Alex Ferguson is mindful of the threat posed by David Beckham tonight, but he's hardly suffering sleepless nights over the prospect of the Londoner's first, and most likely last, competitive return to Manchester United.

THE recriminations over Liverpool's shattering defeat at Wigan continued yesterday but they will not include an FA charge against Steven Gerrard, for allegedly flicking a V-sign at referee Andre Marriner.

ENGLAND officials have been warned to sweep team venues for listening devices on a regular basis to avoid being bugged.

HE has always had a flair for the dramatic but when Cristiano Ronaldo presages Real Madrid's Champions League task against Lyon tonight as being "do or die", he somehow makes it sound a little too theatrical.

Darren Bent chose the perfect moment to score his first hat-trick for Sunderland, with owner Ellis Short in town to check on his investment.

Daryl Murphy struck twice as Ipswich eased their relegation fears with a comfortable victory over promotion hopefuls Cardiff.

Arjen Robben smashed a 30-yard strike into the back of the net for Bayern Munich to break Fiorentina hearts in a pulsating Champions League last-16 second-leg tie in Florence.

Cameron Jerome scored twice as Birmingham gained revenge for Saturday's FA Cup defeat at Fratton Park and pushed Pompey further towards relegation.

RAFAEL Benítez, on the eve of this game, had made just one demand of his Liverpool team, a simple, if ambitious request, that they should finish the season without error as they attempt to retain their Champions League status.

Tony Mowbray is hoping Robbie Keane's determination to succeed will rub off on his Celtic team-mates.

Roberto Mancini has called on his Manchester City players to maintain their recent high standards if they want to claim a top-four place.

Liverpool midfielder Yossi Benayoun is doubtful for the Europa League match against Lille tomorrow after sustaining an ankle injury.

Sir Alex Ferguson expects Federico Macheda to be back in a fortnight to ease Manchester United's striker crisis.

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has defended Steven Gerrard following allegations the midfielder made a V sign towards referee Andre Marriner during the defeat by Wigan.

Stoke manager Tony Pulis could be forced to field an understrength side against Burnley on Wednesday night at Turf Moor.

Birmingham manager Alex McLeish paid tribute to Christian Benitez after he inspired his side to a 2-1 triumph at Portsmouth last night.

Steve Bruce was a relieved man after seeing Darren Bent fire Sunderland to a first Barclays Premier League win of 2010.

By the end of this demolition of Porto that was both brutal and beautiful, Arsenal supporters were chanting "ole'', their thoughts perhaps racing forward to a European climax in that Spanish footballing bull-ring called the Bernabeu.

Steven Pienaar has dismissed reports suggesting he may be on his way out of Everton as "speculation".

Sir Alex Ferguson expects David Beckham to be consigned to the AC Milan bench for his emotional Old Trafford return.

Portsmouth face the prospect of chasing FA Cup glory without the prize of European football after it emerged they have not applied for a UEFA club licence.

Manchester United have confirmed defender Wes Brown will miss the next four to six weeks with a broken bone in his foot.

Everton midfielder Steven Pienaar was banned from driving for 12 months after pleading guilty to drink-driving, a court official confirmed on Tuesday.

Wayne Rooney has provided Manchester United with a timely Champions League boost by taking part in training ahead of tomorrow's encounter with AC Milan

Steve Bruce warned his Sunderland defenders to be on top of their game to cope with the significant threat of Bolton striker Kevin Davies on Tuesday night.