Wednesday face fine

Showunmi returns to Ashton Gate

Tudgay out for season

Rovers beat Albion

UEFA drop Celtic probe

Baldini resigns

Azeri appoint Vogts

Reading have awarded club captain Graeme Murty with a testimonial as he enters his tenth year with the club. The right-back joined from York City in 1998. Royals chairman John Madejski said: “Graeme Murty has been a model professional throughout his 10 years and nearly 350 appearances at Reading and we are delighted to grant him a testimonial. It has been very gratifying to see how he has developed as both a player and a person as we have advanced through the divisions. We have shared some wonderful times together and he is fully deserving of this testimonial.”

Sheffield Wednesday could face a fine from the Football League after naming six loan players - breaking the permitted limit of five - in their squad for the 1-1 draw with Stoke City at Hillsborough on Saturday.  Leeds United committed the same error last season and were fined £2,000. Loan players Franck Songo’o, Graham Kavanagh, Ben Sahar and Enoch Showunmi all played against Stoke, whilst Bartosz Slusarski and Adam Bolder were unused substitutes.

Meanwhile, Enoch Showunmi has left Hillsborough after a two-month loan spell and returned to Bristol City. The 25-year-old had the option of extending his loan spell by a further month but declined after Wednesday boss Brian Laws named him as a substitute in recent games.  

In addition, Sheffield Wednesday’s 25-year-old striker Marcus Tudgay is set to miss the rest of the season with a knee injury.

In the Blue Square Premier, Forest Green Rovers beat Burton Albion 3-1 at The New Lawn.

UEFA have dropped its investigation into alleged sectarian chanting by Celtic supporters before, during and after the Champions League clash with Barcelona at the Nou Camp. A UEFA spokesman said: “We’ve had a look into that, but no disciplinary case will be opened. There was not enough evidence.”

Catania coach Silvio Baldini has resigned from his position with the Serie A strugglers.

Former Germany and Scotland manager Berti Vogts has been appointed as the new coach of Azerbaijan.

Nathan Davies

Premier League round-up

MK Dons lift trophy

Ricardo Carvalho scored the only goal of the game after six minutes as Chelsea beat Middlesbrough at Stamford Bridge. The result means Chelsea leapfrog Arsenal into second spot in the Premier League table - five points behind league leaders Manchester United. 

Liverpool beat Everton 1-0 at Anfield courtesy of a Fernando Torres goal after just seven minutes.  The result puts Liverpool five points clear of their Merseyside rivals in fourth place with just six games of the season remaining.

Newcastle United came from behind to beat Tottenham Hotspur 1-4 at White Hart Lane. Darren Bent gave the home side a 26th minute lead but Nicky Butt equalised for the Magpies on the stroke of half-time. The second period saw goals from Geremi (52), Michael Owen (65) and Obafemi Marins (83) give Kevin Keegan’s men their first back-to-back victories since December.

Milton Keynes Dons lifted the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy after beating Grimsby Town 2-0 at Wembley. The Mariners were awarded a first half penalty but Danny Boshell’s effort was saved by Dons goalkeeper Willy Gueret. In the second period Paul Ince’s men were awarded a controversial penalty, which was duly converted by Keith Andrews (74) and seven minutes later Sean O’Hanlon made sure of the victory.

Nathan Davies

Premier League round-up

SPL review

Berwick relegated 

Manchester United put on an awesome display as they crushed Aston Villa 4-0 at Old Trafford. Cristiano Ronaldo opened the scoring with an astonishing back heel on 17 minutes before Carlos Tevez netted after 33 minutes.  Wayne Rooney completed a truly pulsating United performance with a second-half double. The Red Devils are now six points clear at the top of the Premier League.

Arsenal remain in the title race after a dramatic 2-3 win against Bolton Wanderers at the Reebok Stadium. Matthew Taylor gave the home side a 14th minute lead before Arsenal’s Abou Diaby saw red after a horror challenge on Gretar Steinsson on the half hour. Matthew Taylor grabbed his second before the break to put the home side firmly in control. However, the second-half saw William Gallas pull one back, Robin Van Persie equalise from the spot and the Gunners completed their remarkable comeback with a last-minute own-goal from Jlloyd Samuel.

Derby County have been relegated to the Championship after drawing 2-2 with second from bottom Fulham at Pride Park - a result that leaves Roy Hodgson’s men  in trouble as well. Beleaguered Rams boss Paul Jewell said: “It has been a long hard season, a terrible season and a very difficult time. Now that relegation has been confirmed there is only one thing that matters and that is the start of next season. I’ve seen what a fantastic club this is - with the right players and the right mentality we can move forward.” County have only won once all season and still need five points to avoid recording the worst points tally in Premier League history. Sunderland claimed this unwanted record when they managed just 15 points in the 2005-2006 campaign.

Jermain Defoe scored twice as Portsmouth beat Wigan Athletic 2-0 at Fratton Park to maintain their chase for fifth-place and ensure Wigan still have one eye on the relegation zone, Andy Reid scored deep into injury-time as Sunderland beat West Ham United 2-1 at the Stadium of Light to  earn Sunderland back-to-back Premier League victories for the first time since December 2001 and 10-man Birmingham City beat Manchester City 3-1 at St Andrews to move four points clear of the drop zone.

There was stalemate at the Madjeski Stadium between 10-man Reading and Blackburn Rovers. Marek Matejovsky was sent off for Reading on 72 minutes after picking up his second yellow card of the game.  

Kevin Thompson scored on the stroke of half-time as Rangers beat Celtic 1-0 at Ibrox to move six points clear at the top of the Scottish Premier League. Elsewhere, Gretna were relegated after a 2-0 defeat at St Mirren, Aberdeen edged a thrilling Highland derby against 10-man Inverness Caledonian Thistle 3-4 at Caledonian Stadium, Falkirk and Kilmarnock played out a goalless draw at the Falkirk Stadium while both Heart of Midlothian and Motherwell recorded 1-0 home wins over Dundee United and Hibernian respectively.

Berwick Rangers were relegated from the Scottish Second Division after a 2-2 draw with Peterhead at Shielfield Park.  

Nathan Davies

League One round-up

Bernabeu to host 2010 final

Cahill out for season

Liverpool co-owner reveals split

Fletcher injury blow

Celtic fans under investigation

In League One this evening, third-placed Doncaster Rovers beat fourth-placed Nottingham Forest 1-0 at the Keepmoat Stadium with the only goal of the game coming from Gareth Roberts on 73 minutes. Meanwhile, Tranmere Rovers beat Swindon Town 2-1 at Prenton Park.

Real Madrid’s Bernabeu Stadium will host the 2010 Champions League final with Wembley missing out on the honour  after failing to provide assurances that players competing in the final would not be taxed by the British government. Meanwhile, Arsenal lost out to Hamburg for the 2010 UEFA Cup final.

Everton midfielder Tim Cahill has been ruled out of the rest of the season with a broken metatarsal.

Liverpool co-owner George Gillett has admitted that his relationship with partner Tom Hicks has broken down. According to reports, Hicks is aiming to take sole control of the club, while investment group Dubai International Capital also want to invest. Gillett said: “This partnership has been unworkable for some time,” before going on to add that selling his share of the club to Hicks is now “an untenable alternative”.

Manchester United will be without 24-year-old midfielder Darren Fletcher for six weeks with a knee ligament injury picked up while playing for Scotland against Croatia in midweek.

UEFA is to study video allegedly showing Celtic supporters singing sectarian songs outside and inside the Nou Camp, Barcelona as the teams clashed in the Champions League last-16 match on March 4. A UEFA spokesman said:  “We received some footage showing Celtic supporters singing some alleged anti-Queen and pro-IRA songs - sectarian songs. If the investigation is conclusive, a disciplinary case would be opened.”

Nathan Davies

Sagna out for three weeks

Mascherano deadline extended

Deadline day loan moves 

Arsenal defender Bacary Sagna will be sidelined for at least three weeks with an ankle injury suffered during the 1-2 defeat to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge last weekend. The 25-year-old opened the scoring but then limped off in the 72nd minute.

The Football Association has given Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano an extra 24 hours - giving him until 6pm on Friday - to respond to his improper conduct charge as he has been on international duty with Argentina. The charge was made as a result of his reaction towards referee Steve Bennett following his sending-off against Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday.

It was a busy day of loan moves as the Football League’s emergency loan deadline passed. Here are some of the highlights: 

Charlton Athletic have extended the loan of 23-year-old Reading striker Leroy Lita until the end of the season.

Coventry City have signed 19-year-old West Ham United striker Zavon Hines on loan until the end of the season while three players left the Ricoh Arena. Colin Hawkins joined Chesterfield, Wayne Andrews moved to Bristol Rovers and Donovan Simmonds joined Gillingham all until the season’s end. 

Crystal Palace have signed 19-year-old Chelsea forward Scott Sinclair on loan until the end of the season. The Eagles also swooped to sign West Ham United’s Kyel Reid, 20, and Fulham player Nathan Ashton, 21, on loan until the end of the season.

Southampton have signed 34-year-old Luton Town defender Chris Perry on loan until the end of the season.

Stoke City have signed 26-year-old Shola Ameobi on loan from Newcastle United until the end of the season. 

West Bromwich Albion have recalled Neil Clement from his loan spell with Championship promotion rivals Hull City after exercising an option to bring him back after the first 28 days.

Swansea City have signed 23-year-old Stockport County defender Ashley Williams on loan until the end of the season.

Shrewsbury Town have signed Manchester United youngster Michael Barnes on a month’s loan deal.

Wycombe Wanderers have signed 27-year-old Delroy Facey on loan from Gillinham until the end of the season.

Hibernian midfielder Ian Murray has signed an agreement to extend his stay at Easter Road until 2010.

Nathan Davies

International round-up

Under-21 review

FA charge Mascherano

Counago red card upheld

Gretna release 22 players

All four ‘home’ nations played international friendlies this evening. David Beckham won his 100th England cap but could not prevent Fabio Capello’s men from losing 0-1 to France in Paris. Franck Ribery scored the only goal of the game from the penalty spot on 32 minutes after England goalkeeper David James brought down Nicolas Anelka in the area.

George Burley’s first game as Scotland boss ended in a 1-1 draw against Croatia at Hampden. Niko Kranjcar scored for the visitors after 10 minutes but a Kenny Miller strike on the half-hour mark restored parity. 

Freddy Eastwood scored either side of half-time as Wales beat Luxembourg 0-2 at the Stade Josy Barthel.

UEFA president Michel Platini presented Northern Ireland striker David Healy with an award for scoring a record 13 goals during the Euro 2008 qualifiers. Healy received the award before the friendly against Georgia at Windsor Park. Healy was on the scoresheet again along with a double from Kyle Lafferty and a first NI goal for Linfield forward Peter Thompson as Nigel Worthington’s men ran out 4-1 winners.

At Under-21 level, Wales won 1-2 in Bosnia-Herzegovina to record a fifth-straight European Championship qualifying victory. Bosnia took the lead on 58 minutes through Boubacar Dialida Diabang but late goals from Simon Church (86) and Ched Evans (88) mean Wales need just one win from their last two games to finish top of their group. Scotland Under-21’s are second in their European Championship qualifying group after beating previously unbeaten goup leaders Finland 2-1 at Pittodrie. Ten group winners and the four best runners-up will advance to play-offs, with seven teams progressing to join hosts Sweden at the 2009 event.

Northern Ireland Under-21s lost 1-3 to Romania in a friendly match at Ballymena Showgrounds.

Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano has been charged with improper conduct by the Football Association following his reaction to being dismissed by referee Steve Bennett in the 3-0 defeat by Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday. Mascherano was shown a second yellow card for questioning Bennett’s decision to book team-mate Fernando Torres and had to be restrained by fellow players and manager Rafa Benitez.  

The Football Association have upheld the red card shown to Ipswich Town striker Pablo Counago during their 1-2 victory against Scunthorpe United at Glanford Park on Saturday. Counago was given his marching orders after a clash with Jack Cork and was accused of spitting in Andy Butler’s face. The Spaniard will now serve a three-match suspension, starting immediately.

Cash-strapped Gretna have released a total of 22 players. Senior players David Bingham, Mark Birch, Mickael Buscher, Aurélien Collin, Chris Innes, Henry Makinwa, David Mathieson, Erik Paartalu and Michael Tait have all been made redundent. Youth players Mario Campagna, Jake Cunningham, Liam Cusack, Grant Easton, Nicholas Faulds, Conor Grant, Joseph Hughes, Callum McKinlay, Christopher Moffet, Jack Pattison, Alex Redfern, Ryan O’Hara and Daniel Smee have also been let go. A club statement read: “Due to the financial circumstances of the football club, we are no longer in a position to continue with the youth programme and community activities and have had to make several cutbacks accordingly. We regret that we have had to take this action but feel we need to dedicate all our resources into the first team unless there is a change in circumstances. We would like to thank everyone for their services and wish them every success in the future.”

Nathan Davies

Beckham to win 100th cap 

England held at Molineux

Edman injury blow 

Rangers land kit deal

Lundekvam to retire

Keeper joins Forest

Stags appoint Holland 

Gretna release Yantorno

Scottish League round-up

Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has been named England captain to face France in tomorrow’s friendly in Paris. A statement from the FA said: “Fabio Capello has confirmed that Rio Ferdinand will captain England against France in Paris. Capello has confirmed this continues his policy of rotating the captaincy between players in the friendly matches before confirming a permanent captain for the World Cup qualifying games.”

Fabio Capello has also revealed that David Beckham will feature at some stage in tomorrow’s friendly and win his 100th England cap.

England Under-21’s were held to a goalless draw by their Polish counterparts at Molineux.  

Wigan Athletic defender Erik Edman faces up to six months on the sidelines after rupturing the cruciate ligament in his left knee during his side’s 3-1 defeat against Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park last Saturday. 

Queens Park Rangers have sealed a five-year kit sponsorship deal with Lotto Italia that will be worth up to £20m if they win promotion to the Premier League. The contract will begin at the start of next season.

Southampton club captain Claus Lundekvam has announced his retirement from professional football due to an ankle injury.

Nottingham Forest have signed 29-year-old Coventry City goalkeeper Dimitrios Konstantopoulos on loan until the end of the season.

Mansfield Town have named 34-year-old Paul Holland as their new manager until the end of the season. Holland has been in caretaker charge of the club since Billy Dearden’s departure earlier this month.

Rotherham United players have been asked by the club’s administrator to take a wage deferral in order to allow the cash-strapped club to continue trading. The deal still has to be agreed by the Professional Footballers’ Association.

Gretna have released injured Uruguayan Fabian Yantorno because they cannot afford to pay for his rehabilitation. The 25-year-old suffered a knee ligament injury against Falkirk on January 19. Gretna caretaker boss Mick Wadsworth said: “Fabian needs specialist rehabilitation, which we can’t provide. It was his and his agent’s wish that he could be released so he could go elsewhere for treatment.” Meanwhile, 22-year-old defender Aurelien Collin and 21-year-old striker Mickael Buscher, who have also asked to leave the club and will ask FIFA for special dispensation to join new clubs despite the closure of the transfer window.

In the Scottish First Division, struggling Clyde beat St Johnstone 1-2 at McDiarmid Park while Kevin Harper netted a hat-trick as Dunfermline Athletic won 2-3 at Stirling Albion.

In the Third Division, East Stirlingshire and Dumbarton drew 1-1  at Firs Park.   

Nathan Davies

Football League round-up

Henry and Vieira pull out

Scotland squad depleted

Scots to face Northern Ireland

Coventry to release eight  

Swansea City’s lead at the top of League One has been cut to five points after Bristol Rovers held the South Wales’ side to a 2-2 draw at the Liberty Stadium. Ricky Lambert and Craig Disley put the Pirates in control at the break but a second-half brace from Jason Scotland salvaged a point for the home side. Carlisle United are second after a 14th successive home victory. On this occasion they beat Northampton Town 2-0. Third placed Doncaster Rovers were held to a 1-1 draw by Oldham Athletic at the Keepmoat Stadium while Nottingham Forest and Brighton & Hove Albion cancelled each other out at the City Ground.

Milton Keynes Dons and Peterborough United remain level on points at the top of League Two after both winning. Substitute Mark Wright scored the only goal of the game as MK Dons won on the road at Accrington Stanley while Peterborough made home advantage count as they ground out a 1-0 win over Chester City at London Road. Chester’s Tony Dinning was sent off two minutes from time for a second bookable offence after he clashed with goalscorer Dean Keates. Third-placed Hereford United slumped to a 1-2 defeat against 10-man Lincoln City at Sincil Bank. Darlington are now only one point behind the Bulls in fourth place after they came from behind to salvage a 2-2 home draw with Morecambe. The Two clubs in the relegation zone - Wrexham and Mansfield Town - are both tied on 33 points and stranded seven points from safety after another afternoon without winning. Wrexham and Dagenham & Redbridge played out a goalless draw at the Racecourse and Bury beat Mansfield 2-0 at Gigg Lane. 

Thierry Henry and Patrick Vieira have pulled out of the France squad to face England on Wednesday.

The Scotland squad to face Croatia on Wednesday had been decimated after Rangers quartet Barry Ferguson (ankle), Lee McCulloch (thigh), Allan McGregor (unknown) and Christian Dailly (broken toe) all pulled out of the Hampden friendly. Celtic’s Barry Robson and Derby County’s Stephen Pearson have also withdrawn. Cardiff City’s Gavin Rae has been brought in to replace injured Birmingham City striker James McFadden. Due to Barry Ferguson’s absence Celtic’s Stephen McManus will captain the side.  

Scotland and Northern Ireland will meet in a friendly match at Hampden Park on August 20.

Coventry City will release eight out-of-contract players at the end of the season. Arjan de Zeeuw, Michael Hughes, Colin Hawkins, Stuart Giddings, Ellery Cairo, Wayne Andrews, Lee Hildreth and Liam Davis will all leave the Ricoh Arena but Marcus Hall, Stephen Hughes, Danny Ireland and Andy Marshall will all be offered new deals. 

Nathan Davies

Chelsea up to second

Celtic beat Gretna

Free tickets for Gers fans

Green called up for England

Northern Ireland hit by withdrawals  

Manchester United are in pole position to reclaim the Premier League title after a 3-0 victory over 10-man Liverpool at Old Trafford. Wes Brown gave United the lead on 34 minutes before Javier Mascherano was sent-off for dissent on the stroke of half-time by referee Steve Bennett. After the break, Cristiano Ronaldo (79) and Nani (81) sealed the points.

At Stamford Bridge, Chelsea came from behind to beat Arsenal 2-1 and leapfrog the Gunners into second place. Bacary Sagna gave the visitors the lead on 59 minutes but a double from Didier Drogba (73 & 82) won the day for Chelsea while inflicting only a second league defeat of the season on Arsenal.

All this now means Manchester United are five points clear of Chelsea in the Premier League table and six ahead of Arsenal with a vastly superior goal difference than their rivals.

In the Scottish Premier League, Celtic beat Gretna 0-3 at Almondvale with Scott McDonald (42), Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink (70) and Georgios Samaras (88) were all on the scoresheet. Gordon Strachan’s men are now three points behind league leaders Rangers having played a game more.

Rangers have purchased the club’s entire ticket allocation for the away leg of the UEFA Cup clash with Sporting Lisbon and will give them out free to 2,500 travelling fans based on their previous travel history. Chief executive Martin Bain said: “This gesture is a big thank you to our supporters who have shown extraordinary commitment this season.” The club also announced a freeze in season ticket costs and a reduction for juvenile season tickets.

West Ham United goalkeeper Robert Green has been called into the England squad for Wednesday’s friendly in France as a replacement for Wigan Athletic’s Chris Kirkland who picked up a back injury against Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park yesterday.

Northern Ireland have been hit by four withdrawals from their squad ahead of Wednesday night’s friendly game at Windsor Park against Georgia. West Bromwich Albion winger Chris Brunt has a hamstring injury, Derby County goalkeeper Roy Carroll has suffered a recurrence of a groin strain, Scunthorpe United striker Martin Paterson is in hospital with gastroenteritis and Sammy Clingan is on club duty with Nottingham Forest. Leicester City’s Gareth McAuley and Burnley’s Kyle Lafferty are doubts. 

Nathan Davies

Premier League round-up

Capello cuts squad

With the top four all in action tomorrow, the Premier League focus was on the battle to avoid relegation. It was a particularly good afternoon for the three North East clubs as Newcastle United, Sunderland and Middlesbrough all won. Kevin Keegan won his first match since his return to Tyneside as the Magpies beat Fulham 2-0 at St James’ Park thanks to goals from Mark Viduka (6) and Michael Owen (83). Newcastle are now six points clear of the relegation zone but Fulham are now four points adrift of safety with seven games left.

Sunderland recorded their first away win of the league season at Villa Park while also seriously damaging Aston Villa’s hopes of European qualification. Michael Chopra scored the only goal of the game on 83 minutes.

Middlesbrough chalked up a 1-0 victory at the Riverside Stadium over bottom club Derby County. Tuncay’s 32nd minute effort was the difference between the sides.

There was a relegation six-pointer at the Madjeski Stadium where Reading edged past Birmingham City 2-1. A header from Andre Bikey gave the hosts a half-time lead but Mauro Zarate equalised for the Blues on 64 minutes. Eleven minutes from time Bikey was again on target with his head to leave Alex McLeish’s men hovering just one point above the relegation zone in 17th.

Bolton Wanderers remain in the bottom three after playing out a goalless draw with Manchester City at the Reebok Stadium.

Everton’s charge towards a Champions League place faltered as they were held to a 1-1 draw by West Ham United at Goodison Park while both Blackburn Rovers and Wigan Athletic had a man sent-off as Rovers earned a 3-1 win at Ewood Park.

At White Hart Lane, substitutes Darren Bent (80) and Jamie O’Hara (82) scored as Tottenham Hotspur beat Portsmouth 2-0

In the Scottish Premier League,  Rangers moved six points clear at the top of the table after beating Hibernian 2-1 at Ibrox. At Tannadice, Dundee United beat Motherwell 2-0, Kilmarnock came from behind to beat Inverness Caledonian Thistle 4-1 at Rugby Park, Aberdeen were held to a 1-1 draw by 10-man St Mirren at Pittodrie and there was stalemate at Tynecastle where Heart of Midlothian met Falkirk.

England coach Fabio Capello has reduced his squad from 30 to 23 for Wednesday’s friendly in France and recalled Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Paul Robinson to replace the injured Aston Villa shot stopper Scott Carson. West Ham United defender Matthew Upson also misses out through injury while Gabriel Agbonlahor, Ashley Young, Shaun Wright-Phillips, David Wheater and Jermain Defoe are cut from the squad.

Nathan Davies