David Bentley scores twice in the last game under coach Peter Taylor’s current contract.

Frank Lampard is ruled out of England’s friendly against Uruguay tomorrow.- England’s Under-21s beat Norway Under-21 3-1 at Reading. Blackburn Rovers’ David Bentley scores twice in the last game under coach Peter Taylor’s current contract. Aston Villa’s Peter Whittingham had opened the scoring before Borre Steenslid’s leveller. Taylor, who is also the Hull City manager, had earlier confirmed his interest in succeeding Sven-Goran Eriksson as the senior team’s head coach.

- Chelsea’s Frank Lampard is ruled out of England’s friendly against Uruguay tomorrow due to a tight hamstring. Coach Sven-Goran Eriksson had earlier allayed Rafa Benitez’s worries about the injury risks surrounding Steven Gerrard’s participation in an arguably insignificant game. The Liverpool manager has concerns about burn-out in an especially long season. Eriksson stresses he has similar concerns while Gerrard expresses his desire to play in the Anfield encounter. Charlton Athletic’s Darren Bent is set to make his debut.

- Manchester City announce a pre-tax profit of £16.8million for the six months to 30 November 2005. It includes the £21million received from Chelsea for Shaun Wright-Phillips in the summer. The Premiership club also reports a £57million debt so it is thought they will use around £5million to pay off short-term loans.

- Championship strugglers Millwall announce a pre-tax loss of £2.4million for the six months to November 2005. A drop in attendances have contributed to a loss that is £600,000 greater than for the same period in 2004. In a statement to the London Stock Exchange, new chairman Peter de Savary could not rule out a reduction in the playing staff: “Should relegation to League One occur, the board have contingency plans in place to take account of this change of status. With 13 players’ contracts expiring during the close season, we are in a strong position to plan the size of our squad accordingly.”

- In League One, Barnsley move up to third with a 1-1 draw at Bournemouth while Brentford are held to a goalless draw at Doncaster Rovers. Despite the new investment from Robbie Williams, Port Vale lose 1-2 at home to Scunthorpe United.

- In League Two, there’s a goalless London derby as Barnet hold Leyton Orient at the Matchroom Stadium and a 1-1 Lancashire derby draw between Rochdale and Bury.

The 58-year-old masterminded the Galacticos era at the Bernabeu.

UEFA surprisingly reduce Chelsea defender Asier del Horno’s Champions League ban from three matches to one.- Florentino Perez resigns as president of Real Madrid. After replacing Lorenzo Sanz in 2000, the 58-year-old masterminded the Galacticos era at the Bernabeu with Real recently labelled the richest club in the world. He authorised the recruitment of superstars such as Luis Figo, Zinedine Zidane, Ronaldo and David Beckham. Real have won the Primera Liga title twice and the Champions League once during his reign but have not lifted a trophy since 2003. Perez’s resignation comes after Real’s 1-0 home loss to Arsenal in the first leg of their Champions League tie followed by a 1-2 defeat at Real Mallorca on Sunday. Although making regular changes to the coaching staff, Perez clearly blames the players for the relative lack of success: “We have constructed a great squad but some of the players have got mixed up. I want to capture their attention through my resignation so that they understand that all that matters is Real Madrid.”

- UEFA surprisingly reduce Chelsea defender Asier del Horno’s Champions League ban from three matches to one. The left-back was dismissed in the first leg of the Round of 16 tie against Barcelona on Wednesday for a reckless challenge on Barcelona’s Lionel Messi. The former Athletic Bolbao defender accused Argentine forward of exaggerating the impact of his challenge and was publicly backed by his manager Jose Mourinho.

- Singer Robbie Williams buys a considerable stake in Port Vale. The pop star grew up in Stoke-on-Trent and has supported the League One club since his childhood. Vale chairman Bill Bratt welcomes the undisclosed investment: “It’s now up to the board and all at Port Vale FC to ensure his investment is used wisely in helping to secure the future at the club.” It is reported that there was £260,000 worth of unallocated shares available at the beginning of the month.

- Following the infamous on-pitch altercation with team-mate Kieron Dyer last April, Newcastle United’s Lee Bowyer enters a plea of not guilty to a charge of breaching the Public Order Act at a brief hearing at Newcastle Magistrates’ Court. The incident occurred during United’s 0-3 Premiership defeat by Aston Villa at St James’s Park.

- One for football’s strangest transfers file. UT Adad of Romania’s Second Division are reported to have sold a player in exchange for 15 kilograms of meat but Fourth Division Regal Horia appear to have been sold short as defender Marius Cioara then decided to end his playing career and move to Spain to find a job in agriculture or construction. A Regal spokesman told local sport daily Pro Sport: “We are upset because we lost twice. Firstly because we lost a good player and, secondly, because we lost our team’s food for a whole week!”

The Norwegian official controversially sent off Asier del Horno in Wednesday’s Champions League defeat by Barcelona.

Huddersfield Town move in to an automatic promotion place in League One.- Chelsea promise to punish any so-called supporters found to have made death threats to referee Terje Hauge. The Norwegian official controversially sent off Asier del Horno in Wednesday’s Champions League defeat by Barcelona at Stamford Bridge, and threats have since appeared on Chelsea’s official web site’s messageboards. Similar threats were made to leading ref Anders Frisk last year when the two clubs met at the same stage of the Champions League and he sent off Blues striker Didier Drogba in the first leg at the Nou Camp. Frisk announced his retirement shortly afterwards.

- Huddersfield Town move in to an automatic promotion place in League One after coming from two down at Swansea City to force a draw. Lee Trundle and Leon Britton gave the fourth-placed Swans a comfortable half-time lead before the Terriers moved up to second with goals from Martin McIntosh and David Graham.

- Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson hopes Alan Smith could return from his horrific injury well before the end of the year. The England midfielder broke his leg and dislocated an ankle in Saturday’s FA Cup defeat at Liverpool with Ferguson describing the injury as among the worst he had seen. The United boss now believes Smith could be back in action in “six or seven months”.

- FIFA vice-president Julio Grondona insists there is no prospect of the World Cup being halted by fears of bird flu in Germany. The German government has been alarmed this week by a spread of bird flu to the mainland from the Baltic island of Ruegen where the first case in Germany was detected. Economy Minister Michael Glos said an increase in cases of the deadly disease would not affect the country’s World Cup preparations. Grondona added: ‘It’s got to be something of great magnitude at all levels for measures to be taken to suspend a World Cup.’

Boro beat Vfb Stuttgart on away goals while Bolton lose to Olympique Marseille.

Fears that Liverpool’s Mohamed Sissoko could lose his sight are eased.- Middlesbrough are through to the last 16 of the UEFA Cup but Bolton Wanderers bow out. Boro beat Vfb Stuttgart on away goals with Christian Tiffert scoring the only goal at the Riverside after Steve McClaren’s team won 2-1 in Germany. They now face Roma next month. After their goalless draw at the Reebok, Bolton lose 1-2 at Olympique Marseille. Stelios Giannakopoulos give Wanderers the lead before Franck Ribery equalises on the stroke of half-time. A Tal Ben Haim ends Bolton’s first European campaign.

- Fears that Liverpool’s Mohamed Sissoko could lose his sight are eased. The Mali international midfielder was accidentally kicked in the face during Tuesday’s Champions League loss at Benfica raising fears over his sight because of damage to the retina.

- Blackburn Rovers agree to delay the kick-off time of their game with Liverpool on 15 April to avoid a clash with the annual Hillsborough memorial service. The Premiership game falls on the 17th anniversary of the disaster and will now start at Ewood Park at 5.15pm. The service will take place at Anfield earlier in the day.

- Togo name Otto Pfister as their coach for the World Cup finals replacing Stephen Keshi following the poor performance at the African Cup of Nations. The 67 year-old German has been coach of the former Zaire and Ghana and has also worked with clubs in Egypt and Tunisia. An extension of his short-term contract will be reviewed after Togo’s performance during the summer in Germany. The first-time finalists have been drawn in Group G alongside France, South Korea and Switzerland.

The Premiership leaders go down to ten men after 37 when Asier Del Horno is sent-off.

Rangers are held at Ibrox by Villarreal.- Barcelona win 2-1 at Chelsea in the first leg of their Champions League tie. The Premiership leaders go down to ten men after 37 when Asier Del Horno is sent-off but take the lead on the hour via a Thiago Motta own goal. John Terry repays the compliment with another own goal to level the scores before a Samuel Eto’o header gives Barca the advantage. It’s Chelsea’s first outright home defeat during Jose Mourinho’s reign.

- In the night’s other Champions League tie involving a British club, Rangers are held at Ibrox by Villarreal in the first game played by a SPL club in the knockout stages. Rangers have to come from behind twice with goals from Peter Lovenkrands and a Juan Manuel Pena own goal. Juan Roman Riquelme (penalty) and Diego Forlan score for the Spaniards.

- Newcastle United’s 100% record under caretaker manager Glenn Roeder comes to an end as Charlton Athletic draw 0-0 at St James’ Park.

- Championship Derby County confirm caretaker manager Terry Westley will remain in charge at Pride Park until the end of the season. He took over from Phil Brown in January when the former Bolton Wanderers coach was sacked. The Rams opt for the temporary appointment as, with debts of £45million, they are in on-going takeover talks.

- League One Walsall name Kevan Broadhurst as their new manager with an initial contract to the end of the season. The former Northampton Town boss takes over from Paul Merson who was sacked on 6 February. The 46 year-old also had spells on the coaching staff at Birmingham City, Luton Town and Oxford United, and was assistant manager at Bristol Rovers until last summer.

-
Despite taking the lead, the League One Us’ lose 1-3 at Chelsea.

The Quarter Finals will see an all-Premiership line-up as Preston North End and Stoke City also bow out. - Colchester United fail in their bid to pull off one of the great FA Cup shocks. Despite taking the lead, the League One Us’ lose 1-3 at Chelsea. A Ricardo Carvalho own goal gave Colchester a deserved lead but they eventually fall to a Joe Cole brace.

- The Quarter Finals will see an all-Premiership line-up as Championship duo Preston North End and Stoke City also bow out. Middlesbrough win 2-0 at Deepdale with two goals from Ayegbeni Yakubu. Birmingham City win 1-0 at the Britannia Stadium with a Mikael Forsell goal. Blues reach the last eight for the first time since 1984. A last minute equaliser from 17 year-old Micah Richards earns Manchester City a 1-1 draw at Aston Villa.

- In the Premiership, two goals from Andreas Johansson give Wigan Athletic a 2-2 draw on their first visit to Champions League hopefuls Tottenham Hotspur. Meanwhile, Spurs reveal that they would consider re-naming their famous White Hart Lane ground.

- In the SPL, Celtic confirm their dominance with a 8-1 win at Dunfermline Athletic. Maciej Zurawski hits four goals and it’s the first time in SPL history that a team has scored eight in a game since the current Scottish top flight format was formed in 1998.

- In Italy, Roma equal a Serie A record with their tenth consecutive victory as a Simone Perrotta goal seals a 1-0 win against Empoli at the Stadio Olimpico. The ten-in-a-row feat has also been achieved by Juventus (1931-32), AC Milan (1950-51) and Bologna (1963-64). Roma have the chance to break the record in next weekend’s derby with Lazio.

The Anfield clash is marred by an horrific injury to United’s Alan Smith.

Newcastle United and Charlton Athletic are also through to the Quarter-Finals.- Liverpool defeat Manchester United in the FA Cup for the first time since January 1921. The European champions dominate the Fifth Round tie but only progress by the margin of a Peter Crouch goal. It means the FA Cup Final won’t feature either Manchester United or Arsenal for the first time since it was moved to Cardiff in 2001. The Anfield clash is marred by an horrific injury to United’s Alan Smith. Shortly after coming on as a late substitute, the England midfielder breaks his left leg and dislocates his ankle after falling awkwardly.

- Newcastle United and Charlton Athletic are also through to the Quarter-Finals. United beat Southampton at St James’ Park as Kieron Dyer’s goal maintains their 100% record under caretaker manager Glenn Roeder. Charlton Athletic ease past Brentford 3-1 at The Valley despite a spirited display by the League One outfit. In a repeat of the 1923 White Horse Final, Bolton Wanderers and West Ham United battle out a gritty goalless draw at the Reebok Stadium.

- In the Championship, victory in the Steel City derby at Hillsborough sees Sheffield United close the gap on leaders Reading to nine points. Michael Tonge and Adie Akinbiyi gives the visiting Blades a 2-0 half-time advantage before a late penalty from Wednesday’s Steve MacLean sets up a nail-biting finish. Watford move back to third with a 50-yard goal from Chris Eagles at next-to-bottom Brighton & Hove Albion. Leeds United are held to a 1-1 draw at Leicester City despite the Foxes being reduced to ten men after 11 minutes when Paddy McCarthy was sent-off.

- In League One, leaders Southend United win a dramatic game 4-3 at Chesterfield. Freddy Eastwood hits a hat-trick. Huddersfield Town draw level with second-placed Colchester United with a 5-0 demolition of bottom-of-the-table Milton Keynes Dons at the Galpharm Stadium. In their first game after Gary Megson’s departure, Nottingham Forest record their first away win since August with a 2-0 success at Port Vale. With Rotherham United winning 3-2 at Swindon Town, only three points separate 16th to 23rd positions.

- In League Two, Carlisle United go back to the top with a 5-0 trouncing of bottom-placed Rushden & Diamonds. Following their 0-2 home loss to Leyton Orient - their 11th defeat in their last 12 games - Chester City part company with manager Keith Curle after only nine months at the Saunders Honda Stadium.

The Royals 2-3 defeat at Luton Town is their first in 34 Championship games.

Northampton Town move up to second in League Two.- Despite scoring in the first minute, Reading’s long unbeaten run comes to an end. The Royals 2-3 defeat at Luton Town is their first in 34 Championship games since losing to Plymouth Argyle on the opening day of the season. The winning goal is scored by Dean Morgan who joined Luton from Reading in July. Steve Coppell’s team remain 21 points clear of third-placed Leeds United.

- Northampton Town move up to second in League Two - their highest position of the season. The Cobblers beat strugglers Torquay United at Sixfields with a late strike from veteran midfielder Ian Taylor.

- Sven-Goran Eriksson tells the Football Association he does not want his successor to shadow him during the World Cup finals. The England coach will leave his post following the summer’s tournament and it had been thought his replacement could get to know the players by joining up with the squad in Germany.

Boro win 2-1 at Vfb Stuttgart in the first leg of the Round of 32.

Manager Gary Megson leaves Nottingham Forest after only 13 months in charge at the City Ground.- Although they remain in a perilous position in the Premiership, Middlesbrough continue to impress in the UEFA Cup. Boro win 2-1 at Vfb Stuttgart in the first leg of the Round of 32 with strikes from Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Stuart Parnaby. A late goal from Daniel Ljuboja is the first they’ve conceded in Europe this season.

- Manager Gary Megson leaves Nottingham Forest after only 13 months in charge at the City Ground. The former European champions are playing outside of the top divisions for the first time in 54 years. They had been expected to make an immediate return to the Championship but last night’s 0-3 defeat at Oldham Athletic saw them drop into the bottom half of the League One table, 11 points behind the Play-Off places. Megson, who departs by mutual consent, was Forest’s eighth manager since Brian Clough retired in 1993.

- Manchester United are deposed as football’s greatest money generators. Based on revenues from the 2004-05 season, Real Madrid push United into second place after eight years at the top of the Deloitte Football Money League. Real’s income has doubled in the past five years, as players such as former Reds icon David Beckham have boosted shirt sales. Nine British clubs made it into the list of the world’s richest 20 teams.

- FIFA vice-president Jack Warner is judged to have violated the governing bodies’ code of ethics over his involvement with selling tickets for the 2006 World Cup. He could be suspended from the organisation at a meeting next month after being found guilty of a conflict of interest over ticket sales. Warner’s family travel agency were given the rights to sell Trinidad and Tobago’s entire allocation.

The Round of 32 first leg game at the Reebok ends goalless.

Blackburn Rovers increase their hopes of playing in the UEFA Cup next season as Sunderland lose at Ewood Park.- Bolton Wanderers are held by Olympique Marseille in the UEFA Cup. The Round of 32 first leg game at the Reebok ends goalless. Although pleased to have not conceded a goal, Bolton manager Sam Allardyce is incensed as his side were not awarded a penalty after Frederic Dehu clearly appeared to handle Jay-Jay Okocha’s cross.

- Blackburn Rovers increase their hopes of playing in the UEFA Cup next season as beleaguered Sunderland lose 0-2 at Ewood Park in the Premiership. Two goals from Craig Bellamy take Rovers up to seventh while the Black Cats have now lost 20 of their 26 league games this season.

- Championship Play-Off hopefuls Preston North End are held to a goalless draw at Southampton but equal a 117-year club record by extending their unbeaten run to 22 league games. They match the remarkable record of the famous Old Invincibles team of 1888-89 who went undefeated throughout their 22-game Football League season. Sheffield Wednesday remain in relegation danger after a 1-2 defeat at Coventry City.

- Nottingham Forest’s prospects of making an immediate return to the Championship continue to fade. They slip in to the bottom half of the League One table after a 0-3 defeat at Oldham Athletic. Chesterfield’s Play-Off ambitions are dented as Doncaster Rovers win 1-0 at Saltergate.

- John Robertson is appointed Livingston’s new boss. The former Heart of Midlothian and Inverness Caledonian Thistle manager takes over from Paul Lambert who resigned on Saturday with Livi bottom of the table after his seven months in charge.

- South Africa’s National Treasury announce they will spend up to £465 million on the infrastructure for the 2010 World Cup. South Africa has secured the rights to host the tournament and plans to use up to ten stadiums. Five will be new constructions with the remainder being refurbished.