Gus Poyet at 3/1 to replace Kevin Keegan at Newcastle

Kevin Keegan's departure from Newcastle is now official and the bookmakers have Gus Poyet their clear favourite to replace him.

Keegan's exit will have increased the influence of Poyet's former colleague Dennis Wise at St James' and Poyet has been backed into 3/1 from an opening 50/1 with Paddy Power while he's as short as 9/4 elsewhere.

Magpies legend Alan Shearer was a name bandied about 6 months ago when the job was open and he is 7/1 with some bookmakers to take the option this time.

Darren Haines, spokesman for Paddy Power, said: "There's been a lot of confusion in the last few days but now betting will begin in earnest for what is traditionally one of the biggest next manager markets for any football club."

Check out all the football specials at PaddyPower now.

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Has Kevin Keegan left Newcastle United?

Kevin Keegan is rumoured to have resigned as Newcastle manager after showdown talks with the club's directors on Monday.

One of the lads on our forum broke the initial news but the betting markets on the first Premier League boss to leave his post this season have been withdrawn by many bookies after Keegan's odds tumbled.

BBCSport are saying that Keegan is in showdown talks, while SportingLife.com says the meeting weas Monday at 2pm and Keegan has gone.

Sky Bet's spokesman has said: "The rumour mill in the north-east is working overtime and the money has followed accordingly. The transfer deadline was simply a disaster for Newcastle, with no significant purchases, and we wait to see what Keegan's response is."

Dennis Wise, the executive director (football) at St James' Park, has already been installed as 4/1 favourite to take over as Magpies manager.

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Arsenal 3-0 Newcastle - scoring highlights

Arsenal 3-0 Newcastle
Arsenal overwhelmed Newcastle 3-0 at the Emirates. Robin van Persie scored a double in the first half. The first goal was from the penalty spot. Denilson set the final score for the Gunners in the 59th.

1-0 Robin van Persie penalty kick goal.

2-0 Robin van Persie scores his second of the day.

3-0 Denilson sets the final score.

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Sunday's Premier League Roundup

Chelsea 4-0 Portsmouth (video highlights link)
Luiz Felipe Scolari made the perfect start to his Chelsea reign as they easily overcame Portsmouth 4-0 in their Premier League opener at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

Joe Cole, Nicolas Anelka, Frank Lampard (penalty) and Deco all netted as the Blues made short work of the FA Cup holders to top the early standings.

Chelsea played with more freedom than under the stewardship of Jose Mourinho and Avram Grant, and were in front inside 12 minutes. Cole provided the breakthrough, racing onto an excellent Michael Ballack pass to fire confidently past David James.

The Blues doubled their advantage on 26 minutes when new boy Deco's looping effort drifted over the head of James and the impressive Anelka headed home from close range.

By now Chelsea were rampant, and they virtually made certain of victory in first-half injury time. Sylvain Distin handled Joe Cole's cross and Lampard easily beat James from the spot.

The second half was a stroll in the sunshine for the home side, though Pompey did provide more threat in attack. It was Chelsea who eventually did find another goal, when Deco capped a fine Premier League debut with a superb swerving long-range effort a minute from time.

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Manchester United 1-1 Newcastle United (video highlights link)
Reigning champions Manchester United were held to a 1-1 draw by Newcastle United at Old Trafford.

Sir Alex Ferguson was missing a host of first-team regulars, including Carlos Tevez who had returned home to Argentina because of a family bereavement.

Young gun Fraizer Campbell started up front with Wayne Rooney, and saw his early point-blank header crash against the fortunate Shay Given's forehead.

But it was Newcastle who took a surprise lead on 22 minutes when Obafemi Martins powered home a header from a James Milner corner.

It took the champions just two minutes to draw level, as Darren Fletcher popped up to slide home a Ryan Giggs cross.

Both sides had chances to win it after that with Nemanja Vidic hitting the bar for the home side, but Kevin Keegan's side held out for a highly creditable point.

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Aston Villa 4-2 Manchester City



Gabriel Agbonlahor bounced back from his England snub with a stunning seven-minute hat-trick as Aston Villa beat Manchester City 4-2 at Villa Park.

John Carew had fired Martin O'Neill's side in front early in the second half but his strike was cancelled out by Elano on 64 minutes.

Then Agbonlahor, who was left out of the England squad by Fabio Capello for Wednesday's friendly against the Czech Republic, took out any disappointment on City in devastating fashion.

He netted on 69,74 and 76 minutes to give Villa a 4-1 advantage and assure them of three points.

Vedran Corluka got City's second - a consolation effort a minute from time.

It was a miserable afternoon all round for Mark Hughes' Blues, who lost Valeri Bojinov before kick-off. He snapped his Achilles during the warm-up and is now facing six months on the sidelines.

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Preseason results : ManYoo, Arsenal, Newcastle, Man City

Manchester United were frustrated in their final pre-season friendly of the summer as they played out a goalless draw with Juventus.

Sir Alex Ferguson sent out a strong side with the Community Shield against Portsmouth just four days away.

Juve will not start their Serie A campaign until the end of the month but they matched United in a tight first half, with neither goalkeeper seriously tested.

Lee Martin was perhaps unlucky not to be awarded a penalty after being brought down by Zdenek Grygera, while Darren Fletcher blazed over from a tight angle on the left.

There were few chances after the break either, although Paul Scholes spurned one glorious opportunity as he headed wide from point-blank range.

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Newcastle had to settle for a 2-2 draw with PSV Eindhoven at St James' Park despite scoring twice in the first 10 minutes.

Steven Taylor put the hosts ahead after only three minutes, heading in Geremi's outswinging corner, and debutant Danny Guthrie made it two five minutes later from James Milner's through ball.

Newcastle were pegged back on the half-hour mark as Ibrahim Afellay fired in after Shay Given parried a shot from Nordin Amrabat.

Former Manchester City goalkeeper Andreas Isaksson prevented the Magpies from extending their lead and it was Amrabat who drew PSV level 20 minutes from time with a snapshot from 12 yards.

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Arsenal's youngsters took home the Herbert Chapman Trophy after two goals in the last 15 minutes gave them a 2-1 victory over Huddersfield at the Galpharm Stadium.

The match was held to celebrate Huddersfield's centenary, with the cup named after the legendary manager of both clubs in the 1920s and 30s.

James Berrett gave the hosts the lead after 75 minutes but Sanchez Watt quickly equalised and Nacer Barazite grabbed the winner three minutes from time.

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Celtic finalised their Clydesdale Bank Premier League preparations with a 1-1 draw against Manchester City in their friendly encounter at Parkhead.

Martin Petrov's 54th-minute strike gave City a deserved lead before youngster Paul McGowan equalised with 10 minutes remaining with his first goal for the first team.

McGowan missed the chance to become the hero when he hit the bar from 10 yards out in the final seconds as Celtic pressed for the winner.

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Pre-season results from Saturday.

Some interesting results from the first Saturday of pre-season action.

Manchester United, Liverpool and Aston Villa all drew, while Everton, West Brom, Celtic and Rangers slid to defeats.

Wins for Arsenal, Fulham, Newcastle will put a smile on fans faces even though these matches mean nothing.

INTERTOTO
Odense 2 v Aston Villa 2 (match report)

FRIENDLIES.
Kaizer Chiefs 1 v Man Utd 1 (match report)
Barnet 1 v Arsenal 2 (match report)
Cambridge 4 v Everton 2 (match report)
Cologne 4 v West Brom 1 (match report)
Fulham 3 v Celtic 1
Hartlepool 1 v Newcastle 4 (match report)
Liverpool 1 v Wisla Krakow 1
Ostend 1 v Hull 1
Schalke 1 v Rangers 0

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Premier League Wages and Profits

The Premier League is generating more money than ever but only eight clubs are actually turning a profit says a Deloitte study of the 2006-07 season.

In 2006-07 Premier League clubs' salaries rose 13% - slightly ahead of a median 11% rise in revenue - and the situation is worse in the Championship as average wage increases of 14% outstripped median revenue growth of 3%.

There are startling disparities between the important wages-to-turnover ratios at clubs in England's top two divisions.

The average Premier League figure stood at 63% and the Championship level at 79% but there was a lot of variance. Tottenham had the lowest wages/turnover ratio or just 42%, followed by ManYoo (44%), Arsenal (50%) and then the two Sheffield clubs.

Liverpool stood at 58% and Chelsea was a high 70% - but then with a Russian sugar-daddy normal financial metrics mean little to the Blues at present.


There were high figures figures of 80% and 85% at Middlesbrough and Blackburn respectively. Alarmingly, Sunderland's ratio was 90% and Derby's 125%. But the latter two probably reflect the payment of performance-related bonuses to players for winning promotion.

Overall, only eight Premier League clubs showed operating profits, namely Manchester United, Arsenal, Liverpool, Tottenham, Newcastle, Reading, Sheffield United and Watford.

If your club isn't on this list then they're spending beyond their earnings - and any downturn in fotoball revenues could hit home hard ...

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Henry to return to England - for Newcastle?

This one made me laugh out loud - I had to read it twice to make sure it was genuine.

Newcastle manager Kevin Keegan has stated that Thierry Henry is at the top of his wish-list and UK bookmaker bet365 make the price 11/2 (6.50) for Henry to join Newcastle by the time the transfer window closes at the end of August.

bet365 spokesman Steve Freeth managed to keep a straight face when he said : "If Keegan manages to stay at Newcastle and keep them in the Premiership he could have a bottomless pit at his disposal in the summer – and Thierry Henry is hardly getting rave reviews at Barcelona."

He did add : "However, Newcastle are just 12/1 for relegation and they'd have more chance of signing Lenny Henry if they dropped into the Championship."

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GOONER SAYS : Bearing in mind Henry's legendary status at Arsenal, and the fact that he left on extremely good terms last summer, I think that if he was going to turn up anywhere in the Premier League in August - then the Emirates Stadium would be the place to see him.

Keep your money in your pockets on this one.

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Deja vu - Arsenal 3-0 Newcastle (goal video)

As I said last weekend against Newcastle - there's nothing like a 3-0 win for Arsenal to make the world feel a better place eh Gooners?

(oh wait I've done that to death)

All right then - how about that second goal by Mathieu Flamini then? A jet powered strike from at least 25 metres out, probably closer 30m on the angle, and it gave poor old Shay Given no chance at all in the Newcastle goal.

That was a rocket-powered shot with turbo-thrust and after-burners combined. It was ... ah sod it .. just watch the video I found of it until it gets banned from YouTube.



Now that was something - I have no idea what the commentator was saying - but I whole-heartedly agreed with the sentiment ... WOW !

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FA Cup : Arsenal 3-0 Newcastle

As I said last weekend against Fulham- there's nothing like a 3-0 win for Arsenal to make the world feel a better place.

The game went pretty much as predicted with Newcastle far more adventurous under Kevin Keegan than the departed Sam Allardyce but showing too many gaps at the back.

It took 60 minutes for Arsenal to make the breakthrough but a pair of goals from Emmanuel Adebayor helped The Gunners to see off Newcastle. The final shot tally was something like 17-4 - showing the general flow of the game.

The FA Cup picks on Saturday went 4-1 with only the woeful Derby preventing a clean set - while the spreadsheet also produced two likely winners in Serie A.

All-in-all a very satisfactory day at the office, and a profitable one too.
Enjoy the beers.

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FA Cup : Liverpool to face Havant at Anfield

Blue Square Conference South club Havant and Waterlooville beat Swansea 4-2 to make sure of a dream trip to Anfield on January 26 in the fourth round of the FA Cup.

Richard Paquette, Jamie Collins and Rocky Baptiste gave the Hampshire side a three-goal lead, before Guillem Bauza pulled a goal back for the League One leaders in the 39th minute.

Jason Scotland made it 3-2 - but Tom Jordan's 65th-minute goal made sure of victory for Havant and Waterlooville.

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New Newcastle boss Kevin Keegan watched the Magpies beat Stoke 4-1 at St James' Park to set up a fourth-round trip to Arsenal.

Michael Owen and Claudio Cacapa gave the hosts a two-goal lead, with James Milner and Damien Duff finishing off the Coca-Cola Championship side in the second half.

However, former Sunderland striker Liam Lawrence had the last word, denying Shay Given a clean sheet with a goal a minute from time.

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Manchester City will travel to Sheffield United in the fourth round after beating West Ham with a 73rd-minute goal from Brazilian midfielder Elano.

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And Hereford set up a fourth-round tie at home to Cardiff with a 1-0 victory over Tranmere at Edgar Street, with Simon Johnson scoring in the 72nd minute.

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Kevin Keegan back in charge of Newcastle

Kevin Keegan was sensationally re-appointed as Newcastle boss on Wednesday afternoon - and the bookmakers around Britian have been quick to post a series of special bets on his time in charge.

BOYLESPORTS
Boylesports were first up by offering Keegan at 25/1 to guide the Geordiesto a top six finish this season (they're 11th right now) while both they go 3/1 that 'King Kev' can bring major silverware to Newcastle for the first time since 1969.

EUROBET
Another option for pro-Keegan punters to consider is the 3/1 at Coral that he wins a manager of the month award during the remainder of the current season.

However, given Keegan's past history, plenty of bookies are betting on how long he'll last in the St James' hotseat.

BET365
Bet365 make Keegan only 9/2 to see out this season and spokesman Steve Freeth said: "The Geordies will be jumping for joy at his appointment, but King Kev has a reputation for throwing the towel in and we'd rather not offer a big price on it happening again."

PADDYPOWER
Paddy Power are betting on how many wins Newcastle can manage in their next five Premier League matches - Bolton (h), Arsenal (a), Middlesbrough (h), Aston Villa (a), Man Utd (h).

They go:
7/2 No Wins,
6/4 Exactly 1 Win,
7/4 Exactly 2 Wins,
13/2 Exactly 3 Wins,
25/1 Exactly 4 Wins,
200/1 Exactly 5 Wins.

And Paddy Power also have odds for Keegan's first signing and make Manchester United defender Wes Brown the 6/4 favourite.

They also offer the following players :
9/4 J Defoe, 13/2 S Downing, 8/1 Fred, 12/1 Andy Cole, 12/1 D Berbatov, 16/1 Robbie Keane, 20/1 Deco, 25/1 Ronaldinho, 25/1 D Drogba, 33/1 Ronaldo (Brazil), 50/1 T Henry

BETFRED
Betfred are offering odds on how Michael Own fits into the picture : offering 1/2 that Michael Owen will still be at Newcastle on the first day of next season and 6/4 that he won't.

(click on all those links to go straight to the bookmaker sites to check out their latest odds)

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The sudden appointment certainly came as a shock to the bookies despite a flood of money on Keegan in the hours up to Sky Sports breaking the news late on Wednesday afternoon.

Coral lost a five-figure sum despite the high-profile gambles on Harry Redknapp, Mark Hughes, Gerrard Houllier and Didier Deschamps and spokesman Simon Clare said: "These are notoriously difficult markets for bookmakers to win on, and once again it is the punters who are celebrating Keegan's appointment as enthusiastically as most Newcastle fans."

Paddy Power added: "Fair play to all the punters who backed Keegan for the job last week at tasty odds of 33/1.

"Earlier today he was our 4/1 favourite for the job and we saw a lot of support for him. At least we can take him out of our Next Ireland Manager betting now!"

In fact, the Irish layers were so bemused as to who would be installed that earlier in the day they'd started betting each-way on the next Newcastle boss market - allowing punters to not only try and guess the identity of the new man but also the one after that!

And finally..... Paddy Power go 50/1 that Keegan says the words "I'd love it if we beat them" in his first post-match televised interview as Newcastle manager.

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Sam Allardyce fired by Newcastle United

Sam Allardyce's managerial career at Newcastle United was terminated after just eight months.

The club, currently 11th in the Premier League, said the decision had been reached "by mutual agreement".

Allardyce, who was in charge for 24 games, said: "I'm disappointed but I wish them all the best for the future. It was a shock, I didn't expect it."

It didn't suprise the bookmakers though who had Allardyce as the short priced favourite to get the sack as reported last week.

Sam Allardyce is a red-hot 8/13 (1.61) favourite with VC Bet to be the next Premier League manager to leave his post after his side's third consecutive defeat at home to Manchester City on Wednesday night.

Neal Wilkins from VC Bet commented: "Allardyce was not Mike Ashley's appointment and Newcastle's current dire form must be huge pressure on his position."

Former captain Alan Shearer has ruled himself out of the running and chairman Chris Mort said: "A new manager has not yet been appointed."

First-team coach Nigel Pearson will take charge of the team for Saturday's Premier League meeting with Manchester United.

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Big Sam next manager for the sack ?

Sam Allardyce is a red-hot 8/13 (1.61) favourite with VC Bet to be the next Premier League manager to leave his post after his side's third consecutive defeat at home to Manchester City on Wednesday night.

Neal Wilkins from VC Bet commented: "Allardyce was not Mike Ashley's appointment and Newcastle's current dire form must be huge pressure on his position."

Liverpool's Rafa Benitez is next like to get the sack at 5/1 (6.00) with the firm after their 1-1 draw at Anfield while Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate is 3rd at an 8/1 (9.00) chance.

The firm then go 16/1 for anyone else beating them out - which is probably the value play given the much changing nature of football clubs.

Check out the market at VCBet now.

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Liverpool held while Newcastle dont even get a point.

Liverpool's Barclays Premier League title hopes were dealt another heavy blow as Wigan claimed an unlikely 1-1 draw at Anfield.

Rafael Benitez's side finally broke the deadlock four minutes into the second period as Fernando Torres slid home to finish Steve Finnan's inviting cross for his 16th goal of the season.

Liverpool were made to pay for their inability to kill off the game, though, as Titus Bramble fired home a loose ball from the edge of the penalty area after 79 minutes.

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The pressure on Sam Allardyce looks set to intensify after Newcastle slipped to a sorry 2-0 home defeat against Manchester City.

Elano added to his already burgeoning reputation with a goal of genuine class seven minutes before the break to put the visitors ahead.

The Brazilian started the move on the edge of Newcastle's penalty area with a deft backheel before latching onto Darius Vassell's lay-off to steer the ball past Shay Given into the bottom left corner.

Michael Owen made his long-awaited return from injury at the break and saw an effort diverted around the post by Joe Hart with his first touch.

City netted their second with 14 minutes remaining when Gelson Fernandes lashed home from just inside the area after Kelvin Etuhu's neat lay-off.

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Stelios Giannakopoulos scored the only goal of the game in stoppage time for Bolton at the Reebok Stadium to claim three vital points for the home side and ensure that Derby remain rooted to the bottom of the table and 10 points away from safety

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Other results :

Blackburn Rovers 1-0 Sunderland

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Fulham v Newcastle - Kuqi Monster !!

A little note to all punters thinking of taking a bet on the Fulham v Newcastle late kickoff - Irish bookmaker BoyleSports are offering a cash-back on this game.


The Finnish striker has not scored yet this season - but he's started in the last two games ... the bad news is that Fulham lost them both without scoring.

L 0-2 at Manchester Utd
L 0-3 At Everton

Still - the promotion made me laugh - and playing at home to Newcastle might be an easier place to get a goal eh?

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The Fiver Rumour Mill ...

As stolen from the high-profile (for a blog) and always funny Guardian Fiver blog ... their rumour mill always has a nice turn of phrase.

Milan have had enough of Ronaldo's injury problems, and would be happy to see the cuddly striker lending his weight to another team's attack.

Wayne Bridge has had enough of not being picked by Avram Grant, and is considering taking his unique brand of comedy to Newcastle or Spurs, where it will be properly appreciated.

And Liverpool co-owner Tom Hicks has had enough, and will sell his stake in the club as soon as Rafa Benitez stops whining about transfer targets long enough for him to get a word in edgeways.

Check out the Guardian Fiver Monday to Friday (around tea-time) for a regular laugh.

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Michael Owen to Arsenal ?

Arsene Wenger is interested in taking Michael Owen to Arsenal, according to reports in the north east.

The Newcastle Evening Chronicle claims that Wenger asked St James' Park officials whether they were intending to partner Owen with Obafemi Martins next season. He apparently indicated that he would be interested in taking whichever striker may be available.

Wenger is expected to watch Owen when he plays for England B against Albania this Friday night and again when he faces Brazil and Estonia if he proves his fitness at Turf Moor.

The report suggests that Manchester United's interest in Owen has cooled because of the combination of his £5million-a-year wages and his questionable fitness, while Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has no interest in taking him back to Anfield.

Wenger has made his admiration for Martins very clear in the past, but the Nigerian will disappear on African Nations duty at the same time as Emmanuel Adebayor, leaving the Gunners with limited options.

Owen is still to sit down and talk with Newcastle boss Sam Allardyce about his future.

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New Newcastle Manager : Sven will we know ?

Sam? Sven? or Shearer?

Having been backed at a low of 1/33 for the job when the Betfair betting opened on Monday, Sam Allardyce is out to 1/3 for the Newcastle manager's position after other names were linked with the post today.

Sven-Goran Eriksson has been backed at a high of 49/1, but he is now into the 9/1 second favourite on Betfair.

Favourites to be the next Newcastle manager at Betfair :
1/3 Allardyce, 9/1 Eriksson, 22/1 Houllier, 33/1 Shearer,

And some no-hopers if you feel like donating your money away ... :
49/1 Pardew, 59/1 Coleman, 69/1 Juande Ramos, Bruce, 100/1+ Others.

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