Doubts raised over Grant’s future

Avram Grant’s long-term future as Jose Mourinho’s successor at Chelsea could be in doubt because he lacks the required coaching licence. Uefa and Premier League rules require anyone wishing to manage in the top flight to hold the Uefa pro licence.

But Chelsea have confirmed that Grant does not have one, and he now requires special dispensation to manage the club for more than 12 weeks.

The pro licence requires 240 hours of study and usually takes a year to gain

“We have written to Chelsea to remind them of these requirements regarding these qualifications,” said a Premier League spokesman.

In the past the Premier League has granted extensions beyond the 12-week period of grace in a couple of exceptional cases.

Reading 2-1 Wigan

James Harper scored a stunning late winner as Reading secured a much-needed victory over Wigan. The Royals spurned several good chances before taking the lead when Chris Kirkland spilled Kevin Doyle’s weak shot and Dave Kitson tapped home.

Wigan hit back and Jason Koumas curled a superb free-kick against the underside of the bar before his corner was headed in by Marcus Bent.

But Harper won it, slotting in after a fabulous reverse pass from Kitson.

The result, which lifts Reading out of the bottom three, was harsh on the visitors given their response to going behind – although Steve Coppell’s side could have been four up by the time they took the lead.

Doyle had the first chance, bursting through after a neat turn on the halfway line but he was torn between taking a shot or picking out one of two men waiting for a cross and in the end he failed to do either.

Middlesbrough 2-2 Sunderland

Liam Miller’s 89th-minute goal snatched a point for Sunderland in a thrilling 125th Tees-Wear derby. Sunderland took the lead after 75 seconds when Michael Chopra’s shot hit Grant Leadbitter and fell kindly for him to slot past Mark Schwarzer.

Boro equalised when Gary O’Neil’s cross was headed in by Julio Arca and then Stewart Downing drilled past Craig Gordon from 25 yards out.

But with time running out Miller fired in a left-foot shot from 20 yards.

Middlesbrough appeared as if they had the game in the bag with Sunderland looking all out of ideas in the last 20 minutes.

Liverpool 0-0 Birmingham

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez left Fernando Torres out of his starting line-up and paid the price again as Birmingham earned a point at Anfield. Torres looked a cut above the rest of Liverpool’s strikers when he emerged on the hour, but Birmingham’s defence had established the platform for a point.

John Arne Riise was just off target and Steven Gerrard’s shot was kicked off the line in a lacklustre display.

Torres’ over-head kick was inches over, but Birmingham deservedly held on.

Benitez surprisingly preferred Ryan Babel to £26m Torres, and his side lacked punch in the opening 45 minutes.

Riise posed the main danger with a shot across the face of goal and a rising shot off target.

Arsenal – Favorites to win this season?

Arsenal, no doubt is the team to beat this season. With the tremendous speed, agility and skills with which they trashed Derby, who is to say that the departure of Henry was a bad thing. Before the start of the season, the question was ‘who will be the team to knock out Arsenal from the top 4 of the premiership?’ Even with van Persie and Gilberto injured, Arsenal have proved to be a powerhouse and frankly, I admit that their style of play is awesome (as always). It will be interesting to see how they will perform when they play Chelsea especially now that Mourinho is out.

Arsenal are 4points clear off Liverpool and 5points clear of Chelsea and Man Utd. I think that if the Gunners continue to play the way they’ve been playing lately, it will be very difficult for Man Utd or Chelsea or Liverpool to steal the title from them this season.

Arsenal 5-0 Derby

An Emmanuel Adebayor hat-trick helped destroy Derby and keep Arsenal at the top of the Premier League table. Abou Diaby put the Gunners ahead with a vicious drive into the top corner.

Then Adebayor showed exquisite control to take down a Cesc Fabregas pass on his chest before rounding Stephen Bywater and slotting a second.

Adebayor struck a second-half penalty and Fabregas rifled in a shot before Adebayor again chested the ball down and placed it low beyond Bywater.

It was more evidence of an Arsenal side playing with flair, vision and without fear.

But if given time to pick their options and spray their passes unpressured and unhurried, teams of lesser quality than Arsenal will find it easy to punish Derby.

Ferguson salutes Ronaldo

Sir Alex Ferguson is confident Cristiano Ronaldo will go on to have the best years of his life at Manchester United.

The brilliant winger returned to haunt his old club Sporting Lisbon on Wednesday night, netting the only goal as United began their latest Champions League quest in the best manner possible.

Ronaldo nodded home Wes Brown’s cross just past the hour mark to open his account for a campaign Ferguson feels will see the 22-year-old at least equal last season’s 23-goal tally.

After spending seven of his formative years at Sporting, it was a bitter blow for the hosts, whose coach Paulo Bento is an old team-mate of Ronaldo.

Mourinho expecting £25m pay-off

Former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho is in line to receive up to £25m in compensation after his departure from Stamford Bridge, BBC Sport understands. The Portuguese was swiftly replaced on Thursday by former director of football Avram Grant after three years in charge of the Blues.

But he still has another three years to run on his reputed £5.2m-a-year deal.

Lawyers for both sides are still working on the severance package that will include confidentiality clauses.

According to BBC football correspondent Jonathan Legard, discussions are said to be well advanced as the split was seen coming.

Legard has also been told Mourinho has felt a sense of relief since the departure.

Chelsea name Grant as new manager

Chelsea have confirmed that Avram Grant has replaced Jose Mourinho as the new manager at Stamford Bridge. The Israeli, who was the club’s director of football, will take charge alongside Steve Clarke.

“The club is delighted that in Avram we have an experienced man who can come in at a difficult time,” said the club.

BBC Sport revealed the news on Thursday morning as Mourinho said an emotional farewell to players at the club’s training ground in Cobham, Surrey.

Mourinho was then seen driving away shortly before the statement confirmed his successor.

The statement added: “In Steve we have a Chelsea man and he will be a crucial part of the management team going forward. Avram and Steve have our full confidence and support.”

Sporting Lisbon 0-1 Man Utd

Cristiano Ronaldo scored a second-half header on his return to Sporting Lisbon to ensure Manchester United’s Champions League campaign started with a victory. Ronaldo won warm applause from the home fans for his subdued response to converting Wes Brown’s cross after 61 minutes of a low-key encounter.

Wayne Rooney made a quiet comeback after recovering from a broken foot.

And United were grateful to keeper Edwin van der Sar, who made superb saves from Liedson and Tonel.

Rooney, as expected was restored to United’s line-up for the first time since sustaining his injury in their opening Premier League fixture against Reading.

Carlos Tevez dropped down to the bench, but Rooney and Ronaldo fed on scraps in a first 45 minutes in which United seemed set on containment.