Newcastle United are out of the FA Cup.
Chelsea end Alan Shearer’s dream of a trophy in his last season.
Graham Rix is sacked by Heart of Midlothian.- Newcastle United are out of the FA Cup as Chelsea end Alan Shearer’s dream of a trophy in the last season of his playing career. John Terry scores the only goal at Stamford Bridge after four minutes as Shearer’s ten year stint on Tyneside draws to a close without any silverware. Caretaker boss Glenn Roeder says: “Alan set his heart on getting into the last four but conceding an early goal to the Premiership champions disappointed us. But he won’t want any sympathy. Alan is not a sympathy man, just look at his career and look at his life.” It wouldn’t be Chelsea without controversy. A dive by Shaun Wright-Phillips leads to United’s Robbie Elliott being sent-off in the final minute. Jose Mourinho refuses to speak to the press.
- In another bizarre twist to the extraordinary season at Tynecastle, head coach Graham Rix is sacked by Heart of Midlothian after only four months in charge following the dismissal of George Burley. Chairman Roman Romanov explains: “We have been disappointed with the team’s performance. Results were not what they should have been. We also felt that some of the signings made in January were not appropriate for Hearts.” They are second in the SPL and through to the semi-finals of the Scottish Cup. 11 players were signed during the January transfer window and, although many of them were believed to have been chosen by owner Vladimir Romanov. Rix’s position had already been undermined when it was revealed that Mr Romanov snr had picked the team for a game against Dundee United in January. Director of football Jim Duffy is also dismissed having been appointed only a month ago. Coach Valdas Ivanauskas has been appointed as Rix’s temporary replacement.
- In their first game at Parkhead since the death of Jimmy Johnstone, Celtic beat Inverness Caledonian Thistle 2-1 to extend their lead in the SPL to 17 points. They are now within two wins of clinching the title.
- Jim Smith is back at Oxford United, 21 years after leaving the League Two club. The 65 year-old Bald Eagle is appointed manager and will be a director after former youth team player Nick Merry completes a deal to buy-out chairman Firoz Kassam. Smith masterminded the most successful era in the Us’ history when he led them through two promotions to the old First Division. He has been out of football since his contract as Southampton’s assistant manager was not renewed in the summer, and replaces Darren Patterson who has been in charge for only three games. United are in 19th place but only four points above the relegation zone.
- In League Two, Northampton Town improve their promotion chances with a 1-0 win at Boston United. Gavin Johnson scores his first goal since moving to the Cobblers from the Pilgrims in the summer. Town move up to fourth.
- In the fall-out from last night’s 0-7 mauling by Liverpool, Birmingham City co-owner David Sullivan has no doubt were the blames lies: “The players need to look at themselves and stand up and be counted. Some people aren’t playing to their maximum potential. Whatever happens this season we’re going to bomb a lot of players out in the summer and bring in a lot of players that want to play for this club.” Sullivan backs manager Steve Bruce, at least for the immediate future: “At this stage of the season it’s foolhardy to make a change. Just because the club is going through a bad run, to make a knee-jerk reaction would be fool hardy.”
- The European Union formally accepts the deal with the Premier League over the future sale of broadcasting rights as they confirm they will allow all twenty Premiership clubs to sell their rights together. BSkyB’s monopoly has been ended as a single broadcaster will not be able to screen all the available games. The rights are to be sold in six packages. Premier League chief Richard Scudamore says “It is a good outcome for supporters, whether in the stadium or watching our broadcasts.” European competition commissioner Neelie Kroes adds: “The solution we have reached will benefit football fans while allowing the Premier League to maintain its timetable for the sale of its rights.”