Clubs to discuss spending limits

The league's top executives have produced a discussion paper on financial controls for the chairmen to consider which could eventually lead to clubs being forced to break even every year - or face sanctions.

It would mean a serious blow to clubs such as Manchester City and Chelsea who have return significant losses in recent years.

There is strong support at other clubs for such controls - Wigan chairman Dave Whelan on Wednesday said measures to cut spending were needed urgently, while Manchester United originally sparked the move at the league's meeting earlier in the summer.

No decision will be made on any measures on Thursday - instead two groups of 10 clubs, each with clubs mixed up to reflect size and region, are to be formed to discuss the options in more detail.

Whelan's own club Wigan have also operated at a loss - the Latics returned a net loss for the year ending May 2011 of 7.2million - but even he is in favour of the controls.

Whelan said: "This proposal has come from Manchester United - I think City haven shaken them up a little bit - but I think there should be some controls on spending.

"Some clubs are spending way more than they can afford and get into trouble - look at Portsmouth.

"The Premier League is so big and powerful and there is so much money around that the clubs try and chase it. Something has to be done so we will support these measures."

United's chief executive David Gill has been one of the driving forces behind European clubs accepting UEFA's financial fair play rules for clubs in the Champions League and Europa League to only spend what they earn, and he wants the Premier League to follow suit.

The Football League have also introduced a similar system into the Championship and Gill believes the top flight should bring in similar measures.

Gill said last week: "A lot of clubs would be happy just to introduce the financial fair play regula tions into the Premier League now, some wouldn't, but that's a debate that has to have happened. And it will happen.

"If you look at it we've got financial regulations in the league below us, the Championship, and the competition above us, the Champions League, so we need to do it.

"The Premier League being the best league in the world, the most commercially effective league in the world, I think there's a real opportunity to introduce some sensible rules that effectively improve and enhance the long term or medium term financial stability."

At least 12 of the 20 top-flight clubs ended the 2010/11 season in the red with Manchester City's losses of 197million dwarfing even Chelsea's 68million and Liverpool's 49million.

Critics of financial fair rules argue that it will forever favour those clubs such as Manchester United and Arsenal who make a profit and rule out wealthy benefactors such as Roman Abramovich and Sheikh Mansour putting money into clu bs.

Premier League: 25-man squads

The only side whose line-up has not been confirmed is Stoke, who are awaiting approval on their proposed signing of Michael Owen and their squad list will be revealed at a later date.

Each side has named a squad containing no more than 17 players who do not fulfil the home grown player criteria, while rules state the remainder of the party must be home grown.

The teams can name up to 25 squad members, not including under-21 players.

The full Premier League squads for the 2012-13 season are as follows:

Arsenal

Arshavin, Arteta, Cazorla, Chamakh, Santos, Diaby, Djourou, Fabianski, Gervinho, Gibbs, Giroud, Koscielny, Mannone, Mertesacker, Podolski, Ramsey, Rosicky, Sagna, Squillaci, Szczesny, Vermaelen, Walcott, Eastmond.

Aston Villa

Agbonlahor, Albrighton, Bannan, Bent, Clark, Delph, Dunne, El Ahmadi, Given, Guzan, Herd, Holman, Hutton, Ireland, Lichaj, Lowton, Westwood, Marshall, N'Zogbia, Petrov, Stevens, Vlaar, Warnock, Bennett, Benteke.

Chelsea

Cech, Ivanovic, Azpilicueta, Cole, Luiz, Ramires, Lampard, Torres, Mata, Moses, Mikel, Malouda, Ferreira, Marin, Turnbull, Sturridge, Cahill, Terry, Bertrand, Hilario.

Everton

Anichebe, Baines, Gibson, Hibbert, Jagielka, Neville, Osman, Coleman, Distin, Fellaini, Gueye, Heitinga, Howard, Jelavic, Mucha, Naismith, Pienaar, Mirallas, Oviedo.

Fulham

Schwarzer, Somogyi, Stockdale, Etheridge, Riether, Kelly, Hughes, Hangeland, Senderos, Riise, Duff, Dejagah, Davies, Baird, Sidwell, Diarra, Ruiz, Richardson, Petric, Rodallega, Berbatov.

Liverpool

Agger, Allen, Assaidi, Carragher, Coates, Cole, Doni, Downing, Gerrard, Gulacsi, Henderson, Johnson, Jones, Enrique, Kelly, Lucas, Reina, Sahin, Skrtel, Suarez.

Manchester City

Hart, Richards, Kompany, Zabaleta, Lescott, Milner, Nasri, Dzeko, Sinclair, Kolarov, Aguero, Barry, Silva, Clichy, K T oure, Wright, Pantilimon, Tevez, Y Toure, Maicon, Garcia, Balotelli.

Manchester United

Anderson, Bebe, Buttner, Carrick, Hernandez, Cleverley, De Gea, Evans, Evra, Ferdinand, Fletcher, Giggs, Kagawa, Lindegaard, Nani, Rafael, Rooney, Scholes, Smalling, Valencia, Van Persie, Vidic, Welbeck, Young.

Newcastle

Amalfitano, Ameobi, Anita, Ba, Ben Arfa, Cabaye, Cisse, Coloccini, Elliot, Gosling, Harper, Gutierrez, Krul, Marveaux, Obertan, Perch, Simpson, R Taylor, S Taylor, Tiote, Williamson, Xisco.

Norwich

Barnett, Bassong, E Bennett, R Bennett, Bunn, Butterfield, Fox, Garrido, Holt, Hoolahan, Howson, Jackson, Johnson, Lappin, C Martin, R Martin, Morison, Pilkington, Ruddy, Snodgrass, Surman, Tettey, Tierney, Turner, Whittaker.

Queens Park Rangers

Green, Diakite, Traore, Derry, Ferdinand, Hill, Park, Johnson, Cisse, Taarabt, Wright-Phillips, Mackie, Onuoha, Mbia, Nelsen, Dyer, Fabio, Ephraim, Hoil ett, Murphy, Zamora, Cesar, Faurlin, Granero, Bosingwa.

Reading

Church, Cummings, Gunter, Guthrie, Harte, Karacan, Le Fondre, Leigertwood, McAnuff, McCarthy, McCleary, Mariappa, Pearce, Roberts, Robson-Kanu, Shorey, Tabb, Taylor, Andersen, Federici, Gorkss, Gunnarsson, Hunt, Kebe, Pogrebnyak.

Southampton

Butterfield, Chaplow, Cork, K Davis, S Davis, De Ridder, Dickson, Do Prado, Fonte, Forte, Fox, Hooiveld, Lallana, Lambert, Lee, Mayuka, Puncheon, Ramirez, Richardson, Rodriguez, Schneiderlin, Seaborne, Yoshida.

Sunderland

Bardsley, Bramble, Brown, Campbell, Cattermole, Colback, Cuellar, Fletcher, Gardner, Johnson, Kilgallon, Larsson, McClean, Meyler, Mignolet, O'Shea, Rose, Saha, Sessegnon, Vaughan, Westwood.

Swansea

Aguestien, Britton, De Guzman, Dyer, Chico, Gower, Graham, Hernandez, Ki, Lita, Michu, Monk, Moore, Obeng, Routledge, Shechter, Tate, Taylor, Tremmel, Vorm, Williams, Rangel.

Tottenham

Gomes, Cudicini, Friedel, Lloris, Kaboul, Gallas, Adebayor, Vertonghen, Assou-Ekotto, Sandro, Falque, Sigurdsson, Dempsey, Lennon, Walker, Naughton, Dawson, Dembele, Huddlestone, Parker, Livermore, Jenas, Bale, Defoe, Bentley.

West Brom

Brunt, Daniels, Dawson, Dorrans, El Ghanassy, Fortune, Foster, Gera, Jara, Jones, Long, McAuley, Morrison, Mulumbu, Myhill, Odemwingie, Olsson, Popov, Reid, Ridgewell, Rosenberg, Tamas, Thomas, Yacob.

West Ham

Benayoun, Carroll, Cole, Collins, Collison, Demel, Diame, Diarra, Henderson, Jaaskelainen, Jarvis, Maiga, McCartney, Noble, Nolan, O'Brien, O'Neil, Reid, Spence, Taylor, Tomkins, Vaz Te.

Wigan

Al-Habsi, Alcaraz, Beausejour, Boselli, Boyce, Caldwell, Crusat, Di Santo, Figueroa, Gomez, Jones, Kone, Piscu, Maloney, McArthur, McCarthy, Pollitt, Ramis, Stam, Watson.

RvP hits treble to sink Saints

Rickie Lambert headed the hosts in front after 16 minutes before Van Persie levelled seven minutes later with a fine strike.

Nathaniel Clyne's inopportune slip cost Saints but the home side enjoyed their own dollop of good fortune 10 minutes into the second half as Patrice Evra also slipped on the turf, allowing Morgan Schneiderlin to head home.

Saints would have been pegged back once again, though, had it not have been for goalkeeper Kelvin Davis, who saved a cheeky penalty attempt by Van Persie.

The Netherlands international looked set to get his first taste of the famous hairdryer treatment from Sir Alex Ferguson, in his 1000th league game in charge of United, only to provide a late double salvo inside the final three minutes that turned the game on its head and saw him rack up his 100th Premier League goal.

Heading into the game, much of the talk was about Ferguson's decision to play Anders Lindegaard instead of regular number one goalk eeper David de Gea.

Rio Ferdinand was also a notable inclusion as he made his first appearance of the season, partnering Nemanja Vidic in defence for the first time since a 2-1 defeat to Basel last December.

The occasion seemed to get the better of the hosts in the opening exchanges and in the sixth minute Van Persie fired a volley just wide.

The attempt awoke Southampton from their slumber and they were soon pushing forward, with Adam Lallana shooting wide after meeting a clever low corner from Danny Fox.

Schneiderlin blazed over from long-range as the hosts continued to push for a goal that came after just 16 minutes.

Saints were getting a lot of joy down the right flank and made the most of it as Jason Puncheon sent a hanging cross to the back post, which Rafael failed to deal with and Lambert headed home.

However, like so often, the goal only seemed to spur Ferguson's side into life.

Shinji Kagawa was first to show the vis itors' intent as he struck a speculative 20-yard effort that Davis could only push wide.

Southampton rode out that storm but could not prevent United drawing level in the 23rd minute.

Antonio Valencia's cross from the right looked like it would be intercepted by Clyne but the Saints right-back slipped and Van Persie took full advantage, controlling with aplomb before firing home.

The Netherlands international almost added a 99th Premier League goal shortly afterwards with a nonchalant 20-yard free-kick which curled just wide.

It was not all United, though, as Lambert fired just wide and then both James Ward-Prowse and Lallana came close with long-range efforts.

However, Ferguson's side were proving adept at exploiting the hosts' weaknesses.

One such example was Saints left-back Fox, who once again let Valencia cross from the right and, following another slip by Clyne, only the quick reactions of Davis prevented Evra netting at the ba ck post.

Fox's torrid time continued in the second half as Valencia beat him to a pass from Davis, although the Ecuadorian's cross was not converted by Van Persie.

Kagawa came close moments before that as United started the second half just as they had ended the first.

That domination counted for nothing, though, as another penalty-box slip resulted in a goal.

This time Evra was the unfortunate party as his fall allowed Schneiderlin to nod home a Lambert cross unopposed to the delight of the vast majority of those inside St Mary's.

It started a spell of dominance for the hosts as Puncheon forced Lindegaard into a smart save at the near post, before Rafael cleared under pressure from Lambert and Lallana had an effort blocked.

Only Ferdinand prevented Ward-Prowse slotting home a Lambert cross, before Paul Scholes and Nani came on as Ferguson looked to turn the screw on the hosts - and it almost had an immediate effect.

After Van Persie saw an effort saved by Davis, the Saints goalkeeper sent a terrible miskick straight to substitute Nani on the left.

The ball was worked into the box and Jos Hooiveld conceded a penalty for a sliding challenge on the former Arsenal striker.

Van Persie took the resulting penalty but his chip was saved by Davis, much to the delight of the home faithful.

Debutant Emmanuel Mayuka was among three changes made by manager Nigel Adkins as he looked to close out the game under immense United pressure.

Javier Hernandez headed across the face of goal in the dying minutes, before he was then denied by a late Clyne tackle.

However, Saints could not stop United grabbing a later equaliser as Ferdinand's header came back off the post and Van Persie directed home three minutes from time.

Things got worse for the hosts in stoppage time as Van Persie nodded home Nani's cross to ensure the three points would go back to Old Trafford.

Saints urged to get streetwise

Sunday's defeat was harsh on Southampton, whose position at the bottom of the table with zero points belies their performance against United and at Manchester City on the opening day.

In both matches, Nigel Adkins' side gave up a 2-1 advantage to lose 3-2.

"We gave everything for 87 minutes and in the final five minutes we lost the game," said Schneiderlin.

"That is what we have to learn, to win a game. It is the second time we have been 2-1 up and lost 3-2 at the end of the game so it is like all the effort we have put in is for nothing.

"But, at the end of the day, we learned a lot from this game and we're going to work very hard on the training ground on the bad things.

"Man United won the game and we're very down, but there is a lot of positive to take out of this game.

"You could say that we missed six points against the two best sides in England.

"I think we did very well against them and now we need to focus on t he next game.

"We have a little break where we can focus on everything and hopefully against Arsenal we can be on top again, but hopefully win the game."

Fergie lets RvP off the hook

Van Persie looked set to get his first taste of the famous hairdryer treatment after wasting an opportunity to draw United level with a cheeky penalty attempt that was saved by Kelvin Davis.

However, Van Persie's late double salvo turned the game on its head and earned the Red Devils a 3-2 victory, much to Ferguson's - and the former Arsenal striker's - relief.

"I was surprised because every time I have seen him take a penalty he rattles it in the corners," the United boss said of Van Persie, who has now reached 100 Premier League goals.

"He made up for it, though. He had six attempts on goal and was a real threat.

"His first goal was absolutely magnificent - the control and then to bury it away. It was a really, really good goal.

"His header was excellent too, but he has been a terrific player for us.

"I just thought we started the game so well and went a goal down when we were controlling the game. That puts you on the back foot a bit.

"We got an equaliser at the right time and that gave us time to organise ourselves and make sure we controlled the second half.

"It didn't go that way and I thought Southampton for the first 20 minutes were very good."

Southampton had looked on course for a famous victory after twice going ahead.

Rickie Lambert headed the hosts in front after 16 minutes and they responded well to Van Persie's leveller as Morgan Schneiderlin put them in front once again in the second half.

However, it was not to be for Southampton and, while Van Persie will take the headlines, Ferguson was quick to highlight the 61st-minute introduction of Paul Scholes as the game-changing moment.

"We didn't start playing until Paul Scholes came on the pitch, to be honest with you," he said. "I thought he changed the game right around.

"We worked all week on the strength of Southampton with their back post crosses and they scored two goals from it.< /p>

"We have got to give them credit for that, they are good at it. In that period when they scored the second we were well out of it.

"Paul Scholes came on and brought composure, a consistency of passing and made the difference."

Van Persie admitted to being a relieved man after the game.

"It was a good feeling afterwards," he told Sky Sports 1.

"I got a bit of luck with the second goal, and then at the end...

"I'm very disappointed with the penalty. When that happens at 2-1 down, you can't take a penalty like that. Something went wrong big time.

"I have to say a big thank you to Paul Scholes.

"Every single pass he hit was the right one. It was unbelievable. He is man of the match for me."

While Ferguson's side collected three points, the Scot knows such a performance is not good enough moving forward as they were poor at the back despite the return of Rio Ferdinand alongside Nemanja Vidic.

The once-formidabl e partnership looked shaky in their first game together since a 2-1 Champions League defeat to Basle last December and Ferguson knows they need to improve.

"I think it is an important issue, there's no question [about it]," he said.

"I think throughout the years we've had two centre-backs playing regularly that impacts on the whole team, right from Steve Bruce and Gary Pallister, to Jaap Stam and Ronny Johnsen.

"Last season when we had Jonny Evans and Rio Ferdinand for a long period our performance was at its best."

While Ferguson struck a relieved figure at the end of his 1,000th league game at the United helm, counterpart Nigel Adkins was left to rue what might have been.

Just like at Manchester City two weeks ago, his side gave up a 2-1 advantage to lose 3-2 and, while frustrated, the Saints boss was keen to highlight the positives.

"For a newly-promoted club we have scored two goals in open play against a Man Utd side packed full of experience," Adkins said.

"Lambert had an exceptional game, Jason Puncheon had a superb game as did Adam Lallana.

"I thought they had worked very hard and we made the substitutions to bring more energy into the side.

"You get punished at the highest level. [Nathaniel] Clyne slips and Van Persie puts the ball into the net.

"In the second half, we were buzzing. But they kept possession of the ball. It's two corners we have conceded from."

Brighton land Lopez and Hammond

The 29-year-old Spaniard Lopez has penned a one-year deal after passing a medical and joins Andrea Orlandi and Scott Dobbie in moving to the south-coast club.

"He is technically very gifted and has great ability," boss Gus Poyet told Brighton's website.

"He is a right-sided midfielder and gives us another option. Ultimately he is going to bring extra quality to the squad and a different attacking midfield option."

Lopez will not be in the squad for Saturday's Championship clash at Burnley and will join up with his new team-mates on Monday.

Also, Hammond has rejoined his hometown club on a one-year loan from Southampton.

The 29-year-old came through Albion's youth set-up and made his senior debut in 2000 before being appointed captain at the age of 23 prior to joining Colchester. He then led Southampton to back-to-back promotions.

"He knows the club, he has experience, he has presence and he knows the division. He's a winner an d he has quality," Poyet added.

"We have a lot of quality in our midfield. We need that presence in midfield. The fact it was Brighton helped him make a decision. It's important that the fans know how much he wanted to come back.

"He is a real man. We wanted that extra experience and presence on the pitch and in the dressing room. He shows what we were looking for. We didn't know he was available and as soon as we knew there was a small chance we went for it and waited for it to happen."

Lallana aims to replicate Everton

The Red Devils travel to St Mary's looking to pick up their second win of the season, following an opening-weekend defeat to David Moyes' side at Goodison Park.

Southampton are still without a point after defeats to Manchester City and Wigan but, despite being aware of the threat posed by United, Lallana believes the Saints can come out on top if they play like Everton did.

He said: "You look around the pitch and they have got strength in every area, obviously (Wayne) Rooney was injured but (Robin) van Persie comes in.

"The experience they have got; (Paul) Scholes, (Ryan) Giggs and (Rio) Ferdinand, the list is endless really.

"I think if we concentrate on what we are good at, we are at home I think we have got a chance of getting a result.

"I think Everton proved the other week that if you come out of the traps and press them and get the fans behind you then you can create chances and go on to win games.

"I think we will play our own game...create chances and get crosses in the box and we have a good chance."

With England international Rooney missing through injury it is highly probable that new signing van Persie will continue in attack.

Lallana, 24, knows it will be difficult to stop the former Arsenal frontman but expects boss Nigel Adkins to stick to his attacking philosophy.

"If you stop van Persie then you have done a big part of the job," he said.

"It is a massive, massive challenge and I think if we take him out of the equation they have talent running through the rest of the team.

"It is the manager's choice how we play - if you attack and are ruthless and take your chances they are there for the taking.

"They're a great team and you have got to give them respect, they don't win all their titles and European Cups for nothing."

The last time the two clubs met in a Premier League match at St Mary's, Southampton were relegated to the Champion ship.

The seven intervening years saw Saints drop down to League One before Adkins led them to back-to-back promotions.

Lallana insists revenge for that final-day defeat is not on the minds of anyone at the club and is still enjoying the challenge of the top flight.

When asked if the players wanted to avenge the result he said: "Not really, no.

"We have played them a couple of times since in the Cup and we are more concentrating on getting off the mark and getting some points on the board.

"Obviously we have come on leaps and bounds in two years, playing League One football two years ago.

"To have played the two big Manchester clubs in the opening three weeks of the season is great, tough, but I don't think we would have it any other way really."

Southampton completed a club-record deal for Uruguay international Gaston Ramirez on deadline day following the earlier acquisitions of Japanese defender Maya Yoshida and Emmanuel May uke from Zambia.

The club have also signed young English players Nathaniel Clyne and Jay Rodriguez and Lallana says finding a good mixture of talent at home and abroad can prove fruitful.

"The club have been known for bringing good, young English talent through the ranks and I think careful additions, whether they are coming from abroad or not," he said.

"I think getting the right blend will impact on the team getting better."