Pardew strives to lift Charlton after early season failures

In their bid to avoid relegation, Charlton Athletic opted to change coach for the third time last week just ahead of a tight Christmas schedule in the English Premier League.

For the first time in seven years 'family club' Charlton are in danger of walking the plank into the second grade.

The managers linked with Charlton this season have all been on the casualty list.

Alan Curbishley left in the pre-season after a long stay at the Valley. Alan Pardew, the current Charlton coach, was sacked by West Ham and replaced by Curbishley who took over at one of his ex-clubs as a player.

In mid-November, Charlton parted company with Iain Dowie 12 games into the season (only two victories to show). However, replacement Les Reed's stay was even shorter, lasting just 41 days.

Reed won only one league game as Charlton boss and saw his team knocked out by League Two side Wycombe at home in the quarter-finals of the League Cup.

After signing Pardew, club chairman Alan Murray claimed that they were very fortunate that a manager of his calibre was available.

Pardew spent three years at Upton Park and in that time he led them into the Premiership via the play-offs and last season he took them to the FA Cup final.

In his first match for Charlton, against Fulham at home in midweek, Pardew was unlucky not to win all three points as Fulham scored a controversial equaliser deep into stoppage time.

This afternoon the Valiants will again play at the Valley, this time against Aston Villa.

Villa are likely to offer Tottenham £12m for the capture of striker Jermaine Defoe next week as they abandoned hopes of signing James Milner from Newcastle.

Villa will be making a return to London today following the 2-1 defeat to Tottenham on Boxing Day.

Roaring Ronaldo

Manchester United vs Reading. Leaders Manchester United opened a gap of four points at the top of the standings. They will have the comfort of playing at home again today after Tuesday's 3-1 win over Wigan.

It seems that Cristiano Ronaldo has become the main threat for opposition rearguard following his brace against Wigan.

Alex Ferguson is likely to add Owen Hargreaves (Bayern Munich) and Joey Barton (Manchester City) to his squad, while he stressed that striker Alan Smith is staying put.

Reading have underlined their fighting spirit this time with a 2-2 draw at Chelsea.

Chelsea-Fulham. The champions have stuttered once again in the home draw against Reading.

Chelsea's backline is being pierced too often these days, mostly due to the two missing aces in their line-up - goalkeeper Petr Cech and central kingpin John Terry.

The Blues will be in search of their first double of the season against Fulham following the 2-0 win at Craven Cottage.

Chelsea owner Roman Abramo-vich is hoping that once the benefits start to flourish from the academy, the club will spend less money in the transfer market.

The Cottagers have failed to win in their last seven league visits to Stamford Bridge - their last three-pointer came in 1979-80 in the 'old' Division II - 2-0.

Sheffield United-Arsenal. The Gunners will be meeting another 'promoted' side after their 2-1 triumph at Watford in midweek.

Arsene Wenger said after the Watford game that his side were maturing, despite their average young age.

Goalkeeper Jens Lehmann had shown a desire to play in Spain or return to Germany earlier in the season but he would probably remain with the Londoners.

After a positive stretch of four league games without defeat, the Blades suffered back-to-back losses to Portsmouth and Manchester City.

Bolton vs Portsmouth. The Wanderers' fine 'trot' of three straight Premiership wins was extended with a 2-1 victory over Newcastle at the Reebok Stadium.

Nicolas Anelka has indeed found his scoring form that had deserted him in his early days at the club. He has now scored six goals in the same number of matches.

Portsmouth are unbeaten in their last six league outings and are still well placed to claim a berth in European football next season.

Tottenham vs Liverpool. Following a sequence of seven positive matches - including four league wins on the trot during which they have not conceded a goal - Liverpool were halted by Blackburn Rovers on Boxing Day.

Although his side stumbled to sixth position, Rafael Benitez has found favourable words for scoring 'culprit' Peter Crouch. His last Premiership netting was that of October 18 against Aston Villa.

Spurs are in an amazing run of 12 straight wins in league and cups at White Hart Lane.

Martin Jol has remarked that he has warmed to the idea of a hectic Christmas schedule.

Everton vs Newcastle. These two teams had a bad day after Christmas.

Everton squandered a catalogue of chances against Middlesbrough (0-0) at Goodison Park while the Magpies lost by the odd goal in three at Bolton.

Glenn Roeder is dreaming of European football next season after a series of fine showings before the setback against Bolton.

In the past six Premiership meetings at Everton, the home side lost only once, 1-3 (Weir - Bellamy, Solano, Acuna) in 2001-02.

Blackburn vs Middlesbrough. The 6-2 thrashing at Arsenal left the Rovers in search of a quick answer and that duly arrived by defeating Liverpool 1-0 at Ewood Park.

M'Boro boss Gareth Southgate has to start talks with Australian Mark Viduka to sign a new deal at the Riverside. If he fails, then Viduka will be able to leave on a free transfer.

West Ham vs Manchester City. Alan Curbishley wants to show that his debut in the Hammers' hot seat in the 1-0 win over Man. United was not a flash in the pan, since that fantastic result was followed by a draw (vs Fulham away) and a defeat (vs Portsmouth home).

City were glad to return to winning form, 1-0 at Sheffield United, after hitting a bad patch.

In their six Premiership calls at Upton Park, City only chalked up one point.

Watford vs Wigan. Watford manager Adrian Boothroyd, who possesses a side almost full of burly players, remarked that he would be looking for some 'brave' players to join the club in January.

By this time last season, after 20 matches, Wigan had a total of 34 points (11 wins and a draw). Now they are on mark 22 - four points off the relegation zone.