Wales made a winning start to their World Cup qualifying campaign with a nervy 1-0 win over Azerbaijan in Cardiff, courtesy of an 81st minute goal by teenage substitute Sam Vokes. Here are the individual player ratings…

Wales

Hennessey - 7
On the spot when he needed to be, making one important save from a long range effort which might have made it a long hard night for Wales. Aside from that, not much to do.

Gunter - 7
A good performance from the Tottenham youngster who was solid in defence and got forward down the right when he could. Nearly scored in the first period only to be denied by a last ditch intervention, and won the penalty which Koumas missed.

Morgan – 6.5
Caught a little cold once or twice, but solid overall and rarely troubled

Williams - 7
Looked the part in defence, and very comfortable on the ball, always looking to play it out of the back and set attacks in motion
Bale- 8
The outstanding player for Wales, and probably the match. Everything went down Wales’s left in the first half, and much of the second, before the subs changed the game. The opposition could not cope with his dribbling ability. Class.

Davies- 6.5
Not really involved in the game enough going forward, slipping in and out of play, but saw more action as the match wore on.

Fletcher 7
Solid in his usual holding role just in front of an inexperienced defence.

Edwards - 7
A chance to impress Toshack for the Wolves man , and he didn’t let himself down. Always looking to push forward from the centre of midfield, went close with a curling left foot shot, and was probably a little unlucky to be substituted.

Ledley - 6
A quiet game for the sought-after Cardiff man, with Bale totally dominating proceedings down the left. Not the Ledley we usually see in a Wales shirt. He needed to be involved far more given his creative and attacking potential.

Koumas – 7.5
The creative brain of the team, as always Koumas displayed that extra touch of class, over and above anyone else on the field. Hit a fantastic shot from nothing with impetuous ease that was destined for the top corner, forcing the Azeri ‘keeper into a great save. Dreadful penalty though.

Earnshaw - 6
Largely ineffective in attack, where he was unable to get on the end of any balls coming into the box. First touch let him down once or twice, and the impact made by the young strikers who came on  (coupled with Bellamy and Eastwood’s future return), mean Earnie could have blown his chance.

Subs

Evans - 6.5

Vokes- 7.5
Perfect example of the instant impact a replacement striker should make. Two early headers could have opened the scoring before the eventual goalmouth strike.

Robinson - 6

Azerbaijan

Arhayev – 8
Excellent display by the Azeri ‘keeper. Made a string of top quality saves and was not to blame for the goal.

Melikov – 6
Unable to suppress Bale down the Wales left, from where the hosts were able to maintain consistent pressure on the visitors.

Sadygov - 6
Hacked down Gunter for the penalty and looked vulnerable to pace

Abbasov – 6.5
Defended reasonably well, but the goalmouth melee resulting in the opener put paid to the collective defensive effort.

Oglu – 6.5
The captain, much like his defensive team mates, put the challenges in when he had to, but it was all in vain.

Huseinov – 6
Contributed to the defensive cover like the rest of his team mates, but subbed off at half time by Vogts due to injury.

Bashiev – 6
Denied space to on-running midfielders and helped out the defence, but offered little in the other direction.

N Mammadov - 6
Much like the rest of the midfield, got back behind the ball to deny the Welsh time and space to thread balls through, but failed to contribute much in possession.

E Mammadov – 7
One of the better midfield performers for the Azeri, he looked lively down the flanks at times and kept Gunter on his toes, evidenced by the Spurs man’s inability to push on as much as Bale on the other side.

Ramim – 6.5
Dangerous looking player who showed some nice touches, and always looked to play in and link with Subhasic. But his red card killed it for the visitors, as Wales regained the momentum that just deserted them when Koumas missed from the spot.

Subhasic - 7
The best outfield performance in an Azeri shirt, the Red Star man looked a potential threat throughout even if he was short on support, and was one of the few to test the Welsh keeper.

Subs

Nabiyev – 6
Nduka - 6

Ref From goal.com

What: Premier League, round 3
Who: Chelsea (1st – 6 points) v Tottenham Hotspur (20th – 0 points)
When: Sunday 31st August 2008 – 13:30 (local time)
Where: Stamford Bridge Stadium, London

Flying Start For Scolari

It has been an ideal start for new Chelsea boss Luiz Felipe Scolari in the Premier League so far. Two games, six points, no goals conceded and now a game against a side that are yet to get off the mark this season, as his team look to an extend a superb run of 84 home league games without defeat.

Things started superbly for Scolari with a 4-0 hammering of Portsmouth in his side’s opening game. Free-flowing football, goals and entertainment galore saw the press lavish praise on the World Cup winner. Last week’s 1-0 away victory over Wigan showed some of the qualities more recognisable with Chelsea teams, but, as has been said time and again, the ability to win ugly when you are not playing well is the key to picking up championships.

There are no noticeable weaknesses in Scolari’s Chelsea side, and new additions such as Deco and Jose Bosingwa add flair to a team now rated by the bookmakers’ as favourites to lift this season’s Premier League title. However, this will be Scolari’s first taste of a London derby and he will need to ensure there is no let up in his side’s performance against a side who can beat anybody on their day, as proved by March’s Carling Cup final victory over the Blues.

The former Brazil coach has done his research though, and will have his side fully prepared for the task in hand. Tottenham, after their poor start, represent a wounded animal – a team who could cause problems if they are given a foothold in the game. An early breakthrough could see Spurs’ wounds opened, but even if patience and a competitive battle is required, the early signs indicate that Chelsea are up to the task.

“It is important for Tottenham not to lose another game. They want their first three points in the league so we have some problems to cope with, we know this,” Scolari said in his pre-match press conference.

“Tottenham have lost both games and made some mistakes. But this is a big chance for Tottenham because it is a derby. We need to respect them even more.”

The respect will be there, but anything other than three more points would represent a disappointing afternoon for the Blues as they look to continue their flying start to the campaign.

Shocking Spurs

Although the Dimitar Berbatov saga has over-shadowed Tottenham’s summer, hopes have still been high that Spurs can have a successful season in manager Juande Ramos’ first full year in charge. Vice-captain Robbie Keane moved to Liverpool but the arrivals of the likes of Luka Modric, David Bentley, Heurelho Gomes and Giovani Dos Santos yet again prompted analysts to suggest that Spurs were the most likely side to challenge the established dominance of the Premier League’s ‘big four’.

However, it has been a shocking start for Spurs. Defeat against Middlesbrough on the opening day could have represented an unfortunate defeat in a tricky away clash, but last week’s home loss to Sunderland again highlighted the lack of a midfield general and seemingly ever-present defensive frailties – with the absence of Berbatov and Keane adding a lack of firepower up-front to Ramos’ list of problems.

Tottenham should be fine however, with a first eleven that can rival most in the Premier League and an array of talented players being led by an astute manager - they are a side capable of beating anybody on a good day. However, their inexperience and evident problems ensure that they are unlikely to launch a consistent enough league run to challenge the top four in the near future and perhaps indicate that the best avenues for immediate success lie in cup competitions.

But the league remains crucial for Tottenham and they will be desperate to get off the mark sooner, rather than later. This game in many ways represents a situation where they have nothing to lose. Nobody expects them to triumph against a powerful Chelsea side and Ramos should take the opportunity to attack, something he has hinted could happen in his pre-match comments.

“I think having a game like Chelsea at this time gives us a great chance to lift the spirits. The game plan should be to go there and play with an ambitious attacking style of football without fear,” he stated.

Spurs are dangerous opponents for Chelsea in this encounter, but even the most ardent of Tottenham fans will admit that anything they gain from Stamford Bridge tomorrow will be a bonus.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Chelsea – Deco

Deco has made an impressive start to his Chelsea career, earning a man of the match award while scoring in the 4-0 win over Portsmouth on his debut. Last week the Portuguese international enhanced his reputation further with a superb free-kick that proved decisive against Wigan at the JJB Stadium. The ex-Barcelona man will look forward to pulling the strings tomorrow with no real ball-winner to hinder him in the Spurs midfield.

Tottenham – Darren Bent

With Keane gone and Berbatov seemingly going, Darren Bent had his opportunity to announce himself as the man to lead Tottenham this season during the first two league games, following a red-hot pre-season. As yet though, the former Charlton man has failed to take his chance and with Roman Pavlyuchenko now signed for £14 million, the England international is beginning to run out of chances to prove himself to the Spurs faithful. With Juande Ramos considering playing predominantly with a lone-striker this year, Bent has to take his chance soon and this match on the big stage would be the ideal place to start.

FORM GUIDE

Chelsea

August 24 v Wigan (A) WON 1-0
August 17 v Portsmouth (H) WON 4-0

Tottenham

August 23 v Sunderland (H) LOST 2-1
August 16 v Middlesbrough (A) LOST 2-1

TEAM NEWS

Chelsea

Nicolas Anelka will continue to lead the line for Chelsea as Didier Drogba is still out with a knee injury. The Ivorian is reportedly scheduled to return to training in the coming weeks, but is still said to be some time away from regaining full fitness. Key midfielder Michael Essien started against Wigan last week despite nursing a minor injury and is therefore rated as 50/50 for this clash, as is Germany international Michael Ballack.

Tottenham

Dimitar Berbatov will have another crisis meeting with Spurs boss Juande Ramos ahead of the game before a decision is made on the Bulgarian’s involvement. Scotland international full-back Alan Hutton is no closer to a return having suffered a stress fracture in his foot, meaning that Didier Zokora will continue to deputise at right-back. It is as yet unclear if new £14 million signing Roman Pavlyuchenko has been registered in time to play a part.

MATCHDAY SQUADS

Chelsea (from): Cech, Cudicini, Hilario, Ivanovic, Alex, Belletti, Bosingwa, Terry, Carvalho, A Cole, Bridge, Ballack, Essien, J Cole, Mikel, Lampard, Deco, Anelka, Malouda, Kalou.

Tottenham (from): Gomes, Cesar, Zokora, Gunter, Assou-Ekotto, Gilberto, Bale, King, Woodgate, Dawson, Modric, Jenas, Huddlestone, O’Hara, Lennon, Bentley, Dos Santos, Berbatov, Bent.

PREVIOUS STARTING LINE-UPS

Chelsea (1-0 Away V Wigan) (4-5-1/4-3-3): Cech, Bosingwa, Carvalho, Terry, Ashley Cole; Essien, Ballack, Lampard, Deco, Joe Cole, Anelka.

Tottenham (1-2 Home V Sunderland) (4-5-1): Gomes, Zokora, King, Woodgate, Assou-Ekotto; Bentley, Bale, Modric, Lennon, Jenas; Bent.

PREDICTION

It is hard to see Chelsea’s incredible home record being brought to an end by Spurs tomorrow, but Juande Ramos’ side do have nothing to lose. If both sides are true to their pre-match words then there should be goals in this encounter as Chelsea look to build the early season pressure on their title rivals and the visitors attempt to pick up their first points of the season.

I expect to see an improved Tottenham side tomorrow, one that will not go down without a fight and are likely to test Chelsea’s reserves before the international break. However, the Blues are strong in all areas and should be confident of making it three wins out of three for Luiz Felipe Scolari.

Chelsea 2-1 Tottenham

Ref From Chris Myson, Goal.com