5 things we learned from the weekend.

1

Birmingham need to add to their strikeforce before the transfer window closes It would appear that the on-off Carson Yeung takeover is on the verge of going through and Blues fans will be hoping that their prospective new owner wastes no time in investing in the playing squad.

Ten new players have arrived at St Andrews this summer but there has been no discernible improvement in a City attack which managed only 54 goals in the Championship last term - fewer than any of the teams who finished in the top eight. Alex McLeish's men were praised for their dogged 1-0 defeat at Old Trafford but they needed a fortuitous late penalty to dispose of out-of-form Portsmouth and were comfortably held at bay in Saturday's goalless draw at home to Stoke.

2 Competition is hotting up for forward places in the England squad Fabio Capello was in attendance up Upton Park, where Aaron Lennon and Carlton Cole served up timely reminders of their value to the Three Lions.

Cole enhanced his reputation by volleying the Hammers into an early second-half lead.

But his performance was eclipsed by Lennon, who gave stand-in West Ham left-back Jonathan Spector a torrid time with series of thrusts down the right flank.

There was evidence of improved delivery into the box the 22-year-old conclusively answered his critics by settling a tight London derby with a stunning left-foot drive.

3 Bristol

Rovers are coping well with the loss of Rickie Lambert Pirates fans might have been concerned when last season's 29-goal top scorer was sold to Southampton.

But Saturday's 1-0 win over Huddersfield - their third in a row - has lifted them into fourth place in League One.

4Paul

Ince has taken no time to instill battling qualities into his MK Dons players Ince inherited an injury crisis at the start of his second spell with the Dons but his players have responded superbly.

Back-to-back wins at Tranmere (2-1) and at home Colchester (2-1) have lifted them into sixth place and further improvement can be expected when the injured players return.

5 Lyon are re-establishing themselves as the team to beat in France Manager Claude Puel has wisely re-invested their Karim Benzema cash and his team have hit the ground running.

Wednesday's 5-1 win over Anderlecht has fired a warning to future European opposition and Saturday's 3-0 win at Auxerre has lifted them to the top of their domestic standings.

Dan Childs SPORT MARKETS PAGES 78-79