Jermaine Pennant is delighted to have joined what he sees as a strong Stoke squad and not ruling out a permanent stay at the Britannia Stadium.

Pennant joined Stoke on loan from Real Zaragoza until January on transfer deadline day, along with Marc Wilson and Eidur Gudjohnsen.

The Potters had already captured Kenwyne Jones and Jon Walters ahead of the last-gasp action and Pennant was only too happy to join the revolution.

He told Stoke City Player: “My agent always told me Stoke were always interested and tried to sign me last season. But it was literally on the last day.

“I was in Spain watching Sky Sports News and I saw Eidur (Gudjohnsen) had flown into Stoke and I was thinking ‘ that’s a good signing’, but I didn’t know at that time I was on my way there too.

“Then I got the call from my agent and it was a very attractive move and my agent told me Tony Pulis will definitely get the best out of me.”

Pennant is likely to be deployed on the right wing by Pulis and, with a clutch of other new forwards in the squad, the former Liverpool man feels the Potters can make waves in the Premier League.

“We’re looking very strong and this is probably the best Stoke City team the Premier League has ever seen,” added the 27-year-old.

“If you look at the strikeforce there isn’t many better out there, with Kenwyne Jones and Eidur Gudjohnsen. That’s a great frontline and with the new additions like myself, plus Matthew Etherington on the other wing, we’ve got pace.”

Pennant has already spent two days training with his new side and he has been impressed by the facilities at the club’s newly-developed Clayton Woods complex.

“They’ve only been in here a week and it’s an impressive place, just as good as at Arsenal and Liverpool so Stoke are definitely moving in the right direction.

“Now I can’t wait for the first game, if selected or on the bench. I’m usually used to getting abuse but I’m sure now I’m a Stoke player the fans will get behind me all the way.”

Manchester City defender Kolo Toure has urged striker Emmanuel Adebayor ‘to fight for his place’ at Eastlands.

The Togo international has failed to break into Roberto Mancini’s starting XI this season with the Italian opting to start with Carlos Tevez in attack.

Adebayor has had to settle for a place on the bench in City’s opening three Premier League games and has only made an appearance in the club’s Europa League qualifying victory against Timisoara.

Toure feels that his former Arsenal team-mate should concentrate on proving his quality as a big star at the club where he arrived in a £25m deal last summer.

Toure told the Daily Star: “We are all top players here. When you play for a top club you need to fight for your place.

“Adebayor had a difficult season last year but he is working hard.

“He is happy at City and you will see a much better player this year.

“I’m sure he will be one of the best players in England this season – he will be back to his best.”

Jamie Carragher marked his big day with a goal for each side as his Liverpool team beat an Everton XI 4-1 in his testimonial at Anfield.

The 32-year-old defender scored from the spot in the first half for the Reds before converting a penalty own-goal for the club he supported as a boy after the break.

After Luis Garcia’s second-minute opener it was only fitting the veteran defender claimed the spotlight as he celebrated 14 years’ professional service with the Reds.

The teams looked one-sided as Carragher was able to call on favours from current team-mates Steven Gerrard and Joe Cole as well as former players Michael Owen, Luis Garcia, Emile Heskey, Danny Murphy and Jerzy Dudek.

But if you were being charitable to Everton, managed by David Moyes, you could say they did not want to spoil the occasion.

Gerrard, given dispensation by Fabio Capello after featuring in England’s 4-0 victory over Bulgaria last night, played the opening 10 minutes before being replaced by Murphy.

On the bench former Reds manager Gerard Houllier warmed up for a possible Premier League return with Aston Villa by sitting alongside current boss Roy Hodgson

Manchester United striker Owen assumed the role of pantomime villain with a mixed chorus of boos and cheers from the crowd of 35,631 greeting his every touch.

He played up to his new status when his shot struck Jose Baxter’s arm for the 44th-minute penalty, pretending to lay claim to the spot-kick before allowing Carragher to take two steps and roll the ball past Iain Turner.

Prior to that referee Mark Halsey had provided the comedy moment when he delivered a slap around the head to Lee Carsley after booking the Toffees midfielder for theatrically kicking the ball away.

Luis Garcia’s goal after being set up by Cole and Heskey on the right of the penalty area was a sign of things to come.

Owen had a shot tipped around the post, Luis Garcia sidefooted wide Cole’s cross, Heskey – as he often did in a Liverpool shirt – squandered a great chance when he skewed well off target after being put though and Murphy also rolled a shot wide.

In the second half Cole volleyed in his first goal at Anfield – having missed a penalty at the ground in the Europa League qualifier against Trabzonspor – from Ryan Babel’s cross and reserve team striker Nathan Eccleston fired home.

In between Carragher fouled James Vaughan and saved the Everton player the trouble by shooting past Brad Jones, making his first appearance in a Liverpool shirt after signing last month from Middlesbrough.

Carragher is hoping to raise £1million for his 23 Foundation from his game and a gala dinner, with proceeds going to local groups and charities.

Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti has put any thoughts of becoming Italy coach to bed – as he is enjoying his Stamford Bridge adventure so much.

Ancelotti – who helped the Blues to a domestic Double in his first season in charge – says he feels at home in the English game, although the top job back home would be sure to interest the former AC Milan manager later in his career.

For now, the Azzurri are rebuilding under Cesare Prandelli after a poor World Cup and Ancelotti hopes he is a successful long-term appointment.

He told RaiUno: “I want to spend a long time with Chelsea, and then we will see.”

Ancelotti added: “I like being in England. Italy is always close and I still feel 100 per cent Italian but I am living a wonderful adventure.

“I love English football, the environment and the atmosphere.”

Peterborough suffered a surprise loss, Carlisle edged into second place while Notts County were emphatic winners in League One on Saturday.

Tranmere Rovers earned their first victory of the season as Arnaud Mendy fired home before the interval in a 1-0 win against high-flying Peterborough United.

Greg Abbott’s Carlisle climbed to within a point of leaders Sheffield Wednesday, who play Brentford on Sunday, courtesy of a goalless draw earned against Swindon Town, who are yet to win this term.

Notts County were rampant against out-of-form Yeovil Town as a Ben Davies brace helped the home side to a convincing 4-0 victory at Meadow Lane.

Huddersfield Town looked set for a comeback scalp of Bournemouth only for Marc Pugh to score a leveller for the plucky Cherries with eight minutes remaining. Josh McQuoid fired the visitors ahead before Antony kay headed home the equaliser on half-time. Gary Roberts put Town ahead from the spot on 48 minutes, but Pugh earned the visitors a 2-2 draw.

Andy Bond was the matchwinner for in-form Colchester United as he scored with seven minutes left on the clock to slay Walsall 1-0.

Milton Keynes Dons made it back-to-back league victories as Lewis Guy came off the substitutes’ bench to score the winner versus Hartlepool United in a game that saw Dean Lewington sent off in the latter stages.

Dagenham & Redbridge claimed their first League One win of the new season with a 2-0 victory against Leyton Orient thanks to two goals from Roman Vincelot.

Exeter City also secured their maiden league three-point haul of the campaign in late fashion as Ryan Harley slotted in a 90th-minute penalty in a 1-0 succes over Charlton.

Southampton are still seemingly reeling from manager Alan Pardew’s shock exit from the club after the Saints fell to a 2-0 home loss against Rochdale.

Chris O’Grady and a thunderbolt from Gary Jones haanded the visitors the points.

Oldham Athletic were held to a 1-1 draw against Bristol Rovers after Chris Taylor’s goal cancelled out Will Hoskins’ opener.

New Tottenham midfielder Rafael van der Vaart has revealed he did not leave Real Madrid a year ago because his wife developed breast cancer.

Holland star Van der Vaart was set to be sold by the Spanish giants last summer but refused to move on while model wife Sylvie was undergoing what proved to be successful treatment.

Van der Vaart also shed light on the discrepancy between Spurs boss Harry Redknapp’s claim that he had been the subject of an £18million bid from Bayern Munich last month, and Real’s insistence that he had not been, by confirming the German giants made an offer for him but that it was not “concrete”.

Atletico Madrid did try to buy the 27-year-old, however, but Real did not want to sell to their city rivals, instead accepting Tottenham’s last-gasp £8million bid on transfer deadline day.

Van der Vaart told Marca: “Thank God my wife is now perfectly okay.

“She had a very serious illness and it is true that she had to be treated at the Clinica Quiron.

“Last season, they wanted me to leave but I couldn’t leave for that reason.

“Now she is well and the only thing that happened was that Madrid wanted to sell and I wanted to get back to enjoying playing football, and Tottenham are a great team that are going to give me the football opportunities that I need.”

Of Bayern’s interest, he added: “The offer from Bayern never ended up being concrete.

“In the end, only Atletico Madrid pushed but neither I nor the club wanted me to go there.”

There have been suggestions new Real boss Jose Mourinho was reluctant to let Van der Vaart leave and that sporting director Jorge Valdano was behind his departure.

Van der Vaart said: “I don’t want to speak badly about anybody – I have too much respect for the club.”

The midfielder added that he would love to return to the Bernabeu in what is Spurs’ debut Champions League season.

“It’s a shame that some Madrid fans were sad that I was sold but I’m sure we will see each other again soon,” he said.

“It would be a dream to go back to the Bernabeu with Tottenham. I would feel at home.

“It was sad for me to leave. I have a lot of good friends in the dressing room. The fans have always treated me well and I have a great opinion of Mourinho. He has won everything.”

Meanwhile, Heurelho Gomes reckons Tottenham’s feelgood factor can help them continue their progress in the Premier League and on into Europe.

Spurs finished fourth last season and Redknapp then safely guided his men into the lucrative group stages of the Champions League and a place among the elite clubs of European football.

When Tottenham’s players return from the international break next weekend, they will be looking to prove a shock 1-0 home defeat to struggling Wigan was a minor blip ahead of the European trip to Werder Bremen and the small matter of a Carling Cup clash against old rivals Arsenal.

Brazil keeper Gomes feels White Hart Lane is a good place to be at the moment.

“I love the atmosphere here,” Gomes said in the September edition of the official club magazine, Hotspur.

“I try to build a good relationship with the supporters because I like to feel together as one with them. They make the club what it is.”

Gomes continued: “We operate in a very good atmosphere and that can only help.

“It ensures team unity and with it a feeling that anything and everything is possible. The team spirit here is great.

“It has to be that way because the Premier League is so tough. You must band together to succeed.”

All but one of 12 rioting hooligans who took part in the worst destruction Manchester has suffered “since the blitz” will be going to jail.

They were among hundreds of Rangers fans who caused “mayhem” at the UEFA Cup final held in the city two years ago.

Police were attacked and property damaged in the hours of violence in the city centre, and two police officers – Mick Regan and John Goodwin – were caught by the mob, surrounded and battered.

Judge Andrew Blake had indicated 11 of the 12 were going to jail and had sentenced eight of the defendants before a fire alarm caused Manchester Crown Court to be evacuated temporarily.

Several defendants put thumbs up to weeping relatives in the public gallery as they were led down to the cells.

But then Scottish accents could be heard shouting up to the courtroom: “F*** Manchester! F*** Pc Regan and Goodwin as well!”

Passing sentence, Judge Andrew Blake said: “The riot police were deployed in full riot gear and struggled to contain the trouble and restore order.

“What followed was the worst night of violence and destruction suffered by Manchester city centre since the blitz.

“What came afterwards, the damage, the filth and litter was apparent to all who arrived in Manchester the following day.

“Many more than these 12 were involved. It had nothing to do with football rivalries but everything to do with drink.

“The anger of the mob was directed at the police doing their best to restore order.”

There were gasps from the public gallery as he jailed Scott McSeveney for three and a half years for violent disorder and the assault on Pc John Goodwin.

Pc Goodwin was separated from his detachment, outnumbered by tens of fans and attacked.

He was stamped on and kicked and said later he thought of tragic fellow officer Keith Blakelock and thought he was going to die at the hands of the mob.

He was only saved after a Rangers fan, Sharon Gibson, lay across him and her boyfriend shouted: “You are letting the team down!”

Ms Gibson was awarded the “paltry but conventional sum” of £200 by Judge Blake, who thanked her and paid tribute to her “enormous courage”.

McSeveney, 22, of Shotts, Lanarkshire, was convicted after trial of the offences and also given an eight-year football banning order.

Mark Stoddart, 27, of Glasgow, was jailed for two and a half years for violent disorder and assaulting Pc Mick Regan and also given an eight-year football banning order.

Both men and the other defendants were captured after being identified through CCTV footage taken during the riots.

An estimated 125,000 Rangers fans, most without tickets, descended on the city.

Trouble erupted in a fan zone after a giant screen in Piccadilly Gardens in the city centre failed close to kick-off time.

The match, which Rangers lost to Zenit St Petersburg, was supposed to be a “celebration of football” but descended into carnage.

Riot police said they had never encountered disorder of such “ferocity and intensity”.

When the hearing resumed, Judge Blake sentenced the remaining defendants.

John Saunders, 32, from Cumbernauld, Glasgow, who attacked a police van and threw a bottle at heavily outnumbered officers, was already serving a sentence for carrying an offensive weapon and due to be released in four days.

Instead he was given another sentence of 15 months for violent disorder and a football banning order of six years.

Gordon Forrest, 36, from Bearsden, Glasgow, was involved in running battles with police, kicking and pushing the riot shield of one officer and inciting others as hooligans swarmed around a police van to attack the vehicle.

He was jailed for 14 months for violent disorder and given a six-year football banning order.

Thomas Murphy, 28, of Greenock, Renfrewshire, threw bottles at police. He already has a series of convictions for violence and was jailed for 14 months for violent disorder and given a six-year football banning order.

Brian McVicar, 20, of East Kilbride, who threw two bottles at police, was sent to a young offenders’ institution for 21 months for violent disorder and given a six-year banning order.

His brother-in-law, Greg McKenna, 23, of East Kilbride, Lanarkshire, also threw a bottle at police and was jailed for 18 months for the same offence and given a six-year football banning order.

David McCullough, 21, of Burnage, Manchester, also threw a bottle at police and was jailed for six months for violent disorder and given a six-year football banning order.

Michael Hindle, 22, from Leyland, Lancashire, was seen throwing a bottle at police. He was jailed for eight months for violent disorder and given a six-year football banning order.

James Bell, 43, of Cumbernauld, Glasgow, threw four or five missiles at police. He was sent to prison for 12 months for violent disorder with a six-year football banning order.

Unemployed William McSporran, 18, of Glasgow, threw bottles at police and also has a conviction for carrying a knife at an Orange Order march. He was sentenced to 12 months in a young offenders’ institution for violent disorder and given a six- year football banning order.

David Annette, 35, of Chorley, Lancashire, was the only one to be spared jail. He has a job and no previous convictions and pleaded guilty to violent disorder.

He was given a six-month sentence, suspended for 12 months and ordered to do 180 hours’ community service. He must also pay £500 costs.

After passing sentence on the last defendant, Judge Blake praised police for their investigation and said thank you on behalf of the citizens of Manchester.

Outside court, the match commander for the game, Chief Superintendent Gerry Donnellan, from Greater Manchester Police, said: “Today’s results are for the people of Manchester and for genuine football fans everywhere.

“The city of Manchester has never forgotten what happened that night. May 14 2008 is a night when shameful violence marred what should have been a wonderful football showcase.”