Swans confirm Tiendalli signing

The 26-year-old Dutchman, who left FC Twente over the summer, has joined the Swans until the end of the season although the deal has yet to be ratified by the Premier League.

Tiendalli will provide defensive cover for Neil Taylor, who is expected to be sidelined for the rest of the campaign after fracturing his ankle against Sunderland 10 days ago.

"I'm looking forward to working under Michael Laudrup, who is a massive name in football, and showing him what I have to offer," Tiendalli said on Swansea's website.

"Playing in the Premier League is something I have always wanted to do - it's the best league in the world.

"I know my opportunity comes after an unfortunate injury for Neil Taylor, but hopefully I can bring experience to the squad and more options for the manager.

"It would be great to play on Saturday against Aston Villa, but my concentration first and foremost is to impress the manager in training and get used to my new tea m-mates."

Tiendalli began his career with Ajax before moving on to spells with Utrecht, Feyenoord, Sparta Rotterdam and Twente.

Prem is paradise for Pogrebnyak

The 28-year-old Russia international made an instant impact in the Premier League during a loan spell at Fulham last season in which he scored six goals in 12 games.

And the former Stuttgart man netted against Chelsea in his second game for the Royals.

It is no surprise to Pogrebnyak that he is enjoying his football having been an admirer of the English game since he was a youngster.

"My dream has always been to play in the Premier League," he told sports.ru.

"At the end of the 90s I liked watching English football very much so I wanted to sign in England but I didn't think it would happen so late. But now I'm here and I'm happy about it.

"The first time I watched English football (live) was in 2001 or 2002. I decided to go to a Premier League game (with a friend).

"We were both Manchester United fans and our favourite players - Giggs, Scholes, Beckham - were running around. That's why I always try to get the No 7 shirt.

< p>"It was impossible to get a ticket to the games of Manchester United so we went to a Chelsea-Newcastle game. Without (Roman) Abramovich and the star players Chelsea weren't such a big team as they are now."

Asked why he preferred English football, Pogrebnyak explained: "Because of the speed, fights and tough play. As a striker I always liked crosses from the wings.

"When I was sitting in front of the television in Russia I was amazed to see when someone heads the ball after a big jump or started to dribble, it was very fascinating for me to see.

"Scoring a goal like this and then running to the fans - it's like paradise for me.

"In Germany the stadiums are packed and the infrastructure is good. But I couldn't become one with the rest.

"Here you don't have time for the training - game, regenerating exercise, training and game again.

"In England you're tired because you play football frequently, but in Germany you're tired because yo u train as much as a horse. But here everything is a joy and a satisfaction."

Wenger hails Bould impact

The Gunners have yet to concede a goal in their opening three games, and registered their first win at Liverpool with goals from summer signings Lukas Podolski and Santi Cazorla.

Captain Thomas Vermaelen feels a lot of the Gunners' new-found defensive solidarity is down to the work put in by former centre-half Bould, who joined Wenger's first-team coaching staff after the retirement of Pat Rice.

Wenger believes signs are positive for the bigger challenges which lie ahead.

Speaking at the UEFA elite club coaches forum in Nyon, Switzerland, the Arsenal manager said: "We have played two teams who didn't really attack, but he [Bould] is doing a good job.

"We continue our training regime. He has taken over from Pat Rice for the defensive job where he is doing very well.

"Will we finish with the best defence in the league? I hope so."

Wenger, however, maintained it would not be a case of the days of '1-0 to the Arsenal' once again.< /p>

He added: "No, no, we want to score goals, but Steve Bould is doing very well and I am confident we have a good defensive record at the end of the season."

Podolski was deployed as alongside fellow summer signing Olivier Giroud at Anfield, where Cazorla again caught the eye with an all-action display.

The Germany international, signed from Cologne in a reported 11million deal, feels it is a combination which can prove electric.

"I like Arsenal's style of football and Santi's as well - I love his style of football, with one or two touches," he said.

"We play [well] together and you could see it here - he passed for me for the first goal, I passed to him for the second goal.

"But we are only three matches in. We have 35 matches more so we must keep going."

Podolski added: "At Arsenal, I not only play on the line, but I can go in the middle and play with Santi and Abou Diaby and Mikel Arteta.

"This is my style of football. I like this, but it is not only about one match - I want to play more of these matches."

Defender Bacary Sagna is currently recovering from a broken leg suffered at the end of last season, and could be in contention to return by the start of next month.

The France international, however, has been left disillusioned by the departures of former captain Robin van Persie and midfielder Alex Song during the transfer window.

Speaking to L'Equipe, Sagna said: "Everyone was expecting Robin Van Persie to leave, but Alex Song, that was a surprise. I don't understand that at all. It is a big loss for the club.

"When you see two of the best players from last season leave, you ask a lot of questions.

"On the street, sometimes the fans come to see me. I understand they are upset. I am like them, I do not quite understand."

Sagna, 29, signed from Auxerre four years ago, and in that time has seen several of his team-mates leave - including France d uo Gael Clichy and Samir Nasri, who went on to win the Barclays Premier League title with Manchester City last season.

He continued: "It is not disturbing, but annoying.

"In May, I watched City's parade on TV. I saw Samir and Gael lift the trophy. I want that."

The France defender will be heading into the final year of his current deal at the end of the season, and maintains as yet there has been no talk over an extension.

He said: "I just want to play again and be good again with Arsenal so far. Then, we will see. Each person has his own destiny."

Midfielder Emmanuel Frimpong could also be back in contention shortly after the international break, having suffered cruciate knee ligament injury while on loan at Wolves last season.

Meanwhile, winger Andrey Arshavin has been linked with a move back to Russia with Dynamo Moscow ahead of their transfer deadline, but is understood to be determined to force his way into the Arsenal first tea m again.

Guthrie eyes England call-up

The 25-year-old moved to the Madejski Stadium after not being offered a new deal at Newcastle, where he had become more used to sitting on the bench.

He has impressed in his first two games for Reading and now the former Liverpool youngster is targeting a start to his international career.

"I'm a really ambitious person so I'd love to represent my country, it's one of the reasons why I did move on," he told Reading's official website.

"It's one of the things I want to tick off on my list and I feel if I'm playing well and regularly I can.

"You've got your top players - the (Steven) Gerrards, (Frank) Lampards and (Jack) Wilsheres - then after that I think there's a chance for a new group of midfielders to come through."

Guthrie also revealed it was a meeting with Reading boss Brian McDermott that convinced him to complete a move the Berkshire club.

"It would have been easy for me to sign a deal at Newcastle and play 20 games a season but if I wanted to go to the next level then I felt I had to move on," he said.

"I spoke to a few clubs over the summer but once I'd met the manager, and heard his plans, this is where I wanted to be."

Guthrie scored his first Reading goal in the 4-2 defeat at Chelsea and is playing in a more advanced role under McDermott than he has been used to in the past.

He said: "In my time at Newcastle I was used more in a sitting role, like a quarter back almost - spraying the ball about, but the manager has seen something in me and wants me to get forward into the opposition's final third to create a goal or create a chance."

Berba: Fergie's lost my respect

The Bulgarian striker last week joined Fulham in a deal worth a reported 5million after falling out of favour at United.

The 31-year-old cost United 30.75million in 2008 and was the Premier League's top scorer in 2010-11 but made just 12 league appearances last term.

The beginning of the end appeared to come when he was left out of the matchday squad completely for the 2011 Champions League final against Barcelona.

Speaking at a press conference in Sofia, Berbatov told reporters: "I don't think I deserved such treatment at United - not playing in the last year.

"I went more than 10, probably 15, times to ask the coach if they need me.

"And every time I was told that I'm an important player and should not leave, but then again I was not in the team.

"Maybe I should've gone when he [Ferguson] left me out of the squad for the Champions League final.

"I know he's the boss, but he has lost, to some extent, my respect because of the way he treated me."

Berbatov found himself below Wayne Rooney, Javier Hernandez and Danny Welbeck in the Old Trafford pecking order last season and this summer's arrivals of Robin van Persie and Shinji Kagawa threatened his place further.

Berbatov felt he was the victim of a decision by Ferguson to play with a different style.

He said: "He tried to explain to me that the team will be using a more direct style, with more speed.

"But I've never been among the fastest players, I like to hold the ball, this is my style.

"I found it hard to accept his decision - I still have my dignity. I scored many goals, I won the league two times, and I was the league top scorer, so it's not bad.

"I'll have no problems playing against United as this already happened in my career. But there's no point to look back again.

"I said goodbye to the people who deserve it. I couldn't say goodbye to Ferguson."

Berbatov's move to Fulham wa s not without controversy as he angered Fiorentina by turning down the chance to join them and then snubbed Juventus.

Berbatov defended his position, saying: "I've never personally told them, 'Yes, I'll play for you'.

"It's not my problem that someone is disappointed. After all, I choose where to play and be happy."

Berbatov's agent Emil Danchev also revealed that Tottenham made a last-ditch attempt to re-sign their former player.

He said: "We were in touch with Tottenham at the last moment."

Blues sell Meireles to Fenerbahce

The 29-year-old midfielder had struggled to force his way into the starting XI this season and manager Roberto Di Matteo deemed the Portuguese as surplus to requirements.

Meireles started 37 games for the Blues last season after arriving from Liverpool on a four-year deal on last August's transfer deadline day, for a reported fee of 12million.

A statement on the Premier League club's website read: "Chelsea Football Club thanks Raul for the part he played in such an historic and successful year, and wishes him well at his new club."

City edge past battling R's

Sixteen weeks after the dramatic season finale that saw City crowned Premier League champions at the same ground, the hosts survived another scare against the side managed by their former boss, Mark Hughes.

Despite creating a multitude of chances, City needed a quick response from Dzeko after Bobby Zamora cancelled out Toure's effort but Tevez made the scoreline more convincing in injury time.

Apart from QPR's recovery after falling behind, the match had little in common with that in May.

The visitors were hardly a factor for long spells and only three of their starting line-up were in the team that memorable afternoon.

Their changes included a debut for new signing Esteban Granero while goalkeeper Robert Green, dropped from the England squad this week, started what could be his last match as first choice.

The 32-year-old only joined the club in the summer but now faces an uncertain future following this week's capture of Julio Cesar from Inter Milan.

Scott Sinclair was the only one of City's five deadline day signings to make their squad but did not get off the bench.

City, watched by Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho ahead of their Champions League meeting, soon established control with Toure bossing the midfield.

QPR survived a scare in the first minute when Dzeko, starting for the first time this season, glanced a header wide from a corner.

The Bosnian went even closer as he was first to meet another corner but this time Fabio da Silva, on loan from Manchester United, did well to hack off the line.

Toure powered in on the rebound but this time former City playmaker Shaun Wright-Phillips blocked.

The City pressure continued as Rangers were starved of possession and an Aleksandar Kolarov cross almost fell for Jack Rodwell after a touch from Tevez.

QPR's first opportunity came from a City mistake as Rodwell overhit a backpass and the ball dropped over his o wn bar for a corner. The visitors were unable to capitalise.

It seemed inevitable City would take the lead and their opener came in the 16th minute as Tevez saw an effort blocked from yet another corner but Toure followed up to thump home.

Green got a hand to it but could do little on what was shaping up to be a difficult afternoon for him.

Former Real Madrid man Granero had QPR's first shot when he found space outside the area but Joe Hart was not troubled.

David Silva tricked his way into the QPR box and dug the ball out from under his feet to force Green to save and Samir Nasri was unable to follow up.

Silva spurned another opportunity when he was played through by a superb long ball from Kolarov. The Spaniard failed to get away a shot quick enough and Fabio produced another timely block.

Tevez fired over as City continued to power forward and Rodwell wasted an opening when he opted to pass instead of shoot.

QPR's opportuni ties were limited but Granero looked composed when allowed time on the ball but missed the target with another attempt.

City returned for the second half with much the same approach as the first and threatened a second straight from the restart as Tevez drilled an awkward shot at Green.

The tireless Pablo Zabaleta, probably knowing new signing Maicon might be after his place, went even closer as he took a fine pass from Silva and curled an effort onto the bar.

Yet as much as they were dominant, recent history threatened to repeat itself as QPR levelled against the run of play just before the hour.

Andrew Johnson stole possession outside the area and forced a good save from Hart with a deflected shot. Hart could not recover his footing quick enough to regather and Zamora stole in to head home.

Yet in contrast to last May, City began their reply earlier and without falling behind.

They swiftly moved back up the field and Tevez did well to keep the ball in play and cross for Dzeko to head home at close range.

It should have been the sign for City to wrap up the game but despite continuing to carve out chances - Dzeko twice shooting only to be flagged offside - it remained a slender lead.

There were definite signs of nerves when Granero whipped in a free-kick and Ryan Nelsen narrowly failed to touch in at the far post.

City wrapped up the job in injury time as Tevez, moving back into an onside position, diverted the ball home from Dzeko's shot.

After apparently being told off for lifting his shirt in recent weeks, he kept it down this time.