Western Mail

Tate Steals Headlines Away From His Pal Lee

AFTER all the hype and fanfare of his return, it seemed like fate when Lee Trundle had a golden opportunity to snatch a dramatic late equaliser for his beloved Swansea City. But, when the veteran showman misread the script for once and steered his header wide, it was left to the club's 'Mr Reliable' Alan Tate to save the day in injury time.

We'll Make Play-Off Charge

PAULO SOUSA has predicted Swansea City will bounce back from their slow start to mount a serious play-off charge, writes BLAIR WOOD. Since taking over Sousa has always maintained the Swans should be looking to force their way into the top six this season.

We Got What We Deserved - Mark

CARDIFF CITY captain Mark Hudson felt the Bluebirds got everything they deserved at Doncaster. Early goals from Adam Lockwood (13) and James Hayter (17) put Cardiff on the back foot - and the Bluebirds never looked like saving their unbeaten record.

Jones' Men Have to Hit Back From Bad Day at Office

NO doubt the words 'bubble' and 'burst,' 'wheels' and 'off' have enjoyed an airing after Cardiff City's first defeat of the season. And if such displays were the norm rather than the exception, they could be banded about with some justification.

Harry Hails Crouch's England Credentials

Tottenham Birmingham 2 1 HARRY Redknapp has some advice for England manager Fabio Capello: "Don't even think of going to the World Cup without Peter Crouch." Redknapp believes the beanpole striker is as essential to England's success in South Africa next summer as he is to Tottenham's flying start to the Premier League season.

Goal-Den Target Now for Happy Drogba

3 0 Chelsea Burnley DIDIER Drogba has set his sights on a century of goals for Chelsea as Carlo Ancelotti's side sit proudly on top of the Barclays Premier League. Chelsea destroyed top-flight newcomers Burnley at Stamford Bridge with a performance full of fluidity, style and pace.

Junior Looks Star of the Future for Rovers

0 0 Blackburn West Ham BLACKBURN manager Sam Allardyce believes Junior Hoilett could have a bright future with the club, but will not rush the teenager's development. The 19-year-old Canadian was one of the few positives to emerge from Saturday's frustrating goalless draw at home to West Ham. Hoilett was introduced as a 60th-minute substitute for only his second Barclays Premier League appearance and injected life into a side which looked short on ideas.

Gerrard Is Winner for Reds

Bolton Liverpool 2 3 STEVEN Gerrard provided the answer in actions, not just words, which Rafael Benitez demanded after a traumatic opening to Liverpool's season. Everything in the Anfield garden may not yet be rosy, but at least the Merseysiders are not having to contemplate the end of their title challenge before the transfer window shuts.

Wenger Is Vowing Not to Lose His Bottle Yet

Man Utd Arsenal 2 1 FOR Arsene Wenger it was one of those days when he wished he had just stayed in bed. Fifty minutes of sumptuous football wiped out by a couple of flicks from the fickle hand of fate.

Doyle Denied As Hull Hang On for a Point ; 1 1 Wolves Hull

RECORD signing Kevin Doyle was denied a late winner which would have capped an impressive full Barclays Premier League debut for Wolves against Hull at Molineux. The pounds 6.5m capture from Reading saw his close range shot somehow blocked on the line by Tigers captain Michael Turner.

Gabriel Sparks Villa After European Blow ; 2 0 Aston Villa Fulham

GABRIEL Agbonlahor helped Aston Villa bounce back from their European exit as they easily disposed of Fulham to register their first home Barclays Premier League win of the campaign. The England striker's pressure forced Fulham's John Pantsil to head into his own net for the opening goal after three minutes.

Kitson Finally Finding His Feet with Stoke ; 1 0 Stoke Sunderland

DAVE Kitson is beginning to find his feet at Stoke, 13 months after a pounds 5.5m move from Reading. The 29-year-old striker scored the winner in the 43rd minute with his first Premier League goal for the club.

Adebayor Keeps On Scoring ; 0 1 Portsmouth Man City

EMMANUEL Adebayor scored his third goal in as many Barclays Premier League games as the man who helped bring Manchester City their millions watched from the stands at Fratton Park. Sulaiman Al Fahim, who fronted the consortium that bought City a year ago, was sat in the crowd four days after it was announced an agreement had been made for him to buy Portsmouth from Alexandre Gaydamak.

Baines Is Spot-On with His Late Show for Everton Joy ; Everton Wigan 2 1

EVERTON grabbed their first league points of the season thanks to an injury-time penalty from Leighton Baines after struggling to subdue a defiant Wigan. Some of Wigan's tackling - they picked up six bookings - enraged the Goodison Park faithful, but it looked as if Roberto Martinez's men were going to grab a point at least.

Martyrs Short of Firepower

0 0 Merthyr Bedford A LACK of firepower in front of goal cost Merthyr two points in the Southern Premier for the second time in a week after they squandered numerous chances against Bedford. With the visitors seemingly happy with a point from the word go, Merthyr really should have had the game sewn up by half-time but a combination of poor finishing and Bedford goalkeeper Mike Ammitt kept the Martyrs frustrated.

Sinclair Is Upbeat After His New Side Deliver the Points

0 2 Forest Green Rovers Wrexham WREXHAM debutant Frank Sinclair acknowledged that an ultimately comfortable victory was no more a pointer to the Dragons' likely prospects for the remainder of the season than the two defeats which immediately preceded it. But the 37-year old veteran defender reckons that Dragons manager Dean Saunders could be on to a winner now after binning eight weeks of summer and early-season work on a 4-4-2 formation in favour of the 3-5-2 line-up he deployed at The New L...

County Are Up Into the Top Four

Maidenhead Utd 1 3 Newport County DEAN Holdsworth used his playing resources well to break down a stubborn Maidenhead side and propel County into the top four of Blue Square South. The Newport manager started with Jason Bradley leading his attack and the big striker, who is on loan from Mansfield, gave his side a 15th-minute lead when he pounced on a free-kick from dead ball specialist Danny Rose.

Hard Work Is Paying Off for Prestatyn

Aberystwyth Prestatyn 2 3 HOTLY TIPPED as one of the teams likely to miss out on the Super 12 league next season, Prestatyn have made a flying start with six points from two matches. Player-manger Neil Gibson believes work ethic is the key to confounding the pundits saying: "The lads are working really hard and the spirit is excellent.

Evans Thrilled at His Side's Big Victory

Caersws Welshpool 3 0 AFTER several seasons of escaping relegation as there was no successful candidate to replace them, this was a heart-warming victory for Caersws' supporters. Three goals in a frantic 22-minute spell sealed Welshpool's fate leaving Huw Griffiths' team with just a single point from their opening trio of games.

Saints Show They'll Be in Trophy Hunt

2 1 The New Saints Airbus UK FOUR-times Welsh Premier champions The New Saints have sent a signal out to the other title candidates that they are back in the market for silverware. After three matches Saints are the only side with maximum points, although this was not one of their most impressive displays.