West Ham 1 Wigan Athletic 1

Nick Szczepanik at Upton Park

Everywhere you looked at Upton Park on Saturday, there was an England possible, probable or might-have-been. Yet it was a player who never was in the full international frame, and for very good reasons, who took the eye as Wigan Athletic continued their impressive start to the season.

Titus Bramble – oh come on, stitch together those split sides and carry on – was calm and decisive at the heart of the Wigan defence and produced the moment of the first half when he sidestepped an opponent and delivered an inch-perfect 40-yard diagonal pass to Emile Heskey on the left wing. It was the kind of Hollywood ball that has pundits demanding David Beckham’s continued inclusion in Steve McClaren’s side.

Of course, the reason Bramble never graduated from the under21 squad is that every such moment has usually been followed by a howler.

“I have great faith in Titus,” Chris Hutchings, the Wigan manager, said. “He cost a lot of money as a young man moving up to Newcastle and maybe it was a little bit too much too soon. As you saw, he defended very, very well and made some important tackles. I think he is a class defender. We are going to make sure we work with him and improve him. He wants to improve as well.”

The time for Bramble, now 26, to improve enough to enter the full England reckoning has probably passed, but others were playing for places, however remote their chances. Both goalkeepers’ hearts must have leapt when Paul Robinson dropped his latest clanger at Wembley on Wednesday, but neither had much opportunity to shine. Kieron Dyer worked hard for West Ham United, as did Emile Heskey for Wigan, and his challenge on Matthew Upson allowed Paul Scharner to volley the visiting team ahead with 12 minutes to go.

West Ham probably would have lost this game a year ago – in fact, they did, as they did in the two seasons before that as well – but Lee Bowyer scored his first goal for the club three minutes later. Bramble was busy looking after Dean Ashton, whose introduction on the hour suddenly made it seem that West Ham’s possession and haphazardly directed pace might result in a goal.

Ashton could make his first start since breaking an ankle in an England training session just under a year ago in tomorrow’s Carling Cup tie away to Bristol Rovers, but Alan Curbishley, the manager, will not rush him back. “He’s worked so hard to get back to full fitness,” Curbishley said. “If he isn’t 100 per cent right when he goes out there, and if he starts and gets tired it might cause problems. We think we’ve got him where he should be now.”

West Ham 1 Bowyer 81

Wigan Athletic 1 Scharner 78

West Ham United (442): R Green 6 – L Neill 5, A Ferdi-nand 5, M Upson 5, G McCartney 5 – K Dyer 6, H Mullins 5 (sub: L Bowyer, 64min 6), M Noble 5, M Etherington 5 – R Zamora 4 (sub: D Ashton, 61, 7), C Bellamy 5 (sub: L Boa Morte, 75). Substitutes not used: J Walker, J Spec-tor. Booked: Upson. Next: Reading (a).

Wigan Athletic (4-4-2): C Kirkland 6 – M Melchiot 7, A Granqvist 7, T Bramble 8, K Kilbane 5 – L A Valencia 6 (sub: M Brown, 77min), P Scharner 6, D Landzaat 6, J Koumas 5 – A Sibierski 5 (sub: J Aghahowa, 37, 7), E Heskey 6. Substitutes not used: M Pollitt, F Hall, C Folan. Booked: Brown. Next: Newcastle United (a).

Referee A Marriner
Attendance 33,793

Chelsea 1 Portsmouth 0

Alyson Rudd at Stamford Bridge

That Steve McClaren and Terry Venables were both at Stamford Bridge was supposed to indicate that England’s goalkeeping dilemma had reached crisis proportions, but it did not take two men to figure out that David James probably scrapes in ahead of Paul Robinson.

If the England management were hoping that the Portsmouth goalkeeper would make any decision obvious, they would have been disappointed. On the other hand, if they are worried that picking James, 37, smacks of short-termism, Harry Redknapp offered the ideal reference. “He [James] throws himself around, he’s like an 18-year-old with his enthusiasm,” the Portsmouth manager said. “He’ll play for another five years in the Premier, he’s that good, and he’s that fit.”

At least Sol Campbell looked more than capable of stepping in to help out England’s defence. But overall, it was an afternoon of uncertainty. Chelsea hauled themselves to the top of the Barclays Premier League but are not quite in title-winning form. Indeed, had James been at the top of his game for the few seconds that mattered, Portsmouth would have left with a deserved draw. “If Portsmouth had scored in the last minute and taken one point home it wouldn’t have been a scandal because they played well enough for that,” José Mourinho, the Chelsea manager, said.

Frank Lampard scored Chelsea’s winner and grafted throughout. Mourinho balked at the notion that any of his players could be considered untouchable but said that Lampard “makes himself untouchable if he plays like that”.

James said: “The thing with Frank is that he just smells a goal and takes it.” The Portsmouth goalkeeper could take solace in the fact that Lampard’s strike took a slight deflection off Hermann Hreidarsson.

Mourinho offered an apology of sorts for Chelsea’s lacklustre display; it was very hot and his players had not trained with him during the week because of international fixtures. But Redknapp’s side had similar problems and still managed to appear the livelier team, coming close to a late equaliser when Ashley Cole had to clear Hreidarsson’s header off the line. And in Sulley Muntari, Redknapp has a midfield player who fizzes with energy.

Michael Essien, Muntari’s Ghana teammate, may have played his last game at right back after the arrival of Juliano Belletti, who made his debut in the second half. And if Chelsea can top the table with Essien out of position, they will surely be hard to topple with him alongside the dependable Lampard in central midfield.

Chelsea 1 Lampard 31

Portsmouth 0

Chelsea (4-4-2): P Cech 6 – M Essien 6, T Ben Haim 5, J Terry 6, A Cole 6 – S Wright-Phillips 5 (sub: J Cole, 75min), J O Mikel 5 (sub: J Belletti, 65, 5), F Lampard 7, F Malouda 5 – C Pizarro 5 (sub: S Kalou, 63, 5), D Drogba 6. Substitutes not used: C Cudicini, Alex. Next: Aston Villa (a).

Portsmouth (4-4-2): D James 5 – Lauren 5 (sub: N Pamarot, 83), S Distin 6, S Campbell 7, H Hreidarsson 4 – G O’Neil 5 (sub: B Mwaruwari, 62, 5), S Davis 5, S Muntari 7, M Taylor 6 (sub: D Nugent, 83) – J Utaka 5, Kanu 6. Substitutes not used: J Ashdown, R Hughes. Booked: Davis, Muntari. Next: Arsenal (a).

Referee A Wiley
Attendance 41,501

Derby County 1 Birmingham 2

Peter Lansley at Pride Park

Disturbingly, another chasm appears to be emerging in English football to follow those between the Premier League’s “big four” and the rest, and between the regulars and the hopefuls; there is now, exemplified at Pride Park on Saturday, a gulf in class between the yo-yo clubs and those freshly promoted. Since Birmingham City previously went up in 2002, only one of the Coca-Cola Championship play-offs winners have survived and, unless Billy Davies, the manager, can work some significant changes, Derby County are unlikely to buck that trend.

The sooner Michel Platini, the Uefa president, takes away that fourth Champions League spot from the Premier League, the more hope can filter down through the food chain. Back when Leeds United and Newcastle United were claiming top-four finishes, Birmingham, Bolton Wanderers and Ipswich Town followed their play-offs triumphs with survival. Then along came Roman Abramovich, the bar was ruinously raised and now, one sterling effort from Everton apart, the top four are fixed in stone. The rest invest their lucre in an attempt to maintain their status and the play-offs winners are left to salvage pride and to build again with parachute payments.

Derby were behind the eight-ball from the warm-up. In the wake of their early mauling by Tottenham Hotspur, it took them 30 seconds to concede. Cameron Jerome capitalised on Andy Todd’s slow reactions to spin on to Mikael Forssell’s reverse pass and drill in a brilliant opener.

The home side dug in and equalised when Matt Oakley volleyed home Eddie Lewis’s centre. But then their defence switched off and Jerome volleyed home the winner.

“He’s got all the ingredients: for raw pace and power, I don’t think I’ve worked or played with anyone [better],” Steve Bruce, the Birmingham manager, said of the former Cardiff City striker. “I need him to be doing it for the next six or nine months. If he’s scoring 15, 18 goals, then you become a Premier League striker; and they’re worth £8 million, 10, 12 million. What would he cost today?” More than Derby can afford, that’s for sure.

Derby County 1 Oakley 51

Birmingham 2 Jerome 1, 63

Derby County (442): S Bywater 7 – A Griffin 5, A Todd 4, C Davis 4 (sub: D Moore, 61min 4), J McEveley 5 – G Teale 7 (sub: D Leacock, 86), M Oakley 7, S Pearson 5, E Lewis 5 (sub: R Earnshaw, 74) – C Fagan 5, S Howard 3. Substitutes not used: L Price, D Jones. Next: Liverpool (a).

Birmingham City (4-4-2): M Taylor 7 – S Kelly 6, R Jaidi 6, L Ridgewell 7, S Parnaby 6 – O Kapo 5, J Djourou 7, F Muamba 6 (sub: M Sadler, 86), G McSheffrey 5 (sub: M Nafti, 74) – M Forssell 6 (sub: S Larsson, 62 6), C Jerome 8. Substitutes not used: R Kingson. G O’Connor. Booked: Jaidi. Next: Middlesbrough (a).

Referee L Probert
Attendance 31,117

Everton 1 Blackburn 1

James Ducker at Goodison Park

Sir Alex Ferguson believes that Everton and Blackburn Rovers will cause the so-called top four more problems than most this season, and while neither team was at their very best at Goodison Park, it is hard to disagree with the Manchester United manager.

Much has been made of the threat the likes of Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United might pose to the established elite, but few sides appear better equipped than Everton and Blackburn to cause an upset or two. If Arsène Wenger is to be believed, Blackburn belong in the dark ages, but the Arsenal manager’s eyes have often deceived him.

Mark Hughes’s team were outstanding for the first 45 minutes and proved, once again, that they can mix style with substance. If there was a criticism, it was that they failed to see out a game they should have won, but Everton are not the kind of team to lie down and accept defeat.

David Moyes has been without several of his best players this season, most notably Tim Cahill, the Australia midfield player, while the combined £19.25 million signings of Yakubu Ayegbeni and Manuel Fernandes have still to be officially ratified, but even at less than full strength, Everton are learning how to grind out results. Indeed, it is testament to the extent of Moyes’s ambitions that the manager is less than satisfied with Everton’s return of seven points from their opening four games.

Hughes rightly took umbrage at the suggestion that his team lack strength in depth, but it was Everton who proved that they have strength in numbers. With Yakubu still awaiting a work permit, which should arrive on Wednesday, James Vaughan injured, and Victor Anichebe only half-fit, Moyes handed a rare start to James McFadden.

The former Motherwell striker was anonymous for 77 minutes as Christo-pher Samba, Blackburn’s giant central defender, and André Ooijer made light work of him and Andrew Johnson, but the one instant Blackburn’s attention waned, the Scotland forward took full advantage. Mikel Arteta swung in a cross and McFadden directed a clever volley into the near corner.

He dedicated the goal to Rhys Jones, the 11-year-old Everton fan shot dead on Merseyside last week and for whom Goodison Park held an awe-inspiring minute’s applause before kick-off.

Blackburn had taken the lead through Roque Santa Cruz’s third goal in four appearances and in the Paraguay striker Hughes appears to have unearthed another gem. Samba, too.

“Chris may be another find but I can’t keep pulling them out of the hat,” Hughes said. “It is going to have to stop at some point, but I trust the eye I have for players.”

Everton 1 McFadden 78

Blackburn 1 Santa Cruz 15

Everton (4-4-2): T Howard 6 – A Hibbert 5 (sub: V Anichebe, 64min 6), J Yobo 6, A Stubbs (sub: J Lescott, 46 5), L Baines 5 – M Arteta 6, P Neville 5, L Carsley 5 (sub: P Jagielka, 41 6), L Osman 6 – A Johnson 6, J McFadden 5.Substitutes not used:S Pienaar, S Wessels.Next:Bol-ton Wanderers (a).

Blackburn Rovers (4-4-2): B Friedel 6 – B Emerton 7, C Samba 8, A Ooijer 7, S Warnock 6 – D Bentley 6, R Savage 6, D Dunn 7 (sub: A Mokoena, 86), M G Pedersen 6 – B McCarthy 5 (sub: M Derbyshire, 74), R Santa Cruz 7 (sub: J Roberts, 90).Substitutes not used:Tugay Kerimo-glu, J Brown. Booked: Ooijer, Pedersen. Next: Manchester City (h).

Referee M Riley
Attendance 33,850

Sunderland 0 Liverpool 2

George Caulkin at Stadium of Light

If the primary task of all managers is to secure improvements on the season before, then Rafael BenÍtez already deserves a good bottle of Rioja and a new tub of wax for his comedy goatee. The achievement may not be enough for the Spaniard to warrant a statue in his image outside Anfield, but his team have established themselves as a hardier proposition away from home.

In winning matches at Villa Park and, on Saturday, the Stadium of Light, Liverpool have as many victories on opposition territory as they had by December 16 last year. In the previous campaign, BenÍtez’s team lost nine matches away, a critical factor in their failure to challenge for the title.

Of the 89 points earned by Manchester United, 47 came at home and 42 away. Of Chelsea’s 83 points, 43 were won at home and 40 away. In comparison, Liverpool’s split of 46 and 22 was more uneven than Shane McGowan’s smile, but BenÍtez appears to have addressed the frailty. Sturdiness, vigour and spine are the stuff of champions.

Whether Liverpool can maintain their early pace is uncertain, but their performance – with Steven Gerrard (toe) absent – had a grinding, relentless quality. Seldom threatened by Roy Keane’s side and utterly unperturbed by a rowdy atmosphere, their domination was measured.

“The difference this season away from home is twofold,” BenÍtez said. “We are stronger and as a squad we are better. Some of those away games last season were really difficult, especially after the World Cup and international games. It is a similar situation this season with international matches, but the squad can cope.”

The transformation has been noted from within. “We knew we needed to start well in order for us to be real contenders,” José Manuel Reina, the Liverpool goalkeeper, said. “Little by little, step by step, we are making things easier. You cannot win a title with the kind of mistakes we made at the start last year. Maybe things are changing.”

There are gentle caveats. The respective nose and rib injuries that prompted the departures of Sami Hyypia and Jamie Carragher are a hindrance before tomorrow’s Champions League tie against Toulouse. And, while Fern-ando Torres shimmered, Liverpool’s two goals were a pallid reflection of their control; Andriy Voronin’s winner did not arrive until the 87th minute.

Craig Gordon, in goal, was a solid figure for Sunderland, but for all their endeavour, there was no substantive response to Mohamed Sissoko’s rasping opener. The return to full fitness of the fearless Grant Leadbitter is welcome, but their midfield is craving Dean Whitehead and Carlos Edwards. Andrew Cole may be joined on Wear-side this week by Ian Harte, Kenwyne Jones and Danny Higginbotham.

Sunderland 0

Liverpool 2 Sissoko 37, Voronin 87

Sunderland (442): C Gordon 8 – G Halford 3, N Noswor-thy 6, P McShane 7, R Wallace 5 – L Miller 5, D Etuhu 6, D Yorke 5 (sub: G Leadbitter, 61min, 7), K Richardson 3 (sub: A Stokes, 20, 6) – M Chopra 6, D Murphy 5 (sub: D Connolly, 78). Substitutes not used: D Ward, R Ander-son. Booked: Etuhu. Next: Manchester United (a).

Liverpool (4-4-2): J M Reina 5 – S Finnan 6, S Hyypia 3 (sub: D Agger, 15, 6), J Carragher 7 (sub: J A Riise, 75), Á Arbeloa 6 – J Pennant 6, M Sissoko 7, X Alonso 7, R Babel 6 (sub: D Kuyt, 89) – A Voronin 7, F Torres 8.Substitutes not used:J Mascherano, C Itandje.Booked:Arbeloa. Next: Derby County (h).

Referee M Halsey
Attendance 45,634

Bolton 3 Reading 0

Neil Johnston at Reebok Stadium

The time was 4.19pm and it was a moment Sammy Lee will not forget in a hurry. “Sammy, Sammy give us a wave,” the Bolton Wanderers faithful pleaded and “Little Sam” obliged by sticking out his hand soon after Nicolas Anelka had made it 2-0.

It was a familiar request during Sam Allardyce’s eight-year leadership at the Reebok Stadium, but this was the first time fans had acknowledged his replacement in such a manner.

In that moment the stresses and strains of three straight defeats lifted from Lee’s shoulders as Bolton coasted to their first victory of his reign. “I thought they were chanting ‘Lee out’,” he joked.

Another failure after setbacks against Newcastle United – Allardyce’s new club – Fulham and Ports-mouth and they might have been, but this was as emphatic as the scoreline suggests, inspired by two of Bolton’s most talented individuals.

Speculation over the futures of Anelka and El-Hadji Diouf is likely to reach fever pitch before the transfer window shuts on Friday, yet both showed why Bolton cannot afford to let either leave with superb displays that left Steve Coppell, the Reading manager, launching an inquest into his side’s biggest defeat since last October.

While Anelka took his tally to three goals in four games, Diouf teased and tormented Reading for 90 minutes before throwing his shirt into the crowd. Was he saying goodbye to Bolton for good?

“No, no. Before the game, the people asked me for my shirt. I want to make them happy, give my shirt or my boots,” the Senegal forward said, having won the corner for Gary Speed to open the scoring before laying on the killer pass for Anelka to double the lead shortly after half-time.

“I don’t want to leave this club, I respect this club. When I was at Liver-pool, everybody thought English football was not for me. But here people respect me and I have shown my quality. I want to give back to the club, not leave. I read that I want to go – no. I have everything here with the fans – I am playing good football and everybody loves me.”

Daniel Braaten, Lee signed by Lee from Rosenborg, climbed off the bench to seal a comprehensive victory.

There were few positives for Reading. Coppell launched a scathing attack on the “meaningless” midweek international friendlies that meant several of his players were unable to prepare properly for the game.

At least Reading can look forward to their game at home on Saturday to West Ham United, the team they thrashed 6-0 in the corresponding fixture last season.

Bolton 3 Speed 32, Anelka 55, Braaten 90

Reading 0

Bolton Wanderers (4-4-2): J Jaaskelainen 7 – N Hunt 5, G Cid 6, A Meïté 6, J Samuel 5 – G Speed 6, K Nolan 5, G McCann 6, M Alonso 7 (sub: D Braaten, 75min) – E-H Diouf 9, N Anelka 8. Substitutes not used: A Al Habsi, C Wilhelmsson, K Davies, A O’Brien. Booked: Hunt, Meïté. Next: Everton (h).

Reading (4-4-2): M Hahnemann 5 – U De la Cruz 5 (sub: J Halls, 83), A Bikey, I Ingimarsson 5, S Golbourne 6 (sub: R Convey, 63 5) – E Fae 5 (sub: L Lita, 73), J Harper 5, B Gunnarsson 5, S Hunt 5 – S Long 5, K Doyle 5. Substitutes not used:A Federici, K Cissé.Booked:De la Cruz. Next: West Ham United (h).

Referee M Clattenburg
Attendance 20,023