Bolton 1-2 Everton

Joleon Lescott’s last-gasp header gave Everton victory after record buy Yakubu marked his debut with a goal. The £11.25m striker rounded off a brilliant counter-attack by turning in Andrew Johnson’s pass after 11 minutes.

Mikel Alonso hit the bar with a rising drive before Nicolas Anelka deservedly drew Bolton level with a powerful volley after 55 minutes.

Everton, inspired by substitute Thomas Gravesen, snatched the points when Lescott headed home the Dane’s corner.

Boss David Moyes gave first Premier League starts to Everton’s summer signings Phil Jagielka and Steven Pienaar, with Gravesen on the bench.

And the tiny South African was involved in the sweeping move that saw Everton go ahead after 11 minutes.

Fulham 3-3 Tottenham

Diomansy Kamara scored a dramatic late overhead kick to snatch an unlikely point against a wasteful Tottenham. Younes Kaboul poked home after Antti Niemi had flapped at Gareth Bale’s corner and Dimitar Berbatov smashed in Robbie Keane’s sublime flick.

Fulham pulled one back through a Clint Dempsey header but Bale extended the lead with a fine solo run and finish.

Alexey Smertin’s deflected shot off Ricardo Rocha clawed Fulham within reach before Kamara’s late leveller.

It was the most unlikely of points for Fulham who had been completely outplayed throughout.

Man Utd 1-0 Sunderland

Substitute Louis Saha scored the winner as Manchester United edged out Roy Keane’s Sunderland side. Saha headed in at the near post from Nani’s corner with 18 minutes to go after former United favourite Keane’s side had frustrated the champions.

Black Cats keeper Craig Gordon had earlier brilliantly denied Saha while Nemanja Vidic volleyed over.

Sunderland rarely looked like getting on the scoresheet and Owen Hargreaves was close to adding a second.

United were still some way from their fluent best and Keane, who was given a rapturous reception from the home fans on his first appearance at Old Trafford as a manager, will be disappointed with the way the game was decided.

It was a poor goal to concede, with Saha allowed a free header and Gordon blotting his otherwise impressive copybook by coming for the cross and getting nothing but fresh air.

Ghana storm into last four

 

 

Ghana overcame Peru 2-0 with goals from Sadick Adams and Ransford Osei to advance to
Wednesday’s semi-final against Spain, who beat France on penalties earlier today. After cautious opening exchanges, it was Ghana who had the first chance in the sixth minute. Ishamel Yartey’s left-wing cross was met by Osei, who flicked the ball to an onrushing Adams. But his shot from close range was well saved by Eder Hermoza. Adams saw his powerful shot from 20 metres denied by the right post in the 21st minute and another blocked in a crowded area four minutes later.

Liverpool hit six to go top

Liverpool made it 10 home goals in a week with a 6-0 home rout of Derby to underline the belief at Anfield that they are genuine Premier League title contenders.

 

They followed up the four they put past Toulouse in the Champions League on Tuesday with two goals apiece from Spaniards Fernando Torres and Xabi Alonso, Ryan Babel’s first for the club and one from substitute Andriy Voronin.It is the first time Liverpool have led the top flight for five years and their best start to a league season since 1998.

Rafa: Babel goal was pick of the lot

You had to feel sorry for Derby. Fresh up from the Championship, they simply could not cope with the variety, pace and skill Liverpool possessed – or indeed the pots of money that has seen boss Rafael Benitez build his squad.