Norwich City 5-2 Wolves- Leroy Lita scores hat trick

Former Reading striker Leroy Lita grabbed a hat trick as Glenn Roeder’s Norwich City beat Wolverhampton Wanderers 5-2 at home. The result, Wolves’ third defeat in their last four games, sees Mick McCarthy’s side conceding their top spot in the Championship table to Birmingham City, who beat Crystal Palace thanks to a late goal from Garry O’Connor.

Carl Ikeme gifted Norwich the lead by tipping a Sammy Clingan free kick into his own net, and Lita doubled Norwich’s lead six minutes before half time. Neil Collins pulled one back for Wolves almost immediately, but Lita again restored their two goal advantage when he lobbed home from 20 yards in the 58th minute.

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Newcastle United 2-2 Manchester City

A late equaliser from Stephen Ireland broke Newcastle hearts as Manchester City escaped with a 2-2 draw at St.James Park.

Newcastle, playing without influential striker Michael Owen, received an early setback when defender Habib Beye was sent off in the 12th minute for a challenge on Robinho by referee Rob Styles. The former Real Madrid forward coolly converted from 12 yards to give City the lead. Styles was the referee who gave Manchester United and Cristiano Ronaldo a controversial penalty against Bolton Wanderers in September. Styles admitted to making a mistake in judging J Lloyd Samuel’s challenge, and television replays showed that Beye had a fair case too.

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Ramos fears for future after Spurs lose to Stoke

Pressure is mounting on Tottenham’s Spanish manager Juande Ramos. In Sunday’s only Premiership clash, Spurs lost to Stoke City 2-1 to leave them alone at the bottom of the table with just two points from eight games. This is Spurs’ worst ever start to a league season, and if history is anything to go by, they are destined for relegation. Only one team has managed to avoid relegation after collecting two or lesser points from their first eight games- Southampton in the 1998-99 season.

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