Middlesbrough went second in the npower Championship after goals by Rhys Williams and Marvin Emnes guided them to a 2-0 win over Derby.

West Ham 4 Portsmouth 3

BILLY DAVIES’ best laid plans flew out of the window after just 23 minutes but the Nottingham Forest manager was delighted with his players after the battling 1-1 draw at QPR yesterday.

Cardiff, Norwich and Swansea all scored late goals today to boost their respective bids for automatic promotion from the npower Championship.

The Republic of Ireland's Wes Hoolahan missed a penalty for Norwich at Loftus Road as QPR saw their lead at the top of the npower Championship cut to four points.

Portsmouth 6 Leicester 1

Eidur Gudjohnsen could make his Stoke debut in their next Barclays Premier League game against Aston Villa after joining on loan from Monaco yesterday.

Stoke were tonight hoping to have beaten the transfer deadline after announcing the triple signing of Eidur Gudjohnsen, Jermaine Pennant and Marc Wilson.

Midfielder Salif Diao has returned to Stoke after signing a new two-year contract, the club have confirmed.

ANTHONY STOKES is expected to join Celtic from Hibernian today after the SPL rivals agreed a fee for the Republic of Ireland striker.

Stoke are holding talks with Sunderland striker Kenwyne Jones about a potential club-record transfer to the Britannia Stadium.

Stoke boss Tony Pulis is looking to make “three or four” more additions to his squad – but has denied he has had a bid turned down for England striker Carlton Cole.

Stoke manager Tony Pulis has criticised the “one or two precious people” within his squad who have been a disruptive influence in the last few months.

Carlo Ancelotti knows victory over Liverpool will almost certainly leave Chelsea with one hand on the Barclays Premier League trophy after watching his side thrash Stoke 7-0 yesterday.

Chelsea 7 Stoke 0

BOLTON boss Owen Coyle saluted Matthew Taylor’s return to form after two late goals from the midfielder sank Stoke and provided Wanderers with a giant leap towards survival.

Stoke 1 Bolton 2

HULL is not a city you pass through.

Stoke 2 Hull 0

Stoke manager Tony Pulis is concerned about the fitness of three of his players as they prepare to face Hull at the Britannia Stadium tomorrow.

West Ham 0 Stoke 1

Stoke 1 Tottenham 2

Stoke 0 Aston Villa 0

Burnley 1 Stoke 1

FT: Chelsea 2 Stoke 0

RYAN SHAWCROSS and Tuncay struck in extra time as Stoke dramatically emerged victorious from their three-game epic with Manchester City last night.

Stoke 3 Manchester City 1 (after extra time)

Stoke striker Dave Kitson has declared himself keen on a move to Celtic amid reports Tony Mowbray is lining up a loan deal.

Middlesbrough boss Gordon Strachan has confirmed he remains in talks with striker Marcus Bent over a second spell at the Riverside Stadium.

Barnsley 2 Middlesbrough 1

FURIOUS Coventry manager Chris Coleman last night held a lengthy dressing-room inquest into the 1-0 defeat at Scunthorpe which plunged them deeper into relegation trouble.

Middlesbrough have signed Stoke striker Dave Kitson on a two-month loan.

Stoke manager Tony Pulis has made no secret of the fact he will start with a second string line-up in tomorrow’s Carling Cup tie at Portsmouth.

Everton 1 Stoke 1

Stoke strikers Ricardo Fuller and James Beattie are both doubtful for the Barclays Premier League match against Manchester United at the Britannia Stadium tomorrow.

BOLTON manager Gary Megson has told disgruntled fans their actions are beginning to impact on his players.

Bolton 1 Stoke 1

Stoke 1 Chelsea 2

Stoke striker Mamady Sidibe is edging closer to a first-team return after six months out with a cruciate knee ligament injury.

Stoke 1 Sunderland 0

Stoke have completed the signing of Robert Huth from Middlesbrough this evening.

NEW Wigan manager Roberto Martinez is enduring a baptism of fire in his first few weeks in the job.

Birmingham 0 Stoke 0

Stoke 2 Burnley 0