Man. City seek return to form

The Lancashire clash between Manchester City and Everton this afternoon is the top fixture of the English Premier League weekend programme.

The Citizens will be out to put last week’s upset behind them after they squandered a 2-0 lead in last week’s 2-2 draw at Fulham.

Roberto Mancini, the City manager, blamed fatigue for his team’s second-half collapse at Craven Cottage. He insisted that the club must strengthen the squad even further to ensure they remain competitive on all fronts.

Mancini also blasted his forwards for failing to assist their team-mates in defence against Fulham but he must have been satisfied to see the injury-prone Owen Hargreaves hitting his first goal for Man. City in the 2-0 midweek League Cup (third round) victory over holders Birmingham.

After their opening day debacle at home to Queens Park Rangers, Everton were criticised for not adding new players in the transfer window. However, after the QPR upset, David Moyes’s men won three matches and drew another. So, today they will be keen to prolong their positive streak.

In the summer, Moyes had to part with Mikel Arteta since Everton could not offer the Spanish midfielder a better contract but the team pulled themselves together to show that the club is still alive.

In midweek, Moyes was left fuming when striker Louis Saha refused to play for the reserve team but, on a more positive note, the Everton boss was heartened by the performance of young Apostolos Vellios who found the net in the 3-1 win over Wigan.

After a flying start to their campaign which included a win over Liverpool and a home draw against Chelsea, Stoke were brought back to earth with a 4-0 thumping at Sunderland.

This evening, the Potters have another tough nut to crack as they entertain leaders Manchester United at the Britannia Stadium.

The Red Devils are the only side in the top division with maximum points after five matches following last week’s 3-1 win over Chelsea at Old Trafford.

Chelsea return to home comforts today as they host Swansea as manager Andres Villas-Boas came to the defence of striker Fernando Torres following his glaring miss at Old Trafford on Sunday.

Villas-Boas also insisted that the Blues will be among the leading challengers for the title this season.

The Swans, who failed to score in their opening four matches, came to life at home to West Brom when they cruised to a 3-0 win. It was Swansea’s first win in the top flight in 28 years.

At the Emirates Stadium, Arsenal and Bolton will be looking to bounce back from disappointing performances in their previous outings.

The Gunners are coming from a 4-3 defeat to Blackburn while Bolton had little to smile about following a 2-1 loss to Norwich at home.

The Gunners have now endured their worst start in 58 years, only managing four points from their opening five matches.

Liverpool were also expected to make a much better start as last week the Reds fell to their second successive defeat when they lost to Tottenham 4-0 at White Hart Lane.

Today, Dalglish’s men play hosts to Wolves who have also lost their early-season sparkle after suffering successive defeats to Tottenham and QPR.

Following their impressive draw at Aston Villa, Newcastle cross swords with Blackburn at St James’ Park.

The Rovers were over the moon last weekend after they chalked up their first Premier League win of the season against Arsenal at Ewood Park.

Promoted QPR play at home to Aston Villa in tomorrow’s only match.

The shrewd signings made by Neil Warnock in the last week of the transfer window, particularly ex-Newcastle hardman Joey Barton, are paying dividends.

Harry Redknapp must have thanked his club owners openly last week for not letting Luka Modric go after his wonder goal against Liverpool. Redknapp has now called on Tottenham to offer Modric a new deal.

This afternoon, Tottenham play away at Wigan. The Spurs are now in a mid-table position after a shaky start. Redknapp is con­vinced that, on current form, his team could return to Champions League football next season.

Fixtures and forecast

Premier League

Arsenal-Bolton 1
Chelsea-Swansea 1
Liverpool-Wolves 1
Man. City-Everton (13:45) 1
Newcastle-Blackburn X
West Brom-Fulham X
Wigan-Tottenham 2
Stoke-Man. United (18:30) 2

Tomorrow:
QPR-Aston Villa (17:00) X

Monday:
Norwich-Sunderland (20:45) X

Standings: Man. United 15; Man. City 13; Chelsea 10; Newcastle 9; Stoke 8; Aston Villa, Everton, Liverpool, QPR, Wolves 7; Tottenham 6; Sunderland, Nor-wich City, Swansea, Wigan 5; Blackburn, Arsenal 4; Fulham, Bolton, West Brom 3.

The Championship

Birmingham-Barnsley - 1
Bristol City-Hull - X
Burnley-Southampton - 2
Coventry-Reading - X
Derby-Millwall - 1
Doncaster-Crystal Palace - X
Middlesbrough-Ipswich - 1
Portsmouth-Blackpool - X
Watford-N. Forest (18:15) - X
West Ham-Peterborough - X

Tomorrow:
Cardiff-Leicester (14:15) - X

League One

Bournemouth-Hartlepool - X
Bury-MK Dons - 2
Carlisle-Stevenage - 1
Charlton-Chesterfield - 1
Colchester-Walsall - X
Huddersfield-Leyton Orient - 1
Notts County-Rochdale - 1
Oldham-Brentford - X
Preston-Tranmere - 1
Scunthorpe-Yeovil - 1
Sheffield Wed-Exeter - 1
Wycombe-Sheffield Utd - 2

League Two

Aldershot-Crawley Town - X
Bradford-Wimbledon - 1
Cheltenham-Hereford - 1
Crewe-Port Vale - 1
Gillingham-Burton Albion - 1
Morecambe-Bristol Rovers - 1
Northampton-Dagenham- 1
Oxford Utd-Accrington- 1
Plymouth-Macclesfield - X
Rotherham-Southend - 1
Shrewsbury-Torquay - X
Swindon-Barnet - 1

Hot Four

Chelsea, Birmingham, Middlesbrough, West Ham.

Birmingham, Middlesbrough, West Ham.