Week ahead: our muddy romance with the FA Cup - The Guardian

?The FA Cup, which returns this weekend 141 years on from its first ever competition, has always been a welcome January visitor. Not that the Cup's sense of mud-bound sporting grandeur comes without a price these days. Undermined on all sides by English football's ceaseless financial expansionism, the Cup returns every year a little touchier about its shrunken domestic status, a little needier, ever more vigorously fixated on its past glories.

Yet the Cup remains a central fixture in English sport's seasonal calendar, enduring excitement about the approaching third round fuelled by a wider sense of winter ritual and sporting nostalgia. The third round is the moment when the big clubs join the survivors from the lower levels, the prospect of a giant-killing offering a post-festive treat to light the gloom of the new year.

?There is perhaps a little more to the Cup this year. Football, which is always in crisis, has endured even by its own standards a notably crisis-ridden year.

Beyond the main business of pots and prizes, football in 2012 was characterised by a pervasive fug of racism, crowd violence and ever more inventive forms of basic unpleasantness. So much so that the appearance of the FA Cup, as 2013 rolls around, suddenly feels like a reservoir of old values and leathery integrity.

The Cup has already been forced to accept its own limitations. To yearn for its peak years – through the vast Edwardian attendances at Crystal Palace, the Coronation year final of 1953, and the grandeur of the 1970s, a time of long-haired pop-glitz, pitch-invading kids in parkas and a sense that the Cup really did represent a form of sporting ultimacy – is like pining for the return of the British Rail sandwich, or the analogue telephone.

The Cup cannot come again as it once was. Even its basic romantic currency, the giant-killing result on a mud-bound lower league pitch, is devalued. Managers and chairmen talk of a "payday" when the Cup pits them against Premier League opposition. A draw, and the double-your-money replay, is the dream result.

There is one outstanding third round tie this weekend – Liverpool's trip to the One Call Stadium, home of Mansfield Town of the Blue Square Bet Premier League.

For Mansfield manager Paul Cox it is the occasion of the season so far and perhaps of his own managerial career. "It's great for the town as a whole," Cox says. "Mansfield has had a bad time with the pit closing and businesses closing. A lot of people have put their faith in the football club as a shining light. The FA Cup is the best cup competition in the world and we're a nation that loves an underdog. It's what creates that feeling of romance."

Even here, though, there is an acceptance that the most tangible reward of playing a Premier League team, in a horribly precarious industry, is monetary. "The chairman will be cheering loudest if we get a win of course," Cox says. "But he knows the scenario if we get a draw. It would be massive for the club."

?For all the sense of being fatally diminished, the Cup still seems oddly instructive. From its late-Victorian beginnings, as football began to grow as an economic force in the larger industrial cities, part of the Cup's power was that it still offered a sense of social mobility, a shot at glory that was available to all.

While football has, since the birth of professionalism, attracted much handwringing over declining standards, moral bankruptcy, and general financial chicanery, the Cup has retained its distantly ennobling quality.

In part this is to do with basic sporting meritocracy. Any team in the country can, in theory, win the FA Cup. Old Etonians were the last amateur side to do so (in 1882) but up until the second world war Corinthians, a team of amateurs who stood against foul play and refused to score from penalties as they were "unsporting" would regularly compete.

Amateurism, fair play, sporting meritocracy: football has never been particularly interested in any of these in practice. But at least, propelled by the sport's founding competition and the cradle of the modern game, there was some sense of higher values in the background, of aspiring to something beyond the moral annihilation of success at all sporting and financial costs.

The Cup will come and go this year as it always does and by the end of the coming weekend there may be no more romantic tales to tell for another year.

But it should perhaps be treasured a little more keenly than normal – as a moment in time distinct from the furiously marketeered successes of the Premier League.

Everton 1 Chelsea 2 - Telegraph.co.uk

After each of the midfielder's goals, and particularly at the final whistle, Chelsea fans chanted "Sign him up", an edge of frustration detectable in their voices.

Lampard walked over at the end, acknowledging their backing, almost seeming to linger in the glow of their love. They will always have Munich, always have the memories of great moments, but all are aware that the board will not commit to players in their mid-30s.

The issue of age stirs a strange debate in football as if a body's susceptibility to sport's demands can be measured only by the number of years.

It is not a simple science, not something that can be quantified in Moneyball terms. It is about dedication to a professional lifestyle, about avoiding injury.

Roman Abramovich, Bruce Buck, Ron Gourlay and Michael Emenalo are preparing to take a gamble on the knees of the 27-year-old Demba Ba, while dispensing with the substantial services of the man who lasted two hours of the Champions League final in May, who kept Chelsea calm in the teeth of an Everton storm here.

Two of the most impressive contributors to an absorbing game at Goodison were Lampard, 34, and the 35-year-old Sylvain Distin. The

Everton centre-half blotted out Fernando Torres with a mix of strength, determination and anticipation.

Distin was desperately unfortunate to finish the day contemplating the end of Everton's unbeaten home record in the League this season.

An hour after the final whistle, Distin could be found outside Goodison, perching a fan on a barrier so the boy's father could take a better picture. Distin then walked along a row of supporters, shaking hands and chatting away. Like Lampard, Distin is a fine ambassador for his club.

Another of the thirtysomething brigade, Steven Pienaar, was also hugely influential. As the strains of Z Cars faded away and Goodison shook with expectancy, Everton tore into Chelsea, seizing the lead through the 30-year-old Pienaar after 63 seconds.

Chelsea were culpable, particularly Eden Hazard. The Belgian gave the ball away, the mistake proving doubly damaging as Ashley Cole, who had made a forward dart, was caught out of position.

Phil Jagielka sprinted down the right, running into space vacated by Cole, before lifting over a cross. Victor Anichebe climbed above, probably on, César Azpilicueta, powering a header against the post. As the ball rebounded clear, Pienaar was sharpest, drilling it past Petr Cech.

Chelsea were rattled. David Moyes' clever deployment of Pienaar in a central role troubled the visitors. Benítez had seemed to expect the South African to be working the left, dovetailing with Leighton Baines, and had therefore fielded the energetic Ramires there.

Yet Moyes started Anichebe on the left, almost in a 4-3-3 formation with Steven Naismith to the right of Jelavic. Pienaar was more central, looking to link with Nikica Jelavic while also quick to press David Luiz and Lampard when Chelsea's midfielders had possession.

For 25 minutes Everton were totally dominant, proving quicker to the ball and hungrier, simply working harder than the champions of Europe.

When Gary Cahill fouled Pienaar, Jelavic swept a free-kick on to Cech's right-hand upright. When Jagielka delivered another cross, Leon Osman forced Cech into an exceptional save.

Yet there is such class in these Chelsea ranks. Ramires went striding through the middle, eventually allowing Juan Mata to test Tim Howard.

Chelsea were building, looking for hope from Ramires, Mata and Lampard, but they kept running into the powerful frame of Distin for 40 minutes.

Such was the quality beginning to flicker from the feet of the visitors that Everton really needed to take their chances. Jelavic nearly scored after 35 minutes, having been brilliantly released by Pienaar, but Cech saved superbly. Big moment.

Six minutes later, Chelsea equalised, following Torres' one moment of class in the first half (barring two clearing headers).

Turning Baines, Torres rolled the ball down the inside-right channel for Ramires. The Brazilian crossed for Lampard to do what he does so well, timing his run to score, this time with a strong header past Howard.

Chelsea lost an important thirtysomething, Cech, to a muscle injury at the break, bringing Ross Turnbull into goal.

The Englishman saved well from Osman after 67 minutes and was then relieved to see Jelavic's header hit the bar following a gem of a cross from Baines, who certainly shaded the battle of the No3s with Cole.

Another big moment. Moments later, Chelsea were ahead. Again, they were indebted to Lampard. Torres had wasted one chance, and then been denied by Howard, so again it was left to Lampard to find the net. When Howard saved from Mata,

Lampard was in the right place at the right time to pounce. It was no accident; Lampard has been doing it for years. Sadly, those Chelsea years are soon to end and nobody at the Bridge outside the boardroom can really understand why.

Theo Walcott answers critics but Arsenal's striking questions remain - The Guardian

It says everything about Theo Walcott that he can score a hat-trick and create two other goals yet still not settle the argument as to whether he is best deployed as a centre-forward or a winger. And it says a lot about Arsenal that despite Walcott's feat and the fact that Olivier Giroud came close to matching it in just a quarter of an hour on the pitch against Newcastle, there is still a widespread view that Arsène Wenger urgently needs a striker such as Demba Ba.

"Let's keep those we have, that is the first target," answered Wenger when asked whether he would make a move for a new centre-forward as soon as the transfer window opens in January. That was a reference to his desire to secure a new pledge of allegiance from Walcott, who continues to haggle over a proposed extension to his contract that expires in the summer. The 23-year-old showcased his exceptional talents in spectacular style against Newcastle, yet Ba demonstrated some of the skills that Walcott still lacks and showed why Wenger is considering further investment.

Walcott does some things wonderfully. His speed has always been devastating and his finishing has improved immensely, as exemplified by a trio of perfectly-placed strikes here. But while he is sharp enough to serve as a spearhead and certainly more deadly than Gervinho, he is not strong and savvy enough to be a fulcrum for attacks, unlike Ba, who led the line superbly against Arsenal in addition to scoring twice. The Senegalese has a £7m release clause in his contract and Wenger, like Chelsea and others, seems tempted to spring it.

Even if Walcott does commit his future to the club, which the manager believes he is close to doing, Arsenal could still do with a forward of Ba's proven power to be used when Walcott's dash is best deployed out wide. Wenger declared himself impressed by Ba's "movement and his strength in the challenges as well, and up in the air" but added that "he is a similar type to Giroud and you will see Giroud develop into that kind of player".

Theo Walcott scored a hat-trick and set up two goals in Arsenal's rout of Newcastle. Photograph: Alan Walter/Action Images

The question is whether Arsenal would benefit from having that kind of player right now while Giroud, who has clearly been getting more accustomed to the Premier League and came off the bench to score two fine goals here and also hit the crossbar, pursues his development, especially as Ba may be available for a bargain price. All Alan Pardew can do, meanwhile, is hope that Wenger and others decide against taking the plunge.

"Demba is out of my hands, there is nothing I can do about it so what will be will be," said the Newcastle manager with pained fatalism. The size of Arsenal's win may play into Pardew's hands if it helps convince Wenger that his side is finding consistency and therefore that he should not add another new player. Wenger ventured to suggest that the "craziness" of earlier in the campaign, when swashbuckling goal sprees alternated with impotent 0-0 draws with Aston Villa and Sunderland and limp defeats to Swansea, Norwich and Bradford, may be at an end – although he confesses to being "cautious" about declaring the club's crisis officially over.

"People have been very impatient with us, we have rebuilt the team and we started well and after that we stuttered," he says. "Now we have come back. We had to rebuild the team and we have done it. It demands some understanding. How good we are will be decided in the next four or five months. It is not over yet, be patient. We can be better".

Pardew knows Newcastle must get better too. There were positives amid this display, primarily Ba's continued potency, a decent return by Cheik Tioté in midfield and the excellence of his team's other goalscorer, Sylvain Marveaux, but his injury-ravaged team still suffered their eighth defeat in their last 10 matches and now lie three points above the relegation zone.

The manager admits to being anxious. "I've never looked away from the bottom of the league, to be honest," he said. "Any Premier League manager outside of the top four or five clubs who says he doesn't look at getting 40 points first is telling a fib. We are 20 points short at the moment so we've got a bit to do.

"We've got good players to come back and we're going to make an impact in this league at some point but we don't want to leave it too late."

Man of the match Theo Walcott (Arsenal)

Luis Suárez scores twice as Liverpool inflict more misery on QPR - The Guardian

Harry Redknapp puffed out his cheeks, muttered an expression of disbelief to Joe Jordan at his side, then slumped back against the dugout with a shake of his head in disgust. This mismatch was less than half an hour old and Queens Park Rangers were already embarrassed having just conceded a third goal, a thumping header by Daniel Agger. The centre-half was unmarked, though that was not surprising. Rangers' attempts at resistance had long since disintegrated. This team are sinking without trace.

The QPR manager offered something approaching bullish optimism afterwards, saying his team can still survive, but recovery from a defensive display this shambolic seems improbable even with January and another potential transfer frenzy only a couple of days away. Their solitary league success, against Fulham earlier this month, generated hope that appears cruel in the context of a third successive defeat, form that better sums up Rangers' campaign to date. Three clubs have survived having been bottom on New Year's Day in the 20 years of the Premier League but there has to be a spark to instigate a revival and there was simply no real sign of progress to be seen.

The prerequisite for a struggling side, principally tightening up at the back, had been abandoned here amid the desperation to register a victory. Redknapp acknowledged that, having belatedly hauled off Djibril Cissé with the game lost to avoid suffering a drubbing from which confidence might never have been restored. "We were never going to win 4-3, so I shut up shop," he said, explaining the half-time substitution. "Maybe I should have done that from the start, but we wanted the win and had been open and attacking." Luis Suárez had already torn the home side to shreds by then with the Uruguayan's team-mates revelling in the wide open spaces at his back.

Even when trying to be upbeat, Redknapp could only describe this as "a doing", the first time his side have been truly overrun and outclassed over his six weeks in charge. The eight-point gap from 17th place is a gulf, with this performance arguably every bit as abject as the surrender to Southampton in Mark Hughes' last game in charge in November. Redknapp has not had a chance to wheel and deal as yet but he will be the third successive QPR manager to survey a transfer window with a sense of desperation, players stacking up at the training ground, though the reality is reinforcements are required.

Liverpool's Luis Suárez evades the attentions of the QPR defence. Photograph: Adrian Dennis/AFP/Getty Images

Clint Hill and Ryan Nelsen are seasoned professionals and utterly committed but, at 35, slippery forwards such as Suárez can and will humiliate them. Both full-backs selected here, Armand Traoré and Nedum Onuoha, looked like broken men defensively. José Bosingwa, a European Cup winner in May, is now "injured" and has been since he refused to sit on the bench against Fulham. Fabio da Silva, on loan from Manchester United, was cast on late but is unfamiliar with relegation scraps. As, indeed, are a number of a party recruited from Real Madrid and Internazionale. One of those, Julio César – recalled for Rob Green, who wallowed miserably on the bench – cannot perform heroics alone. There is imbalance all around, and a trip to third-placed Chelsea to come on Wednesday. They scored eight the last time they trotted out at Stamford Bridge.

It feels ridiculous to have originally considered this contest an opportunity to kickstart the recovery, as Rangers had against this opposition so memorably last term. Liverpool had arrived mid-table and with the norovirus apparently festering in their midst; the manager, Brendan Rodgers, and No2 goalkeeper, Brad Jones, were quarantined and sent back to Merseyside earlier in the day at risk of infecting the entire party. The assistant, Colin Pascoe, also under the weather, was not allowed into the changing room either pre-match or at half-time by the club's medical staff in case he spread the bug and yet they still ran riot.

Suárez, a forward scouted heavily by Redknapp's Tottenham Hotspur while at Ajax, rejoiced in the freedom of Loftus Road. His clever drift away from Hill 10 minutes in to collect Stewart Downing's pass, before tearing at and beyond the back-pedalling centre-half, set the tone. The finish was precise and the hosts already looked in pieces. Within six minutes he had wriggled to the byline, cutting back towards Raheem Sterling in the centre. Onuoha's lunge denied the former QPR youngster but merely set up Suárez to thrash in a second. "He's a magician," said Steven Gerrard, even if an apprentice might have prospered against these opponents.

Agger's header as QPR dawdled at another short-corner routine completed the scoring, though Nelsen twice cleared attempts from his goalline, with the visitors content in their superiority. They will unveil Daniel Sturridge from Chelsea, and most likely Blackpool's Thomas Ince once the window opens this week. Rangers will not have the same leeway in the market but whatever additions they do secure must make an immediate impact before this miserable campaign unravels entirely.

Man of the match Luis Suárez (Liverpool)

Demba Ba transfer talks outshine Frank Lampard's double for Chelsea - The Guardian

Chelsea have taken steps to rectify their lack of strikers by opening talks with Demba Ba's representatives. The Newcastle United striker has a £7.5m release clause in his contract that can be triggered once the January transfer window is open.

Chelsea have been desperately short of back-up for Fernando Torres this season and have sold their reserve striker Daniel Sturridge to Liverpool for around £12m with his move due in the new year. Signing Ba would also make sense in the short term as it would allow Chelsea to pursue their principal target Radamel Falcao next summer, his club Atlético Madrid being unwilling to sell the prolific forward until the season has ended.

The Blues' interim manager, Rafa Benítez, was coy when pressed on the issue after his side had come from a goal behind to beat Everton at Goodison Park. "We do not talk about our business in public," he said, adding of the directors: "My job is to prepare the team for games and they will let me know. He plays for another team so I do not like to talk about it."

Ba has scored 29 goals in 51 appearances in the league for Newcastle and has proved to be a steal since signing from West Ham United on a free in June 2011. The 27-year-old Senegalese has been diagnosed with a long-standing knee condition which has put other suitors off in the past.

He fits the bill for Chelsea in that he is not only prolific but also relatively cheap and has proved that he can cut it in the Premier League. "Demba is out of my hands, there is nothing I can do about it so what will be will be," Newcastle's manager, Alan Pardew, said at the weekend.

Torres again demonstrated his prodigious workrate against Everton but was unable to find the net. Instead Chelsea were once again reliant on their old stager Frank Lampard who, ironically, is free to sign terms with foreign clubs in the new year, so it was apt that his second and winning goal was met by a chorus of "sign him up" by Chelsea's fans at Goodison Park.

Frank Lampard celebrates with Juan Mata after Chelsea's equalising goal at Goodison Park. Photograph: Phil Noble/Reuters

Lampard's knack of appearing in the right place at the right time has brought Chelsea many victories and helped to win league titles, not to mention European glory in the past 11 years. Twice he showed that natural instinct during a game in which his side were second best to Everton, yet the midfielder has yet to be offered a contract extension.

Benítez expects Lampard to remain at Stamford Bridge until at least the end of the season. "Frank is under contract, he's fully committed and he's a great player," he said. "My job is to keep him fit and, if he scores in every game, I will be really pleased. Lampard is a great player, he is a good professional, he is doing well for us. I will try to bring the best from him until the end of the season and you never know."

Asked what the new year might bring, Lampard said: "I just hope for me personally playing in a winning team. I will keep trying to give my best as I've always done and will continue to do. I know there's a lot of speculation but for me the enjoyable bit is the 90 minutes."

Everton's profligacy has haunted them this season and, despite taking an early lead through Steven Pienaar, Lampard's header three minutes before half-time and a close-range finish after 72 minutes secured a fourth successive victory for Benítez on his return to Merseyside.

Everton dominated the opening 30 minutes and should have killed off the game, Pienaar firing the ball past Petr Cech in the second minute. Eden Hazard, woefully off the pace in the first half, squandered possession in midfield and Phil Jagielka, playing at full-back, galloped down the right wing before delivering a deep cross. Victor Anichebe's header rebounded off the far post but the ball fell to Pienaar who shot home from around the penalty spot.

Quite how they failed to go further ahead was a mystery solved mostly by Cech, who made a number of impressive saves, and bad luck. On three occasions Everton hit the woodwork.

"We're not disappointed with how we played, we played really well, we've run the European champions really close but we just didn't have enough in the end," said Moyes, who apologised for berating the referee, Howard Webb, after the final whistle. "I was wrong to do so and I apologised to him but I thought there was a free-kick on Leon Osman in the 92nd minute on the edge of the box."

Chelsea equalised when Torres slid the ball to Ramires and the Brazilian lifted a pinpoint cross into the penalty area where Lampard headed into the bottom corner.

Ross Turnbull was introduced for Cech at half-time because of a thigh injury and with 20 minutes remaining Nikica Jelavic's header cannoned off the crossbar, the striker having earlier hit the post. Two minutes later Chelsea were in front. Torres and Ramires combined before Juan Mata's shot was stopped by Tim Howard, only for Lampard to turn home the rebound.

"I thought it was a great win for us," Benítez said. "All the team showed character, commitment, passion and quality against a good team. We knew that they could be tough but I had confidence in my players and you could see in the second half that we were controlling." Benítez and Moyes warmly shook hands before the game, despite the Spaniard labelling Everton a "small club" when manager of Liverpool in 2007.

Man of the match Frank Lampard (Chelsea)

Arsenal set two-week deadline for in-form Walcott to sign new deal - Daily Mail

By Sami Mokbel

PUBLISHED: 17:50 EST, 30 December 2012 | UPDATED: 17:50 EST, 30 December 2012

Arsenal want Theo Walcott's long-term future secured within the next fortnight.

Club officials are working to set up a second round of formal contract discussions with the player and his representatives in the next 14 days.

Arsenal are increasingly optimistic a deal can be reached. Sportsmail understands the 23-year-old's preference is to stay.

Main man: Theo Walcott was in exceptional form against Newcastle

But the original 75,000-per-week offer made on August 28 must be improved, while Walcott also wants assurances over his chances of playing as a centre forward on a regular basis.

The England star wants a package closer to 100,000 per week, but it is believed a deal of 85,000 or 90,000 would suit both parties.

Meanwhile, Arsenal will this week make their move to sign Crystal Palace forward Wilfried Zaha.

The Gunners are set to increase their starting offer to beat Manchester United to the England player's signature.

Arsenal had originally planned to make an 8million opening bid for the 20-year-old starlet, who wants to leave Selhurst Park in January.

However, they are considering a more lucrative starting offer to ensure Zaha's arrival.

Deadline: Arsenal want Walcott's new deal sewn up within the next two weeks

Icing on the cake: Walcott scores his third and Arsenal's seventh

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Cant believe how stupid is Arsenal board. Why let contracts run down and even make it possible to lose players for nothing or is it accuse to cash them. You never see Djourou or Ramsey contracts ending.

- tobyz , London, 31/12/2012 06:27

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dead wood arsenal,pathetic fans,walcott dont sign

- kamraps , kampala, Uganda, 31/12/2012 05:53

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Frankly speaking, without trust and confident from WengerTheo won't be able to play like this and 85,000 or 90,000 per week should be good enough and 100,000 per week will be given by the club if he play up to next level. Nowadays, seems like players are more greedy then loyalty. Agreed with Anonymous. If Theo did leave, he might only have 1 year to be the regular and then become bench warmer like Na$ri and Clichy as well as Cesc, he is NOT the regular at Barca so do Song. Next year we might forget where is Song go. Anyway, Wenger give you the chance and give Wenger a Happy New Year persent by signing a new contract, please!

- Jesse Loks , Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 31/12/2012 05:20

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Arsenal needs to think about adding some defensive depth as well. They flat out stink on the defensive side right now.

- Alex Delarge , Austin, United States, 31/12/2012 04:52

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Keep this lad and push Podoloski more Forward. Suggestion from a Chelsea Fan

- NK , India, 31/12/2012 04:43

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Shoulda used all that money/resources in renewing Ramsey's contract for Theo instead. Give him the money. Give him the position. Done.

- lekynson , Bladensburg, United States, 31/12/2012 04:42

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Snap up Theo with a contract he cannot refuse and play him as CF. Bring on Pep as soon as he is available.Trophy drought never ending.Never ending rebuilding .Slick AW can move on to the Board or real estate! Happy New Year!!

- Prabu , Chennai, India, 31/12/2012 04:32

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To anonymous, London: Well said, totally agree with you!

- Andre , Singapore, 31/12/2012 04:32

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@abdel, london>>>The way you write as though Walcott has no clubs to go except at Arsenal and get playing time. Some players who joined Arsenal and now fans called them(Deadwood).

- denhen , singapore, 31/12/2012 03:45

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Theo don't sign da ting!

- airbornespurs , Herts, 31/12/2012 03:36

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Theo Walcott: Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger hopeful over new contract - BBC Sport

Arsene Wenger says Theo Walcott's hat-trick in the 7-3 win over Newcastle United will not decide whether he stays or leaves Arsenal.

Walcott's contract expires at the end of the season and is free to speak to other clubs from next week.

But Wenger said: "My desire is to extend his contract. He belongs here and hopefully we can do it.

"Should he have had a disastrous game today, it would not have altered my determination to extend his contract."

Arsenal 7-3 Newcastle: Theo Walcott coy on future despite hat-trick

Sharp-shooter Theo Walcott

Theo Walcott, who has scored 10 goals in his last 10 appearances for Arsenal in all competitions, has scored with 35.8% of his shots this season in the Premier League - the best ratio of any player to have scored five or more goals

Arsenal signed the then 16-year-old Walcott from Southampton in 2006 for an initial £5m, rising to £12.5m.

However, the England international could sign a pre-contract agreement with a foreign club from 1 January or join a Premier League side for free in the summer.

Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United are all believed to be interested in the player.

Speaking after the Newcastle game, Walcott, 23, said talks were "ongoing" with Arsenal, adding: "I'm sure something will be sorted soon."

He also said he hoped he could cement a regular starting place as a central striker after being switched from his position on the wing.

"Hopefully I've opened a few eyes," he said. "It's just a different option."

Walcott has scored 14 goals in all competitions this season and four in three games since being deployed as a striker.

"Today just typifies what I think he can do through the middle," Wenger said. "The first goal was a Thierry Henry-type goal and he showed great determination with the third.

"He has become a good finisher. He has learned a lot because he is an intelligent player. Because he is intelligent he will continue to improve."

Wenger said Walcott "loves" Arsenal, adding: "I would like to talk more about his footballing qualities than about money and speculation."

Everton 1 Chelsea 2: match report - Telegraph.co.uk

Phil Jagielka, starting at full-back, stormed down the right, running into space vacated by Cole. He had time and space but, seeing the ragged nature of Chelsea's defence, lifted the ball in quickly. Victor Anichebe climbed above, probably on, Cesar Azpilicueta, powering a header against the post. As the ball rebounded clear, Pienaar was sharpest, drilling it past Petr Cech. The stats addicts were swift to point out this was Everton's quickest goal in the Premier League since Yakubu struck after 47 seconds against Portsmouth four years ago.

Chelsea were rattled. Pienaar's positioning caught them out frequently. Benitez seemed to expect the South African to be working the left, dovetailing with Leighton Baines, and had therefore fielded the energetic Ramires out on that flank. Yet Moyes started Anichebe on the left, almost in a 4-3-3 formation with Steven Naismith on the right of Nikica Jelavic. Pienaar was more central, looking to link with Jelavic while also quick to press David Luiz and Frank Lampard when Chelsea's midfielders had possession. Pienaar was eventually cautioned for hounding Luiz excessively.

For 25 minutes Everton were totally dominant, proving sharper to the ball, hungrier, simply working harder than the champions of Europe. When Gary Cahill fouled Pienaar, Jelavic swept a free-kick on to Cech's right-hand upright. When Jagielka delivered another cross, Leon Osman forced Cech into an exceptional save. Gwladys Street shook with delight.

Chelsea broke out, Ramires striding through the middle, and eventually Juan Mata briefly testing Tim Howard. Chelsea attacked again, and a sliding Cole almost made contact with a cross at the far-post. Chelsea were building, looking for hope from Ramires, Mata and Lampard, but they kept running into the powerful frame of Distin for 40 minutes.

Everton almost added a second on the counter after 35 minutes. Again Pienaar was magnificent, effortlessly working the ball around Luiz before slipping the ball behind Chelsea's defence for Jelavic. How grateful were the visitors to Cech, making his 400th appearance for Chelsea and managing to stretch out a hand and tip the danger away.His departure at half-time sent a few tremors through Chelsea hearts.

Like Cech, Lampard has been an important figure for Chelsea for so long and he came to their rescue again. Lampard has a good record against Everton and he duly scored, following Fernando Torres' only moment of class in the first half (barring two clearing headers).

Turning Baines, Torres rolled the ball down the inside-right channel for Ramires. The Brazilian crossed for Lampard to do what he does so well, timing his run to score, this time with a strong header past Howard. If questions can be asked about Everton's marking, they could also be asked of the Chelsea board. There is plenty of footballing life left in Lampard, even at 34.

Reports began filtering through that Chelsea were speaking to representatives of Demba Ba, the Newcastle United striker with the controversial £7m get-out clause. Chelsea need another forward, particularly with Daniel Sturridge destined for Liverpool. Torres certainly needs competition; the Spaniard wasted a good opportunity early in the second half. Torres did get a strike on target after 66 minutes but Howard pushed the ball over.

Chelsea had made a change in goal, Ross Turnbull coming on at the break for Cech, and the Englishman made a superb save from Osman after 67 minutes. Chelsea were then rescued by the bar. When Baines whipped in a fantastic cross, Jelavic headed past Turnbull but was denied bythe woodwork.

Costly. Moments later, Lampard reminded everyone of his enduring class, poaching his second. When Howard saved from Mata, Lampard was on hand to give Chelsea the lead from close range. Chelsea could have made it 3-1 in the final minute but Distin again blotted Torres out.

At the final whistle, Lampard was saluted emotionally by the Chelsea fans. "They've been amazing," he said. "They are the club." If only the club board shared their views.

Demba Ba to hold Chelsea talks - Daily Mail

By Andy James

PUBLISHED: 06:23 EST, 30 December 2012 | UPDATED: 12:25 EST, 30 December 2012

Demba Ba will meet with Chelsea chiefs this evening to discuss a potential January move to Stamford Bridge.

The Newcastle striker leads Chelsea's winter target list even though his transfer fee could be pushed beyond the 10million-mark by extra payments.

Ba's 7.5m release clause has been well documented with both Arsenal and Liverpool known to be monitoring the 27-year-old's situation, but now the Sunday People are reporting that the Senegalese's advisers will demand between 3m and 5m on top of that as part of any deal.

Prolific: Ba (centre) has netted 13 Premier League goals this season

And he will now meet with Blues officials to try and thrash out a deal 24 hours before the transfer window opens, according to Sky Sports News. 

Chelsea's No 1 striking target Radamel Falcao last week revealed that he wants to stay at Atletico Madrid until the end of the season, forcing the Blues to cast their net elsewhere as they look to bolster their title bid.

With Daniel Sturridge set to complete a 12m move to Liverpool this week Chelsea need a frontman to compete with Fernando Torres and they have now switched their attention to Ba, who is the joint-leading scorer in the Premier League this season with 13 goals despite featuring in a struggling Magpies side.

Ba joined Newcastle from West Ham back in the summer of 2011 in a deal which included a 7.5m release clause - 2.5m of which will go to the player himself. 

Double salvo: Ba scored twice at the Emirates on Saturday

Ba is likely to demand 70,000-a-week in wages from his suitors, with mega-rich French side Paris Saint-Germain also weighing up a package to bring him back to the country of his birth.

Newcastle boss Alan Pardew is keen for Ba to negotiate a new deal but should he opt to leave the club they are expected to step up their chase for 11.5m-rated Marseille striker Loic Remy.

One potential snag in any deal for Ba would be the striker's ongoing knee problems, and should Chelsea be put off by those concerns and the player's age they could instead return for Bayer Leverkusen's German international forward Andre Schurrle - who came close to joining the club last summer.

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Danielle will you marry me?

- blueblood , Leamington Spa, 30/12/2012 18:39

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Robert London, Ba to Chelsea is a done deal. I know someone close to the deal and that person informed me this afternoon when we met just before we played Everton, this is when i was informed that Ba is on his way to Chelsea. Falcao would soon follow Ba Robert so watch this space. I notice you are quite conspicuous by your absence on the Chelsea vs Everton report, I wonder why? - Louis , London, 30/12/2012 17:25 - You're the janitor at Stamford Bridge aren't you? Nice to see the "work placement in the community" program is working.... - Return of the Egg , London, United Kingdom------------------>>>>> HAHA

- Robert , London, United Kingdom, 30/12/2012 18:38

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Gerry , London, United Kingdom.. With that logic Newcastle are bigger than Juventus but that's not how football works, then again i doubt you know much about anything.

- Been There , Done That, United Kingdom, 30/12/2012 18:37

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Robert London, Ba to Chelsea is a done deal. I know someone close to the deal and that person informed me this afternoon when we met just before we played Everton, this is when i was informed that Ba is on his way to Chelsea. Falcao would soon follow Ba Robert so watch this space. I notice you are quite conspicuous by your absence on the Chelsea vs Everton report, I wonder why? - Louis , London --------->>>> So you;re going to have Ba, Torres, Falcao, in January? RIght................

- Robert , London, United Kingdom, 30/12/2012 18:37

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Ps ...sorry to all you Magpies who I have a massive soft spot for ...going back to Malcolm Macdonald and KK more recently

- blueblood , Leamington Spa, 30/12/2012 18:36

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Anything to get rid of Torres .,,, please

- blueblood , Leamington Spa, 30/12/2012 18:34

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But I thought Arsenal agreed a 7.5 million fee for him already ?

- Anonymous , London, United Kingdom, 30/12/2012 18:33

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The cockney mafia strike again. - Howard, London, United Kingdom, 30/12/2012 17:42 Geography is not your thing, is it? Try West Ham as the cockney chavs (or Tottenham to some extent). - Gustav Romaric, Liege, Belgium, 30/12/2012 18:10 Within the sound of the Bow Bells (St Mary le Bow Cheapside) only Millwall and Leyton Orient, traditionally have a chance of being called 'Cockney' by way of geography. So clearly, geography is not your thing. I should know, I'm a Bart's baby!!! Up the Chels!!!

- daysytrueblue , London, 30/12/2012 18:28

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He will stop at his next clubfor maybe 2years then he will be gone, he has done it at every club he has been at his agent has complete control

- john johnson , Neuweid, 30/12/2012 18:22

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What a Waste. If Demba sits on the Bench all the Time for Chelsea. How can Newcastle Let this happen ?? they Need Demba Ba. Better to go back home to WHU & Newcastle have Andy Carroll back.

- Dr Spock , london, 30/12/2012 18:20

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Everton v Chelsea: live - Telegraph.co.uk

90min+1 Suddenly it's three on one. Torres has it and is prevented from shooting by a stunning tackle by Distin at the death. Corner.

89min Lampard tries to clear on the D, Osman is flying in and he does, indeed, go flying over the Chelsea midfielder. Nothing doing.

88min Oscar and Lampard play keep ball by the corner flag before the Brazilian shoots way wide.

87min Chelsea closing in on a win that no visiting side has managed this term. For nine months in fact. Everton's inability to keep clean sheets looks like proving the difference.

84min Chelsea defence now being fully tested. For now they're steadfast. Oscar to replace Mata for the last five minutes. Ross Barkley has a crack from 25 yards but his young head proves too much and it sails over the bar, Dan Carter style.

82min Everton pressure persists. Chelsea twice hoof clear.

80min A plethora of balls enveloping the Chelsea box now. Pienaar off, Ovideo on as Everton's last sub. Pienaar has been quite exceptional today.

78min 14 games undefeated at Goodison, the reason why Everton still believe there is something left in this one. Young hope Ross Barkley on, Hitzlsperger off now.

76min Jelavic with a cross with four Everton bodies in the box. Everton will not lie down. Vellios on, Naismith off.

72min Hazard off, Moses on. A yellow card for Distin amid all this.

71min GOAL! EVERTON 1 CHELSEA 2. FRANK LAMPARD AGAIN! Pinball in the Everton box. Torres shoots. Mata's there. It falls to Lampard from three yards, who seizes on the loose ball and it loops into the net over Howard. The for sale signs will surely be curtailed now. The Chelsea stalwart on a hat-trick.

69min Jelavic with an absoulte pearler of a header on the edge of the box! He connects brilliantly and it rattles the bar - again - from another Baines pearler of a cross. Turnbull nowhere near it. Meanwhile, a yellow for Luiz. Hell of a game now.

68min Torres has clearly heard the rumours that Demba Ba's representatives are talking to Chelsea tonight. Even from the pitch.

66min Hazard darting down the middle. Everton getting stretched. Mata's resulting ball back to Mata is cleared. This surely won't end 1-1. Moments later, Torres turns and his sizzling right-foot is turned round the post for a corner. Great effort.

64min Everton using the through ball to decent effect. Especially with the wind causing havoc. Meanwhile, Pienaar catches Luiz from behind and earns a yellow.

62min Baines working his socks off down the left. Here lies most of Everton's dominance. First he earns a free kick, then his corner is a dangerous one as the shot is just held on the line by Turnbull.

59min Pienaar twists and turns in the box and his left-foot shot across goal is turned away by Chelsea stalwart Lampard. Poor corner.

57min Hitzlsperger finds a delicate pass and the angling run of Jelavic sees him through on goal. Offside! This game now end to end. Even as you like, too.

56min Space developing on the break now for Chelsea. Torres drifts wide as Mata finds another completed pass. The floppy-haired one shoots and Howard parries away. Offside anyway.

54min Chelsea pressure. David Luiz chips one into the box - Samba style - and Torres has space. But the Spaniard's touch lets him down and Howard collects. Major opportunity that.

52min Baines and Pienaar again to the fore. The latter crosses from the left and can't quite pick up Jelavic. Goodison beginning to ramp up the volume.

50min Ramires sends in a more than testing cross from the right and is pushed behind for a corner. Cleared. Both sides yet to hold possession.

48min Everton bossing the opening salvos of this second 45. Turnbull being tested under these swirling conditions.

47min Cech has an ankle injury apparently. Meanwhile Baines has a ripped shirt, a la Hulk. He's been refused permission to get back on to the park for good measure.

46min Back under way and Cech has been replaced in goal by Turnbull, beard and all. No reason as yet for this mysterious substitution.

45min Mata is beginning to boss the midfield as the half looms towards the half-time whistle. Which does blow. A tale of two halves. An Everton goal after 63 seconds before Chelsea bossed the last 15 minutes. Entertaining stuff being served up here.

44min Baines whips in a freekick down by the corner flag and Anichebe is first to it with a diving header at the near post which goes wide. Chance.

41min EVERTON 1 CHELSEA 1. Frank Lampard header levels it up. From the same period of play, Torres holds for Ramires, who swings one in and finds an unmarked Lampard. And Chelsea want to sell the club's record goalscorer. Pah!

39min Luiz is brought down. Free kick from 30 yards. A melee in the Everton box and a corner it is. Danger persists.

38min Undeterred, Chelsea are still finding their way back. Still able to compile shots on target. A deflected shot by Lampard has the sting taken out if it.

35min Pienaar is having a blinder here. His latest involvement sees Luiz beaten all ends up in the middle of the park. He sends a curler out left to Jelavic, who is free with acres of space. His shot is low and just passes Cech's left hand post.

31min Luiz finds a slicing through ball for Torres, who runs on but can't hold it up. Everton looking solid at the back. Here's Mata now with some penalty box trickery. He holds up for Azpilicueta, who pulls a sizzling one across goal which Ashley Cole can't convert at the far post.

28min Hazard chances his arm with a rifling shot from 30 yards, which is blocked on the D. They are slowly finding their feet. The Chelsea end responds.

27min Up the other end it's Ramires who gallops 40 yards before stabbing a shot. It's blocked and the follow up from Mata is saved by Howard.

25min Now it's Everton's turn for a sustained period of pressure. Pienaar pulls one back and Osman unleashes from the edge of the box. It brings out a diving, sprawling save from Cech. This is turning out to be one tough away test for Chelsea.

22min Anichebe looking to be a threat too. This time with the head, but he can't find the target. Boy done good since Fellaini was suspended.

20min More sound work from Pienaar. Pace and patience doing for Chelsea at the moment. They rally though. Mata finds Torres who can't meet the header. Still they pressure before Ramires sends one over the posts, Jonny Wilko style.

18min Chelsea fans in on the act with barely a quarter of the game gone: "One Di Matteo", rings out from the away end.

15min A couple of minutes of Chelsea pressure. Fifteen pass build-up is scuppered by Everton pressure closing down and a rank pass from Mata which Ramires can't keep in.

13min Osman and Baines again linking up, with the latter's cross meaning more work for Cech, playing his 400th game for Chelsea today. Utterly fervent start here for Everton.

Stuart from Swindon missives: "A Liverpool fan we need a defender, wingers and sturridge will help up top BR needs money."

10 min Searing work down the right from Osman, who nips in ahead of Mata. His cross is floated in and cleared for a corner.

7min In fact it's the right boot of Jelevic who takes it and time stands still as his beaut of a free kick rattles the post with Cech rooted to the spot. Chelsea all at sea. Everton could be two-up, enough to send them into third spot as it stands.

6min Cahill stretches on goalscorer Pienaar and here's a chance for Baines, with a free kick just outside the D.

5min So much for free-flowing football. Opening salvos have seen plenty of hight ball and scrapping. Just to Everton's liking. A Cech clearance is sliced out for an Everton throw.

3min There goes Chelsea clean sheets record of recent times. They will be buoyed, though, by the fact that Everton haven't kept one for 14.

2min Baines backheads into Anichebe, but it just evades him and falls to Cech. What a start then for Everton.

1min GOAL! EVERTON 1 CHELSEA 0. Jagielka has bundles of space on the left and Pienaar stabs home with a clean strike past Cech. Open and unmarked, questions for the defence inside 60 seconds.

13.28 A minute's applause at Everton for those former players who passed away in 2012, including Gary Ablett.

13.25 So, a final look at the line ups on a freezing day at Goodison. Ramires, Lampard and Hazard are restored for Chelsea. Moyes makes two changes from the win over Wigan: John Heitinga and Steven Naismith come in for the injured Phil Neville and Darron Gibson.

13.20 Benitez, who returns to Everton for the first time since he left the Reds, has just been speaking and is still mentioning Japan, flights and jetlag. Yawn!

13.15 Chelsea fans. Are you pondering how you will fare today? Well, there is that niggling feeling that Goodison Park is a tough place to visit. The Blues haven't won there since April 2008, losing their last 3 PL matches at Goodison Park

13.10 So Rafa Benitez starts Frank Lampard. As we ponder that one, here's more from Moyes, this time on former fellow sparring partner Benitez in the Everton match programme: "Rafa's well-known in these parts & he's an experienced coach who has certainly joined a very good team."

13.00 Here are your teams...

Everton XI: Howard, Jagielka, Baines, Heitinga, Distin, Naismith, Pienaar, Hitzlsperger, Osman, Jelavic, Anichebe.
Chelsea XI: Cech, Azpilicueta, Cole, Cahill, Ivanovic, Luiz, Ramires, Lampard, Mata, Hazard, Torres.

12.35 The stats continue to pile up ahead of this one. Everton are also the only Premier League club yet to be beaten at home in all competitions this season, their last defeat there coming all the way back in March. So here's David Moyes to bring us down to earth.

Results always change people's minds - this is the business we are in. If you win, people can talk about you much better than they do if you lose. I think when you come into this business you know that's how it works.

12.30 Here are your all important match notes...
Two teams with an eye on the top four meet at Goodison Park where Everton can prove just what a fortress they have made their home, with five wins, four draws and no defeats so far this season. Chelsea, though, will be chomping at the bit after scoring 14 goals in their last three games. Everton's fans know that while their team usually scores, it rarely keeps a clean sheet, so goals should be on the agenda again. But they may be more interested in reminding Rafael Benítez of his ties to the red side of the city.

Betting: Home 21-10, Away 13-10, Draw 23-10.
Stat of the game: Everton have scored in their last 16 league games, but have failed to keep a clean sheet in 14.
Chris Bascombe's prediction: Everton 2 Chelsea 2.

12.15 Good afternoon and welcome to coverage from Goodison Park, with what looks like a very lively offering. Chelsea, on song and scoring, have two games in hand on their rivals and a win will take them into third, four points behind City, seven behind United. Everton, though, will have different ideas. A 2-0 win for David Moyes' troops will see them leapfrog into third. Can they do it?

'PORT PUSH NEWCASTLE - WalesOnline

A SPIRITED performance by Newport wasn't enough to contain the big-money professional Newcastle side, but the margin was less than some had anticipated.

Indeed, the hosts kept their visitors pointless in the second half, while scoring a try themselves.

The Falcons showed their confidence in the first minute of the game when they declined the opportunity to kick a penalty from in front of the posts, opting instead for the scrum.

The move backfired, however, when they conceded a free kick.

Much of the first quarter of an hour was then played in the Falcons' half, Newport taking the game to their rivals as coach Sven Cronk had said they would.

The Falcons always looked threatening on the counter-attack, however, and they got onto the scoreboard in the 15th minute.

Gathering a high ball close to their own 22, the Newcastle backs moved it into the Newport 22 where, from a ruck, they set up flanker Richard Mayhew to run in for a try.

Despite that setback, Newport persevered with their attacking approach and their efforts were rewarded with a penalty for a high tackle on Scott Sneddon that the fly-half converted himself.

Thereafter, the Falcons gradually began to impose themselves on the game and the pressure paid off when wing Andrew Higgins was deemed to be the victim of a high tackle on the Newport line and Newcastle were awarded a penalty try.

Try number three came in the 34th minute when, from a scrum 12 metres out, the Falcons quickly moved the ball wide to set up an overlap and allow full back Jimmy Gopperth to run in uncontested.

On the stroke of half-time, the same player claimed the visitors' fourth try, once again from a scrum a few metres out from the Newport line to give his side a 26-3 half-time lead.

It would have been easy for the Newport players to allow their heads to drop in the second half, but they narrowed the gap just three minutes after the restart with a try from No 8 Craig Everett. And they continued to look for scoring opportunities whilst also defending strongly despite having two players yellow carded during the course of the half.

Indeed, Newcastle were unable to add to their tally, and it was the first half of rugby this season in which they have been outscored by their opponents. Next weekend, however sees Newport faced with the even tougher task of taking on the Falcons on their own turf.

Newport: Try: Craig Everett. Con: Scott Sneddon. Pen: Scott Sneddon.

Newcastle Falcons: Tries: Richard Mayhew, Penalty Try, Jimmy Gopperth (2). Cons: Joel Hodgson (3).

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Premier League - Matchpack: Chelsea v Aston Villa - Yahoo! Eurosport UK

TEAM NEWS

Rafael Benitez has admitted he could not guarantee John Terry would be fit for Chelsea's Christmas fixtures. Terry's recovery from knee surgery is proving more problematic than first thought and he will definitely miss Sunday's Barclays Premier League game against Aston Villa. Ramires, John Obi Mikel and Gary Cahill all return from suspension, Daniel Sturridge is available for selection after his hamstring injury, but Ryan Bertrand is doubtful after being forced off in Wednesday's Capital One Cup quarter-final at Leeds.

Aston Villa midfielder Stephen Ireland is available. The Republic of Ireland international missed the 3-1 win over Liverpool at Anfield last weekend through illness. But skipper and central defender Ron Vlaar and striker Gabriel Agbonlahor remain major doubts with calf and thigh problems respectively.

MANAGER QUOTES

Rafael Benitez: "It's one step forward, one step back (for John Terry). The knee is quite complicated. At least he's now on the pitch - that is positive news - but we cannot say, we cannot predict how long it will take. I hope (he will recover soon) but I am not a doctor. So I cannot guarantee anything."

Paul Lambert: "It's unfair for me to turn around and say he's going to be the next Didier Drogba with the career he's had. Christian has only just turned 22. But the potential there is incredible, what he can achieve. He's been absolutely brilliant for me, not just as a footballer but as a guy he is really humble, which is important. He's been brilliant."

MATCH FACTS

Rafael Benitez has suffered just one defeat in 12 meetings with Aston Villa as a Premier League manager (W7 D4).

Villa have won just one of their last 10 Premier League games at Stamford Bridge (L6 D3), but this victory came in their last trip there – 3-1 in December 2011.

Aston Villa's biggest ever Premier League defeat came at Stamford Bridge, as Chelsea won 7-1 there in March 2010.

Chelsea have conceded the first goal of the game on only three occasions in the Premier League this season; a league-low.

73% of Aston Villa's Premier League goals this season (11 of 15) have come from strikers; a higher proportion of any other side.

Chelsea have used just 20 players in the Premier League this season; fewer than any other side.

Phil Dowd has awarded more penalties this season than any other referee (5).

Juan Mata has scored in four of his last five games in all comps for Chelsea.

Andreas Weimann has scored five goals in his last six appearances for Aston Villa in all comps.

No player has assisted more goals in the top five European leagues since the start of last season than Eden Hazard (22).

MATCH ODDS

Chelsea 4/11, Villa 8/1, Draw 7/2

Arsenal's Theo Walcott hits hat-trick in thrilling victory over Newcastle - The Guardian

Glorious attacking and goofy defending: here was a match that encapsulated the madcap appeal of this season's Premier League. The sides took it in turns to err and excite before Newcastle flagged and Arsenal signalled their top-four credentials by blowing the visitors away. The goal spree was thanks in no small measure to Theo Walcott, who struck a startling a hat-trick and created two other goals yet still did not resolve the debate as to whether he is best used as a centre-forward or a winger. Evidently he can be dangerous in both positions, and also frustrate in both.

Alan Pardew finished by far the most frustrated man at the Emirates, blaming fatigue for the fact that Arsenal were able to kill his team off in the dying minutes. While Arsenal had enjoyed a Boxing Day break thanks to the cancellation of their game against West Ham, Newcastle had come out of the wrong end of a thriller at Old Trafford and Pardew said that strain accounted for his side conceding four goals at the Emirates after Demba Ba had drawn Newcastle level for the third time in the 69th minute.

Arsène Wenger confessed: "The result was not an accurate indication of the match." Certainly, at half-time it seemed unlikely that Arsenal would catch fire so spectacularly because the first half was a damp squib of a display from Wenger's team, as Newcastle initially showed no ill-effects from their Old Trafford ordeal.

Ba, who has been linked with a January move to Arsenal, should have rewarded their brisk start with the opening goal in the 16th minute. Four minutes later Walcott, who until then had been redundant as a lone striker owing to one-star service, was given his first decent pass of the game and duly took his chance to outshine the Senegalese, springing a poorly conceived offside trap to collect Lukas Podolski's ball and stroke a low 15-yard shot past Tim Krul and into the far corner. "That was a Thierry Henry-style finish," Wenger said, suggesting the Englishman is benefiting from being mentored by Henry in training.

Podolski gave Walcott a chance to further embellish Arsenal's first-half performance when he eluded James Perch and slipped the ball through to the striker. This time, however, Walcott failed to beat the advancing Krul, who smothered his weak shot.

There was nothing weak about Cheik Tioté's shot in the 41st minute, and Wojciech Szczesny diverted the 30-yard drive over the bar with difficulty. Arsenal cleared the ensuing corner and Walcott led a promising a counter-attack before sparing Newcastle by misdirecting a pass to Santi Cazorla.

Ba gave the scoreline a fairer look when he equalised two minutes before the break, as his 20-yard free-kick deflected off Jack Wilshere and past Wojciech Szczesny. One-one and little omens of the larks ahead.

"We suffered for big parts in the game, especially in the first half. We were a bit nervous and had problems winning the ball back from them," Wenger said.

Arsenal began the second half as if they had spent the interval being berated by their manager. They could have regained their lead in the 47th minute when Wilshere played the ball to Podolski, who teed up the overlapping Kieran Gibbs. Krul beat away the full-back's shot from seven yards. But Arsenal kept coming. In the 50th minute Podolski won the ball after a Newcastle throw-in and knocked it infield to Santi Cazorla.

The Spaniard picked out Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain at the far side of the box and the 19-year-old fired low and hard into the corner of the goal. On the hour mark, Newcastle drew level with the help of wretched Arsenal defending. Gabriel Obertan waltzed his way into the area and sent the ball across the face of goal. Sylvain Marveaux, alone at the back post, tapped in from two yards as perplexed Arsenal defenders looked accusingly at each other. The confusion soon switched to the other end. Wilshere dispossessed Cheik Tioté in midfield before swapping passes with Podolski and driving into the box and clipping a lovely cross towards the back post. Fabricio Coloccini could only head it on to his own bar and Podolski arrived to nod into the net.

Then Arsenal's defence relapsed. In the 69th minute the excellent Marveaux played a wonderful cross with the outside of his foot over the dozing Gibbs, and Ba volleyed into the net from six yards to equalise again. That is when the strain of the match against Manchester United began to show, according to Pardew. "When we got back to 3-3 we should have shut up shop," he said. "We just couldn't do that.The energy levels between the two teams was evident."

Four minutes later, Gibbs, clearly better going forward than at the back, raced into the area to collect a pass from Podolski and pulled it back to Walcott, who placed the ball perfectly into the roof of the net from nine yards.

Olivier Giroud then entered the fray and Walcott reverted to his more familiar berth on the right wing, quickly creating his side's fifth goal by crossing for Giroud to send a plunging header into the net from close range. The substitute then scored again when the ball broke to him following another jagged run by Walcott, who saved his most eye-catching contribution for stoppage time, when he turned up on the left wing and scampered into the area before showing splendid composure to ignore a foul and dink the ball over Krul.