Arsenal, Spurs clash in derby

The north London derby between Arsenal and Tottenham will be played at the Emirates this afternoon.

Both teams lost precious points in their last outing and will be keen to make up for those lapses by picking maximum spoils today.

Arsenal were leading 2-0 at West Ham but conceded two late goals and had to settle for a point.

The Spurs, on their part, suffered a surprising defeat at home to Stoke, the Potters chalking up their first win on their travels.

Arsene Wenger warned that if Arsenal continue to throw away points like that they would miss the chance of becoming serious challengers for the league title.

Wenger also had a go at referee Chris Foy, accusing him of 'extremely generous' decisions in favour of West Ham.

The Gunners and Spurs are on the same number of points, 19, but Arsenal have a game in hand (at home vs Bolton on Dec. 2).

The Reds have scored in every game they played this season in the league but Tottenham missed twice − vs Chelsea away and vs Stoke at home.

Today, the Whites will again be without Jermaine Defoe who will serve his third of a three-match ban for a sending off.

This will be the 17th meeting between two of the founder members of the Premier League.

Arsenal lost their first game against Tottenham at Highbury in 1992-93 (1-3: Dickov − Sheringham, Hendry 2) but in the remaining duels the Gunners never lost at home to their arch rivals.

Last season both matches ended in draws: 0-0 at White Hart Lane and 4-4 at the Emirates.

League leaders Chelsea, having trounced Blackburn Rovers 5-0 at Stamford Bridge, will be on their travels, playing guests to Bolton Wanderers at the Reebok Stadium.

Joe Cole left his mark for Chelsea on his return.

He was sidelined since January with a serious knee injury. Like Chelsea, England boss Fabio Capello was also delighted to watch the midfielder return to his very best.

Bolton have just registered their third win of the season and now they are breathing more comfortably. They beat fellow strugglers Portsmouth (away), Birmingham (away) and Everton (home) but in midweek, the Trotters suffered a comprehensive 4-0 defeat to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in a League Cup match.

Blame it on ref

The game's critics and the English media lambasted at Alex Ferguson and advised him to stop moaning about referees each time his side finishes on the losing end.

Yet, in his first interview after the match at Anfield last week, the Scot said Liverpool deserved to win, as they created more chances. Today, the Red Devils will be at Old Trafford to host Blackburn, still in search of their first away point.

United will have Nemanja Vidic back from suspension following the 2-0 win over Barnsley in the League Cup in midweek.

After beating rivals United, Rafa Benitez's Liverpool travel to London to face Fulham.

The Cottagers shared the spoils with Manchester City at Eastlands in their last league outing after a draw with Roma 1-1 in the Europa League last week.

Tomorrow, Birmingham, buoyed by their fine home win over Sunderland, remain at St Andrews to entertain Manchester City. The three vital points won have lifted the Brummies out of the relegation zone.

Everton and Aston Villa will be keen to give their fans a treat when they clash at Goodison Park this afternoon. The Toffees failed to chalk up a single win in October, gaining only two points and the Villans won once in four league outings.

In their last three matches at Everton, the Midlanders were not beaten − 3-2, 2-2, 1-0.

Stoke's remarkable win at Tottenham will give them the impetus against a Wolves side that earned a good point against a much-fancied Aston Villa side.

Stoke manager Tony Pulis will have forward Mamady Sidibe back in the fray after a lengthy lay-off with cruciate ligament damage.

At the Stadium of Light, Sunderland entertain West Ham who made a fine comeback to snatch a point against Arsenal after they were two goals in arrears.

At present, Portsmouth are the only side in the Premier League without a point at home.

Today, at Fratton Park, Pompey host Wigan, now fast finding their feet under the new management of Roberto Martinez.