Chelsea out to settle derby score with Fulham

LONDON, Sep 21 (Reuters) Premier League action returns to the pitch this weekend in the aftermath of allegations that a culture of secret payments is part of the national game.

A BBC Panorama programme alleged that 18 past or present Premier League managers had taken illicit payments, known as 'bungs', from agents as part of player transfers, and also made accusations of rule-breaking over approaches to players.

Bolton Wanderers manager Sam Allardyce, who two agents in the programme indicated had taken money, has strongly denied the allegations and said the matter was in the hands of his lawyers.

Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp has denied that his secretly-filmed meeting with an agent in which Blackburn Rovers' Andy Todd was discussed was a breach of any rules.

By a twist of fate, Portsmouth, the surprise Premier League leaders, and Bolton play each other on Monday at Fratton Park.

As the English game digested Panorama's accusations, it was back to the training ground for the players as champions Chelsea prepare for a west London derby at Fulham and Manchester United head for promoted Reading.

Chelsea's 1-0 victory over Liverpool last weekend, secured with a stunning goal by Ivory Coast striker Didier Drogba, will certainly have given Jose Mourinho's men a lift.

They may well need it before facing another battle at Craven Cottage after last season's torrid affair in which Chelsea suffered their first derby defeat by Fulham since 1979.

The game, which Fulham won 1-0, ended in a mass shoving match sparked by a wild lunge by then Chelsea defender William Gallas, now at Arsenal, who was sent off.

PITCH INVASION The final whistle was followed by a pitch invasion by fans, with a few clashes and arrests taking place amid scenes that both clubs will be keen to put behind them.

As before, Saturday's likely team-sheets suggest Fulham have little chance of withstanding Chelsea's champions.

But with memories of last season's success behind them and a 0-0 draw at Tottenham Hotspur last weekend, which left them eighth in the table, Fulham will definitely be up for this game.

Manchester United return to the fray after their four-match winning start to the league season was stopped in its tracks last weekend with a 1-0 home defeat by Arsenal.

United will again be missing utility forward Ryan Giggs and South Korea midfielder Park Ji-Sung, while among a long-term injured trio of Gabriel Heinze, Nemanja Vidic and Alan Smith, only Vidic is expected to be available this weekend.

Reading are making a good start to their first season in the top flight, reaching sixth in the table, and Saturday is just the sort of fixture their home fans have been waiting for.

Arsenal are at home to another promoted club Sheffield United.

Though Emmanuel Adebayor's late goal secured their victory at Manchester United, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger will hope forwards Thierry Henry and Robin van Persie recover from the injuries that ruled them out of the trip to Old Trafford.

Elsewhere, Everton visit Newcastle United on Sunday while Saturday's matches kick off with an early fixture featuring their Merseyside rivals Liverpool at home to Tottenham Hotspur having got back to winning ways with a 2-0 success over Newcastle yesterday.

REUTERS PM RN0900