Liverpool 1 Bournemouth 0: Christian Benteke has a long way to go before he seals his place in the pantheon of Liverpool’s legendary strikers but winning the affection of the Kop may come a little easier.

BOURNEMOUTH 0 ASTON VILLA 1:

Irish Examiner staff and Premier League writers suit up all sage and savvy ahead of the new season. Let’s see how smart they are by Christmas...

Jose Mourinho expects this season’s Premier League to be the most competitive of his Chelsea tenure.

Liverpool defender Kolo Toure will join his brother Manchester City’s Yaya in the Ivory Coast squad for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations.

Colombia 2 Ivory Coast 1

Zambia clinched their first African Nations Cup crown with a poignant penalty shootout win over Ivory Coast last night.

Zambia 0 Ivory Coast 0 (after extra-time, Zambia win 8-7 on penalties)

Jonny Howson joined Norwich on a three-and-a-half-year contract yesterday, fully understanding why his departure from Leeds has caused such a stir.

Neil Warnock was in tears at the news his Queens Park Rangers side could finally celebrate promotion to the Barclays Premier League.

CRAIG BELLAMY set Cardiff on their way to reclaiming the second automatic promotion place in the Championship as rivals Swansea and Norwich both drew last night.

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.

SAMIR NASRI underlined his credentials as an early contender for player of the season with a sparkling display to help Arsenal finally get the better of Championship side Leeds in the FA Cup last night.

Leeds 1 Arsenal 3

ARSENE WENGER maintains it will not be long before Arsenal fans again see the best of Andrey Arshavin.

Arsenal 1 Leeds 1

LEEDS’ 12-game unbeaten run came to an end last night at the hands of Cardiff as the Bluebirds eased the pressure on manager Dave Jones.

Leicester 2 Leeds 2

LEEDS United boss Simon Grayson paid tribute to his players after they came from behind to beat Bristol Rovers and clinch promotion to the Championship on Saturday.

Leeds manager Simon Grayson is confident his players will begin tomorrow’s FA Cup third round tie with fierce rivals Manchester United believing that they can win.