Sunderland 2-1 Blackburn Rovers

Martin O'Neill started his Sunderland reign with a win as David Vaughan and Sebastian Larsson scored late on to snatch victory. Larsson scored an injury-time free-kick to wrap up the points for the new boss after Vaughan equalised in the 84th minute. It was a bright start to the game from a rejuvenated Sunderland side with Phil Bardsley going close twice inside ten minutes but it was the visitors who opened the scoring. Simon Vukcevic opened his Rovers account when he headed in from close range after Christopher Samba's shot was saved by Keiren Westwood. Kieran Richardson could have equalised immediately for the Black Cats but he could not turn in Stephane Sessegnon's cross from six-yards and saw a later shot deflect wide of the post. O'Neill may have counted his side unlucky to be behind at the break but Blackburn could have doubled their lead when Scott Dann headed in Morten Gamst Pdersen's free-kick. Referee Peter Walton blew up for a foul on the goalkeeper by Samba but there did not seem to be much wrong with the aerial challenge. Blackburn were happy to sit back and defend in the second-half and it was one way traffic throughout. Richardson was inches away from levelling the scoreline again when his mis-hit corner clipped the near post while his deflected effort on the hour mark saw Paul Robinson pull off a top-drawer save to keep his side ahead. The Sunderland breakthrough eventually came with six minutes remaining and Robinson could do nothing about Vaughan's incredible 30-yard strike into the top corner. The game seemed to be heading for a draw before Mauro Formica was penalised for handball on the edge of his own box in stoppage time and Larsson converted the free-kick to make amends for his penalty miss at Wolves last weekend. The full-time whistle did not blow until the 102nd minute as Jason Lowe left the field on a stretcher in injury time to mark a bad day at the office for Blackburn and under-pressure Steve Kean. It is a different story on Wearside now however. Their new manager has brought hope to the club and the three points in his first game see the side climb out of the bottom three.

Arsenal Target Scott Dann

Arsenal are lining up a £6million move for Birmingham City defender Scott Dann after talks over a £13million deal for Everton’s Phil Jagielka have stalled. Gunners boss Arsene Wenger refuses to budge on price for the Goodison Park centre-back and will look at other options. He has identified Dann as his next priority but will face competition from Liverpool for his signature. The 24-year-old has only one-year left on his contract and cash-strapped Birmingham are willing to listen to offers for any of their stars. Dann has impressed during his time in the Premier League and was absent for much of the Blues relegation season last year. Wenger had hoped to have had a deal for a centre-back agreed along time ago but has been put off by astronomical valuations. Arsenal had a bid accepted for Blackburn’s Phil Jones, but the teenage decided on a move to Manchester United. Jones’ former team-mate Christopher Samba and Bolton’s Gary Cahill are both targets but the £15million and £17million price tags were deemed too high by Wenger. The Frenchman has had two bids of £10million and £13million rejected by Everton for Jagielka, who value the 28-year-old at closer to £20million.

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

Birmingham Duo Targeted by Spurs and Arsenal

Birmingham City's relegation looks set to spark a feeding frenzy among Premier League clubs keen to hand-pick their top players, with defenders Scott Dann and Roger Johnson set to be top of both Arsenal and Spurs' wanted lists.The pair became the cornerstones of Birmingham's impressive campaign in the 2009/10 season at the heart of Alex McLeish's defence - attracting interest last summer.The club managed to stave off numerous bids to keep them, but injuries to both players - including a serious knock that kept Dann out for the majority of the 2010/11 campaign - hindered Birmingham's form.Despite winning the Carling Cup against the odds, Blues were relegated on the final day - and with both players unlikely to sign new deals now the club are back in the second tier, there is just one year until they would be free to leave on free transfers.
While owner Carson Yeung has decided to stand by his manager, it seems several players will be for sale - but at the right price.Despite ruling out any players leaving the club on the cheap, Birmingham chairman Peter Pannu admitted: 'If someone offers £3million for one of our top players, they will be told "forget it", but if someone offers £10m, £15m, then we are more likely to think about it.'But nothing is cast in stone - it is too early really to talk about this sort of thing. 'I will be meeting [Carson] to discuss what we must do for next season.'
Both the north London rivals are in need of reinforcements at the back, and according to recent reports scouts have been reporting back to both clubs on the availability of Dann and Johnson.
However, the recommendations are that they work best in a partnership - and therefore both Spurs and Arsenal are said to be keen on offering a cash bid to tempt Birmingham into selling the players as a package.
Arsene Wenger has already admitted this summer will be his busiest in terms of transfers for 'many years'.