Premier League Latest

Portsmouth 1-2 Birmingham: Jerome strikes twice

Darren Bent chose the perfect moment to score his first hat-trick for Sunderland, with owner Ellis Short on Wearside to check on his investment.

It appears that Portsmouth have no chance playing in the Europa League next season, even if they qualify by right through the FA Cup.

Tottenham skipper Ledley King faces at least another fortnight on the sidelines nursing his thigh injury before returning to help the club's challenge for a Champions League place.

Fears that Wes Brown could miss the remainder of the season for Manchester United and the World Cup finals have been allayed, with Sir Alex Ferguson instead expecting the defender to be sidelined for between four and six weeks.

Portsmouth manager Avram Grant has hit out at those in charge of the beleaguered Premier League club over the course of the season, claiming a string of promises have been broken and that he expects "there will be more surprises".

Everton midfielder Steven Pienaar has been banned from driving for 12 months after pleading guilty to drink-driving, a court official confirmed on Tuesday.

Landon Donovan has told LA Galaxy he wishes to extend his loan deal with Everton after making a real impression at Goodison, but the United States forward is prepared for disappointment.

Wigan 1-0 Liverpool: Rodallega downs sorry Reds

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez delivered a brutally honest assessment of his side's performance in their 1-0 Premier League defeat at Wigan on Monday.

Steven Gerrard's conduct is under scrutiny on Tuesday morning but Rafael Benitez insists he did not see the incident in which his captain is alleged to have made a crude gesture towards referee Andre Marriner during Liverpool's defeat to Wigan.

Portsmouth have confirmed that Serbian defender Dusko Tosic has left the club just weeks after signing on a free transfer from Werder Bremen.

Arsenal have renewed fears over the fitness of William Gallas after Arsene Wenger conceded the defender suffered a recurrence of a calf injury after being "pushed" to return by the club.

Valon Behrami has insisted West Ham will have to sort their heads out if they are to stand any chance of avoiding relegation. The Hammers slipped closer to the danger zone on Saturday after a 2-1 home defeat to fellow strugglers Bolton.

Alex McLeish has warned he will need to undertake a major spending spree this summer if Birmingham are to consolidate their position in the Premier League.

English Football Association chairman Lord Triesman believes the Red Knights' takeover campaign is a sign of their concern for Manchester United and insists that a fan-run club could work in England.

Vince Grella has defended Blackburn's style of play, insisting the performance at Liverpool that was mocked by Rafael Benitez would provide a match for anyone in the Premier League.

Standard Liege full back Marnick Vermijl is set to join Manchester United in the summer. Vermijl, 18, has held trials at Old Trafford and, having apparently impressed Sir Alex Ferguson, is understood to have agreed a three-year contract at Old Trafford. "They said he was the best right or left back they had seen in years," Vemijl's father, Dirk, told Het Laatste Nieuws. "Ferguson told me that Marnick would become a fixture in the Manchester United squad in the following years." Reports suggest United will pay a fee in the region of 300,000 euros for Vermijl, who has yet to play a first-team match for his club.

Rafael Benitez admits has no plans to give Alberto Aquilani regular first-team football at present because Liverpool cannot afford to lose games.

Steed Malbranque returns to the Sunderland squad for Tuesday night's Premier League clash with Bolton after being punished for a breach of club discipline.