Championship Play-Off places decided

Lennon strengthens Spurs CL charge

- On the final day of the Championship season, champions Reading create a new Football League record of 106 points in a season.
The Royals 2-1 win against Queens Park Rangers at the Madejski Stadium takes them past the 105 point record set by Sunderland in 1998-99 but just one goal short of the 100 goal barrier.
The winner comes from captain Graeme Murty’s penalty. It was his second goal in 280 appearances for the club and he had been the only regular Reading outfield player who had failed to score this season.
Jubilant manager Steve Coppell says: “You spend your life in football working for moments like this. What I will reflect on is collecting the trophy on the pitch in front of the home fans.”

- The Play Off places are decided - Watford will meet Crystal Palace and Preston North End face Leeds United. Watford finish their regular season with a goalless draw against Hull City at Vicarage Road while Palace lose 0-1 at promoted Sheffield United. North End win the dress rehearsal with Leeds 2-0 at Deepdale. Although they finished in sixth place, most bookies make Palace the favourites to reach the Premiership.

- Elsewhere in the Championship, Stoke City are the final day’s big winners as they trounce relegated Brighton & Hove Albion 5-1 at the Withdean. Youngster Adam Rooney (no relation, by the way) hits a hat-trick for the Potters.

- Tottenham Hotspur are almost certain to finish in fourth position in the Premiership after an Aaron Lennon goal clinches victory against Bolton Wanderers at White Hart Lane.
They now lead Arsenal by seven points and, should they finish in fourth, will play in the Champions League next season for the first time unless Arsenal beat Barcelona in next month’s Champions League Final. Interesting.
Meanwhile, Bolton boss Sam Allardyce reaffirms his interest in the England head coach vacancy.

Pompey Wigan win condemn Blues and Baggies

Swindon and Rushden go down

- As expected, Chelsea duly complete their second successive Premiership title success but the celebrations are overshadowed by an injury to Manchester United’s Wayne Rooney that could rule the England star out of the World Cup.
Chelsea ease to a 3-0 win against second-placed United at Stamford Bridge with goals from William Gallas, Joe Cole and Ricardo Carvalho as the Blues join United as the only clubs to retain Premiership titles.
After donning a Portugal scarf, manager Jose Mourinho uniquely celebrates by throwing his winners’ medal into the Stamford Bridge crowd. He says: “The medal was for everybody. We are the best team in the country and we really deserve this moment.”
However, the afternoon’s celebrations are dulled by the news that all England fans feared most.
With the game drawing towards a close, Wayne Rooney falls to the ground in agony following a totally an innocuous challenge with Paulo Ferreira.
He immediately clutches his right foot - the same foot he broke against Portugal in Euro 2004 - and it later emerges that it’s a return of the dreaded metatarsal injury.
Reports confirm he has fractured the base of the fourth metatarsal and, the day after Luiz Felipe Scolari rejects the England head coach job, England’s best player will be out for at least six weeks.
England play their first game in the World Cup against Paraguay six weeks today.

Portsmouth’s fantastic recent form continues as they come from behind to win 2-1 at Wigan Athletic and, as well as confirming their own survival, condemn Birmingham City and West Bromwich Albion to relegation.
For the second week in a row, Matthew Taylor calmly slots home a match winning penalty as Pompey take their points tally to 20 from their last nine games.
Manager Harry Redknapp, who masterminded the revival after his controversial return to Fratton Park in December, says: “People talk about great escapes but this has got to be one of the all-time great ones. I’m proud of what I’ve done here.”
A goalless draw with Newcastle United at St Andrews isn’t enough for Birmingham City as their Premiership status ends after four years.
It obviously casts doubt over the future of manager Steve Bruce but he wants the opportunity to bring Blues back: “It’s a big job for whoever it will be to try and lead us back and there’s a lot of work to do over the summer. I hope I can do that but now is not the appropriate time to talk about it.”
On a black day for West Midlands football, West Brom go down with out kicking a ball.

-

- Minutes before kick-off of their game with Blackburn Rovers at The Valley, it is announced that manager Alan Curbishley’s 15 year reign at Charlton Athletic will come to an end at the end of the season.
The third longest-serving boss in English football denies that his decision has anything to do with the vacant England head coach post: “I wasn’t going to extend my contract after my last year. Richard Murray [chairman] wanted people committed to the club and felt one year wasn’t enough commitment.
“I have done 15 years and wanted a break. I want to freshen up and not do anything for a little while.”
Despite an emotional farewell, Curbs’ last game at The Valley doesn’t have a fairytale ending as Rovers secure a comfortable 2-0 win.

- Elsewhere in the Premiership, Liverpool keep the pressure on Manchester United with a 3-1 against Aston Villa at Anfield, Everton win 1-0 at UEFA Cup finalists Middlesbrough while, at the last attempt, Fulham win away from home for the first time this season. Steed Malbranque grabs a last minute winner at Manchester City.

- In League One, with a 2-2 draw at Swansea City, Southend United secure their second successive promotion.
Colchester United need only one point from their final game to guarantee promotion to the second tier for the first time in their history after they beat strugglers Rotherham United 2-0 at Layer Road.
Third-placed Brentford are denied a vital win as relegation haunted Hartlepool United keep their slender hopes alive with a last minute equaliser at Griffin Park.
Milton Keynes Dons are still in danger after they lose 1-2 to Tranmere Rovers at the National Hockey Stadium with all three goals coming in added time at the end of the game.
It’s all too late for Swindon Town though as they become the first ex-Premiership team to be relegated to the basement division. The Robins draw 1-1 at Bristol City.

- In League Two, Northampton Town’s 1-0 win against Chester City at Sixfields confirms the Cobblers promotion. Scott McGleish nets the clincher.
Leyton Orient take over in third place after they beat Peterborough United at the Matchroom Stadium while Grimsby Town are held 1-1 at Macclesfield Town.
Lincoln City need only a point from their last game to reach the Play-Offs for the fourth season in a row after the Imps win 1-0 at Shrewsbury Town.
On the day Northampton go up, neighbours Rushden & Diamonds’ Football League existence comes to an end after five years with a 0-2 defeat at Boston United.
Torquay United’s great escape is almost complete as they sensationally win 2-1 at leaders and new manager Ian Atkins’ former club Carlisle United.
Jim Smith’s Oxford United drop in to the bottom two after a 1-1 draw at Wrexham so must win their final game (at home to promotion hopefuls Leyton Orient) to avoid a return to non-league football after 44 years.
Incredibly, should the Us win, six other club are still under threat of relegation on the last day.

- In Scotland, Cowdenbeath clinch their first title since 1939 as they secure the Third Division championship with a 2-1 win against Elgin City in front of a divisional season’s best crowd of 2,646 at Central Park.
The Blue Brazil receive the trophy from Chancellor of the Exchequer Gordon Brown.

FA slated after Big Phil’s rebuff

Sky retain rights

- Having seemingly been set to take charge after the summer, Luiz Felipe Scolari sensationally withdraws his interest in the England head coach post.
Speaking from Portugal’s hotel location for the World Cup in Germany, the Brazil World Cup winner blames media intrusion stating: “If that is part of another culture, it is not part of my culture.”
Other theories suggest he did not want the Football Association to release details of his intended appointment until his contract with Portugal ran out in July or he was using the situation to extend his deal with the Portuguese FA (PFF). Scolari later added: “I am committed to the Portuguese FA until the end of the World Cup and maybe longer.”
Gilberto Madail, the president of the PFF, comments: “After his decision today, he is very popular in Portugal and Portuguese people would be very happy to have him for another two years at least.”
Further speculation also suggests Scolari’s family had been subjected to death threats which were believed to have originated in Portugal.

- While the Football Association reflect on Luiz Felipe Scolari’s announcement, they come under a storm of criticism from the press.
Martin Lipton (The Mirror) blasts “the country which gave the planet its greatest game has made itself a global laughing stock.”
James Lawton (The Independent) states Scolari’s withdrawal has “left the administration of England’s international football in a state of staggering disrepair.”
Henry Winter (Daily Telegraph) compares the FA to “a naive English tourist led on and then let down by a heartless Latin temptress”.
Steven Howard (The Sun) describes the selection process as “a totally complete and predictable shambles”.
Matt Dickinson (The Times) believes the situation is in such disarray that he advises punters to “not put a penny yet on any of the candidates”.
Richard Williams (The Guardian) considers the FA’s plight as “their current panjandrums now look as punch-drunk and gormless as any of their predecessors. Their humiliation is total.”
Jeff Powell (Daily Mail) suggests “they will have to get down on their hands and knees and beg craven forgiveness of all the solid, decent, capable English - and in O’Neill’s case Northern Irish - managers they have insulted.”

- It is revealed that BSkyB has won three of six 23-games rights packages to broadcast Premier League games for three seasons starting in 2007-08.
No further details are released and a second round of bidding for the final three TV rights packages will take place in due course.
BSkyB will not be allowed to retain their exclusive coverage after the European Commission ruled that one broadcaster would only be allowed a maximum of five of the packages.
Setanta, NTL, BT Group, Channel 4, ESPN and ITV have also been named as possible bidders for the remaining packages.

- A consortium led by former vice-chairman Peter Gadsby complete their takeover of Derby County with the Rams’ ownership transferred from Jeremy Keith and Steve Harding.
Gadsby will succeed John Sleightholme as chairman after he resigned earlier this month.
The new owners have taken ownership of Pride Park back from the Panama-based ABC Corporation, which was used to finance the last takeover in October 2003.

- The Football Association reject appeals from West Ham and Liverpool for wrongful dismissal for Hayden Mullins and Luis Garcia who were sent off in the closing minutes of Wednesday’s Premiership game at Upton Park.
As part of their three-game suspension, the duo will now miss next month’s FA Cup Final.

Henry named writers’ Player of the Year

Scolari bid receives mixed reaction

- Three weeks after having to score four goals in an hour against FC Basel to stay in the UEFA Cup, amid amazing scenes at the Riverside, Middlesbrough do it again against Steau Bucuresti to reach their first-ever European final.
Trailing 0-1 from the first leg of their semi-final, Boro’s hopes looked forlorn after Steau scored twice in the opening half hour through Nicolae Dica and Dorin Goian.
As against Basel, the incredible fightback started in the 33rd minute - this time via Massimo Maccarone. Further goals from Mark Viduka (64) and Chris Riggott (73) levelled the aggregate scores but, again as against Basel, it was Maccarone who came up with an unforgettable last minute winner.
Having seemingly been overlooked as the new England head coach, the staggering victory was especially sweet for manager Steve McClaren: “It is incredible. It was down to character and attitude. I said that lightning couldn’t strike twice in the same place but it has done. Now let’s go one step further and win the final.”
Boro will now meet Sevilla in the final in Eindhoven on 10 May.
With Arsenal having reached the Champions League Final, two English clubs have reached the final of two European competitions for the first time since 1985.

- Thierry Henry becomes the first player to be named the Football Writers’ Association’s Footballer of the Year for a third time in the prestigious award’s 59 year history.
Arsenal’s captain won the FWA award in 2003 and 2004 while only Sir Stanley Matthews, Kenny Dalglish, John Barnes and Gary Lineker had won it twice.
Henry will receive his third award at the annual pre-FA Cup Final dinner at London’s Royal Lancaster Hotel on 11 May.

- With most reports accepting that Luiz Felipe Scolari’s appointment as England’s next head coach is now only a matter of when rather than if, the FA’s selection of another non-Englishman for the top job receives the anticipated mixed reaction:
Alan Ball (England World Cup winner): “I’m absolutely fed up by it all and it makes me lose all enthusiasm for football. It’s a very sad day.”
Stuart Pearce (Manchester City manager and former England player): “I am surprised it’s not an Englishman but whoever gets it will have my full support.”
David Gold (Birmingham City chairman): “No matter how brilliant a coach someone from abroad may be, it is a betrayal of Englishmen and England fans.”
Mark Perryman (Chairman of the England Supporters’ Association): “I think he’s the strongest candidate but I’m sad in the sense the strongest candidates right now aren’t English candidates.”
Don Howe (former England coach): “I thought we would be getting a British or Irish England coach - Martin O’Neill, Sam Allardyce, Alan Curbishley, Steve McClaren, I think all of those could have done the job.”
Howard Wilkinson (Chairman of the League Managers’ Association): “English coaches have followed the FA line. If this appointment is made, what the FA is saying is ‘We say one thing but we do another’.”
Andre Kfouri (Brazilian sports reporter): “He is a motivator. His players do whatever it takes to win when they are playing for him.”
Deco (current Portugal international): “Big Phil is a great coach but also a good psychologist. One of his great qualities is his interaction with the players.”
Mick Mills (former England captain): “I’m not against appointing Scolari. Many people are clammering for an English coach and if there was an obvious candidate, I would be too.”
Sir Tom Finney (Former England player and president of Preston North End): “It’s sad to see they’ve gone abroad for a manager when England taught the rest of the world how to play the game.”
Gary Lineker (former England striker and TV pundit): “Scolari has got a very good record - but that was with Brazil and Ronaldinho, so well done there - and I am surprised because he has got no connection with English football whatsoever.”

- The Scottish Premier League agrees a two-year extension to its live television deal with Setanta Sports.
The new deal, which is worth a record £54.5million over the next four years, runs until the end of season 2009-10.
Ahead of today’s deadline, Setanta - the ambitious Irish pay-TV broadcaster - have also been bidding for the new Premiership rights. It is thought the company will bid for two of the six 23-game packages and, if successful, start a new channel that will be available on Sky and cable.

- Chelsea have been fined an insignificant £10,000 by the Football Association and warned as to their future conduct for failing to control their players at West Bromwich Albion last month.
Chelsea also face a similar charge resulting from their 1-0 defeat by Fulham on 19 March.

It’s Barca for Arsenal

Two off in Cup Final rehearsal

- At the end of the day, news breaks that Football Association officials led by chief executive Brian Barwick have travelled to Lisbon today to offer the forthcoming vacant post of England head coach to Luiz Felipe Scolari.
Earlier in the day, Portuguese Football Federation chairman Gilberto Madail had said Scolari, who had denied being interviewed by the FA about becoming Sven-Goran Eriksson’s replacement, would not agree to become the next England boss before the World Cup.
Madail said Scolari will decide on his future only when his deal with the Portugal team ends at the end of July.
Portugal’s 57 year-old Brazilian coach guided Brazil to their World Cup Final success in 2002 and Portugal to the Final of Euro 2004. As Portugal coach, he could face England in the summer’s World Cup in Germany.
‘Big Phil’ is the coach responsible for knocking England out at the quarter-final stage of the past two major tournaments (Brazil in the 2002 World Cup quarter-finals and Portugal in Euro 2004).
At club level, Scolari is a double winner of the Copa Libertadores, the South American equivalent of the Champions League.
The approach to Scolari is met with dismay with those who believe England should be coached by an English coach. Middlesbrough’s Steve McClaren, a current member of England’s coaching staff, had been the odds-on favourite.

- Arsenal will meet Barcelona in the Final of the Champions League next month.
Although Barca are held to a goalless draw in the second leg of their semi final with AC Milan at the Nou Camp, they progress to their second Champions League Final on the back of last week’s 1-0 win in the San Siro.
Milan thought they had grabbed the all-important late equaliser but Andriy Shevchenko’s header was ruled out for offside.

- West Ham United’s Hayden Mullins and Liverpool’s Luis Garcia are both likely to miss the FA Cup Final after they are sent-off following a clash late in tonight’s dress rehearsal in the Premiership game at Upton Park. Garcia appeared to aim an elbow in Mullins’ back as the pair tussled for the ball eight minutes from time.
They face a three-match ban, which would include the Cup Final. Both clubs will appeal.
Liverpool win the game 2-1 to stay in touch with second-placed Manchester United. Djibril Cisse scores both the Reds’ goals.

- Grimsby Town midfielder Curtis Woodhouse is to leave the Mariners in the summer but, instead of searching for a new club, will swap football boots for a pair of boxing gloves as the former Sheffield United captain has decided to embark on a career as a professional boxer.
Curtis, who joined Grimsby from Hull City in January, has been given the required permission by the British Boxing Board of Control.
A one-time £1million signing by Birmingham City, the 26 year-old will be trained and managed by Dean Powell, who is connected to Frank Warren’s Sports Network group.

Zidane to retire

Everton’s Labone dies

- Imagine the scene. From the penalty spot with two minutes left, a dual between an Argentinean and a German stands between an English club and their greatest-ever achievement.
That was the scene in Spain tonight when Villarreal were awarded a late dubious penalty and, with the game still goalless, Arsenal retained their one-goal advantage from the first leg of their Champions League semi-final at Highbury.
Had Juan Roman Riquelme scored, Villarreal would have gone in to extra time with a significant initiative but Jens Lehmann dived to his left to save and make Arsenal the first London club to reach a European Cup Final.
As they failed to produce any of their trademark flowing football, the Gunners rode their luck and had other occasions to thank their confident keeper.
Arsenal have now extended their Champions League record of consecutive clean sheets to ten games. Lehmann hasn’t conceded for 745 playing minutes so breaking the record previously held by Edwin Van Der Sar when he was with Ajax.
It all means that Arsenal - the English club with a French accent - will meet Barcelona or AC Milan in next month’s final in Paris.

- Manchester City end a run of seven consecutive Premiership defeats while Aston Villa have won only one of their last nine games after former Villa striker Darius Vassell scores the only goal at Villa Park.
Villa are denied a point when a late Kevin Phillips goal is, apparently incorrectly, chalked off for offside.

- In League Two, the great escape is on for Torquay United. The Gulls 4-0 demolition of fellow strugglers Stockport County at Plainmoor is their third consecutive win under new manager Ian Atkins. They remain in the bottom two but only by a goal difference of one goal from Oxford United.
Like Stockport, Barnet are only two points better off after a 1-1 draw at Rochdale.

- France icon Zinedine Zidane will retire from football after the World Cup finals in Germany.
Signed him from Juventus for a world record £37million in 2001, the 33 year-old still has a year left on his contract at Real Madrid but has been dogged by injuries in recent months.
He told French television channel Canal+: “It’s my decision and it’s final. I have to listen to my body and I cannot carry on for another year. I think it is better to clarify the situation now.”

- Stalwart former Everton captain Brian Labone dies after collapsing outside his home in Maghull. He was 66.
He made 534 appearances in winning two Championship titles and an FA Cup winner’s medal with the Toffees.
Labone was recognised as one of the best central defenders of his generation to earn 26 caps for England, which included three of England’s four matches at the 1970 Word Cup in Mexico.
Everton chairman Bill Kenwright says: Kenwright said: “He was the noblest of them all. He epitomised all that was great about this club. Harry Catterick called him the last of the corinthians and there is no more fitting tribute than that. ‘Legend’ doesn’t even do him justice.”

Saddlers sack Broadhurst

Grandstand finish

- Despite an unimpressive display, Fulham ensure their Premiership safety with a fortunate 1-0 against Wigan Athletic at Craven Cottage.
Steed Malbranque scores the only goal just before to break but the Cottagers are indebted to a superb performance by keeper Antti Niemi.
Fulham boss Chris Coleman was more concerned with the result though: “If we were lucky to get three points, I couldn’t give a monkey’s. We’re at the point of the season where we need points. We were booed off at half-time and rightly so.”

- Relegated Walsall sack manager Kevan Broadhurst.
Saturday’s 3-1 defeat by Huddersfield Town at the Bescot Stadium confirmed their second relegation in three years. The Saddlers return to the basement division for the first time since 1995.
Broadhurst, who took over in February following the departure of Paul Merson, oversaw a crucial run of eight games without a win.
Veteran midfielder Mark Kinsella will take charge of the final two games of the season.

- BBC TV’s flagship Saturday afternoon sports programme Grandstand is to be axed after 48 years.
It is thought BBC executives believe Grandstand is associated with the past rather than the modern digital era.
The mass market of football supporters is also now more likely to follow Sky Sports’ cult football-dedicated Soccer Saturday programme.
Founding editor Sir Paul Fox agrees with the decision: “It comes from another era and I think it was high time that it came to an end, quite frankly.”
Grandstand, which was first screened on 11 October 1958, will be fazed out by 2009 but the popular Saturday lunchtime Football Focus programme is likely to continue in its present format.

- It is announced that Manchester United owner Malcolm Glazer has been released from hospital after suffering a stroke.
He was admitted to Cleveland Clinic in Florida on 16 April after suffering the attack and is still suffering from impaired speech and a lack of mobility in his right arm and leg.
A statement released by his son Joel reveals: “Doctors expect his condition to improve with rehabilitation.”
The 78-year-old American billionaire bought the club for £790million last summer.
United are quick to reassure supporters that Mr Glazer’s illness will have little effect on the day-to-day running of events at Old Trafford.

West Ham United reach the FA Cup Final

Steven Gerrard named PFA Player of the Year

Marlon Harewood scores the 78th minute winner as West Ham United beat Middlesbrough at Villa Park to reach the FA Cup Final.
The game was preceded by a tribute to John Lyall - the Hammers manager when they won the Cup in 1975 and 1980 who died earlier in the week.
Boro hold sway in the first half but, maybe as a result of the toils of their UEFA Cup semi in Bucharest on Thursday, West Ham assumed control before Harewood’s impressive strike.
It’s maybe an omen but, in the highlight of his playing career, current Hammers manager Alan Pardew scored the winner against Liverpool (who United now meet in next month’s Final) at Villa Park when Crystal Palace reached the FA Cup Final in 1990.
Fate could also have dealt a glorious hand for skipper Nigel Reo-Coker who is 22 on the day after the Final. He would become the youngest-ever FA Cup winning captain, breaking the record set in 1964 by West Ham icon Bobby Moore.
More bad news for Boro is that keeper Mark Schwarzer is set to miss the rest of the domestic season after fracturing his cheekbone. It is hoped he will be able to play for Australia in the World Cup finals though.

Steven Gerrard is named the PFA’s Player of the Year.
The Young Player of the Year in 2001 wins the senior award a day after skippering Liverpool to the FA Cup Final.
Wayne Rooney becomes the first player to win the Young Player of the Year award two years in a row since Robbie Fowler in 1996.
The Division Teams of the Year are:
Premiership
Shay Given (Newcastle), Pascal Chimbonda (Wigan), John Terry (Chelsea), Jamie Carragher (Liverpool), William Gallas (Chelsea), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), Joe Cole (Chelsea), Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United), Thierry Henry (Arsenal), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United).
Championship
Marcus Hahnemann (Reading), Gary Kelly (Leeds), Ibrahima Sonko (Reading), Joleon Lescott (Wolves), Nicky Shorey (Reading), Steve Sidwell (Reading), Ashley Young (Watford), Phil Jagielka (Sheffield United), Jason Koumas (Cardiff), Marlon King (Watford), Kevin Doyle (Reading)
League One
Darryl Flahavan (Southend), Greg Halford (Colchester), Sam Sodje (Brentford), Adam Barrett (Southend), Gareth Roberts (Tranmere), Neil Danns (Colchester), Andy Robinson (Swansea), Kevin Maher (Southend) Michael McIndoe (Doncaster), Lee Trundle (Swansea), Billy Sharp (Scunthorpe).
League Two
Joe Hart (Shrewsbury), Danny Senda (Wycombe), Roger Johnson (Wycombe), Gareth McAuley (Lincoln), Matthew Lockwood (Leyton Orient), Kevin Betsy (Wycombe), Josh Low (Northampton), Mark Jones (Wrexham), Ian Taylor (Northampton), Karl Hawley (Carlisle), Michael Reddy (Grimsby).

Wenger and Jol go eyeball to eyeball

Cumbrians go up as Saddlers go down

- In a thrilling FA Cup semi-final at Old Trafford, Liverpool end Chelsea’s hopes of completing their first-ever double.
Didier Drogba twice went close for the Premiership champions-elect before John Arne Riise’s free-kick put the Reds ahead.
Luis Garcia superb half-volley extended Liverpool’s lead on 53 minutes but Drogba headed in to set up an enthralling last 20 minutes.
Chelsea had a great opportunity to take the tie in to extra time but Joe Cole blazed an added-time chance over as a tiring Liverpool clung on for the win.
A memorable game ends on a sour note as managers Jose Mourinho and Rafa Benitez fail to shake hands.

- Amid a storm of controversy in the last North London derby to be played at Highbury, Tottenham Hotspur retain their grip on the fourth Champions League slot with a 1-1 draw against Arsenal.
In what is believed to be seemingly the first recorded case of contagious myopia, Spurs boss Martin Jol uses the classic Arsene Wenger line of “I did not see it” after the Gunners manager claims Spurs should have put the ball out of play when two Arsenal players were injured in the build up to Robbie Keane’s goal.
The duo literally go eyeball-to-eyeball on the touchline with Wenger later accusing the Spurs coaching staff: “Their first goal was a disgrace. They lie when they say they didn’t see it. I can’t believe they didn’t see it. Of course they lie.”
Arsenal salvage a point with a brilliant goal from substitute Thierry Henry.

- Matthew Taylor coolly converts what could be a £25million penalty as Portsmouth come from behind in the last 20 minutes to beat Sunderland 2-1 at Fratton Park.
After seemingly blowing their survival chances in a must-win game, Taylor strokes home the winner with only two minutes to go.
Pompey are now out of the bottom three and two points clear of Birmingham City despite Blues creditable goalless draw at Everton.
West Bromwich Albion manager Bryan Robson as good as concedes the Baggies are relegated after a listless 0-3 defeat at Newcastle United. Albion are now six points adrift of safety with only two games to go.
The St James’ Park game is preceded by the anticipated announcement that Alan Shearer’s playing career is over. The Geordie legend will not recover from a knee ligament injury before the end of the season.
In the Premiership’s other game of the day, Bolton Wanderers end their recent poor run of form with an emphatic 4-1 win against Charlton Athletic at the Reebok Stadium.

- With all issues now settled in the Championship, Watford take pole position in the Play-Off places with a 2-1 win at Queens Park Rangers. Leeds United win for the first time in nine outings with a 1-0 success against relegated Crewe Alexandra at Elland Road. Preston North End are held to a 1-1 draw at Hull City while Crystal Palace beat Southampton 2-1.

- In League One, leaders Southend United miss the opportunity to clinch promotion as Doncaster Rovers win 1-0 at Roots Hall.
The three chasing teams all win away, Colchester United 2-1 at AFC Bournemouth, Brentford 3-1 at Swindon Town and Huddersfield Town 3-1 at Walsall. The defeat condemns Walsall to their second relegation in three seasons.
Milton Keynes Don’s great escape act continues with a fourth consecutive victory. Their 2-1 win at Chesterfield leaves them just two points adrift of safety. Hartlepool United revive their survival hopes and end Nottingham Forest’s recent good run with a thrilling 3-2 win at Victoria Park.
Tranmere Rovers’ relegation fears re-surface as in-form Bristol City win 3-1 at Prenton Park.

- In League Two, Carlisle United confirm their second consecutive promotion as leading scorer Karl Hawley grabs a dramatic last minute equaliser at Mansfield Town.
Northampton Town remain in second place with a 3-0 win a relegation-threatened Oxford United and Leyton Orient stay fourth after a 1-1 draw at Lincoln City.
Torquay United move off the bottom with a 1-0 win against Wrexham at Plainmoor and are replaced by Rushden & Diamonds who lose 1-3 to Wycombe Wanderers at Nene Park.
Peterborough United caretaker manager Steve Bleasdale resigns an hour before the 3-2 win against Macclesfield Town as owner Barry Fry and coach Andy Legg take temporary charge at London Road. It is thought Bleasdale was unhappy at interference from a television programme being filmed at the club featuring Ron Atkinson. He commented: “I won’t have four or five people picking the team.”

Mariners move up

Liverpool win Youth Cup

- The Premier League will allow Glenn Roeder to continue as caretaker manager of Newcastle United until the end of the season.
The former Toon captain and West Ham United boss has been in temporary charge at St James’ Park since Graeme Souness’ dismissal in February.
Due to his lack of the appropriate coaching qualifications, it was thought that the Premier League would only allow him to remain in the post for a maximum of 12 weeks.
However, they reasoned: “The board felt that the circumstances involving the appointment of a new England head coach meant that the sensible course of action was to allow the club to extend Glenn Roeder’s term in charge for an additional two matches without sanction.”

- Grimsby Town move back into the top three in League Two with a 1-0 win against Play-Off contenders Cheltenham Town.
Gary Jones scores the only goal at Blundell Park, and it means that leaders Carlisle United still need a point to confirm their promotion.

- Liverpool win the FA Youth Cup for only the second time.
Despite losing 0-2 in the second leg of the final against Manchester City, the Reds hold on after winning the first leg 3-0 at Anfield.
They only previous occasion they’ve lifted the trophy was in 1996 when they beat West Ham United in the final.
Liverpool’s successful young line-up ten years ago included Jamie Carragher and Michael Owen while West Ham’s team included Rio Ferdinand and Frank Lampard.

- Swansea City’s Lee Trundle and Alan Tate receive police cautions for brandishing a flag with anti-Cardiff City obscenities following this month’s Football League Trophy Final.
Although the warning brings police involvement to an end, the duo’s actions are still subject to a Football Association of Wales inquiry.

- Holland announce a preliminary 33-man squad for the World Cup.
The most notable omissions are AC Milan’s Clarence Seedorf and Roy Makaay of Bayern Munich.
Coach Marco Van Basten has named eight English-based players in his squad, and he has until 15 May to name his final squad of 23 players.
The initial 33 are:
Goalkeepers: Patrick Lodewijks (Feyenoord), Edwin van der Sar (Manchester United), Maarten Stekelenburg (Ajax), Henk Timmer (AZ Alkmaar).
Defenders: Khalid Boulahrouz (HSV Hamburg), Wilfred Bouma (Aston Villa), Giovanni van Bronckhorst (Barcelona), Tim de Cler (AZ), Urby Emanuelson (Ajax), Kew Jaliens (AZ), Jan Kromkamp (Liverpool), Joris Mathijsen (AZ), André Ooijer (PSV), Barry Opdam (AZ), Ron Vlaar (Feyenoord).
Midfielders: George Boateng (Middlesbrough), Mark van Bommel (Barcelona), Phillip Cocu (PSV), Edgar Davids (Tottenham Hotspur), Nigel de Jong (HSV Hamburg), Denny Landzaat (AZ), Hedwiges Maduro (Ajax), Wesley Sneijder (Ajax), Rafael van der Vaart (HSV Hamburg).
Forwards: Ryan Babel (Ajax), Romeo Castelen (Feyenoord), Klaas-Jan Huntelaar (Ajax), Dirk Kuyt (Feyenoord), Martijn Meerdink (AZ), Ruud van Nistelrooy (Manchester United), Robin van Persie (Arsenal), Arjen Robben (Chelsea), Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink (PSV).