Andrei Arshavin Bio

Andrei Arshavin finally won the move to a big club which he had craved for some time when signing for Arsenal on deadline day in February 2009.

It was a protracted "will he, won't he" move which went into extra-time before it was ratified by the Premier League.

Although he started his career as a right-sided midfielder he has emerged as an attacking, creative midfielder of supreme quality. Perhaps at his best playing just behind the strikers, Arshavin's time to play at the top level in European football seems long overdue.

Born in Leningrad, now Saint Petersburg, he signed for his hometown club as a youth but began his playing days at their "farm" club, Zenit-2, in the Russian second division. He was promoted to the first team in the 2000 season and made his debut, at this point a right-sided midfielder, against Bradford City in the InterToto Cup.

His international bow came in 200 2for Russia against Belarus, scoring his first goal the following year against Romania.

Arshavin was the Russian Footballer of the Year in 2006, the year before he helped them to their first Russian Premier League title since 1984, starting every game and scoring 10 goals along the way.

In 2008 he won the UEFA Cup with Zenit and was named Man of the Match in a 2-0 win over Rangers in Manchester. And a few months later he was part of the Zenit side which beat Manchester United in the European Super Cup.

It was at the European Championships that year that he really shot to prominence. He had been a vital figure in the side which ousted England to make it to finals in Austria and Switzerland but a red card picked up in the final minutes of the last qualifier against Azerbaijan threatened to derail his involvement as he was banned for the first two games of Euro 2008.

Arshavin was thrown straight into the side for the last group game against Sweden and was an inspiration, sealing victory in injury time, as Russia won 2-0 to make it into the quarter-finals. And if that performance was good then against Holland in the last eight he was world class, scoring one and creating another as they won 3-1 after extra-time.

Now with all eyes on Arshavin and talk of a move to Barcelona, he failed to shine in the semi-finals against Spain as Russia lost 3-0 and that seemed to end rumours of a move to the Nou Camp. The player was also strongly linked with Tottenham Hotspur but Zenit's demands of a transfer fee over £20m ruined his hopes of a move.

Zenit failed to shine in the Champions League, and in the 2008 Russian league season, as the player became increasingly disillusioned at the club and was desperate to leave. He insisted he would not play for Zenit in the 2009 season.

Arsenal declared their interest at the start of the January transfer window and after a month long chase they finally managed to get hold of a player who has the ability to unlock a defence with a killer pass. He will hope to adapt to life in England quickly.

Arshavin - Premier League harder than it looked

Arsenal midfielder Andrei Arshavin has admitted that the Premier League is far harder than it looked on television and that he has been surprised by the physicality of the English game.

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The Russian is struggling to adapt.

"I watched the matches that were broadcast in Russia whenever possible," the 27-year-old told the Arsenal website.

"But to tell the truth it seemed less difficult on TV. Only now do I understand how dynamic and hard the football is here.

The Russian joined the Gunners in the January transfer window for a fee of around £15m, but has not played regular competitive football since the conclusion of the Russian league season at the end of November.

He has made two starts for Arsene Wenger's side, including a full 90 minutes against Fulham at the weekend, but claims he needs to improve his fitness before he can improve his form.

"Even before the end of the first half I felt as if I had spat my lungs out," said Arshavin. "It was a hard match for me. In the second half my legs simply refused to serve me.

"I am not physically strong enough yet to play the whole of the match. But I think with each coming game I play it will be easier in this sense.

"I would like to score as soon as possible. Everybody expected me to score in my very first match but that never happens, especially with me. But nothing was easy and immediate for me.

"Arsenal is no exception. So I need patience and hard work now. The main task now is to get into the Champions League for next season."

Arshavin has shown glimpses of his talent since his arrival, but has been short of the sparkling form that saw him light up Euro 2008 with Russia; and the midfielder admits he is not yet fully in tune with his new team-mates.

"We do not fully understand each other yet," he added. "I need to get used to the new kind of football and to my new team-mates before I begin playing my usual way."

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, meanwhile, has declared that he is not concerned with his player's subdued performances as he believes he will have a big impact on the side in the coming games.

The Frenchman said: "You can see his match fitness is not completely there yet. I believe physically it will take him another 10 days.

"I'm convinced he will soon have a tremendous influence on our game because he has a quick brain and is many steps ahead of the game.

"Even on Saturday he set up two great chances for Robin van Persie. They were two great passes and he had two great opportunities too. When you can have that kind of impact on a game, it is very positive."

Bendtner & Stoke City Give Arsenal a Lifeline

After another highly frustrating nil-nil home draw on Saturday, nothing less than a win was required at West Brom on Tuesday night and, thanks to two goals from Nicklas Bendtner and one from Kolo Toure, a win was what Arsenal got. It is a victory that heaps pressure onto Aston Villa ahead of their fixture at Manchester City on Wednesday night and was just what the doctor ordered after four successive goalless draws in the Premier League.

Last Saturday, Fulham came to Ashburton Grove and gave the Gunners a really stiff examination. On balance, the visitors were arguably the better team over the ninety minutes. That said, Arsenal had chances to win the match but, such has been the recent lack of belief in front of goal, a decisive strike never really looked like coming. This performance was even worse than the one the home supporters had to endure against Sunderland the previous Saturday and it was not really much of a surprise to hear a chorus of boos ring around the stadium at the final whistle.

On Saturday evening, any chances the Gunners had of finishing in the top four seemed to be hanging by a thread. The thread wore down to mere fibres on Sunday afternoon as Aston Villa looked to be easing towards a two-nil victory over Stoke with only two minutes remaining at Villa Park. Then, miraculously, the Potters scored twice before the final whistle to draw the match and what had looked like a certain three points for the Villains was suddenly cut to one. Arsenal had been thrown a very unlikely lifeline. Instead of being eight points behind Villa they were now only six and with the Midlands team facing a tricky run of fixtures over the next few weeks, including away trips to Man Utd and Liverpool, suddenly a glimmer of hope appeared for Arsenal.

Stoke’s late-show on Sunday would only have been any use to Arsenal if they could beat bottom club West Brom at the Hawthorns on Tuesday. They got off to a fabulous start when Nicklas Bendtner cut in from the right and hit a bobbling shot through the crowded defence into the far corner of the net. The lead was surrendered only a few moments later when some poor Arsenal defending at a freekick allowed the Baggies an equaliser. A healthy advantage was restored before the break when, first, a completely unmarked Kolo Toure got on the end of an Andrey Arshavin freekick to head the Gunners back into the lead and, then, Bendtner then made it 3-1 going into the break when he beat a quite hopeless West Brom offside trap and, clean through, fired home a fierce shot from the right-hand side of the penalty area.

The second half was more sedate in pace but Bendtner proved to be Arsenal’s man of the match by providing Arshavin with two excellent openings that the Russian was unable to finish. The big Dane also hit the post, depriving him of what would have been a well-earned hat-trick. It was a great evening for him. He has his critics amongst the Arsenal crowd even though there are many more candidates in this current squad far more deserving of a hard time from supporters. Tonight though, he answered many of the naysayers and the travelling Arsenal support sang his name throughout the second half.

Nicklas Bendtner is a young player who is not short of self-belief and it is unlikely that he is remotely bothered by those members of the Ashburton Grove crowd that slate his every error. Though even he must have been pleased to have taken the opportunity, not only to inspire a vital Arsenal win, but also to shut a few of his detractors up. The fact is that he is a very young player who is still learning the game and he has to learn those lessons in an Arsenal team which has struggled by its own high standards this season. Despite that, Bendtner has shown enough good play and scored enough goals to be deserving of the crowd’s patience. He can occasionally look ungainly and, like every other player, he does make mistakes but it is very clear that he is a hugely talented footballer who will develop further over the next few seasons if he continues to get chances in the first-team.

The Gunners take a break from the Premier League and get back to business in the FA Cup this weekend as they take on Burnley in the delayed Fifth Round tie. With a home tie against Hull City awaiting the victor in the next round, both teams know what their reward for winning will be. If that wasn’t incentive enough, exacting some revenge for exiting the Carling Cup at the hands of Burnley ought to be sufficient motivation for Arsenal.

This competition represents the Gunners best chance of silverware this season. So it is absolutely vital that they approach the game with the right attitude because one can be sure the visitors will be trying for their lives to achieve an unlikely Cup double.

Wenger lowers sights to fourth place

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has set his sights on catching Aston Villa in the race for a Champions League place after conceding that fourth place could be the best the Gunners can hope for this season.

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Nicklas Bendtner: Scored twice in Arsenal win.

Arsenal ended a four-game run without a league goal with a 3-1 win at West Bromwich Albion on Tuesday night to reduce the gap to Villa to three points but their recent failings in front of goal have put pay to any lingering hopes of a title challenge.

Wenger said: "It's a strange situation. We created as many chances against West Brom as we have done in many games. We are on a long unbeaten run since the beginning of November.

"I still believe that in the few draws we had, if we'd taken those chances, we would still be in the title race.

"But now we want to focus on reducing the gap to Aston Villa and other teams and try to win our games."

But even if Arsenal don't manage to finish in fourth place Villa boss Martin O'Neill still fears the Gunners might steal his club's Champions League place by winning Europe's most prestigious competition.

According to UEFA rules, were Arsenal to win the Champions League this season they would be given automatic entry next year, even if Villa replaced them inside the top four.

"My own view, and I might be speaking against myself, is that if you won the Champions League, I believe you have the right to go and defend it the next year," O'Neill said.

"Arsenal are capable of winning the competition, the way they are going to get their players back in the next week or so. If it was a clear, definitive rule at the start of the season then I'll abide by it."

O'Neill will be doing all he can to chase down third placed Liverpool, who are six points ahead but have played one more Premier league match, despite facing "an exceptionally difficult run in" to the end of the season.

Late Manucho goal ends run

Manucho pounced deep into stoppage time to clinch a dramatic 1-0 victory for Hull at Craven Cottage.

• Brown ecstatic

The Tigers were under siege for most of the second half until Manucho combined with fellow substitute Richard Garcia, who had been on the pitch for two minutes, to secure an unlikely three points.

Bobby Zamora, Andy Johnson, Clint Dempsey and Simon Davies should have put the Cottagers out of sight 20 minutes into the second half but failed to convert.

Hull keeper Matt Duke had a major hand in their downfall, keeping out Dempsey and Johnson with superb saves, but Zamora will have nightmares over his botched three-yard tap in.

A solitary win in their last 18 Barclays Premier League encounters had sent Hull into freefall but this victory has put them five points clear of the drop zone.

Tigers boss Phil Brown, who saw Ian Ashbee, Craig Fagan and Michael Turner pass fitness tests, buried the hatchet with Geovanni by including the Brazilian in his starting line-up.

Geovanni reacted angrily at being substituted in Sunday's 2-1 defeat by Blackburn, staring aggressively at Brown and ranting as he took his seat on the bench.

He later issued an apology and Brown refused to make an example of him - just as well as his key playmaker was Hull's best player on the pitch.

Fired up, Geovanni was in the thick of the early action, producing a niggly challenge on John Pantsil and then firing a free-kick a hair's breadth wide of the left post.

Fulham keeper Mark Schwarzer dealt with a looping header by former Cottagers target Daniel Cousin as Hull continued to press.

The visitors' goal came under pressure for the first time in the 12th minute when Zamora jinked his way into a shooting position only to fire wide.

An incisive run from Geovanni cut Fulham open but Bernard Mendy's ball into the box was poor, wasting the Brazilian's good work.

Davies and Paul Konchesky combined to set up a half-chance for Johnson with the little striker defying gravity to connect with the ball only for his header to sail wide.

Hull's defence was unlocked once again in the 27th minute but Johnson over-ran Zamora's pass while Dempsey saw his follow-up effort at the far post blocked.

With Davies prominent Fulham were beginning crank up the pressure on an increasingly ragged Tigers back four.

Regaining his composure after a string of dreadful touches, Zamora teed up Davies to perfection but the Wales midfielder smashed his effort into the turf and over the bar.

Johnson forced a fingertip save from Hull keeper Matt Duke seconds after the break and then it was Zamora's turn to cause panic in the visitors' defence.

He backed into Kevin Kilbane, who was all over the former West Ham marksman, and tumbled to the floor but referee Mike Jones was unimpressed by his penalty claim.

Lightening reactions from Duke then kept out a blistering drive from Dempsey and moments later Johnson was denied on the line by Mendy.

Johnson tried his luck from long range but found Duke waiting while at the other end Craig Fagan set up Cousin who blasted high.

Superb approach play created a gilt-edged chance for Zamora but amazingly he squandered a simple tap-in from three yards out.

For all Fulham's dominance the score was still level and in the final 15 minutes the balance of power began to shift.

Brede Hangeland and Dickson Etuhu were booked as the home defence began to struggle in the face of several rapid counters.

Duke kept out Dempsey and then Michael Turner tackled Johnson in the nick of time as Fulham searched in vain for a late winner.

Instead, the decisive blow came from Hull deep into injury time with Garcia picking out Manucho for the Angolan to bundle home.

Brown ecstaticHull manager Phil Brown admitted his side had performed a smash-and-grab raid after leaving Fulham with a priceless 1-0 victory.

The Tigers moved five points clear of the Barclays Premier League relegation zone after escaping Craven Cottage with maximum reward, ending their 11-game winless run in the top-flight.

"It was a grind tonight to say the least but we've been pretty before and have been turned over,'' said Brown. "This match wasn't about being pretty, it was about winning. I wouldn't have said we deserved to win but a clean sheet always gets you somewhere near winning.

"It wasn't a good performance. We've played much better than that and lost or got a point. Full credit to the defence and Manucho for coming on and scoring the goal.''

Manucho, on loan from Manchester United until the end of the season, had been on the pitch for less than 15 minutes when he landed the decisive blow.

"There's more to come from Manucho. He wasn't getting games at Man Utd so Sir Alex (Ferguson) wanted to loan him out to find his feet at this level if possible,'' said Brown. "We've been impressed with his attitude in training and at not being selected, which is key if you are a substitute and you do come on.

"His mentality was right tonight. Brede Hangeland is a handful but when Manucho came on it was a different ball game. We should also give credit to Richard Garcia - having been left out of a tight situation that has been created by this run, to have come off the bench and create the winning goal is as good as scoring.''

After the final whistle Fulham defender John Pantsil reacted angrily to what he claimed was abuse, though it is unknown whether it came from fans or players.

Cottagers boss Roy Hodgson spoke to referee Mike Jones about the incident and is prepared to investigate further if Pantsil requests.

"The official said to me that John complained to him about being abused by somebody,'' said Hodgson. "The referee didn't hear anything so he couldn't take any action. It's unusual to see John quite that angry so something has obviously happened out there, but what it is I don't know.

"I'll investigate it with John. I wouldn't have thought he was abused by fans - if players got angry about that they'd be angry every time a game is played. I'll speak to John and hopefully he'll have calmed down. We shouldn't be making such a drama about it.But if John feels we as a football club need to do something about then we'll explore it.''

Keane runs riot

Robbie Keane's first goal since returning to Tottenham and a double from Aaron Lennon ensured there was no Carling Cup hangover for Harry Redknapp's men as they romped to a 4-0 victory over Middlesbrough.

• Redknapp: Lennon for England

Keane opened the scoring before Roman Pavlyuchenko and Lennon added to the scoreline before the break as Spurs moved closer to mid-table after starting the match two points above the Barclays Premier League relegation zone.

Lennon then added a fourth in the second half at White Hart Lane, building on his performance at Wembley on Sunday when he had the beating of Manchester United full-back Patrice Evra.

It was just the response Spurs boss Redknapp wanted after losing on penalties to United, a clash Keane was cup-tied for after playing three minutes earlier in the competition for Liverpool.

That was part of an unhappy six months at Anfield - but he helped erase those memories with the opener in the ninth minute.

Luka Modric's corner was flicked on by Michael Dawson and Keane stabbed home from close range.

It was his first goal at Spurs' home ground in nearly a year and it came in his third appearance since returning.

Redknapp had wanted a positive reply in contrast to last season, while Juande Ramos was boss, when Spurs won just three more league matches after going to Wembley.

Despite Keane settling the nerves, Spurs were still not in total control after the opener.

Tuncay Sanli thought he had equalised when he latched on to Stewart Downing's long pass and finished off, only for the assistant referee to halt his celebrations.

Pavlyuchenko rubbed salt into the wound by adding the second in the 14th minute, finishing off Modric's cross from six yards out after the Croatia playmaker turned Robert Huth.

If Tuncay thought he was unfortunate to have his goal disallowed, he must have thought he had run out of luck when he drilled a shot that was blocked by Dawson's backside as the defender bravely slid in.

Keane should have extended the lead 10 minutes before the break when Modric weighted a pass through and Brad Jones had to rush out to block the finish - then the Spurs skipper for the night helped set up the third.

Almost the whole of the Spurs team had a hand in the goal as they strung together pass after pass, but it was Keane who threaded the ball through Huth's legs to give Lennon a clear run on goal.

Lennon followed up his Wembley performance with a cool finish, with Boro boss Gareth Southgate turning to his dugout in disgust at the ease in which the hosts had scored.

Huth's mistakes for two of the three first-half goals meant he was hauled off at half-time and replaced by Andrew Taylor.

It was a disastrous 45 minutes rather than the solid performance Southgate wanted after beating Liverpool at the weekend, a first victory in 15 attempts.

It could have been different had Downing, who Spurs made a bid for during the January transfer window, put away an early chance to open the scoring.

Seizing on Jonathan Woodgate's poor clearance, Downing fired an angled shot that Heurelho Gomes had to parry away, with Benoit Assou-Ekotto beating Tuncay to the rebound.

But after Spurs put away their chances, Boro were playing for pride and looking to avoid the psychological damage of a heavy defeat.

Spurs went in search of a fourth goal after the break and asked for a penalty when Keane was bundled over by Emanuel Pogatetz.

Tuncay's looping effort struck Gomes' far post in the second half - and Boro needed that to go in if there was any hope of a comeback.

Lennon added the fourth with 11 minutes remaining, chipping home after Keane slipped him through.

Redknapp: Lennon for EnglandTottenham boss Harry Redknapp has backed Aaron Lennon to force his way into the England squad after following up his Wembley performance with two goals in tonight's Barclays Premier League win over Middlesbrough.

Lennon has not played for his country in two years but has shown the form that took him to the 2006 World Cup under Sven-Goran Eriksson.

Current England boss Fabio Capello watched him in the Carling Cup final at the weekend when he had the beating of Manchester United full-back Patrice Evra - and he was in the stands again as Spurs defeated Boro 4-0 to ease their relegation fears.

"He's seen him on Sunday and against Boro,'' said Redknapp. "He must have a good chance of getting in the next squad if he plays like he is in the moment. Aaron is in fantastic form, and you felt something would happen every time he got the ball. The little fella is flying at the moment. He was tired on Saturday, but his little legs were still going.''

Lennon's final ball has been the problem in the past, but Redknapp feels the 21-year-old is improving.

"He's learning the game - he's only a kid,'' he said. He's got all the equipment. I can see him taking things in; he needs people to work with him and work on his game - and he is responding. His final ball is still the thing he needs to improve, but it's certainly getting better.''

"That's 10 points from five games, and you'd be flying with that average,'' added Redknapp. "It's still all to play for - with 12 teams in it, I think. Even Fulham would be looking over their shoulders.''

"This was a massive game because of the games we have coming up - three away and Chelsea at home. Another three victories should be enough. But there are 11 games left, and we want to keep pushing on.''

Boro are still second bottom, and boss Gareth Southgate was upset at his team failing to build on the win over Liverpool at the weekend.

"I thought we were poor defensively,'' he said. "We looked a threat going forward. It was open - which was exactly what we didn't want, because they have better footballers than us. We came here in good spirits. Were we too buoyant? We certainly had belief. It was a big blow - but it's about how we respond now.

"I don't think there was complacency, but we didn't do the right things at the right times and we weren't as resilient as we should have been. We have to apologise to our fans here. A lot of people would have made the journey - but for us to send them away without even a goal to celebrate, we owe them a performance.''

Dour stalemate at Ewood

Blackburn sank back into the bottom three after poor finishing let a much-needed victory over Everton slip away as the sides ground out a goalless draw.

Both sides were left to rue missed opportunities in a generally dismal affair when real chances were few and far between.

Jason Roberts had the pick of them - a one-on-one run at the keeper he should have buried, while Joleon Lescott could have won it for the visitors at the death.

This was certainly no advert for the Premier League for the live TV audience on an evening of general excitement elsewhere, with both managers putting their faith in graft and perspiration rather than craft and inspiration.

Apologists will point to the stakes being so high for both, but nothing ventured, nothing gained.

Not only are Rovers back in the relegation trio, thanks to Stoke winning over Bolton, but Everton have drifted away from the top five.

It had all started so promisingly. Latecomers, understandably dawdling over their pints in expectation of a cagey start, missed Jo shaking the home side into life after just 14 seconds with a powerful shot that might have troubled stand-in keeper Jason Brown only for a deflection to divert it for a corner.

Rovers hit back with a passage of play where there were three strikes at goal, the most promising by Stephen Warnock, but all were blocked by Everton defenders.

Those incidents apart, the opening half had little going for it.

El Hadji Diouf raised a flutter of excitement in home fans' hearts when he took Andre Ooijer's cross on the chest but Lescott stepped in with a powerful clearance, then Roque Santa Cruz broke down the left and produced an exquisite cross that allowed Keith Andrews to take deliberate aim - but a touch too long as his left-footed strike was also blocked out.

It took 38 minutes for either keeper to make a save worthy of note but when it came, courtesy of Brown, it was certainly noteworthy.

Blackburn struggled to clear their lines after Phil Neville had fired in a cross from the left, and the ball came to Steven Pienaar 15 yards out who looked odds on to hand Everton the lead.

The ball was firmly struck and heading into the top corner only for Brown to come to his side's rescue with an excellent diving save.

Jo was on target as the visitors ended the half on top but his shot was feeble after he had done well to earn himself space.

Allardyce made a positive change at half-time, sending on Tugay in place of Vince Grella, and soon after Santa Cruz nearly grabbed the lead.

Warnock jinked past a challenge into the box and Santa Cruz took over with a first-time shot that drifted to the left of the post.

Santa Cruz sent a header from Diouf's cross over the bar before the two managers had a heated exchange of words after Gael Givet's aerial challenge on Leon Osman left both players on the floor needing attention.

As it was Givet came off worst having to leave the field with Aaron Mokoena coming on.

Suddenly the match burst into life. Twice in a minute Blackburn came within an inch but were denied.

First Warnock, deliberately going for goal with a free-kick from deep on the right, struck the crossbar then Jason Roberts burst through to be one on one with Tim Howard.

Roberts attempted to poke the ball under the Everton keeper but Howard read it easily and saved with his foot before clasping the ball to his chest.

Moyes played his ace, in the form of Louis Saha, to try to steal victory and the French striker so nearly had an immediate impact on the result when he put Pienaar through only for Warnock to come in with a last-ditch block.

Tim Cahill lashed a half-volley from 25 yards but straight down Brown's throat.

In the dying minutes Lescott could have had a barely-deserved winner for Everton but volleyed a yard over.

Cole plays hero and villain

Carlton Cole scored a wonderful winner to give West Ham a 1-0 victory at Wigan but it was card-happy referee Stuart Attwell who stood out.

• Bruce's regular ref rant

The official sent off Cole for a second bookable offence just three minutes after his first-half strike came from an incisive passing move.

Wigan midfielder Lee Cattermole was next to go when he was shown a straight red for diving into the back of Scott Parker.

In all Attwell issued six yellow cards, not including Cole's first, and two reds in a niggly game which threatened to descend into a nasty affair at one point.

It overshadowed the excellence of West Ham's goal - a rare bright spot on an evening where beauty came a distinct second to beast.

The Hammers' victory allowed them to strengthen their hold on seventh place and left Wigan still looking for their first victory in eight matches.

Had it not been for Cole's brilliance the Latics would have shaded the first half.

Two fouls by Lucas Neill allowed by Amr Zaki and Mido to test goalkeeper Robert Green with early free-kicks.

Green's counterpart Chris Kirkland did just enough to put off Cole as he raced on to Radoslav Kovac's defence-splitting through-ball, with the West Ham striker commendably staying on his feet instead of opting to throw himself to the floor in the penalty area.

In the 28th minute Mark Noble tripped Cattermole after he skipped past a couple of challenges and he was booked.

Cole followed into referee Attwell's book for a late tackle on Michael Brown.

However, the striker made amends in impressive style in the 34th minute when he provided the finish to a slick passing move.

Parker slid the ball into David Di Michele who exchanged passes with Noble before playing in Cole on the left of the penalty area and the striker opened his body before curling a shot beyond Kirkland and into the far corner of the net.

Just three minutes later, after Parker had been booked for raking his studs down Michael Brown's shin, Cole got himself sent off.

His raised foot as Emmerson Boyce went to head the ball could have been construed as dangerous and Attwell produced a second yellow card and then a red, which then sparked a small confrontation between Parker and Brown which saw both cautioned.

Wigan pressed for an equaliser and in first-half stoppage-time Mido headed Charles N'Zogbia's left-wing cross wide.

Neill, who rode his luck in the first half, was booked in the 49th minute for going over the ball and into Cattermole.

The Wigan midfielder then pressed the self-destruct button two minutes later when he jumped into the back of Parker and was shown a straight red card.

Despite going down as though he was seriously injured, Parker was able to walk off the pitch and seemed to suffer few after-effects, but he did little to endear himself to the home fans when he appeared to make a spitting gesture towards the crowd behind the dug-out.

Valencia was next into Attwell's book for obstructing Herita Ilunga in the 60th minute.

Wigan's next chance again fell to Bramble after Boyce and Mido had knocked down N'Zogbia's corner but he blazed well over.

With 14 minutes to go, Jack Collison, under no pressure from anyone, collapsed in agony as he tried to control the ball on the right touchline.

Jonathan Spector was brought on to replace him while the youngster was still receiving treatment and he eventually departed on a stretcher with his right ankle strapped up.

He was the second West Ham player to leave the field in such circumstances in successive matches after fellow midfielder Valon Behrami sustained a serious knee injury on Sunday.

Valencia had a long-range effort saved by Green and Hugo Rodallega's overhead kick went wide as even six minutes of added time were not enough for Wigan to grab an equaliser.

Bruce's regular ref rantWigan manager Steve Bruce accused referee Stuart Attwell of ruining the game in his side's 1-0 defeat at home to West Ham which saw both teams reduced to 10 men.

The Latics boss felt the Warwickshire official - the youngest in the Barclays Premier League at 26 - was not the required standard for the top flight.

Attwell, who awarded the infamous "ghost goal'' in Watford's game against Reading earlier this season, spent one year in the Football League before being promoted to the Premier League panel last summer.

"The game was ruined as a spectacle. Carlton Cole shouldn't have been sent off. Referee - use a bit of common sense,'' he said. "It had the makings of a decent game but how he sends someone off in the first half for something as petulant as that I don't know.

"I feel a bit sorry for him because in my opinion Mr Attwell is not ready to step up to the plate.''

The Wigan boss had no issue with Cattermole's dismissal but was incensed Neill was not dismissed for his challenge on the midfielder moments earlier.

"Lucas Neill should have been off the pitch for his tackle, which was horrific,'' he added."But because Mr Attwell has put himself under pressure from sending off Cole in the first half, in the second half, when the major decision needs to be made, he hasn't made it.

"That is the one we want to stamp out because that tackle is a horror tackle. I have no complaints about Cattermole, he was stupid and silly but he was incensed - and he has a good right to be.''

West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola was more sympathetic towards the official.

"I told the referee I didn't think it was a reckless challenge, Carlton didn't even look at the defender - he just went for the ball,'' he said. He didn't want to cause any damage and it (the sending off) was too much. The referee is a human being and they make mistakes and we are here to support them.

"We explained it to each other at the end of the game. He said he thought it was a reckless challenge.''

"We huffed and puffed and I couldn't fault their effort but if we had been there until midnight we wouldn't have scored,'' said Bruce. "I have no complaints about the result, I thought West Ham were the better team and their goal deserved to win any match, it's probably goal of the season.''

Beattie on target again

James Beattie proved again that he is a shrewd investment in Stoke's battle to secure their Barclays Premier League status as the Potters defeated Bolton 2-0 at the Britannia Stadium.

• Pulis hails Beattie

Signed in the January transfer window from Sheffield United, the striker got his side off to a flying start in this crucial clash by making it five goals in seven appearances.

Bolton never really recovered, and substitute Ricardo Fuller sealed the points by extending Stoke's lead in the 73rd minute.

Stoke went into the match with confidence after holding Aston Villa to a draw thanks to a late equaliser from Glenn Whelan.

The midfielder was rewarded with a place in the starting line-up and responded by setting up both goals.

Rory Delap and Abdoulaye Faye also returned, with manager Tony Pulis looking for his side to get away from the foot of the table.

Delap was left a little frustrated, however, because referee Mike Dean put a stop in the first half to his constant ploy of using a towel to dry the ball for his long-throws.

Bolton almost took the lead before Stoke made the breakthrough, Thomas Sorensen showing good reflexes to turn Johan Elmander's effort around the post in the 11th minute.

Stoke hit back and made the breakthrough in the 14th minute when Whelan split the Bolton defence with a headed through ball.

Beattie was the first to react as Bolton stood off and showed little hesitation to knock his effort beyond goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen.

Bolton were struggling to string their passes together, and manager Gary Megson was already looking anxious in the technical area.

Matt Taylor sent his effort into Sorensen's body, before Stoke came close to adding a second.

Ryan Shawcross headed narrowly over the top in the 29th minute following an inswinging free-kick from Liam Lawrence.

Stoke were playing with confidence after that early goal from Beattie. Whelan and Lawrence were both busy and creative, and Bolton were kept on their toes.

Bolton were having trouble defending set-pieces, and Abdoulaye Faye got clear of his marker in the 42nd minute but headed over the top following a free-kick from Lawrence.

However, the visitors almost equalised a minute before the break after a sweet free-kick from Taylor.

He struck his 25-yard effort perfectly from an acute angle, only for Sorensen to turn it around the post.

Stoke had lost a bit of impetus, and manager Tony Pulis reacted by bringing on Fuller in the 58th minute for the ineffective Mamady Sidibe.

Delap was still causing mischief with his long throws, even though the towel had been abandoned, and launched one a minute later that finished on the roof of the net.

Fuller then played a neat one-two with Andy Wilkinson, but his well-struck shot was deflected to safety.

Sorensen then had to look alert two minutes later to to turn away a free-kick from Mark Davies at the back post.

Stoke extended their lead, with Whelan again having a hand in the goal. He rattled in a shot that Jaaskelainen could only parry, and Fuller was on hand to take advantage from close range.

It was the Jamaican's seventh goal of the season and put Stoke firmly in the driving seat.

Ibrahima Sonko almost added a third after stepping of the bench, his header coming back off the bar in the 79th minute before Sorensen blocked Elmander's effort in stoppage time.

Pulis hails BeattieStoke manager Tony Pulis praised James Beattie's contribution in his side's bid to beat the drop out of the Barclays Premier League.

Beattie, 31, scored his fifth goal in seven games following his move from Sheffield United two months ago in tonight's 2-0 victory against Bolton at the Britannia Stadium

Pulis said: "Players of Beattie's age sometimes need the challenge of proving they can still play in the top flight. It was one of the reasons why we went and got him. He wanted this chance. His goalscoring record is smashing. Not only that, it is what he does around the place as well.

"He is a very good team man; he gets the players together. He has brought something else to the dressing room. He is a larger-than-life character.''

Pulis said: "We needed a performance from Thomas, because he let the first one in at Aston Villa (at the weekend). But he has been smashing all season. We defended for our lives today. It was a great result. It was hard game, a tight game. Credit to Bolton - they never stop. They make it very difficult. But we deserved it, considering the chances we created.''

Bolton manager Gary Megson was disappointed with the manner of the defeat and the way the opening goal came about. He said: "You won't see a worst one conceded up and down the country, never mind in the Premier League. Most of the time when the first goal goes in it completely changes the game.

"I thought we had more possession than ordinarily we do have but we weren't good enough with it. We did not compete with Stoke when they were putting balls into the box. We did not have all 11 players performing at the level they are capable of and that has cost us.''

O'Neill woe continues

Aston Villa's charge to the Champions League was starting to grind to a halt after Elano and Shaun Wright-Phillips combined to give inconsistent Manchester City a 2-0 victory at Eastlands.

• O'Neill comes out fighting

The Brazilian's first-half penalty - the first time he has scored in the Premier League since August - would probably have been enough anyway but man-of-the-match Wright-Phillips made certain of the points two minutes from time.

It means Villa have now gone six games without a win. And while three of those were cup ties, with Arsenal breathing down their necks just three points adrift, fourth place is looking anything but certain.

Ever since his ill-advised TV interview earlier in the season in which he questioned why Mark Hughes kept leaving him out, Elano has maintained an uneasy public truce with his manager.

There are plenty who suggest the Brazilian remains a disruptive influence behind the scenes and there have certainly been times when he has appeared something short of a consummate team man.

Yet, should Hughes somehow find the formula for getting consistent performances from the former Shakhtar Donetsk man, City could really start a surge up the table.

After all, Elano was one of the main reasons why the Blues found themselves in the Champions League slots last December, an honour that now belongs to their latest opponents.

With Robinho and Craig Bellamy both missing through injury, Hughes was able to offer Elano the kind of free role behind a lone frontman - in this case Felipe Caicedo - that he craves.

The response, if not exactly energetic, was certainly enthusiastic and it was his pass to Shaun Wright-Phillips that brought the hosts their penalty in the first place.

Wright-Phillips had found himself in a similar position moments earlier, when Stephen Ireland was the provider.

Amazingly, with just Brad Friedel to beat, the England international slipped his shot wide.

Wright-Phillips did not get that far on the second occasion. Having been caught the wrong side of his man, James Milner attempted the tackle and succeeded only in tripping his opponent.

Brad Friedel almost made amends with a flying dive to his right. Unfortunately for Villa, Elano's spot-kick was just too good.

Hughes was convinced City should have had a second spot-kick when Caicedo went down under Carlos Cuellar's challenge but referee Chris Foy did not quite see it the same way.

Unlike Elano, Wright-Phillips' commitment has never been questioned and the England international was City's star performer, keeping the Villa defence on their toes with a succession of mazy runs on his return from a three-match ban.

Yet it also had to be said it was a pale imitation of the Villa side who have impressed so many this season.

Their poor run of form seemed to have drained Martin O'Neill's men of confidence.

The response to a tepid first-half performance was for O'Neill to introduce John Carew for Curtis Davies, a substitution that triggered a number of positional changes, including Gabriel Agbonlahor taking up a wider position.

It suggested an aerial bombardment, but instead it brought more width, which Ashley Young relished.

After seizing the initiative without managing to put Shay Given under any pressure, Agbonlahor finally created a chance for Villa with a superb pass to Gareth Barry, whose first-time volley would have crept in if Given had not got down by his post to bundle it away.

The visitors' offensive forced City to play on the counter-attack. Crucially though, it gave them space to exploit.

Ched Evans' magnificent first touch was a chested lay-off to Wayne Bridge's shot which Elano struck sweetly, only for Brad Friedel to make a superb save.

On this evidence, it was perfectly simple to work out why Sven-Goran Eriksson paid £8million for Elano - and why Hughes felt he needed to splash out slightly less to get Given from Newcastle.

The Republic of Ireland international produced another blinding stop to deny Young.

It was the last chance Villa created. And to rub salt into their wounds, Wright-Phillips capitalised on Ireland's pass at the end to seal the win for City.

O'Neill comes out fightingMartin O'Neill has promised Aston Villa will not give up their Champions League place without a fight after slumping to defeat at Manchester City tonight.

"We are not nervous - we are excited,'' he said. Really, if you are not excited by the position we are in, you shouldn't be playing. We are in this position because we deserve to be. It would be a shame to throw it up now without a fight - but I don't think we will.''

City boss Mark Hughes, whose side moved up to eighth, said: "That was one of our most accomplished performances - if not the most accomplished. It is baffling at times why we cannot produce that kind of performance away from home, although in fairness, there have been some positive signs recently.''

Hughes was particularly impressed with Wright-Phillips who returned after a three-match ban and deservedly edged Elano for man-of-the-match honours.

"There is joy in his game,'' enthused the City boss. "He has always played with a smile on his face but your enthusiasm can soon be blunted if you are not playing every week. Shaun has come back from Chelsea as a better player but he has come back to what he regards as his club and I felt he did really well.''

Hughes confirmed new signing Nigel de Jong had been substituted with a knee injury, although he does not feel the damage, in an area where the Dutchman has suffered problems before, is too extensive.

And, after undergoing scans yesterday, he confirmed Craig Bellamy will be out for no longer than three weeks with the injury he suffered at West Ham on Sunday.

"It could be sooner but the prognosis is no longer than three weeks to get Craig back playing again,'' said Hughes.

Like City, Villa have no weekend fixture after getting knocked out of the FA Cup by Everton.

O'Neill intends to take his players on a short break to Dubai, which he feels will get them ready for the challenge that lies ahead.

"We will come back and really stick at it,'' he said. "Maybe we are being a bit naive thinking we can challenge those top four sides, who have been up there so consistently over the last few years, but whatever happens, we should relish the challenge.''

Taylor's gift for Berbatov

Dimitar Berbatov fired Manchester United seven points clear at the top of the Barclays Premier League, scoring the winner in a 2-1 victory at lowly Newcastle.

• Fergie salutes his battlers

The Bulgarian clinched the points with a 56th-minute strike, but United had to come from behind to re-establish their advantage over Chelsea and Liverpool with a game in hand.

There was jubilation on Tyneside when, with just nine minutes gone, Peter Lovenkrands ended Edwin Van der Sar's record of not having conceded a league goal since November 8 after the keeper failed to cling on to Jonas Gutierrez's shot.

But it took the visitors just 11 minutes to restore parity through Wayne Rooney, and Berbatov ensured United's run of successive league wins stretched to 11 after Park Ji-Sung pounced on an error by Ryan Taylor.

As Sir Alex Ferguson's bandwagon rumbled on ominously, opposite number Chris Hughton was at least able to console himself with a spirited performance in front of an appreciative crowd of 51,636, although that will count for little if it is not transformed into points over the coming weeks.

Such have been the contrasting fortunes of the two clubs this season since they drew 1-1 at Old Trafford during the opening round of fixtures in August, that the talk before kick-off was not of if United would win, but by how many.

But with just nine minutes gone, it was Newcastle who took the lead against all odds as Van der Sar's run without conceding a Premier League goal came to an end in ignominious circumstances.

The Dutchman failed to hold Jonas' shot as it leapt up off the sodden turf and Lovenkrands stabbed the rebound home before casting an anxious glance at referee Steve Bennett's assistant and only then beginning his celebrations.

St James' Park erupted as fans who had arrived fearing a repeat of Liverpool's 5-1 demolition job at the end of December - United won on Tyneside by the same scoreline last season - dared to believe their side could emerge with something to show for their efforts.

It might have been 2-0 within four minutes when Obafemi Martins fired inches wide under pressure from Rio Ferdinand, with the Nigerian also forcing a good 31st-minute block from the England defender after Van der Sar had failed to deal with a Ryan Taylor corner.

However, by that point, United had made the most of their greater share of the possession to get themselves back on level terms in fine style.

Rooney, back in the side after recovering from a virus, turned superbly past Fabricio Coloccini on to John O'Shea's pass and blasted a left-foot shot past Steve Harper with the help of a deflection off Steven Taylor, although the defender's contribution was largely irrelevant.

United continued to enjoy the greater share of the ball and defender Nemanja Vidic header over with the goal at his mercy after the home defence had failed to deal with a 39th-minute Michael Carrick corner.

But the Magpies continued to threaten with Martins and Jonas causing problems.

Mr Bennett had to deal with an ugly incident in injury time when Steven Taylor caught Cristiano Ronaldo with a flailing arm and then careered into Carrick on the sideline, sparking a furious response from skipper Ferdinand.

After consulting his assistant, the referee booked Taylor, and Ferdinand followed him as he continued his protests following the half-time whistle.

A feisty affair continued in the same vein after the break with Vidic accusing Martins of catching him with an elbow as the pair jumped for a high ball.

Van de Sar had to race from his line to prevent Lovenkrands from latching on to a 52nd-minute through-ball, but when the second goal did arrive, it did so predictably at the other end.

Ryan Taylor slipped as he attempted to chest a deep ball back to Harper and Park got there first to square for Berbatov, who calmly slotted it into the empty net.

Newcastle were visibly deflated by the reverse as United once again assumed control, and they might have increased their lead as they powered their way towards the final whistle.

Harper had to save from Ronaldo and Berbatov in quick succession as time ran down, and then dived bravely at the Portugal international's feet after he had slipped away from Steven Taylor.

But Newcastle made one last push and it was Van der Sar who finished the busier of the two keepers as he kept out first Lovenkrands and then Martins, although without any great difficulty.

Fergie salutes his battlersManchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson highlighted his side's grit, after they came from behind tonight to re-establish their seven-point lead at the top of the Barclays Premier League table.

Ferguson said: "It wasn't a great performance. We got off to a terrible start, and Newcastle were pumped up for it. We expected that and we should have dealt with it better. But coming from 1-0 down was a good result for us. It required a lot of grit.

"Our football has been better, and we were maybe careless with passing of the ball. Newcastle knew it was a massive game for them and went about their job in the right way. We could have been 2-0 down actually. (Obafemi) Martins hit one by the post, and it was a hairy spell for us.''

Ferguson said: "Edwin says himself he made a mess of it, and they had a couple of near things after that. It was going to happen some time, and it is out of the road now.''

The lead lasted just 11 minutes, before Wayne Rooney blasted the visitors back on to level terms, but it was left to Dimitar Berbatov to clinch the victory after Park-Ji-Sung capitalised on Ryan Taylor's 56th-minute error to set him up.

United were not at their best but never looked likely to surrender their advantage, despite a late flurry from the hosts.

It was just the response the Carling Cup winners needed after last night's results, and Ferguson insists they can handle the pressure.

Ferguson added: "The teams who play first and get a result will always say 'Pressure on'. But it doesn't make much difference to us. You have to rely on and trust the players. You have to show patience and experience. It is nothing new to them.''

United winger Cristiano Ronaldo found himself on the wrong end of Steven Taylor's flailing arm just before the break, the defender earning a booking and Rio Ferdinand following him after calling for sterner action.

It is understood a heated debate continued in the tunnel at the break, although caretaker Newcastle boss Chris Hughton was quick to defend his player.

He said: "Anybody who has seen the incident again will have seen where he actually made contact, and he made contact on the top of his shoulder and his neck. I have had the opportunity to see it again and I am quite sure if anybody here has, they would agree.''

The defeat, despite a much-improved performance, left Newcastle just a point clear of the drop zone after wins for Stoke, Tottenham and Hull - and Blackburn's point against Everton.

Asked if he believes they will survive, Hughton said: "Yes, I do. It's vital that we put on that type of performance right through to the end of the season.

"I was delighted with the performance. In the form that Manchester United are in, to be able in a lot of periods of the game to take the game to them, take the lead and go very close to getting a second speaks volumes for this group of players.''