Barclays Premier League Results

Pearson returns to Hull

Hull have confirmed the appointment of Adam Pearson as the club's new executive chairman.

Pearson's return to the club for a second spell had been widely anticipated after the resignation of Paul Duffen last week.

Pearson said: "I am delighted to be back at Hull City as chairman. Hull City is a club I know well and care passionately about. There are obviously significant challenges ahead but with real hard work from me and my staff, allied to the usual outstanding support of Hull City fans, I am sure we will take the club forward again."

Reina targeting new contract

Liverpool have been boosted by the news that goalkeeper Jose Reina is intent on signing a new contract at Anfield.

The Reds are struggling in the Premier League after Saturday's defeat at Fulham and face a Champions League exit if they lose in Lyon on Wednesday. Manager Rafael Benitez's future is on the line but one bright spot is fellow Spaniard Reina's willingness to sign a new deal.

Talks on a new deal are expected to open soon and Reina added: "My aim is to get a new contract in the future and I want to be here for many years. Apparently the club wants the same."

Given gifts Hughes birthday cheer

Mark Hughes praised goalkeeper Shay Given who ensured the Manchester City manager's 46th birthday was not a complete damp squib as his heroics earned a point at Birmingham.

Given produced a string of fine saves during the goalless draw including a second-half penalty save to deny Birmingham midfielder James McFadden after skipper Nigel De Jong had handled.

Hughes said: "Given played very well. We are pleased that he did. He saved a penalty and kept us in the game and allowed us to take something out of the game."

Rafa has priorities wrong - Whelan

Former Liverpool midfielder Ronnie Whelan has accused manager Rafa Benitez of prioritising the Champions League ahead of the Reds' faltering Premier League campaign.

Whelan, who won six league titles during his Anfield career, believes Benitez's decision to substitute striker Fernando Torres after an hour of the Reds' 3-1 defeat to Fulham - when the scores were locked at 1-1 - was proof the Spaniard has his eye on Europe.

The Reds face Lyon away on Wednesday night, and Whelan told Ireland's RTE Television: "It's all gone wrong with the manager and he's shown exactly where his priorities lie. He wants to win the European Cup so he can get a job in Europe."

United search for consistency

Sir Alex Ferguson is looking for his Manchester United side to build up a head on steam in the coming months.

A 2-0 victory against Blackburn at the weekend saw the champions get back on track in the Barclays Premier League, following their defeat by Liverpool. And on Sunday they travel to Stamford Bridge for a meeting with leaders Chelsea.

Ferguson said: "It is a tough league. We are experienced enough at this club to know how difficult it is to win the league. It is not going to be any different this year. The great thing about us is that we know it is a difficult league."

PFA 'will be there' for King

Gordon Taylor insists the players' union will support disgraced footballer Marlon King.

The sacked Wigan striker was given an 18-month prison sentence for sexual assault and actual bodily harm after punching a 20-year-old female student in the face in a nightclub.

Taylor, chief executive of the Professional Footballers' Association, said: "Everybody in life can have big problems to face and this is probably his biggest and I hope he's able to overcome it and if he needs help to get his life back on track I assure you we'll be there for him."

Spurs report fan incident at Emirates

Arsenal's security around the dug-out at the Emirates Stadium has been highlighted again after Tottenham staff reported the behaviour of a fan to stewards.

The Spurs bench were unhappy with the language used by a supporter during their 3-0 defeat to Arsene Wenger's men, while Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has previously criticised the design of the stadium for being too open.

Spurs boss Harry Redknapp said: "He was swearing and there were little kids standing there. I don't understand why people do that. I just asked if he could behave himself and act like a proper human being."

Rovers on the mend - Allardyce

Blackburn manager Sam Allardyce believes the club may be over the worst of the swine flu virus which affected him and a number of players.

Martin Olsson and Jason Roberts both sat out the 2-0 defeat against Manchester United after going down with the virus.

Allardyce said: "It may come and go for a while but the doctor tells me the strain is at its weakest now rather than getting stronger as the winter comes in. So hopefully we will not catch it again and be okay later on in the season."

Yak is back - Moyes

Everton boss David Moyes was delighted with the performance of Ayegbeni Yakubu after the striker continued his return from injury against Aston Villa.

Yakubu was sidelined for almost a year with a ruptured Achilles tendon but made his second start of the week in the 1-1 draw at Goodison Park.

"Yak is definitely showing signs of getting back," Moyes said. "The injury was a nine-month injury, but it might take another nine months to get back to the level that you were at."

Ancelotti delighted to lock up top spot

Starting top of the table against champions Manchester United next weekend is more important to Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti than the manner of their victory over Bolton.

Chelsea hammered 10-man Wanderers 4-0 at the Reebok stadium to secure that position at the top, four days after beating Bolton by the same score in the Carling Cup at Stamford Bridge.

Ancelotti said: "It was our aim to make sure that we were still top of the league when we play Manchester United next week. We can now play Atletico Madrid in the Champions League on Tuesday with confidence and prepare for a really great match against United."

Barclays Premier League Results as at 10th March 2010

Barclays Premier League Fixtures as at 10th March 2010