THE funniest celebration of this, or any, Premier League season was dreamt up over dinner on Friday night.

Hull boss Phil Brown hailed Jimmy Bullard’s replica reading of the riot act as a moment of comic timing.

Arsenal striker Robin van Persie has accused his former team-mate Emmanuel Adebayor of committing a “mindless and malicious stamp” on him during today’s Barclays Premier League match at Eastlands.

Emmanuel Adebayor has apologised for his goal celebration in Manchester City’s 4-2 win over Arsenal at Eastlands this afternoon.

Blackburn 0 Man City 2

Fulham 1 Manchester City 1

Bolton 2 Manchester City 0

ENGLAND manager Fabio Capello got a further indication of Shaun Wright-Phillips’ growing confidence as the winger helped steer Manchester City into the group stages of the UEFA Cup.

Chelsea boss Avram Grant hopes to complete the signing of Nicolas Anelka before Saturday’s clash with Tottenham.

Cristiano Ronaldo put Manchester United on course to end 2007 on top of the Premier League at half-time against West Ham.

England 3 Israel 0

ENGLAND coach Steve McClaren has challenged Paul Robinson to be “tough enough” to withstand the criticism that has accompanied his miserable Wembley howler.

England coach Steve McClaren is backing David Beckham to bridge the gulf between Major League Soccer and top-class international football.

Substitute Salomon Kalou scored in injury time to keep Chelsea’s Barclays Premiership hopes alive as they moved back to within six points of leaders Manchester United.

IT is just over three years since Andriy Shevchenko became a Champions League winner with AC Milan and just over two since he was named the European Footballer of the Year.

A comical own-goal by Michael Essien saw Chelsea drop crucial points on Barclays Premiership leaders Manchester United as Reading twice came from behind to draw 2-2 at Stamford Bridge.

Stuart Pearce does not believe skipper Sylvain Distin needs any convincing to commit his future to Manchester City.

Chelsea 2 Portsmouth 0

Chelsea 5 Bolton 1

Barclays Premiership leaders Chelsea maintained their two-point lead at the top with a 2-0 win against early high-flyers Tottenham at White Hart Lane.

Manchester City have had a £4m (€5.76m) bid for Steed Malbranque rejected by Fulham.

David James is convinced new signing Andy Cole will prove the doubters at Manchester City wrong and be a success at Eastlands despite concerns from a section of the support.

Manchester City boss Stuart Pearce has warned Chelsea they will not get Shaun Wright-Phillips on the cheap.

Ian Wright has claimed Shaun Wright-Phillips’ career would benefit from Champions League exposure – but the Arsenal legend insisted his stepson is not seeking a move away from Manchester City.

England 0 Holland 0

League One Oldham pulled off a famous FA Cup shock by knocking out Premiership Manchester City – 50 league places above the Boundary Park club.

Arsene Wenger has insisted he would still not be forced into the transfer market despite Arsenal falling seven points behind leaders Chelsea amid an injury crisis.

Frank Lampard scored a fantastic free-kick after 33 minutes to give Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea side the lead in the west London derby.

Kevin Keegan was left cursing the referee for the second Premiership game on the trot – but at least his ire was quelled by unearthing the “new Billy Bremner”.

MANCHESTER CITY boss Kevin Keegan was furious with referee Steve Dunn after again finding himself on the wrong end of a seven-goal thriller against his old club Newcastle.

Man City 3 Wolves 3

Manchester United, who left Ruud van Nistelrooy, Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs on the bench, took the lead against Everton after just nine minutes when Nicky Butt volleyed home from the edge of the penalty area.

THE Premiership title race has not even reached its halfway stage and already the mind games have begun.

Chelsea 1 Manchester City 0

Nicolas Anelka made amends for an incredible miss by bagging a late winner for Manchester City in today’s thrilling match at Loftus Road.

GERARD HOULLIER is refusing to bow to the conventional wisdom that the Barclaycard Premiership title is bound for Arsenal this season.