EPL Super Sunday LIVE Commentary:

Hello and welcome to my EPL Super Sunday LIVE Commentary, with 2 EPL matches this Sunday for you.

But first, here is yesterday's evening result between Chelsea and Newcastle.

Chelsea 2 Newcastle 0 

Chelsea stayed at the top of the table after beating top 4 contenders Newcastle by 2 goals to nil.

Chelsea's new signings Cesar Azpilicueta and Victor Moses were both unveiled before the match at Stamford Bridge.

Defender Cesar Azpilicueta and winger Victor Moses hold up the Chelsea shirt at Stamford Bridge.

Eden Hazard scored his first Chelsea goal from the penalty spot in the 22nd minute, after Torres was fouled by £5million signing Vurnon Anita inside the box.

First Chelsea goal: Winger Eden Hazard scores a penalty for his new club against Newcastle.

Fernando Torres made it 2-0 in the 45th minute after link-up play with Hazard found him in space before hitting the ball from outside the box into the top corner.



Today's Matches:


Stoke City vs Arsenal - LIVE at 13:30pm
Manchester City vs Liverpool - LIVE at 15:30pm

Stoke vs Arsenal:

Team Line-ups:

Stoke:

Begovic, Wilkinson, Huth, Shawcross, Wilson, Pennant, Cameron, Whelan, Kightly, Walters, Crouch.

Subs: Sorensen, Shotton, Upson, Delap, Palacios, Jerome, Jones.

Arsenal:

Mannone, Mertesacker, Jenkinson, Vermaelen, Gibbs, Arteta, Cazorla, Diaby, Gervinho, Podolski, Cazorla.

Subs: Martinez, Djourou, Santos, Chamberlain, Coquelin, Ramsey, Walcott.


Reserve goalkeeper Vito Mannone starts his first Arsenal match for 3 years as Szczesny is out with a bruised rib.  
Walcott, Ramsey and Chamberlain are all on the subs bench.

Stoke City vs Arsenal - LIVE Commentary:

13:30:
The Stoke vs Arsenal match has begun at The Britannia.

1: Arsenal start with their Purple and Black kit against Stoke with red and white.

3: Stoke are trying to cause trouble with a long throw, but Arsenal clear the danger away.

4: Arsenal are trying to keep possession and pass well, but Stoke are closing them down well.

6: Crouch heads the ball towards striker Jonathan Walters inside the 6-yard box before he takes a shot towards goal and scores!

Ruled out: Stoke striker Jonathan Walters celebrates his goal against Arsenal, before realising that he was offside.

GOALLLL!

OFFSIDE 
He strayed offside

8: Podolski has a shot outside the 6 yard box, but defender Wilkinson blocks the ball for a corner after slipping on the floor. 

13: Arsenal pass well with nice build-up play inside the Stoke half but Giroud's cross is too powerful and hits the corner flag before going out of play for a Stoke goal-kick.

15: Podolski runs with the ball at his feet towards the box before getting bodychecked by Stoke defender Robert Huth from 20 yards out.
Free-kick to Arsenal and Huth gets a yellow card for the challenge. 

17: Santi Cazorla takes the free-kick low but the ball hits the Stoke defensive wall before Cazorla's rebound is wide of the goal.

18: 1st half possession:
Stoke - 31%, Arsenal - 69%

19: Arsenal pressing for an opening goal with Diaby and Gibbs linking up well before Gibbs' cross into the box just misses Gervinho.

20: Stoke try and go on the counter attack but Walters is tackled well by Arsenal left-back Kieran Gibbs.

25: Arsenal striker Lukas Podolski has a shot but it does not trouble the goalkeeper, and goes over the bar.

26: Midfielder Abou Diaby finds Olivier Giroud with a nice through ball, but Giroud's attempted pass to Gervinho on the wing is snuffed out.

27: Cazorla is a younger version of Xavi and Iniesta. 
He likes the ball at his feet, can pass well and is very creative.

28: Stoke counter with Walters finding new signing Michael Kightly who unleashes a shot from 25 yards out.... SAVED and HELD by goalkeeper Vito Mannone.

30: Cazorla is caught by defender Marc Wilson. Arsenal free-kick towards Cazorla who has a low shot towards goal, but it is wide of the goal again.

33: Gervinho who passes to Arteta who gets tackled onto the floor with a lunging tackle by Whelan. Cazorla has a shot from 25 yards out which is higher than before, and it is swervin towards goal... PARRIED by goalkeeper Asmir Begovic.

34: Arsenal corner taken by Cazorla but nothing comes of it.

36: Stoke supporters are chanting: ' Same old Arsenal, always cheating'

37: Stoke try and worry Arsenal with a long throw, but goalkeeper Vito Mannone holds the ball in his arms.

38: Arsenal forward Gervinho wastes a chance down the wing, by losing the ball and letting it go out for a Stoke goal-kick instead of crossing the ball into the box.

45: The fourth official (AKA the best English referee Howard Webb) has signalled for 1 minute to be added on at the end of this first half.

Arsenal have a corner with Gervinho switching wings to give Wilkinson problems.

45+1: The referee blows the whistle to end the first half at The Britannia Stadium.

Arsenal have played well in the first half with Santi Cazorla, Abou Diaby and Mikel Arteta all passing and linking together up well.
If only wingers Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain come on and trouble Stoke's defence a bit than Giroud and Gervinho had been doing then Then Gunners should win the match.
Stoke will look for the one goal, possibly with Crouch or Walters and then 'park the bus' which will frustrate Arsenal.

14:31:

The second half has kicked off at The Britannia Stadium.

Stoke 0 Arsenal 0

There are no substitutions for either side as of yet.

46: Arsenal playing a patient passing build-up play style and it looks like Stoke will get frustrated with this.

51: Cameras show that Arsenal forward Theo Walcott is warming up on the touchline, ready to come on soon... 

53: A Stoke corner is cleared away by the Arsenal defence.

55: Crouch has given away an Arsenal free-kick after hitting Arsenal defender Per Mertesacker on his head while trying to balance and win the ball at the same time.

Two giants in Crouch and Mertesacker matching each other.

57: Gibbs is robbed by Stoke winger Jermaine Pennant, who he does not see behind him. Pennant and Gibbs tussle for the ball on the wing before Pennant falls down inside the penalty box.....
The referee walks away from the scene and says no penalty.

Pennant and the Stoke fans are screaming for a penalty, but repalys shwo that it was a 50-50 challenge and Gibbs did not foul himand there was not enough contact for a penalty.

59: Arsenal striker Lukas Podolski out-muscles a Stoke defender before crosing the ball into the box.... goalkeeper Asmir Begovic holds the ball comfortably. 

61: A Podolski cross tries to find Giroud, but the defender clears the ball out for a corner.

64: Wilkinson tackles Arsenal captain Thomas Vermaelen and is late..... Yellow card given to the Stoke man. 
Reckless challenge by Andy Wilkinson and he is lucky not to be sent off.

66: Stoke SUB:
Jermaine Pennant OFF
Cameron Jerome ON

72: Arsenal SUB:
Lukas Podolski OFF
Gervinho OFF
Theo Walcott ON
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain ON

Injection of pace for Arsenal with Walcott and AOC coming on with just over 15 minutes to go.

76: Stoke are pressing for a goal here now, with Crouch making deadly crosses into the box.

78: Stoke SUB:
Peter Crouch OFF
Ryan Shotton ON

79: Arsenal free-kick taken by goalkeeper Vito Mannone with Shotton moving into the right side of midfield for Stoke. 

80: If Stoke go on to win the match here, that would be cruel for Arsenal fans.
Meanwhile Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud is in a heap on the pitch after being kicked in the head by Stoke defender Robert Huth 

81: Stoke SUB:
Glenn Whelan OFF
Wilson Palacios ON

Arsenal SUB:
Santi Cazorla OFF
Aaron Ramsey ON

Arsenal's bright spark in this match comes off for Ramsey, who broke his leg here a copule of season ago after a challenge by Stoke defender Ryan Shawcross who just happens to be on the pitch for Stoke...

 

85: 
BREAKING NEWS:

Manchester City vs Liverpool:

Team Line-ups:

Liverpool: Reina, Kelly, Coates, Skretel, Johnson, Lucas, Gerrarad, Allen, Borini, Suarez, Sterling.

Subs: Jones, Enrique, Carragher, Henderson, Shelvey, Downing, Carroll.

Manchester City: Hart, Zabaleta, K Toure, Kompany, Kolarov, Nasri, Barry, De Jong, Milner, Y Toure, Tevez, Balotelli.

Subs: Pantilimon, Lescott, Savic, Rodwell, Razak, Silva, Dzeko.

88: Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud has an ambitious shot as he sees goalkeeper Asmir Begovic off his line..
The ball goes over goalkeeper Begovic's head, but goes over the bar as well.
He could have passed the ball because he had a man free in space ahead of him who was onside, but he tried the spectacular at 0-0 with 88 minutes gone.
No comment.

90: Howard Webb signals for 3 minutes of stoppage time to be added on.

90+3: The referee has blown the whistle at the end of the match.

Stoke 0 Arsenal 0

Arsenal will feel hard done by because they could not finish their chances, despite having all of the possession and passing well.

Stoke will be the happier of the two teams, knowing that Arsenal pressed them throughout the match and could not even score.

My Man Of The Match:
Arsenal winger Santi Cazorla:

He was electric throughout the match, played well, passed well and created chances.
He will hope that he can start scoring soon.

Closed down: Arsenal winger Santi Cazorla is closed down well by Glenn Whelan and George Cameron.

Liverpool vs Manchester City - LIVE Commentary:

15:45:
17-year-old winger Raheem Sterling has been given a start for Liverpool ahead of Stewart Downing, while Manchester City winger David Silva starts from the bench along with striker Edin Dzeko. 

15:56:
Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard and Manchester City defender Vincent Kompany lead their respective clubs out.

4-2-3-1 formation for Liverpool with Sterling, Borini and Gerrard all behind Luis Suarez in attack.

3-5-2 formation for Manchester City with Kolarov and Milner the wing backs. Nasri is just behind Tevez and Baloteli.

16:00:

0: The referee, Andre Marriner has blown the whistle to start the match at Anfield.

0: Steven Gerrard takes a shot from 30 yards out, but it is wide of the goal.

2: Good atmosphere at Anfield, as Liverpool try and hold the ball up anmd pass well not giving City any possession.

3: Full-back Glen Johnson giving the Manchester City defence trouble earlier on with a darting run.

4: Liverpool SUB:
Lucas OFF (injury)
Jonjo Shelvey ON

Lucas is limping off the pitch, clutching his injury plagued knee and looks in pain. Does not look good for him, and it is sad that he is not able to continue.

5: 17-year-old Liverpool winger Raheem Sterling looks great, despite having only a few touches of the ball.
Looks fearless, and is running at the Manchester City defence with pace.

7: Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel outmuscles Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli for the ball and wins a throw-in for his team.

8: Balotelli looks for the foul after sticking tight to defender Martin Skrtel before getting tackled onto the floor. Free-kick to Manchester City from 30 yards out.

Manchester City full-back Kolarov takes the free-kick towards goal.... SAVE by Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina.

10: Sterling is certainly giving Manchester City something to think about down the wing, passes to Borini but Kolarov intercepts and clears the ball away from danger after putting the ball through Borini's legs skillfully and running past him.

17: Nice skill by Sterling on the wing, before crossing the ball into the box for striker Fabio Borini who hits the ball, but it is wide of the goal. Should have scored then...

19: Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez brings the ball around goalkeeper Pepe Reina before hitting the ball across goal... 
Defender Martin Kelly tries to clear with his head but he misses... The ball trickles towards goal...

HITS THE POST!
If only there was someone on the other side of the post City who have scored!

22: 
Match possession:
Liverpool - 39%, Manchester City - 61%

31: Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli has the ball at his feet, before working some space and unleashing a shot towards goal... OVER THE BAR!!
Waste of a shot, after he found space to take the shot.

33: Liverpool full-back Martin Kelly crosses the ball into the box, before the ball takes a deflection from Manchester City defender and captain Vincent Kompany over the bar.

34: Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard steps up to take the corner, and whips it into the box..... defender Martin Skrtel runs at the ball.... before unleashing a deadly header towards goal.... GOALLLLLL!!!!!!!

Unstoppable: Martin Skrtel beats Pablo Zabaleta and Kolarov in the air before unleashing a header past Joe Hart.

Deadlock broken: Martin Skrtel celebrates his bullet header against Manchester City in the 34th minute at Anfield.

Champions shocked: Manchester City players react to conceding against Liverpool in the first half at Anfield.

Skrtel breaks the deadlock for Liverpool at the Kop End.
1-0 ahead against the defending EPL Champions.

45: The fourth official has signalled for 1 minute of added time.
45+1: Sterling clips Balotelli along the wing, and City have a free-kick in a dangerous position now.

45+2: The City free-kick was wasted, and now it is half-time.

Liverpool lead 1-0 after a bullet header by Skrtel.
Carlos Tevez and co will feel disappointed that they are not in the lead, because Tevez hit the post, and the City defence will feel that if they had tightened up at the back for the corner, they would not be trailing.

Expect late drama in the second half, because Manchester City will not take a loss unless they fight till the death.  

17:00:

45: The second half has begun at Anfield. 
Liverpool lead by a goal to nil thanks to Martin Skrtel. 
No subsitutions from either side at the moment.

53: Liverpool midfielder Jonjo Shelvey is limping on the pitch after picking up a knock.

59: Cameras show that Manchester City's £15million signing Jack Rodwell is warming up and getting ready to come on soon.

61: Manchester City SUB:
Mario Balotelli OFF
Samir Nasri OFF
Edin Dzeko ON
Jack Rodwell ON 

64: Tevez crosses the ball into the box for Manchester City, before the ball ricochets off Liverpool defender Martin Kelly past goalkeeper Pepe Reina (who comes out of goal to try and punch the ball away), straight to Yaya Toure who shoots into an empty net.

Easy from there: Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure shoots from 6 yards out to score against Liverpool.

1-1, and Toure has equalised for City.

66: Liverpool SUB:
Martin Kelly OFF
Jose Enrique ON

66: Liverpool have a free-kick here from 30 yards out. Striker Luis Suarez steps up to take it before htting towards goal with a curling and swerving effort...

Suarez curls the ball past the Manchester City wall.... GOAL!!!!
What a free-kick by Suarez Liverpool have gone back into the lead now!

76: Manchester City SUB: 
James Milner OFF
David Silva ON


80: Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel is closed down well by the Manchester City defenders, so turns around and looks to pass to Reina....

The pass is weak but strong enough to find City striker Carlos Tevez lurking behind him who goes round Reina before tapping the ball into the empty net.

100th English goal: City striker Carlos Tevez takes advantage of a Skrtel mistake to equalise in the 80th minute.

Equaliser: Tevez takes off his shirt to reveal a message to the fans in a foreign language.

GOALLLLLLL!!!!

2-2 and Tevez has scored his 100th goal in English football.

82: Liverpool midfielder Jonjo Shelvey has a shot from 20 yards out, but the shot just rises over the top of the bar as it flies over.  

83: Liverpool SUB:
Fabio Borini OFF
Andy Carroll ON 

86: Manchester City break with Kolarov finding striker Edin Dzeko with a through ball into the box. He hits the ball... OVER!!
Dzeko should have hit the target there...

90: The fourth official has signalled for 4 minutes of stoppage time to be added on at Anfield in the tense match where both sides are looking for a late winner.

90+2: Liverpool right-back Glen Johnson has a shot comfortably saved and held by Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart.

90+3: Suarez passes the ball straight to Joe Allen who unleashes a shot from 25 yards out.... OVER THE BAR!!
The shot was not controlled and that will be the last attack of the match...

90+4: The referee has blown the whistle to end the match at Anfield.

FULL-TIME SCORE:

Liverpool 2 Manchester City 2 

This epic match was ended, with City the happier of the two sides. Despite failing to mark well at the corner, they at least won a point against Liverpool - who should have ended the match with all of their shooting chances and won comfortably in the end.

Liverpool will be disapointed with conceding two sloppy goals but thankful that they were not punished as badly as Southampton were last Sunday.

International Friendly: England vs Italy - LIVE Commentary with EPL News and Transfers:

Hello and welcome to my Live Commentary on England's international friendly match with Italy in Switzerland.
With 3 days before the start of the new EPL season, England will have their only match before qualifications start for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

LIVE Commentary - England vs Italy, LIVE from 8pm:

The major news from this match for both teams is that Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli has been ruled out due to an eye problem.

England manager Roy Hodgson has admitted that he hopes Chelsea defender John Terry beats an FA charge and is able to continue playing for England.

Manchester City goalkeeper and England No.1 Joe Hart has been ruled out due to a back injury, while Arsenal wingers Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Theo Walcott are both injured.

John Ruddy and Jack Butland are both fighting it out to start for England tonight, with both goalkeepers wanting their first starts.

Jack Butland and John Ruddy both training to get ready for England's match tonight.

Young guns: England face a tough test against Italy tonight, and only 6 players who were at Euro 2012 will feature.

FACT: England have won 4 of their last 6 matches
FACT: Italy have lost their last 3 friendlies without scoring

England's next 6 matches:

Italy - TONIGHT
September 7th - Moldova (A)
September 11th - Ukraine (H)
October 12th - San Marino (H)
October 16th - Poland (A)
November 14th - Sweden (A)

 
13:30:

Let me tell you about the LATEST news in the EPL now:

Liverpool defender Daniel Agger who is wanted by Manchester City, has admitted that he would leave Liverpool for Barcelona.

Wanted: Agger is wanted by Manchester City, but has admitted that he would only leave for Barca.

He said this 'I am loyal to Liverpool but, there is one club who would make it very hard for me to stay at Anfield, Barcelona would be great because they are the best in the world'

Arsenal striker Nicklas Bendtner is wanted by Italian club AC Milan. 

Impressive: Nicklas Bendtner was impressive during the Euros for Denmark scoring 2 goals against Portugal.

The bidding war between Luka Modric and Real Madrid has begun, with a bid already been rejected.

Spain calling: Real Madrid are still desperate to sign Tottenham midfielder Luka Modric.

Tottenham want at least £35million for the midfielder, yet Real are sticking to £25million.

Everton have confirmed that Olympiakos midfielder Kevin Mirallas is close to finalising a £6million transfer deal. 

Good signing: Kevin Mirallas is on the way to Everton, as they beat Arsenal and Liverpool in the race to sign him.

He is expected to be at Everton on Thursday.

Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard has called on Chelsea to open new contract talks with him, because he has one year left on his contract, and he has said that he wants to retire at Stamford Bridge. 

Manchester United are very close to signing Chilean youngster and striker Angelo Henriquez.

For the future: Chilean youngster Angelo Henriquez is on his way to Manchester United.

Peterborough striker Paul Taylor is wanted by two London clubs Fulham and QPR.


Arsenal have started official talks with rivals Manchester United over an improved bid for striker and captain Robin Van Persie.

BREAKING NEWS: Robin Van Persie has been left out of the Holland starting 11 against Belgium tonight.

Real Madrid midfielder Nuri Sahin is expected to choose between Arsenal and Liverpool by the end of this week to move to on a season-long loan. 

The Carling Cup will now be called the Capital One Cup from now on because of sponsorship deals.

Here is the Second Round Draw for the Capital One Cup (also known as the Carling Cup)

EPL Teams only:

Swansea City vs Barnsley
Yeovil vs West Brom
West Ham vs Crewe 
Reading vs Peterborough
Sheffield Wednesday vs Fulham
QPR vs Walsall
Stevenage vs Southampton
Nottingham Forest vs Wigan Athletic
Stoke City vs Swindon Town
Aston Villa vs Tranmere
Everton vs Leyton Orient
Sunderland vs Morecambe
Norwich vs Scunthorpe

Ties to be played week commencing August 27th.

BREAKING NEWS:

Bolton midfielder Fabrice Muamba has been told by doctors to retire from football.
That is sad news, because he was a very good player but his health is very important and his well-being is his number one priority.




19:45:

BREAKING NEWS:

Manchester United have confirmed the £24million signing of Arsenal striker Robin Van Persie subject to a medical and confirmation over personal terms.

Welcome to Old Trafford: Arsenal captain Robin Van Persie will join Manchester United on Thursday.

For a 29-year-old striker who is injury prone and on his last year on contract, £24million is not a bad deal.

Arsenal should now sign a solid defender and replace RVP with Llorente who is also on his last year on his contract. He has refused a contract extension also.

Team Line-ups:

England: Butland, Walker, Cahill, Jagielka, Baines, Carrick, Lampard, Johnson, Cleverley, Young, Carroll.

Birmingham City goalkeeper Jack Butland starts his first match for England tonight!

Subs: Ruddy, Lescott, Bertrand, Caulker, Milner, Livermore, Rodwell, Defoe.
 
Italy: Sirigu, Ogbonna, Abate, Balzaretti, Astori, El Shaarawy, Aquilani, De Rossi, Diamanti, Nocerino, Destro.

Mario Balotelli, Andrea Pirlo and Buffon are all out for Italy.
AC Milan young midfielder Stephan El Shaarawy starts for Italy. Exciting player he is.

Subs: Perin, De Sciglio, Peluso, Acerbi, Poli, Schelotto, Gastaldello, Gabbiadini, Verratti, Consigli.

20:00:

0: The referee has kicked off this match in Switzerland.
8: England corner by Frank Lampard, whipped into the box, but cleared away by the Italy defence.
9: Good ball by De Rossi over the top of the England defence to Destro who skips away from Cahill and Jagielka but Butland holds the ball comfortably.
10: Sloppy defensive play by Italy sees an England corner being conceded. Lampard takes the corner and finds Carroll who heads towards goal... OVER THE BAR!!
He should have done better with that, and if he had headered the ball downards, it would have at least been on target and given Siriugu something to worry about.

13: Italy are looking dangerous inside England's half.
Destro tried to find Aquillani from 12 yards out but the pass was poor.

14: Italy free-kick from 26 yards out, whipped into the box but the ball takes a deflection from the wall before Butland parries the ball away for a corner.

15: Italy corner, whipped into the box to Daniele De Rossi who is not marked well, he jumps up for the header before unleashing a header high towards goal... GOAL!!!!

Captain leading the way: Italy midfielder Daniele De Rossi heads the ball past Jack Butland from a corner.

Captain's celebrations: Midfielder Daniele De Rossi celebrates his headed goal against England.

Italy lead England by 1-0 with the captain De Rossi breaking the deadlock.

16: To be honest, it was poor defending because no-one was marking their man tightly enough.

18: Good build-up play by Italy with El Shaarawy looking dangerous down the wing before delivering a 35-yard pass.
The through ball went straight to striker Destro inside the box, but he was not able to head the ball powerfully enough to really trouble Butland who comfortably holds the ball.

20: Slow, patient build-up play by England as they look to equalise before Johnson is tackled by two defenders and Italy clear.

21: Good vision by Frank Lampard to find Adam Johnson with a ball just outside the box.
Johnson weaves past a defender quickly before having a shot from 18 yards but Siriugu holds the ball comfortably.

23: Ashley Young wins an England corner before Italy clear again.
England need to test the goalkeeper more than they are doing, and need to keep possession of the ball by passing more accurately.

25: Italy corner is whipped into the box, but goalkeeper Jack Butland takes the ball into his arms comfortably before clearing the danger.

26: England go on the counter with Adam Johnson sidestepping a defender before finding Kyle Walker with a good pass.
Defender Angelo Ogbonna tackles on the edge of the box, and England have a free corner.

27: Corner taken into the box, with defender Phil Jagielka making a run before making a diving header towards goal... GOAL!!

Diving header: Everton defender Phil Jagielka scores his 1st goal for England with a diving header to equalise.

Everton defender Phil Jagielka has equalised for England here on 27 minutes!



28: Italy 1 England 1, and now the match is getting more interesting.

Other scores include:
Sweden 0 Brazil 1
Denmark 1 Slovakia 0
Argentina 0 Germany 0
France 0 Uruguay 0
Croatia 1 Switzerland 2

FACT: This is Phil Jagielka's first goal for England.

30: England midfielder Frank Lampard had a long shot from 22 yards out parried away by the goalkeeper. Close, on target and was troubling Siriugu.

36: England are trying to hold the ball now, with quick precise passes to try and tire out the Italy defence.

39: Italy are trying to press England again with a swerving ball by Diamanti into the box. 
Goalkeeper Jack Butland had to come out of his goal and clear the ball away from his goal using his feet.

41: The England band are trying to motivate the squad with loud cheers and the national anthem being sung loudly in the crowd.

43: Nice 1-2 passing play by Italy, with full-back Ignizio Abate unleashing a shot from the wing across goal. Close shot, but not accurate enough to hit the target and worry Butland.

45: The referee blows the whistle to indicate the end of the first half with no added time.


England have played well, considering the fact that most of the team are the second crop of players and almost all of the players are inexperienced and young (for the future players) 
Italy have shown their class at times during the first half, and believe it or not, apart from De Rossi, Abate and Aquilani (maybe Nocerino), this is their second side (excluding El Shaarawy who has a lot of potential).
The match has been interesting so far, but England have not troubled Italy's goal at all apart from the goal and Lampard's long shot effort.


Two headed goals, in 45 minutes.

Join me for the second half in 15 minutes.

International Friendly Score Centre:

Norway 2 Greece 3 FT

Two goals from Fulham players John Arne Riise and Brede Hangeland were not enough for Norway to beat Greece as they lost 3-2.

Sweden 0 Brazil 3 FT

The strength of Brazil has been too much for Sweden tonight as they cruised to a 3-0 victory.
London Olympics top goal scorer Leandro Damiao scored again for Brazil in the 32nd minute.
Two goals in two minutes by AC Milan striker Alexandre Pato (84th and 86th) sealed the win for Brazil.

Germany 0 Argentina 2 - LIVE

Barcelona striker Lionel Messi has missed a penalty for Argentina, but so far his side are leading against Euro 2012 semi-finalists Germany.
Real Madrid defensive midfielder Sami Khedira has scored an own goal on the stroke of half-time, before Messi made up for the penalty miss with a goal in the 52nd minute with a goal. Second half underway there.

Croatia 2 Switzerland 3 - LIVE


Former Arsenal striker Eduardo has scored twice already, but his side are still behind against Switzerland.


21:00:


England have made a couple of changes here:


Jack Butland OFF
Andy Carroll OFF

John Ruddy ON
Jermain Defoe ON


Butland has done well in goal tonight, and has his first cap in-tact so a change so that he can stay fit for Birmingham.
Liverpool striker Andy Carroll has also come off for Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe, and you know that Defoe commands the 6-yard box.

45: The referee has started the second half of this match. England 1 Italy 1.

48: Italy free-kick given after Defoe tackled Daniele De Rossi.


53: Italy on the counter with Aquilani finding El Shaarawy who chips the ball down the wing towards Diamanti who tries to weave past Tottenham full-back Kyle Walker but he is bodychecked.


54: Good pressure by the Italians.  
A cross was whipped into the box before striker Destro shot from 8 yards out towards goal by John Ruddy parried the ball away to safety.
The ball trickled through Chelsea defender Gary Cahill's legs and sometimes those can slide past the keeper into the net.

58: Italy SUB:
Alessandro Diamanti OFF
Stephan El Shaarawy OFF
Marco Verratti ON
Manolo Gabbiadini ON


61: England SUB:
Ashley Young OFF
Phil Jagielka OFF
Joleon Lescott ON
James Milner ON



62: Uh oh..... Chelsea defender Cary Cahill is down on the floor clutching his nose. He has recievied a knock after being hit by Destro with his arm across the face.

66: England corner taken into the box to Cahill who volleys the ball towards goal... GOAL!!! 
No goal, the whistle has been blown. 
Still 1-1, because Lescott was pushing and shoving with an Italy defender inside the box.

68: England SUB:
Frank Lampard OFF
Jake Livermore ON

Italy SUB:
Alberto Aquilani OFF
Andrea Poli ON


Debut for young Tottenham midfielder Jake Livermore.


72: England free-kick, whipped into the box by Manchester City midfielder James Milner.... 
The ball is high over the defenders and the England attackers, before the ball curls towards goal but the ball hits defender Peluso before goalkeeper Sirigu clears the ball off the line.

Close, and a good ball into the box by Milner.


77:  England SUB:
Leighton Baines OFF
Ryan Bertrand ON



79: England are on the counter attack with midfielder James Milner finding Defoe with a through ball. Defoe beats Abate with skill before unleashing a shot from the edge of the box towards goal... GOAL!!!!!

Wonder strike: Jermain Defoe scores a belter from the edge of the box against Italy to give England the lead.

What a goal by Defoe, and England gave taken the lead with 10 minutes to go here. 

82: All England need to do for the last 8-12 minutes is to KEEP THE BALL. 
Something they are having trouble with so far this year.

85: First yellow card of the match for Diego Fabbrini. 

Italy SUB:
Ignazio Abate OFF
Ezequiel Schelotto ON

89: James Milner with a run down the wing before passing the ball towards Defoe, but Ogbonna clears the ball out for a corner.

90: The fourth-offical has indicated that there will be three minutes of stoppage time to be added on here.

90+3: The referee has blown the whsitle to end this international friendly match.

FULL-TIME: England 2 Italy 1

A good win for England tonight.
An amazing strike from Jermain Defoe gave England the win against a tough Italian side who played well throughout but did not attack as much as they did in the first half, in the second and were sloppy at the back at times.

Promising young guns for England with Jack Butland, Tom Cleverley, Kyle Walker, Jake Livermore and Ryan Bertrand all playing well.

Stand-out of the match:
Jermain Defoe and James Milner

Despite lacklustre performances in Euro 2012 for Milner, he played well tonight, with good passes, crosses and looked dangerous throughout by giving Italy trouble.

Defoe scored an amazing winner for England and proved yet again why he is a 'Super Sub'.


I will speak to all of you on Friday when I do my first EPL Match Preview of the new 2012-13 season.

This are the matches this weekend:

Saturday:
(LIVE from 15:00pm unless stated)

Arsenal vs Sunderland
Fulham vs Norwich City
QPR vs Swansea City
Reading vs Stoke City
West Brom vs Liverpool
West Ham vs Aston Villa
Newcastle United vs Tottenham Hotspur - LIVE from 17:30pm 

Sunday:
Wigan Athletic vs Chelsea - LIVE from 13:30pm
Manchester City vs Southampton - LIVE from 16:00pm

Monday:
Everton vs Manchester United - LIVE from 20:00pm

Today's EPL Results, News and Analysis:

Today's EPL Results and Analysis:


12:45:


Arsenal 0 Chelsea 0

This match was played at The Emirates Stadium, as 3rd placed Arsenal hosted 6th placed Chelsea on the back of a 1-0 win against Barcelona on Wednesday. 

Full-back Kieran Gibbs scored an offside goal in the second half for Arsenal, but apart from this nothing went into the net.
Captain Robin Van Persie had a few chances at goal, but he was denied by the woodwork and Petr Cech's solid goalkeeping. 
Winger Theo Walcott had to come off, with a hamstring injury in the second half.

Striker Robin Van Persie takes an aerial shot inside the box but is denied by the woodwork.

Denied: Van Persie's shot is well saved by Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech.

Seen: Mikel Arteta is shown with a crutch and a protective boot after the injury suffered against Wigan watching Arsenal.

There were 7 yellow cards throughout this match:
3 for Arsenal, 4 for Chelsea.
(Van Persie, Rosicky, Diaby, Cahill, Cole, Malouda and Bosingwa)


Arsenal missed the chance to move further away from Newcastle, Tottenham and Chelsea with a goal-less draw against London rivals Chelsea who are in 6th place...



15:00:


Aston Villa 0 Sunderland 0

This match was played at Villa Park, as Aston Villa hosted Sunderland. 

Goal-less draw was the score at full-time, which was not a good result for either side who have seperate goals. Villa move closer towards the relegation zone while Sunderland have slipped down the pecking order in the EPL with a few draws of late.


Fulham 2 Wigan Athletic 1

This match was played at Craven Cottage, as 11th placed Fulham hosted 17th placed Wigan who are on the back of two big wins against Manchester United and Arsenal, but still have a long way to go if they want to stay up in the Prem this season.. 

In the 57th minute, Wigan defender Emmerson Boyce gave the visitors the lead to make it 1-0.

Delight: Defender Emmerson Boyce celebrates his goal to break the deadlock against Fulham.

1 minute later, the home side equalised after striker Pavel Pogrebnyak scored his 6th goal for Fulham after returning to action from an ankle injury. 

I'm back to business: Pavel Pogbrenyak celebrates with his team-mates after equalising against Wigan.

Defender Phillipe Senderos scored a header in the 89th minute to give Fulham the late win. 

Heads I score: Senderos heads Fulham into the lead in the 89th minute to give Fulham all three points at home.

Fulham move up to 9th place with only a point behind 7th placed Everton.
Wigan stay in 17th place, but fail to move further away from the relegation zone, with only 34 points from 35 matches.



Blackburn Rovers 2 Norwich City 0

This match was played at Ewood Park, as 19th placed Blackburn hosted 12th placed Norwich.
Midfielder Mauro Formica opened the scoring for Blackburn in the 41st minute. 

Winger David 'Junior' Holiett made it 2, in the 49th minute.


This was how the match finished, with Blackburn moving one place up into 18th.
Norwich stay 12th.



Newcastle United 3 Stoke City 0
This match was played at Sports Direct Arena as 5th placed Newcastle looked to boost their Champions League qualification hopes.


Bolton Wanderers 1 Swansea City 1 



17:30: 


Tottenham Hotspur 0 QPR 1


This match was played at White Hart Lane, as 5th placed Spurs had the chance to move back into 4th place against a QPR side who are unpredictable.


Former Spurs player Adel Taarabt scored the only goal for the away side in the 23th minute from a free-kick, to break the deadlock.

QPR winger Adel Taarabt scores a free-kick at Loftus Road to break the deadlock against Tottenham.

He got a yellow card in the 43rd minute, and after a stupid decision, he was given a red card in the 78th minute, (when a free-kick was awarded to Tottenham and he kicked the ball away, he got a second booking).

EPL News: 

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger believes that although winger Theo Walcott is ruled out for the rest of the season with a hamstring injury suffered against Chelsea this afternoon, he should be ok for Euro 2012.

Wenger also hopes that world class captain Robin Van Persie signs a new contract with The Gunners, before Euro 2012.

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp has admitted that he is interested in Chelsea striker Didier Drogba, but said that wages could be a problem for him.

Everton manager David Moyes says that a top 10 finish this season would be 'great'.
Try 'top 8'. 


Villa boss Alex McLeish expects captain Gabriel Agbonlahor to stay at Aston Villa throughout the rest of his career.
Is he sure?!


Sunderland manager Martin O'Neill admits he will have to strengthen his squad in the summer, if he wants a 'top 10' finish next season.

Wolves goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey is out for the rest of the season with a torn cruciate ligament.
Surely they are going back into the Championship now?! 

Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho admits that he is interested in Manchester City full-back/defender Micah Richards, and could line up a £15million bid in the Summer. 


Shakhtar Donetsk have told Chelsea that they can have winger Willian, but only for £24million.


Both Manchester United and Manchester City are in a battle to sign Valencia left-back Jordi Alba.


Liverpool striker Dirk Kuyt will leave Liverpool this summer, with Roma and Fiorentina both interested.


Newcastle United are looking at FC Twente striker Luuk de Jong to replace Demba Ba.


Arsenal are planning a £15million bid for Fulham midfielder Moussa Dembele and Chelsea striker Daniel Sturridge.


Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney is on the shortlist for the GB squad, even though interim manager Stuart Pearce has promised not to pick anyone selected for Euro 2012 for the London Olympics...


French side Marseille have reportedly won the chase to sign Blackburn winger Junior Holiett.

PFA Player of the Year Award Nominees:

Robin Van Persie (Arsenal)

Wayne Rooney (Man Utd)

Sergio Aguero (Man City)

Joe Hart (Man City)

Scott Parker (Tottenham)

David Silva (Man City)

Favourite:
Arsenal captain Robin Van Persie 

The Arsenal captain has scored 34 goals this season in all competitions - more than any other player in the EPL.

PFA Player of The Year Award Nominees: 


Sergio Aguero (Man City)
Gareth Bale (Tottenham)
Danny Welbeck (Man Utd)
Daniel Sturridge (Chelsea)
Alex-Oxlade Chamberlain (Arsenal)
Kyle Walker (Tottenham)


Favourite to win:
Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero

Favourite: Manchester City's leading top scorer this season, with 28 goals.

(MORE TO FOLLOW SOON)