Atletico raced into a 2-0 interval lead with strikes from Simao Sabrosa and Diego Forlan, only to see that overturned as the hosts came roaring back at the start of the second half.
The visitors had lost Ever Banega to a second yellow card in the 38th minute and Villarreal took full advantage of the extra man, Marcos Senna, Joseba Llorente, Gonzalo and Guiseppe Rossi all getting on the scoresheet.
However, late goals from Simao and Raul Garcia rescued an unlikely point for the visitors from a game in which Villarreal dominated possession and chances.
After falling victim to an early goal in last weekend's Madrid derby, Atletico wasted no time in making their mark on this clash as Simao netted from outside the box with 60 seconds barely on the clock.
The Portugal midfielder latched on to a ball from Mariano Pernia and hammered an instant shot in off the underside of the crossbar with home keeper Diego Lopez still rooted to the spot.
The hosts were shell-shocked but soon responded with a wave of attacks on the visitors' goal.
Rossi got on the end of a Llorente cross but couldn't direct his header on target before Llorente went close with a couple of headers from Senna crosses, the first saved by Leo Franco down to his left, the second dropping wide of the target.
For all the territorial advantage Villarreal were having, it was Atletico who went further ahead after 22 minutes, Forlan hooking home a left-footed shot from a central position inside the 18-yard box.
Atletico's recent troubles showed signs of resurfacing though when Banega was sent off after collecting his second booking for a needless foul on Joan Capdevila.
And worse was to come as, three minutes after the restart, Senna tried his luck with a harmless looking shot from 30 yards and was surprised to see it squirm through the grasp of Leo Franco and into the net.
Three minutes later, Villarreal were level when Llorente poked home a throughball from Rossi to round off a swift counter attack.
Then just before the hour-mark, Rossi lifted a free-kick into the area to find three yellow shirts totally unmarked on the edge of the six-yard box as the Atletico defence attempted to push up and play them offside.
The flag stayed down and Robert Pires cushioned the ball into the path of Gonzalo who smashed the ball into the roof of the net and wheeled away in jubilation.
Villarreal were now threatening to run riot and it was no surprise when they added a fourth when Rossi fired home a left-foot shot on 68 minutes.
At that stage, the points appeared to be going only one way but the complexion of the game changed again when Simao hit a right-footed shot into the bottom corner on 83 minutes.
The hosts suddenly became nervy and were punished when Garcia headed home an in-swinging free-kick from Simao to snatch a dramatic draw.
Samuel Eto'o bagged a first half hat-trick and further goals from Thierry Henry and Dani Alves saw Pep Guardiola's side race into a five-goal lead at the interval.
And Almeria were forced to play the entire second half with 10 men after Alvaro Negredo was dismissed for a frustrated lunge on Rafael Marquez.
It was the Catalans' second 5-0 win in a week after Wednesday's demolition of FC Basle in the Champions League.
And Barcelona came into this came on the back of eight successive victories in total.
The Catalans had scored 29 times in 10 matches to become Europe's most prolific attacking side this season, but Guardiola rejected comparisons with Johan Cruyff's mythical `Dream Team' in his pre-match press conference on Friday.
However, Barca quickly had their fans drooling again with their penetrating brand of touch football.
Just five minutes had elapsed when the first goal went in.
Yaya Toure's ball from deep was only half-cleared by the Almeria defence and Eto'o pounced on the rebound to give Barcelona a perfect start.
Eight minutes later, the Catalans went two up as Messi set up Henry and the Frenchman slotted home from close-range.
Almeria had again failed to clear their lines and were punished once more.
But Barcelona were practically unplayable at this point and raced into a three-goal lead after 20 minutes.
Andres Iniesta found Xavi in the area and the star of Spain's Euro 2008 win waited for Almeria keeper Diego Alves to commit himself before sliding a perfectly-weighted ball across to Eto'o, who rolled his shot into the empty net.
It was all too easy for the home side and three became four shortly afterwards, when Messi got to the byline and rolled the ball back for the advancing Eto'o, who finished at the second attempt from close-range with an improvised back-heel.
Already four goals down, Almeria's early misery was compounded on the half-hour mark, when Negredo scythed down Marquez close to the corner flag and received a straight red card.
Barcelona continued to look like scoring with every attack and duly went five goals ahead after 37 minutes.
There appeared little danger as Dani Alves lined up a free-kick from long-range, but the Brazil full-back unleashed a vicious low drive which found its way through the wall and bounced just in front of his namesake Alves in the Almeria goal before flashing into the keeper's bottom right-hand corner.
With the game well and truly won, Barca began the second half at a slower pace.
And Almeria created the first chance of the second half, when Guilherme rifled a shot against the crossbar from long distance after 47 minutes.
Barcelona remained a joy to watch, though, and Henry brought the ball down gloriously in the area after 51 minutes, but was unable to hit the target on the turn.
Two minutes later, the former Arsenal forward set up Iniesta in the area, but the Spain midfielder unselfishly pulled the ball back across goal instead of shooting himself and Almeria cleared.
Bojan Krkic, Alexander Hleb and Victor Sanchez all came on in the latter stages, but Barcelona were unable to add to their tally.
Eto'o came closest with a low shot after being set up by Carles Puyol, but Alves made a fine save with his left foot.
Barca were nevertheless given a rapturous ovation on leaving the pitch and the win sees the Catalans move provisionally to the top of the Primera Liga, where they sit level on points with Valencia, who travel to lowly Recreativo Huelva on Sunday.
Almeria remain in sixth, but could drop several places after Sunday's matches.
A lively Genoa dominated the first half and went close to scoring on two occasions, but a red card to midfielder Ivan Juric allowed the home side to take control.
Despite their efforts, the Nerazzurri came up against a brick wall of determined Genoa defenders who more than deserved a point for their efforts.
Inter coach Jose Mourinho paid his compliments to Genoa on the eve of the game and he would have been further impressed with his opponents from the bench.
The Rossoblu dominated the first half, showing no fear against the defending champions after a brief period of containment.
Inter had the first chance of the game when Zlatan Ibrahimovic was caught off guard when the ball reached him at the far post and he was unable to direct his header goalward.
But the rest of the half belonged to the visitors.
The first moment of danger in front of Julio Cesar's goal came when Giuseppe Sculli headed across goal to Marco Rossi, who failed with his acrobatic effort, but was adjudged offside anyway.
Diego Milito should have done better with his header from eight yards from Sculli's cross minutes later.
But it was Giandomenico Mesto who missed the best chance of the half.
The Genoa winger was free in front of an open goal after Milito's shot was only parried by Julio Cesar, but he blazed his shot wide.
He proved he is capable of better minutes later when he unleashed a 25-yard pile-driver which cannoned back off the underside of the crossbar with Julio Cesar beaten.
Mourinho was clearly not happy with what he had seen from his side and he made two changes during the break to form a four-man attack with Victor Obinna and Mario Balotelli coming on.
He added Julio Cruz in an all-out assault, and things swung in Inter's favour when Genoa were reduced to 10 men as Juric was shown a second yellow card.
While the visitors had more than matched their rivals with 11 men, playing half an hour with only 10 changed the complexion of the match.
Giuseppe Biava deflected a shot against his own crossbar with Balotelli unable to convert the rebound as Inter stepped up their search for a goal.
All the home side were able to do was send cross after cross into the arms of Genoa goalkeeper Rubinho and, for the first time this season, they failed to score at the San Siro and lost their place at the top of Serie A as a result.
Captain Antonio Di Natale shook off a knee injury he picked up in the UEFA Cup win over Tottenham in midweek to score a brace while Antonio Floro Flores added a first-half goal.
Roma also got their captain on the scoresheet as Francisco Totti netted a late penalty, but the goal was unable to inspire a comeback.
The defeat will no doubt pile further pressure on Giallorossi coach Luciano Spalletti, whose side are now just a point away from the relegation places in 15th position with only two wins to their name this season.
They were hardly short of chances to get more out of this game, and could have gone ahead as early as the eighth minute when Simone Perrotta latched on to a long pass forward from Cicinho but Udinese keeper Samir Handanovic made the save.
But immediately after that early sight of goal Roma fell behind. Max Tonetto brought down Floro Flores in the area, the referee pointed to the penalty spot, and Di Natale made it 1-0 with 10 minutes played.
The Udinese captain then turned provider 12 minutes later as the home side struck again. Floro Flores got on the end of Di Natale's long ball before taking on Simone Loria and firing a diagonal shot past a hesitant Alexander Doni in the Roma goal.
The frustration told on Roma who, finding no luck in front of goal, went looking for a penalty of their own on the half-hour mark as Mirko Vucinic went down under a challenge from Maurizio Domizzi, but got nothing except for a yellow card for his troubles.
The capital club continued to look for an opening, but by piling men forward they always looked likely to let Udinese in again, and they did just that six minutes into the second half.
A swift counter-attacking move ended with Di Natale in acres of space, and he was able to pick his spot and fire the ball past Doni again from inside the box.
They were nearly caught again after 56 minutes, this time Floro Flores made his way into the Roma area on the break but Doni was equal to the shot.
But Roma's chance did finally come when Matteo Brighi was brought down in the box by Handanovic with 15 minutes to play. Totti stepped up to convert the spot-kick.
The goal looked like it might breathe some life into Roma, and they came very close to adding a second with 10 minutes to play when Handanovic had to react quickly to tip a rasping long-range effort from Totti over the bar.
From the resulting corner Jeremy Menez found himself with a chance to shoot and again Handanovic had to be at his best to push the ball onto the woodwork.
The Frenchman shot wide from another scoring chance as time ticked away, while Daniele De Rossi also missed the target in injury time, but in the end Udinese held on to go level with Internazionale on 17 points and top of the standings on goal difference.
A disputable Grafite penalty put Wolfsburg ahead in the 31st minute and Edin Dzeko grabbed a second just two minutes later.
Franck Ribery gave the home side hope four minutes before the interval and goals from Mark van Bommel (54), Tim Borowski (63) and Bastian Schweinsteiger (80) completed the turnaround for Jurgen Klinsmann's defending champions.
Wolfsburg had Grafite in their starting XI despite the fact the Brazilian forward had spent the week back in his homeland mourning the death of his father.
And he deservedly put the visitors ahead, albeit in controversial fashion.
Dzeko seemed to seek contact with Martin Demichelis' foot just after entering the area and fell for a penalty. Grafite sent Michael Rensing the wrong way from the spot.
Bayern barely had time to regroup before they were two behind.
Dzeko this time provided a finish which nobody could query, heading Makoto Hasebe's cross unstoppably past Rensing.
The champions appeared to be slumping back into the poor form which two consecutive wins seemed to have curtailed.
But Ribery gave them hope shortly before the interval, taking the ball off Schweinsteiger before firing accurately into the bottom-left corner.
Bayern were level within 10 minutes of the restart when Van Bommel slotted home from just inside the area after Diego Benaglio had denied Miroslav Klose.
Christian Gentner missed the chance to put the Wolves back ahead on the hour mark as he closed in on Rensing. Demichelis covered to rescue his goalkeeper and clear the ball before it crossed the line.
Three minutes later, Bayern went ahead for the first time thanks to substitute Borowski.
Neither Lukas Podolski nor Klose were able to convert Ze Roberto's left-wing cross, but Borowski was on hand to grab his fourth goal of the season, making him Bayern's top Bundesliga goalscorer.
Wolfsburg's Marcel Schafer hammered a left-footed shot off the crossbar from a tight angle after Christian Lell invited him forward, with Rensing appearing to get a vital touch as the visitors pressed the the equaliser.
But Schweinsteiger gave the home team some breathing space 10 minutes from the end as he tapped in from close range after Klose headed the ball back across goal.
Referee Webb calls skippers Gerrard and Terry to calm their players.Alonso struck in the ninth minute when his 20-yard shot deflected off Jose Bosingwa and left Petr Cech wrong-footed.
It was Chelsea's first defeat under new boss Luiz Felipe Scolari, but Liverpool were always in charge of a pulsating contest at Stamford Bridge and look real title contenders on this form.
Chelsea had not been beaten at home since Arsenal's 2-1 success in February 2004 but Liverpool deserved their triumph with an impressive display.
Chelsea began the brighter of the two sides and their initial thrusts almost resulted in an opening goal.
Nicolas Anelka dribbled his way into the penalty area in the third minute but was tackled before he could test Jose Reina.
The ball fell to Deco but the Chelsea midfielder's shot was deflected to safety.
Liverpool went ahead in the ninth minute with their first attack of the game.
Chelsea failed to deal with a thrown-in when John Terry could only half-clear Dirk Kuyt's clever back-header.
The ball fell to Alonso on the edge of the penalty area and his shot deflected off Chelsea right-back Bosingwa into the net.
Liverpool were now in commanding form and dominating the game.
In the 17th minute, Albert Riera beat Bosingwa on the left flank but fired his shot into the side netting.
Chelsea, hoping to stretch their unbeaten home league sequence to 87 games, struggled to get back into the game.
Bosingwa tried to run at the Liverpool defence in the 21st minute but was chopped down crudely by Riera who received a booking from referee Howard Webb as a result.
Liverpool continued to look dangerous and in the 24th minute they almost increased their lead when Cech was forced to tip a glorious volley from Steven Gerrard over the bar.
Chelsea began to find some consistency as the first half wore on but they were struggling to produce a telling final ball into the penalty area.
Bosingwa sent over a number of crosses from the right flank but Daniel Agger and Jamie Carragher were inspired at the heart of the visitors' defence.
In the 36th minute Deco was given time and space to run at the Liverpool defence but his left-foot drive from 18 yards was wide of Jose Reina's right-hand upright.
In the 38th minute Gerrard looked to be heading for an early bath for a foul on Bosingwa.
However, referee Webb elected to show the England midfielder a yellow card for his challenge.
Liverpool's speed on the counter-attack almost opened up Chelsea again in the 43rd minute but, despite some confusion in the home defence, John Mikel Obi managed to clear their lines.
Chelsea began the second half in a much brighter fashion and it required an interception from Carragher to prevent a cross from Florent Malouda reaching its destination in the six-yard box.
In the 53rd minute Malouda was booked for checking a fine run by Alvaro Arbeloa.
Kuyt then tried his luck from 20 yards but his effort was wide of the target.
It was the catalyst for a Chelsea to make a double substitution with Malouda and Kalou replaced by Juliano Belletti and Franco Di Santo.
It was another indication of Chelsea's growing frustration and it prompted Liverpool to replace Robbie Keane with Ryan Babel.
The Reds were awarded a free-kick 25 yards out in the 60th minute when Belletti kicked Riera in the face.
Chelsea then had a massive escape when Alonso's effort rebounded off the foot of the post for Ricardo Carvalho to clear.
Babel was brought down by Cole as he tried to collect the ball but referee Webb decided to book Javier Mascherano for attempting to persuade the official to dismiss the left-back.
Cole squandered a great chance to level the scores in the 73rd minute when Di Santo nodded Lampard's cross into his path.
But the defender screwed his effort wide of the post from eight yards. Moments later Carragher rescued Liverpool when he deflected Deco's effort for a corner.
At the opposite end, a 25-yard drive from Babel was only just wide of the target.
end
Boton boss Gary Megson and new Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp prowl the side lines at the Lane.Roman Pavlyuchenko and Darren Bent grabbed the goals against Bolton at White Hart Lane but all eyes were on Redknapp after his appointment to succeed Juande Ramos as Spurs boss.
They are still bottom of the table but have made up ground with other strugglers and crucially have a morale-boosting first league win of the season, at the ninth attempt.
Bolton, who had Gavin McCann sent off, gave Spurs nervous moments but there is enough for Redknapp to work with when he gets to work this week, with key contributions coming from players who struggled under Ramos.
Ramos' hasty departure came too quick for the club to change the matchday programme, so fans were given a chance to read the Spaniard's final notes.
"If you believed everything that was being speculated on then your perception of the club would be far removed from the reality,'' he wrote.
The reality was Ramos heading back to Spain and Redknapp in the dressing room and dugout, even though reserve-team coach Clive Allen picked the team.
Redknapp was unveiled to the Spurs fans before kick-off - something not afforded to Ramos due to the embarrassing manner of Martin Jol's departure a year ago.
The encouraging sign for Redknapp was skipper Ledley King being available, four days after playing in the defeat to Udinese - it was the first time he had been ready for games in such quick succession for 10 months.
As expected of a team with a new manager, there was an extra zip to the hosts, something missing so far this season.
Jamie O'Hara had an early shot from long distance deflected over, then from the resulting corner it took a brave header from Andy O'Brien to prevent Pavlyuchenko from tapping in.
Luka Modric has struggled to make an impact since his £16.5million signing in the summer, but he was given a free role behind the striker and resembled a new player.
Like Modric, Pavlyuchenko has struggled since an impressive Euro 2008, and the Russian desperately needed the 18th-minute opener to bring his belief back.
David Bentley, back in the team after being dropped for Ramos' final game following an outspoken assessment on Spurs' start to the season, set it up when he picked the ball up on the right flank.
After exchanging passes with Alan Hutton, the early cross came and was met with a downward header from Pavlyuchenko 12 yards out, with the finish going in off the post.
"Harry Redknapp's white and blue army,'' sang the Spurs fans after watching two players who struggled under Ramos combine for the strike.
Confidence was returning to Spurs but their lapses in concentration still remained, and were never far away.
Benoit Assou-Ekotto, hauled off at half-time in Ramos' final match in charge, made a mess of a simple clearance to put goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes in trouble - the ball fell to Kevin Davies on the edge of the area and his finish dropped just wide.
Matt Taylor then saw an effort, from a similar distance but more central, curl wide, before Johan Elmander got a shot on goal that required King to clear off the line - after Spurs failed to clear a free-kick.
Tom Huddlestone had a couple of efforts before the break, the first when Jussi Jaaskelainen failed to hold a Bentley free-kick, then after O'Hara wriggled inside from the left and passed neatly.
Redknapp had said he wanted more steel in the midfielder - and Bolton were giving them a genuine battle.
Kevin Nolan picked up a booking and was fortunate not to get a second when he tripped Modric, while fellow midfielder McCann also went in the referee's notebook before the break.
The latter was dismissed 11 minutes into the second period, his second yellow card after he caught the ankle of Huddlestone.
Gomes' punching was erratic and Fabrice Muamba lobbed onto the roof of the net after one poor clearance.
Bent came on for Pavlyuchenko and should have added a second when Modric slipped him through, then Aaron Lennon - another substitute - fired over after Huddlestone had an effort saved.
Jaaskelainen brought down Bent with 16 minutes left, and the striker smashed the penalty into the bottom corner.
Bolton boss Gary Megson then endured abusive chants from his own fans after a double substitution - it really was Redknapp's day.
Emmanuel Adebayor scores the final goal in Arsenal's 2-0 win.Following Liverpool's victory at Stamford Bridge earlier this afternoon, and United's failure to beat Everton, Arsene Wenger's side knew just what was at stake as they looked to keep pace with the Barclays Premier League leaders.
The Gunners - fresh from a fine 5-2 Champions League trashing of Fenerbahce in Turkey - certainly had to dig deep for their win, which came courtesy of an own goal from Julien Faubert when he deflected a shot from substitute Emmanuel Adebayor late in the second half, which was harsh on inspired West Ham keeper Robert Green, before the African wrapped things up in stoppage time.
Nevertheless, it is these such keenly-contested clashes which Wenger's young squad will have to come through if they are to have a say in the destiny of the title come May - and on this afternoon's evidence, they could still just have the final word.
Arsenal were led once more by captain William Gallas, fit again following a thigh problem.
However, both he and fellow France veteran Mikael Silvestre were given plenty to concern themselves during the opening stages by a busy West Ham frontline.
After 10 minutes, it needed a fine tip over from Manuel Almunia to deny the lively David di Michele, who powered in a 20-yard drive which looked set for the top right-hand corner.
Arsenal were being out-manoeuvred in midfield, were Alexander Song, pushed forwards from defence, and Spanish maestro Cesc Fabregas were yet to strike up an understanding.
Winger Theo Walcott had been anonymous, but burst into the game on 20 minutes.
The England man turned his marker just inside the West Ham half before scampering away towards goal down the right.
After riding two challenges on the edge of the box, he darted inside and unleashed a fierce drive which cannoned off the top of Green's crossbar.
Although both Robin van Persie and Nicklas Bendtner were both well placed in the middle, given his current form, Walcott could perhaps be forgiven for being somewhat selfish.
The all-action teenager was in the thick of things again when an intelligent chest down from Van Persie 12 yards out put the ball into his path. However, despite getting a shot away, Green somehow pulled off a superb reflex save down to his right.
West Ham - who were out to avoid a third straight league defeat - needed something to relieve the pressure as the half-hour mark approached.
It came following a quick break when Craig Bellamy chased down a long ball ahead of Silvestre.
The Wales striker drilled in a low, first-time effort from the edge of the penalty area - which Almunia deflected over with his legs.
Bendtner chased what looked a lost cause on the left, before cutting inside to force another fine save from Green at full stretch.
After a low-key start to the second half, the visitors again maintained a spell of patient build-up.
It was almost rewarded when Samir Nasri picked out Walcott on the right, and his low centre was put up over his own bar by the back-tracking James Collins.
The West Ham defender then made a timely intervention to out-muscle van Persie as the Dutchman looked to get on the end of a long ball into the penalty area.
As the hour mark passed, Bellamy got in down the West Ham left - but Gallas was on hand to scramble the loose ball away.
Arsenal went close again when first Collins blocked Walcott's angled effort and then Van Persie's follow-up flew through a crowded six-yard box and hit Lee Bowyer.
With 25 minutes left, Wenger made a double change as Adebayor and Abou Diaby - who had played so well in Turkey - were introduced, replacing Nasri and Walcott.
Green was having an inspired afternoon and made another fine one-handed save to keep out Van Persie's low, angled drive.
When the England stopper was finally beaten by a stinging 25-yard free-kick from the Dutchman, his luck held as the ball cannoned off the base of the post and bounced away.
Arsenal, though, finally got the breakthrough with quarter of an hour to go when Adebayor weaved his way into the area and hit a low shot back across goal.
With Bendtner lurking in the six-yard box, the unfortunate Faubert stuck out a boot which diverted the ball past Green.
Adebayor should then have done better when following up his own shot, only to stab over from close range.
The Togo frontman eventually made sure of what could yet prove to be three vital points in an intriguing title race when he latched on to a long pass up field from Bendtner to round Green and smash the ball into an empty net.
To compound the misery for West Ham, referee Phil Dowd showed striker Carlton Cole what seemed a somewhat harsh straight red card for a sliding tackle from behind on Song.
"It was a big win for us today,'' Wenger said. "To come out of it with a frustrating 0-0 would have felt like a wasted opportunity to get closer to the top. We knew before the game we could not drop points today.
"West Ham can also feel frustrated because they defended well and gave everything today. Green always has the game of his life against us, it is unbelievable and he repeats that every year.
"We had some strikers on the bench and in the end that made the difference when we got some openings as they fatigued in the last 20 minutes.''
Wenger revealed he had taken a conscious decision to give Adebayor, who was last season's leading scorer, a rest.
"Last year I over-used him and now we go into a period where we play every three days, which is why I want to rotate a little bit," said Wenger. I have a short squad, a compact one, but of quality. I can only show that by trusting the players.''
Adebayor was a target for AC Milan during the summer, but eventually decided to stay at the Emirates Stadium. Wenger feels the Togo striker is showing his commitment to the Gunners cause.
He said: "He fights very hard and came on with 25 minutes left, and fought for every ball - that shows more than all the speeches I can make. We have a great spirit in the side, great quality and are very determined to come back to the top.''
Arsenal are now four points off leaders Liverpool, and have closed the gap on Chelsea to just one. Wenger feels this season will be "tight''.
He said: "One week ago everyone made Chelsea super-favourites, now it is Liverpool. Things change very quickly, which is why it makes it very interesting. We were very close last year and with 83 points, many times you would have been champions.
"However, Manchester United had a fantastic second half of the season, we dropped a little bit of our quality and that is it - I still feel any weakness will be punished.''
LONDON, Oct 26 (Reuters) - Tottenham Hotspur appointed Harry Redknapp as their new manager on Sunday after the Premier League club sacked Juande Ramos late on Saturday.
Empics
Ramos: No win in the league this season.
Redknapp, 61, leaves Portsmouth after a successful spell at the south-coast club that included steering the club to their first FA Cup triumph since 1939.
In a more than 2000-word open letter to fans on Tottenham's website, chairman Daniel Levy said he had been left with no choice but to remove Ramos, and his assistants Guy Poyet and Marcos Alvarez and director of football Damien Comolli, after the club's worst ever start to a season.
Going into Sunday's home match against Bolton Wanderers they are bottom of the league with just two points from eight matches.
"Unfortunately, our record of just three league wins since our memorable League Cup victory against Chelsea last February, combined with our extremely poor start to the season, led the board and I to determine that significant change was necessary as a matter of urgency," Levy said.
"We are grateful to Juande, Gus and Marcos for all their hard work -- they are incredibly professional, committed individuals and I regret that their time in the Premier League has not gone as well as we had all hoped."
Ramos won the League Cup for Tottenham after replacing Martin Jol a year ago but after the departure of several senior first team players, including strikers Dimitar Berbatov and Robbie Keane, in the summer, they have endured an abysmal start.
Defeats against the likes of promoted Hull City and Stoke City have seen many tip Spurs for relegation for the first time since 1978.
"The English Premier League is an unforgiving competition and time was no longer on our side and was a luxury we simply could not afford," Levy added.
"In appointing Harry Redknapp as our new manager, we are delighted to have secured the services of someone we have long since admired and whose track record and knowledge of all levels of football, including importantly the Premier League, is outstanding.
"With his great knowledge of the game and his excellent motivational skills, Harry has inspired his teams to consistently over-perform, whilst his preferred attacking style of playing the game sits comfortably with our club's history, heritage and the type of entertaining football our fans want and expect to see."
Levy said Comolli would not be replaced, signalling the end of Tottenham's continental-type structure where a director of football is responsible for transfer dealings.
"In Harry, we are also accepting with his appointment that now is the right time for us to move back to a more traditional style of football management at our club," said Levy.
Portsmouth said they were sorry Redknapp was leaving and had tried to do everything to keep him at the club where chief executive Peter Storrie said he had "performed a near miracle" in keeping Pompey in the top flight when he first arrived.
"He made it clear that although he has achieved great success here at Fratton Park, apparently Spurs is one of the only clubs he would consider leaving for," Storrie told the club's website.
"We have subsequently agreed a substantial compensation package with Spurs, although our overwhelming desire would have been to retain the manager."
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez is sweating over the fitness of three key players as he prepares for the Premier League showdown with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
PhilCole/GettyImages
Robbie Keane chats to Rafael Benitez after coming off injured against Atletico
With Liverpool level on points with Luiz Felipe Scolari's men and only in second place on goal difference, Benitez knows that he can send out a statement of intent to the rest of the Premier League with a strong performance in the capital.
But he could be without skipper Steven Gerrard, Xabi Alonso and Robbie Keane who all suffered knocks during the 1-1 Champions League draw at Atletico Madrid on Wednesday night.
Liverpool are already likely to be without the services of star striker Fernando Torres as he continues his recovery from a hamstring injury.
Benitez knows he will need all his big game players for the trip to a side which has not lost at home in the Premier League for 86 matches, a run which stretches back to a loss against Arsenal on February 21, 2004.
"The three players have had some problems,'' Benitez revealed. "It was a little bit of a muscle problem for Robbie. Gerrard is okay. He was really tired and Alonso has a knock on his knee.
"We need to check with Keane. I don't think it will be serious, but anyway we need to take care of him. He will see the doctor. We are trying to keep players with fresh legs and 100% fit, so we were trying to protect all of them.''
When asked if he had any fitness concerns for the clash with Chelsea, Benitez answered: "I don't know now, we will have to wait.''
Wigan manager Steve Bruce admits he faces a fight to keep Amr Zaki at the JJB Stadium following the Egyptian's stunning start to life in the Premier League.
The 25-year-old, who has already scored seven goals to top the scoring charts, joined the Latics on a season-long loan from Egyptian side Zamalek in the summer.
Bruce revealed a fee of £7.25million was agreed but he felt a permanent deal would be "a risk''. That price is now sure to be increased and there have been reports other clubs could step in in January.
Wigan's boss told the Guardian: "I want to put the record straight because, at the minute, everyone wants a piece of the fellow. The truth of the matter is he's on loan with us until June. That's a fact.
"Over the next few weeks, or however long it takes, we will try and open negotiations with Zamalek and do everything in our power to try and make sure he stays here.
"Zamalek were hoping, and that's why they took the deal, that he would do well. Obviously, the better he does, the bigger the fee. He's our player, so we're in the driving seat.
"We haven't got first refusal on anything. But we have got to see if we can agree a transfer fee with Zamalek.
"Of course, with hindsight, it would have been nice for him to have been ours. But we have still got a chance - that is the most important thing - and we will do our utmost.''
Tottenham head coach Juande Ramos will make a late decision on whether Ledley King will face Udinese tonight - when his participation would effectively rule his skipper out of the must-win clash against Bolton.
King will struggle to play twice in a week as he recovers from knee surgery, meaning a UEFA Cup game against the side second in Serie A would deny Ramos his best defender in Spurs' bid to lift themselves off the bottom of the Premier League this weekend.
"Both competitions are important,'' said Ramos. "The most important is the UEFA cup because this is our next game. On Friday, the most important is the Premier League.''
Spurs' worst start to a season in their history has been complicated by King's injury and Vedran Corluka and Roman Pavlyuchenko being cup-tied for UEFA Cup action.
Pavlyuchenko's appearance in the defeat to Stoke at the weekend has caused a stir in Russia, as his national team thought he was still suffering from an ankle injury.
"He has an injury but was in the team,'' Ramos admitted. "In the match against Stoke we were losing and in the last 20-25 minutes we needed to use him to get a draw. He didn't finish in the best condition.''
The defeat at Britannia Stadium also led to Michael Dawson being charged with improper conduct by the Football Association for his reaction to being sent off, and the centre-back has requested a personal hearing to deny the charge.
Alan Hutton escaped with just a yellow card in that match following a clumsy challenge on Thomas Sorensen, who said he was a millimetre from losing his sight following the incident.
Hutton expressed his disappointment that Sorensen had criticised him.
"It's harsh,'' said the Scotland full-back. "I said I was sorry and I totally mean that. I'd like to say sorry again. Hopefully he'll be back as soon as possible.
"I've been in that position before myself and I would never go out and try to harm anyone. It was one of those things. I've received bad tackles, it's a contact sport, I don't say anything about it.''
Hutton will make his debut in Europe this season following his own foot problem, but Tom Huddlestone has an injury and did not travel.
Sporting director Damien Comolli, who has been tipped to leave the club, made the trip to Italy but chairman Daniel Levy is thought to be away on business.
David Bentley, meanwhile, has given his forthright verdict on Tottenham's start to the season, admitting he and his team-mates had no idea what they were doing.
Bentley told talkSPORT magazine: "Its been shocking, its been a bit s***. It's been a difficult start, especially for me.
"I wasn't enjoying it. It's been difficult out on the pitch. We've not been together - we didn't know where people were running, what people were doing.
"But I think we're slowly starting to get settled and people are becoming more confident.''
Controversial Newcastle midfielder Joey Barton has vowed to use the tide of abuse heading his way to fuel his bid to return to his best form.
The 26-year-old could return to senior action for the Magpies in Saturday's derby clash with Sunderland and the Stadium of Light.
His reappearance after completing a six-match Football Association ban for a training ground incident involving former Manchester City team-mate Ousmane Dabo could hardly have come amid a more hostile atmosphere.
Barton knows he will be a target for opposing fans after also serving 74 days of a six-month prison sentence for assault and affray.
However, he is determined to use the stick as a motivating force in the attempt to repay the faith of the people who stood by him.
Barton told Sky Sports News: "It is important to me to get my career back on track. I know I am going to get stick, I know that, wherever I go, and I have no problem with that.
"That's stick is totally deserved. If anyone else was in my situation, I would probably be saying the same things people are saying about me. I have got to live with that, probably until the end of my playing days.
"There are two ways I can go: I can either let it affect me and go under and become a shadow of the players I can be; or I can turn negatives into positives and use it to my benefit to get me right on the ball and get me back where I belong.''
In a series of frank interviews in the wake of his return for the reserves on Tuesday night, Barton has opened his heart on the self-inflicted misery of the last 18 months.
However, he believes he has the character to come through the most turbulent period of his chequered career to date.
He said: "They [the critics] will always be there. I can't do anything about that, those are things that are out of my control.
"But I have a quirky kind of personality where, if people test you and people push you and push you and push you, there's something in-built in me which has got a strong sense of 'Let's prove them wrong'.
"I have always been the underdog, I have always been under-rated, and sometimes when people do that, you find a side to yourself that either goes under, or you stand there and say, 'This is what I am about'.''
Barton also paid tribute to Kevin Keegan, the man who fought his corner amid concerted calls for him to be sacked.
He said: "Mr Keegan was massive for me. He has known me a long, long time, and his support at a time when I didn't deserve support, I will be forever grateful for that.
"I will always carry that with me and be eternally grateful. He stuck his neck on the line for me and defended me when I didn't deserve defending and for that man I have got nothing but admiration.
"I was very sorry to see him go. But those things are out of my control. There is talk of him in the pipeline coming back - he is a football man, and if anyone knows this football club, it's Mr Keegan.''
But Barton has been impressed too with the job done by interim boss Joe Kinnear since he was asked to step into the void left by Keegan's resignation.
He said: "Mr Kinnear has come in and he has been a breath of fresh air. He hasn't tried to be anyone else, he has come in and been himself, as I think has been well-documented in his press conferences, and I like him.
"He is a quite straightforward guy. There's a lot of respect in the changing room for him. Mr Keegan was a tough act to follow, but Joe has got his own style and he has stuck to that, and a lot of the lads have responded.
"We were a coupe of goals down at Everton and managed to get a result, and then we were 1-0 down to [Manchester] City, down to 10 men and you would think we had 12 men on the pitch the way the guys performed that night.
"That's testament to not only Mr Kinnear, but also the backroom staff, Chris Hughton and Richard Money and Paul Barron.
"Everyone has been in it together and it has been a backs-to-the wall job and and us-against-them mentality, and thankfully the lads have been playing some good football.
"If I can go some way to helping them along in whatever is demanded from me, I will be there chipping in with them.''
Blackburn manager Paul Ince has warned Aston Villa off a January move for Roque Santa Cruz by insisting they do not have the money to prise him from Ewood Park.
The Paraguay striker signed a new four-year deal with Rovers over the summer, but he has already been linked with a transfer to Manchester City who are now managed by Mark Hughes, the man who took him to the Lancashire club in 2007.
Villa are now reported to have joined City in the race for the South American, but Ince, speaking to The Sun, claimed: "Villa can't afford him.
"When it gets near to the transfer window, people start coming out with all these things.
"Roque signed a four-year deal, he came out and said he loves it at Blackburn. He wants to stay here and we want him to stay here.
"Until that changes, that's the only situation that matters.''
Meanwhile, Ince could be set to hand Benni McCarthy his first start of the season after the striker shed the pounds.
The South African has not scored for the club since February after claiming 24 goals in his debut season and 11 in the last campaign.
He has been limited to four substitute appearances this season and came off the bench in the goalless draw at Bolton last weekend.
McCarthy scored in the friendly against Ghana last week and is now pushing for a place in the team to face Middlesbrough on Saturday.
Ince said: "Benni came back to pre-season not quite right. He's had to work really hard to get himself to the weight he needs to be at.
"He has had a couple of games for South Africa and that has helped him. He seems to have that hunger back.
"Benni has been razor-sharp in training and he did well when he came on in the last 15 minutes against Bolton. He gives me another selection problem but that is what I get paid for.
"It is nice because Benni is a quality player and when he is right he is one of the best in the Premier League.''
Zabeel Investments have pulled out of a deal to buy Charlton, the Championship club confirmed today.
The Dubai-based investors, who had also been linked with a takeover of Newcastle, made an indicative offer for the club earlier this month.
A Charlton statement said: "Zabeel Investments has informed Charlton that the decision not to proceed was taken on the basis that its focus moving forward will be on domestic opportunities in Dubai that complement the current Zabeel Investments portfolio.
"This combined with the current debate around foreign ownership of football clubs and the worsening economic climate in the UK contributed to the decision of Zabeel Investments to pull out.''
The news will come as a blow to the Addicks, who have reported debts of £20million and were ready to sell.
The club are in the final year of their parachute payments having been relegated from the Premier League in 2007 and dropped to 20th in the table following Tuesday night's home defeat by Bristol City.
Zabeel were this week reported to have turned their attentions to Everton, although they insist they are no longer in the market for an English club.
The statement continued: "Zabeel Investments has made it clear to Charlton that this decision was not made as a result of any discoveries during the due diligence process.
"Contrary to recent press reports, Zabeel Investments has confirmed to Charlton that it has not approached any other club since it made an indicative offer for Charlton Athletic on October 10, nor has it authorised any approach on its behalf.
"In addition, Zabeel Investments has confirmed it has no current intention to acquire any English football club for the foreseeable future.''
A spokesman for Zabeel Investments added: "Zabeel Investments has the highest regard for both the supporters of Charlton and the way in which Charlton is managed and wishes the team every success in their quest for promotion this season and moving forward.''
MADRID, Oct 23 (Reuters) - Valencia have been transformed from a strife-ridden side that flirted with relegation last season to the early Primera Liga leaders thanks to new coach Unai Emery's ability to unite the dressing room.
The east coast side, who visit Recreativo Huelva on Sunday, started the last campaign as contenders for the title but fell apart after the club panicked and sacked Quique Sanchez Flores and appointed Ronald Koeman in his place.
The Dutchman helped cause a rift within the squad by dropping stalwarts Santiago Canizares, David Albelda and Miguel Angel Angulo and telling them they were surplus to requirements.
Valencia plummeted down the standings and although they won the King's Cup, Koeman was sacked just before the end of the campaign.
Emery, 36, arrived from Almeria in July with one season of top-flight experience, but has made in immediate impact with few changes to the squad. A great tactician and motivator, he has won over a tough dressing room in a short space of time.
"He has surprised us all because he knows how to get the most out of the squad. He came in with his arms wide open and has tried to get the best from every one of us," said Albelda, who has been restored to the side.
Winger Vicente has said there are many similarities now with the side Rafael Benitez led to the league title in 2002 and 2004. They top the standings with six wins from seven games, and have scored 17 goals to just four conceded.
Struggling Recre are third from bottom and without a win in six outings, though they put on a much-improved performance under new coach Lucas Alcaraz last weekend, drawing 1-1 at Valladolid.
Second-placed Sevilla are at home to Andalucian rivals Malaga on Sunday with both teams on winning streaks, while third-placed Villarreal host an Atletico Madrid side seeking a lift from three consecutive league defeats.
Champions Real Madrid receive Athletic Bilbao at the Bernabeu in Sunday's late game but will be without suspended Dutch striker Ruud van Nistelrooy.
Barcelona will be looking for their sixth consecutive league victory when Almeria visit the Nou Camp on Saturday.
ROME, Oct 23 (Reuters) - Injury-hit Juventus are hoping Italy midfielder Mauro Camoranesi can recover from a leg muscle problem to help them build on their Champions League win over Real Madrid in Saturday's derby against Torino (1830 GMT).
The 2-1 triumph on Tuesday ended a five-match winless run for Juventus, who are seven points behind Serie A leaders Inter Milan in 12th place, and gave under-fire coach Claudio Ranieri some breathing room.
However, the heat will be straight back on if Juve suffer a third consecutive league defeat this weekend and fitness problems are complicating his bid to turn things around.
Claudio Marchisio will be out for almost four weeks after hurting his ankle against the Spanish champions. The midfielder joins a long injury list that includes goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, striker David Trezeguet and midfielder Christian Poulsen.
Camoranesi, who has been out since a 2-1 defeat to Palermo at the start of the month, trained with his team mates on Wednesday and might be fit the Torino match, the club said on their website.
The pressure is also on Ranieri's counterpart Gianni De Biasi as Torino have lost their last three games and have not tasted victory since beating Lecce 3-0 on the opening day.
Former Italy boss Roberto Donadoni will be among the candidates to replace De Biasi if the poor form continues, according to media reports.
Torino will be without first-choice goalkeeper Matteo Sereni, who suffered an ankle knock in training on Wednesday, and suspended defender Francesco Pratali.
Champions Inter entertain Genoa in fine fettle after thrashing last-year's runners-up AS Roma 4-0 last weekend and beating Cypriots Anorthosis Famagusta on Wednesday to go clear at the top of Champions League Group B.
AC Milan, who are three points behind Inter in sixth, visit Atalanta in Bergamo amid growing excitement at David Beckham's possible loan move from Los Angeles Galaxy.
Struggling Roma, nine points off the pace in 14th, face a tough trip to Udinese, who have 14 points from seven games.
Udinese share second place with Napoli, who visit Lazio, and Catania, who take on Siena on Saturday (1600).
BERLIN, Oct 23 (Reuters) - Bayern Munich's recovery is unlikely to survive the visit of a familiar foe on Saturday unless they heed the words of captain Mark van Bommel.
Juergen Klinsmann's side are back within five points of the leaders as they prepare to face a VfL Wolfsburg side coached by former Bayern boss Felix Magath (kickoff 1330 GMT).
It is the sort of match they should be relishing after 3-0 win at home to Fiorentina in the Champions League but Van Bommel knows Tuesday's scoreline masked an uncomfortable truth.
While the Bavarians had arguably their best game of the season in attacking terms, they left huge gaps in defence and better finishing from Fiorentina, who had a total of 23 shots, could have made it a different story.
"We were very lucky not to concede at least one goal against Fiorentina," Van Bommel told reporters after the match.
"There's a lot we have to improve on."
Bayern will be hit by the absence of defender Philipp Lahm, after he suffered an ankle injury against the Italians. Christian Lell is likely to step in.
Otherwise the injury situation is looking good and coach Juergen Klinsmann believes the club are seeing the benefit of the tougher training regime he imposed on taking over before the start of the current season.
"Out physical condition is giving me a lot of confidence," Klinsmann told reporters after the Fiorentina victory.
"We're in good shape, and we're just starting to see the early results of our extremely demanding training over the last three months.
"The players aren't pulling up short any more, they have it in them to run 60 yards even as late as the 86th minute. We're also developing an element of consistency."
Victory over Fiorentina followed a 1-0 win away to Karlsruhe last weekend, a result that left them in the lower half of the table but within sight of leaders Hamburg.
Once again, Hamburg are not in action until Sunday, when they visit second-placed Hoffenheim, meaning Bayern have the chance to put further pressure on their title rivals with a Saturday victory.
The fixture list has presented Bayer Leverkusen with an even better opportunity, as victory at home to Cologne on Friday would take them up from third to first.
Roma and Atletico Madrid face English opposition in the Champions League on Wednesday night as they look to exorcise their demons after painful defeats in league action at the weekend.
GettyImages
Roma coach Luciano Spalletti is under pressure after poor start to the season.
Italian outfit Roma travel to Stamford Bridge to take on in-form Chelsea after being beaten 4-0 at home by Inter Milan on Sunday. The result has cast doubt on the future of coach Luciano Spalletti after the club's indifferent start to the season which sees them in 14th position in Serie A.
• Follow all Wednesday's Champions League action!
After two games, Roma are third in Group A following an embarrassing 2-1 home defeat to newcomers CFR Cluj and 3-1 away win over French side Girondins Bordeaux, who play host to Cluj on Wednesday.
Having lost 2-1 at home to bitter city rivals Real on Saturday, a third consecutive La Liga defeat, Atletico Madrid face Liverpool at the Vicente Calderon stadium.
Madrid coach Javier Aguirre could ease the pressure with an immediate reaction against a Liverpool team playing well in domestic football, but who are shorn of former Atletico star Fernando Torres - who misses out on a playing return because of injury.
A win for either side would put them in a strong position in Group D, with both having won their first two matches against PSV Eindhoven and Olympique Marseille.
Elsewhere in Wednesday's Champions League action, Jose Mourinho's Inter host Group B's surprise joint leaders Anorthosis Famagusta, while Werder Bremen visit winless Panathinaikos.
In Group C, Sporting Lisbon are away to Shakhtar Donetsk, while leaders Barcelona travel to bottom side Basel and will expect to maintain their 100% record in the competition this season which stretches back to the third qualifying round in August.
Dimitar Berbatov is on the verge of living up to his £30.75 million price tag according to Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson after the Bulgarian scored his second successive Champions League brace on Tuesday.
AlexLivesey/GettyImages
Hot shots: Dimitar Berbatov and Wayne Rooney celebrate during the rout of Celtic
United inflicted Celtic's 18th defeat in 19 Champions League away games with the 3-0 win at Old Trafford as the Red Devils notched their 16th consecutive victory in the competition, and Ferguson singled out Berbatov for special praise.
''Dimitar produced some fantastic pieces of football,'' said Ferguson. ''The players are starting to understand what type of player he is a bit more now.
''I always feel he produces passes that mean something. Three or four of them were absolutely superb and overall he has five goals for us already, so he is making a terrific contribution.''
Although the languid 27-year-old's two goals against Celtic had a hint of offside about them they became Berbatov's fourth and fifth goals of the season and Ferguson believes that with goals will come confidence.
While Berbatov's goals appeared to be offside and were allowed to stand, Wayne Rooney had a goal ruled out for offside, though replays suggested the striker had timed his run perfectly to latch onto Cristiano Ronaldo's through ball.
However, Rooney eventually got his name on the scoresheet bagging his ninth goal in seven games for club and country.
The England striker's rich scoring vein is all the more impressive after he failed to score in his first six club games this season and Ferguson believes if Rooney keeps up his performance levels he could emulate Ronaldo, who the United manager expects to land numerous world player of the year prizes.
''Wayne is capable of getting to that level,'' said Ferguson. ''Both him and Cristiano were teenagers when they came to us but their progress has been fantastic.
''The only reason we are not talking about Wayne at the same level as Cristiano is the fact one of them scored 42 goals last season. That is why Cristiano should win the Ballon D'Or. If Wayne can get to that sort of level, he is there.''
But for once, Ronaldo found himself upstaged as United eased home. Even without Rio Ferdinand, who should be fit to face Everton on Saturday after a picking up a minor groin strain in training, United had too much class for the Scottish champions.
A point in the return match at Parkhead in a fortnight should be enough to take the Red Devils into the knockout stages, although Ferguson is taking nothing for granted.
''It was a bad night for Celtic,'' he said. ''I just felt we were always on the attack. The speed of our play was very good and we have to think a result in Glasgow will get us through.
''But Celtic have a very good record up there, so it will be a difficult game.''
BUCHAREST, Oct 22 (Reuters) - Steaua Bucharest coach Marius Lacatus resigned on Wednesday, a day after his team lost 5-3 to Olympique Lyon in their Champions League Group F match.
"I prefer to sacrifice myself and leave, so that Steaua won't suffer after a string of poor results," Lacatus told reporters.
"When a team loses one match after another nobody other than the coach is responsible."
The Romanian team had led 2-0 after the first 10 minutes on Tuesday and were 3-2 up at halftime before Lyon turned things round with three second-half goals.
Steaua are bottom of Group F, with one point from three matches. Bayern Munich lead the group with seven points, Lyon are second with five and Fiorentina have two.
Lacatus said he felt he had no choice but to resign.
"It's clear that I lost the support of everybody, officials, supporters and media, so there is no room for me to go on any more," he said.
Steaua owner Gigi Becali had told reporters after the Lyon defeat: "I am not firing Lacatus, I'll let him drown himself."
Last week, Steaua lost 2-0 to second division team Sportul Studentesc in the Romanian Cup and suffered a defeat by the same scoreline in a league match against Otelul Galati in a run of seven matches without a win.
Steaua lie third in the domestic league table, four points behind arch-rivals Dinamo Bucharest, who are top.
Arsenal shareholders are expected to get their first opportunity to see new board member Stan Kroenke at Emirates Stadium at the club's Annual General Meeting on Thursday.
The American sports tycoon, who holds around a 12% stake in the Gunners parent company, accepted the offer to become a non-executive director in September as ties with the Kroenke Sports Enterprises group were strengthened.
Although Kroenke is not party to the 'lockdown agreement' which was signed by the other directors, he has, after some initial hostility, become a stern ally of the current board.
Arsenal's other overseas investor, Uzbekistan metals magnate Alisher Usmanov - who bought into Arsenal when he paid former vice-chairman David Dein around £75million for his 14.65% holding - is entitled to attend, but chose not to last year.
Much has been made of Usmanov's intentions via the Red and White Holding investment firm, headed by Dein. But if his stake reached 30%, a formal takeover approach would have to be launched.
Director Daniel Fiszman remains the largest stakeholder in the club with 24.11%, and given the lockdown agreement means the first option on any sale of shares must be given to existing board members until 2012, rumours of more manoeuvrings in a power struggle behind the scenes appear without foundation.
Nevertheless, the AGM is likely to address the long-term financial stability of the club, which is currently servicing a debt of almost £300million following the switch to their new 60,000-seater home.
Following responses to pre-submitted questions by shareholders, normally from chairman Peter-Hill Wood, the floor will be opened up.
Despite a massive increase in turnover at the Emirates Stadium, there has been some concern over the impact of the credit crunch on the redevelopment of Highbury into flats and luxury apartments.
However, acting managing director Ken Friar revealed more than 90 purchasers have already completed deals to generate £39million, while 598 units of the 680 total have been pre-sold.
The extra revenue brought in from the development could, according to Friar, be channelled straight back into the team.
''The finances for the Highbury Square development have been ring-fenced so they are separate from our usual football business,'' he said.
''As such we have not budgeted for the profit and this allows the board to be flexible over its use as the money has not been earmarked for anything in particular.
''In that sense it will be a bonus. We have options available to us. For example, profits could be used to reduce the stadium debt or to strengthen the team if the manager wishes.''
Sunderland boss Roy Keane has admitted striker Kenwyne Jones is not in his plans for Saturday's derby clash with Newcastle - at least not yet.
The 24-year-old Trinidad and Tobago international is due to make his return from knee ligament damage for the reserves against Wigan on Wednesday night.
A successful appearance could persuade Keane to consider him for a role in the Wear-Tyne derby at the Stadium of Light, although the Irishman insists he is taking nothing for granted.
Keane said: ''I will see how he goes. We are all a bit wary of the fact that he is such a big man, he might need a few weeks to get up and running.
''If he comes through that with flying colours and there is no reaction... I have not really thought beyond that, but I wouldn't take any silly risks in terms of getting obsessed with Saturday.
''If he can get through the reserve game tonight and has an hour, we will see how it goes. But at this moment in time he is not involved.''
Jones has been out of action since June 1, when he suffered his injury on international duty in a collision with England goalkeeper David James.
The £6million former Southampton striker was the club's leading scorer last season, and such was his influence during his first top-flight campaign with the Black Cats that Keane valued him at £40million.
The mere presence of his name on the team sheet for Saturday's game would represent a huge boost to the manager, his team-mates and Sunderland's fans, who have not sampled a home victory over their fierce rivals since April 1980.
It would be good news too for the man himself, who admitted the initial prognosis was nowhere near as promising.
Jones told the Sunderland Echo: ''Originally there was a possibility that I would be out until March and I had already mentally prepared myself for that. But thank God, some good news came along and I am here now.
''It's hard work after an injury like this. You have to learn to walk properly again and then to run properly. It's almost like being born again.
''When you are out for so long, your muscles almost forget how to do those things. It's been a long road.''
While Keane would dearly love to have his star striker available for the first time to link up with loan signing Djibril Cisse, he is taking a long-term view.
He said: ''If people think playing an hour in a reserve match after being out for three or four months warrants a starting place in a derby match, they are sadly mistaken.
''If he gets through it and there is no reaction, with having six or seven subs, we would have a look at it. But it's important that we look at Kenwyne with the bigger picture, not just for this weekend.''
Defender Nyron Nosworthy, who has missed the last three games with a hamstring injury, was not included in the reserve team squad, but is in contention for the Newcastle game.
Keane added: ''Nyron is fit. He has trained, but he doesn't need a reserve game.
''He has been out for two and a half, three weeks, but he has played a lot of football, even in pre-season. He will be available.''
Former fans' favourite David Ginola has offered his services to Tottenham Hotspur as they bid to bounce back from their worst ever start to a Premier League campaign and warned that ''politics'' are damaging the club .
Ginola, 41, wowed fans in north London with his attacking flair between 1997 and 2000 and believes he can bring some of his own footballing philosophy to a squad who look wracked by doubt and are rooted to the foot of the table.
Expectations at the start of the season were significantly higher than that as Spurs spent big to replace key trio Dimitar Berbatov, Robbie Keane and Jermain Defoe - but while he insists change is needed, Ginola does not think the club should be in a rush to sack manager Juande Ramos.
Instead, Ginola wants to see a change of ethos from the boardroom to the training ground and would happily accept the chance to initiate such a revolution.
''I'm frustrated to see the clubs I like struggling so much. Spurs are really in trouble and it's disappointing,'' said Ginola at the launch of Braun's new online reality show Smooth Side Challenge.
''The first to be blamed will be the manager, of course, but when he first arrived he was the best in the world. Now he seems to be called the worst. In a few months he has not become the worst manager in the world.
''We all want to see changes but I don't know if changing the manager would be a solution.
''All the politics of the club must change. They need better management - not just on the pitch, but in the offices. Spurs, somewhere, are not making the right decisions.
''I would love to help them. I would love to be back at White Hart Lane, to bring back a bit of spirit, a bit of knowledge about the game. A team is a family - if you forget that you will not be able to have success.
''I worked at Tottenham as a player and my relationship with the fans and the people at the club was great. I know if I go back I could bring something different - a new vision about how to react to each other, to make sure every player enjoys training and enjoys going out to play on a Saturday.
''The process is hard but it is something I always did when I played at Spurs. I would love to do that again.''
Meanwhile, Spurs defender Michael Dawson has been charged with improper conduct by the Football Association and could face an increased ban due to his reaction to the red card he received against Stoke on Sunday.
He has until 6pm today to answer the charge and will find out his fate when the case is heard by the regulatory commission on Thursday.
Portsmouth's foreign players are being sent to language school so they can understand manager Harry Redknapp's orders.
Pompey are organising the lessons for 16 of their players so they are not left baffled by boss Redknapp's Cockney phrases.
The lessons, run by Dr Jay Kettle-Williams, will also include learning football terms using a table football game.
A spokeswoman for language school Polyglot Solutions in Southsea, Hampshire said: ''The lessons were inspired by the fact that the English level by the players and their wives was not adequate for living and working in Portsmouth.
''That was the springboard for the lessons and as well as that it is crucial for the players to understand instructions on the pitch.''
Manchester City have been dealt a severe injury blow with the news that influential winger Martin Petrov is set to be sidelined for up to four months.
Empics
Martin Petrov: Out until February.
City manager Mark Hughes confirmed that the Bulgarian is expected to be out for ''three or four months'' with a knee injury he sustained on international duty last week.
Hughes told the club's website: ''Martin went to see a specialist on Monday and will fly out to see the guy that did his anterior cruciate ligament to have it re-checked.
''The news is that it's not his ACL this time, he's got a tear in his meniscus that will need to be repaired. Although it's good news about the ACL it's still a bad injury and he will probably be out for three or four months.''
City play a number of key games in the four months that Petrov is set to miss, including home matches against Manchester United and Arsenal in November. Petrov's prognosis means that he could target a return for the home game against Middlesbrough on February 7, or the away trip to Liverpool on February 21.
With City's form best described as patchy so far this season - they have gone three games without a win since September's 6-0 thumping of Portsmouth - news of Petrov's injury will be a significant blow. Last season Petrov proved to be a revelation after his arrival from Atletico Madrid with his blistering pace and powerful left foot shot, which contributed five valuable goals.
On Monday Bulgaria coach Plamen Markov denied that he had risked Petrov's health by naming him in the starting line-up in last week's World Cup qualifier against Georgia.
Petrov limped off in the first half after aggravating a knee injury which he had only just recovered from. He had played almost 90 minutes against Italy four days earlier but had made only short appearances for his club just before that.
However, it's not all bad news for Hughes; right-back Micah Richards ankle injury is not as bad as first feared with the England man having strained ligaments rather than suffering a break.
Jonathan Woodgate says Tottenham's players are right behind coach Juande Ramos. Spurs have just two points from eight games and are bottom of the Premier League table. Woodgate believes the players should take the responsibility for the club's worst-ever start to a league campaign.
GettyImages
Ramos: Unsure of future.
"We will stick by the manager no matter what. We've played well at times, but this season we haven't cut it. The buck stops with the players.
"We're bottom of the Premiership and it's not nice at all. We're hurting inside but we have to stand up and get ourselves out of this mess that we've got ourselves into."
A newly-formed fans group have planned a mass protest for Tottenham's next home game against Bolton on Sunday, calling on chairman Daniel Levy to resign.
Ramos himself admitted Tottenham's situation was "terrible" after Stoke's 2-1 win yesterday condemned his side to their sixth defeat in eight games.
To make matters worse, Gareth Bale and Michael Dawson will be suspended after picking up red cards.
Ramos said: "I am worried about the situation. At the moment it is terrible.
"Last season we won the Carling Cup and everyone was very happy.
"At this moment everyone is very sad and I am worried about it as I don't like this situation.
"We need to work very hard to change this situation and only hard work can change it.
"This is my job and I am working very hard each day to finish this situation.
"The responsibility is all the people working in the club starting with me and finishing with the last person - we all have responsibility, when we win and when we lose."
Asked if he planned to meet the Levy and whether he was confident he had the chairman's backing, he added: "I don't know - this is a question for the chairman. I speak to the chairman when he permits us to speak. He's a very busy person and I don't know when it will be possible to speak."
| Tuesday, October 21, 2008 | |||||
| Time | Home | Away | STAGE | ||
| 17:30 UK | Zenit St Petersburg | v | BATE Borisov | Group H | |
| 19:45 UK | Juventus | v | Real Madrid | Group H | |
| 19:45 UK | Villarreal | v | AaB | Group E | |
| 19:45 UK | Man Utd | v | Celtic | Group E | |
| 19:45 UK | Bayern Munich | v | Fiorentina | Group F | |
| 19:45 UK | Steaua Bucuresti | v | Lyon | Group F | |
| 19:45 UK | Fenerbahce | v | Arsenal | Group G | |
| 19:45 UK | FC Porto | v | Dynamo Kiev | Group G | |
| Wednesday, October 22, 2008 | |||||
| Time | Home | Away | STAGE | ||
| 19:45 UK | Bordeaux | v | CFR Cluj-Napoca | Group A | |
| 19:45 UK | Chelsea | v | Roma | Group A | |
| 19:45 UK | Inter Milan | v | Anorthosis Famagusta | Group B | |
| 19:45 UK | Panathinaikos | v | Werder Bremen | Group B | |
| 19:45 UK | Shakhtar Donetsk | v | Sporting Lisbon | Group C | |
| 19:45 UK | FC Basel | v | Barcelona | Group C | |
| 19:45 UK | Atlético Madrid | v | Liverpool | Group D | |
| 19:45 UK | PSV Eindhoven | v | Marseille | Group D | |
Posts
All Comments
Posts
All Comments
