Lee Dixon: Oscar performances will inspire Chelsea win

Former England defender feels Oscar will propel Blues to a long-awaited win at Tottenham

• 
  Oscar (right) has impressed after settling quickly at Chelsea, according to Lee Dixon

Lee Dixon believes Andre Villas-Boas's side will come unstuck against his former charges in Saturday's early kick-off, following the impressive start made to the Barclays Premier League season by Chelsea – and by new boy Oscar in particular.

"Chelsea's signings have caught my eye. I've been particularly impressed by Oscar"
Lee Dixon

The former Arsenal defender, who made more than 300 Barclays Premier League appearances, was surprised to learn that Chelsea have not won at White Hart Lane in the Barclays Premier League since August 2005 but believes nonetheless that the Blues will again prove to be the team to beat in what promises to be an open encounter in north London.

"I fancy Chelsea to win on Saturday," he told premierleague.com. "Along with Arsenal, the way they've started this season they've been a bit of a surprise out of the top teams. Chelsea's signings, although they've been very similar have caught my eye. I've been particularly impressed by Oscar."

The 20-year-old has made five appearances in the English top flight to date and scored a memorable goal in the UEFA Champions League against Juventus last month, and Dixon believes that the speed with which he and fellow newcomers, such as Eden Hazard and Victor Moses, have found their feet at Stamford Bridge has been instrumental in Chelsea's unbeaten start to the campaign.

"A lot of people thought it would take a little bit of time, what with all their new signings, for the midfield to settle down, and perhaps wondered whether [Fernando] Torres would fire and whether they would score enough goals.

"But they've surprised everyone with the way they've started, so we can expect it to be an open game at Tottenham with loads of goals."

Spurs also reinforced their attacking options this summer with Moussa Dembele and Clint Dempsey joining from Fulham and Dixon believes the double-swoop could prove crucial to their prospects this season.

"Tottenham saved themselves with signings that increased their firepower"
Lee Dixon

"Tottenham saved themselves just before the transfer deadline with signings that increased their firepower," he said. "They were right on the limit with [Jermain] Defoe, really, but with Dembele and Dempsey coming in along with [Emmanuel] Adebayor they've strengthened up front."

In a close encounter, however, Dixon is in no doubt as to who will emerge victorious from the lunchtime encounter. "There will be goals on Saturday, but I just see Chelsea nicking it," he concluded. "I’m going for a 3-2 Chelsea win."

For all the latest team news, head-to-head statistics and to view the manager press conferences on Tottenham v Chelsea click here.

For the predictions for this match of FIFA 13, Dean Sturridge and Don Hutchison click here

Dixon was speaking at an exclusive signing session for Arsenal supporters at The Arsenal Brent Cross, the Gunners’ first flagship store in a major retail location. For more information, visit www.arsenaldirect.com.

UNCOMPARABLES!!!

Lionel Messi walks past Cristiano Ronaldo during last night's clásico at the Nou Camp in Barcelona. Photograph: Albert Gea/REUTERS
After the 2-2 draw between Barcelona and Real Madrid in the Camp Nou on Sunday night, José Mourinho said the Ballon d'Or should be banned this year, as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are both too good to lose. Messi and Ronaldo have now scored 100 club goals in 2012, but which player deserves the award?
Ronaldo was once thought of as a big-game bottler, but he has answered that criticism. Last night he became the first player to score in six consecutive clásicos. He can also boast a La Liga winners medal this season. Messi, who has won the last three player of the year awards, scored 73 goals last season and won the Copa del Rey. Who should win this year's award?

Rodgers delight as young Liverpool tame Young Boys

Debutants shine as Liverpool hit five against Young Boys; Tottenham and Newcastle draw

Andre Wisdom marks his Liverpool debut with a goal against Young Boys in Berne

Manager Brendan Rodgers praised debutants Andre Wisdom and Suso for "seizing their chance" as Liverpool completed a 5-3 UEFA Europa League victory against Young Boys in Berne.

Jonjo Shelvey came off the bench to score twice as Liverpool shared eight goals with the Swiss Super-League side but it was the display of academy graduates Wisdom, the defender who marked his first senior appearance with a headed goal, and central midfielder Suso that most stood out for Rodgers, whose side came back from 3-2 down to seal victory in Switzerland.

"It was a chance for the young players to seize that opportunity to play and they did that. It is a night of great pride for the club and certainly me as a manager"
Brendan Rodgers

"It was a wonderful header from Andre and a great moment for him in his first game for Liverpool and especially with it being in Europe," said Rodgers, who also handed debuts to the recent signing Oussama Assaidi.

"Andre has played a lot at centre-half in his career so far but I think he's got all the qualities to be a top Premier League right-back. I loved Suso's arrogance on the ball too."

Wisdom headed in five minutes before the interval after Raphael Nuzzolo had cancelled out a fourth-minute own goal by Juhani Ojala. However, Ajala made amends early in the second half before Gonzalo Zarate chipped the hosts into the lead. But Sebastian Coates equalised four minutes later before substitute Shelvey scored twice.

"We could have defended better and there is no question the three goals we gave away were disappointing but the young players were so courageous and brave to play and show that confidence," added Rodgers. "My senior players were very much together and kept the young guys going.

Rodgers pride

"All round it was very pleasing. It was a chance for the young players to seize that opportunity to play and they did that. It is a night of great pride for the club and certainly me as a manager. To play like we did and get the goals we did was quite fantastic."

If it was raining goals in Berne the same could not be said in the two other European ties involving Barclays Premier League clubs as both Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United shared goalless draws with Lazio and Maritimo respectively.

"You could see after the match they had a little party, while we were very disappointed"
Jan Vertonghen

Tottenham did put the ball in the net three times at White Hart Lane, but Clint Dempsey, on his Spurs debut, and Jermain Defoe both had goals ruled out for offside, while Steven Caulker's header was disallowed for a foul. At the other end Alvaro Gonzalez struck the bar with a dipping volley from the edge of the penalty area.

"We wanted to win today and Lazio are a good team, but we were better," said Tottenham defender Jan Vertonghen. "We were at home, we were going for the three points and it is a shame we didn't do it. They are a good team and it is good to keep a clean sheet.

"They were here for a draw and were happy with one point. You could see after the match they had a little party, while we were very disappointed."

Newcastle were also denied by the woodwork as they were frustrated by Portuguese outfit Maritimo, Shola Ameobi seeing a header pushed on to the post by Romain Salin and an even better curling effort, following a solo run, rebound off the bar.

It was not all one-way traffic, however, and the Magpies were indebted to goalkeeper Rob Elliot who, on just his second game for the club, pulled off to fine saves early on.

"He was outstanding, as well as the back four on a really difficult surface against difficult opponents," said Newcastle manager Alan Pardew. "A draw was a great result."

Date changes for Barclays Premier League matches

Find out what alterations have been made to the Barclays Premier League fixture list

Newcastle's involvement in the Europa League has forced the fixture changes

The Premier League has announced the following fixture changes:

Southampton v Newcastle United
New date: Sunday 25th November, 2012
Kick-off time: 3pm
Reason for amendment: Newcastle United's participation in the Europa League the preceding Thursday.

Stoke City v Newcastle United
New date: Wednesday 28th November, 2012
Kick-off time: 7.45pm
Reason: Movement of Southampton v Newcastle United to Sunday 25th November.

Falcao scores hat trick as Atletico crushes Bilbao: La Liga

Atletico Madrid striker Radamel Falcao scored a hat trick Monday as his team thrashed Athletic Bilbao 4-0 in the teams' first meeting since the Europa League final last season.

Falcao scored twice in the 3-0 victory in Romania in May and could have scored more at the Vicente Calderon as Bilbao continued to struggle without Spain internationals Fernando Llorente and Javi Martinez, who were omitted from the squad again with their futures at the Basque club uncertain.

Atletico couldn't have asked for a better warm-up ahead of Friday's European Super Cup, which pits it against Champions League winner Chelsea and former player Fernando Torres.

"We're in good shape and we're happy and now we have to prepare for the Super Cup," said Falcao, who scored 36 goals in all competitions last season. "Now I want to improve on my numbers from last season."

Falcao opened after receiving a throw-in from Filipe Luis that he carried past defender Mikel San Jose before chipping goalkeeper Gorka Iraizoz for the 20th-minute opener in the Spanish league match.

The Colombia striker's athleticism allowed him to meet Diego Godin's looping cross at the far post with an acrobatic volley to make it 2-0 in the 42nd.

Falcao created the third as Carlos Gurpegui blocked his pass with his hand inside the area to set up a 59th-minute penalty the Atletico striker converted for his third goal.

Only Iraizoz kept Falcao and the rest of his Atletico teammates from adding to the scoreline with a number of clutch stops before Tiago completed the emphatic victory with a rising shot into the roof of the net in the 84th.

Athletic coach Marcelo Bielsa may find himself under pressure after conceding nine goals in two consecutive league losses, especially with Llorente and Martinez's situation obviously distracting.

"The coach never counts on all players for a game, he always leaves some out," said club president Jose Urrutia, who added the club had no intention of negotiating the players' exit.

"It's not in our hands. They are Athletic players and we hope to count on them but there are two conditions — that Athletic is not interested or that they pay the buy-out clause. And neither of those conditions have been met."

Juventus is reportedly interested in Llorente, whose buy-out clause is valued at C36 million ($45 million). Bayern Munich is chasing Martinez with the defender/midfielder netting C40 million ($50 million) for any transfer.

Meanwhile, promoted Valladolid joined Barcelona and Rayo Vallecano as the only teams with two straight wins to start the season after it scored both penalties in a 2-0 win over 10-man Levante.

Defender David Navarro handled inside the area for a second booking and red card to set up Victor Perez's 38th-minute penalty at the Jose Zorrilla Stadium. Perez stepped up to score another spot kick in the 48th to secure the victory.

Real Madrid's shock 2-1 loss at Getafe left it with a single point from two rounds and five points adrift of Barcelona, which needed late goals from Lionel Messi on Sunday to rally back for a 2-1 win at Osasuna. The Spanish giants meet in the Spanish Super Cup on Wednesday — when new Madrid signing Luka Modric could debut — with Barcelona leading 3-2 after the first leg.

Mancini demands better finishing despite City win

Champions gain victory through goals from Yaya Toure, Edin Dzeko and Carlos Tevez

Yaya Toure opened the scoring with a close-range finish

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini lamented his side's finishing after they saw off Queens Park Rangers 3-1 at the Etihad Stadium.

City only had a Yaya Toure goal to show for their dominance when Bobby Zamora stunned the Barclays Premier League champions with a 59th-minute equaliser for QPR against the run of play.

City's response was to go back ahead almost immediately, with Edin Dzeko heading home, while Carlos Tevez added a third in injury time.

"We played well in first half, but we have one problem at the moment: - when we have a chance to score we don't score and the game can change," Mancini said. "We had this problem in the first game and against Liverpool.

"In the second half we didn't play well. We were too slow but in the end it's important that we took three points."

QPR manager Mark Hughes felt his side were unfortunate not to take something from the game.

"We are a little bit disappointed," said Hughes. "In the first half we restricted them to a few chances and the most problems we had were from set-pieces. In general play our shape was good.

"But we were working hard without putting them under enough pressure to affect the game going the other way. We addressed that in the second half and really put a shift in and caused them some problems. We were in control of the game.

"Obviously when we equalised it was a real body blow to concede so soon after that. If we had maintained the position at 1-1 maybe we could have caused them even more problems.

"I sensed there was apprehension in the stadium and that was filtering through to them. We fed off that but in the end we were disappointed. In general we can take positives from 

Chelsea's Super Cup hopes ended by Falcao

Atletico Madrid striker hits hat-trick in Monaco to claim UEFA Super Cup in 4-1 win

• 
  Radamel Falcao curls in the second goal of his first-half hat-trick against Chelsea

Chelsea's hopes of winning the UEFA Super Cup for a second time were ended by a superb hat-trick Atletico Madrid's Radamel Falcao.

The Colombia striker hit a first-half hat-trick as the Spanish winners of the Europea League beat the European champions 4-1 in Monaco.

Chelsea won the trophy in 1998, beating Spanish opposition in Real Madrid but they were always on the back as Falcao served a fourth-minute warning by hitting the crossbar with a shot. The forward made no mistake three minutes later when he raced clear, waited for Petr Cech to commit and dinked the ball beyond the lunging David Luiz on the line and in off a post.

Roberto Di Matteo's side did briefly look a threat at the other end, Eden Hazard drilling over, but Adrian Lopez and Arda Turan both went close for Atletico before Falcao struck again in the 18th minute, curling a 15-yard shot into the far top corner.

Falcao hit the woodwork for the second time when he threw his head at Lopez's air-shot only to see it hit a post - but he completed a deserved hat-trick moments before half-time when Turan ran 60 yards and squared for the unmarked striker to finish.

Atletico made it 4-0 on the hour mark, Miranda poking Mario Suarez's lay-off home.

Jorge Koke's crossed free-kick almost went straight through but was saved by Cech before Cahill drilled a consolation goal after Atletico failed to clear Frank Lampard's corner.

Di Matteo bemoaned his team's poor start to the match. "The first half we started very sloppy," the Chelsea manager said. "It was a slow start and if you give Falcao space he's very dangerous and we should have blocked him before that.

"We didn't have much penetration. It went in their favour with the early goal and we found it difficult to find the space in the middle and tried to go our wide. We were very defensive and they countered on us."

Premier League clubs set for Champions League draw

UEFA poised to make draw in Monaco for group stages of the 2012/13 competition

Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard celebrates with the UEFA Champions League Trophy

The top four clubs in last season's Barclays Premier League will find out who they will face in the opening stages of this season's UEFA Champions League when the group stage draw is made in Monaco on Thursday at 5pm BST.

Defending champions Chelsea, who defeated Bayern Munich to win the title in May, have been placed in seeding pot one together with three-time champions Manchester Unitedand 2006 finalists Arsenal.

Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, Porto and Milan are in the same pot, meaning the Barclays Premier League trio will avoid them in the group stages.

Reigning Barclays Premier League champions Manchester City have been placed with the likes of Valencia, Benfica and Shakhtar Donetsk in pot two.

The final 10 teams for the group stage draw were confirmed this week after the play-off round second legs.

Barclays Premier League teams cannot be drawn together in the same group.

The group stage of this season's competition begins on 18th-19th September and finishes on 4th-5th December.

The final will take place at Wembley Stadium, London on 25th May 2013.

Pot One: Chelsea, Barcelona, Real Madrid, Manchester United, Bayern Munich, Arsenal, Porto, AC Milan.

Pot Two: Valencia, Benfica, Shakhtar Donetsk, Zenit St Petersburg, Schalke, ManchesterCity, Braga, Dynamo Kiev.

Pot Three: Olympiacos, Ajax, Anderlecht, Juventus, Spartak Moscow, Paris St Germain, Lille, Galatasaray.

Pot Four: Celtic, Borussia Dortmund, BATE Borisov, Dinamo Zagreb, CFR Cluj, Malaga, Montpellier, FC Nordsjaelland.

Man United's Rooney facing month on the sidelines

England striker facing four weeks out after suffering deep gash in thigh against Fulham

Man Utd's Wayne Rooney is attended to by medical staff after suffering his injury

Wayne Rooney remained in hospital overnight as medical staff assessed the extent of the injury he sustained when Hugo Rodallega landed on him in stoppage time during Manchester United's win over Fulham.

The England striker was carried off on a stretcher at Old Trafford after the accidental clash with Rodallega in the home side's 3-2 success and is expected to be out of action for four weeks. Rooney was charging down a shot by the Fulham substitute, whose boot connected with his leg.

"It was a very bad one. It looks like he will be out for four weeks"
Sir Alex Ferguson

The 26-year-old sustained a severe gash on his right thigh, and United manager Sir Alex Ferguson said: "It was a very bad one. He has gone to hospital. It looks like he will be out for four weeks."

If Ferguson's assessment proves correct Rooney would be out of United's next two League matches, against Southampton and Wigan and the start of United's UEFA Champions League campaign.

The former Everton striker would be sidelined for England's 2016 FIFA World Cup qualifying double-header with Moldova and Ukraine and also be a major doubt for the Red Devils' trip to Liverpool on September 23rd.

"You have to be wary of infection and that kind of thing so he has gone to the best place and hopefully he will be okay," added Ferguson. "Rodallega followed through and caught him – but it was an accident of course."

Tevez rescues point for City at Anfield

Match stats, photos and reports on Liverpool 2-2 Man City and Stoke 0-0 Arsenal

• 
  Martin Skrtel (left) heads Liverpool into the lead against Manchester City at Anfield

Manchester City twice has to come from behind to salvage a point after an enthralling 2-2 draw with Liverpool at Anfield.

Despite a bright opening by the Barclays Premier League champions, Martin Skrtel opened the scoring with a thunderous first half-header.  Brendan Rodgers's side improved thereafter but were pegged back by Yaya Toure's 63rd-minute poached equaliser after Liverpool had failed to clear their lines.

Within three minutes the hosts had restored their lead thanks to a long-range Luis Suarez free-kick but another defensive error, this time by Skrtel, enabled Carlos Tevez to latch on to a loose back pass and score his 100^th goal in English football.

Liverpool 2-2 Manchester City  #LIVMCI

Arsenal were held to their second successive goalless draw after a hard-fought contest against Stoke City.

The north Londoners, who deployed Vito Mannone in goal with Wojcech Szczesny sidelined with a rib injury, battled hard at the Britannia Stadium and earned 11 corners and a number of free-kicks but were unable to find a breakthrough against a typically obdurate Stoke rearguard.

Tony Pulis's side were good value for their second point of the campaign and but for better finishing by Jonathan Walters might even have earned a narrow home victory.

Barcelona Beat Real Madrid, 3-2: Messi Penalty, Pedro, Xavi Scores Top Ronaldo Goal, Valdez Gaffe

A cagey first-half saw the home side dominate the ball, but struggle to find a way through a resilient rearguard effort from Jose Mourinho's men.

But the match changed completely in the second-half, as Cristiano Ronaldo gave the visitors a shock lead in the 55th minute with a header from a corner.

Barca would hit back instantly through Pedro, before a Lionel Messi penalty and a beautifully worked goal from Xavi put them in the driving seat.

However, a moment of madness from Victor Valdes gifted Angel Di Maria a goal with five minutes to go, leaving matters finely poised for the second leg in six days at Santiago Bernabeu.
Tito Vilanova dropped Christian Tello to the bench for Alexis Sanchez, despite the former’s impressive performance in the 5-1 win over Real Sociedad last weekend, but new signing Alex Song did not make the match day squad in time.

Mourinho, meanwhile, drafted in Raul Albiol in the centre of defence for the injured Pepe, while Karim Benzema started as the lone striker ahead of Gonzalo Higuain.

Madrid started brightly, but were not able to sustain it for long as Barca began to assert their dominance in the middle of the park, with Andres Iniesta in particular looking lively.

Xabi Alonso picked up a yellow card 12 minutes in after a crunching tackle on Sergio Busquets, putting him on thin ice for what was shaping up to be a backs to the wall game for the visitors.

Messi should have found the target in the 19th minute after latching on to Dani Alves’ cutback just inside the box, but his effort flew the wrong side of the post.

The Argentine would miss an even better chance 10 minutes later, poking wide from a good position after dancing around two defenders in the area.

But despite being starved of the ball, Madrid proved a stubborn beast to overcome at the back, as every Barca attack was met by a throng of white shirts in defence.

The match seemed to be settling into a war of attrition, though Pedro almost livened things up on the half hour mark with a swerving shot that forced Casillas to save at full stretch.

The home fans were up in arms in the 38th minute though, after a theatrical tumble from Sanchez from a challenge by Fabio Coentrao in the box went unacknowledged by the referee.

It was a hopeful shout at best, and the game began to get scrappy as the first half ended. First, Arbeloa was shown yellow for flattening Busquets, before Javier Mascherano joined him in the book after chopping down Coentrao.

Busquets was not having an easy time in the middle of the park, and was felled again by Albiol shortly after the restart, for which the Madrid defender also saw yellow.

The Barcelona midfielder would then make a fatal error in the 55th minute, as he lost sight of Ronaldo defending a corner, allowing the Portuguese to not the visitors into a surprise lead.

Madrid’s joy lasted only seconds though, as straight from kickoff, Barca drew level.

Mascherano’s searching ball from his own half picked out Pedro on the left, who accelerated away from Coentrao to slot the hosts back on terms, despite calls from the visitors for offside.

The shackles were finally off, as Barca looked to press ahead. Alves was picked out by Messi on the overlap, only for Casillas to tip his low shot around the post.

Then, with 68 minutes gone, a clumsy tackle by Sergio Ramos brought down Iniesta in the area, giving referee Carlos Gomez no choice but to point to the spot. Messi stepped up to send Casillas the wrong way and put Barcelona back in front.

Xavi appeared to put matters beyond any doubt 10 minutes later after slotting home from a superb setup from Iniesta, who ghosted pass multiple challenges before putting the chance on a plate for his midfield colleague.

However, in the 85th minute, a howler from Valdes dragged Madrid back into the game and the tie.

The Barcelona keeper appeared to be under little pressure when collecting a backpass, but saw the ball stick under his feet, allowing Di Maria enough time to steal in and poke into the back of the net, giving the visitors a lifeline for the second-leg.

Big Match Ahead !!!

El Clasico’s back tonight in the first leg of the Spanish Supercup – it’s Lionel Messi versus Cristiano Ronaldo, Barcelona versus Real Madrid and it should be a cracker.
Mourinho’s men began their league title defence with a home draw to Valencia, while Tito Vilanova’s reign in Barcelona began in classic Guardiola fashion – with a 5-1 destruction of Real Sociedad.
.Tonight’s match may have little riding on the result, but pride is everything in this battle of the world’s best players.
In anticipation of tonight’s match, GMF remembers some of the best El Clasico’s of the last 10 years.
5. Barcelona 3-3 Real Madrid – March 2007
19-year-old Lionel Messi torments Real Madrid, scoring Barcelona's first El Clasico hat-trick since Romario in 1994. The diminutative Argentinian becomes a household name.

UEFA Europa League: Liverpool edge Hearts, Newcastle held

Own goal earns Reds victory at hearts; Magpies draw with Greek side Atromitos

Fabio Borini wheels away after Liverpool's winning goal against Hearts at Tynecastle

Heart of Midlothian 0-1 Liverpool

Liverpool will take a one-goal lead into their UEFA Europa League play-off second leg at Anfield next week after edging a 1-0 victory against Heart of Midlothian.

With the Reds due to play Manchester City in the Barclays Premier League on Sundaymanager Brendan Rodgers rested a number of first-team players for the trip to Edinburgh and was grateful for a late own goal by Andy Webster that gave his side a slender aggregate lead.

Hearts will consider themselves unfortunate not to have scored at the right end after a committed display in which they frequently tested goalkeeper Pepe Reina, although Liverpool's Fabio Borini did strike a post following excellent approach play by 17-year-old forward Raheem Sterling.

The visitors upped the tempo in the second half and scored with 12 minutes remaining when Webster turned Martin Kelly's cross past Jamie MacDonald.

The winners of the play-off ties qualify for the group stages of the competition.

Atromitos 1-1 Newcastle United

Newcastle United came from behind to clinch an important away goal and earn a hard-fought draw in sweltering conditions in Athens.

The Magpies fell behind midway through the first half when Denis Epstein capitalised on some early home pressure, but on the stroke of half-time Ryan Taylor levelled the tie with a free-kick.

Like Liverpool, Newcastle opted to rest several key players with Saturday evening's League visit to Chelsea in mind, and the game was played at crawling pace due to the stifling 38C heat.

The hosts appeared better adapted to the conditions and missed two early chances before taking the lead on 24 minutes, when Nikola Bigic lofted a pass over right-back James Tavernier and German winger Epstein beat the advancing Steve Harper.

Atromitos's best other chance fell to Konstantinos Giannoulis, who connected with a half-volley that went over the crossbar late on. By then, though, Alan Pardew's side had the away goal they needed as set-piece specialist Taylor sent a curling effort past former Liverpool goalkeeper Charles Itandje.

It was also a landmark occasion for Newcastle's 17-year-old forward Adam Campbell, who became the club's youngest European player when he came off the bench with 13 minutes remaining. The play-off second legs will be played on Thursday, August 30th.

Chelsea 4-2 Reading: Chelsea recover from early shock

European champions come from behind to earn second win of season

• 
  Frank Lampard gave Chelsea an early lead from the spot
• 
  Pavel Pogrebnyak levelled the scores with a fabulous header
• 
  Guthrie gave Reading a shock lead with his free kick
• 
  Cech was unable to hold on to Guthrie's free kick on its way to the net
• 
  Gary Cahill equalised for Chelsea with a long-range shot
• 
  Fernando Torres converted Ashley Cole's cross to restore Chelsea's lead

Chelsea had to come from behind to record their second successive victory in the Barclays Premier League 2012/13. 

Much like newly promoted Southampton had given Manchester City a scare on Sunday by taking a 2-1 lead after falling behind, Reading, who came up as champions of the Championship,recovered from an early Frank Lampard penalty to go into the break ahead.

But goals from from Gary Cahill, Fernando Torres and Branislav Ivanovic meant that the Stamford Bridge faithful went home happy. 

Read a full report of the match in our superb Matchday service, offering you how the match unfolded, statistics about the match as well as the best photos of the action. You can also rate the teams' players.

Lampard: Premier League 'the best in the world'

England midfielder reflects on his glittering 17-year Barclays Premier League career

• 
  Frank Lampard finally won a UEFA Champions League winner's medal last season

The start to Frank Lampard's 18^th season in the Barclays Premier League could hardly have been better as the Chelsea midfielder converted a penalty in his side's 2-0 victory at Wigan Athletic on Sunday.

The 34-year-old is the highest-scoring midfielder in the competition's history, the only player to have managed double figures in goals in nine consecutive seasons and last season he became one of only six players to have passed 500 Premier League appearances.

Lampard is set to make his 523rd League appearance this evening at home to Reading as Chelsea look to build on their winning start to the campaign and attempt to add to the three League titles Lampard has helped them win.

"All the way down the League teams are improving and have something to fight for"
Frank Lampard

The England international's 2011/12 season was bookended with trophies. He won the Barclays Asia Trophy with Chelsea in July 2011, before lifting The FA Cup in May and then adding the one major club honour missing from his collection: a UEFA Champions League winner's medal.

Speaking exclusively before the start of the 2012/13 season the 34-year-old looked back on the drama of last season's campaign and modestly reflected on his legendary status in Premier League history.

He reveals how Chelsea became united to become European champions and how he almost left these shores to play abroad.