After days of speculation, it has been confirmed by the Argentinean FA that Diego Maradona will become the new head coach of the national team.

Maradona, who is considered something of a God in his homeland, will take charge of the national side for the first time against Scotland at Hampden Park on Wednesday 19th November.

The former Napoli ace has already set his sights on his first assignments the new role, which includes heading to England for this weekend’s action. He said: “I will travel to England on Saturday to see Tevez and Mascherano. And in Scotland I will make my debut.”

The trip to Scotland will be Maradona’s first test as new boss, and he insists that Argentina will be going with the intention of a win: “We are going to play the game against Scotland with the best team we’ve got.”

By Alex Zielski

Italian giants AC Milan have confirmed the loan signing of David Beckham from MLS side LA Galaxy.

Beckham, 32, will move to the Serie A side in January on an initial three month loan deal, citing his desire to stay fit for future England call ups as the main reasoning behind the move.

Leeds United have denied they are in talks with Premiership side Hull City about a loan move for striker Dean Windass.Windass, who was influential in the Tigers promotion from the Championship last season, finds himself out of favour with Phil Brown’s high flyers. However Hull chairman Phil Duffen said: “It’s a complete non-story and definitely not happening.”

By Alex Zielski

Tottenham scored two goals in as many injury time minutes to grab a vital point as Harry Redknapp continued his unbeaten run as Spurs boss.

Arsenal looked to be cruising to victory going 4-2 up following a vicious Robin Van Persie strike. However, the visitors had other ideas, with Jermaine Jenas producing a fine run and superb curling finish. Two minutes later Almunia was unable to hold a stinging Luca Modric shot, which allowed Aaron Lennon to swallow up the rebound, sending the visiting supporters into raptures.

David Bentley had earlier opened the scoring with a superb 40 yard volley in what was a magnificent advertisement for the Premier League.

By Alex Zielski

Joey Barton went someway to restoring the Geordie faithfuls’ belief in him, striking from the penalty spot to help Joe Kinnear to his first win as Newcastle boss.

The Magpies looked to be cruising, taking a two goal lead into the break, but a fine strike from West Brom substitute Ishmael Miller ensured a nervy finish at St James’ Park.

Wolverhampton Wanderers leapfrogged Birmingham City to regain top spot, after an action packed night in the Championship.

Birmingham were unable to overcome managerless QPR, despite the hosts being reduced to 10 men following Mikele Leigertwood straight red.

Wolves took full advantage of their Midlands rivals slip up, as they overcame Swansea by two goals to one at Molineux, thanks to in form Sylvan Ebanks-Blake’s double.

By Alex Zielski

Adams Consulted Over Pompey Future

Kinnear Slams Barton Bashing

Ronaldo Rights his ‘Wrongs’

Ljungberg to Follow in Beckham’s US Footsteps

Wayne Rooney has escaped any possible punishment from the FA, after he clearly kissed the badge of his Manchester United shirt, during their bad tempered clash with former club Everton.

This is despite the fact that United boss Sir Alex Ferguson hauled the free-scoring forward off for ‘his own good’.

The F.A have confirmed that they are sticking with the decision made by referee Alan Wiley, after he had just booked the player for a foul on home side?s Mikel Arteta.

Portsmouth have revealed that they are in no hurry to find a replacement for Harry Redknapp and are keen to discuss the club?s future with stand in boss Tony Adams.

Adams, the former Arsenal defender, took charge of the Portsmouth side for their 1-1 home draw with Fulham yesterday.

Redknapp, who left the club in a shock move to the capital, and Tottenham Hotspur, is believed to have vouched for Adams, and Joe Jordan, to steer the Portsmouth ship forwards. Redknapp said: “Joe is very experienced, Tony is up-and-coming in the managerial game and works very hard. I don’t think either of them would do any harm, for sure.”

Newcastle United boss Joe Kinnear has come to the defence of midfielder Joey Barton after he was targeted by Sunderland fans during the fiery North-East derby on Saturday.

Barton, who is trying to turn around his bad-boy image, was pelted by bottles as he warmed up during the second half.

Kinnear said: “He had bottles thrown at him. It was bang out of order - we must keep this out of football.”

Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo has admitted that he was wrong in requesting a move away from Old Trafford in the summer.

The star of last season freely stated that he wanted away from United in favour of the glitz of Real Madrid. However, Ronaldo, who today won the world player of the year award, said to Spanish reporters: “Now I understand I made the best decision. I am with Manchester in body and soul.”

This statement has come just days after Real Madrid President Ramon Calderon confirmed that the Galatico would no longer be following up their interest in the Portuguese winger.

Freddie Ljungberg is the latest player to set his sights on the States after being heavily linked with MLS side Seattle Sounders.

The former Arsenal and West Ham United midfielder is rumoured to be in the process of agreeing personal terms in a deal which could net him $20m U.S Dollars a year.

By Alex Zielski

David Beckham, England’s third  most capped player is expected to join AC Milan in January on a six-month loan deal from Los Angeles Galazy.

Beckham who has also starred for Manchester United and Real Madrid in a glorious career will join the Italian giants during the break from the MLS season.

Beckham joins names like John Charles, Jimmy Greaves, Denis Law, Ian Rush, Graeme Souness and Paul Gascoigne in plying their trade on Italian shores.

Beckham needs one more cap to equal the outfield record for England currently held by Bobby Moore.

Real continue to dominate at Vicente Calderon

Villa scoring for fun as Valencia remain top

England internationals Wayne Rooney, Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard are among 11 Premier League players shortlisted for this year’s Ballon d’Or.

The trio are the only British representatives for the award alongside the likes of Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo - the clear favourite - and Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas.

France Football magazine yesterday revealed the condensed list of 30 contenders for their European golden ball award, with Portugal international winger Ronaldo the clear favourite to win the award on December 2 with Barca talisman Lionel Messi and 2007 winner Kaka (AC Milan) also in contention.

Gonzalo Higuain’s last-gasp penalty broke Atletico Madrid hearts as Real continued their impressive unbeaten streak at the Vicente Calderon by winning a fiery derby 2-1.

Real, who have not lost a league game in their neighbours’ back yard since the 1998/99 season, took a first-minute lead through Ruud van Nistelrooy but Simao Sabrosa’s 89th-minute free-kick looked to have saved Atletico.

David Villa made it eight goals from seven games with a brace in Valencia’s 4-0 hammering of promoted Numancia, that put them clear at the top of the Primera Liga on Sunday.

The Spain striker, who has also bagged five for the European champions in World Cup qualifying, netted after only five minutes at the Mestalla.

Barnsley Striker Reuben Noble-Lazarus aged 15 years and 45 days became the Football League’s youngest player when he came on in the 84th minute of Barnsley’s 3-0 defeat at Portman Road last night.

Noble-Lazarus beat the record which was held by Bradford Park Avenue’s Albert Geldard in 1929 and equalled by Wrexham’s Ken Roberts in 1951, both were 15 years and 158 days.

In the last 20 years, Millwall’s Moses Ashikodi was the youngest player to make his Football League debut. He played in 2003, aged 15 years and 240 days.

Matthew Etherington, now with Premier League side West Ham, was 15 years and 262 days when he appeared for Peterborough in 1997.

The youngest player to ever appear in a first-class game was Eammon Collins who appeared for Blackpool in the Anglo-Scottish Cup against Kilmarnock on the 9th September 1980 at the tender age of 14 years and 323 days.

Dimitar Berbatov’s first two goals for Manchester United helped secure a 3-0 win over AaB Aalborg in Champions League Group E on Tuesday.

The Bulgarian striker pounced twice in the second half after Wayne Rooney had put the holders ahead in the 22nd minute to give United their first win of the campaign.

United were hit by an injury blow to Paul Scholes who is likely to be sidelined for 10 weeks with knee ligament damage.

Villarreal are level at the top of the group with United on four points after a 1-0 win at home to Celtic with a second half goal from midfielder Marcos Senna. Celtic and Aalborg have a point apiece.

Juventus had to come from two goals down in Minsk with BATE holding on for their first-ever Champions League point. Vincenzo Iaquinta scored both Juve goals after the Belarus side went two up in 23 minutes through Sergei Kryvets and Igor Stasevich.

In the other Group H match, Real Madrid kept their 100 percent record intact with a 2-1 win at UEFA Cup holders Zenit St Petersburg, Ruud van Nistelrooy netting the 31st-minute winner.

Real, who went ahead with a fourth-minute own goal by Tomas Hubocan, the second fastest own-goal ever in the Champions League behind Scott Minto’s for Benfica, before Portugal’s Danny equalised, lead the group on six points after two games. Juventus are second with four points, BATE have one and Zenit none.

Arsenal crushed Porto 4-0 in Group G with a double strikes from Robin Van Persie and Emmanuel Adebayor. The other group match between Fenerbahce and Dynamo Kiev ended scoreless.

Arsenal have four points from two games, one point more than Porto. Dynamo have two points and Fenerbahce one.

Bayern Munich top Group F despite being held 1-1 at home by Olympique Lyon. The French side took the lead when Bayern’s Martin Demichelis headed into his own net in the 25th minute, but the German champions claimed a crucial point when Ze Roberto headed home after the break.

Bayern have four points with Lyon and Fiorentina, held 0-0 at home by Steaua Bucharest, two points behind. The Romanians have one point.