 at the Emirates. Blackburn went into the lead early on when Steven Nzonzi headed in, before Thomas Vermaelen buried a twenty yard strike to level. David Dunn put Blackburn back into the lead on the half hour mark, but Arsenal equalized again this time Robin van Persie slotting home. Andrey Arshavin put Arsenal ahead for the first time, bringing a thrilling first half to a finish with a cooly slotted finish. Fabregas, who created the first three goals, added to his impressive haul with a beautifully lofted strike from outside the box for the fourth. He was at it again soon later, tipping the ball for Theo Walcott whose low shot found the far corner. Nicklas Bendter added further misery for Blackburn with a great shot from just outside the box, hitting off the far post and in.

***

Sunderland took advantage of a sluggish Manchester United but a late own goal from Anton Ferdinand meant they travelled back to the North East with just a point. Darren Bent put the Black Cats into a shocking early lead when he turned sharply and buried a strike from outside the box into the left corner. It took til the 50th minute for Man United to equalize, with John O’ Shea finding Dimitar Berbatov who scored with an impressive bicycle kick. Kenwyne Jones put the visitors back in front moments later, clashing with Ben Foster in the air but gathered himself to nod in. Kieron Richardson handed United a lifeline when he was sent off for kicking the ball away, picking up his second yellow card. But it was Sunderland’s mistake which handed United the point, Anton Ferdinand losing his direction from Patrice Evra’s cross and knocked the ball into his own net.

***

In other news, Portsmouth picked up their first win of the season against Wolves. With news of another takeover circling, Paul Hart’s side were in desperate need of getting off the ground in the league and Hassan Yebda’s goal was enough to pick up three very valuable points. Croatian pair Niko Krancjar and Vedran Corluka brought Spurs from behind to earn a draw against Bolton. Ricardo Gardner put the Trotters in the lead after three minutes from inside the six yard box, but Krancjar levelled thirty minutes later. Kevin Davies headed in to put Bolton back in the lead, but Spurs levelled again with Corluka.

***

Burnley maintained their 100% unbeaten record at Turf Moor with a 2-1 win against Birmingham. The very impressive Stephen Fletcher opened the scoring from just inside the box, before Andre Bikey doubled the lead. Sebastian Larsson scored a late consolation, direct from a free kick. Stoke ended Everton‘s five game unbeaten run with a 1-1 draw at Goodison. Robert Huth headed in the opener, but Leon Osmon levelled minutes later with a top corner strike.

***

Second half goals from Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink and Geovanni earned Hull City a valuable 2-1 win against Wigan Athletic. Dutch striker Hesselink headed in from close range to open the scoring, before Geovanni got through to slot in the second. Scott Sinclair scored a late lifeline for Wigan, but it wasn’t enough as this win takes Hull outside of the bottom three. And finally, a late Junior Stanislas equalizer earned West Ham a point against Fulham in today’s London derby. Carlton Cole headed in after fifteen minutes to put the home side in the lead, but two second half goals from Danny Murphy (a penalty) and Zolton Gera brought the Cottagers from behind. But young Stanislas’ injury time strike levelled for West Ham with a cracking strike from outside the box.