Football has employed the services of an independent leadership consultancy to ensure its search for a new chief executive is transparent.

Applications for the job closed on Thursday with Mark Aspden holding the fort on an interim basis.

Grant McKavanagh resigned suddenly in July and chairman Frank van Hattum said the board was in no rush to find a permanent replacement.

“Mark’s doing a great job and we’re expecting to interview in the first week of October,” van Hattum said.

“If someone’s ready to go straight away then that’s fine but if they have to give notice for three months – and that’s the calibre of people we’re talking about – then you have to wait. We just want to get the right person for the next phase of our battle and whatever time it takes it’ll take.”

Aspden has previously said he was enjoying the job and would consider applying but did not want to comment yesterday.

NZF’s high performance manager Fred de Jong has also been linked with the position and has previously said he was pondering whether to apply.

He did not return calls yesterday.

Van Hattum said that NZF had employed Kerridge & Partners to sift through the applications and draw up a shortlist.

The board would then conduct interviews and select its preferred candidate.

“One of the reasons we do that is to make sure there’s total transparency so that everyone’s seen to have a fair go,” van Hattum said.

“So that’s a proper process, with no personalities involved with any individuals on any board or within the game. So there’s no accusations about the chair or the board or the staff in the office, that we’re influencing the decision.”

De Jong would not reveal how many people had applied but said the calibre of CV’s was high.

“We’re very satisfied, there’s been a huge response both in New Zealand and offshore and a vast array of talent and skills.”

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OPINION: Ben Sigmund is a former Phoenix player of the year, a proud family man, a popular teammate and generous with his time in the community.

Sadly, he is tarnishing that reputation with acts of violence on the football field.

His story should be an inspirational one to aspiring players: for years he slogged away in the national league before finally getting a shot at professional football with the Phoenix. But instead of being a good role model he’s forcing parents to cover their children’s eyes.

There are no more passionate All Whites than Sigmund and he would have been simmering away on the substitutes bench in Riyadh yesterday as lowly United Arab Emirates ran rings around their more fancied opponents.

When eventually let off the leash by coach Ricki Herbert, Sigmund was determined to make an impression. Unfortunately the only impression he made was via his studs as he stomped down on the legs of a defenceless Ali Mabkhout.

The United Arab Emirates goalscorer had played the game the right way – with skill and speed and he was lucky to avoid injury from Sigmund’s cheap shot.

Sigmund is yet to give his side of the story after he was made unavailable for comment by All Whites manager Brian Turner yesterday. After his initial foul, perhaps he was at first trying to hurdle him in an attempt to regather the ball.

But he appeared to have a mid-air brain fade and took his frustrations out on Mabkhout. It is not the only nasty incident in recent All Whites history.

In 2010, current skipper Winston Reid saw red for a senseless, studs-up ”tackle” into the knee of Paraguay’s Federico Santander at Westpac Stadium.

Herbert said he didn’t see the Sigmund incident yesterday but it was a shame he seemed more concerned about losing a player than the state of Mabkhout’s health.

New Zealand Football are finding it hard enough to arrange ”friendly” matches without their players sullying the country’s sporting reputation. They need to show some contrition and stamp out foul play.

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Liverpool’s impressive start to the Barclays Premier League season has been recognised with a double award for the club’s striker Daniel Sturridge and manager Brendan Rodgers, who have received the Barclays Player of the Month award and the Barclays Manager of the Month award for August respectively.

After joining Liverpool from Chelsea last January Sturridge scored 10 goals in 14 top-flight appearances and the England international started the new campaign where he left off the last by scoring in both of his side’s 1-0 victories in August against Stoke City and Aston Villa to secure the accolade for the first time in his career.

Liverpool’s two victories earned Rodgers his award for a second time in his managerial career, the first coming when he was in charge of Swansea City in January 2012. The Northern Irishman is hoping to maintain his side’s perfect start to the campaign with a fourth Barclays Premier League victory out of four against the Swans on Monday night.

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The fourth Matchweek of the new Barclays Premier League season finds Manchester United looking to return to winning ways against Crystal Palace in the first of eight Saturday matches, which include Arsenal's trip to Sunderland and Chelsea's visit to Everton in the late kick-off.

On Sunday Southampton host West Ham United, while Monday evening's match finds the early season pacesetters, Liverpool, visiting Swansea City.

You can keep up to date with all the action on premierleague.com. With our Matchday Liveservice you can watch the manager press conferences, catch all the latest team news and check out the head-to-head statistics ahead of the weekend's action.

After kick-off you can follow live in-running commentary, check out live photos from all the grounds and get the latest in-match stats. At the final whistle we provide match reports while there will also be post-match reaction and manager press conferences. To see more, click on the Matchday Live links below.

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Saturday 14 September

Kick-offs 3pm unless stated.

12.45pm Manchester United v Crystal Palace  |  #MUNCRY  |  Matchday Live >>

Watch David Moyes' and Ian Holloway's press conferences and read the match preview.

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Aston Villa v Newcastle   |  #AVLNEW  |  Matchday Live >>

Watch Paul Lambert's and Alan Pardew's press conferences and read the match preview.

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Fulham v West Bromwich Albion  |  #FULWBA  |  Matchday Live >>

Watch Martin Jol's and Steve Clarke's press conferences and read the match preview.

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Hull City v Cardiff City  |  #HULCAR  |  Matchday Live >>

Watch Steve Bruce's and Malky Mackay's press conferences and read the match preview.

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Stoke City v Manchester City  |  #STKMCI  |  Matchday Live >>

Watch Mark Hughes' and Manuel Pellegrini's press conferences and read the match preview.

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Sunderland v Arsenal   |  #SUNARS  |  Matchday Live >>

Watch Paolo Di Canio and Arsene Wenger's press conferences and read the match preview.

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Tottenham Hotspur v Norwich City   |  #TOTNOR  |  Matchday Live >>

Watch Andre Villas-Boas' and Chris Hughton's press conferences and read the match preview.

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5.30pm Everton v Chelsea  |  #EVECHE  |  Matchday Live >>

Watch Roberto Martinez's and Jose Mourinho's press conferences and read the match preview.

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Sunday 15 September

4pm Southampton v West Ham United  |  #SOUWHU  |  Matchday Live >>

Watch Sam Allardyce's and Mauricio Pochettino's press conferences and read the match preview.

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Monday 16 September

8pm Swansea City v Liverpool  |  #SWALIV  |  Matchday Live >>

Watch Michael Laudrup's and Brendan Rodgers' press conferences. Match preview to follow.

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After gaining promotion to the Barclays Premier League in April, Cardiff City manager Malky Mackay immediately set about reshaping his squad to cope with the demands of top-flight football, but it is not just on the pitch where the club have sought improvement. The Bluebirds' innovative approach to away supporters is fast acquiring them a reputation for being one of the most welcoming clubs in the division.

The club's former stadium, Ninian Park, was, Cardiff admit, not the most welcoming experience for away supporters, but since their move to the Cardiff City Stadium in 2009, there have been changes afoot, with the club making concerted efforts to improve their approach to away fans to the extent that they have won the Football League Family Club of the Year awards in two of the last three years.

In a bid to attract more visiting fans, Cardiff have created an away end designed to make them feel at home. On arrival at the away car park, right next to the away end, fans are greeted by a "matchday assistant", who gives them all the information they need. Once inside the ground, fans are served food and drink by staff wearing their own team's home shirts, which are later presented to a lucky few. The food that fans are served has included local delicacies. Last season, Middlesbrough fans, for example, were treated to plates of Parmo, their favourite deep-fried chicken in breadcrumbs with a cheese sauce.

"Historically, away fans have been treated as a burden for the home club and they are ferried in and out as quickly as possible without issue," Tom Gorringe, the club's Sales and Marketing Manager, told the Daily Mail. "At Cardiff we attempt to take ownership of the visiting fans and pledge to do all we can to ensure that they have an enjoyable day, whatever the result."

Away Fan Pack

On top of the matchday activities, the Welsh side have set up a dedicated Twitter account, @CardiffCityAway, to provide information, answer queries from visiting fans and give away prizes in the week after the game. Cardiff have also created an Away Fan Pack, an online guide covering everything from travel and ticketing, to activities and local attractions.

"I want to write to you to say thank you for your hospitality," read a letter to Cardiff from a Manchester City fan after attending Cardiff’s first home match of the season. 'It was so nice to be treated with respect and like human beings. Your stewards and the police were brilliant and made the fans welcome.

"The atmosphere in the ground was unbelievable; I had to put my fingers in my ears when you scored. Once again, Cardiff City Football Club, thank you and well done."

Such treatment of supporters is not exclusively reserved for away fans. Cardiff have been providing their home support extra pre-match entertainment with computer games for kids to enjoy and live music and dance troupes, all encouraging people to turn up to matches earlier.

By going the extra mile to engage supporters, both home and away fans are being enticed to matches in their droves for a good day out. The club sold all their season tickets for this season in February and the first three games of the new campaign have completely sold out, helped, naturally, by the anticipation of Barclays Premier League football, too.

Ticket sales increase

Sales of away-match tickets also increased by 15% last season and both the Manchester City and Everton away ends this season sold out in just a few days. With the club working on plans to build a stage in the away end next season, so a band can perform the favourite songs of visiting supporters, it is no surprise Cardiff's away end has been shortlisted for the Best Visitor Experience at the Welsh Tourism Awards.

"We appreciate South Wales is not the most accessible of places," Gorringe told The Independent. "It is a trek for everyone. You are looking at £100 minimum for a day out at football these days. We want them to know we value them for coming."

For Julian Jenkins, the club's commercial director, all this, of course, is also based on the commercial reality that more supporters, arriving earlier, adds to the club's income.

"When we started this journey six years ago we weren't in denial, we knew we had real problems," Jenkins said. "The perception of coming to our old stadium was not great.

"We try and change that perception. The work we do with away fans, and families in particular, is massive. We want more away fans to come. It is a good revenue stream for the club. Football in the Eighties was very good at telling you what you can't do. 'You can't stand, can't do this, can't do that.' They would look at the ticket and say, 'I know it has the right date and match but should I really let you in?' Safety and security is paramount, but we are here to give people a great day out."

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Adrian Clarke looks at how the style of football has changed at Goodison Park with the change of manager.

Under David Moyes, Everton's style of play was simple but effective. Prioritising good organisation, hard work and aggression over trends and tactical modifications, his Toffees and their uncomplicated brand of fast-paced football consistently delivered results.

The appointment of Roberto Martinez signalled a change in direction. Innovative and full of modern ideas, the 40-year-old Spaniard was charged with the task of adding scientific-based style to their existing substance.

Ahead of their appetising encounter with Chelsea at Goodison Park on Saturday it is apparent this transition is taking shape.

Possession football

Passing for passing's sake is an accusation that has rarely been levelled at Everton in recent years. Ranked 11th best when it came to accuracy in last season's Barclays Premier League, the Toffees' direct approach meant that the players spent large chunks of each match chasing hard to win the ball back.

This time around it is different. Having spent the summer preaching the importance of ball retention, Martinez has transformed Everton into one of the division's most impressive possession sides. Monopolising the play in all three of their matches with calmness and control, the Blues are third, only behind Manchester City and Swansea City, in terms of their passing accuracy.

HOW EVERTON'S PASSING AND POSSESSION HAVE CHANGED
Passing accuracy			Ave. possession per match
2012/13	79.4%	11th	2012/13	52%	9th
2013/14	85.9%	3rd	2013/14	64%	1st

With the ball at their feet more often, the strain on Everton's defence should be eased and, although it is early days, two clean sheets from three matches is testament to that.

Opening up the flanks

Tactically, Martinez is adept at creating 3 v 2 and 2 v 1 overloads all over the pitch, with the aim of switching the ball into space out wide, where he likes his players to wreak havoc.

At Everton he is encouraging Steven Pienaar and Kevin Mirallas to play narrow and come inside off the flanks, while at the same time urging both full-backs to pile forward. By bringing extra bodies infield Everton players have more options to keep it in central areas, while providing opposing full-backs with a quandary: Do they follow their markers or hold their ground?

Either way, Everton's overlaps out wide are causing headaches, especially for rival wingers, who must track back tirelessly to cover the danger.

Leighton Baines is the key man for Martinez, and the numbers prove it. Fed almost constantly by his team-mates, the left-back has created more goalscoring opportunities than anyone else with his forays forward this term.

EVERTON WIDE PLAYERS’ PRODUCTIVITY THIS SEASON
	Crosses	Chances Created
Leighton Baines	24	10
Seamus Coleman	12	6
Steven Pienaar	9	6
Kevin Mirallas	11	2

New faces, new roles

Since netting twice at Carrow Road on the opening day Everton have not scored, but Roberto Martinez's transfer window signings and early-season tactics indicate his desire to make them a potent attacking force.

The deployment of 19-year-old Ross Barkley in a "No 10" midfield role is a decisive move that has given the side added punch in central areas. While Marouane Fellaini was fantastic at making runs into the box, he often slowed play down with a sideways pass. The energetic Barkley makes quicker decisions and is more penetrative in and around the penalty area.

The absence of a natural holding midfield player was also a problem for Martinez until he signed Gareth Barry on loan. Until then, Fellaini, Leon Osman or Darren Gibson had to be extra-disciplined, going against their attacking instincts, but Barry will seamlessly fill in when the full-backs and midfield are advanced. This will also allow the other new signing, James McCarthy, the freedom to play his box-to-box game.

Although he cannot play against his parent club Chelsea this weekend, Romelu Lukaku is set to make a big difference up front, too. A dip in confidence from Nikica Jelavic means Everton's traditionally high crossing output has lacked successful conversions in recent times and the young Belgian is arguably more likely to profit from that stream of deliveries.

HOW NIKICA JELAVIC AND ROMELU LUKAKU COMPARED LAST SEASON
	Jelavic (Everton 2012/13)	Lukaku (WBA 2012/13)
Minutes Played	2427	2003
Aerial Duels Won	32%	42%
Shooting Accuracy	43.80%	59.50%
Minutes Per Goal	346.7	105.4
Goals	7	17

Final thought

Everton are evolving into a fluid, possession side under their new coach. Goals have been hard to come by but their narrow 4-2-3-1 formation suits the players and the flying full-backs will ensure they are dangerous on the break.

At Goodison Park they should dominate most matches but to succeed they must not sacrifice the combative side of their game that worked so well under Moyes. Balancing style with their customary aggression is the key for them this season.

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The Premier League clubs today met and affirmed their commitment to engaging in a collaborative and cooperative manner with the debate and process outlined by The FA Chairman in his recent speech.

The Premier League clubs, Board and Executive will all contribute their expertise, knowledge and understanding of the issues and challenges in regard to producing England qualified talent who are of the requisite quality to play both at Premier League and international level.

The structure of this engagement will be defined between the Premier League and The FA as more detail about the process envisaged by The FA Chairman is established.

Premier League Chairman, Anthony Fry, said: "It is evident from discussions with the clubs that there is a strong desire to see greater numbers of England qualified players coming through their Academy systems that are capable of performing at both Premier League and international standard.

"The investment that has already gone into the new Youth Development system through the structuring and implementation of the Elite Player Performance Plan demonstrates this. We are grateful to The FA for their support for this quality-based approach, as well as their undertaking to drive standards of coaching and coach education forward. In both areas a lot has been achieved and there remains plenty to be done.

"There is no doubt around the Premier League table as to the benefits of a national set-up that is thriving and performing well. That is why the Premier League clubs, Board and Executive all signed up to contributing to the process of debate initiated by Greg and helping to identify any appropriate outcomes that will serve to improve standards and delivery in respect of player development."

The FA Chairman, Greg Dyke, said: "The intention of my speech regarding the development and progression of English players was to discover why there are fewer and fewer English players at the top level, and the point of any debate is to find solutions.

"I am very keen that the Commission work with everyone in football and particularly the Premier League, both as an organisation and its individual member clubs. Clearly they have a lot to contribute to the process.

"We already know there is a lot of good work going on but I suspect there is more to be done. The FA’s investment in and commitment to coaching is exemplified by St George’s Park. The Premier League’s focus on Youth Development through the Elite Player Performance Plan promises much.

"I am pleased that the Premier League clubs, Board and Executive all want to contribute to the Commission I am setting up. There is a great deal of knowledge there and I am sure we will be able to find some very concrete ways of improving the pool of talent available to England managers."

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There were 14 Barclays Premier League players involved in CONCACAF and CONMEBOL qualifying on Tuesday night as United States and Argentina confirmed their place in the 2014 FIFA World Cup finals.

CONCACAF

Seven players from the Barclays Premier League appeared in CONCACAF qualifying on a successful night for United States and Costa Rica.

United States 2-0 Mexico
The US secured their berth with victory in Columbus as a team for whom Evertongoalkeeper Tim Howard was the only Barclays Premier League representative in the starting XI beat a Mexico side for whom Manchester United forward Javier Hernandezplayed the 90 minutes.

United States: Tim Howard (Everton). Sub: Brad Guzan (Aston Villa)
Mexico: Javier Hernandez (Man Utd)

Jamaica 1-1 Costa Rica
Costa Rica qualified despite a late equaliser in Kingston from Jamaica. Fulham's Bryan Ruiz started the match as captain, while Everton's Bryan Oviedo remained on the bench. Jamaica had Crystal Palace's new signing Adrian Mariappa in their defence.

Jamaica: Adrian Mariappa (Crystal Palace).
Costa Rica: Bryan Ruiz (Fulham). Sub: Bryan Oviedo (Everton).

Honduras 2-2 Panama
Wilson Palacios scored but the qualification hopes of the Stoke City midfielder and those of Hull City's Maynor Figueroa with Honduras were damaged by a late Panama equaliser in Tegucigalpa. Honduras remain in the third and final automatic qualifying spot on 11 points, three above Panama and Mexico with two matches remaining.

Honduras: Maynor Figueroa (Hull City), Wilson Palacios (Stoke City).

CONMEBOL

Seven more Barclays Premier League representatives were on show in South American qualifying as Argentina secured their place at next year's finals in neighbouring Brazil.

Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero was among the goals as Argentina ensured qualification with victory, while Liverpool's Luis Suarez helped Uruguay remain in contention to join the Albiceleste in Brazil next year with a win over Colombia.

Paraguay 2-5 Argentina
Aguero continued his free-scoring form as Argentina returned to the top of the group with victory in Asuncion. Newcastle United captain Fabricio Coloccini and Man City's Pablo Zabaleta played the 90 minutes in Argentina’s defence, while new Spurs signing Erik Lamela remained on the away side’s bench.

Argentina: Fabricio Coloccini (Newcastle United), Pablo Zabaleta, Sergio Aguero (both Man City). Sub: Erik Lamela (Spurs).

Bolivia 1-1 Ecuador
A draw in La Paz helped Antonio Valencia's Ecuador remain in the fourth and final automatic qualifying spot. The Manchester United winger played the 90 minutes.

Ecuador: Antonia Valencia (Man Utd).

Uruguay 2-0 Colombia
Liverpool's Luis Suarez and second-half substitute Gaston Ramirez, of Southampton, helped Uruguay move level with Ecuador on points thanks to two late goals in Montevideo.

Uruguay: Luis Suarez (Liverpool). Sub: Gaston Ramirez (Southampton; 71).

Venezuela 3-2 Peru
Fulham defender Fernando Amorebieta played the 90 minutes for Venezuela, who remained three points behind Uruguay with victory over Peru in Puerto La Cruz.

Venezuela: Fernando Amorebieta (Fulham)

Friendlies

There were 17 further players from the English top flight in international friendly action with summer signings Jesus Navas, of Manchester City, and Roberto Soldado, of Tottenham Hotspur, both on target for Spain.

Japan 3-1 Ghana
Shinji Kagawa, of Manchester United, equalised as Japan came from behind to win in Yokohama. Southampton's Maya Yoshida played the entire match in the home defence.

Japan: Maya Yoshida (Southampton), Shinji Kagawa (Man Utd; sub: 85).

Brazil 3-1 Portugal
Chelsea's David Luiz played the whole match and his club-mates Ramires and Oscar a combined 90 minutes in the victory in Foxborough, Massachusetts. Manchester Unitedwinger Nani featured for Portugal.

Brazil: David Luiz (Chelsea), Ramires (Chelsea; 60), Paulinho (Spurs; 83). Sub: Oscar (Chelsea: 60).
Portugal: Nani (Man Utd).

Spain 2-2 Chile
Man City's Jesus Navas scored an injury time equaliser as the world champions avoided defeat to Chile in Geneva. Spurs striker Roberto Soldado netted the first equaliser against a Chile team that featured Cardiff City's Gary Medel. Man City's Javier Garcia played 78 minutes while Santi Cazorla and Nacho Monreal, of Arsenal, played the whole match.

Spain: Nacho Monreal (Arsenal), Javier Garcia (Man City; 78); Santi Cazorla (Arsenal), Roberto Soldado (Spurs;  66). Subs: Jesus Navas (Man City; 46), Alvaro Negredo (Man City; 66).
Chile: Gary Medel (Cardiff City).

South Korea 1-2 Croatia
Cardiff City's Kim Bo-kyung played the 90 minutes as South Korea went down in Jeonju to a Croatia team who had Southampton's Dejan Lovren in their defence. Sunderland's Ji Dong-won was an unused sub on Korean bench.

South Korea: Kim Bo-kyung (Cardiff City). Sub: Ji Dong-won (Sunderland).
Croatia: Dejan Lovren (Southampton).

Nigeria 4-1 Burkina Faso
Newcastle United's Shola Ameobi scored for Nigeria in their comfortable win in Kaduna.
Nigeria: Shola Ameobi (Newcastle United; 68).

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