Espanyol 3 Werder Bremen 0

REAL Madrid coach Fabio Capello praised David Beckham after the former England captain marked his return with a goal in a 2-1 win at Real Sociedad.

NANCY’S UEFA Cup Group E clash against Feyenoord was suspended for more than 30 minutes last night after trouble broke out in the stands.

Birmingham striker Emile Heskey will have an x-ray to determine the extent of the knee injury suffered during Saturday’s Premiership clash at Charlton.

Charlton manager Alan Curbishley hopes to bring in a couple of new faces this week – but insists Danny Murphy is staying put and will not be used as a makeweight to bring Lee Bowyer back to The Valley.

BIRMINGHAM striker Walter Pandiani has signed a contract until June 2008 with Espanyol. The Uruguay international will undergo a medical today to complete the £1m transfer and is to be unveiled to the Spanish media later in the day.

Birmingham striker Walter Pandiani has signed a contract until June 2008 with Espanyol, according to the Spanish club.

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez will continue to scour the transfer market for new recruits but admitted English players are proving too expensive for the European champions.

Birmingham players have praised the professionalism during difficult times of outgoing striker Walter Pandiani, who is on the verge of completing a £1m (€1.5m) move to Espanyol.

Birmingham have agreed a fee of £1m (€1.5m) with Espanyol for striker Walter Pandiani.

Birmingham co-owner David Sullivan admitted Walter Pandiani had struggled to adapt to Premiership football, with the striker now prepared to complete a move back to Spain.

Emile Heskey has backed Chris Sutton to be a success at Birmingham as the pair prepare to team up for the first time in Saturday’s Barclays Premiership clash at Charlton.

BIRMINGHAM are poised to make Celtic striker Chris Sutton their first signing during the January transfer window.

Birmingham are poised to make Celtic striker Chris Sutton their first signing during the January transfer window.

The agent of Bolton defender Ivan Campo claims his client would be keen on a move to former club Real Mallorca.

ALEX FERGUSON celebrates his 64th birthday today insisting he relishes the job of managing Manchester United as much as ever.

OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER has cautioned against Manchester United fans’ unrealistic expectations of him following the popular striker’s return to action at Birmingham on Wednesday.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has cautioned against Manchester United fans’ unrealistic expectations of him following the popular striker’s return to action at Birmingham last night.

Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson claimed referee Howard Webb was influenced by the Birmingham crowd’s reaction towards Cristiano Ronaldo as a controversial first goal for City meant United had to settle for a 2-2 draw at St Andrews.

Birmingham 2 Manchester United 2

Birmingham manager Steve Bruce is expected to step up his search to bring in a new striker next month with Walter Pandiani on the verge of joining Espanyol in a £1m (€1.46m) deal.

Espanyol are closing in on a deal to sign striker Walter Pandiani from Birmingham, according to Spanish media reports.

Steve Bruce has received another vote of confidence despite Birmingham’s precarious Barclays Premiership position with chairman David Gold insisting: “His job is not in jeopardy.”

Steve Bruce has insisted he has no regrets about re-signing Mikael Forssell despite the Birmingham striker’s lack of goals during the first half of the season.

Birmingham are without right-back Mario Melchiot (thigh) and midfielder Muzzy Izzet (hamstring) for the clash with Fulham at St Andrew’s.

Birmingham boss Steve Bruce has to decide whether to risk playing fit again playmaker David Dunn for the second time in 72 hours against Millwall at the New Den.

Sunderland 0 Birmingham 1

Birmingham manager Steve Bruce is hoping to be given funds in the January transfer window to strengthen his squad in the battle to stay in the Premiership.

Maik Taylor’s howler enabled Simon Davies to secure victory for Everton in the Premiership basement clash and send plunge Steve Bruce’s side into deeper trouble.

Birmingham co-owner David Sullivan has criticised Steve Bruce’s goal-shy strikers and described his team’s start to the season as a “major, major disappointment”.

Kenny Cunningham has branded as “ridiculous” thoughts that Arsenal are already out of the running for the Barclays Premiership title and claimed the Gunners could stay unbeaten for the remainder of the season.

Frank Lampard maintained Chelsea’s six-point lead at the top of the Barclays Premiership – and it was a good day for the champions as Manchester United lost to Blackburn and Arsenal drew at West Ham.

Birmingham 2 Liverpool 2

Birmingham manager Steve Bruce claims he is coping with the ever-increasing pressure to survive and succeed in the Barclays Premiership because of the financial implications.

Darren Bent enabled Alan Curbishley to celebrate his 600th league game in charge of Charlton with another three points to maintain their 100% start to the campaign.

NORWICH and Southampton can blame Clinton Morrison’s mother for their failure to prevent the striker returning to Crystal Palace.

Clinton Morrison has re-joined Crystal Palace in a £2m (€2.9m) deal from Birmingham.

Southampton manager Harry Redknapp has not given up hope of signing Birmingham striker Clinton Morrison.

Norwich have agreed a fee of £2m (€2.95m) with Birmingham for Clinton Morrison.

IF great comedy is all about masking painful truths, then Clinton Morrison is a great comedian.

Luis Boa Morte was unveiled as Fulham’s new club captain before today’s Barclays Premiership clash with Birmingham at Craven Cottage.

Birmingham striker Walter Pandiani – signed from Deportivo La Coruna after a loan spell last season – is set to get the nod ahead of Mikael Forssell to partner Emile Heskey in tomorrow’s Barclays Premiership opener at Craven Cottage.

Birmingham have completed the £3m (€4.3m) signing of Walter Pandiani from Deportivo La Coruna.

Birmingham have completed the £3m (€4.3m) signing of Walter Pandiani from Deportivo La Coruna.