Welcome to sportmasta's Blog.: Live Reporting

Manager Louis van Gaal of Manchester United signs autographs

15:40:

Sunderland v Man Utd (16:00 BST)

"Hi there Mr van Gaal. Please could you sign my Middlesbrough annual?"
An interesting choice of pre-match reading for a Sunderland v Manchester United fixture!
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From Ruairi in Chelsea: This is the second time in recent years that QPR have spent big after winning promotion. It turned out poorly last time and seems to be going the same way again. For a squad of their talent, it is simply not good enough. Clubs with far less money always do better. This time, Redknapp must take some of the blame.
15:39:

Player reaction - Tottenham 4-0 QPR
Tottenham winegr Nacer Chadli tells BBC Sport: "I am happy to make two goals and help us to the win. I think as a team we are more focused and keep out shape defensively and offensively. We are now positive looking forward."
Guy Mowbray, BBC Match of the Day commentator at the Stadium of LightSunderland v Man Utd (16:00 BST)
"With Manchester United, there's been an issue with the Marcos Rojo paperwork, so we won't be seeing him today. And we won't be seeing Di Maria just yet. I was at the game against Swansea for Match of the Day last week, and United weren't great. It just underlined the work that Louis van Gaal has to do.
"There's a lot of pressure on the Juan Mata-Robin van Persie-Wayne Rooney attacking triangle. I didn't think Mata got into the game against Swansea, even though it should have suited him. He's got to have a big game this afternoon."
Guy Mowbray, BBC Match of the Day commentator at the Stadium of LightSunderland v Man Utd (16:00 BST)
"Sunderland are comfortable - but they want to be more than comfortable. They don't want to be fighting relegation again this season.
"I find their squad such a contradiction. Their strikers are decent, but will they get a bucket load of goals? They have quality in midfield, but no real matchwinners. With the defenders, I wonder about their longevity. Their two goalkeepers are all right. But they want to do more than just struggle."
15:30:

Let's begin our build-up to the afternoon's late kick-off at the Stadium of Light...
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Gregory P: QPR were mediocre in the Championship and got promoted via the unfairest of play-off wins. This season relegation is the only outcome.
Jase: Sad to see the true gaffer in Harry go through this! Going to be a long year for the two greats in Hoddle and Harry.
Daniel Walford: QPR should never have come up...
Former Blackburn striker Jason Roberts, BBC Radio 5 live summariser at White Hart LaneTottenham 4-0 QPR
"All credit to Tottenham. They were fantastic in the first half. QPR were very poor; they were like strangers in the first 45 minutes. In the second half, they simplified it. Going to 4-5-1 helped them. You started to hear all the experienced players open their mouths - because what happens sometimes is that if you're not sure what you're doing, you don't start shouting instructions to your team-mates in case you're wrong. But they stemmed the flow a little more in the second half.
"Maybe they started the wrong way. The 3-5-2 set-up can save the legs of Rio Ferdinand and Richard Dunne if they do it in the right way. But you need the midfield to close down. Joey Barton didn't get close to Tottenham's midfield. He hasn't led the side. I don't think he's applied himself or got close enough to the opposition. If you don't do that, Tottenham will dictate possession."
15:29:

Tottenham 4-0 QPR
15:26:

Player reaction - Tottenham 4-0 QPR
Tottenham defender Eric Dier: "We've done a lot of work on the training ground and it shows with the clean sheets. For me personally it's nice to score another one at the other end as well."
15:25:

As it stands - Tottenham 4-0 QPR
The Premier League table looks good, Spurs fans...
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From Andy in Grimsby: I always thought that Harry Redknapp would have to come back to Whte Hart Lane to get Spurs playing at their best!
From Gary Chapman in London: Unfortunately we won't be playing QPR every week.
From Matt: Feel really sorry for Harry, treated really badly by Spurs, now has to sit and watch what his side used to do to teams a few seasons ago?! And he got the sack for it! Its a funny old game eh?
15:21:

FULL-TIME - Hull City 1-1 Stoke City
Honours even at the KC as 10-man Hull come ever so close to pulling off an excellent win.
15:20:

FULL-TIME - Tottenham 4-0 QPR
The perfect start to life at White Hart Lane for Mauricio Pochettino. Two games, five goals, six points. Top of the league!
15:19:

Hull City 1-1 Stoke City
Stoke are piling forward now. Is there a late twist?
15:18:

INJURY TIME - Tottenham 4-0 QPR
Tottenham's Mousa Dembele goes for glory from 35 yards but his effort sails over the bar. We're into time added on...
15:16:

Barton's history lesson - Tottenham 4-0 QPR

Wind the clock back to 24 November last year, when Andre Villas-Boas' Tottenham side were being thumped 6-0 at Manchester City.
Spurs were overrun in midfield that day, with Sandro playing in a deep role behind Paulinho and Lewis Holtby, and QPR's Joey Barton was unimpressed.
He tweeted then: "I'd destroy both the midfielders Spurs have wasted money on and I'm a championship player. Albeit, an exceptional one..."
Holtby is on the bench today, Paulinho is not involved, and as Barton will no doubt acknowledge, Spurs are a little livelier in midfield now...
15:14:

Team news - Sunderland v Manchester United
The teams are in at a unseasonably chilly Stadium of Light. Sunderland manager Gus Poyet has brought in summer signing Will Buckley for his full debut and defender Santiago Vergini is back in the side after battling injury. Winger Adam Johnson misses out with illness.
Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal cannot name ineligible new signing Marcos Rojo but has named fit-again pair Robin van Persie and Antonio Valencia in his starting XI. Youngster Tyler Blackett keeps his place in defence.
Sunderland: Mannone, Vergini, van Aanholt, Brown, O'Shea, Cattermole, Larsson, Rodwell, Buckley, Wickham, Fletcher. Subs: Pantilimon, Jones, Bridcutt, Gomez, Altidore, Mavrias, Roberge.
Manchester United: De Gea; Jones, Smalling, Blackett; Valencia, Cleverley, Fletcher, Mata, Young; Rooney, van Persie Subs: Amos, M. Keane, James, Kagawa, Hernandez, Welbeck, Januzaj.
15:10:

GOAL- Hull City 1-1 Stoke City - Ryan Shawcross (84 mins)
It's scrappy, but Stoke have their leveller - Phil Bardsley's shot hitting the inside of the post and, in amongst all the confusion, Ryan Shawcross somehow bundles the ball over the line.
Hull will be devastated to conceded so late - especially considering that the throw-in which led to the goal should have gone their way. One for Steve Bruce to chew the fat over later.
15:08:

SUBSTITUTION- Hull City 1-0 Stoke City
One final change for 10-man Hull... George Boyd replacing the goal-scorer Nikica Jelavic.
15:07:

Hull City 1-0 Stoke City
Bojan is showing some real flashes of genius now - putting an almost-perfect ball into the box which Allan McGregor can only parry into the path of Peter Crouch who can't react in time and the goalkeeper gathers the ball at the second attempt. At the other end, David Meyler is wiped out by Asmir Begovic's challenge following Ahmed Elmohamady's high ball. An intriguing eight minutes left.
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Matt Elms: Last season, Spurs didn't play with any urgency - some of the quickest players in the league are now being utilised. Roll on.
Vinny Person: Never thought we'd see a standing ovation for Chadli at The Lane. Almost like we've got a whole new squad. There's a new side to them.
Jonathan Chase: This is probably one of Spurs' best performances since 'Arry left. A lot of great performances around the team.
15:01:

BREAKING TEAM NEWS- Sunderland v Man Utd (16:00 BST)
Robin van Persie starts for Manchester United, as does Antonio Valencia.
BBC Radio 5 live reporter Paul Walker at the KC StadiumHull 1-0 Stoke
"I have to say that Stoke are looking pretty toothless up front. It's difficult to see where they are are going to get a goal. Hull are standing firm and holding on."
14:59:

Hull City 1-0 Stoke City
Sometimes it's just not your day. Just ask Stoke's Asmir Begovic who, from a simple goal-kick, pass the ball diagonally out of play. That's one for MOTD 2 later on...
14:57:

SUBSTITUTION- Hull City 1-0 Stoke City
Stoke make their final change as Charlie Adam comes on to replace Steve Sidwell. The Scot is quickly involved in the game and fires a long-range shot that international team-mate Allan McGregor has to tip over the bar.
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David Mackey: If Leroy Fer is known as the bouncer, then he's not doing his job as Capoue and Co walked straight in without paying.
Fahad Khan: This Spurs performance makes you wonder, what was Tim Sherwood actually doing last season??!!
Ryan Lloyd: I wonder what Barton will have to say about this...
14:57:

SUBSTITUTION- Tottenham 4-0 QPR
There'll be no match-ball for two-goal hero Nacer Chadli, who is replaced by Harry Kane for the final 20 or so minutes. For QPR, Alejandro Faurlin replaces Leroy Fer.
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Sheelagh: If only QPR had invested heavily on their defence during the summer.... Oh wait!
Michael Allen: Trevor Francis was a record British transfer fee of £1 million in 1979. Di Maria £75 million now. At that rate I calculate a player going for £5 billion by 2049.
Former Blackburn striker Jason Roberts, BBC Radio 5 live summariser at White Hart LaneTottenham 4-0 QPR
"Tottenham did there what they've done so well today - breaking with intensity and desire. Adebayor keeps head down, keeps his body over the ball and sidefoots it in. It looks an easy finish, but it's not. Tottenham have done everything you need to do to win a Premier League game."
14:52:

GOAL- Tottenham 4-0 QPR - Emmanuel Adebayor (65 mins)
Poor Harry Redknapp looks like he's lost a pound and found a penny as he sits slumped in his seat - the best seat in the house to view Danny Rose driving down the left and picking out Emmanuel Adebayor for a simple side-footed finish. Tottenham on easy street.
14:52:

Hull City 1-0 Stoke City
Bojan is beginning to pull the strings for Stoke now as he drives forward from his own half and plays a slide-rule pass into Peter Crouch. The striker takes a shot, which loops into the direction of Mame Diouf following a deflection off Paul McShane but the striker heads wide.
14:48:

Sunderland v Man Utd (16:00 BST)

"Louis, give us a wave..."
Manchester United have arrived at Sunderland. We'll bring you team news shortly...
14:48:

SUBSTITUTION- Tottenham 3-0 QPR
Tottenham bring on Mousa Dembele for Nabil Bentaleb. Straight swap in the middle of the park.
Former Blackburn striker Jason Roberts, BBC Radio 5 live summariser at White Hart LaneTottenham 3-0 QPR
"When Tottenham win possession, they break really quickly. Mauricio Pochettino will be pleased with that. It's much more like the style we were used to when he was at Southampton. Their intensity has been really high."
14:46:

Tottenham 3-0 QPR
As if Erik Lamela in full-on beast mode isn't bad enough to deal with, QPR now have to cope with Christian Eriksen in full flow. The Spurs playmaker, linking up with Emmanuel Adebayor, works an opening inside the penalty area but his shot is intercepted by Joey Barton before it can test Rob Green.
14:43:

SUBSTITUTION- Hull City 1-0 Stoke City
Mark Hughes makes his second change of the afternoon - sending on Peter Crouch in place of Marko Arnautovic. Meanwhile, Hull bring on Liam Rosenior for Thomas Ince.
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Simon Soros: This is the most dominant Spurs side I've seen in a while - albeit against a poor QPR side - and it looks as if the seven transfers paid off.
Deeps Majumdar: There's something a little CR7 about EL11.
Mike Hanson: Have Spurs already bettered their goal difference from last season in two games already?
Tottenham's final goal difference last season: +4. Goal difference so far this season: +4.
14:41:

Hull City 1-0 Stoke City
Stoke are beginning to crank it up now - first Ryan Shawcross drives in a low shot following Marko Arnautovic's clever pull-back from a set-piece, before Bojan's low cross is intercepted by Allan McGregor with Mame Biram Diouf lurking.
14:39:

Tottenham 3-0 QPR
Tottenham are in no mood to take their foot off the gas - their defenders pushing up to the halfway line and pressuring QPR back into their own half.
Former Blackburn striker Jason Roberts, BBC Radio 5 live summariser at White Hart LaneTottenham 3-0 QPR
"QPR have simplified things by going to four at the back - and perhaps that will help them. But they've got to do the simple things such as winning challenges. Changing tactics alone won't be enough."
14:37:

Hull City 1-0 Stoke City
It's all a bit more measured again from Stoke, who looked a bit panicky after conceding just before the break. They still look powderpuff in the final third though - Peter Odemwingie's cross finding its way to Marko Arnautovic who mis-hits his attempted shot.
14:34:

Tottenham 3-0 QPR
It looks like QPR have reverted to four at the back for the second half. The horse has already bolted, Harry.
14:33:

KICK-OFF- Tottenham 3-0 QPR
Likewise at the Lane.
14:33:

KICK-OFF- Hull City 1-0 Stoke City
Game on at the KC...
14:32:

SUBSTITUTION- Tottenham 3-0 QPR
QPR make a half-time change - sending on one former Manchester City defender, Nedum Onuoha, for another, Richard Dunne.
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Mike Holden: If QPR want to turn this round, Joey Barton needs to earn himself a red by saying something stupid to the ref as they're walking off at HT.
Ah yes, that'll be Manchester City's comeback from three goals down to win an FA Cup fourth-round replay 4-3 at Tottenham in February 2004 after Barton was sent off at half-time. Stranger things have happened, but I can't see a repeat today somehow.
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Paul Thompson: Hull playing in the image of their manager. Gritty and determined with a never-say-die attitude. Great reaction to losing a man.
Richard Elliott: Stoke are cementing their status as the season's most overhyped team.
Steve Wilson, BBC Match of the Day commentator at White Hart LaneHALF-TIME- Tottenham 3-0 QPR
"A great first half for Tottenham which has left White Hart Lane purring. QPR have been second best by a long way here but that takes nothing away from Eric Lamela who has been the star of the show for the home side."
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Wayne Andrews: These QPR defenders - you know, Ferdinand, Dunne, etc - they're all novices with precious little big match experience, right?
Anthony Rayment: If there isn't an Eric Lamela chant to the sound of Umbrella by Rihanna, then there really needs to be.
Chisomo Kumbuyo: QPR should go back to basic 4-4-2 formation, this new system is not working.
Former Blackburn striker Jason Roberts, BBC Radio 5 live summariser at White Hart LaneHALF-TIME- Tottenham 3-0 QPR
"What QPR have to do is quite simple - run about and work harder. Tottenham might be three-up, but you can still have some physical contact. If the game plan is too complicated, then simplify it. At the moment, QPR look as if they don't have a clue about their game plan.
"You can do lots of things about tactics but the basics of football are that you need to run about, close down the opposition and dictate to them. You don't sit back. QPR have shown so much respect to Tottenham, it's unreal. I'm at a loss as to what QPR are trying to do in this game."
14:22:

Hull City 1-0 Stoke City
14:17:

HALF-TIME- Hull City 1-0 Stoke City
Hull are fighting like cornered Tigers. And winning.
14:17:

Hull City 1-0 Stoke City
We're still going at the KC where Stoke are desperately pumping the ball forward in a desperate attempt to get the equaliser which will spare them the Sparky hairdryer.
14:16:

HALF-TIME- Tottenham 3-0 QPR
Three and easy.
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Paul Moore: Early shout for golden boot ... Eric Dier. Prolific.
John-Paul: Eric Dier is dream team gold.
Ben Thapa: Caulker having his best game for Spurs so far...
White Hart LaneTottenham 3-0 QP

"I've been part of a promoted team, and you know when you go up that it's going to be more difficult. What you can't do is not have the application. You've got to be a little bit nasty and put the odd challenge in. Tottenham are able to do whatever they want on this pitch.
"And not one member of the QPR coaching staff has been out once. That would be a concern for the players, because they look lost."
14:15:

Tottenham 3-0 QPR
It should be 4-0 as Emmanuel Adebayor's shot is deflected wide. Tottenham are rampant.
14:14:

SUBSTITUTION- Hull City 1-0 Stoke City
That Hull strike will infuriate Mark Hughes who, seconds earlier, had brought off Glenn Whelan in place of Bojan to try and add more creativity to his insipid-looking attack.
14:11:

GOAL- Hull City 1-0 Stoke City - Nikica Jelavic (42 mins)
Never corner the Tigers! They bite back.
Steve Bruce's side, down to 10 men, roar into the lead when Nikica Jelavic taps home from four yards after Asmir Begovic had palmed Tom Huddlestone's low shot into his predatory path.
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Neil Knighton: Dier our current top scorer, Lamela looking good. Spurs might actually score a few goals this season.
John Pierce: Never fear QPR, we (Everton) battered Arsenal for 75 minutes yesterday and then blew it. Plenty of time left.
Gavin Richmond: Why do teams not put players on the posts anymore? Dangerous fashion!
e Hart LaneTottenham 3-0 QPR

"It was a fantastic ball from Lamela, he picks it up and skips past two or three half-hearted challenges. I want to give all credit to the attackers - but the defending has been awful. Defensively, QPR don't know what they're doing. To allow an opponent to go past you without a challenge, as three QPR players did in that move is so, so poor.
"I think you've got a few QPR players looking around thinking: 'Hold on, I didn't sign up for this.' They're literally standing around. If this is a tactic, it's the most bizarre thing I've ever seen. They're doing absolutely nothing defensively."
14:06:

GOAL- Tottenham 3-0 QPR - Nacer Chadli (37 mins)
This is turning into a rout, and much of the credit has to go to Erik Lamela. The little Argentine is absolutely running the show this afternoon, gliding - this boy doesn't just run - towards the left-hand side of the penalty area before wrapping his foot around the ball and dinking a wonderful ball straight onto the head of the unmarked Nacer Chadli who directs the ball home from six yards out. Majestic.
14:04:

Hull City 0-0 Stoke City
Andrew Robertson's header clear from a Stoke corner drops to Ryan Shawcross on the edge of the box but the centre-back shanks his effort high and wide. The pressure is mounting from the Potters, though.
Hull 0-0 Stoke

"Stoke are trying to press home their extra advantage. They have seen more of the ball since James Chester's dismissal - it's been pretty much all them. But Hull are defending manfully when Stoke try to get at them down the sides."
Tottenham 2-0 QPR
"Those are the details that cost matches - if you don't mark properly at a corner, you get punished. It wasn't an easy finish for Dier because of the angle, and he deserves credit for that. But it's just about power for Dier - he doesn't need too much movement to find the space. QPR's organisation is not good enough and that's a surprise. The little details are costing QPR all over the pitch. It's been a really poor first half for them."
14:00:

GOAL- Tottenham 2-0 QPR - Eric Dier (30 mins)
He's a good un! Eric Dier scores for the second successive match as he evades his marker - QPR new boy Leroy Fer - and heads home Erik Lamela's corner at the near post. Cue a flood of people transferring this goalscoring defender into their Fantasy Football teams.
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Daniel Kelly: That miss from Matt Phillips shows why QPR are going back to the Championship! Not good enough for the Premier League.
Edward Herbert: Danny Rose looks like a new player since Pochettino arrived. Ben Davies is going to have a hard time breaking into the first team.
13:59:

Tottenham 1-0 QPR
QPR are not getting much out of Loic Remy up front today. He continues to lose possession, allowing Tottenham to pour forward almost at will. Eric Dier certainly needs no invitation to launch raid after raid down the right. He looks like a modern full-back - it's not enough to be able to just defend anymore. It's the same in cricket... tail-enders are expected to be able to bat.
13:57:

HITS THE WOODWORK- Tottenham 1-0 QPR
Tottenham are well on top here and Christian Eriksen is unlucky not to add a second goal with a beautifully struck free-kick from 25 yards which rattles the crossbar with Rob Green well beaten.
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Kelvin: James Chester - Score a goal in first game of the season. Get a red card for the second. Third? Streak during his ban?
Shohidur Rahman: I don't understand why after only 15 minutes you would take the guy out if you're the last man. Stupid defending from Chester.
RobT: Can't help but feel that, in some ways, the red card will galvanise Hull today.
13:55:

Hull City 0-0 Stoke City
Stoke are seeing plenty of the ball since James Chester's red card and they are slowly beginning to fashion some serious chances. First Peter Odemwingie stands up a deep cross from the right and Steven N'Zonzi's header is blocked, before the ball runs loose and Erik Pieters lashes a powerful shot over the bar.
White Hart LaneTottenham 1-0 QPR

"You can have tactics, but ultimately it's about players getting in behind the defence and in on goal. Matt Phillips tried to dink it and got too much on it, but that's given QPR something to hold on to. If Tottenham don't stay honest, Phillips can get in behind their defence."
13:52:

WHAT A MISS!- Tottenham 1-0 QPR
QPR spurn a glorious opportunity to level the scores... Matt Phillips latching on to a long ball forward and getting in behind Younes Kaboul but, after a wonderful first touch, the winger blazes his effort over the bar with only the keeper to beat.
Phillips need only to ask David Nugent how costly such misses can be...
13:50:

Tottenham 1-0 QPR
Tottenham's Eric Dier is playing like Cafu down that right flank. He's absolutely flying and, with Erik Lamela pulling the strings in the hole, it's proving to be an uncomfortable afternoon for the returning Harry Redknapp and Glenn Hoddle.
13:49:

CLOSE!- Tottenham 1-0 QPR
Spurs almost punish QPR with a counter attack led by Jan Vertonghen, but Armand Traore makes a vital interception which means Emmanuel Adebayor is stretching to shoot and can only tamely direct his effort straight at visiting goalkeeper Robert Green.
13:44:

RED CARD- Hull City 0-0 Stoke City - James Chester (14 mins)
Disaster for Hull. Poor James Chester is sold short by Jake Livermore's horrible back-pass which allows Glenn Whelan to race towards goal, where the Irishman is brought down on the edge of the box by the last man Chester. The referee reaches for the red card and Hull are reduced to 10 men. That's the last thing you need after a heavy Thursday night in Belgium.
13:41:

GOAL- Tottenham 1-0 QPR - Nacer Chadli (12 mins)
It's been coming. Moments after Emmanuel Adebyaor heads over the bar, Tottenham find themselves in front - Loic Remy being bundled off the ball deep into his own half and paying the full price as Spurs sweep forward.
Adebayor is again at the heart of the move down the right and his cross to the back stick is expertly chested down by Nacer Chadli and rifled past Robert Green from six yards out. You don't save them.
13:38:

Hull City 0-0 Stoke City
Hull's template is clear - get at Stoke down the flanks. Rather than hugging the touchline however, the Tigers are drifting slightly inside and Andrew Robertson's excellent cross is, like Dier's effort below, just too close to the goalkeeper to pose a serious problem.
13:37:

Tottenham 0-0 QPR
QPR are in AC Milan-style red and black shirts today, while the majority of the team seem to be wearing luminous yellow boots. You wouldn't catch Franco Baresi going with that combo.
Still Spurs continue to dominate the early stages and Eric Dier bursts forward down the right and puts in a teasing ball which is just too close to QPR goalkeeper Rob Green.
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Tom Fisk: Di Maria deal makes no sense. Too good for the bench but not too good to be without Champions League football? Not a centre back! Real are the winners in this deal.
Keval Shah: It's quite simple. Man Utd need a world class central midfielder and Di Maria proved last season he can play in central midfield at a world class level.
Luke Michell: How is buying a world class player a panic buy? The defence will be improved before deadline day.
13:34:

Hull City 0-0 Stoke City
No chances as yet at the KC, but a barnstorming start all the same - Hull attacking down both flanks and pinging balls into the general direction of the penalty area and Stoke quick to counter at the other end. You can blame me if not... but I reckon there's a few goals in this one.
Former Blackburn striker Jason Roberts, BBC Radio 5 live summariser at White Hart LaneTottenham 0-0 QPR
"After all the build-up towards his first home game, it was almost as if Mauricio Pochettino sneaked out there. Harry Redknapp did a fantastic job at Tottenham and laid down the foundations for his successors."
13:32:

Tottenham 0-0 QPR
Tottenham are on the front foot straight away - pressuring Armand Traore into a mistake and the ball finds its way to Erik Lamela whose shot from the edge of the area is deflected wide.
13:30:

KICK-OFF- Tottenham 0-0 QPR
A false start at WHL, but we're also up and running in north London.
13:30:

KICK-OFF- Hull City 0-0 Stoke City
Stoke City get us under way at a sun-drenched KC Stadium...
13:29:

Man Utd's guardian Angel?
Spanish football journalist Guillem Balague: Di Maria will travel to Manchester tomorrow afternoon and wants all sorted to play against Burnley - with the number 7.
Manchester United visit Burnley in the Premier League next Saturday - it's a 12:45 BST kick-off.
13:28:

Hull City v Stoke City (13:30 BST)
Hull head into the match after a Europa League game in midweek and manager Steve Bruce said: "I made a conscious decision that the vast majority of players who have been here for the past few years and got us into the Premier League deserve the chance to play in Europe.
"But we hope we have enough freshness so that we can complete in the Premier League."
On Robert Snodgrass's injury, Bruce added: "It's a huge setback for us, or any club when your big summer singing is out injured. It's a devastating blow. We will miss his midfield creativity."
On today's game he said: "I'm like a broken record. I just said in there that it is vitally important to begin with a home win."
13:27:

Tottenham v QPR (13:30 BST)
It's a who's who at White Hart Lane as Tottenham royalty take their seats in the stands - Chris Hughton, Jamie Redknapp and Les Ferdinand are all sat in today's viewing gallery.
13:26:

Hull City v Stoke City (13:30 BST)
The players line up side by side at the KC. Hull skipper Curtis Davies puts his arm around the mascot and talks to them all the way onto the pitch. It's time for some handshakes now.
13:22:

Tottenham v QPR (13:30 BST)
We've got eight minutes to go until kick-off. The cameras at White Hart Lane pick out punters eating chips, leafing through the programme and others just stood around waiting - now wishing they had dug out a fiver for the 'matchday magazine'.
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From Dan in London: I don't think anyone's "bitter" than Man Utd might be signing Di Maria, more astonished they've signed no other central defenders or central midfielders that they're desperately lacking.
13:20:

Tottenham v QPR (13:30 BST)

Pre-match drama for MOTD2 commentator Steve Wilson at White Hart Lane, courtesy of his Sky counterpart Ian Crocker:
"The coffee on my Spurs notes came free with Ian Crocker - thanks Crocks."
Still read fine to me, Steve. Is it me or do Steve's notes look like a racecard? I'll have a tenner on number 9. What do you mean he's a non-runner?
13:17:

Follow the action on the go

Are you out and about today but want to get your team's line-up as it's announced, goals as they go in and the final result as the referee blows his whistle? Push alerts within the BBC Sport app mean you can follow your team's games as they happen, wherever you are.
The app is freely available from Google Play for Android devices, the App Store for iPhones, and the UK Amazon Kindle Fire Appstore.
Go on... treat yourself. It is, in my obviously very biased opinion, very good.
13:16:
Tottenham v QPR (13:30 BST)

"Staying up will be QPR's priority, first and foremost - and they've got enough in the ranks to do that. Rio Ferdinand did make a mistake last week against Hull for James Chester's winning goal, but he will benefit them."
13:14:

Tottenham v QPR (13:30 BST)
It's that time of year again, isn't it? You know... the time of year when Harry Redknapp's electric windows get worn out quicker than an F1 driver's tyres.
And the QPR boss has this week hinted he is keen to sign Manchester United's Wilfried Zaha if the winger was available on loan. He also said he was confident striker Loic Remy would still be at Loftus Road at the end of the transfer window.
"I've spoken with Loic," said Redknapp. "He's been excellent in training and his attitude has been world class.
"Unless a top six club comes in, I think he'll be happy to stay here. He's seen we've brought some good players in."
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Mark Lynch: Signing Di Maria is really going to sort out Man Utd's appalling defence isn't it?
Chris Stridgen: Utd in for Di Maria for £63m?? Panic buy! Makes the Balotelli deal look careful and considered.
Tigist GG Silasie: United would be better of investing in the cloning of Sir Alex. What is van Gaal talking about? I thought he was the miracle.
13:09:

Hull City v Stoke City (13:30 BST)
Stoke manager Mark Hughes, who heads into this match off the back of a 1-0 defeat to Aston Villa, said: "It's early days and everyone is trying to find their feet. I'm encouraged by what I saw this week and we are hoping for a better result."
Asked if Hull's Europa League commitments might have an impact, Hughes added: "It's difficult to manage a season of European football without the strength and depth. But as long as Steve manages the group well they will be fine."
13:08:

Tottenham v QPR (13:30 BST)
13:03:

What happened?- Tottenham v QPR (13:30 BST)

Is it fair to say some Spurs fans are a little puzzled as to why Harry Redknapp left the club? Yes, there was talk of him wanting the England job before being overlooked... but he was building a decent team, right?
Anyway, 'Arry says he was never told why he was sacked but his opinion on what is expected of new manager Mauricio Pochettino might offer come clues.
"They have got to be pushing for the top four," Redknapp said. "There's nothing else. If you don't finish in the top four, it's a disappointment for Tottenham. That's where they were for a couple of years when I was there. That's where they expect to be.
"I like the manager. He had good players at Southampton. I think he did a great job at Southampton and I'm sure he'll do a great job at Tottenham. I am hoping he does well."

Steve Wilson, BBC Match of the Day commentator at White Hart LaneTottenham v QPR (13:30 BST)
"Spurs can play better than they have so far this season, but they have won both matches. They didn't get back to England until 4am on Friday after their Europa League game, I'm told, so it will be interesting to see if that has an effect on them. Mauricio Pochettino has started all right, though."
Join the debate at #bbcfootball
Connor Matchett: Woodward hasn't grasped the fact that United need to spend big for players we need, and we've instead missed out on everyone.
Shaun: Di Maria is just a better version of Ashley Young. Good, quick player. Needs to knock the diving on the head though.
Liam Mullane: "Desperation" from Man Utd to sign the best winger in World football last season? Someone's upset their team didn't sign him.
12:57:

Mario Balotelli: Good for Liverpool?
More from Sunday Telegraph football writer Jason Burt on MOTD2 Extra: "There was an interesting piece by Graeme Souness in the Sunday Times today. He made the point that when he was coach of Italy, Cesare Prandelli went to great lengths to get Mario Balotelli on the straight and narrow.
"After the World Cup, Prandelli was asked if he had any regrets, and he said: 'Picking Balotelli.' There's a reason why he's been bombed out of so many clubs."
12:55:

Mario Balotelli: Good for Liverpool?

Sunday Telegraph football writer Jason Burt on MOTD2 Extra: "I remember seeing Balotelli play for Manchester City at West Brom. He got booked, and Roberto Mancini was frantically trying to substitute him. But before he could do that, Balotelli got sent off.
"He is a risk. That's why Brendan Rodgers said during their pre-season tour that he wouldn't be signing Balotelli. Something has changed."
12:52:

Mario Balotelli: Good for Liverpool?
Aston Villa's former Manchester City goalkeeper Shay Given, speaking to MOTD2 Extra: "I was with Mario at Manchester City, and a lot of stuff you read is pie in the sky… or fireworks in the sky, if you like. He wasn't a problem. He's a big kid. He does stupid things and he's always winding people up. I think at £16m, he's a snip. I think it's a great deal."
Mario Balotelli: Good for Liverpool?

"There are no real characters in dressing rooms today. Players are brought up in such a way that they're very robotic. Someone with a bit of character is frowned upon. Someone like Balotelli is what Liverpool need.
"Brendan Rodgers worked in youth-team football, and there would have been a number of dysfunctional kids he had to nurture, and he's brought them through. There were questions over Daniel Sturridge and he brought him through. Every single transfer is a risk."
12:49:

Over on Match of the Day 2 Extra, conversation has turned to a certain Mr Mario Balotelli, who is set for a £16m move to Liverpool...
12:48:

Hull City v Stoke City (13:30 BST)
There's a lot of mutual respect between the managers of these two sides, and Steve Bruce is hoping his Hull side can emulate Stoke and become part of the Premier League furniture for years to come.
Both sides were promoted to the Premier League in 2008 but, while the Potters have remained in England's top tier ever since, Hull's stay lasted only two seasons and they only returned to the Premier League last year after three Championship campaigns.
"That has to be my aim, to copy something like Stoke," said Bruce. "They have a nucleus of some very good players. Mark Hughes is changing the way they want to play and they are a good side."
12:44:

Hull City v Stoke City (13:30 BST)
12:43:

Team news- Hull City v Stoke City (13:30 BST)
Hull boss Steve Bruce makes two changes to the team that beat QPR on the opening day. Stephen Quinn comes in for the injured Robert Snodgrass and centre-back Alex Bruce is replaced by Paul McShane.
Mark Hughes also makes two changes to his Stoke side. Steve Sidwell is handed his first start since joining the club from Fulham and Nigeria forward Peter Odemwingie returns to the team after recuperating from his exertions at the World Cup.
Hull City: McGregor; Chester, McShane, Davies; Elmohamady, Livermore, Huddlestone, Quinn, Robertson, Ince; Jelavic. Subs: Rosenior, Figueroa, Bruce, Meyler, Boyd, Harper, Aluko.
Stoke City XI: Begovic; Bardsley, Shawcross, Wilson, Pieters; Nzonzi, Whelan, Odemwingie, Sidwell, Arnautovic; Diouf. Subs: Muniesa, Adam, Walters, Cameron, Crouch, Bojan, Sorensen.
12:36:

'Desperation from Man Utd'
Sunday Telegraph football writer Jason Burt on MOTD2: "I think Real Madrid are trying to create a market for Angel Di Maria. Paris St-Germain were interested earlier in the summer, then walked away from a deal. It doesn't look like they'll come back. Real tried to indicate last week that Manchester City were interested. They're trying to tell Manchester United that there's a market for him.
"If United go in with a bid of £60m, I think it will happen. But to me, it smacks a bit of desperation from a club who promised so much more in terms of their dealings this summer."
Join the debate at #bbcfootball
Jack of all Trades: The latest reports of £75million for di Maria are hilarious. It's just Woodward's incompetence.
Liam Wood: Old 'Arry always had too much to say. Today....silence. Spurs 2-0 - Lamela and Eriksen.
Zach: Hull and Stoke to draw. Mark Hughes has got to be the better manager, turning a physical Stoke side into tiki taka.
12:34:

Di Maria close to Man Utd move?

Perhaps the biggest news of the morning is that Manchester United could be close to a reported British record £60m deal for Real Madrid winger Angel Di Maria.
Certainly the Argentine appears to be packing his bags to leave Spain, after his manager Carlo Ancelotti said this morning: "Angel Di Maria has not trained with us today and he came in to say goodbye to the players and people at the club.
"We are thankful for what he has done at this club. There is nothing official yet but it is being sorted out. I am very happy with the work that he has done for Madrid but we have the chance to replace him well.
"The decision is his and the club has done what it could to keep him here but he thought differently and so good luck to him."
12:30:

BREAKING TEAM NEWS- Tottenham v QPR (13:30 BST)
Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino recalls Younes Kaboul, Danny Rose, Christian Eriksen, Emmanuel Adebayor and Etienne Capoue to his starting line-up after they all sat out the midweek Europa League win over Limassol.
QPR boss Harry Redknapp hands a debut to Dutch midfielder Leroy Fer following his £8m from Norwich, while Chile defender Mauricio Isla also makes his first appearance since joining on loan from Juventus.
Tottenham: Lloris, Dier, Kaboul, Vertonghen, Rose, Bentaleb, Capoue, Chadli, Eriksen, Lamela, Adebayor. Subs: Lennon, Soldado, Holtby, Kane, Dembele, Friedel, Davies.
QPR: Green, Caulker, Ferdinand, Dunne, Isla, Mutch, Barton, Fer, Traore, Phillips, Remy. Subs: Simpson, Wright-Phillips, Onuoha, Faurlin, Murphy, Hoilett, Zamora.
12:29:

'Torres staying put'
Chelsea don't have any such problems with their new big-money summer signing. Diego Costa has hit the ground running and scored again in yesterday's victory over Leicester. But where does that leave Fernando Torres?
Torres is the club's third-choice striker since the summer arrivals of Costa and Didier Drogba. He has been linked with a number of clubs, with AC Milan the latest reportedly interested in signing him.
But Mourinho said: "I want him to stay. He will play and score goals, and be very useful for us."
12:26:

Problems for the Gunners?

Concerns remain for Arsenal fans, however. Their defence still appears to struggle against big, powerful strikers and a lack of a midfield enforcer is still apparent. BBC Sport's Chris Bevan has been analysing the issues.
Then there's Alexis Sanchez. He's just not slotted in yet, has he? Not that manager Arsene Wenger is concerned.
"He is not ready physically but I am not worried about him," said Wenger. "Once he will be at his best physically his confidence will come back."
I hope he comes good... he's in my fantasy team! At what stage do I recoup my £10.5m imaginary investment?
12:21:

A quick recap
What happened yesterday, then? Well, Chelsea are sitting pretty at the top of the embryonic Premier League table after picking up another victory, this time against Leicester. However, the performance of the day was probably Arsenal's fightback from two goals down to earn a draw at Everton.
Text us on 81111
Guy in Reading: Hope Spurs fans give Harry the welcome he deserves after what he achieved with the club. But hope they give Pochettino an ever bigger cheer for his first home game of the season. COYS!
Tottenham v QPR (13:30 BST)

"The question is: What does Mauricio Pochettino have to do to be judged a success at Tottenham? Many people would say he needs a top-four position, but if you look at what other clubs have done in the transfer market this summer, it doesn't look like he has the kind of squad to challenge.
"I don't think he's got the team playing with the high intensity and pressure he had at Southampton. I think that will be difficult with the squad he has."
Join the debate at #bbcfootball
What are your predictions for today then? Will Harry get one over on his old side? Who is the better manager: Steve Bruce or Mark Hughes? What does Louis van Gaal need to do to get Manchester United purring again?
Plenty of questions, and I'm looking at you to provide the answers.
It's easy to get involved: tweet us using #bbcfootball, send a text to 81111 or post comments on our Facebook and Google+ pages.
12:10:

MOTD2 Extra
How's Sunday treating you so far? Had a leisurely flick through the papers? Tucking into a nice breakfast? Maybe you're out and about ticking off a few jobs.
Whether your are sat in the armchair or browsing the local DIY store, the wonders of modern technology allow you to follow us throughout the afternoon. Our first offering is Match of the Day 2 Extra, which is on BBC Two at 12:15 BST. You can also follow via this website. Just don't trip over any toddlers, step-ladders or stray buckets of paints in the DIY shop while you are watching on the move!
12:07:

Coming up
Afternoon everyone. You well?
As you might have gathered from my opening gambit, Harry Redknapp's QPR side visit Tottenham today while the old friends theme continues when ex-Manchester United team-mates Steve Bruce and Mark Hughes see their Hull and Stoke sides collide at the KC Stadium.
I'm not quite sure if Sunderland boss Gus Poyet and Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal have moved in the same circles very much, but they too are on a collision course in the day's late kick-off.
Ah, Sunday football... it's good to have you back.
12:00:

The boys are back in town

It's always nice to meet up with old friends, isn't it?
Remember Glenn? You used to knock about with him in the seventies and eighties. He was really good at football and pretty cool to boot. He had it all.
And what about Harry? What a 'triffic bloke he was... you shared some top, top times together. Remember that night in Milan? You'll tell the grandkids about that one.
Nowadays, both Glenn and Harry are a little older, a little wiser and hanging round with a different group in the capital.
The years might have ticked by, but the fondness you feel for those two geezers endures. It'll be good to see them again today

Welcome to sportmasta's Blog.

Sunday 24 August 2014

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