By Phil Casey Special to PA SportsTicker

Arsenal consolidated its position at the top of the English Premier League on Saturday, beating managerless Bolton for an 11th straight win in all competitions.

Bolton, who parted company with Sammy Lee earlier in the week, put up stubborn resistance but were finally undone by Kolo Toure’s free-kick which was drilled into the bottom corner after 67 minutes.

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LIVERPOOL, England – Dirk Kuyt displayed nerves of steel to earn Liverpool a dramatic victory over nine-man Everton as a controversial Merseyside derby ended in a 2-1 win for Rafa Benitez’s side at Goodison Park on Saturday.

Benitez’s side looked to be heading for defeat against their neighbours when Sami Hyypia’s astonishing own goal gave the hosts a first half lead.

But Kuyt kept his cool from the penalty spot to equalise after skipper Steven Gerrard had been fouled by Tony Hibbert in the 54th minute.

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BERLIN – Arsenal goalkeeper Jens Lehmann says his return to Premier League football is just a “question of time” despite Germany’s number one shot-stopper being dropped from the north London club’s squad.

Lehmann, 37, produced a top-class performance in last week’s 0-0 draw with the Republic of Ireland in Dublin as Germany booked their Euro 2008 place, but has failed to win a place in Arsene Wenger’s squad this weekend.

Since picking up an achilles tendon and elbow injury, the German has missed the last ten games for Arsenal with Spaniard Manuel Almunia wearing the number one shirt again at home to Bolton Wanderers on Saturday.

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BUENOS AIRES – Julio Grondona has been reelected president of the Argentine Football Federation (AFA) for the eighth consecutive time.

The 76-year-old Grondona, who has held the position since 1979, won 44 of the 49 votes. He will hold the post until 2011.

Grondona has also held the post of vice-president of world football’s governing body FIFA since 1988.

MADRID – Striker Robinho is set to be fined by Spanish giants Real Madrid for returning late to the country after celebrating Brazil’s 5-0 victory over Ecuador in a Rio nightclub alongside Barcelona’s Ronaldinho.

Real coach Bernd Schuster is reported to be furious with Robinho who has been dropped for Saturday night’s match against Espanyol, while Ronaldinho has also been sidelined from his side’s tie against Villarreal.

Robinho has denied reports in Brazilian newspaper O Globo that he left the club at one point to ask security staff for “40 condoms”.

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MANCHESTER, England – Veteran Dutch goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar revealed Saturday that he has yet to decide if he will pen a contract extension with Manchester United as planned in December.

Sir Alex Ferguson has indicated he would like the former Ajax star to remain at Old Trafford for another season after his contract expires next summer, rating him as one of the best buys of his entire 20-year stint as manager.

But Van der Sar, 36, said: “We will decide in December what we are going to do, the same as last year. At the moment I want to get back playing and get back to the form I was in before.”

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LONDON – Chelsea striker Didier Drogba said Saturday he regretted his outburst suggesting he wants to quit the Premier League club.

The Ivory Coast star shocked the Blues when he said he wanted to leave in an interview with France Football magazine.

But, in a massive climbdown, he now regrets making his views public.

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DOETINCHEM, NETHERLANDS (TICKER) — De Graafschap leapt up to fourth in the Eredivisie on Friday after a late flurry of goals saw them past winless Sparta Rotterdam.

The hosts had to wait until the 67th minute before taking the lead, but it opened the floodgates at De Vijverberg with Lasse Schon, Berry Powel, Leon Hese and Donny De Groot all finding the target.

The result moves De Graafschap four points behind leaders Feyenoord, who have a game in hand, while opponents Sparta remain the only team in the top flight without a win this season.

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COTTBUS, GERMANY (TICKER) — Energie Cottbus remain at the bottom of the Bundesliga and firm relegation favorites after slumping to a home defeat against fellow strugglers Duisburg.

Bjorn Schlicke scored a free-kick after seven minutes to put Duisburg ahead at the Stadion der Freundschaft.

Captain Timo Rost levelled after 66 minutes when Cottbus eventually gained the reward for a spell of pressure on the visitors’ goal.

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LONDON – Chelsea captain John Terry will be out of action for up to three weeks after undergoing knee surgery on Friday.

Terry had delayed the operation so he could play in England’s Euro 2008 qualifier against Russia, but the defender aggrevated the problem in training before the match in Moscow.

Chelsea have also confirmed that left-back Ashley Cole will be out for around four weeks after injuring his ankle during England’s win over Estonia last Saturday.

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