No change at the top of the English Premier League with both Manchester clubs winning at the weekend. On the day they announced record losses of £195 million for the year ending May 31, 2011, City ended Newcastle United's unbeaten start to the season, winning 3-1 at the City of Manchester Stadium. United, who also have a big debt problems, won 1-0 away to Swansea to stay five points behind in second place. Shane Long, who missed both of The Republic's play-off games against Estonia, returned to the West Bromwich Albion starting line up on Saturday and scored the winner in Albion's 2-1 win over Bolton at The Hawthorns. The only other Irish scorer in the Premier League at the weekend was Stephen Hunt, who converted a penalty for Wolves, but Mick McCarthy's side lost 2-1 away to Everton. Liverpool, who are gradually making progress under Kenny Dalglish, beat Chelsea 2-1 at Stamford Bridge on Sunday and the 'Pool would do all the chasing clubs a big favor if they could beat Manchester City at Anfield on Sunday next.
Stokes on target
Anthony Stokes, who admits he would like to make the Irish squad for the Euro 2012 finals, showed Irish manager Giovanni Trapattoni that he can score by getting both of Celtic's goals in their 2-0 away win over Inverness CT on Saturday. Old rivals Rangers could only draw at home to St Johnstone, but the 'Gers are still ten points ahead of Celtic in the SPL.
