Worldwide Soccer Sport

HARRISON, N.J. (AP) -- New York coach Hans Backe called Saturday's game against the expansion Vancouver Whitecaps a "must-win."

Well, Backe's club didn't win. But the Red Bulls didn't lose either - for a league-high 15th time this year, tying a league record.

Reserve forward Juan Agudelo scored a goal off a fine feed from Rafa Marquez in the 68th minute, lifting the Red Bulls to a 1-1 tie with the league's worst team.

Agudelo entered in the 62nd minute as a substitute and scored his sixth goal of the season, but the Red Bulls, playing down a man after Jan Gunnar Solli was ejected right before halftime, could not get the go-ahead goal and fell to 6-6-15 overall.

It was the eighth straight match without a win for the Red Bulls, going 0-3-5 during that span.

The Red Bulls have 33 points, one ahead of Portland and two ahead of D.C. United for the last playoff spot.

"We're still in it and that's a good thing," Backe said. "It's unbelievable with all the tied games. I still think we're good enough to pick up wins. Time is running out (the Red Bulls have seven games remaining) and we need to get wins. It's frustrating, of course, and not normal. It's more frustrating that we're getting injuries and red cards and just can't get a rhythm going."

The Whitecaps (4-13-10) remained winless on the road this season, posting an 0-10-5 record.

The Whitecaps scored in the 23rd minute, when Camilo moved down the right side, then passed into the box to Davide Chiumiento, who whirled and did a 180-degree spin to fire a right-footed shot over Bouna Coundoul into the net. It was Chiumiento's second goal of the season, but he was upset with his team's performance after getting the lead.

"The second half, we didn't play with any energy or desire to win the game," Chiumiento said. "It's tough. We're not ready mentally to win on the road. We played a good first half and the second half we drew a blank. We didn't show enough courage to win the game."

Solli received a red card from referee Terry Vaughn in extra time in the first half. The ejection of Solli enabled Vancouver to play more conservatively and enabled it to keep the action away from the Red Bulls for most of the second half.

The Red Bulls drew even when Marquez lifted a 50-yard crossing pass right to the foot of Agudelo, who slid the ball past a stunned Vancouver goalkeeper Joe Cannon for the game-tying goal. It was the teenager's sixth goal of the season.

"I was very happy to see him make a difference," Backe said. "He played with passion and was physically strong. It's great to see him perform like that and he's a player we have to see if he can start in the future."

The Red Bulls had two golden chances to take the lead in the 78th minute, when Agudelo's header was stopped by Gannon and Dane Richards' rebound shot was fired hard into Gannon's midsection.

"I never had a team like this with so many ties," veteran defender Carlos Mendes said. "It's very difficult to keep getting ties. We need to fix it quick."

SEATTLE (AP) -- Alvaro Saborio scored from 10 yards away early in the 56th minute, and a rare gaffe by Seattle goalkeeper Kasey Keller resulted in an own goal as Real Salt Lake hung on for a 2-1 victory over the Seattle Sounders on Saturday.

Salt Lake (13-7-6) won its third in a row. The Sounders (13-6-9) had a four-game unbeaten streak halted.

Saborio set up his own game-winner when he picked up a loose ball in the penalty area, deked around Sounders defender Tyson Wahl and, from an angle to the right, and beat Keller to the back left corner.

"I just had to control the ball and kick it," said Saborio, who scored his team-leading eighth goal of the year. "We were hoping for the win, and we have to continue like that."

At the outset of the 13th minute, Salt Lake's Fabian Espindola sent a ball from the top left corner of the box toward the far post. Keller appeared to grab it at the post with Kyle Beckerman right there, and then lose his grip on it. He said afterward what he was really trying to do was knock the ball out of danger, but instead sent it trickling into the back right corner.

"It was a good cross into the box, and I scrambled to get it, and it kind of chucked off the turf a little bit," Keller said. "I didn't want to leave a rebound out in the middle, so I tried to hook it out for a corner and just got too much on it and ended up hooking it into my own net. Simple at that - it was my fault."

Mauro Rosales could have tied it for Seattle just 4 minutes later, but sent a penalty kick barely wide left. That was the the third time on eight attempts that the Sounders have missed from the spot this season.

Fredy Montero did tie it with about 30 seconds remaining in first-half stoppage time with a blast from the top of the 6-yard box past Salt Lake goalkeeper Nick Rimando.

Midway through the 69th minute, Rimando helped preserve Real Salt Lake's lead when he literally put his face in front of a hard shot by Seattle's Tyson Wahl that was taken from 12 yards straight in front of the net.

"Those are the ones you don't expect to make, and you don't train for them," Rimando said. "When they happen, you don't want them to go in the back of the net. But the guys kept on playing, so I saved it with my face."

Both teams finished with 10 men after each side had a player sent off by referee Mark Kadlecik midway through the first half - Tony Beltran of RSL on his second yellow of the game, and Seattle's Jhon Kennedy Hurtado less than 4 minutes later on a straight red for a hard tackle.

"I'm proud of the fact that they stuck together and kept working extremely hard and stayed disciplined through some pretty interesting decisions in the first half and some dire circumstances," Salt Lake coach Jason Kreis said. "In two of the past three matches, we've had a player ejected early in the match and the group has stayed very resilient."

Sounders oach Sigi Schmid felt his team should have garnered at least a point instead of going away empty.

"Sometimes, games go like this," he said. "In the first half especially and some in the second half, I thought we had some in the second half, there were some good moments where we got in and created some chances, where we got behind them on the flanks, which is exactly what we talked about. But at the end of the day, we couldn't convert."

Between the ninth and 11th minutes, thousands of the 35,940 fans at Century Link Field waved miniature American flags in recognition of Sunday's 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.

Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny has revealed he has been mocked by Borussia Dortmund's players ahead of the Champions League clash between the sides.

Szczesny's Poland team-mates Lukasz Piszczek, Robert Lewandowski and Jakub Blaszczykowski, all of whom play for Dortmund, have teased him following the Gunners' 8-2 hammering at Manchester United last month.

After the Gunners got back to winning ways by beating Swansea 1-0 on Saturday, though, Szczesny is confident that he will have the last laugh on Tuesday in Germany.

"There has been a little bit [of stick], I'm not going to lie," Szczesny said in The Sun. "I think two of them will be playing on Tuesday and the one who was the loudest, Jakub, will be on the bench. They've been taking the mickey out of the 8-2 defeat but they can't get into my head. I will be focused. I hope after the game I will be the one who comes out on top with the banter."

Wenger has revealed he will lean on new signing Per Mertesacker, a Germany international, for advice ahead of the Dortmund fixture. "He knows the Dortmund stadium well and knows German football. He talks and communicates with the team and when a German communicates, you listen," Wenger said.

Meanwhile, Swansea goalkeeper Michel Vorm said he thinks Arsenal are still suffering because of their lack of confidence.

"I think the stadium was scary," he said in the Daily Mirror. "You come inside and think, 'Okay, 60,000 people' and the atmosphere was great, but they play with no confidence and with new players it's hard for them to fill in the places.

"I think Arteta did well, but although I think they have the quality they don't have the confidence. I loved to watch Arsenal and the way they played a couple of years ago. I hope it is going to get better and I think it will come.

"Manchester City have the confidence - and the money. I think that is the ?difference. They have a group of 22 or 23 players who are all world class. I think Arsenal have a lot of young players and Man City have a lot of experience. Arsenal feel a lot of pressure, including from the crowd. It's not easy to play here but it was a good lesson for us."

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) -- Teal Bunbury scored once in each half, sparking Sporting Kansas City to a 3-0 victory over the Houston Dynamo on Saturday.

C.J. Sapong also scored for Sporting (10-8-10), which broke a two-match winless streak, and Jimmy Nielsen needed to make only one save to earn his fifth shutout of the season.

Houston (8-9-11) lost its second straight and had to play the last 25 minutes short-handed after the ejection of forward Carlo Costly.

Bunbury scored in the 9th and 73rd minutes, beating marks from defender Andre Hainault each time. Sapong made it 3-0 in the 79th, tapping in a cross from Kei Kamara.

Costly was issued a straight red card in the 64th minute for a hard foul on Kansas City defender Chance Myers.

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) -- Shalrie Joseph scored in the 14th minute and Rajko Lekic had a goal late in the second half to lead New England to a 2-0 victory over FC Dallas on Saturday night, snapping the Revolution's seven-match winless skid.

Joseph had his team-leading eighth goal of the season and Lekic scored in the 85th minute. New England (5-11-12) was 0-2-5 in its last seven games overall and were also winless in their last seven (0-3-4) at home since beating Vancouver on May 14.

Revolution goalie Matt Reis had his fifth shutout of the season, stopping six corner kicks and making four saves - the best of which was off a header by Dallas' Maicon Santos in the 16th minute.

F.C. Dallas (13-8-7) is just 1-3-1 in its last five matches.

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp expects Luka Modric to be offered a new contract after Spurs chairman Daniel Levy rejected several bids from Chelsea during the transfer window.

Modric was keen to leave Spurs in the summer but Levy insisted the Croatian playmaker would not be sold at any price and, true to his word, turned down increasingly large offers - reportedly of ?22 million and ?27 million - from Stamford Bridge. Redknapp said there was a final offer of ?40 million on deadline day.

Redknapp feels Modric can now focus on playing for Spurs and although the 26-year-old is already tied to a long-term contract, is anticipating an improved contract for Modric.

"Luka will just get on with it - the chairman will sit down and discuss his contract and make a deal," said Redknapp.

"We are looking to make him a good offer. The transfer window being shut now makes my job easier because he has to just get on with playing."

Redknapp also confirmed that Giovani Dos Santos wanted to leave Spurs during the summer but the Mexico international, who has spent loan spells at Ipswich, Galatasaray and Racing Santander, refused a move to Udinese.

"Gio wanted to move. But we couldn't let him go. We had a ?13 million offer from Udinese for him," Redknapp said.

"It was ?10 million down and ?3 million do-able bonuses. A big sell-on. He wouldn't go. He wanted to go to Seville who were offering €3 million. You can't blame the chairman for not letting him go."

"Only him and Luka are here now out of the lads who wanted to leave."

Queens Park Rangers manager Neil Warnock has suggested the club could make a move for David Beckham in January after owner Tony Fernandes said he was interested in bringing the player back to England.

Beckham has spent five years in the United States with Los Angeles Galaxy but his contract with the Major League Soccer club ends in two months' time.

That means he will be free to negotiate a return to the Premier League and while he has said playing for a club other than Manchester United in England's top flight would be difficult he has not ruled it out.

After rumours of a move for Beckham emerged on Wednesday, Fernandes said on Twitter: "I think having someone like David in the club would be great. Was always in my thoughts."

And now Warnock has followed that up by saying "anything is possible" now Fernandes is in charge at Loftus Road.

Warnock was quoted in the Daily Telegraph as saying: "About three weeks ago I would not have dreamed to sign Joey Barton so I will never write anything off.

"The chairman Tony Fernandes has got such [an opinion] - why accept the average when you can reach for the top? That is how he is.

"It came out of the blue. I think anything is possible. He is a very astute businessman.''

However at a press conference on Thursday, Warnock appeared to try and put distance between himself and a move for Beckham.

"It is not a discussion [Tony and I] have had,'' he said. "I mean obviously it is good news for you lads I suppose and nothing much surprises me at the club but it's not something we've talked about, not myself anyhow.''

Asked what he would do if Fernandes offered him the player, he retorted: "I think you will have to ask me as and when. I've got enough problems worrying about Newcastle (on Monday), I don't want to worry about that (as well).

"We can't sign him anyhow, we can't sign anybody else now until January so why worry? I think he is a fabulous professional. I think he has been a great asset to English football, I like him as a person but ask me in January.''

Lanus drew level with Boca Juniors at the top of Argentina's Apertura with a 4-0 victory away at Argentinos Juniors on Monday.

Mario Regueiro opened the scoring after 37 minutes, but the visitors had to wait until 12 minutes from time to extend their lead through substitute Mariano Pavone.

Fellow substitute Diego Gonzalez, and Diego Valeri's 87th-minute penalty, added gloss to the scoreline for Lanus, who have an identical record to Boca Juniors after six games.

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp admits he would love to bring David Beckham to White Hart Lane.

Beckham, who trained with Spurs last season during the MLS off-season, is out of contract at Los Angeles Galaxy in November and has been widely linked with a return to the Premier League.

QPR have been linked with the former England captain, but now Redknapp has thrown his hat into the ring for Beckham's signature. The 36-year-old is yet to decide on his future, but Redknapp believes that despite his age, the former Manchester United star would still be a huge success in the Premier League.

"If David wants to come to Tottenham I'd welcome him with open arms," Redknapp told The Sun. "He's definitely still good enough to play in the Premier League. His game was never about pace so whether he's quick or not isn't an issue.

"David's unique quality is his use of the ball and his ability to pick out a player with a pinpoint pass. He is unbelievable and still an exceptional talent. I know first hand because we had him here last winter and he was terrific around the place. You couldn't find a nicer fella and a better professional.

"He's the best example there is for any young player, how he looks after himself, how he trains and how he's stayed an ordinary guy despite his extraordinary success. He is worth his weight in gold, he'd be an asset for any club. I'd have him here, that's for sure.

"He wouldn't be able to play until the January transfer window opens, though, because we've already lodged our 25 players with the Premier League. But he'd be a great one to have around the club again."

CARSON, Calif. (AP) -- The Galaxy made official Friday night what they have known for weeks.

Landon Donovan's goal gave Los Angeles a 1-0 victory over the Colorado Rapids and made the Galaxy the first Major League Soccer team to clinch a playoff berth.

"I think that was a bit of a foregone conclusion," Galaxy defender Todd Dunivant said.

Los Angeles moved seven points clear of Seattle in the race for the Supporters' Shield, awarded to the team that finishes with the best regular-season record. Los Angeles captured the prize last season and is eyeing a repeat.

"It would be nice to win the Supporters' Shield," Galaxy coach Bruce Arena said. "That's the next objective for us."

Donovan scored his league high-tying 12th goal in the 36th minute off a feed from Sean Franklin to help the Galaxy (15-3-10) remain unbeaten in 14 home matches.

After a handful of strong chances in the first half went for naught, the Galaxy managed to convert one before the break.

David Beckham started the goal-scoring sequence near the right sideline, playing a short pass to Chad Barrett, who knocked it to a streaking Franklin. Following a dribble, Franklin beat the Rapids' last line of defense with a pass to Donovan, who was left unguarded and finished with a low strike that goalie Matt Pickens was unable to reach.

Donovan matched New York's Thierry Henry for most goals in the league.

"Landon's finish was critical," Dunivant said. "Nobody is going to save that."

The defending champion Rapids (10-8-11) lost their second straight following a six-game unbeaten streak.

Colorado had won the previous two games in the series at the Home Depot Center.

"In a stadium where we have had good fortune in the past, tonight was not to be for us," Colorado coach Gary Smith said.

Galaxy goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts started in net for the first time since fracturing his left ulna against San Jose on June 25. Ricketts, who missed eight league matches following surgery, wasn't called into action often.

The Rapids' best chance at an equalizer was negated by an offside call in the 57th minute. Ricketts made a diving deflection of Sanna Nyassi's shot, sending the ball loose in the box. Wells Thompson cleaned up the rebound but was a step behind the defense while putting the ball into the net.

Former U.S. national team coach Bob Bradley was in attendance watching as a spectator. Bradley, who was fired from his post in July after a nearly five-year stint, has been in discussions with Egypt about its coaching vacancy.

Schalke failed to join Bayern Munich and Werder Bremen at the top of the Bundesliga as they were beaten 2-1 by Wolfsburg on Sunday.

Raul gave the Royal Blues a good start with a goal in the 13th minute, but two goals from Mario Mandzukic turned the game around to earn the Wolves only their second win of the season and end a run of three defeats.

The win would have been even more satisfying for their coach Felix Magath, who left Schalke under a storm cloud in March.

Timmy Simons scored twice in five minutes from the penalty spot to earn Nurnberg a 2-1 victory at Cologne .

The veteran Belgian stuck both spot-kicks into the bottom left corner before Adil Chihi pulled one back for Cologne before half-time.

Nurnberg had Tomas Pekhart sent off for a second yellow card three minutes before the break, but the hosts could not take advantage and Miso Brecko's dismissal 15 minutes from time evened up the numbers.

Rangers have been dealt a major blow after Kyle Bartley was ruled out of action for up to six weeks.

Bartley, 20, was forced out of last month's 2-0 win at Inverness - his first match of his second spell at the Scottish champions - with what has now been diagnosed as a hernia problem.

The centre-half, who is on loan from Arsenal, also missed part of his first loan spell last season with a knee injury and has been told he faces another spell on the sidelines, with surgery a possibility.

Rangers director of football Gordon Smith told the Daily Record: "Kyle has a hernia problem and we expect him to be out of action for between five and six weeks, although I'm not sure at this stage if surgery will be required.

"Either way, it's obviously a big blow for the boy and the club.''

Gers' boss Ally McCoist is slightly more optimistic about the centre-half's potential recovery time, telling the club's official website: "It's a big disappointment for Kyle himself that he's out for a bit longer but I had a good chat with him last night after his operation and he's upbeat.

"He was obviously in a little bit of discomfort and a little bit of pain but he still managed to ask me if there was any possibility we could put the Celtic game back. I thought that was wonderful and it just sums big Kyle up. He doesn't want to miss any training or any games. I told him I'd ask but I didn't hold much hope it would happen for him.

"With the attitude he has and what he gives us, being without him is a big miss for ourselves but we won't rush him back. When you've someone who is as eager to be part of the team as his is, in many cases that's half the battle.

"I'd hope we'd have him back in around four weeks or so but we'll take as long as he needs to make sure he is fit again.''

Celtic have announced that Morten Rasmussen has joined Turkish club Sivasspor on loan until the end of 2011.

Rasmussen has joined the club ahead of the start of the Turkish season.

Rasmussen was signed by Tony Mowbray in January 2010 and scored three goals in 13 appearances before the end of that season, six of them under Neil Lennon.

But the 26-year-old fell out of favour before the start of last season and was loaned to German side Mainz and Danish outfit Aalborg without playing another game.

Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas has confirmed the club are looking into an interview by Fernando Torres in which the benched striker appeared to criticise his own team-mates.

Torres, who has scored just one goal since his ?50 million transfer from Liverpool in January, spoke to the official website of Spain's Primera Liga and appeared to hint at a lack of service from Chelsea's "older" and "very slow" players in an English translation that later appeared on his personal website.

Villas-Boas sought an explanation from Torres, who claimed his words were not translated accurately on his own website.

Chelsea are now seeking to obtain a copy of the interview in its original Spanish and Villas-Boas revealed he would warn Torres not to speak so candidly about the club in future if the translation did stand up.

"We are going in-depth to regain the tape of that interview," Villas-Boas said. "We'll see if things play exactly as they are in that interview. We want to go in-depth a bit more. Anyhow, it's one player's perspective. I don't think it's a perspective that the manager shares. I don't have to share my players' ideas sometimes."

Meanwhile, amid the controversy, Villas-Boas is hoping his decision to drop Torres for the 2-1 win against Sunderland on Saturday in favour of Daniel Sturridge will spark the striker into life.

Sturridge justified his inclusion with a crucial goal, and while Villas-Boas refused to confirm whether Torres would be reinstated to the starting XI for Chelsea's Champions League opener against Bayer Leverkusen at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday, he revealed he expected the striker to benefit from his time on the bench.

"Any player that is not part of the squad, or not part of the selected players is not happy," Villas-Boas said. "I am glad that they are not happy because it means that maybe you can stimulate them to go one step further.

"Or maybe you can motivate them a little bit more and when they come back to being selected or to starting in the first XI they can still perform."

Eden Hazard scored twice as Lille came from behind to see off the challenge of 10-man St Etienne and record a 3-1 victory.

David Rozenhal's own goal gave the home side an early lead, but the dismissal of Loris Nery allowed Lille a way back into the match. And the defending Ligue 1 champions took full advantage with Hazard's brace followed by a late strike from Ludovic Obraniak, set up by debutant Joe Cole.

Goals from Maxime Gonalons and Bafetimbi Gomis earned Lyon a 2-1 victory at Dijon which took them to the top of the league.

Benjamin Corgnet had given the top-flight newcomers hope of getting a result with his equaliser on the stroke of half-time, but their inexperience told in the end. The result means Lyon remain unbeaten in the league this season.

Marseille's miserable start to the season continued as they slumped to a 1-0 defeat against Rennes at the Stade Velodrome.

Last season's runners-up headed into the game having managed only three points from their opening four games, and a 76th-minute goal from substitute Jires Kembo Ekoko - ten minutes after his introduction - ensured there was no respite on Saturday.

Bordeaux's sluggish start to the new season continued as they were held to a goalless home draw by newly-promoted Evian.

The 2009 French champions had picked up five points from their opening four league matches coming into this fixture, while in their previous outing before the international break they were knocked out of the Coupe de la Ligue by St Etienne.

Bordeaux coach Francis Gillot was left fuming by that exit and expected to see a reaction in the clash with Evian, but his side were unable to make the breakthrough against the top flight newcomers, who are playing at this level for the first time.

Etienne Capoue scored in stoppage time as Toulouse got back on track with a last-gasp victory at Caen.

The hosts dominated the first half, but Toulouse came back into it after the break and got their reward when Capoue linked up with Daniel Braaten to score the winner in the second minute of injury time.

Substitute Innocent Emeghara earned Lorient an unlikely point with a late equaliser at fellow high-flyers Sochaux.

Edouard Butin gave the Montbeliard club a deserved lead five minutes before the break but they could not build on that advantage - despite hitting the woodwork three times - and paid the price two minutes from time.

Emeghara finished off a counter-attack to salvage a draw the visitors barely merited, which kept them level on points with their hosts.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- Nick Soolsma and Ryan Johnson scored in the first half, and Julian De Guzman got the game-winner in the 83rd minute to help Toronto FC beat the Columbus Crew for the first time, 4-2 on Saturday night.

Danny Koevermans sealed the win with a goal in the second minute of stoppage time for Toronto (5-12-12), which came in 0-5-7 against the Crew since joining the league in 2007.

"It's nice for the fans that we finally win against Columbus but it's also nice for the team because it's our first away victory," Toronto coach Aron Winter said of the team's 1-8-6 road mark.

Tommy Heinemann scored in the 67 minute and Andres Mendoza pulled Columbus (11-9-7) to 3-2 in the 87th. The Crew lost their second straight and fell into a tie with Sporting Kansas City for first place in the Eastern Conference.

"It's disappointing. It's embarrassing to tell you the truth," Crew defender Chad Marshall said. "To come back here after a week off against the worst team in the league and give up four goals, that's not good enough."

Toronto was last in the Eastern Conference and trailed the Crew by 16 points entering the game but improved to 1-4-2 in Columbus after scoring just five goals in the previous six trips.

Toronto goalie Stefan Frei left the game after a collision with Columbus forward Emilio Renteria just before Heinemann got the Crew on the scoreboard.

"When it was 2-1 there was a lot of quality," Winter said. "It could have gone 3-1 or it's going to be tied. We responded very well. After Stefan got injured there was a period of five, 10 minutes we were a little but lucky."

Stephen Elliott's late equaliser ensured Hearts left their SPL encounter at Inverness with a 1-1 draw.

The faintest of touches from the striker on a David Templeton cross nine minutes from time was enough to guide the ball in off the post.

Caley Thistle forward Gregory Tade had broken the deadlock five minutes after the interval with an angled 12-yard effort following a mistake from goalkeeper Jamie MacDonald.

Tenth-placed Inverness could have closed the deficit on fourth-spotted Hearts to one point if they had held on, but the Edinburgh club might have stolen the victory late on if Andy Webster had connected with a Jamie Hamill corner.

Midfielder David Davis was inserted straight into the Caley Thistle team after joining the club on loan from Wolves on transfer deadline day.

The 20-year-old had an impressive debut alongside Andrew Shinnie - the only other change for Terry Butcher's men from the side which won 2-1 against Kilmarnock last time out, with Aaron Doran and Chris Hogg not involved.

Paulo Sergio also made two changes to the starting line-up which beat Hibernian 2-0 in their last outing, goalkeeper Marian Kello replaced by MacDonald and Arvydas Novikovas in for Andrew Driver.

Inverness started brightly with Graeme Shinnie and Davis combining well to set up captain Richie Foran, who was thwarted at close range by a sliding Daniel Grainger tackle.

It was the only notable opportunity in the opening stages as the sides cancelled each other out with neither goalkeeper coming under any sort of pressure.

Webster would have opened the scoring for Hearts on 25 minutes had it not been for Graeme Shinnie stopping his shot on the line following a Hamill corner.

That sparked the visitors briefly into action with Elliott testing goalkeeper Ryan Esson after coming onto a Ryan Stevenson lay-off. The stopper easily blocked the shot from 12 yards.

Inverness fought back with the Shinnie brothers working together to set up Foran, whose header flew inches wide.

The opening goal arrived five minutes after the break. Caley Thistle midfielder Nick Ross cashed in when MacDonald slipped and placed the ball into the path of French forward Tade, who hammered home his second goal of the season.

The attacker might have doubled the lead five minutes later when he latched onto an Andrew Shinnie through-ball, but MacDonald saved.

Hearts went close to levelling on the counter-attack when substitute Templeton hit the crossbar, but Inverness hit back with Davis breaking down the wing before crossing for Andrew Shinnie who sent the ball just wide.

The onslaught from the hosts continued, with MacDonald equal to Tade again after he was played in by Foran.

Esson saved well from Grainger following a Hamill corner as Hearts searched for an equaliser.

MacDonald made another important save to keep the visitors in the game when he blocked Foran's low shot.

The Irishman's angled effort came after good work from fellow forward Tade, whose pinpoint deep cross found him with time and space but the keeper stood firm with 15 minutes to go.

Hearts got back on level terms in the 81st minute when Elliott got a touch on a Templeton cross to send it past Esson via a post.

Webster might have snatched a last-gasp winner for Hearts but he failed to meet Hamill's late corner which flashed across the face of the goal.

Inverness also had time to come close at the death but substitute Aidan Chippendale's shot went just wide in stoppage time.

The Socceroos will play Malaysia for the first time in nearly 20 years when they go head to head in an international friendly in Canberra next month.

It's the seventh meeting between the two sides but the first since 1992, when Malaysia defeated Australia 1-0 in a clash in Jakarta.

The match, scheduled for October 7 at Canberra Stadium, will also be the first time the Socceroos have hosted Malaysia on Australian soil. It will serve as a real test for the squad as they prepare for their third 2014 FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifier against Oman at Sydney's ANZ Stadium just four days later.

The Socceroos are currently leading group D with six points after defeating Thailand 2-1 and Saudi Arabia 3-1. Oman sits on the bottom of the group on one point, equal with Saudi Arabia.

As the Malaysia clash will be held on a FIFA match date, the strongest possible Socceroos squad will be available for selection.

The last time the Socceroos played at Canberra Stadium was in March 2009 when they lost to Kuwait in a 2011 AFC Asian Cup qualification match before a crowd of more than 20,000.

Reigning Argentinian champions Velez Sarsfield have made it into the Copa Sudamericana round-of-16 by hammering compatriots Argentinos Juniors 4-0 in the return match of the second phase - but boss Ricardo Gareca found room for improvement afterwards.

El Fortin were able to build on the goalless draw in the first leg as visitors and never looked back after Guillermo Franco had given them a 23rd-minute lead, heading in following good work from Juan Manuel Martinez.

It was 2-0 in the 55th minute when midfielder Augusto Fernandez stole the ball and advanced into the box before beating Argentinos goalkeeper Luis Ojeda.

Forward Martinez made it 3-0 in the 74th minute with a penalty, before midfielder Hector Canteros rounded off the win with six minutes remaining.

However, boss Gareca said: "We have shown important things on the field, but we have other mistakes to be corrected. Argentinos had some opportunities to equalise when we were ahead 1-0. We were in need of a victory like this one."

In Santiago, Chilean giants Universidad Catolica made an important step towards the round-of-16 as they defeated compatriots Iquique 2-1 in the first leg.

Milovan Mirosevic headed in Rodrigo Valenzuela's cross to open the scoring in the 37th minute, with Enzo Endia widening the gap six minutes into the second half.

However, Michael Rios reduced the deficit in the 81st minute - a goal which may prove crucial with the return match scheduled for Wednesday.

Inter Milan coach Gianpiero Gasperini claims his Scudetto hopefuls have "lots of potential" but says he has lots of work to do following Sunday's 4-3 defeat at Palermo on the opening weekend in Serie A.

With the game level and five minutes remaining, Palermo striker Fabrizio Miccoli put the hosts in front with a superb free-kick before substitute Mauricio Pinilla made it 4-2 two minutes from time and, despite getting a goal back, Gasperini has plenty of problems to solve.

"There are so many minor details that are giving me food for thought at the moment, especially the fact that we were in the lead at a stage of the game when we didn't really deserve to be and then we were beaten at a time when we were playing our best football in all of the match," Gasperini said. "That's what disturbs me most.

"I believe this team has a lot of potential. Important potential, but to sustain it we have to balance it well.

"Certainly we all pay for errors due to distraction but this was the first match. Of course it was a pity to lose, especially when we had what it takes to win.

"We struggled out there from an athletic point of view - the game was played at a high intensity and it was very hot.

"The team needs to pick itself up, not think about the past and improve its condition and the overall balance."

Striker Diego Milito, who scored Inter's two goals at the Stadio Barbera, has asked for patience from the fans as Inter rebuild their treble-winning side of 2009.

"It's not right to think of the Inter of two years ago," Milito told RAI. "Today we are a different team, with a new coach who has other tactics in mind compared to those of the past and we have to be able to adapt to it.

"Of course it's going to take time to adapt to the new formation," he added. "For example today an attacking midfielder like Wesley Sneijder played further wide than he usually does. I think that he, in particular, has changed position.

"On a personal level it is always gratifying for a striker to score, but I can't hide my disappointment at the result. Naturally we all want to win, but now it's time to look to the future and try to improve."

Gasperini replaced Leonardo as head copach at the San Siro in June.

Eastern Conference strugglers Toronto stunned Columbus Crew with a 4-2 win in the latest round of MLS fixtures.

Columbus could have gone top with a victory, yet Toronto - bottom of the table with just four wins in their previous 28 matches - led 2-0 at half-time with goals from Nick Soolsma and Ryan Johnson.

Substitute Tom Heinemann pulled a goal back but Julian De Guzman restored the two-goal advantage seven minutes from time. Although Andres Mendoza set up a rousing finish with an 87th-minute goal, Danny Koevermans made the points safe just a few minutes after coming off the bench.

Charlie Davies' hat-trick gave DC United a 3-0 win at Chivas USA, who had David Lopes dismissed after the goals had gone in.

An own goal from goalkeeper Kasey Keller and further breakthrough from Alvaro Saborio set up Real Salt Lake's 2-1 win at Seattle Sounders, for whom Freddy Montero levelled on the stroke of half-time.

The visitors had Tony Beltran dismissed in the 35th minute - but the numbers were levelled up four minutes later when Jhon Hurtado saw red.

Teal Bunbury (2) and CJ Sapong got the goals which gave Sporting Kansas City a 3-0 win over Houston Dynamo, who had Carlos Costly sent off in the 64th minute.

Shalrie Joseph and Rajko Lekic scored in each half as New England Revolution beat FC Dallas 2-0, while Chris Wondolowski and Ramiro Corrales were on target as San Jose Earthquakes downed Chicago Fire by the same scoreline to end a 13-match winless streak.

New York Red Bulls recovered from the 45th-minute dismissal of Jan Gunnar Solli to earn a 1-1 draw against Vancouver Whitecaps. Davide Chiumiento gave the visitors the lead but after the dismissal of Solli on the stroke of half-time the hosts rallied with a goal from substitute Juan Agudelo.

Philadelphia Union's match with Portland Timbers ended in a goalless draw.

In Friday night's game, Landon Donovan was the matchwinner as the LA Galaxy stretched their advantage at the top of the MLS Western Conference further and and secured a play-off berth with a 1-0 win over Colorado Rapids.

Donovan's 36th-minute goal settled a tight contest with the fifth-placed Rapids in favour of the home side. It means the Galaxy have a seven-point advantage over Seattle at the top of the standings.

Steven Gerrard expects striker Luis Suarez to establish himself as one of Liverpool's all-time greats over the next few years.

Suarez made an immediate impact following a ?22.7 million move from Ajax in January, ensuring Liverpool did not suffer following the sale of Fernando Torres to Chelsea.

The Uruguay international, who was voted Player of the Tournament at this year's Copa America, has scored six goals in 15 Premier League starts for the Reds - and Gerrard believes he has a big part to play as Kenny Dalglish's side push for a top-four spot.

Asked whether Suarez could become an Anfield legend, Gerrard told the club's official website: "I don't see why not. He's still young enough and I'm sure he's going to get even better than he is now, which is a scary thought.

"He's got the appetite for the game to learn and get better. Hopefully he will go on here for a long time because he's certainly got a massive part to play at this club in the future - the history is there to be written.

"He's a very enthusiastic footballer and very intelligent. He's like a kid in the street and he can't wait to get out for training and games. Alongside Dirk (Kuyt) of late, they've been like two Duracell bunnies. They just don't stop and for defenders that must be a nightmare, knowing when you control the ball those two will be chasing.

"It's fantastic to have him and hopefully he can continue his form until the end of the season. If he does, it will give us a much better chance of getting some silverware."

Ruben Castro scored four minutes from time as Real Betis made it two wins out of two by beating Real Mallorca 1-0 in their Primera Division clash.

The striker stabbed home his second goal of the campaign at the end of a second half which the hosts dominated.It was Betis' second straight 1-0 success after Ruben had left it even later to seal an opening-day win at Granada.

Racing Santander had to settle for their first point of the season after failing to break down a resilient Levante in a goalless draw at El Sarindero.

Lautaro Acosta had the best chance for the hosts early in the second-half but blazed over with only goalkeeper Gustavo Munua to beat.

Racing were reduced to 10 men when Papa Kouli Diop was dismissed for a second yellow card on 80 minutes and Levante nearly made the extra man count but Tono Martinez saved Nabil El Zhar's late effort.

Osasuna claimed their first victory of the season with a 2-1 win over Sporting Gijon thanks to two wonderful first-half goals.

After an eventful opening quarter the hosts went ahead when Nino tapped home on 28 minutes after a great pass from Kike Sola split the Sporting defence wide open. Then, two minutes later, Osasuna doubled their lead through Alvaro Cejudo's volley from Sergio's cross into the top corner.

The home side should have been further ahead but gave Sporting a lifeline on 75 minutes when Diego Barral's shot went straight through goalkeeper Andres Fernandez, but they held on to claim all three points.

Javi Fuego missed a second-half penalty as Rayo Vallecano were held to a goalless draw by Real Zaragoza in a poor game at Las Vallecas.

Paulo Da Silva's handball gave Rayo the perfect opportunity to make a winning start at home on their return to the Primera Liga but Roberto Jimenez saved Fuego's penalty with 20 minutes remaining.

Sergio Garcia netted a brace for Espanyol as his side ran out 2-1 winners against Athletic Blibao.

Garcia put Espanyol in front on 25 minutes only for Fernando Llorente to level in the second period, but the former struck once more with 17 minutes remaining to seal a home win at Estadi Cornella-El Prat.

Queens Park Rangers owner Tony Fernandes believes the club can offer David Beckham "love, care and attention".

Premier League side QPR have been linked with making a move for Beckham, 36, once the midfielder's contract expires at Los Angeles Galaxy at the end of the MLS season in November.

Fernandes said: "If you look at the five signings we've made we have brought in people who have something to prove. Shaun Wright-Phillips still feels he can play for England; Joey Barton has a lot to prove; Anton Ferdinand, missing in action at Sunderland, but back in London, home town, things to prove.

"Then we've Luke Young who felt he was deserted early by (England manager Fabio) Capello, and (Armand) Traore was never given a chance at Arsenal by (Arsene) Wenger. So we've five new players, and Beckham fits into that mould because he wants to return and captain Britain at the Olympics.

"Environment, love, care and attention - we can offer that to him. I'm not sure it's for him, and I'm not sure it will fit him in January. Who knows? But I'm an ideas man, and he is an idea. He may not want it, he may want a bigger club. I hear (Spurs manager) Harry Redknapp has said he wants him.

"Ultimately, (manager) Neil (Warnock) has to feel comfortable, but who knows what can happen in January. We will have to wait and see. They (Beckham's advisors) want to talk because our vision is a long-term one, with lots of things David can do in Asia with me. It's something we have to work at."

A superb second-half strike by Czech defender Zdenek Kroca helped Kilmarnock to a 3-2 Clydesdale Bank Premier League victory over Dunfermline at Rugby Park.

The 62nd-minute effort sealed an entertaining encounter for the home side in which both teams held the lead.

Jason Thomson opened the scoring for Dunfermline but the visitors found themselves 2-1 behind following a double from Paul Heffernan.

Dunfermline substitute Ryan Thomson netted an equaliser just after the break only for Kroca's wonderful effort to condemn them to their second straight league defeat.

Killie went close early on as Dean Shiels evaded the attention of Andy Dowie and slid the ball across the penalty box but nobody was on hand to slot it home.

Dunfermline midfielder Paul Burns then struck the base of post from the edge of the box a minute before the visitors grabbed the opening goal.

Andy Kirk's header crashed off the underside of the bar and Thomson was on hand to bundle the ball over the line.

Dunfermline could have doubled their lead minutes later when Kirk got on the end of David Graham's cross but Killie goalkeeper Cammy Bell tipped the ball past the post.

Pars boss Jim McIntyre was sent to the stand after a confrontation with fourth official Ian Brines after 20 minutes.

Kirk was proving to be a threat to the Kilmarnock rearguard and only a smart tackle by Liam Kelly denied him an opportunity to double the deficit.

Kilmarnock were struggling to regain a foothold in the match but were handed a glorious opportunity when referee Brian Winter awarded a penalty after Alex Keddie clearly felled James Dayton inside the area.

Heffernan made no mistake from the spot, sending Paul Gallacher the wrong way.

As the first half drew to a close Kilmarnock took the lead. Dean Shiels threaded a clever through ball to Heffernan who coolly slotted beyond Gallagher.

Pars boss Kenny Shiels replaced Craig Easton with Ryan Thomson at half-time and the change paid off within five minutes as he glanced home from Cardle's inch perfect delivery.

Thomson came close to doubling his tally just before the hour mark when he drilled an effort just wide of the post following David Graham's knockdown.

Kilmarnock restored their advantage on 62 minutes when Kroca delighted the home supporters with a low curling effort beyond Gallacher from the edge of the box.

The home side almost doubled their lead minutes later when Shiels weaved his way into the area and unleashed a stinging effort only to be denied by Gallacher.

The travelling supporters thought their side had drawn level with 10 minutes remaining when Kirk nipped in front of Bell to knock the ball into the net but the striker was adjudged to be offside.

Both managers made changes in the closing stages but despite Dunfermline's determined approach to the game it was the hosts who looked more likely to add to their tally.

Rory McKeown did well to drive into the box and he unleashed a stinging effort that forced Gallacher into another fine stop.

The impressive Shiels received a standing ovation from the Kilmarnock faithful when he limped off with minutes remaining to be replaced by Spaniard Jorge Galan.

Galan was unable to make an impact during his three minute appearance though and Kilmarnock comfortably held out for the three points.

Barcelona were pegged back from two goals ahead as Real Sociedad snatched a superb and deserved 2-2 draw at the Estadio de Anoeta.

Two goals in as many minutes from Xavi and Cesc Fabregas put Barca 2-0 up inside the opening quarter-hour and they appeared to be cruising, but Imanol Agirretxe's header changed all that and Antoine Griezmann netted a bizarre equaliser - making good on his pre-match promise to prove his commitment to the club after the collapse of his longed-for summer move to Atletico Madrid.

Barca also saw new signing Alexis Sanchez forced off by injury shortly after the half-hour mark.

Karim Benzema bagged a brace as Real Madrid continued their impressive start to the Primera Division season with an entertaining 4-2 victory against Getafe at the Bernabeu.

Cristiano Ronaldo and substitute Gonzalo Higuain were also on target, the former improving his record to 15 goals in his last six league games and eight in four against Getafe with a controversial penalty on the hour mark.

Miku netted a cool double for Getafe but it was not enough to prevent his side slipping to defeat.

Villarreal produced a fine performance to claim a 2-2 draw against Sevilla despite being down to 10 men for over an hour of their encounter at El Madrigal.

Alvaro Negredo gave the visitors the lead after home goalkeeper Diego Lopez had been sent off for a foul on Diego Perotti. Negredo's penalty was saved by Cesar Sanchez but the striker fired home the rebound.

The Yellow Submarine were awarded a penalty of their own 12 minutes later and Giuseppe Rossi made no mistake from the spot, and then Marco Ruben put the home side ahead with a fine finish 18 minutes from time. The hosts were denied the three points, though, when Alexis headed home an 87th-minute free-kick.

In the day's late kick-off, Roberto Soldado was on target as Valencia made it two wins from two in the Primera Division with a 1-0 victory at the expense of Atletico Madrid.

Soldado struck in the second half to settle a contest they had dominated, leaving the visitors still hunting for the their first victory of the new season.

Kyle Lafferty grabbed the only goal of the game as Rangers claimed victory over 10-man Dundee United to remain top of the Scottish Premier League.

United were dealt a blow when Johnny Russell was shown a straight red card after just half an hour.

Despite the numerical disadvantage, the Tayside club did have chances to find the back of the net but it was Lafferty who netted the decisive goal to hand the Scottish champions all three points.

Rangers were without injured striker Nikica Jelavic but were boosted by the news that Dorin Goian, Lafferty and Steven Naismith were all fit to start despite concerns over their fitness.

New signing Matt McKay had to settle for a place on the bench following his arrival from Australia earlier in the week.

United were without Sean Dillon through injury for the clash at Tannadice, while the visit of the Ibrox side came too soon for Jon Daly, who remained on the sidelines.

The home side could have taken the lead early on when Willo Flood's shot took a deflection off Steven Davis and fell just wide of Allan McGregor's left-hand post.

Garry Kenneth picked up the first booking with just nine minutes on the clock for a blatant push on Kirk Broadfoot, as Rangers gradually began to impose themselves on the game.

Juan Manuel Ortiz set up Lafferty but his shot lacked power and was gathered by goalkeeper Dusan Pernis, before Naismith blasted over from close range from a Gregg Wylde cross.

At the other end, McGregor had to react quickly to block an effort from distance from Danny Swanson, who was booked moments later for diving after going to ground under pressure from Goian.

It was proving to be a busy afternoon for referee Callum Murray and Russell was shown a straight red card for a head-butt on Broadfoot, who was also cautioned for his part in the altercation.

Rangers had a decent chance to open the scoring when Naismith raced onto a Maurice Edu pass only to lash inches wide of the target with a well-struck effort, before Lafferty was denied at the near post by Pernis.

Rangers emerged for the second half determined to put their hosts under pressure and Lafferty was not too far away with a shot that was blocked by Kenneth following an inviting ball into the box by Davis.

The Northern Irishman then squandered another chance when he met a Naismith cross only to send a header flashing across the face of goal and past the upright.

Lafferty finally hit the target with 60 minutes gone after collecting a decent ball from Wylde and nodding past the grasp of Pernis from 10 yards.

Only a great save from the goalkeeper prevented a Davis header from finding the back of the net, before the midfielder surged into the box and saw his shot smack off one post before crashing off the other as he was again denied adding his name to the scoresheet.

Rangers continued to push for a second goal and Kenneth came to the rescue of United when he hooked a goal-bound effort from Naismith to safety.

The Tannadice side also looked capable of finding the back of the net and a long-ranger from John Rankin skimmed the outside of the post.

Gavin Gunning then nodded over in the final seconds of the game but Rangers were able to hold on to ensure they returned to Ibrox with maximum points.

Aberdeen manager Craig Brown has revealed he failed in an attempt to bring Scotland forward James McFadden to Pittodrie during the transfer window.

McFadden, 28, was released by Birmingham City on June after being unable to agree terms on a new contract and is available on a free transfer.

Brown attempted to convince the former Motherwell attacker to make a return to the SPL after eight years south of the border, but the Dons' boss admitted that it was impossible to compete with English clubs for McFadden's signature.

"I spoke to McFadden three or four weeks ago," Brown told the Daily Record. "My thinking was if he signed for us for six months he would give us a real lift.

"The move would also have got him match-fit and put him in the shop window. But of course, with his reputation he didn't need to be in the shop window. He will get another club when he is fully fit.

"He was flattered by our approach. His preference was to stay in England which was understandable and Aberdeen cannot compete with the wages on offer down there.

"That was the end of the matter. I didn't make our approach public because I didn't want false hopes among our supporters."

McFadden has not played since last August, when an anterior cruciate ligament injury ruled him out for the remainder of the 2010-11 season, which ended with Birmingham's relegation to the Championship.

Big-spending Malaga got their Primera Division campaign up and running with a convincing 4-0 home victory over promoted Granada, with new signings Santi Cazorla and Joaquin Sanchez sharing the goals between them.

Big things are expected of Malaga following their heavy summer investment but they suffered a disappointing start to the season when they lost 2-1 at local rivals Sevilla.

However, Manuel Pellegrini's men bounced back in style with a one-sided win against another Andalusian side.

Spain international Cazorla, who cost a reported 20million euros from Villarreal, netted at the start of either half to make it three goals in two games for the playmaker, while former Spain and Valencia winger Joaquin added further goals midway through each period.

The victory lifts Malaga up to eighth place on three points while Granada drop to the foot of the table, having lost at home to Real Betis in what was their first Primera Division match since the 1975/76 season

Malaga needed just four minutes to go ahead at La Rosaleda, Cazorla picking up a cross from Sergio Duda before finding the bottom corner of Roberto Fernandez's goal.

Ruud van Nistelrooy and Cazorla then had efforts to increase Malaga's lead before Joaquin made it 2-0 in the 25th minute, turning in Jesus Gamez's cross.

Malaga were dominating and Van Nistelrooy had a shot tipped over by Fernandez and Joaquin also tested the visiting custodian before Cazorla made it 3-0 in the 46th minute direct from a 25-yard free-kick.

Malaga completed the scoring in the 73rd minute when Cazorla turned provider to set Joaquin up for his second of the night.

Granada threatened to pull a goal back in the closing stages, with Franco Jara seeing a shot pushed around the post by Willy Caballero, Yohann Mollo curling an effort over and Ikechukwu Uche firing wide, but Malaga ran out convincing winners in the end.

Corinthians hit back from a goal down to beat Flamengo 2-1 and take over at the top of Brazil's Campeonato.

De Souza Deivid gave fifth-placed Flamengo a 28th-minute lead but Liedson levelled just past the hour mark and won the contest for the hosts two minutes from time.

The win lifts Corinthians two points clear of city rivals Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro's Vasco da Gama at the top.

Vasco moved level with Sao Paulo courtesy of a 2-0 defeat of Coritiba, provided by goals from Juninho and Romulo.

Gremio were also victorious, with Evaeverson da Silva and Damian Escudero setting up a 2-1 victory over hosts Bahia, who replied through Rodrigo De Souza's 57th-minute penalty.

Sergio Aguero is vowing to have the same impact at Manchester City that Diego Maradona did when playing for Napoli.

Aguero, who is married to Maradona's daughter, has scored six goals in four league games since moving to City for ?38 million from Atletico Madrid this summer.

And he is vowing to spearhead City's charge towards the Premier League title, just as Maradona did at Napoli, who won Serie A twice, the UEFA Cup and the Coppa Italia when the Argentinean legend was in the team.

"I hope I can help Manchester City do great things like Diego did with Napoli," Aguero said. "I'm coming here to help the team develop and win titles, and if we can do that this year, it will be perfect. But we'll keep on trying to get better and better and I hope to play a big part in that."

Meanwhile, City boss Roberto Mancini has played down expectations ahead of the club's inaugural Champions League campaign, which kicks off against Napoli on Wednesday.

"I understand why people are getting excited but it is still early for us," Mancini said. "Yes, it's our target to improve, to win the Premier League and Champions League in the future. But let's see what happens in May. This group of players has only been together two months, and we need time.

"Of course, playing in the Champions League was all part of that project. But we are actually in the competition sooner than I thought we would be. The club has bought good players and we worked very hard and for these reasons we deserve to be where we are. But we still need to improve."

Hibernian and Aberdeen showed why they occupy the bottom places in the Scottish Premier League as they struggled for invention during a goalless draw at Easter Road.

Garry O'Connor missed two decent chances as Hibs edged the first half and Martin Scott twice came close after the break.

Aberdeen improved after a first half in which Richard Foster threatened, but substitute Peter Pawlett had a shot cleared off the line as they pushed for a winner.

Hibs remained bottom of the SPL and, although there was little evidence of a mooted protest against manager Colin Calderwood and chairman Rod Petrie, the home side were booed off by a lower-than-average home crowd.

Hibs had some decent possession in the opening period but lacked a final ball and the Dons improved after being over-reliant on the long ball before half-time.

The hosts' search for their first home win in the SPL this season continued, while Aberdeen have now failed to score in six of their seven league games.

Scott and Victor Palsson came into the Hibernian midfield with Ian Murray moving to left-back and Callum Booth dropped to the bench and Matt Thornhill missing out with a groin injury.

Ryan Jack failed to overcome a head knock to retain his place in the Aberdeen team, but Chris Clark returned from injury to replace him.

Hibernian escaped an early penalty claim when Sean O'Hanlon clumsily bundled Scott Vernon over just inside the box, but referee Stevie O'Reilly was unconvinced an offence had taken place.

Aberdeen had the better of the early exchanges but Hibs gradually came into the game and Palsson and Junior Agogo both had headers saved by David Gonzalez.

O'Connor had two good chances for the hosts but he shot weakly at Gonzalez when played into the right channel and completely missed his kick after Ivan Sproule's square ball across the edge of the box.

Aberdeen immediately broke and Richard Foster curled inches over the far top corner after cutting inside Hibs right-back Richie Towell.

Foster stabbed the ball wide from close range after a long throw and soon caused more problems for Hibs with a bursting run straight down the middle.

O'Hanlon slid in to bring him down, earning himself a yellow card, but Foster's free-kick was deflected wide.

Scott drew a diving parry from Gonzalez early in the second half after chesting the ball down and volleying towards the top corner from 30 yards.

But the incident was a rare piece of quality in a scrappy start to the half.

Aberdeen brought on Josh Magennis for the ineffective Clark while Leigh Griffiths was handed his home debut in the 63rd minute with Agogo going off.

Booth also came on for Murray and soon got a shot on target from long range, Gonzalez scooping the ball wide.

Griffiths also had an immediate impact, sending in a dangerous low cross from the left that was missed by everyone in the goalmouth before Scott shot over at the back post.

Pawlett came on for the visitors and soon had a chance when Graham Stack's clearance fell for him 30 yards out with the goalkeeper stranded.

Pawlett aimed for the bottom corner but Paul Hanlon stretched out his leg to divert the shot wide.

Hanlon headed just over at the other end, but the Dons came close to a last-minute winner when Stack stopped a 20-yard strike from Magennis before blocking the rebound from Foster, who was flagged offside anyway.

Harry Redknapp says Heurelho Gomes wants to leave Tottenham Hotspur in January.

Gomes has been first-choice at Spurs in recent years but made a number of high-profile errors last season, and Redknapp moved to bring in 40-year-old Brad Friedel from Aston Villa in the summer.

Since then, Gomes has started just one game - the 5-0 Europa League victory at Hearts - and has not even featured in the squad for the last three matches.

"He's not happy and he's eyeing a January move," Redknapp said in The Sun. "If the chance comes for him to play elsewhere, I'm sure he'll take it.

"I've not bombed out Gomes and made him No 3 keeper but we decided Carlo Cudicini would be better on the bench. Gomes has trained hard but Friedel is fantastic. If ever there was a man who didn't deserve those two beatings by Manchester United and Manchester City, it was him."

Redknapp has also revealed that Giovanni dos Santos, who signed from Barcelona in 2008, could be a part of his plans this season.

Giovanni, 22, had been expected to leave the club during the summer but, after a proposed move to Sevilla failed to come to fruition, he could be given a fresh chance to impress at White Hart Lane.

"Gio wanted to move, but we couldn't let him go," Redknapp said. "We had a ?13 million offer from Udinese for him.

"It was ?10 million down and ?3 million do-able bonuses. A big sell-on. He wouldn't go. He wanted to go to Seville who were offering €3 million. You can't blame the chairman for not letting him go."

He added: "Gio is a talent - he has got a part to play."

Redknapp reiterated that chairman Daniel Levy will offer Luka Modric a new deal after he failed to secure a move to Chelsea.

"Only Gio and Luca are here out of the lads who wanted to go," Redknapp said. "Luka will just get on with it now. Daniel will sit down with Luka and discuss his contract and make a deal with him. We are looking to make him a good offer."

PSV Eindhoven played out a thrilling match at VVV-Venlo that ended in a 3-3 draw as the home side finished with 10 men

PSV struck the first blow when Ola Toivonen netted in the 11th minute before Dries Mertens doubled their advantage at De Koel.

But Ferry de Regt reduced VVV-Venlo's deficit early in the second half before Nwofor Uche restored parity. And on 54 minutes Maya Yoshida completed a terrific turnaround.

However, Wilfred Bouma scored with 14 minutes left on the clock to make it 3-3, while Marcel Meeuwis was handed his marching orders in the final moments.

Feyenoord maintained their unbeaten start to the campaign after they came from a goal down to record a 3-1 scalp of NAC Breda.

Robbert Schilder broke the deadlock in the seventh minute only for Otman Bakkal to equalise before the half-time interval.

Feyenoord upped their game in the second period as a goal from Karim El Ahmadi and a late penalty from John Guidetti wrapped up their away triumph.

FC Utrecht emerged as 3-2 victors in their meeting with Excelsior, who were reduced to ten men early in the second half.

Jason Oost put Excelsior in front on five minutes only for goals from Nana Asare and Ismo Vostermans to turn the game on its head.

Samuel Scheimann then received a second yellow card to toughen Excelsior's task before Asare extended FC Utrecht's lead. Joost Broerse's 69th minute goal proved only a consolation.

Heerenveen eased to a 3-0 victory over FC Groningen at Abe Lenstra Stadion with Bas Dost, Oussama Assaidi and Filip Djuricic all on target.

Avai scored twice in the last 13 minutes to deny America MG victory in a clash of Brazil's Campeonato strugglers.

Things looked promising for the bottom side when Gilson opened the scoring in the eighth minute and Andre Dias doubled the advantage 19 minutes later.

However, Souza William's 77th-minute goal gave Avai hope and they earned a point courtesy of Cleverson's 81st-minute leveller.

Elsewhere, Santos moved above Cruzeiro into mid-table courtesy of Humberlito Borges' 12th-minute goal.

The visitors' hopes of earning something from the game disappeared in the last 25 minutes, when they had Leonardo and Fabricio dismissed.

SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) -- Chris Wondolowski scored one goal and assisted on the other as the San Jose Earthquakes broke a franchise-record, 13-match winless streak with a 2-0 victory over the Chicago Fire on Saturday night.

Wondolowski scored in the 10th minute for the Earthquakes (6-10-11), who preserved their slim playoff hopes with their first victory since June 11. San Jose was 0-6-7 since. Wondolowski's goal was his 10th goal of the season, moved him into a three-way tie for third place on the league's scoring list.

Corrales added an insurance score in the 69th minute as San Jose moved five points out of playoff position with seven matches remaining.

Chicago goalkeeper Sean Johnson made three big second-half saves on Wondolowski, the MLS' leading scorer in 2010.

Ajax took over at the top of the Eredivisie table after edging out Heracles Almelo 3-2 while erstwhile pacesetters FC Twente lost their 100% start.

Defending champions Ajax fell behind after 30 minutes when Willy Overtoom netted but the visitors hit back with a brace from Siem De Jong and an 80th-minute strike from Miralem Sulejmani to go 3-1 ahead.

The Amsterdammers suffered a scare late on when Glynor Plet pulled a goal back in the 88th minute before the away side were reduced to ten men when Lorenzo Ebecilio got his marching orders in injury time, but Frank De Boer's men held on for the victory.

They are now a point clear at the summit, with FC Twente slipping to third after losing 2-1 at Roda JC..

The 2010 Dutch title winners took the lead through Marc Janko in the 35th minute but that advantage lasted just 60 seconds before Roda drew level through Ruud Vormer.

The home side would then go on to take the spoils when Mitchell Donald struck two minutes after half-time.

AZ Alkmaar moved up to second place - leaving the last three Dutch champions occupying the top three spots - after brushing aside Vitesse Arnhem 4-0 thanks to a devastating first-half display.

All four of the 2009 Eredivisie champions' goals arrived during a 23-minute spell prior to half-time, with Pontus Wernbloom (two) , Roy Beerens and Rasmus Elm, from the penalty spot, finding the back of the net.

There was no way back for Vitesse after that and they finished the match with ten men when Wilfried Bony was sent off with 20 minutes remaining.

RKC Waalwijk moved into the top four thanks to Rick Ten Voorde's 33rd-minute goal as they beat ADO Den Haag 1-0, while De Graafschap also beat NEC Nijmegen 1-0 courtesy of a 24th-minute Soufian El Hassnaoui goal.

Racing Club, Tigre and Godoy Cruz maintained the pressure on Apertura leaders Atletico Rafaela with wins in the latest round of fixtures in Argentina.

Teofilo Gutierrez scored a 19th-minute penalty to sink visiting Olimpo and move Racing Club up to second in the table, a point behind the pacesetters.

Tigre's 3-1 win at struggling Estudiantes was based on an impressive first half performance. The visitors raced into a three-goal lead inside 24 minutes with goals from Carlos Luna, Diego Morales (penalty) and Roman Martinez, with the home side having goalkeeper Damien Albil dismissed at 1-0.

Estudiantes, second from bottom and winless after six matches, needed a 61st-minute own goal from Carlos Casteglione to get off the mark - but they were not going to stop Tigre moving up to fourth.

Godoy Cruz are up to seventh after a come-from-behind 6-1 defeat of All Boys. Eduardo Dominguez gave the visitors the lead midway through the first half but Ruben Ramirez and Emanuel Perea's own goal turned things around by half-time and Ramirez, Leandro Caruso and Diego Villar made the points safe.

Dominguez's evening took a turn for the worse on the hour when he was dismissed, with substitute Jorge Curbelo completing the scoring for the home side four minutes from time.

On Friday, Colon Santa Fe defeated San Lorenzo 3-1. Esteban Fuertes scored either side of half-time for Colon and although Emmanuel Gigliotti pulled a goal back midway through the second half, Federico made the points safe four minutes from time.

In the other match, leaders Atletico Rafaela were held to a goalless draw by mid-table Newell's Old Boys, who drew for the fourth time in six matches.

Montpellier continued their encouraging start to the 2011-12 Ligue 1 campaign with a 1-0 success over struggling Nice on Sunday to return to the top of the table.

Souleymane Camara scored the game's only goal with 16 minutes remaining to make it four wins out of five for Rene Girard's men.

Summer signing Javier Pastore was the hero for Paris Saint-Germain as he struck for the French capital club to help them to a 1-0 win over Brest.

Pastore, signed from Palermo for around €40 million, broke the deadlock in the 69th minute to make it three league wins in succession for big spenders PSG, who now sit fourth in Ligue 1.

Elsewhere, Nancy remain without a league win this season after they were held to a goalless draw by Auxerre at Stade Marcel Picot.

Neil Lennon has said he was "shocked and confused" by a court decision to clear the man accused of attacking him on the touchline.

Hearts fan John Wilson was last week cleared of a sectarian assault on the Celtic manager during a league game at Tynecastle in May.

Wilson told the court that he had lunged at Lennon and struck him on the head during the incident but the jury at Edinburgh Sheriff Court said the charge was not proven.

Lennon maintained a silence in the aftermath, but Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell said: "Most people will be baffled and find it difficult to comprehend the judgment and verdict."

Lennon has now given his own thoughts on the issue, telling the Daily Record: "To be honest I've still not got my head round it.

"I needed to take time out and get away from everything because obviously the jury's decision was a shock and confusing. It didn't make me consider getting out because I enjoy what I do.

"I wouldn't criticise the prosecution for pursuing the religious element of the charges. They were just doing their job.

"It was left to the jury to decide and the jury found it not proven. That is the way the justice system is and I just have to accept it."

Lennon is grateful to the support he has received, though, and has vowed to put the matter behind him.

He added: "The public reaction since the verdict has been heartening. Eminent people have given their opinions on it and it's nice to have that sort of backing, to know they are on your side.

"I've never had an apology from the guy, but I'm not going to go down that road. I'm hoping that's the end of it now. I just want to get back to talking about football matters and looking forward to the rest of the season."

Director of football Damien Comolli has insists Liverpool did not want to sell Raul Meireles but had little choice after he handed in a transfer request and told the club he wanted to leave.

Meireles joined Chelsea in the final minutes of the transfer deadline day last month in a reported ?12million move, a switch that angered many Reds supporters.

The 28-year-old Portugal international last week insisted he never wanted to leave Liverpool but admitted he jumped at the chance to go to Stamford Bridge when it became clear he would be sold.

Meireles has accused Liverpool of a broken promise and claimed he was forced to submit a transfer request once they had decided to sell him to Chelsea.

Putting across Liverpool's side, Comolli said on the club's official website in response to questions sent in by supporters: "I think Raul said it himself with what I've seen recently in the press. Basically, he came to see me and said 'I want to leave, I want to play for another club'.

"Our intention was not to sell him but we were put in a corner a little bit when he put in a transfer request and said he wanted to go and that he didn't want to play for Liverpool anymore.

"I think the owners and Kenny (Dalglish) have said it, and we all have the same view. When someone doesn't want to be here it's difficult to say 'you are going to stay'.

"We've been through that process in January with Fernando Torres and this felt like the same situation. We've done it, we think it was the right thing to do for the club, because it's very, very difficult to have somebody here who doesn't want to be here.

"The job of the manager in the Premier League is already difficult having to manage 25 players and only having 11 to start on a match day, so you have to deal with all the others.

"On top of that if you have someone who is adamant they don't want to be here and wants to play for someone else, we took the view it's better if he goes and we get the best possible deal for the club. In the end I think we did well."

Meireles was not the only player to leave Anfield this summer, with Alberto Aquilani returning to Italy after agreeing a loan move with AC Milan for the rest of the campaign, while Joe Cole moved on a season-long loan to Lille.

Asked why Aquilani was allowed to go after impressing in pre-season, Comolli said: "With him it was more a question of opportunities to play. He's obviously a big player, he's got a very good resume and he's a very good player. But Kenny and the coaching staff felt he would play in a certain position.

"As I told Alberto during the summer, unfortunately in that position is someone called Steven Gerrard and it would have been difficult for Alberto to play."

Comolli also dismissed reports that Liverpool now have first refusal on highly-rated Lille star Eden Hazard as part of the Cole deal.

Tottenham Hotspur have been hit by the news that they will be without captain Michael Dawson for the next two months.

The central defender has an achilles problem to leave Harry Redknapp struggling for options at the heart of his defence.

Dawson picked up the injury in training and missed Spurs' 2-0 victory away to Wolves in the Premier League.

With only Younes Kaboul available and both William Gallas and Ledley King suffering long-term fitness problems, Redknapp may be forced to use Croatian international Vedran Corluka in their stead, and Sebastian Bassong coming in from the cold. Spurs tried to sell the Cameroon defender in the transfer window while missing out in their interest in Bolton's Gary Cahill.

King has recently recovered from his latest setback and was warned last week by Redknapp that he will have to play more often if he is to sustain a White Hart Lane future

Philadelphia Union hit back from 4-1 down to earn a point from an entertaining match against New England Revolution in Major League Soccer's Eastern Conference.

AJ Soares opened the scoring and when Rajko Lekic and Monsef Zerka made it 3-0 by the 26th minute, Revolution were in the driving seat.

Although Roger Torres pulled a goal back in the 28th minute, Benny Feilhaber's 34th-minute goal had the visitors in control on half-time.

However, Freddy Adu gave Philadelphia hope with a 56th-minute goal and Sebastien Le Toux reduced the gap to a single goal from the penalty spot with 10 minutes remaining, before equalising in the 90th minute.

The result lifts Philadelphia up to third place, five points off pacesetters Columbus Crew, while New England's consolation is that they moved off the bottom of the table - they are now above Toronto on goal difference.

CHESTER, Pa. (AP) -- The Portland Timbers extended their unbeaten streak to three with a scoreless draw against the Philadelphia Union on Saturday.

The Timbers (9-12-6) are only 1-8-4 on the road this season with seven goals scored.

The Union's winless streak reached eight, spanning two months. Since a 3-0 victory at New England on July 17, the Union (8-7-12) have gone 0-3-5.

Philadelphia is 5-1-8 at home.

That winless stretch was nearly snapped in the 88th minute when Justin Mapp sent a cross to Kyle Nakazawa, who clanged a shot directly off the crossbar.

Defender Carlos Valdes' header in stoppage time was saved by Portland goalkeeper Troy Perkins.

Philadelphia rookie goalkeeper Zac MacMath, who gave up four goals in a 4-4 draw against the Revolution on Wednesday, responded with a shutout.

The Union won't play until Sept. 17, when they host Columbus, while Portland will host New England on Friday.

Celtic hammered Motherwell in their SPL clash at Parkhead to set themselves up perfectly for their Europa League group opener against Atletico Madrid on Thursday night.

Man-of-the match James Forrest helped himself to a brace with further goals from fellow midfielders Joe Ledley and Ki Sung-yueng as the disappointing Steelmen were dismantled with ease.

Neil Lennon's men will travel to Spain with confidence for what is sure to be more difficult task as they remained one point behind SPL leaders Rangers, whom they meet in the first Old Firm derby of the season at Ibrox next Sunday.

All in all, it was a good afternoon's work for the Parkhead side who at no point looked like they may be troubled.

New signing Badr El-Kaddouri, on loan from Dinamo Kiev, took over from left-back Charlie Mulgrew who moved in to the centre of defence at the expense of Daniel Majstorovic, who dropped out altogether.

Right-back Adam Matthews replaced injured Cha Du-ri, while skipper Scott Brown failed a fitness test on his ankle, his place taken by Ledley.

It was a tepid start by the home side, skippered for the day by midfielder Beram Kayal, but they still went ahead after only eight minutes through Forrest.

An impressive move by the Parkhead side saw Gary Hooper link up with strike-partner Anthony Stokes and, when the Irishman's pass split the Well defence, Forrest guided the ball past Well keeper Darren Randolph from 12 yards with some assurance.

The visitors responded and in the 16th minute left-back Steven Hammell worked a one-two with midfielder Keith Lasley inside the Celtic box, but lone-striker Michael Higdon turned after taking the cut-back and drove wide.

However, in the 27th minute, after Randolph had flapped at a Mulgrew corner, the Fir Park side almost fell further behind.

As the ball bounced around inside the box Hooper tried an overhead kick which came off the bar before Fir Park captain Stephen Craigan cleared with Stokes waiting to head the ball in to the empty net.

A minute later Randolph made up for his error with a decent save from Forrest's low drive from the edge of the box.

Just before the half-hour mark Chris Humphrey replaced Shaun Hutchinson who looked to have injured himself and there was soon more woe for Stuart McCall's side.

In the 33rd minute the Steelmen failed to defend properly again and, when Stokes slipped the ball through to Ledley, the Wales midfielder quickly slammed the ball past Randolph.

Motherwell midfielder Steve Jennings was then booked for a rash challenge on Hooper with the Celtic striker also seeing yellow for his reaction.

Three minutes from the break Forrest threaded his way to the edge of the Well box again, but sent his shot inches wide of the post before Ledley forced a save from Randolph with a drive from distance.

Good odds were available at half-time for a Motherwell comeback and they would have increased further two minutes into the second half had defender Tim Clancy's wayward pass back, which fooled Randolph, gone in to his own net instead of just past the post.

The Lanarkshire side survived the corner and, when Ki combined with Mulgrew minutes later, they were again lucky that no Celtic player was on the end of the cross which sped across the goal begging to be knocked home.

It seemed all too easy for Celtic and on the hour mark Forrest ran on to a clever flick from Hooper at the edge of the visitors' box, but did not connect with his shot properly and the ball ran past the far post.

However, it was all over in the 67th minute when Ki made it 3-0, the South Korean hammering in a drive from 25 yards after Ledley laid the ball in to his path after taking a Hooper pass.

Lennon's other new signing, Mohamed Bangura, the 22-year-old African striker brought in from AIK Stockholm, came on for Stokes to a great reception from the home fans.

Kayal drove just wide from distance before Forrest grabbed his second in the 73rd minute, running through the dispirited Motherwell defence before knocking the ball past Randolph.

There was a late shout for a Celtic penalty when Clancy clashed with Forrest inside the box but referee Alan Muir was having none of it.

But by then the damage was done.

Barcelona have confirmed winger Alexis Sanchez will miss the next eight weeks with a thigh injury sustained in Saturday night's draw at Real Sociedad.

Alexis, a big-money arrival from Udinese this summer, was carried off on a stretcher during the first half of the 2-2 draw in San Sebastian and Barca have announced the Chilean is facing a lengthy lay-off.

He is expected to miss the next 13 games with Barca pencilling in the clash with Real Zaragoza on the weekend of November 19/20 as a date for his possible return.

His absence will be a blow for a Barca side still reeling from throwing away a two-goal lead at the Estadio de Anoeta. Two goals in as many minutes from Xavi and Cesc Fabregas put Barca 2-0 up inside the opening quarter-hour and they appeared to be cruising.

But Imanol Agirretxe's header changed all that and Antoine Griezmann netted a bizarre equaliser - making good on his pre-match promise to prove his commitment to the club after the collapse of his longed-for summer move to Atletico Madrid.

Barca midfielder Sergio Busquets spoke on Sunday of the need to "correct the mistakes''. He said: "Last year we also began with problems, losing to Hercules, but it's no good worrying about it.

"We have to take note of it, correct the mistakes, and think from today about the Champions League and AC Milan (on Tuesday night). At half-time we didn't think at all that the game was won, and it turned out like that.

"It's a fact that away from home winning is always tough and will get increasingly tougher. We haven't had the chance to talk about what happened yesterday but we will.''

Most of the Barca squad were away on international duty last week, and Spain international Busquets believes that may have been a contributing factor. He added: "It's always tricky. You come back from another setting, another team, and different team-mates. It's not easy to get back to what we do well, but we can't let it happen again.''

Celtic new boy Mohamed Bangura has candidly revealed his ambition to win a move to one of Europe's elite leagues, claiming he could leave Parkhead as early as next year.

Bagura, 22, signed a four-year deal when he moved from Swedish side AIK Stockholm last month with the fee reportedly ?2 million.

The Sierra Leone forward is in line to make his Hoops debut in their SPL clash with Motherwell at Celtic Park on Saturday. However, he is keen for his career to progress further than the SPL and hopes a good season in Scotland can attract the attention of clubs in England, Spain and Italy.

"Coming to Celtic is a good move for me, but I want to reach the top,'' Bangura said. "That's what I'm working towards and this is a step forward for me. I am still fighting to reach the highest level.

"To come to Celtic gives me a good feeling because it's another step in my career. I have to work to get to the top. I'm talking about the Spanish league, the English league or maybe the Italian league.

"If I can do my best here with Celtic then I will see what the future holds. If possible, I could make the next step in one year - if everything goes well and the club is willing, why not?"

Tottenham striker Emmanuel Adebayor insists he has nothing to prove to Manchester City and believes his relationship with the club has been damaged beyond repair.

The former Arsenal forward did his best to win over the Spurs faithful with a debut goal as Tottenham beat Wolves 2-0 at Molineux.

Adebayor, who spent the second half of last season on loan at Real Madrid, did not train with the City squad for much of pre-season and was left out of their tour to North America. Although he has three years left on his City contract, the former Togo international believes he will never return to Eastlands.

"It's too early to say whether I'll stay [at Tottenham]," Adebayor said in the Daily Mail. "But the love between Manchester City and myself is broken.

"I still have three years left on my contract and even at the end of this season, another two. I will decide on my career in April or May. Now, I want to help Tottenham. I have nothing to prove to Manchester City. Everyone in the country knows what I am capable of.

"The club's view on me changed when Roberto Mancini came in. But I have a huge respect for the man. However, it's more than strange. When you have a player like myself who they suddenly say is not good enough, I went to Real Madrid, played, and scored goals.

"I came back here to prove to everyone else that I'm still a good footballer. For me, if you don't allow me to train with a professional team, there is something wrong there. So, for me, it's over. I have to take the positives out of it. I have the chance to play for Tottenham and that's all that matters now."

The leading teams in Brazil's Campeonato all failed to register wins in the latest round of matches.

Pacesetters Corinthians came unstuck 1-0 at Fluminense, who move up to fifth as a result of Fred's 22nd-minute decider.

However, Sao Paulo could not capitalise, falling to a 1-0 defeat at Gremio, with Dos Santos Douglas netting the only goal in the 64th minute.

The result means Vasco da Gama move above Sao Paulo into second - but they could only manage a 1-1 draw with Figueirense.

Silva Wellington gave the home side a fourth-minute lead and although Vasco da Gama were level 12 minutes later courtesy of Conserva Fagner, they could not find a winner which would have taken them to the top of the table.

However, the night's big shock saw fourth-placed Botafogo crash to a 5-0 loss at Coritiba. Emerson broke the deadlock in the 43rd minute and the floodgates opened in the second half with Marcos Aurelio (penalty), Rosimar Bill, Rafinha and Everton Costa all finding the target.

Flamengo slip to sixth after a 2-1 home defeat to Atletico Paranaense, who played a quarter of the game with ten men. Aguiar Heracles and Joffre Guerron gave the visitors a 2-0 lead, before Guerron saw red - but all Flamengo could manage was Welinton Souza's 81st-minute goal.

Internacional are up to seventh after a 3-0 win at Palmeiras - with Leandro Damiao's hat-trick enabling them to move above their opponents.

Felipe's 87th-minute goal gave Atletico Goianiense a 1-1 draw at Ceara, who had led through Egidio's 37th-minute goal, while two goals from Magno Alves - one a penalty - enabled Atletico Mineiro to move above fellow strugglers Bahia with a 2-0 home win. The visitors had Paulo Miranda dismissed.

QPR manager Neil Warnock has told ESPNsoccernet that Joey Barton was his first-choice signing this summer but accepts his temperament could cause problems.

Newcastle made Barton available on a free transfer last month but, with the Premier League's top clubs showing little interest, he made the move to top-flight newcomers QPR.

Warnock accepts that Barton's "baggage" was a deterrent to other sides, but he is just delighted that he was able to convince the player to move to Loftus Road.

"Let's be honest - if he didn't have this baggage he wouldn't have been signing for QPR," Warnock told ESPNsoccernet. "No one wanted him, but I did, and not for the first time. I wanted him when they were bombing him out of Manchester City and I was manager of Sheffield United.

"I had forgotten I tried to sign Joey, but he remembered that I wanted him when nobody else did once before, and I think that helped him make up his mind to give us a go.

"We had been linked with Scott Parker and I know how much the chairman wanted him, as a big-name signing, but my choice - my No. 1 signing - was always Joey Barton. Joey is the classic leader I was looking for. You can see the way he works in training how much he wants to be a winner.

"He's got everything, and you know that he has got perhaps too much! The rest of the Premier League are going to spend the next nine months trying to wind him up. How do you stop that passion? How do you stop him wanting to be a winner? That is impossible. It is up to him to curb his temperament at the moment that it matters. If he can do that, there is no limit to how far he can go in the game.

"It's pointless me saying anything that he doesn't know already, so I am not giving him any orders - these things happen in the heat of the moment and I cannot be in there with him when that flashpoint occurs. However, his team-mates will be close to him, and his team-mates can contribute to trying to keep him out of trouble."

Barton is set to face Newcastle at Loftus Road on Monday night and, while it may make for a fiery debut, Warnock feels it is an ideal situation.

"Certainly there can be no better debut for Joey Barton," Warnock said. "His old club, a full house and an exciting game against Newcastle - so much so you will be lucky to get hold of a pork pie at the game, let alone a ticket!"

Between June 1 and September 1, we will be keeping you up to date with all the latest gossip and speculation from the world of football, as well as the actual completed transfers of course.

00.00 Right then, that's all we've got time for on this penultimate day of the transfer window. Join us again tomorrow as we work towards the transfer window slamming shut at 11pm BST. Should be a cracker!

23.51 And heading in the opposite direction to Spain could be Wolfsburg midfielder Diego, who has been tipped to join Atletico Madrid.

23.30 Reports from Germany suggest that Alex Hleb could sign for Wolfsburg on Wednesday.

23.14 Lorient have signed Fulham youngster Cheick Toure.

23.03 Charlie Adam on Twitter: "Just read we have now signed sebastian coates welcome to LFC"

22.56 For those of you who are wondering how well Sebastian Coates is likely to cope with the rigours of the Premier League, look no further than this analysis at the Uruguay international's prospects from our South American football expert Sam Kelly.

22.43 - DONE DEAL Sebastian Coates finally completes his move to Liverpool. FULL STORY HERE

22.18 Birmingham City have rejected a transfer request from defender Liam Ridgewell, according to the Daily Mail. Ridgewell is keen on a return to the Premier League, with West Brom and Stoke among those clubs linked with him this summer.

22.01 Big spending Russian Premier League side Anzhi are being linked with a swoop for Standard Liege's Moroccan midfielder Mehdi Carcela-Gonzalez.

21.48 For a while it seemed though Simon Kjaer's move to Roma was off, then it was back on again. Now, it appears he will initially move on loan - in a deal that will cost Roma €3 million - according to reports from Sky Sport 24.

21.37 It's a busy old evening in France, as Nancy become the latest club to welcome new players. Romania striker Daniel Niculae and French midfielder Thomas Mangani have arrived on loan from Monaco.

21.23 Newcastle have added Charlton Athletic goalkeeper Rob Elliot to their ranks, the Addicks have confirmed.

21.02 Fulham are really set to splash the cash, with the Coattagers agreeing a fee of £10.6 million with FC Twente winger Bryan Ruiz.

20.48 Liverpool have confirmed that Christian Poulsen has been given permission to speak to Ligue 1 new boys Evian after the two clubs agreed a fee.

20.36 Still no official confirmation on Coates - come on Liverpool! But, elsewhere, Brazil midfielder Elias has joined Sporting Lisbon from Atletico Madrid for €8.85 million euros.

20.22 It would seem that Sebatsian Coates has signed for Liverpool - Luis Suarez has been on Twitter welcoming his Uruguay team-mate to Anfield. Suarez said: "I want to welcome Coates, partner in the uruguayan team, friend and great player who just signed for Liverpool!"

20.10 FULL STORY HERE on Davide Santon's move to Newcastle.

20.02 The comments are still flooding in and Leicester fan Jake was not to impressed by Sven's bizarre £6.5 million bid for Rangers striker Nikica Jelavic.

"As a Leicester supporter, I'd rather see us pursuing young strikers with a strong history of scoring the Championship then spending loads of cash in a desperate attempt to make a splash at the deadline. That Matty Fryatt lad seems to score a lot of goals..."

19.56 Juventus have now confirmed that Eljero Elia is in town for his medical. Right, we promise that's the last you'll hear of Elia until he actually signs. The updates on his movements have been unnervingly regular.

19.45 Better news for Newcastle is that they have signed Inter Milan defender Davide Santon. Magpies boss Alan Pardew said: "We are delighted to bring to Davide to Newcastle. He is a quality left-back and an established international who also gives us flexibility in defence. Davide is a young lad and a great signing for us and I am sure he will adapt to the Premier League very quickly."

Santon added: "I am really pleased to sign for Newcastle. The chance to play in the Premier League and in front of 50,000 fans at St. James' Park was too good to turn down. This is an ambitious club who want to move forward and I want to help them achieve that."

19.34 Saint Etienne say they have reached an agreement with Leeds over the signing of Max Gradel. That's bad news for Newcastle's hopes of signing Modibo Maiga, as Sochaux said they would only sell Maiga if they had a suitable replacement, with Gradel thought to have been in advanced talks with them.

Saint Etienne said: "Agreements in principle have been made with Steaua Bucharest and Leeds United for the arrivals of Banel Nicolita Max-Alain Gradel"

19.12 Juventus have released Czech Republic defender Zdenek Grygera, paving the way for him to move to Fulham. This one has been on the cards for the last few days and the centre-back now looks certain to join the Cottagers.

A Juventus statement said: "After four years, Zdenek Grygera's four-season spell at Juventus comes to an end. The Czech player has today consensually terminated his contract with the
club."

19.03 - DONE DEAL West Ham have signed former Fulham and Portsmouth midfielder Papa Bouba Diop on a free transfer from AEK Athens. The Sengal international's arrival surely signals the departure of Scott Parker.

Diop said: "I am very happy today. I enjoyed playing again and it is good to be here to sign. I want to help West Ham go up and I hope we can be successful. English football is the best in the world. I have come here to work hard and give 100 per cent in every game I play for West Ham United. I want to show the people I am back again."

18.52 Lyon midfielder Miralem Pjanic has refused to rule out the possibility that he might leave the club, with Roma and Lazio believed to be waiting in the wings to swoop for the Bosnia international.

Pjanic said: "The transfer market is still open and so anything can happen from now until August 31," Pjanic is quoted as saying by Corriere dello Sport. "If something has not happened until now, it does not mean that it will not happen. Everything depends on any offer which Lyon receive. Nothing has been defined yet."

18.39 Blackpool's attempts to bring Nile Ranger to Bloomfield Road may not be over yet, with skysports.com reporting that the striker will reconsider leaving Newcastle having initially turned down the Tangerines.

18.22 Lyon have signed full-back Mouhamadou Dabo from Sevilla on a four-year deal. OL confirmed: "The transfer fee is one million euros, with €800,000 of possible incentives."

18.09 - BREAKING NEWS Scott Parker hands in an official transfer request, with Spurs the favourites to land him.

Parker said: "I have had a fantastic four years at West Ham United and will never forget all the support I have had from the fans and everyone associated with the club.

"The manager and board have tried hard to convince me to stay but at this stage in my career, I need to be playing in the Premier League, especially now that I am involved with England.

"I hope the fans will understand and respect my decision and I wish the club every success in their fight for promotion this season."

17.56 Swansea have bought another goalkeeper, with German Gerhard Tremmel arriving at the club after a successful trial. Tremmel has previously previously played in the Bundesliga for Hannover, Hertha Berlin and Energie Cottbus. He was a free agent having left Austrian club Red Bull Salzburg this summer.

17.49 Among all the high-profile transfers, there are some lesser known deals that also need reporting. Here is one: Gambia international Dawda Bah has joined Bundesliga side Augsburg, who were promoted to the German top flight last season.
"(We've signed) a player who can play anywhere up front so we're happy," said Augsburg official Andreas Rettig.

17.38 Sunderland have been linked with a late £10 million bid for Peter Crouch, though Tottenham are thought to want more than that. FULL STORY HERE

17.23 Another comment has come in, this time from Mikael, who questions the integrity of the words of modern footballers:

"A couple of weeks ago Elia denied he would contemplate a move to Juventus saying he didn't want to go to a club like Juventus that isn't better than Hamburg. Now he's there. Can footballer just shut their mouths and stop talking to the media?"

We fear that no is almost certainly the answer to that question.

17.20 Rangers have rejected a £6.5million bid from Leicester for striker Nikica Jelavic, the SPL club have confirmed on their official website. We kid you not - £6.5 million for Jelavic. Madness!

17.12 - TWITTER TALK Scott Parker has completed his move to Spurs, according to reports across the social network.

17.08 Agent Ernesto Bronzetti, who works for Real Madrid on their transfer deals, says that Roma have been making enquiries about Lassana Diarra. Bronzetti said: "Roma have also made an attempt for Diarra, but Real Madrid do not want him to leave him unless there is a definite offer to buy him."

16.56 Further to our entry at 13.55 which confirmed Eljero Elia was on his way to Turin, we can now confirm he has arrived there ahead of his move to Juventus from Hamburg. The Dutch winger appears to be pretty pleased too. "I am very happy," he told Sky Sport Italia, before being taken off to complete his medical.

16.51 Still a regular stream of comments coming in, though this one from Geoff brought a few sniggers of laughter from around Soccernet HQ:

"What Arsenal needs now is to appoint Arsene Wenger as general manager and get Tony Adams as team manager...Wenger can continue his wonderful youth policy and Tony could sort out the defence."

Surely things haven't got that desperate...

16.42 Sky Sports News reporting that Shaun Maloney could be on his way to Wigan from Celtic. The two clubs are apparently in talks.

16.31 Read Madrid's Fernando Gago is set to join Roma on loan with a view to a €6 million move. Agent Ernesto Bronzetti told Tele Radio Stereo: "I have spoken with Real Madrid directors and they have given the transfer the go-ahead."

16.17 Sportske Novosti report that Ivan Klasnic says his Croatia team-mate Luka Modric has told him he is going to stay at Tottenham.

16.06 - TWITTER TALK BBC Sport journalist David Ornstein: "Reliably informed Tottenham are interested in signing [Gary] Cahill before window shuts, and that Modric to Chelsea is dead."

16.00 USA international Michael Bradley has moved to Serie A side Chievo from Moenchengladbach, his New York-based agent Ron Waxman told the Washington Post “Michael is very excited about the move. This is a chance to establish himself in Italy.”

15.50 - DONE DEAL Valencia have signed centre-back Victor Ruiz from Napoli on a five-year deal. Valencia technical secretary Braulio Vazquez said: "He will help to complement our existing defence and offer something different to our squad." Full story

15.38 Spurs and Fulham are chasing Inter Milan midfielder Sulley Muntari, according to the player's European representative. "Tottenham and Fulham are several of the Premier League teams that are interested,'' Claudio Mossio said. "But right now his destination is not unclear." Full story

15.30 - DONE DEAL Arsenal have confirmed the signing of South Korea international Park Chu-Young from Ligue 1 club Monaco. Full story

15.23 - DONE DEAL Wigan have signed winger Albert Crusat from Almeria on a two-year contract, the Premier League club have announced.

15.20 AC Milan vice president Adriano Galliani insists his club will not be making anymore signings. "The Milan market is closed ... all the names that have been linked with Milan, in these last hours, are completely unfounded," he told Gazzetta.it. Although Galliani did say almost the same thing last summer before signing Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Robinho.

15.04 Liverpool have been linked with Craig Bellamy for a while but it seems the striker is poised to stay at Manchester City after the club refused to offer him a package to cover the final year of his contract.

14.49 QPR are in talks with Sunderland defender Anton Ferdinand and are close to agreeing a deal worth around £4 million to bring him to Loftus Road. Full story

14.37 Fulham youngster Cheick Toure has joined Ligue 1 outfit FC Lorient. Meanwhile, the Cottagers have pulled out of a move for FC Twente's Nacer Chadli due to the physical condition of the player, according to De Telegraaf. Full story

14.30 Arsenal have signed Werder Bremen centre-back Per Mertesacker, according to Canal+. No official confirmation though.... not a DONE DEAL just yet.

14.25 Manchester United striker Federico Macheda could be set to join Newcastle or QPR on loan, according to the Italian's agent. "At this time, Newcastle has the edge over Queens Park Rangers," Giovanni Bia told Calciomercato.

14.14 DONE DEAL:Celtic have secured the signing of Sierra Leone striker Mohamed Bangura from AIK in Sweden. Full story

14.05 Leeds United have rejected Sochaux's bid for Max Gradel. Sochaux chairman Alexander Lacombe has said: "This case is closed now."

13.55 Hamburg have confirmed that winger Eljero Elia is on his way to Turin to talk with Juventus.

13.51 Udinese have signed Romania winger Gabriel Torje from Dinamo Bucharest for an undisclosed fee, the Italian club confirmed. Full story

13.32 Germany coach Joachim Low has given Arsenal target Per Mertesacker permission to leave the squad's training camp to hold transfer talks and expects him to return tonight having signed for 'a new club'.

13.23 West Ham co-owner David Sullivan on Scott Parker to Spurs: "The deal will probably happen although we are desperately trying to persuade him to stay." Full story

13.15 Aston Villa are hopeful of concluding a £3 million deal for Tottenham Hotspur defender Alan Hutton, according to BBC Sport.

12.57 Owen Hargreaves could be set for an incredible move to Manchester City after he was reported to have undergone a three-hour medical. Full story

12.54 Uruguay captain Diego Lugano will be unveiled as a Paris St Germain player this afternoon following his move from Fenerbahce, the French club have confirmed.

12.52 - TWITTER TALK BBC journalist Dan Roan says: "Liverpool's Joe Cole on way to Lille - v close to agreeing 1 year loan I understand."

12.50 Arsene Wenger’s belated delve into the transfer market has reignited their interest in Blackburn Rovers skipper Christopher Samba, according to The Telegraph.

12.43 - TWITTER TALK Ben Smith at The Times says: "File this one under 'you what?' Owen Hargreaves has reportedly had a medical at #MCFC today."

12.40 Arsenal left-back Armand Traore has signed a three-year contract with QPR, the Loftus Road club have confirmed. Full story

12.30 - TWITTER TALK Apparently, Per Mertesacker is already on his way to London for a medical with Arsenal after boarding a flight from Dusseldorf. The Gunners have agreed a €9m fee with Werder Bremen.

12.25 Blackburn boss Steve Kean is in a race against time to seal the £5million signing of striker Vedad Ibisevic from Hoffenheim, according to the Daily Star

12.14 But at the moment Eljero Elia is expected to undergo a medical at Juventus and sign a four-year contract.

12.10 There are some mixed messages over the final destination of Hamburg's Eljero Elia. Gazzetta dello Sport say Juventus' €10m bid has won the race, with Arsenal unwilling to pay more than €9m. But Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf insists Elia's heart is set on a move to the Premier League.

11.59 Sochaux have confirmed they have received a bid from Newcastle for Modibo Maiga but insist they will not sell the Mali forward until they have found a replacement. Full story

11.43 Fulham have clinched an impressive deal to land defender Zdenek Grygera, according to The Sun. Boss Martin Jol is close to sealing a one-year deal with Juventus for £20,000-a-week. The Italians will pay the rest of his £120k-a-week wage.

11.30 - BREAKING NEWS Charlton Athletic goalkeeper Rob Elliot is having a medical at Newcastle United. Full story

11.22 Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp is considering bringing in former Man Utd midfielder Owen Hargreaves as a replacement for Wilson Palacios. Full story

11.04 Atletico Madrid's Diego Forlan will undergo a medical at Inter Milan today. "You don't often get a chance to go to Inter at the age of 32 and I hope I can live up to the expectations," the Uruguay striker said.

10.55 Mauro Zarate is unlikely to leave Lazio this summer, according to the player's agent. ''There was minor interest from Inter but the loan option did not satisfy (Lazio president Claudio) Lotito,'' Giuseppe Bozzo told Gazzetta dello Sport. Full story

10.42 Blackburn have agreed a £5 million fee with Birmingham for defender Scott Dann in a bid to head off competition from ambitious QPR, according to reports.

10.30 Manchester City have failed with a fresh bid for AC Milan midfielder Mark van Bommel, according to the player himself. Full story

10.19 L'Équipe claim that Arsenal have virtually signed £9 million centre-back Per Mertesacker from Werder Bremen, but German daily Bild claim the the deal is far from done. Full story

10.07 Swansea are ready to make an improved £2 million bid for Middlesbrough defender Matthew Bates, according to the Daily Mail.

09.54 Stoke City have made an approach to take Chelsea's new £18 million signing Romelu Lukaku on loan until Janaury, according to the Stoke Sentinel. Full story

09.50 French World Cup winner David Trezeguet is set to join Grafite, Luis Jimenez and Lucas Neill as another high-profile foreigner to head to the UAE Pro-League, as he nears a move to Bani Yas. Full story

09.41 - BREAKING NEWS Inter Milan left-back Davide Santon is having a medical at Newcastle.

09.24 Sunderland boss Steve Bruce is ready to make a move for Celtic striker Georgios Samaras, according to The Sun. Maybe Bruce has read the reports that North East rivals Newcastle are also in for Manchester United loan star Federico Macheda.

09.06 Simon Kjaer is closing on a €10 million move from Wolfsburg to Roma and his agent claims that a deal will soon be completed. Full story

08.49 Shaun Wright-Phillips, who is surplus to requirements at Manchester City, is set for transfer talks over a £2 million switch to QPR, according to The Mirror.

08.30 Manchester United first-team coach Rene Meulensteen says that the club have not abandoned hope of landing Inter Milan midfielder Wesley Sneijder. Full story

08.15 The Sun claim that Arsenal have had a £6.2 million bid for Fenerbahce left-back Andre Santos accepted and are set to make an £8 million offer for Chelsea winger Florent Malouda.

08.00 Arsenal target Mario Gotze will not be leaving German champions Borussia Dortmund this summer, according to his agent. Full story