The Black Cats suffer a moral-sapping 0-3 home defeat by local rivals Middlesbrough.

There’s frantic activity as the January Transfer Window closes at midnight.- Sunderland are now 14 points adrift of safety in the Premiership with only 15 games to play. The Black Cats suffer a moral-sapping 0-3 home defeat by neighbours and relegation rivals Middlesbrough, and frustrated supporters vent their anger on manager Mick McCarthy for the first time. Everton halt Wigan Athletic’s progress with a 1-1 draw at the JJB but Duncan Ferguson is sent-off only seven minutes after coming on as a sub. The Latics’ Jason Roberts is also sent-off but will serve his ban before the Carling Cup Final. A last minute Carlos Bocanegra gives Fulham the points against Tottenham Hotspur at Craven Cottage. Charlton Athletic and West Bromwich Albion battle out a goalless draw at The Valley.

- Reading are now a massive 21 points clear of the third-placed club in the Championship with only 15 games to play. The Royals sweep past Norwich City 4-0. With a 1-1 draw at Ipswich Town, Leeds United are back up to third. Leicester City end their recent slump with caretaker boss Rob Kelly leading the Foxes to a 3-2 win at Queens Park Rangers.

- In League One, Swansea City’s 1-2 home defeat by Gillingham means the Welsh promotion chasers have won just one of their last ten league outings. Bottom-of-the-table Milton Keynes Dons frustrate Nottingham Forest with a 1-0 win at the National Hockey Stadium. Swindon Town also increase their survival chances with a 1-0 win against Walsall at the County Ground.

- In League Two, the spoils are shared in the battle at the bottom as Stockport County and Torquay United draw 1-1.

- There’s frantic activity as the January Transfer Window closes at midnight. The biggest deal of the day is Rob Earnshaw’s £3.5million move from West Bromwich Albion to Norwich City. The most surprising transaction sees Brentford’s FA Cup hero DJ Campbell moving to Premiership Birmingham City for £500,000. This time last year, the 24 year-old was a warehouse worker playing for non-league Yeading. Portsmouth do the most business during the Window with returning manager Harry Redknapp bringing nine new faces in to Fratton Park. For full details of all the January Transfer Window transactions, go to our TRANSFER HISTORY section.

- Following a disciplinary hearing, Mark Wright is sacked by League Two Peterborough United for gross misconduct. The former Liverpool centre-back has made little comment so far but did call recent allegations ‘laughable’. A statement by the London Road club read: “The club feel badly let down after giving Mark the chance to re-establish himself within the football community.” Coach Steve Bleasdale is confirmed as caretaker manager.

- Senegal complete the Quarter Final line-up in the African Cup of Nations despite a 1-2 defeat to already-qualified Nigeria. The finish level on three points in Group D with Zimbabwe and World Cup qualifiers Ghana but go through on goal difference. Zimbabwe beat Ghana 2-1.

Both clubs have written to the game’s governing body about Chelsea’s alleged involvement.

Derby County sack manager Phil Brown after only seven months in charge.- An investigation by BBC Radio reveals that Lyn Oslo and Manchester United have complained to FIFA about the John Obi Mikel transfer wrangle. Both clubs wrote to the game’s governing body in May about Chelsea’s alleged involvement. Oslo and United had agreed a deal but Mikel said he was forced into signing the transaction. The two clubs feel agents acting on Chelsea’s behalf had attempted to induce the young Nigerian player to breach the agreement. United want FIFA to consider imposing a transfer ban on the Premiership champions as well refusing entry to major competitions.

- Derby County sack manager Phil Brown after only seven months in charge. The former Bolton Wanderers assistant manager succeeded George Burley in the summer but, after narrowly missing out on the Play-Offs last term, the Rams have slumped to 19th in the Championship and were humbled in the FA Cup by Colchester United on Saturday. County have won only seven of Brown’s 33-game reign.

- Multiplex, the company responsible for the new Wembley Stadium, admit that there’s only a 70% chance of the FA Cup Final being played at the £757million arena in May. Multiplex’s UK managing director Martin Tidd says they will know in two or three weeks whether it would be in a position to complete the project by the 31 March deadline but admitted the work schedule had to “go like a Swiss watch”.

- Guinea finish top of Group C of the African Cup of Nations after beating holders Tunisia 3-0. Both countries had already qualified for the knockout stages. South Africa take the wooden spoon after a 0-1 defeat by Zambia.

- Concerns are expressed about a tragedy at the African Cup of Nations unless stadium safety is improved. Fears were raised after chaotic scenes inside the Cairo International Stadium when host nation Egypt played the Ivory Coast on Saturday. FIFA security advisor Walter Gagg said: “All the stairs were occupied by people and on the walls on the upper rings, thousands and thousands of spectators were sitting on the walls because there were too many people inside the ground.”

The two Reds win at Portsmouth and Wolverhampton Wanderers, respectively.

Cameroon and DR Congo progress from the group stage of the African Cup of Nations.- Liverpool and Manchester United are through to the Fifth Round of the FA Cup. Liverpool win 2-1 at Portsmouth with first-half goals from Steven Gerrard (pen) and John Arne Riise. United, with Rio Ferdinand in midfield, enjoy a comfortable 3-0 victory at Wolverhampton Wanderers.

- Cameroon and DR Congo progress from Group B of the African Cup of Nations. DR Congo lose 0-2 to Cameroon but they edge out Angola on goal difference after the World Cup qualifiers only beat Togo by a 3-2 margin.

- In League Two, second placed Carlisle United are stunned by a 0-3 defeat at Macclesfield Town. Moss Rose stages the annual Fans United Day and attracts an above average crowd of 4,140.

The Gunners lose 0-1 at Bolton Wanderers in the Fourth Round.

League One duo Brentford and Colchester United are the giantkillers.- Holders Arsenal are out of the FA Cup. The Gunners lose 0-1 at Bolton Wanderers in the Fourth Round as Stelios Giannakopoulos’ late goal punishes the inexperienced visitors in front of only 13,326 at the Reebok Stadium.

- League One duo Brentford and Colchester United are the giantkillers. DJ Campbell scores twice as Brentford sink Premiership strugglers Sunderland 2-1 at Griffin Park while Colchester United continue their outstanding form with a 3-1 win against Championship Derby County at Layer Road. Neil Danns is the Us’ two-goal hero.

- League Two survivors Cheltenham Town and Leyton Orient are gallant losers against Premiership opposition. Newcastle United come through a tricky tie at Cheltenham with two goals just before the interval while brave Leyton Orient are sunk by a last minute Jay Bothroyd goal at Charlton Athletic.

- Middlesbrough and Birmingham City live to fight another day after frights by Championship clubs. Middlesbrough draw 1-1 at Coventry City in front of 28,120 in the first FA Cup tie at the Ricoh Arena and it’s 1-1 at the Madejski Stadium between Reading and Birmingham.

- In the only Championship game of the day, Watford move up to third with a comfortable 4-1 win against bottom-of-the-table Crewe Alexandra.

- In League One, Huddersfield Town move up to third place after coming from two down to beat Oldham Athletic 3-2 at the Galpharm Stadium. Swansea City’s recent poor run continues as they lose 0-1 at Bristol City but Chesterfield continue to make progress with a 2-1 win at AFC Bournemouth. Hartlepool United drop into the bottom four after a 0-3 home defeat by fellow strugglers Blackpool.

- In League Two, Stockport County are back at the bottom despite a 1-1 draw at leaders Wycombe Wanderers. Grimsby Town fail to take advantage at the top as they lose 1-2 against Peterborough United at Blundell Park. At the bottom, Rushden & Diamonds beat old boss Brian Talbot’s Oxford United 3-0 while managerless Torquay United win 1-0 at Shrewsbury Town.

- In the African Cup of Nations, Egypt and Ivory Coast qualify from Group A. Hosts Egypt top the group after they beat Ivory Coast 3-1 at the Cairo International Stadium. Morocco miss out as they fail to score again in a 0-0 draw with Libya.

England gain a favourable draw for the tournament to be held in Austria and Switzerland.

Robbie Fowler makes a sensational return to Liverpool.- The draw is made for the qualifying stages of the Euro 2008 championships. England gain a favourable draw for the tournament to be held in Austria and Switzerland as they will face will face Croatia, Russia, Israel, Estonia, Macedonia and Andorra. Scotland are in one of the toughest groups with France, Italy, Ukraine, Lithuania, Georgia and the Faroe Islands. Wales and the Republic of Ireland will be in the same group as the Czech Republic, Germany, Slovakia, Cyprus and San Marino. Northern Ireland will be up against Sweden, Spain, Denmark, Latvia, Iceland and Liechtenstein. The top two from each group qualify and there will be no Play-Offs.

- In one of the most unexpected moves of the transfer window, Robbie Fowler makes a sensational return to Liverpool. 30-year-old Fowler, who is signed on a free transfer in a deal to the end of the season, scored a total of 171 goals in 330 games for Liverpool before joining Leeds United for £11million in 2001. He joined Manchester City for £6million in 2003.

- Champions Chelsea announce losses of £140million - the biggest in the history of football. The club blame the massive increase from the £88million loss made last year on “a series of exceptional one-off items”. Compared to cost of success, relegated Southampton count the cost of failure as the Saints reveal losses of £1.4million for the six months ended 30 November 2005.

- Southend United return to the top of League One with a 2-0 win against next-to-bottom Swindon Town at Roots Hall. Barnsley go fourth with a 2-0 win at Nottingham Forest with Marc Richards netting both goals in the first-half.

- It is confirmed by the Home Office that uniformed German police officers will be travelling to England before the World Cup to help target suspected troublemakers. The news is welcomed by supporters groups as Minister Paul Goggins explained: “Football disorder remains a lingering menace and that is why we want to minimise the risks and provide better communication about travelling English fans. The preparations for this year’s tournament are extensive and for the first time are likely to include uniformed English and German police officers working side by side.”

- Group D in the African Cup of Nations is finely balanced after leaders Nigeria beat Zimbabwe 2-0 while Ghana kept their hopes alive with a 1-0 win over Senegal. With Zimbabwe out of the running, the other three are fighting for two place as the go into the final group game.

The Bolton Wanderers boss is the bookies favourite to succeed Sven-Goran Eriksson.

Manchester United duo of Gary Neville and Cristiano Ronaldo also face disciplinary charges.- Sam Allardyce, the bookies favourite to succeed Sven-Goran Eriksson as England head coach, is charged by the Football Association for improper conduct. The charges relate to comments the Bolton Wanderers boss made after the 0-0 draw with Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park on 14 January about referee Mike Riley. Allardyce was quoted as saying: “The stats just don’t stand up when he referees us. In my opinion it is not good enough - he nearly caused a riot.”

- Manchester United duo of Gary Neville and Cristiano Ronaldo also face disciplinary charges. Neville’s FA charge relates to his wild celebrations following Rio Ferdinand’s last-gasp winner in the 1-0 win against Liverpool at Old Trafford on Sunday when he appeared to taunt the visiting supporters. Ronaldo is charged by UEFA with misconduct for a gesture aimed at Benfica fans during a Champions League match that was clearly seen by the TV audience.

- Birmingham City are stunned by the news that managing director Karren Brady is to undergo brain surgery next week. 36 year-old Brady, who has been with the St Andrews club since 1993, is to receive treatment for an aneurysm and expects to be absent for about a month.

- Aston Villa announce losses of £9.4million in the half-year to December. They grew £600,000 from the same period in 2004, and revenues dipped from £19million to £17.7million mainly due to a fall in television income. A consortium of Irish property developers the Comer Brothers and life-long Villa fan Michael Neville have been in talks for three months about a buyout at Villa Park.

- Tunisia and Guinea progress to the Quarter Finals of the African Cup of Nations from Group C. Tunisia, the reigning champions, confirmed their last eight place with a 2-0 win over South Africa while Guinea advance after coming from behind to beat Zambia 2-1.

- Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Switzerland, Pele backs Brazil to retain the World Cup: “I think England has a good team this year, Italy has a very good team but of course Brazil is the favourite, without a doubt.”

They beat Blackburn Rovers 2-1 in the semi-final 2nd leg to go through 3-2 on aggregate.

Leicester City sack manager Craig Levein and Leroy Rosenior leaves Torquay United.- Manchester United reach only their second League Cup Final in 12 years. They beat Blackburn Rovers 2-1 at Old Trafford in the 2nd leg of their Carling Cup Semi-Final to go through 3-2 on aggregate. Louis Saha nets the winner.

- Leicester City sack manager Craig Levein. The Foxes are in the bottom three of the Championship and haven’t played below the second-tier since being elected to the Football League in 1894. They’ve won only one of their last 15 league games and last night’s 0-1 loss at Plymouth Argyle was their sixth Championship reverse in a row. The former Scottish international arrived at the Walkers Stadium in November 2004 after an impressive spell at Heart of Midlothian. Coaches Peter Houston and Kenny Black are also leaving so assistant manager Rob Kelly is named caretaker manager and he will be assisted by goalkeeping coach Mike Stowell.

- Following last night’s defeat by Rochdale which sent them back into League Two’s bottom two, Torquay United announce that manager Leroy Rosenior has left Plainmoor by mutual consent. He had been in charge of the Devon club for three and a half years. Chairman Mike Bateson says: “We have decided that a parting of the ways is in the best interests of both parties. It’s disappointing that it has had to end because Leroy and I had a great working relationship.” Former Exeter City boss John Cornforth is installed as caretaker manager.

- Peterborough United suspend manager Mark Wright and launch an internal investigation. The League Two club make no further comment but local newspaper reports suggest the former Liverpool defender allegedly made racist remarks towards his playing staff. In 2001 when manager of Oxford United, he was fined after being found guilty of making racist comments towards referee Joe Ross.

- Ashley Cole fails in his attempt to get the Court of Arbitration to judge his appeal against a £75,000 fine for breaking Premier League rules. The Arsenal and England left-back received the fine after discussing a possible move to Chelsea while still under contract.

- Southampton halt in-form Crystal Palace at St Mary’s, but fail to win again after a 0-0 draw in The Championship. Palace remain fifth and are unbeaten in eight league and cup games.

- Germany coach Juergen Klinsmann calls up 28 players for fitness tests at the end of January as moves nearer to finalising his World Cup plans. The squad to meet on 30-31 January is: Goalkeepers: Oliver Kahn (Bayern Munich), Jens Lehmann (Arsenal, England), Timo Hildebrand (VfB Stuttgart). Defenders: Arne Friedrich (Hertha Berlin), Andreas Hinkel (VfB Stuttgart), Robert Huth (Chelsea, England), Marcell Jansen (Borussia Moenchengladbach), Philipp Lahm (Bayern Munich), Per Mertesacker (Hanover 96), Christoph Metzelder (Borussia Dortmund), Patrick Owomoyela (Werder Bremen), Lukas Sinkiewicz (Cologne), Christian Woerns (Borussia Dortmund). Midfielders: Michael Ballack (Bayern Munich), Sebastian Deisler (Bayern Munich), Bastian Schweinsteiger (Bayern Munich), Tim Borowski (Werder Bremen), Torsten Frings (Werder Bremen), Fabian Ernst (Schalke 04), Thomas Hitzlsperger (VfB Stuttgart), Sebastian Kehl (Borussia Dortmund), Bernd Schneider (Bayer Leverkusen). Forwards: Gerald Asamoah (Schalke 04), Kevin Kuranyi (Schalke 04), Mike Hanke (VfL Wolfsburg), Miroslav Klose (Werder Bremen), Oliver Neuville (Borussia Moenchengladbach), Lukas Podolski (Cologne)

- World Cup qualifiers Togo cannot progress to the Quarter-Finals of the African Cup of Nations after losing 0-2 to Cameroon. Barcelona’s Samuel Eto’o scores both the Indomitable Lions goals. Also in Group B, Angola are held to a goalless draw by DR Congo in a very physical game in Cairo.

Jason Roberts’ last minute goal at Arsenal takes the Latics to next month’s Carling Cup Final

Sven-Goran Eriksson admits media intrusion has hastened his departure.- Wigan Athletic reach their first major cup final. The Premiership new boys’ remarkable season continues as Jason Roberts’ dramatic goal in the last minute of extra time at Arsenal takes the Latics to next month’s Carling Cup Final on the away goals rule. Chairman Dave Whelan, who broke his leg playing for Blackburn Rovers in the 1960 FA Cup final: “Since I played at Wembley in a cup final, this is the best day”. Wigan will now play either Rovers or Manchester United at Cardiff.

- Sven-Goran Eriksson admits media intrusion has hastened his departure from his post as England’s head coach. Having agreed to step down after the summer’s World Cup, Eriksson told a news conference at the FA’s HQ in Soho Square: “Since some time ago, I felt there was too much circus around my private life. Maybe this [the Fake Sheikh sting] was one too many.”

- The Premier League launch an independent inquiry into irregularities in transfers following the spate of recent ‘bung’ allegations. The inquiry will examine transfers concluded since January 2004 and look for details of any irregular payments.

- Grimsby Town submit a planning application for a new 20,000-seater stadium at Great Coates to be called the Conoco Stadium. The League Two club, who have played at Blundell Park in Cleethorpes since 1899, aim to move to the £15million development for the 2008/09 season.

- Leicester City’s relegation worries deepen as they lose 0-1 at fellow Championship strugglers Plymouth Argyle. Paul Wotton’s goals moves the Pilgrims nine points clear of the 21st placed Foxes.

- Blackpool move out of League One’s bottom four with a 4-2 defeat of Doncaster Rovers at Bloomfield Road.

- Stockport County move out of League Two’s bottom two and deny Grimsby Town the chance to become the new leaders as two late goals give the Hatters victory at Edgeley Park. Torquay United drop back into the bottom two with Rochdale’s 3-1 win at Plainmoor.

- Following tonight’s area semi-finals in the LDV Vans Trophy, Carlisle United and Macclesfield Town will contest the Northern final while it’s Swansea City v Colchester United in the South. Non-league interest is ended with defeats for Kidderminster Harriers and Hereford United.

- In Group A of the African Nations Cup, Ivory Coast’s 2-1 win against Libya means they are the first county to confirm a place in the Quarter-Finals. Chelsea’s Didier Drogba nets the opener. Hosts Egypt and rivals Morocco battle out a goalless draw but the eagerly anticipated game fails to reach its expectations.

Following a meeting with the Football Association, he agrees to depart with two years left on his contract.

Bolton Wanderers’ Sam Allardyce is installed as favourite to succeed Eriksson.- Sven-Goran Eriksson will leave his post as England coach following the summer’s World Cup finals.
Following six hours of talks between the 57 year-old and the Football Association at Soho Square, he agrees to depart with two years left on his contract. Eriksson releases a statement: “I know that I have the full support of the players and the FA. I care passionately about this job and I want everyone to know that. I have always enjoyed the incredible support of the fans and I know how important they will be to us in Germany.” He has come under immense pressure following the Fake Sheikh sting in the News of the World.

- With odds of 5/2, Bolton Wanderers’ Sam Allardyce is installed as favourite to succeed Eriksson. Others quoted are: Alan Curbishley 3/1, Steve McClaren 7/2, Ottmar Hitzfeld 8/1, Martin O’Neill 10/1, Steve Bruce 12/1, Luiz Felipe Scolari 12/1, Guus Hiddink 12/1, Stuart Pearce 12/1, Sir Bobby Robson 16/1, Sir Trevor Brooking 20/1, Bryan Robson 20/1, Paul Jewell 20/1, Fabio Capello 25/1, Jose Mourinho 25/1, Arsene Wenger 33/1, Gerard Houllier 33/1, Peter Taylor 40/1, Harry Redknapp 66/1, Sir Alex Ferguson 66/1, Alan Shearer 66/1, Sammy Lee 66/1 and Kevin Keegan 100/1.

- Middlesbrough cancel Abel Xavier’s contract. The 33 year-old defender is currently battling against a drugs ban having tested positive after Boro’s goalless draw against Xanthi on 29 September 2005. He has been banned for 18 months.

- Manchester United announce a profit of £46million for the year ending June 2005, a drop of £12.3million from the previous 12 months. Chief executive David Gill attributes the fall to a drop in television money. United paid £2.2million to agents, including £1.5million to buy Wayne Rooney from Everton.

- With £7million new record signing Dean Ashton in the Upton Park stands, West Ham United beat Fulham 2-1 with spectacular goals from Anton Ferdinand and Yossi Benayoun.

- Greater Manchester Police write to the Football Association and Manchester United to complain over Gary Neville’s excessive goal celebrations after yesterday’s late winner against Liverpool at Old Trafford. A statement from GMP says: “Chief Superintendent Andy Holt has written a letter expressing his concern. No criminal investigation is taking place at this stage.”

- In Group D of the African Cup of Nations, Wigan Athletic’s Henri Camara scores Senegal’s opener in a 2-0 win against Zimbabwe. Ghana become the third of Africa’s World Cup qualifiers to lose their opening match as they go down 0-1 to Nigeria.

Charlton Athletic hold Chelsea to a draw at Stamford Bridge.

Sven-Goran Eriksson is accused by the News of the World of stating that managers in England “put money in their pocket”.- The top three in the Premiership are in action and it’s Manchester United who enjoy the best day. A last minute goal from Rio Ferdinand hands United a win against Liverpool at Old Trafford in a dour game that ends on an unsavoury note as United skipper Gary Neville runs the length of the pitch to celebrate in front of the opposition fans. It reduces the gap at the top to 14 points as Charlton Athletic hold Chelsea to a draw at Stamford Bridge. Marcus Bent’s debut goal for the visitors ends Chelsea’s 100% home league record this season.

- In the second instalment of the so-called Fake Sheikh expose, the recent spate of bung allegations are fuelled further as Sven-Goran Eriksson is accused by the News of the World of stating that managers “put money in their pocket”. The England head coach immediately agrees to face the Football Association after allegedly telling the tabloid newspaper about corruption in the English game.

- Without the injured Roy Keane, Celtic open up a ten point lead at the top of the SPL with a 3-1 win at Motherwell.

- Defending champions Tunisia take the early advantage in Group C of the African Nations Cup as they beat Zambia 4-1. Stoke City’s Sammy Bangoura opens the scoring as Guinea beat South Africa 2-0.