Liverpool 1-1 Manchester City

Mario Balotelli was sent off but Manchester City held on to extend their unbeaten start to the season with a 1-1 draw at Liverpool. It may prove to be a crucial point in the final analysis for Roberto Mancini's team following Manchester United's home draw with Newcastle United on Saturday, but they wre indebted to several superb saves by Joe Hart in the closing stages when they were forced onto the back foot. City edged the first half and deservedly took the lead just past the half-hour mark when, from David Silva's pinpoint corner, Vincent Kompany guided his header past Pepe Reina. Unfortunately for City their lead lasted less than two minutes as Joleon Lescott diverted Charlie Adam's ambitious long-range low drive past the wrong-footed Hart. Kenny Dalglish's side had the better chances to win the game after the interval but, after Hart had denied Stewart Downing, City substitute Balotelli was dismissed only 18 minutes after replacing the innocuous Samir Nasri. In the 77th minute he was booked for hauling Glen Johnson down and was shown a second yellow card six minutes later after a clumsy aerial challenge on Martin Skrtel. City were forced to defend valiantly in the closing stages and sub Andy Carroll almost won it for Liverpool in stoppage time, only to be denied by the inspirational Hart.

Match Report:Liverpool 3 Bolton 1

Liverpool moved to the top of the Premier League table after cruising to an easy 3-1 victory against a poor Bolton side at Anfield. Kenny Dalglish opted to start with Andy Carroll on the substitute's bench and it proved to a wise move as his side played some free-flowing football at times that made the Bolton defence look ponderous. With no European disatractions this season, Liverpool could finally be title contenders this term. After dominating the early stages, Liverpool deservedly took the lead in the 15th minute when Jordan Henderson lashed a shot past Jussi Jaaskelainen after the Finnish goalkeeper had initally made a smart save to deny Dirk Kuyt. The lively Luis Suarez and Kuyt went close to doubling the Reds' lead before the interval but two goals in little over a minute early in the second period effectively ended the game as a contest. Substitute Martin Skrtel powered a header home from a 52nd-minute corner before the Bolton defence parted, allowing Kuyt to waltz into a dangerous area. The Dutchman set up Charlie Adam who slid a low shot past the hapless Jaaskelainen. There could have been more goals for Dalglish's side who threatened to run riot immediately after grabbing their third goal but, after the attacks had been repelled, Bolton netted a consolation goal with virtually the last kick of the game courtesy of Klasnic.

Gerrard Heading for Liverpool Exit?

Much has been made of Kenny Dalglish’s need to thin out a bloated midfield before the transfer window shuts but one fact of Liverpool’s midfield overhaul has been largely overlooked, whisper it – there is no room for Steven Gerrard. Dalglish’s signing of Charlie Adam, Jordan Henderson and Stewart Downing on top of the arrival of Luis Suarez and Andy Carroll last winter show that in the new look Liverpool, Gerrard is out of style. As seen from the end of last season Dalglish will set out a 4-4-2 with Suarez buzzing around Carroll and the role of the midfield will be to retain a good shape behind these two meaning that even when fit Gerrard will not be suited to the team. The hero of Istanbul has been a guaranteed starter when fit since the 2001 season but age and tactical changes in recent years have exposed at club level the frailties that have always shown while on international duty. Since the departure of Xabi Alonso and his patient, prudent passing Gerrard has frustrated with a hyperactive, everything and nothing at once style; neither a defensive or attacking force he has roamed aimlessly, misplacing passes and firing long range shots with little return. This will not wash with Dalglish who needs a solid midfield to get the best out of his formation and new signings. Never a particularly disciplined player, Gerrard was accommodated as a maverick in Rafa Benitez’s otherwise strict formation which worked well for Gerrard and Liverpool while he had the right players around him. His inspirational role as an all-action hero under Benitez is now Gerrard’s undoing, as it stands he is a player without a position. For each role in the centre of the park Dalglish recognises that the other midfielders at the club are better than Gerrard. Lucas Leiva was derided as a failure upon his arrival at the club but with over 100 games under his belt in the league he has grown into the custodial ball-winning role in Liverpool’s midfield, a role Gerrard was never comfortable with. Raul Meireles too was seen as a flop within a few games last season but the Portuguese player adapted so well that he was named the PFA’s Fan’s Player of the Year and even though he was often deployed in an unfamiliar wide position he shone as an attacking threat. The signings of Adam and Henderson mean that Meireles will likely have to make do with fewer starts this season but it also puts Gerrard to the back of the queue of potential attacking options. Having long lacked any width Stewart Downing will be a breathe of fresh air for the Anfield faithful if he can rise to the occasion, in any case he has a simple task of supplying Carroll with crosses, on the right-side Daglish will likely opt for Dirk Kuyt or Maxi Rodriguez. Meireles may too be an option out wide though he failed to impress in that position under Roy Hodgson but hey, didn’t they all. Kuyt who, often has been held up as a figure of ridicule, is unsurpassed in his tenacity and eagerness in both defensive and attacking play which may make him indispensable for Dalglish as he attempts to get the best out of his attacking central mids Adam, Meireles and Henderson. Rodriguez grabbed headlines at the end of the season with a brace of hat tricks but other than that he had a quiet season and though not past it just yet he is unlikely to be relied upon. With more than a dozen midfielders current on the books Dalglish will be working frantically to move on Joe Cole, Christian Poulsen and Alberto Aquilani before the transfer window closes while Johnjo Shelvey and Jay Spearing are likely to go out on loan. But when Sunderland arrive at Anfield in two weeks time there may be another more familiar face who finds that he too has no place in the second Dalglish era.

Liverpool Confirm Charlie Adam Deal

Liverpool have confirmed a deal has been struck with Blackpool to sign Charlie Adam.Kenny Dalglish has made it clear ever since he returned to the Anfield hot seat that he wanted Scotland international Adam, but an initial attempt to sign him in January collapsed.Now the Liverpool boss has got his man, with the Reds agreeing a fee believed to be in the region of £9 million.A statement on the club's official website reads: "Liverpool Football Club today announced they have reached agreement with Blackpool for the transfer of Charlie Adam.

"The player will now travel to Merseyside for a medical and to discuss personal terms."

Adam is expected to face no problems when completing his medical, with the deal set to be officially completed within 24 hours.

Liverpool to Launch Adam and Dann Bids

Kenny Dalglish could take Liverpool's summer transfer spending to more than £35m by the end of the week should he lodge bids for both Charlie Adam and Scott Dann, but the Scot will face competition from Arsenal if he chooses to step up his interest in the Birmingham defender.Dalglish has already lavished £16m on the former Sunderland midfielder Jordan Henderson and is expected to lodge a formal offer of around £9m with Blackpool for their captain in the next 48 hours.Adam is known to be keen to move to Anfield and formal talks with the Bloomfield Road club are expected to start on Thursday.But the Liverpool manager faces a rather more complicated task in attempting to recruit the defensive cover he believes his squad requires, with Dalglish weighing up the merits of moving for Dann, a boyhood Liverpool fan, with the risk of missing out on a second defensive target in a week.Liverpool had hoped to beat both Arsene Wenger and Manchester United to the signature of Phil Jones -- although the Anfield club always feared losing out to the champions should they enter the race for the Blackburn player's signature -- but, since the completion of his transfer to Old Trafford, both Liverpool and Arsenal have been forced to examine alternatives.Top of the list both on Merseyside and in north London is Dann, with Wenger thought to be considering moving for the 24-year-old as well as Blackburn's towering Congolese international Christopher Samba as he seeks to add height and power to his side.Despite his childhood allegiance to Anfield, it is believed Dann is tempted by the prospect of Champions League football on offer at the Emirates, while Wenger believes he offers better value for money than Bolton's Gary Cahill and the same technical accomplishment.Liverpool are determined to infuse Dalglish's squad with a core of British talent and have identified Dann as a potential complement to Jamie Carragher, Daniel Agger and Martin Skrtel.The club are examining a number of other candidates -- including Lyon's Dejan Lovren -- but their hand may be forced by Arsenal's interest.Dalglish is also hopeful of concluding swift deals for Arsenal left-back Gael Clichy, Aston Villa winger Stewart Downing, Roma goalkeeper Doni and Ipswich striker Connor Wickham as he attempts to conduct the majority of his transfer activity before Liverpool return for pre-season training at Melwood on July 4.The Anfield club are also expected to sign Frenchman Sylvain Marveaux, the Rennes winger, on a free transfer.

Goalkeeper Pepe Reina has undergone surgery on a double hernia. However, the Spanish international is expected to be fit to return for the start of pre-season training

Everton to Lure Charlie Adam

Everton are the latest club to be linked with a move for Blackpool midfielder Charlie Adam, according to reports.Everton boss David Moyes has highlighted the Scottish international as a player who can improve his side at Goodison Park, but note that the Scottish manager will face competition from a number of clubs for the signature.Manchester United are known admirers of the former Rangers star, who is almost certain to leave Bloomfield Road this summer after Ian Holloway's side were relegated to the Npower Championship, ironically on the final day at Old Trafford.Adam, who was linked with both Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur in January, stayed with the Tangerines in their fight against survival, and despite the club activating a clause in the player's contract in an effort to keep him for another season, offers are expected to be made.It's reported that Everton will make a £4 million move for the player, although Blackpool are thought to want double that figure if the playmaker is to leave when the transfer window opens.Sir Alex Ferguson famously stated that the player's corners alone were worth £12 million, and the Manchester United boss is thought to have received positive information on the player from his core of scouts at Old Trafford.The Red Devils are keen to find a replacement for Paul Scholes, and with Luka Modric now apparently out of the running and Wesley Sneijder the only other known target, Adam has moved up the ranks as a possible Manchester United target.

Whilst Everton would be unable to match the financial power of United, an offer of first team football alongside Tim Cahill, Mikel Arteta and Marouane Fellaini could be an enticing factor for the 25-year-old.

Additionally, his arrival could help persuade wanted players such as Leighton Baines to stick with the Toffees, and that Everton will be looking to improve further on last season's seventh place finish.

Tottenham 1-1 Blackpool

A late 25-yard strike from Jermain Defoe earned Tottenham a point against Blackpool after the hosts had conceded two second-half penalties in a minute.Charlie Adam converted a 76th-minute spot-kick after Spurs keeper Heurelho Gomes had fouled Gary Taylor-Fletcher.Gomes had saved a penalty moments earlier from the same player after Michael Dawson handled in the area.But Defoe struck powerfully past Matthew Gilks in the 89th minute to level a dramatic encounter.However, Tottenham could be without inspirational winger Gareth Bale for their remaining games - at Manchester City on Tuesday, at Liverpool on 15 May and at home to Birmingham on 22 May - after the Wales international left the pitch on a stretcher with an ankle injury following a rash Adam challenge.The result will frustrate the north Londoners, whose prospects of qualifying for the fourth and final Champions League place look increasingly bleak ahead of Tuesday's trip to Eastlands - City effectively need a point to deny Spurs a second successive top-four finish.
Tottenham, who have only won once in nine Premier League matches, were once again profligate in front of goal with Rafael Van der Vaart, Bale and Luka Modric all spurning excellent chances, especially in the early stages of the second half.
However, the result gives Blackpool fresh impetus in their quest to maintain their Premier League status with games at home to Bolton next Saturday and away to Manchester United on the final day of the campaign remaining.
Spurs boss Harry Redknapp made two changes to the team that controversially lost to Chelsea, with Danny Rose making his first appearance in a Tottenham shirt in over a year at left-back, while Defoe replaced Aaron Lennon, who was dropped to the bench.
A lively first half saw both sides create good chances, but neither could produce a deft finish in front of goal as opportunities were squandered.
A thumping left-footed volley by Adam was brilliantly saved by Gomes in the 24th minute, while a Van der Vaart pass dissected Blackpool's back four and found Defoe, but the striker's run was a fraction too early as he was rightly adjudged offside before rifling the ball into the back of the net.
The hosts dominated the opening exchanges of the second half as the introduction of Lennon, on for the redundant Roman Pavlyuchenko, allowed Redknapp's men to play the kind of expansive game which enthralled fans at the start of the season.
England winger Lennon's pace opened up Blackpool's defence, but numerous opportunities could not be converted as the crowd's impatience began to show.
Gomes made yet another excellent save, this time to deny DJ Campbell from eight yards after good work from David Vaughan sent the striker through.
Bale's withdrawal increased the home faithful's worries - further exacerbated when Dawson was adjudged to have handled an Adam corner in the 75th minute.
But the Scotland midfielder's low strike was brilliantly saved by Gomes, diving to his left - only for the Brazilian keeper to concede a thoroughly needless penalty less than 60 seconds later when he chased a bobbling ball through a throng of players inside his own box.
Referee Lee Probert deemed that Gomes had obstructed Taylor-Fletcher and Adam stepped up and hammered his second penalty into the top-left corner.
But Defoe grabbed a late equaliser for Spurs when he collected the ball 30 yards out before unleashing an unstoppable drive into the bottom right corner for only his fourth goal of the Premier League campaign.

Bale named PFA Player of the Year

Tottenham Hotspur winger Gareth Bale has been named as PFA Player of the Year, with Arsenal's Jack Wilshere winning the Young Player award.
Arsenal's Sami Nasri was second in the voting with Manchester City's Carlos Tevez third.
Blackpool's Charlie Adam, Manchester United defender Nemanja Vidic, West Ham midfielder Scott Parker and Bale's team-mate Rafael van der Vaart were also nominated.
Bale is the fourth Welshman to win the award with Ryan Giggs, Mark Hughes (twice) and Ian Rush previous winners.
He is the first Tottenham player to win the award since David Ginola picked up the award in the 1999.
"I am more than delighted really. It is a massive award and it is a great honour to receive, especially from other fellow professionals," said Bale.
"It is a honour really when you look at the names that have won it before and it just makes you go 'wow' really.
"There haven't been too many Welshman to have won the trophy but it is great and it is great for me personally."
The PFA Premier League Team of Year was: Van Der Sar; Sagna, Vidic, Kompany Cole; Nani, Nasri, Wilshere, Bale; Tevez, Berbatov.
Bale and Nasri were also on the Young Player shortlist but Wilshere took that honour.
"It is my first full season and it is a massive award, especially from my fellow players. It is amazing," he said.
"Arsenal is a good club for bringing youngsters through and they keep proving it so I would like to thank the manager as well."
Manchester City's Joe Hart, Everton's Seamus Coleman and Manchester United duo Nani and Javier Hernandez were also nominated.

Blackpool 3 Spurs 1

Brett Ormerod scored a landmark goal as Blackpool ended their six match winless run in emphatic style over Champions League contenders Spurs.The veteran striker sealed victory for the Seasiders following first half goals from Charlie Adam and DJ Campbell, meaning he has scored for the club in all four divisions of English football.Roman Pavlyuchenko pulled a goal back for the visitors deep into injury time, but it was too little too late in a game that will go down in Bloomfield Road folklore.Every man in tangerine played their heart out and demonstrated 'relegation' isn't a word in their vocabulary.Spurs were half the side that swept away AC Milan at the San Siro last week and were luckless in front of goal after amassing a colossal 25 goal attempts.
Ian Holloway handed Belarussian striker Sergei Kornilenko his debut following his transfer deadline day move from Zenit St Petersburg, whilst Ludovic Sylvestre replaced the injured Elliott Grandin in midfield.
The game’s opening was rather subdued until Sebastian Bassong bundled over DJ Campbell in the box on the quarter hour mark with referee Chris Foy immediately pointing to the spot.The ever reliable Charlie Adam stepped up to clinically dispatch the penalty past the outstretched hand of Heurelho Gomes to give the home side the lead.
Spurs responded when Steven Pienaar had a close-range effort blocked by Craig Cathcart, with Adam’s resulting clearance ricocheting back off the former South African and flashing inches wide of the post.
Cathcart showed his defensive quality once again when he heroically headed Jermaine Defoe’s effort off the line before Alex Baptiste cleared another effort from the England international moments later.In typical fashion, Blackpool seized upon their opponents vulnerability on the counter attack to score a classic breakaway goal on the stroke of half time.Excellent interplay between Pool’s attacking trio resulted in James Beattie crossing for DJ Campbell to volley home and double the home side’s advantage.
Jermaine Jenas replaced Wilson Palacios for the visitors at the break and immediately spurned a golden chance to respond when he dragged Pavlyuchenko’s inviting cross wide.Aaron Lennon was proving a constant menace down the right wing and crossed for Pavlyuchenko whose header drew a tremendous reaction save from Kingson.Spurs were inflicting constant waves of pressure on the Blackpool backline with every player in tangerine pinned back in their own half.Defoe crossed for substitute Nico Krancjar who failed to convert from a tight angle before Kingson pulled off another miraculous save to deny another Pavlyuchenko header.Modric chipped over the onrushing Kingson but his effort lacked pace and Baptiste cleared off the line once more as Spurs were left frustrated in their efforts.
Matt Phillips and Brett Ormerod were introduced on the hour mark and both combined to score the vital third.Phillips charged into the box before a defensive mix-up between Assou-Ekotto and Gomes allowed Ormerod to slip the ball into an unguarded net.The Bloomfield Road faithful were in full voice right up until the final whistle with Pavlyuchenko's deflected effort proving a mere consolation.
Looking back on a memorable night, an exuberant Ian Holloway said: “There’s not a word in the dictionary to say how pleased I am.“I don’t think we got we deserved here against Manchester City or Manchester United."We needed it, we've probably had one of the best nights I can ever remember, beating Tottenham Hotspur here."It was a fantastic night for everyone connected to the club. Does that make us better than AC Milan? I don’t really think so!"The gaps my lads are bridging in this level from where we were/should be is phenomenal.Unfortunately 32 points would have kept us off last season, and we know we’re going to need a fair few more than that.”

This could be the turning point for Blackpool, who have opened up a five point gap between themselves and the drop-zone.A tough trip to Wolves awaits on Saturday in what will be a crucial relegation six-pointer.

Spurs failed in late bid for Adam

Harry Redknapp has told talkSPORT Tottenham failed with a last-gasp deadline-day bid for Blackpool captain Charlie Adam.
Redknapp moved for the 25-year-old midfielder with just an hour left of the transfer window after Liverpool had another bid rejected.
But, despite Adam’s desire to move to White Hart Lane, Spurs were beaten by the clock.
He said: “Daniel [Levy] rang me late on and asked if I like Charlie Adam. I said 'yes, he's a fantastic footballer'. He said do you want him, I said 'can we get him?'
"We pushed on and tried to do it, Daniel was confident he could get it through. It went to the wire but we missed out by minutes.
“Apparently the chairman couldn't get hold of two shareholders who had to sign the forms as well. It's just one of those things."

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