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Lukas Podolski shares London day-trip with Twitter followers

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Learning London with Podolski: Arsenal star shares day trip around capital with fans

By
Dan Ripley

PUBLISHED:

17:57 GMT, 12 February 2013

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UPDATED:

15:25 GMT, 13 February 2013

After joining Arsenal from Cologne last summer, Gunners fans soon took to Lukas Podolski who has quickly adapted to life in the Premier League.

It isn’t just on the pitch where the striker is settling in fast though, the German international has been just as keen to soak up the London atmosphere around him.

Here we go: Lukas Podolski started his London tour by taking 'a real black cab' from the Highbury district

Here we go: Lukas Podolski started his London tour by taking 'a real black cab' from the Highbury district

Stop seven: Lukas Podolski poses outside of Trafalgar Square

Stop nine: Podolski stops outside Buckingham Palace

Short trip: Podolski poses with a lion outside of Trafalgar Square before visiting Buckingham Palace, where after seeing the Royal Standard flag happily tweeted that 'the Queen is home!!!'

With Arsenal not due to play in the Champions League until next week, the 27-year-old used his spare time to go sight-seeing around the capital, including a trip to Trafalgar Square as well as nearby Buckingham Palace.

Podolski shared his day-trip around London with his Twitter followers under the hashtag #learninglondon showing his knowledge of where Prince Charles and Lady Diana were married as well as recognising how the Queen was in residence.

Thumbs up: Lukas Podolski stops outside St Pauls

Stop five: Podolski tweets #weddingcakechurch

Thumbs up: Podolski gives his approval after visiting St Paul's Cathedral (left)

The German’s interest in learning about London comes just months after a video was released showing the striker taking rhyming slang lessons off former Arsenal midfielder Ray Parlour in a bid to help him to adapt to life in north London.

It seems to have worked so far as Podolski has been a regular feature at the Emirates Stadium, scoring 12 goals in 31 games.

Lukas Podolski's tour was the latest in a series of Learning London features the German international has filmed with Arsenal Media, available to watch on player.arsenal.com from the weekend.

Aston Villa v West Ham live

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PREMIER LEAGUE LIVE: Aston Villa v West Ham – as it happens from Villa Park

for their last triumph on the road.

Villa will be desperate for three points in their bid to escape the clutches of the bottom three but they will also be keen to avoid a repeat of their clash with the east London side from earlier in the season when Sam Allardyce's side recorded a 1-0 win at Upton Park to start the 2012/13 campaign.

Send me your thoughts on the action at dan.ripley@dailymail.co.uk or contact me on Twitter @Ripinho.

Half-time: Aston Villa 0-0 West Ham

45+2min: Carroll has lacked service so far, despite West Ham winning a number of free-kicks, and his frustration in the first 45 minutes is summed up by one wild left foot swing from 25 yards that flies well off target.

45+1min: There will be four minutes added on.

44min: The first booking of the afternoon goes to West Ham's Emmanuel Pogatetz after the defender chops down Charles N'Zogbia to bring an immediate half to an Aston Villa counter attack.

42min: After a spell of West Ham pressure, Villa are once more looking the more likely to score. But as we approach half-time, all the goalmouth action has taken place inside the first 120 seconds.

39min: I thought it would be West Ham who would be closer to scoring from set-pieces but Villa nearly score from one of their own. A corner to the near post finds Ron Vlaar, whose half-volley on to the greasy surface bounces a yard over the bar.

37min: Terrific defending from Clark. West Ham do well to find Demel in space on the right, and his low cross is destined for an unmarked Joe Cole in the centre before the Villa defender gets a vital touch on the slide to intercept and allow Guzan to gather.

35min: The last five minutes have seen West Ham come back into this game, but despite winning a couple of free-kicks, the Villa defence has coped comfortably with Guzan keen to come off his line to punch clear any aerial bombardment.

32min: Another sign of the threat Carroll possesses as the striker wins a header inside the Villa box from a cross. The striker is off balance though and his effort loops comfortably into Guzan's arms.

30min: A rare charge forward from West Ham, and it comes form a neat passing exchange on the ground too as Matty Taylor releases Mohamed Diame down the left wing into the penalty box.

From there though it very quickly falls apart as the midfielder blasts a low cross into the near post side netting. Huge waste.

27min: Villa are starting to gain more control in this game but every time they get near the West Ham box there are a wall of bodies denying them a shot on goal. The Hammers are struggling to get out of their own half.

24min: With O'Brien's day done, Guy Demel has come on for the Hammers.

23min: This is turning into a war of attrition. Joey O'Brien has limped off the pitch for West Ham while Tomkins takes an accidental boot to the face from Delph after making a superb sliding tackle on the touchline. The West Ham medical team are making sure he still has all of his teeth after that one.

20min: The game has stopped momentarily as Baker receives more attention as blood starts to seep out of his Vaseline covered head following that earlier clash with Carroll.

Meanwhile the home fans as usual applaud in unison in the 19th minute to observe club captain, Stiliyan Petrov's battle against illness.

18min: Good footwork from Fabian Delph sees him dodge a couple of challenges in the West Ham half before he wins a free-kick 35 yards out. The ball is swung towards the back post but Benteke heads the difficult chance wide.

16min: It's been a nervous affair so far. West Ham remain content with a more direct playing style while Villa for all their effort just lack quality trying to pierce the West Ham backline.

13min: From InfostradaLive:

West Ham United have scored three opening goals in their away PL matches this season, together with Wigan, Norwich and Fulham least of all clubs. Villa have scored the opener in four of their home matches this PL season, only QPR (2) have less.

Miss of the season Andreas Weimann reacts after missing a golden opportunity to open the scoring for Villa

Miss of the season Andreas Weimann reacts after missing a golden opportunity to open the scoring for Villa

10min: James Tomkins produces a neat sliding tackle to deny Weimann a chance to cross from inside the box and Villa win their first corner.

It's cleared but shortly after winning a second corner, Nathan Baker and Carroll clash heads trying to head the ball and play has stopped for a minute or two while they receive treatment. Both look like they will be okay to continue once they stop seeing stars.

8min: Villa are showing the more attacking purpose so far but apart from that horror miss from Weimann ( I wonder what Darren Bent made of that on the sub's bench) we haven't seen any more chances.

5min: Otherwise it's a bright start from Villa who have controlled possession, but they do concede a free-kick in the centre-circle and you know what comes next.

West Ham pump a long high ball into the box for Andy Carroll, who wins a flick on and pounces on a loose ball to loop a shot just over Brad Guzan's crossbar.

2min: Miss of the season, there I said it! It's a horrible moment all round as Christian Benteke's low shot towards the near post from 20 yards is ludicrously fumbled by West Ham keeper Jussi Jaaskelainen, only for Andreas Weimann to somehow place the rebound wide of the post with an open goal staring him in the face.

1min: From OptaJoe:

1 – West Ham have taken one point from the last 21 available on the road, scoring just five in their last nine PL away games. Travels.

Kick-off: Villa get us going.

Greetings: West Ham manager Sam Allardyce (left) and his opposite Aston Villa number, Paul Lambert shake hands before kick-off

Greetings: West Ham manager Sam Allardyce (left) and his opposite Aston Villa number, Paul Lambert shake hands before kick-off

13.27: Out come the players and speaking of claret and blue there are many empty seats inside Villa Park.

13.24: The players are in the tunnel with Aston Villa standing in claret and blue opposite West Ham…who are also in claret and blue.

The Hammers are in their more blue based away kit but this could hurt my eyes.

13.19: From InfostradaLive:

West Ham have failed to win in their last five PL visits to Villa Park, failing to score on four occasions. Their only victory in the last 14 visits was in January 2006 (2-1) when Bobby Zamora and Marlon Harewood (penalty) scored. Lee Hendrie netted for Villa.

13.14: We know about Villa's troubles this term but what happened the last time they went down Sadly the team of 1987 share many similarities with Paul Lambert's strugglers from this season as I found out here.

13.09: Gabriel Agbonlahor is ruled out through illness by the way. Still though it says much about Paul Lambert's faith in Darren Bent that he picks a forward who cost 23.4m less in his starting XI over him. At least Villa have some sort of firepower on the bench though.

Team news

Team news

13.06: Full line-ups from Villa Park:

Aston Villa v West Ham
Aston Villa: Guzan, Lowton, Vlaar, Clark, Baker, Weimann, Westwood, Delph, Bowery, N'Zogbia, Benteke. Subs: Given, Bent, Holman, Sylla, Dawkins, Bannan, Bennett.

West Ham: Jaaskelainen, O'Brien, Reid, Tomkins, Pogatetz, Noble, Diame, Nolan, Taylor, Joe Cole, Carroll. Subs: Spiegel, Jarvis, Carlton Cole, Vaz Te, Demel, Chamakh, O'Neil.

Referee: Mark Clattenburg (Tyne & Wear)

13.03: Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert hands a first Barclays Premier League start to striker Jordan Bowery, a 600,000 summer signing from Chesterfield, against West Ham at Villa Park.

Midfielder Fabian Delph, who has recovered from an ankle injury, and left-back Nathan Baker are recalled as Villa looked to end a run of eight league games without a win.

On-loan Wolfsburg defender Emanuel Pogatetz is given a first start by Hammers boss Sam Allardyce, with Joe Cole also brought back into the starting line-up.

Main threat: West Ham will rely on their on-loan striker Andy Carroll in attack

Main threat: West Ham will rely on their on-loan striker Andy Carroll in attack

13.00: From OptaJoe:

2 – Aston Villa have scored just two goals in their last seven Premier League matches at Villa Park. Shy.

12.57: If there is one avenue we can see West Ham scoring from today, it is through set-pieces. Judging by Aston Villa's poor record at defending them it seems a West Ham corner + Andy Carroll's headers = goals.

Villa captain Ron Vlaar claims though that he and his teammates are aware of their set-piece struggles and targeting to put things right.

12.54: Sadly of course the big talking point this morning is not about the football but about Paul Gascoigne who has been rushed into intensive care in the USA.

The former England international is said to be out of immediate danger but let's continue to hope Gazza can make a full recovery.

12.51: The Villa Park pitch looks very tidy this afternoon but the less said about the weather, the better. It's wet, cold and overcast in the West Midlands but I guess we shouldn't be too surprised – it is February folks.

12.48: Speaking of Manchester United they will attempt to go a dozen points clear at the top of the table when they take on Everton at 4pm. You can follow live coverage of that match from around 3.30pm with myself straight after the action here at Villa Park.

12.45: Yesterday's results have given Villa a big incentive to take three points today as it would see them climb out of the bottom three into 17th.

West Ham may reside in mid-table but on 30 points they are not quite out of the relegation fight. A win today though and they would be 12 points clear of the bottom three. If a gap like that would be good enough for Manchester United, then I think Sam Allardyce's team would be content too.

Jaaskelainen, O'Brien, Tomkins, Reid, Pogatetz, Noble, Diame, Nolan, J.Cole, Taylor, Carroll.

12.35: Aston Villa starting XI:

Guzan, Lowton, Vlaar, Clark, Baker, Westwood, Delph, N’Zogbia, Bowery, Weimann, Benteke.

12.30: Apart from Manchester United (and we will get to them in a minute) one of the big winners from yesterday were Aston Villa, who saw the majority of their rivals battling relegation fail to pick up any points.

That's not quite job done for Paul Lambert's side this weekend though. Sitting one place off the bottom of the table they need to start winning points of their own. Today they host West Ham – a side suspect on their travels this term. Team news coming up.

Sunday's opener: Aston Villa will hope to ease relegation fears when they host West Ham at Villa Park

Sunday's opener: Aston Villa will hope to ease relegation fears when they host West Ham at Villa Park

Olympiacos v Arsenal and Borussia Dortmund v Manchester City live

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CHAMPIONS LEAGUE LIVE: Olympiacos v Arsenal and Borussia Dortmund v Manchester City – as it happens

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UPDATED:

04:00 GMT, 4 December 2012

Follow Sportsmail's coverage of the Champions League as Arsenal and Manchester City wrap up their respective group stage campaigns. The Gunners are already through to the last 16 but must win to have any chance of topping the group.

The already eliminated Manchester City also need three points at Borussia Dortmund to avoid finishing bottom and book a place in the last 32 of the Europa League. Send me your thoughts on the action at dan.ripley@dailymail.co.uk or contact me on Twitter @Ripinho.

*Follow live coverage from 7.15pm*

Euro stars: Despite poor league form, Arsenal have impressed in the Champions League this term

Euro stars: Despite poor league form, Arsenal have impressed in the Champions League this term

Andy Carroll not worth 35million, says Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson

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Fergie: He'll be a handful but I'd never pay 35m for Carroll like Liverpool did

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UPDATED:

07:29 GMT, 28 November 2012

LIVE: MAN UNITED v WEST HAM

Follow the action from Old Trafford and the rest of tonight's big Premier League games with Dan Ripley HERE from 7pm

Sir Alex Ferguson has admitted he would never have paid 35million for Andy Carroll.

The much-maligned England forward heads to Manchester United with West Ham tonight fresh from scoring the first goal of his loan stint at Upton Park.

For a team who have made a habit of conceding the first goal this season, Carroll is an obvious threat.

In the firing line: Manchester United manager has said he would never pay 35million for Andy Carroll like Liverpool did

In the firing line: Manchester United manager has said he would never pay 35million for Andy Carroll like Liverpool did

Yet Carroll continues to struggle to live up to his billing as England's most expensive player thanks to that extraordinary move from Newcastle to Liverpool in January 2011.

'He has only played something like a dozen games for Newcastle and then he had to deal with a 35million transfer to a club like Liverpool. That's quite a big jump,' Ferguson told United's official website.

'I'd certainly not sign that kind of player for that kind of money.

'We've gambled on young players in the past, maybe a couple of million or whatever, but when you get that level you really have to do a bit more homework and see how he is in his second season maybe.

Head scratching: Ferguson admits Carroll will cause his defence some problems at Old Trafford

Head scratching: Ferguson admits Carroll will cause his defence some problems at Old Trafford

'He's still not had a lot of games but he is a big lad, aggressive and a great header of the ball.

'He'll be a handful for our defenders.'

After working alongside the 23-year-old at close quarters during Euro 2012, Wayne Rooney knows the reality of Carroll's performances is nowhere near the perception many have of him.

He said: 'That type of player doesn't always get all the goals but they can cause trouble up front and create problems.

'I am sure that is what Sam Allardyce wants him to do.'

Rather like Rooney, Carroll demands attention. It seems he cannot have a quiet game, when he blends into the background.

Head start: Carroll opened his account for West Ham during their 3-1 defeat at Tottenham

Head start: Carroll opened his account for West Ham during their 3-1 defeat at Tottenham

He has to either be brilliant or awful, with the brutal assessment often falling on the latter.

Rooney knows from personal experience such situations are never quite so black and white.
However, he accepts they come with the territory.

'It is something you get used to,' he said.

'In the Premier League, you are there to be judged, whether that is good or bad. You just have to deal with it.'

With Paul Scholes suspended, Ferguson has already confirmed Anderson will start for only the second time in the Premier League this season.

It is also possible either Phil Jones or Chris Smalling will replace Rafael at right-back, whilst David de Gea might also come in for Anders Lindegaard.

West Ham v Stoke: Can Premier League clash live up to 1972 League Cup classics?

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Why we're in for a treat if tonight's game at Upton Park is as good as the 1970s Cup classics…

LIVE: WEST HAM v STOKE
Join us HERE from 7pm for live coverage as it happens at Upton Park with Dan Ripley

A win for West Ham over Stoke will catapult the high-flying Hammers into fifth place above Everton and London rivals Arsenal and Spurs.

Yet some neutral fans have written off tonight's game at Upton Park as a clash of the long-ball experts.

West Ham boss Sam Allardyce would be quick to remind those skeptics that his side have scored 10 goals in six games at home so far this season while Stoke have shipped nine goals on their travels.

However it unfolds this clash will have to go some way to match the amazing League Cup semi-final between the two sides in the 1971-1972 season.

The two-legged, last-four game went to two replays before Stoke won 3-2 at Old Trafford – 49 days after the tie had first kicked off.

Here Sportsmail reproduces Jeff Powell's report of the match that separated the two sides.

Stoke 3 West Ham 2 (Old Trafford, Wednesday, January 26, 1972)

West Ham – brave, suffering, heartbroken West Ham – lost the longest and richest League Cup semi-final on one of the greatest football nights of all time.

That they should have to leave Old Trafford with tears as well as rain running openly down their faces is a sad injustice to those magnificent Hammers.

keeper Bobby Ferguson

Hammer blow: keeper Bobby Ferguson dives in vain as Stoke's Peter Dobing scores his side's second goal in the final replay

To Stoke goes the prize of playing
Chelsea at Wembley on March 4.

And few will begrudge them the chance
they have craved, the chance to win a major trophy for the first time in
more than a century. The tragedy is that there was a loser of this
mind-splitting fourth game climax to a marathon contest of the rarest
footballing skills.

This televised last act of a seven-hour
semi-final was so full of flashpoint drama
and raw courage that even the sight of
Bobby Moore saving a spot kick seemed
scarcely out of the ordinary.

Moore, as befits the responsible
captain of both his club and England,
took over the green jersey during the 20
minutes in which injured goalkeeper
Bobby Ferguson was being treated in
the West Ham dressing room.

Stoke City goalkeeper Gordon Banks saves a penalty from West Ham United's Geoff Hurst (r)

Gordon Banks makes a gesture of jubilation after Stoke City's dramatic 3-2 victory over West Ham

Spot on: Gordon Banks saves Geoff Hurst's penalty in the second leg before savouring ultimate victory

MARATHON BY NUMBERS

420
total minutes played by the two teams over the four semi-final matches.

170,614
total attendance figures for the four games.

35
cost in pence for the average ticket at the final game of the four-leg marathon.

10,000
amount by which the Old Trafford capacity was reduced for the final game due to the building of the cantilever stand.

1,010
minutes of League Cup football played by Stoke in order to reach the final (West Ham played 1,150 before being knocked out).

108
years Stoke City had been a football club before lifting their first trophy in 1972.

The 13th minute collision which damaged one of the stars of the previous three clashes, was partly the fault of Stoke's Terry Conroy; but equally the product of a muddied pitch made more treacherous by windswept rain.

Conroy's sliding leg hit Ferguson's head and shoulder as the goalkeeper dived.

Jimmy Greenhoff had no sooner seen his goal from the rebound disallowed than West Ham officials were ministering to the fallen Ferguson. After seven minutes of attention, Ferguson was led shakily away.

Minutes later Moore was facing a penalty by Mike Bernard, a fearful test that followed John McDowell's foul. Moore blocked the spot kick – only for Bernard to score from the rebound.

But West Ham achieved the impossible, and the magnificent Billy Bonds deserved the deflection off Denis Smith's boot which lifted his equalising shot over Gordon Banks.

Then, with Ferguson restored, Trevor Brooking spectacularly volleyed West Ham ahead from Bonds's cross.

Yet in the fifth minute of the first half injury time a pass by George Eastham – that incredible veteran who will go to Wembley with all soccer's blessing – was swept in by Peter Dobing.

Four minutes after the restart, the Hammers conceded the decisive goal.

Full back John Marsh crossed from the right, Tommy Taylor could only clear to the edge of the penalty area, and Conroy's instant shot came skidding back beneath Ferguson's body.

bobby ferguson injured

Painful: keeper Ferguson is injured, leaving Bobby Moore to go in goal

Stand-in goalkeeper Bobby Moore

Terry Conroy (right) and Jimmy Greenhoff celebrate Stoke's victory

Game over: Moore saved Bernard's penalty only for the Stoke star (left) to follow up and score, leading to a Stoke win celebrated by Conroy and Greenhoff in the bath (right)

Stoke 1 West Ham 2

December 8, 1971
Semi-final 1st leg
Stoke goal: Dobing
West Ham goals: Hurst (pen), Best
Attendance: 36,400

West Ham fans can start rehearsing for a day out at Wembley on March 4. Stoke surely cannot burst their League Cup bubble now.

COLIN WOOD

STOKE: Banks; Marsh, Pejic, Bernard, Bloor, Jump, Conroy, Greenhoff, Ritchie, Dobing, Eastham.

WEST HAM: Ferguson; McDowell, Lampard, Bonds, Taylor, Moore, Redknapp, Best, Hurst, Brooking, Robson.

West Ham 0 Stoke 1 AET (agg: 2-2)

December 15, 1971
Semi-final 2nd leg
Stoke goal: Ritchie
Attendance: 38,771

Gordon Banks last night made one of the greatest saves of his distinguished career at Upton Park to stop West Ham from going into the League Cup final at Wembley on March 4.

BRIAN SCOVELL

WEST HAM: Ferguson; McDowell, Lampard, Bonds, Taylor, Moore, Redknapp, Best, Hurst, Brooking, Robson.

STOKE: Banks; Marsh, Pejic, Bernard, Bloor, Skeels, Conroy, Greenhoff, Ritchie, Dobing, Eastham (Mahoney).

Stoke 0 West Ham 0 AET

January 5, 1972
Semi-final first replay (Hillsborough)
Attendance: 46,196

Gordon Banks has done it again. The England goalkeeper made another of his great saves at Hillsborough last night to keep this 5 hour marathon League Cup semi-final going for at least another 90 minutes.

BRIAN SCOVELL

STOKE: Banks; Marsh, Pejic, Bernard, Smith, Bloor, Conroy, Dobing, Ritchie, Greenhoff (Skeels), Eastham.

WEST HAM: Ferguson; McDowell, Lampard, Bonds, Taylor, Moore, Redknapp, Best, Hurst, Brooking, Robson.

Stoke 3 West Ham 2

January 26, 1972
Semi-final 2nd replay (Old Trafford)
Stoke goals: Bernard, Dobing, Conroy.
West Ham goals: Bonds, Brooking.
Attendance: 49,247

This last act of a seven-hour semi-final was so full of flashpoint drama and raw courage that even Moore saving a spot kick seemed scarcely out of the ordinary.

JEFF POWELL

STOKE: Banks; Marsh, Pejic, Bernard, Smith, Bloor, Conroy, Greenhoff, Ritchie, Dobing, Eastham.

WEST HAM: Ferguson, McDowell, Lampard, Bonds, Taylor, Moore, Redknapp (Eustace), Best, Hurst, Brooking, Robson, Eustace.

PREMIER LEAGUE LIVE: Arsenal v QPR, Wigan v West Ham, Reading v Fulham, Stoke v Sunderland

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PREMIER LEAGUE LIVE: All the action from around the grounds as it happens

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UPDATED:

13:15 GMT, 27 October 2012

Follow Sportsmail's coverage of the Barclays Premier League as Arsenal take on QPR in one of four games kicking off at 3pm. Elsewhere it is Reading v Fulham, Stoke v Sunderland and Wigan v West Ham. Send me your thoughts on the action at dan.ripley@dailymail.co.uk or on Twitter @Ripinho.

14.18: Breaking news from Arsenal is that Jack Wilshere and Bacary Sagna start for the Gunners.

14.15: Winter is closing in folks and I'm not saying that because we have a new Premier League football this weekend – more simply because it's got rather cold all of a sudden. Enough with the weather talk though as we have four games on the way and the team news to follow.

Main feature: Arsenal, Reading, Stoke and West Ham feature in the 3pm kick-offs

Main feature: Arsenal, Reading, Stoke and West Ham feature in the 3pm kick-offs

Manchester United v Braga and Shakhtar Donetsk v Chelsea live

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CHAMPIONS LEAGUE LIVE: Manchester United v Braga and Shakhtar Donetsk v Chelsea – as it happens

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UPDATED:

18:54 GMT, 23 October 2012

Follow Sportsmail's coverage of the Champions League as Manchester United and Chelsea aim to extend their respective unbeaten runs. The reigning champions will hope to win and go at least two points clear at the top of Group E when they travel to Shakhtar Donetsk, while United will aim to make it three wins on the bounce when they host Braga in a Group H encounter. Celtic are also in action as they travel to Barcelona. Send me your thoughts on the action at dan.ripley@dailymail.co.uk or contact me on Twitter @Ripinho.

Live scores

Click here for the live goals as they go in

Champions League

Barcelona 0-0 Celtic

Manchester United 0-1 Braga

Shakhtar Donetsk 1-0 Chelsea

All the latest scores and live tables from the Champions League

All the latest from the Championship

All the latest from League One

All the latest from League Two

19.53: Among all that Celtic were very fortunate not to be a goal down themselves. Andres Iniesta effortlessly threaded a through ball for Alexis Sanchez, who with just the keeper to beat fired wide. As they would say in snooker, that's a bad miss.

19.50: GOAL! SHAKHTAR DONETSK 1-0 Chelsea

It doesn't get better for the English Premier League duo. A shot rebounds off a defender in the box and first to it is Alex Teixeira, who rifles low across goal into the bottom corner.

19.49: GOAL! Manchester United 0-1 BRAGA

Awful start from the hosts. Newcastle reject Hugo Viana whips in a cross from the left flank and as easy as he could hope, Alan jumps highest to head home.

19.46: And the games are up and running at Old Trafford and the Donbass Arena.

19.45: We are underway in Spain as Celtic kick-off.

19.42: The teams are out across Europe – kick-off on the way.

19.39: Sir Alex Ferguson spoke to ITV before the game on the challenge Braga pose:

'They are better away from home. Their form to reach the Europa League final in Dublin was very good and they have very good players.

'It will be an open game, but we have this diamond formation and the issue with it is how we defend after attacking as it leaves us a bit open out wide.

'Carrick has played in defence a few times but this game should suit him.'

19.36: From OptaJoe:

0-15 – There has been a goal scored inside the first 15 minutes in each of the last five Champions League games involving Man Utd. Gamble

19.33: Don't underestimate Shakhtar by the way. They have won their first 12 games of the season and half their team seems to be from Brazil. Defeat could leave Chelsea in a sticky situation from this group so a draw would be far from a bad result.

19.30: No English side has ever won in Donetsk, but then the European champions are in town tonight.

Here is Matt Barlow's preview on Chelsea's trip to Ukraine where Roberto Di Matteo is gunning for another three points.

19.27: From OptaJoe:

5 – Robin van Persie has scored five goals in his last five Champions League appearances. Sequence.

Stars in his eyes: Shinji Kagawa trains for Manchester United at Old Trafford before the clash with Braga

Stars in his eyes: Shinji Kagawa trains for Manchester United at Old Trafford before the clash with Braga

19.24: The pressure is off Celtic tonight and that may work in their favour for the daunting trip to the Nou Camp.

Neil Lennon's battles lie with taking points off fellow rivals Spartak Moscow and Benfica so any points tonight should be seen as a big bonus.

Having said that, no one fancied Celtic to win in Moscow and this is far from a bullet proof Barcelona defence…

19.21: Skipper Scott Brown, Georgios Samaras, Mikael Lustig and Emilio Izaguirre return to the Celtic side for their Champions League Group G clash with Barcelona in the Nou Camp.

Defender Kelvin Wilson shrugs off a calf injury picked up in Saturday's Clydesdale Bank Premier League win over St Mirren, while Kris Commons and James Forrest recover from respective hamstring and groin injuries which kept them out of the trip to Paisley to take their place on the bench.

Barca coach Tito Vilanova has several regular defenders out injured which led to him giving 21-year-old Marc Bartra his first game of the season alongside midfielder Javier Mascherano in central defence.

Argentina star Lionel Messi goes into the match on the back of a hat-trick in Saturday's 5-4 win over Deportivo La Coruna.

19.18: Full line-ups from the Nou Camp:

Barcelona v Celtic
Barcelona: Valdes, Adriano, Bartra, Mascherano, Jordi Alba, Xavi, Song, Iniesta, Sanchez, Messi, Pedro. Subs: Pinto, Fabregas, Villa, Jonathan, Montoya, Sergi Roberto, Tello.

Celtic: Forster, Lustig, Wilson, Ambrose, Izaguirre, Samaras, Brown, Wanyama, Ledley, Mulgrew, Hooper. Subs: Zaluska, Matthews, Miku, Commons, Rogne, Kayal, Forrest.

Referee: Gianluca Rocchi (Italy)

19.15: There was a debate over whether David De Gea would start for Manchester United tonight.

But in a week when the young goalkeeper has been linked with a move back to Spain, the Spaniard gets the nod for this Champions League tie ahead of Anders Lindegaard.

With Carrick having to square peg in defence, De Gea is going to have to display a strong command of his back four this evening – something I've found him to lack in the past.

19.12: Rio Ferdinand is named on the bench for Manchester United's Champions League encounter with Braga at Old Trafford.

Sir Alex Ferguson confirmed yesterday that Ferdinand would not start, but that it was nothing to do with his weekend T-shirt spat.

Michael Carrick is instead named in central defence, with Alex Buttner replacing Patrice Evra and Wayne Rooney chosen as captain, as United look to maintain their 100 per cent record against a Braga team that includes former Newcastle man Hugo Viana.

Soaking up the atmosphere: Celtic fans gather in Barcelona before their side face the Spanish champions

Soaking up the atmosphere: Celtic fans gather in Barcelona before their side face the Spanish champions

Soaking up the atmosphere: Celtic fans gather in Barcelona before their side face the Spanish champions

19.09: Full line-ups from Old Trafford:

Man Utd v Braga
Man Utd: De Gea, Da Silva, Carrick, Evans, Buttner, Kagawa, Fletcher, Cleverley, Rooney, Hernandez, van Persie. Subs: Johnstone, Ferdinand, Anderson, Giggs, Nani, Young, Welbeck.

Braga: Beto, Leandro Salino, Nuno Andre, Paulo Vinicius, Elderson, Custodio, Hugo Viana, Ruben Amorim, Alan, Ruben Micael, Eder. Subs: Quim, Mossoro, Helder Barbosa, da Solva, Baiano, Ze Luis, Anibal.

Referee: Milorad Mazic (Serbia)

19.06: John Terry returns to captain Chelsea in their crunch Champions League clash at Shakhtar Donetsk tonight.

Terry is named in the European champions' starting line-up amid his domestic four-match racist abuse ban, with Frank Lampard also recalled in place of Eden Hazard.

Shakhtar name the same side which drew 1-1 at Juventus in their last Group E game.

19.03: The full line-ups from the Donbass Arena:

Shakhtar Donetsk v Chelsea
Shakhtar Donetsk: Pyatov, Srna, Kucher, Rakitskiy, Rat, Hubschman, Fernandinho, Alex Teixeira, Mkhitaryan, Willian, Luiz Adriano. Subs: Kanibolotskiy, Stepanenko, Eduardo, Gai, Douglas Costa, Kryvtsov, Ilsinho.

Chelsea: Cech, Ivanovic, Terry, Luiz, Cole, Oscar, Ramires, Mikel, Lampard, Mata, Torres. Subs: Turnbull, Romeu, Hazard, Sturridge, Cahill, Azpilicueta, Bertrand.

Referee: Damir Skomina (Slovenia)

19.00: From OptaJoe:

70 – Lionel Messi has scored (53) or assisted (17) 70 goals in 70 Champions League appearances. Scary.

The English are back! Chelsea fans gather in Donetsk ahead of their side's match against Shakhtar

The English are back! Chelsea fans gather in Donetsk ahead of their side's match against Shakhtar

The English are back! Chelsea fans gather in Donetsk ahead of their side's match against Shakhtar

18.57: Manchester United starting XI:

De Gea, Rafael, Carrick, Evans, Buttner, Fletcher, Cleverley, Kagawa, Rooney, Hernandez, Van Persie.

18.54: From Sportsmail's Matt Barlow at the Donbass Arena:

Inside the Donbass there's power heaters in the stadium roof and x-rated hip-hop.

18.51: Celtic starting XI at Barcelona:

Forster, Lustig, Wilson, Ambrose, Izaguirre, Brown, Wanyama, Ledley, Mulgrew, Samaras, Hooper.

18.48: It's not just Chelsea in action of course as Manchester United host Braga and Celtic face a slightly tough test at some Spanish team called Barcelona. It's another big night in the Champions League.

18.45: A week ago we returned to a Euro 2012 venue and was greeted with rain (lots of it too) and an eventual match cancellation.

Well it's better news this week as we follow Chelsea to an old stomping ground of England from the summer at Ukraine's Donbass Arena, as I can reveal that the Blues match against Shakhtar Donetsk is in no danger of being a wash out – at least not literally anyway. It should be a cracker and the team news is on the way.

Back on form: Manchester United's Wayne Rooney scored his first two goals of season last Saturday

Back on form: Manchester United's Wayne Rooney scored his first two goals of season last Saturday

John Terry"s defence is attacked by FA and Ashley Cole hits out on Twitter

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Bridge of lies: FA say Terry's defence was 'contrived and implausible' as Cole is forced to apologise for Twitter attack… but Chelsea stand by shamed pair

|

UPDATED:

22:47 GMT, 5 October 2012

Chelsea stand accused of lying after an FA commission released the written reasons behind John Terry’s four-match ban for racially insulting Anton Ferdinand.

In a 63-page judgement that shames the Champions League and FA Cup winners, the FA’s independent regulatory commission claims Chelsea players and staff concocted a pack of lies to save their captain.

Ashley Cole, who finished training at 12.15pm on Friday, responded to the commission’s report 36 minutes later by tweeting: ‘hahahahaa, well done #fa I lied did I, #BUNCHOFT****’.

Kicking out: John Terry trains with Ashley Cole at Chelsea's HQ on Friday

Kicking out: John Terry trains with Ashley Cole at Chelsea's HQ on Friday

In the spotlight: John Terry's reputation has been hit hard by the 63 pages of the independent commission's report

In the spotlight: John Terry's reputation has been hit hard by the 63 pages of the independent commission's report

FA reveal Terry hearing details

Click HERE for the full 63-page FA report on the John Terry racism case

He later apologised for ‘reacting in the heat of the moment’.

Terry’s explanation of his altercation with Ferdinand during the fiery clash with QPR at Loftus Road on October 23, 2011 was ruled ‘improbable, implausible and contrived’.

The FA’s reputation was also damaged after it emerged that a high-ranking member of the organisation emailed chairman David Bernstein and general secretary Alex Horne on January 18, 2012, to say ‘it would be expected/anticipated the FA decision (sic) will reach the same conclusion as the courts’.

However, the commission, comprising barrister Craig Moore, Stuart Ripley and Maurice Armstrong, ruled that Terry used the words ‘f****** black c***’ as an insult. They did rule that Terry is not a racist.

Chelsea’s long-standing club secretary Dave Barnard, who is on the FA’s international committee, has also been dragged into the dispute after the commission ‘doubted the accuracy’ of his recollection of events.

Controversy: Terry was banned and fine for racial abuse at Anton Ferdinand at Loftus Road last season

Controversy: Terry was banned and fine for racial abuse at Anton Ferdinand at Loftus Road last season

On Friday, the club continued to stand by Terry, Cole and Barnard, and pledged their full support to the trio.Terry has until October 18 to decide whether to appeal but it is understood his lawyers have urged him to accept the findings and pay the 220,000 fine plus the commission’s costs.

Chelsea, who have a zero- tolerance policy towards racism, maintain that they will make a statement on Terry’s future at the club once the October 18 deadline has passed.

Despite Cole’s tweet, which was deleted within an hour by the left back, Chelsea made it clear his evidence was supported by the club.

In an interview with FA compliance officers Jenni Kennedy and Adam Sahaie on October 28, 2011, Cole claimed he heard the ‘b’ word, but thought it could have been ‘Bridge’.

Six days later, Barnard emailed the FA to amend the statement, at Cole’s request, to add the words ‘black or Bridge’. Barnard, who was called back to the Chelsea training ground yesterday afternoon to serve Cole with an internal misconduct charge for his tweet, refused to comment on his own position.

Racist abuse: Suarez was banned for eight matches for attacking Evra

Racist abuse: Suarez was banned for eight matches for attacking Evra

Chelsea’s secretary was condemned for his statement, signed on September 13, 2012, in which he claimed that Cole told the FA during the initial interview that ‘there is no doubt in my mind he used the words “black” or “Bridge”.’

The commission ‘doubted the accuracy’ of Barnard’s statement, which was signed and dated 10-and-a-half months after the initial FA interview with Cole.

Incredibly, it has emerged that while Kennedy and Sahaie taped their interview with Terry at the Chelsea training ground, they only made hand-written notes of their meeting with Cole.

The Chelsea full back’s career with England is not in doubt following yesterday’s incendiary tweet and he spoke with head coach Roy Hodgson on Friday to confirm his ongoing commitment to his country.

Anger: Ashley Cole in training on Friday before he sent out his angry tweet

Anger: Ashley Cole in training on Friday before he sent out his angry tweet

Cole, who apologised for the tweet in a statement through his lawyer for reacting ‘in the heat of the moment’, will be fined by Chelsea for breaking the club’s social networking code of conduct.

Although the FA were refusing to comment on Cole’s specific tweet, he will be charged with misconduct and faces a fine and a ban.

Cole, who has earned 98 caps, joins up with the England squad on Monday and is due to meet the FA’s president, the Duke of Cambridge and his wife, during their tour of St George’s Park the following day.

In a conversation with Hodgson on Friday, he drew the distinction between the FA and England duty and vowed to meet up for the World Cup qualifiers against San Marino and Poland.

Terry, who announced his international retirement before the start of the commission hearing, stands by his original statement that he was ‘disappointed’ following the initial verdict.

Snub: Ferdinand refused to shake Cole's hand last month

Snub: Ferdinand refused to shake Cole's hand last month

The FA were also under fire from the Terry camp after it emerged that they changed Regulation 7.3 in the summer to lower the burden of proof in misconduct cases.

According to the rules for the 2011-12 season — the period when Terry made the racial insult — the more serious the accusation, the higher the standard of proof required to secure a result.

The FA amended the rule and simplified it to ‘civil balance of probabilities’, but the commission accepted Terry’s argument that the case should be heard on the rules in place at the time of the insult.

The commission has also been condemned by the Terry camp for introducing new evidence to the case, namely ‘The Barcelona Principle’ to help secure, in the words of the commission, ‘a result’.

Criticised: Cole arrives at Westminster Magistrates court in July

Criticised: Cole arrives at Westminster Magistrates court in July

On April 24, 2012, Terry was sent off in the Nou Camp in the Champions League semi-final against Barcelona for an assault on Alexis Sanchez.

As he left the field, the Chelsea defender claimed to TV reporter Geoff Shreeves that he ‘did not deliberately strike Sanchez’.

After watching a TV replay, Terry released a statement to say: ‘I’ve raised my knee, which maybe I shouldn’t have done in hindsight. I’m not that type of player.’

Trouble: Ashley Cole apologised over the tweet

Trouble: Ashley Cole apologised over the tweet

The commission then used wide-ranging discretionary powers from Regulation 6.8 of the FA’s rules to admit Terry’s dramatic — and humiliating — U-turn in the Nou Camp as evidence.

Chelsea would not comment on the report, a spokesman saying: ‘As we said last week, we recognise that John has the right to appeal. It would be inappropriate for us to comment further at this time.’

Terry timeline – how the controversy unfolded

2011…
October 23 – John Terry releases a statement denying he made a racist slur against Anton Ferdinand during Chelsea's defeat at QPR after videos had circulated on the internet.
October 25 – Scotland Yard announce they are assessing allegations of racist abuse of Ferdinand by Terry after a complaint from the member of the public.
November 1 – The Metropolitan Police confirm they have launched a formal investigation.
November 5 – England manager Fabio Capello confirms Terry will be selected for the friendlies against Spain and Sweden.
November 28 – Terry is interviewed under caution.
December 1 – Scotland Yard announce they have passed a file towards to prosecutors.
December 21 – The Crown Prosecution Service announce Terry will be charged with racially abusing Ferdinand and is due to appear before West London Magistrates' Court on February 1, 2012.

2012…
January 28 – The FA cancels the pre-match handshakes before the FA Cup fourth-round tie between QPR and Chelsea “to defuse further tensions” relating to the Terry-Ferdinand situation.
February 1 – District Judge Howard Riddle orders that Terry should stand trial in the week beginning July 9 – following Euro 2012 – after hearing a number of other Chelsea players would not be able to appear as witnesses until the end of the football season.
February 3 – Terry is stripped of the England captaincy for a second time. The decision was taken by members of the 14-strong FA board, without consulting Capello.
February 8 – Capello resigns as England manager two days after criticising the decision to strip Terry of the captaincy.
July 13 – Cleared at Westminster Magistrates' Court of making a racist insult to Ferdinand.
June 24 – Plays the full 90 minutes and extra time as England suffer more penalty heartache, losing their Euro 2012 quarter-final to Italy on penalties.
July 27 – Charged by the FA with using abusive and/or insulting words and/or behaviour towards QPR defender Ferdinand. It is further alleged that this included a reference to the ethnic origin and/or colour and/or race of Ferdinand. Terry denies the charge and requests a personal hearing.
August 30 – Recalled to England squad, after missing friendly against Sweden, for September's World Cup qualifiers against Moldova and Ukraine.
September 9 – Withdraws from England squad for Ukraine game after picking up ankle injury in 5-0 win in Moldova.
September 23 – Announces his retirement from international football, shortly before the start of his personal hearing to answer the FA charge.
September 27 – Banned for four matches and fined 220,000 by an FA independent regulatory commission.
October 5 – FA reveal written reasons behind independent commission's ruling, insisting Terry's racist language towards Ferdinand was used as an insult and finding “no credible basis” for his defence that he was only repeating words he believed the QPR defender said to him.

PREMIER LEAGUE LIVE: Chelsea v Stoke plus four other fixtures

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PREMIER LEAGUE LIVE: Follow the action from around the grounds as it happens

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UPDATED:

15:05 GMT, 22 September 2012

Follow Sportsmail's coverage of the Barclays Premier League as five 3pm fixtures including Chelsea v Stoke round off Saturday's action. Elsewhere it is Southampton v Aston Villa, West Brom v Reading, West Ham v Sunderland and Wigan v Fulham. Send me your thoughts on the action at dan.ripley@dailymail.co.uk or contact me on Twitter @Ripinho.

Premier League (3pm)

Click here for the live goals as they go in

Chelsea 0-0 Stoke

Southampton 0-1 Aston Villa

Swansea 0-3 Everton FT

West Brom 0-0 Reading

West Ham 0-1 Sunderland

Wigan 0-1 Fulham

All the latest from the Championship

All the latest from League One

All the latest from League Two

All the latest from the SPL

16.04: We nearly get our first home goal but Zoltan Gera's snap shot inside the box for West Brom is blocked by Reading.

16.01: Away we go again, a change each at St Mary's as Southampton withdraw Danny Fox for Frazer Richardson, while Villa send on Ashley Westwood for Stephen Ireland.

15.56: Southampton are on course to suffer a fifth straight defeat, but InfostradaLive have a statistic that might give hope to Saints fans:

This is the fourth time in 2012 that Aston Villa have been leading at half time of a PL away match. On each previous occasion they were 1-0 up at the break, and each time they went on to draw 1-1. This is the fourth time in 2012 that Aston Villa have been leading at half time of a PL away match. On each previous occasion they were 1-0 up at the break, and each time they went on to draw 1-1.

15.53: From InfostradaLive:

There has not been a single PL goal scored by the home side today. This is set to be the first time in over eight years since the home sides have failed to score in the first 45 minutes on a Saturday in the division (with at least six clubs playing). The last came on May 1, 2004 when seven clubs played.

On top of the action: Referee Lee Probert was the victim of a 50/50 challenge at the DW Stadium between Fulham's Steve Sidwell (left) and Wigan's Ben Watson

On top of the action: Referee Lee Probert was the victim of a 50/50 challenge at the DW Stadium between Fulham's Steve Sidwell (left) and Wigan's Ben Watson

15.50: Half-time: Southampton 0-1 Aston Villa

Half-time: West Brom 0-0 Reading

15.49: Half-time: Wigan 0-1 Fulham

15.48: Half-time: West Ham 0-1 Sunderland

15.47: Half-time: Chelsea 0-0 Stoke

15.46: Nearly a breakthrough for West Brom, but they also strike the woodwork as Jonas Olsson's header strikes the post from a corner.

15.43: Speaking of equalisers, West Ham are also knocking on the door for one.

Ricardo Vaz Te picks out Kevin Nolan, and his rasping volley is magnificently beaten away by Sunderland's Simon Mignolet.

15.40: Nearly a cracking equaliser for Wigan, but Jordi Gomez's first time strike clatters against the crossbar. Mark Schwarzer wasn't stopping that.

15.37: GOAL! Southampton 0-1 ASTON VILLA

The good Saints defending doesn't last long. Barry Bannan's cross is knocked back for Stephen Ireland, who's is given the time and space to get a shot away.

It's an awful one, but in the right place at the right time is Darren Bent who scores his first Premier League goal since February by diverting the effort into the back of the net.

Back with a bang: Hugo Rodallega (top) scored for Fulham on his return to former club, Wigan

Back with a bang: Hugo Rodallega (top) scored for Fulham on his return to former club, Wigan

15.34: GOAL! Wigan 0-1 FULHAM

It's been coming and wouldn't you know it, it's the Wigan old boy that scores it.

Hugo Rodallega scores his first goal for the club with a neat header, and you won't be surprised to know it's twinkle toes Berbatov that created the chance with a great cross.

15.31: The good, the bad and the ugly from Fernando Torres. The Chelsea striker does well to race on to Juan Mata's pass and chest the ball, but his volley isn't up to scratch and fails to trouble Stoke keeper, Asmir Begovic.

Out of the shadows: Stoke keeper Asmir Begovic foils Chelsea striker Fernando Torres

Out of the shadows: Stoke keeper Asmir Begovic foils Chelsea striker Fernando Torres

15.28: Dimitar Berbatov is worth the admission money alone and he is the star of the show at Wigan so far.

The Fulham striker forces a great stop from Ali Al Habsi with a 30 yard strike that wins a corner.

15.25: Good defending from Southampton You better believe it. Christian Benteke looks like he is through on goal for Villa but Jose Fonte's slide tackle denies the striker, who is making his first start.

15.23: From InfostradaLive:

It is two and a half years since West Ham came back to win a PL home match – 3-2 against Wigan in April 2010.

To be fair, the Hammers were in the Championship for one of those years.

15.20: The crossbar has been hit at Stamford Bridge…but by Stoke! It's nearly a set piece special from the visitors but Jonathan Walters header from a Glenn Whelan free-kick can only rattle the woodwork.

On fire: Steven Fletcher (top) celebrates opening the scoring for Sunderland at West Ham

On fire: Steven Fletcher (top) celebrates opening the scoring for Sunderland at West Ham

15.17: Curious incident at the DW Stadium as a 50/50 challenge between Steve Sidwell and Ben Watson sees them clatter referee Lee Probert.

The official needs treatment but laughs off the incident by flashing a joke red card (at the physio I think, of all people!) as play resumes.

15.14: Southampton have struggled so far this term but they have made a bright start against Aston Villa, as Adam Lallana leads a counter.

He finds Rickie Lambert, but the striker slips as he cuts inside and it causes him to fire way off target.

15.11: GOAL! West Ham 0-1 SUNDERLAND

James Collins' mistake allows Seb Larsson to find Steven Fletcher with a decent cross into the box, and the summer signing from Wolves give it the finish it deserves by crashing home with his left foot. That's his fourth goal of the season.

Main threat: Wigan's Ivan Ramis (behind) tracks Fulham's star man Dimitar Berbatov

Main threat: Wigan's Ivan Ramis (behind) tracks Fulham's star man Dimitar Berbatov

15.10: First goal nearly comes at the Hawthorns, where James Morrison narrowly fires over for West Brom.

15.07: Another dominant performance from a west London side comes at Wigan as Fulham go on the attack early on.

Martin Jol's team win three successive corners but the hosts manage to deal with all of them.

15.04: A quiet start. Chelsea all over Stoke at Stamford Bridge but to the Potters' credit, they have denied any attempts on goal.

15.01: Away we go folks…

14.58: The players are out, autumnal sunshine a dominant feature around the grounds as we prepare to get underway.

14.55: Just five minutes before kick-off, so why not check out Martin Keown's preview of this weekend action in the boot room.

This week it's high praise for 'turbo charged' Tottenham, which isn't bad coming from a former Arsenal defender.

14.52: For those unaware, Everton have already won today after a very impressive 3-0 win at Swansea that puts them second in the table. In truth, David Moyes' outfit could have won by a lot more.

14.49: Hugo Rodallega is given a starting berth on his return to Wigan as Fulham boss Martin Jol names an unchanged side from the one that beat West Brom last weekend.

The Colombian, who is still looking for his first Fulham goal, is the Latics' all-time leading Premier League goalscorer but left the club in the summer after running down his contract.

Wigan manager Roberto Martinez makes two changes from the team beaten by Manchester United last weekend, with Ben Watson coming in for James McArthur and Jordi Gomez replacing the absent Franco Di Santo.

Stepping up: Gary Cahill replaces John Terry for Chelsea

Stepping up: Gary Cahill replaces John Terry for Chelsea

14.46: Sam Allardyce names the same starting line-up for a third consecutive Barclays Premier League game as West Ham seek to extend their 100 per cent home record this season.

Sunderland, chasing their first league win after three straight draws, are forced into one change with Titus Bramble replacing the injured Carlos Cuellar.

Adam Johnson fails to recover in time from the thigh injury he suffered while on England duty, which also kept him out of last week's 1-1 draw with Liverpool.

14.43: And finally the full team news from Stamford Bridge:

Chelsea v Stoke
Chelsea: Cech, Ivanovic, Luiz, Cahill, Cole, Mikel, Oscar, Ramires, Mata, Hazard, Torres. Subs: Turnbull, Romeu, Lampard, Moses, Terry, Azpilicueta, Bertrand.

Stoke: Begovic, Huth, Shawcross, Cameron, Wilson, Kightly, Adam, Whelan, Nzonzi, Walters, Crouch. Subs: Sorensen, Jones, Owen, Whitehead, Upson, Etherington, Shotton.

Referee: Michael Oliver (Northumberland)

14.40: Full line-ups from the DW Stadium:

Wigan v Fulham
Wigan: Al Habsi, Boyce, Caldwell, Ramis, Figueroa, Beausejour, McCarthy, Watson, Gomez, Maloney, Kone. Subs: Pollitt, Jones, Crusat, McManaman, McArthur, Boselli, Miyaichi.

Fulham: Schwarzer, Riether, Hughes, Hangeland, Riise, Duff, Baird, Sidwell, Kacaniklic, Berbatov, Rodallega. Subs: Stockdale, Kelly, Kasami, Petric, Ruiz, Karagounis, Briggs.

Referee: Lee Probert (Wiltshire)

14.37: West Brom manager Steve Clarke leaves out former Reading striker Shane Long for the home Barclays Premier League encounter with the Royals and replaces him with on-loan Chelsea forward Romelu Lukaku.

The suspended Peter Odemwingie and fellow wide player Marc-Antoine Fortune also make way for Zoltan Gera and fit-again skipper Chris Brunt respectively in a 4-2-3-1 formation.

Former Albion defender Nicky Shorey makes his first start since returning to Reading from the Hawthorns during the summer.

14.34: Full line-ups from St Mary's:

Southampton v Aston Villa
Southampton: Gazzaniga, Clyne, Yoshida, Fonte, Fox, Puncheon, Schneiderlin, Steven Davis, Lallana, Lambert, Ramirez. Subs: Kelvin Davis, Rodriguez, Ward-Prowse, Do Prado, Richardson, Mayuka, Seaborne.

Aston Villa: Guzan, Lowton, Vlaar, Clark, Lichaj, Holman, Ireland, El Ahmadi, Bannan, Bent, Benteke. Subs: Given, N'Zogbia, Agbonlahor, Westwood, Bowery, Weimann, Bennett.

Referee: Jon Moss (W Yorkshire)

Starting role: West Brom's Romelu Lukaku starts in place of Shane Long

Starting role: West Brom's Romelu Lukaku starts in place of Shane Long

14.31: Full line-ups from the Hawthorns:

West Brom v Reading
West Brom: Foster, Jones, McAuley, Olsson, Ridgewell, Morrison, Mulumbu, Yacob, Brunt, Gera, Lukaku. Subs: Myhill, Rosenberg, Long, Dorrans, Jara Reyes, Dawson, Fortune.

Reading: McCarthy, Gunter, Gorkss, Pearce, Shorey, McCleary, Guthrie, Leigertwood, McAnuff, Pogrebnyak, Le Fondre. Subs: Taylor, Karacan, Mariappa, Hunt, Church, Robson-Kanu, Cummings.

Referee: Chris Foy (Merseyside)

14.28: Full line-ups from Upton Park:

West Ham v Sunderland
West Ham: Jaaskelainen, Demel, Collins, Reid, O'Brien, Diame, Noble, Nolan, Vaz Te, Cole, Taylor. Subs: Henderson, McCartney, Tomkins, Benayoun, O'Neil, Jarvis, Maiga.

Sunderland: Mignolet, Gardner, O'Shea, Bramble, Rose, Larsson, Colback, Cattermole, McClean, Sessegnon, Fletcher. Subs: Westwood, Kilgallon, Vaughan, Meyler, Campbell, Wickham, Saha.

Referee: Lee Mason (Lancashire)

14.25: Paulo Gazzaniga is handed his Barclays Premier League debut today as Southampton manager Nigel Adkins drops regular number one Kelvin Davis against Aston Villa.

The 20-year-old Argentinian goalkeeper joined the south coast club from Gillingham in the summer and replaces stalwart Davis, who conceded 14 goals in the four games this season.

It is one of three changes made by Saints as they hand full debuts to Maya Yoshida and Gaston Ramirez, while Villa hand Christian Benteke his first start in place of Andreas Weimann.

14.20: John Terry and Frank Lampard start on the bench for Chelsea's Barclays Premier League game against Stoke.

Terry, whose Football Association hearing into the Anton Ferdinand saga is understood to be starting on Monday, is replaced by Gary Cahill, with Juan Mata coming in for Lampard.

Michael Owen is made to wait again for his full debut for Stoke, who recall Geoff Cameron as Andy Wilkinson begins a three-match ban.

14.15: Afternoon folks, a slightly depleted schedule to conclude Saturday's football as Newcastle, Liverpool and Tottenham's Europa League exploits mean we will be seeing them tomorrow.

Fear not though as we still have five Premier League games on the way, and the team news just in front of them.

Saturday's focus: Chelsea, West Ham, West Brom and Fulham go in search of three points

Saturday's focus: Chelsea, West Ham, West Brom and Fulham go in search of three points

Real Madrid v Manchester City and Montpellier v Arsenal – Champions League live

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CHAMPIONS LEAGUE LIVE: Real Madrid v Manchester City and Montpellier v Arsenal – as it happens

|

UPDATED:

18:58 GMT, 18 September 2012

Follow Sportsmail's coverage of the Champions League as Manchester City and Arsenal open up their group stage campaigns with trips to the continent. The Premier League champions visit record winners Real Madrid at the Bernabeu while the Gunners travel to the French champions, Montpellier. Send me your thoughts on the action at dan.ripley@dailymail.co.uk or via Twitter @Ripinho.

Champions League (7.45pm)

Click here for the live goals as they go in

Montpellier 1-0 Arsenal

Real Madrid 0-0 Manchester City

Click here for all the latest scores and live tables from the Champions League

All the latest from the Championship

All the latest from League One

All the latest from League Two

19.55: GOAL! MONTPELLIER 1-0 Arsenal

Thomas Vermaelen is a little clumsy lunging in with a tackle just inside the box on Younes Belhanda, and the forward picks himself up to chip the resulting penalty kick home Panenka style. Not the start I was expecting there.

19.54: PENALTY (Montpellier)

19.53: Manchester City have made a decent enough start in Spain, they are certainly seeing a healthy amount of the ball.

19.50: Arsenal win a free-kick for handball on the very edge of the Montellier box but Santi Cazorla's strike can only cannon into the wall.

19.48: It doesn't look for City when Cristiano Ronaldo cuts inside from the left to the edge of the box, but it's not his season so far and he flashes his shot well wide across goal.

19.47: And in France too where Arsenal's Abou Diaby is booked after less than 20 seconds following a clumsy challenge on Marco Estrada.

19.46: We are underway in Spain…

19.45: Manchester City and Real Madrid both make surprising defensive changes for tonight's eagerly-anticipated Champions League Group D clash at the Bernabeu Stadium.

City boss Roberto Mancini makes the bold decision to hand a debut to new signing Matija Nastasic and leave Joleon Lescott on the bench, while fit-again striker Sergio Aguero is also among the substitutes.

David Silva and Gareth Barry return to the starting line-up, with Carlos Tevez playing alone up front.

Madrid manager Jose Mourinho responds to recent poor results by axing defensive linchpin Sergio Ramos and bringing in Raphael Varane, while in midfield Mesut Ozil is also dropped and Michael Essien comes in.

New surroundings: Arsenal travel to Montpellier to begin their Champions League campaign

New surroundings: Arsenal travel to Montpellier to begin their Champions League campaign

19.42: The players are out in France and Spain, so FINALLY here is the full team sheet from the Bernebau:

Real Madrid v Man City
Real Madrid: Casillas, Arbeloa, Pepe, Varane, Marcelo, Khedira, Alonso, Di Maria, Essien, Ronaldo, Higuain. Subs: Adan,Sergio Ramos, Fabio Coentrao, Kaka, Benzema, Ozil, Modric.

Man City: Hart, Maicon, Kompany, Nastasic, Clichy, Javi Garcia, Silva, Toure, Barry, Nasri, Tevez. Subs: Pantilimon, Zabaleta, Lescott, Dzeko, Kolarov, Aguero, Rodwell.

Referee: Damir Skomina (Slovenia)

19.39: Fighting talk from Jose Mourinho. In an interview with ITV, the Real Madrid boss has slammed his player's commitments so far this season but backs them to turn up for the big test in the Champions League.

In translation, Manchester City – watch out!

19.34: From InfostradaLive:

Arsenal have lost only one of five CL matches in France in the Arsene Wenger era, the 2006 Final vs Barcelona (1-2) in Paris. He is unbeaten vs French clubs in France, drawing 1-1 against Lens and winning 0-1 against Lyon, Auxerre and Marseille.

19.31: It's not just Montpellier struggling on four points either. Real Madrid have also made a slow start in La Liga as they have the same tally after four games.

Is it a good time to play them, or is there a sting in the tail to come

As long as Roberto Mancini's side play to their strengths I can see them getting a positive result at the Spanish champions tonight.

19.27: Not long until kick-off so here is some Champions League insight from Sportsmail's Jamie Redknapp, who gives us his preview on the start of the competition.

Clash of the champions: Real Madrid and Manchester City collide at the Bernebau

Clash of the champions: Real Madrid and Manchester City collide at the Bernebau

19.22: From Sportsmail's Matt Lawton:

'One or two surprises in teams here in Madrid. Debut for Nastasic. No Sergio Ramos or Modric in Madrid side. Essien starts.'

19.21: As confusion continues to reign over who is actually starting at the Bernebau, here is the confirmed line-up for Real Madrid:

Casillas, Arbeloa, Pepe, Varane, Marcelo, Khedira, Essien, Xabi Alonso, Di Maria, Higuain, Ronaldo.

19.18: Big opportunity for Arsenal this evening. Montpellier were the surprise winners of the French division last season, and it's working against them this campaign.

After five matches in Ligue 1 they have just four points and look set for a relegation scrap more than a title challenge – hardly the form you want to be in when the Gunners come to town.

19.13: From OptaJoe:

20 – Arsenal have only kept one clean sheet in their last 20 Champions League away games, but that was in France last season. Respite.

Going back: Olivier Giroud (right) starts for Arsenal at his former club

Going back: Olivier Giroud (right) starts for Arsenal at his former club

19.08: There are a few reports circulating that Mario Balotelli starts instead of Javi Garcia, which is confusing me no end, but as we understand it the Italian is not even in the squad this evening.

19.05: Manchester City starting XI:

Hart, Clichy, Kompany, Nastasic, Maicon, Toure Y, Nasri, Barry, Silva, Garcia, Tevez

19.00: Olivier Giroud faces his former club as Arsenal open their Champions League Group B campaign in Montpellier.

The France international has yet to score since his 12million move from the Ligue 1 winners, but is restored to the starting line-up by manager Arsene Wenger, who begins a three-match touchline ban.

Vito Mannone deputises in goal for the injured Wojciech Szczesny, while Abou Diaby comes back into midfield after recovering from a hip problem in the other change from Saturday's 6-1 mauling of Southampton.

Montpellier have struggled at the start of the new domestic season, losing three times already. Defender Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa returns to captain the side.

18.55: Full line-ups from the Stade de la Mosson:

Montpellier v Arsenal
Montpellier: Jourdren, Bocaly, Yanga M'Biwa, Hilton, Bedimo, Estrada, Saihi, Mounier, Belhanda, Cabella, Camara. Subs: Pionnier, Marveaux, Herrera, Congre, Ait-Fana, Stambouli, Jeunechamp.

Arsenal: Mannone, Jenkinson, Mertesacker, Vermaelen, Gibbs, Diaby, Arteta, Gervinho, Cazorla, Podolski, Giroud. Subs: Shea, Koscielny, Andre Santos, Walcott, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Ramsey, Coquelin.

Referee: Carlos Velasco Carballo (Spain)

18.50: Arsenal starting XI:

Mannone, Jenkinson, Mertesacker, Vermaelen, Gibbs, Diaby, Arteta, Gervinho, Cazorla, Podolski, Giroud.

18.45: Good evening folks. This may be the Champions League, but it has a big act to follow after yesterday's incredible drama between Everton and Newcastle in the Premier League.

Goals, controversy, and even a late twist (two of them!) had me captivated at Goodison Park, so let's hope it has set the tone for the European action this week. Team news will be on the way shortly.

All smiles: Yaya Toure (centre right) jokes with Manchester City team-mate, Carlos Tevez

All smiles: Yaya Toure (centre right) jokes with Manchester City team-mate, Carlos Tevez