With six matches played in the 2008-09 season, two of the Premier League's founder members, Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur, must improve their results quickly if they want to avoid the relegation dogfight.

Rock-bottom Tottenham have gained only two points so far and are the only team in the Premiership without a win.

Rumours are rife at White Hart Lane that Spanish coach Juande Ramos will follow his predecessor Martin Jol through the exit door if the negative outcomes persist.

In the north-east, the Newcastle board, probably acting on the advice of director of football Dennis Wise, have appointed former Wimbledon and Nottingham Forest boss Joe Kinnear as interim manager until the end of this month. Kinnear will earn £50,000 per match.

The Football Association announced last week that Kinnear must still serve a two-match ban he received four years ago when he was still in charge of Nottingham Forest. The 61-year-old will complete his suspension at Everton away tomorrow.

Kinnear watched from the stands as the Magpies lost 2-1 at home to Blackburn Rovers. It was Newcastle's fifth straight defeat in league and cup, having only scored four goals and conceded 12 in the process. Their only Premier League win was against Bolton (1-0, Owen) at St James' Park.

Newcastle's dire situation, with owner Mike Ashley looking to sell the club, is certainly not a healthy one. The Newcastle fans are still furious with Ashley over the resignation of Kevin Keegan and his handling of the club while the players are desperately short in confidence.

Everton have not won in three league outings. Manager David Moyes said that his failure to sign a contract extension could be affecting the team's form.

Tottenham, through to the UEFA Cup group stages, are at home to Hull. They will look at this fixture as their best chance to break their duck, even if Phil Brown's team issued a warning by beating Arsenal 2-1 at the Emirates Stadium last week.

Tottenham's £14m-signing, Russian striker Roman Pavlyuchenko, struggled to make an impact against Portsmouth, particularly in the first half.

In the Champions League, holders Manchester United marched on with a 3-0 away win over Aalborg but they've lost Paul Scholes for eight weeks after the midfielder suffered a knee injury.

Arsenal were back in top form to humiliate Porto 4-0 at the Emirates Stadium. Chelsea could only gain a point at surprise package CFR Cluj, of Romania, while Liverpool beat PSV Eindhoven 3-1 at Anfield.

Robbie Keane scored his first goal for Liverpool and captain Steven Gerrard chalked up his 100th career goal with another spectacular drive.

Undefeated Blues

Stamford Bridge. Chelsea took over at the top of the Premier League from London neighbours Arsenal last week and will seek to consolidate their position in their duel with Aston Villa.

The Blues are undefeated in nine league and cup matches this season.

Manager Luiz Felipe Scolari recently remarked that Robinho, a target for Chelsea in the summer, may have received bad advice before completing his move to Manchester City.

Striker Didier Drogba, who suffered a knee injury in midweek, has remarked that it was Scolari who convinced him to stay at Chelsea.

Third-placed Aston Villa have lost only once this season, away to Stoke 2-3.

City of Manchester Stadium. Mark Hughes was frustrated to see his expensively-assembled team surrender another three points, this time at Wigan. After the 6-0 home thrashing of Portsmouth in their previous outing, the City fans were optimistic about another positive result against Wigan, but that is football.

Tomorrow, the Citizens will play in front of their fans once more against Liverpool, who are still unbeaten.

Liverpool were delighted to watch Fernando Torres regain his scoring form with a double in the derby victory over Everton.

Stadium of Light. Both Sunderland and Arsenal finished on the losing end last weekend but while the Black Cats went down to in-form Aston Villa, the Gunners are still reeling from their shock home upset to modest Hull.

Sunderland manager Roy Keane has criticised his players for giving away free-kicks just outside the penalty area.

The Gunners paid the price for wasting too many scoring chances in their clash against Hull.

William Gallas is not on a par with the many fine defenders that donned the Arsenal shirt in the past. He must steady himself and rally his team-mates at the back.

Upton Park. Gianfranco Zola is a quick learner. The Italian is understandably happy that West Ham have won their two league matches since he took over as manager.

Today, the Hammers entertain Bolton who are still upset at the way they lost to Manchester United last week. Yet, referee Rob Styles has apologised for his wrong decision in awarding United a penalty that never was.

Last season, Styles also came under fire after he awarded Chelsea a non-existent penalty against Liverpool at Anfield.

Ewood Park. Alex Ferguson will cross swords with one of his former players, Paul Ince, as Manchester United travel to Blackburn.

Ferguson was glad that Dimitar Berbatov scored his first goals for United against Aalborg since his much-publicised move from Tottenham.

Yet, Terry Venables has blamed Berbatov's behaviour before his transfer to United for Tottenham's distastrous start to the season.

Ince is hoping to have England goalkeeper Paul Robinson back after injury. In the last eight Premier League encounters at the Rovers' backyard, United have won only once: 1-1, 0-1, 4-3, 1-1, 1-0, 1-0, 2-2, 0-0.

Fratton Park. Portsmouth strikers Jermaine Defoe and Peter Crouch both scored for the first time (together) this season in the 2-0 home win over Tottenham last Sunday.

Manager Harry Redknapp will be without the suspended Lassana Diarra for the match against Stoke, who have collected only one point from their last four league matches.

The Hawthorns. West Brom are breathing more easily now, having won two matches, at home to West Ham (3-2) and away at Middlesbrough (1-0). They are now placed 12th.

By contrast, Fulham have suffered back-to-back defeats at Blackburn (0-1) and at home to West Ham (1-2), sliding to 15th place, two points above the relegation zone.

JJB Stadium. Wigan's Egyptian international Amr Zaki continues to impress with manager Steve Bruce praising his work-rate and all-action style.

Middlesbrough are two places above the red zone after three successive defeats.