Premier League
Table
CHELSEA stretched their lead at the top of the Premier League to five points after a tight 1-0 win over title rivals Manchester United at Stamford Bridge.
John Terry scored the only goal on 76 minutes, heading in Frank Lampard's free kick.
The goal stood despite protests from United players that Didier Drogba had fouled Wes Brown and interfered with play in an offside position.
The result meant Carlo Ancelotti's Blues kept their perfect home record and continued their run of clean sheets at home stretching back to the opening day.
More importantly, it puts them on 30 points from 12 games and opens up a gap to United and second-placed Arsenal on 25 points.
Arsenal have a game in hand on both Chelsea and United, and also have the best goal difference having hit 36 goals in a number of thumping wins in the league.
The loss at Stamford Bridge was United's second noteworthy reverse in two weeks after being easily second-best in a 2-0 loss to Liverpool at Anfield.
But, out of the traditional Big Four teams, only Liverpool are well adrift after a wretched last few weeks.
At one stage, the Reds had lost six times in seven matches in all competitions, with only the victory over United for comfort.
There were defeats in the league at Fulham and at the Stadium of Light against Sunderland where a deflection off a beachball decided their fate.
The run which leaves Liverpool in seventh, 11 points adrift of Chelsea. They are out of the League Cup and on the brink in the Champions League.
Only the FA Cup may be a possible saving grace for Rafa Benitez but his team's form showed no signs of improving in a 2-2 draw against Birmingham City.
The season has brutally exposed Liverpool's reliance on Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard, both of whom have struggled with injuries, and their folly in not replacing Xabi Alonso adequately.
But the good news for the Anfield club is that, mainly through the faults of others, they remain just three points away from a Champions League spot.
Tottenham Hotspur still occupy fourth place at the moment on 22 points.
But Harry Redknapp's men have failed to win consecutive league matches since August and recent showings suggest Spurs may be on the slide.
Woeful defending in the North London derby helped Arsenal to a serene 3-0 win and maintained the Gunners' record of not having lost a league derby since 1999.
Of all the pretenders, fifth-placed Aston Villa look most likely to take fourth off Spurs after an excellent last few weeks in which they beat Chelsea and thrashed Bolton Wanderers 5-1.
Villa are now up to 21 points but this is largely thanks to their home form. Their last away win was in the Birmingham derby in mid-September.
Big-spending Manchester City have laboured to five successive draws which leave them in sixth on 20 points.
But, though their challenge for the title seems to have faded, City would return to the top four by winning their game in hand.
At the bottom, Hull City and, specifically, Phil Brown's future have dominated the last few weeks.
After a 2-0 loss to new boys Burnley, Hull dropped into the relegation zone and Brown looked as if he would be the first top-flight manager to lose his job this season.
But instead Paul Duffen's tenure as chairman ended and he was replaced by Adam Pearson, who has backed Brown - for now.
Last weekend, Hull gained a morale-boosting last-minute win over Stoke City despite falling behind.
The 2-1 success was only the Tigers' third win of this season - all of which have come at home - and indeed only their fourth of the calendar year.
It put Hull on 11 points from 12 games and lifted Brown's team out of the bottom three after Wolverhampton Wanderers, West Ham United and Portsmouth all lost.
Pompey, who lost their first seven games, have shown signs of turning their season around, with their outstanding moment being a particular fine 4-0 win over Wigan Athletic.
But a 3-1 defeat to Blackburn Rovers, having held the lead, left Paul Hart's men bottom on seven points and showed there are still many vulnerabilities on the south coast.
West Ham also continue to struggle. Their recent 2-1 home win over Aston Villa was much-needed as it was their only league win since the opening day.
The Hammers remain second-bottom with just 10 points.
Wolves are also on just 10 points and complete the bottom three having failed to win any of their last six matches.
Hull and Bolton are just outside the drop zone on 11 points and, while Hull's defensive problems are well documented, Bolton have conceded 13 goals in their last three league and cup games.
The Championship
Table
NEWCASTLE UNITED boss Chris Hughton celebrated his appointment as permanent manager by keeping the Magpies top of the table after 16 matches.
Hughton had worked wonders in his third spell as caretaker manager, boosting the morale of a relegated squad and winning manager of the month for the division in August and September.
A run of four games without a win had ceded the slight advantage which had been built up by the end of September.
But three consecutive wins since then has put Newcastle on 33 points and established a gap of six points to third-placed Cardiff City.
Only West Bromwich Albion, who were also relegated last season, can live with the current pace being set by Newcastle.
The Baggies are just two points behind with a better goal difference, helped in no small way by their biggest win of the season against Watford (5-0) in their last home match.
It is Cardiff in third, on 27 points, though, who have scored the most goals in the league with 33 so far in the league.
Strike pairing Michael Chopra and Peter Whittingham are first and second in the top scorer standings with 11 and 10 goals apiece.
But the 3-2 loss to Swansea City last weekend, however, leaves Bluebirds in the pack and without a derby win since 1997.
Queens Park Rangers, Blackpool and Leicester City make up the other three playoff places and are also on 27 points after impressive recent runs.
The in-form Rs have lost just once in their last six matches and scored four goals in each of their three successive league wins against Preston North End, Reading and Derby County.
Blackpool have won six of their eight home games - and drawn the other two - putting them in their highest league position for years.
The Tangerines are unbeaten in their last five league matches, home and away.
Leicester had also been on an excellent run of seven matches unbeaten until West Brom won 2-1 at the Walkers Stadium last weekend.
And that loss for Nigel Pearson's Foxes leaves Bristol City and Nottingham Forest on their tales.
City are seventh on 26 points on an unbeaten run of seven matches while Forest are a further point behind in eighth and unbeaten in eight, having yet to lose away.
It was perhaps no surprise to see these two form sides draw 1-1 at the City Ground on Saturday.
But it is Swansea with the longest current unbeaten sequence in the division.
The Swans struggled early on but have now gone 10 games without defeat to lift themselves to ninth, level on points with Forest.
What Middlesbrough and Preston would give for that sort of run, now. Both were early promotion contenders but have dropped off the pace into midtable on 24 points, along with 12th-placed Watford.
Boro sacked manager Gareth Southgate despite a 2-0 home win against Derby - but new manager Gordon Strachan has lost his opening two games.
The win over the Rams is therefore Boro's only success in their last five matches. Preston's record is even worse with just one win in seven.
Peterborough United are in even worse form and are unsurprisingly bottom with just 11 points.
The Posh have won only twice all season and a run of nine matches without a win signalled the end for manager Darren Ferguson.
Sentiment counts for little to ambitious Posh and, despite two successive promotions, Ferguson was sacked earlier this week after their 3-1 loss to Newcastle at the weekend.
Ipswich Town can be relieved to have hauled themselves off the bottom and indeed to have picked up their first league win of the season at the 13th attempt.
But the season still looks to be a long, hard struggle for Roy Keane's team.
They remain second-bottom on just 12 points and their unbeaten run of five games somewhat disguises the fact that four of those have been 1-1 draws.
Reading complete the trio in the drop zone on 14 points and Brendan Rogers will perhaps be next to feel the pressure.
The Royals were playoff semi-finalists last season under previous manager Steve Coppell but have failed to win at home for 17 games. That extraordinary run stretches back to January.
Fourth-bottom Plymouth Argyle have won their last two matches and show signs of improvement but their poor start keeps them just one point clear of relegation.
Doncaster Rovers are also on 15 points but have slipped down the table after a dreadful run of just one league win in their last 11 matches.
League One
Table
LEEDS UNITED have a seven-point lead at the top of League One after 15 matches.
United are playing their third successive season at this level but their start has made them odds-on to escape and avoid playoff heartache this time around.
Simon Grayson's men have 36 points and a goal difference of +21. They are unbeaten at home have lost just once this season at Millwall.
Charlton Athletic remain second on 29 points but Phil Parkinson's can seemingly no longer match Leeds' pace at the top.
A run of just one win in six league matches leaves the Addicks firmly back in the bunch with third-placed MK Dons level on points.
Paul Ince's Dons have won four of their last five games to climb the league and Colchester United in fourth are another team holding their own in the playoff places on 28 points.
That represents a real achievement by the Us who lost manager Paul Lambert to Norwich City after Lambert had masterminded a 7-1 thrashing of the Canaries on the opening day.
But new manager Aidy Boothroyd is a sound appointment at the Layer Road club whose loss to Millwall was their first in ten matches.
Lambert's new club Norwich have recovered from that opening day mauling and, with just one defeat in their last eight, the Canaries are currently fifth on 25 points.
That's just a point and a place ahead of Lee Clark's Huddersfield Town who have won three of their last four games after a slight dip in form.
Millwall's good run of form - four wins and two draws from six games - has put them level on points with the Terriers but the Lions are three goals worse off.
Eighth-placed Swindon Town and Bristol Rovers in ninth are two points further back on 22 points.
But Rovers have lost their last five league matches and may be glad for the early points they collected at the end of the season if that continues.
In more immediate danger of a return to League Two is Wycombe Wanderers who are now bottom with just eight points.
New manager Gary Waddock has a massive job to keep the Chairboys at this level. They have just one win all season - and that was back in August.
Despite ending the embarrassing John Barnes' reign prematurely, Tranmere Rovers also continue to look out of their depth on 10 points.
Rovers have lost five of their last six games and once again struggled defensively in their recent 4-1 loss to Swindon. They have now conceded 33 goals in the league.
Southampton look a better bet to stay up despite still occupying a relegation spot presently.
The Saints started the season on -15 but are now up to 12 points after four wins and a draw from their last five league games. Things are finally looking up at St Mary's Stadium.
Stockport County complete the current bottom four on 14 points after a run of just one win in seven league games.
Brighton & Hove Albion are just outside the relegation zone on goal difference only and will hope new manager Gus Poyet will improve a record of one win in the last eight league games.
Gillingham, on 15 points, and Leyton Orient, on 16 points, remain within one result of real trouble.
League Two
Table
BOURNEMOUTH enjoy a two-point advantage at the top of League Two after 15 matches but, more importantly, have won the battle to keep their manager.
Championship strugglers Peterborough United, who sacked Darren Ferguson this week, had sought 31-year-old Eddie Howe as a replacement.
But Howe has vowed to remain with the promotion-chasing Cherries who will be playing Posh in League One next season at this rate.
Rochdale, who have been in the basement division since 1974, are second on 29 points. The Dale are level on points with Dagenham & Redbridge who are unbeaten at home.
Notts County have moved menacingly into fourth, three points off the pace, under new manager Hans Backe after Ian McParland left by mutual consent.
Backe will be pleased to have inherited a strong squad for this level.
The Magpies, unbeaten at home, have scored the most goals in the division and, with the best goal difference, look set to make their move.
County are joined by early pace-setters Rotherham United and Chesterfield on 26 points in fifth and sixth place.
The Spireites can thank their home form - seven wins and a draw -for their lofty position as they aim to reach League One for the first time in three years.
Shrewsbury Town are in the last playoff place on 25 points with Barnet and Bury breathing down the Shrews neck on 24 points.
Darlington continue to struggle and are now nine points from safety. The Quakers are on just five points, with only one point on their travels all season.
It is fair to say that Steve Staunton's first club managerial position is a thankless task.
Grimsby Town fill the other relegation place and look set for another season of struggle. The Mariners finished third-bottom last season and stayed up only because of Luton Town's deduction.
Newly-promoted Torquay United are three points above the drop zone on 14 points with Cheltenham Town and Morecambe only one point clearer.
Blue Square Premier
Table
OXFORD UNITED have an eight point lead at the top of the Blue Square Premier after 18 games.
The Us have dropped just two points at home all season to put themselves on 43 points, a hugely strong position after more than a third of the season.
But the rest of the division can be consoled by an even bigger lead which Burton Albion lost last season, though the Brewers still ultimately went up as champions.
The likeliest challengers, if any, are Stevenage Borough and Kettering.
They are both on 35 points, though having failed to attract Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe, Peterborough are now looking at Kettering's Mark Cooper.
The rest of the top eight is all made up of former league clubs with Mansfield Town in fourth on 33 points and Luton Town in fifth on 32 points, the latter looking for an immediate return.
Sixth-placed York City moved within a point of the playoffs, albeit having played a game more, after a midweek 3-2 win over rock-bottom Chester City.
Chester remain in a rather hopeless position on -4 points, though three recent wins have at least made a decent dent in their -25 penalty.
Ebbsfleet United have not had a deduction but look almost as troubled on nine points. With just a single league win all season - and none at home - United are six points adrift of safety.
Forest Green Rovers and Grays Athletic are the other early strugglers on 12 points.
Both Forest Green and Grays are three points away from safety and both have worse a goal difference than their immediate rivals, Gateshead and Hayes & Yeading.
Tyneside club Gateshead announced ambitions plans this month to go full time from next season and move into a new stadium from 2011.
After two successive promotions in the last two campaigns, Ian Bogie's men are just doing enough in this term and keep those dreams alive.
FA Cup First Round
Second Round draw
STAINES TOWN were the story of the First Round proper after they won away at Shrewsbury Town on a memorable weekend for the minnows.
The Thames-side town was made famous by the fictional character Ali G but it was Ali C who won the tie with an early goal for the Blue Square South side.
Ali Chaaban scored the only goal of the match after a mazy 30-yard run as the Shrews fell at the first round for the fourth straight year.
Staines' reward in the Second Round is a home tie against Millwall who were in fine form to beat AFC Wimbledon 4-1.
In the other ties, Northwich Victoria breached a gap of 86 places in the football pyramid to beat former Premier League club Charlton Athletic.
Teenage substitute Wayne Riley scored the only goal of the live television game on 81 minutes, sliding a ball over the top past the goalkeeper.
Blue Square South team Bath City won easily away at League Two strugglers Grimsby Town. The tie was over inside 52 minutes when Bath took a 2-0 lead.
Blue Square Premier leaders Oxford United beat Yeovil Town 1-0 and another Blue Square team in good form, Kettering, won 1-0 away against at League One Hartlepool.
The Poppies will face Leeds United in the Second Round.
Blue Square Premier side York City defended their unbeaten home record after a remarkable comeback at Bootham Crescent.
Crew Alexandra were leading 2-1 with just four minutes left but the Minstermen were never out of the game and two late goals turned the tie on its head.
There was late drama elsewhere as Gateshead found a stoppage-time equaliser to draw 2-2 at home with Brentford who fielded former £7m Newcastle striker Carl Cort.
Stevenage Borough also did just enough to earn a replay with a late goal away at Port Vale and will fancy their chances in the replay at Broadhall Way.
But Luton Town looked as if they had thrown a Second Round place away.
Leading 3-0 at half time at home against Rochdale from the division above, the Dale were a different team in the second half, scoring two late goals to level the scores at 3-3.
As it happened, the Hatters surprisingly did it the hard way by winning 2-0 at Spotland to take their place against Rotherham United.
But the First Round proper proved to be a chastening experience for little Paulton Rovers, the lowest-ranked team who remained.
A 7-0 thrashing at the hands of Norwich City is not how the Bristol-based village side will have wanted to go out of this year's competition but their achievement was still a great one.
Huddersfield Town and Stockport County also enjoyed a big wins - 6-1 against Dagenham & Redbridge and 5-0 against Tooting & Mitcham, respectively.
Leeds beat Oldham Athletic 2-0 in the biggest tie of the round at Boundary Park.
Fellow League One strugglers Wycombe Wanderers and Brighton & Hove Albion shared eight goals at Adams Park in a 4-4 draw.
In all, 16 non-league sides are in the Second Round draw but Stevenage and Gateshead's places are subject to winning a replay.
Forest Green Rovers and Mansfield Town will contest an all-non-league replay.
And there will be at least three non-league sides in the Third Round after the Second Round draw put several of them together.
First Round results:
Accrington Stanley 2-1 Salisbury, AFC Telford 1-3 Lincoln City, Aldershot 2-0 Bury, Barnet 3-1 Darlington, Barrow 2-1 Eastleigh, Bristol Rovers 2-3 Southampton, Bromley 0-4 Colchester United, Burton Albion 3-2 Oxford City, Cambridge United 4-0 Ilkeston Town, Carlisle United 2-2 Morecambe, Chesterfield 1-3 AFC Bournemouth, Forest Green Rovers 1-1 Mansfield Town, Gateshead 2-2 Brentford, Gillingham 3-0 Southend United, Grimsby Town 0-2 Bath City, Hartlepool United 0-1 Kettering, Hereford United 2-0 Sutton United, Huddersfield Town 6-1 Dagenham & Redbridge, Luton Town 3-3 Rochdale, MK Dons 1-0 Macclesfield Town, Northampton Town 2-1 Fleetwood Town, Northwich Victoria 1-0 Charlton Athletic, Notts County 2-1 Bradford City, Nuneaton Borough 0-4 Exeter City, Oldham Athletic 0-2 Leeds United, Oxford United 1-0 Yeovil Town, Paulton Rovers 0-7 Norwich City, Port Vale 1-1 Stevenage Borough, Rushden & Diamonds 3-1 Hinckley United, Shrewsbury Town 0-1 Staines Town, Stockport County 5-0 Tooting & Mitcham, Stourbridge 0-1 Walsall, Swindon Town 1-0 Woking, Torquay United 3-1 Cheltenham Town, Tranmere Rovers 1-1 Leyton Orient, Wealdstone 2-3 Rotherham United, Wrexham 1-0 Lowestoft Town, Wycombe Wanderers 4-4 Brighton & Hove Albion, York City 3-2 Crewe Alexandra.
First Round Replay result:
Rochdale 0-2 Luton Town.
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