Histon provided the biggest shock of the F.A Cup second round, knocking out League One Leeds United at the Glassworld Stadium.

The Blue Square Premier League leaders took the game to Leeds, in what must have been some what of a culture shock, given the club were playing in the Champions League merely seven years ago.

The home side took the lead in the first half through Matthew Langston’s header, and defiantly defended this to the final whistle as Leeds pushed in vain for the equaliser.

The game was followed by the third round draw, which, of course, sees the entrance of the Premiership and Championship clubs. Histon were rewarded with another home tie, this time they will be?playing Welsh outfit Swansea. Other highlights see Barrow taking on Middlesbrough at the Riverside, and the possibility of Blyth Spartans hosting Blackburn Rovers, if they overcome Bournemouth in a replay two weeks Tuesday. The full draw is as follows:

Portsmouth v Bristol City
Sheffield Wed v Fulham
Preston v Liverpool
Birmingham v Wolves
West Ham v Barnsley
Middlesbrough v Barrow
Hull City v Newcastle
Hartlepool v Stoke
Chelsea v Southend
Manchester City v Nottingham Forest
Cardiff v Reading
Ipswich v Chesterfield or Droylsden
Charlton v Norwich
West Brom v Peterborough or Tranmere
Torquay v Blackpool
Leyton Orient v Sheffield United
Southampton v Manchester United
Millwall v Crewe
Histon v Swansea
Forest Green Rovers v Derby
QPR v Burnley
Leicester v Crystal Palace
Tottenham v Wigan
Cheltenham v Doncaster
Arsenal v Plymouth
Notts County or Kettering v Eastwood Town
Bournemouth or Blyth Spartans v Blackburn
Macclesfield v Everton
Watford v Scunthorpe
Sunderland v Bolton
Coventry v Kidderminster
Gillingham or Stockport v Aston Villa

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Roy Keane marked his 100th game in charge of Sunderland with a crushing defeat at home to Bolton Wanderers.

The hosts had taken the lead through Djibril Cisse, but this was turned into a 4-1 reverse with Johan Elmander grabbing a brace, Matt Taylor and Gary Cahill getting in on the act also.

The defeat sees the Black Cats slip into the bottom three.

Elsewhere in the North East Middlesbrough and Newcastle played out a goalless draw, along with Aston Villa and Fulham in the West Midlands.

There was also points shared at the Britannia Stadium between Stoke and Hull City, whilst Wigan Athletic fortunately overcame West Brom at the JJB by two goals to one.

Top Of The Table Derby Ends In Draw

The big game in the Championship came at Molineux where Wolves entertained local rivals Birmingham City, in what was an entertaining affair.

The visitors probably had the best of the game and deservedly took the lead through Cameron Jerome. However Wolves levelled through Sylvan Ebanks Blake to ensure they stay six points clear at the top.

Blue Square Premier League side Barrow caused an upset as they dumped League Two Brentford out of the F.A cup and could have earned themselves a money spinning tie in the process.

Brentford’s chances of avoiding an upset were somewhat shortened when goalkeeper Ben Hamer was given his marching orders in the first half, conceding a penalty which David Brown converted.

Charlie MacDonald grabbed an equaliser for the visitors but Matt Henney scored the winner for Barrow which puts then into the third round hat.

By Alex Zielski

Portsmouth looked set for one of the most famous nights in the club’s history with ten minutes to go at Fratton Park.

The scene was set. Two goals up against Italian giants AC Milan in front of your own passionate supporters with just minutes left on the clock. However it wasn’t to be, as first, substitute Ronaldinhio struck home a thunderous free kick, and then a slight lapse in concentration allowed Fillipo Inzaghi to poke home from merely six yards deep into stoppage time.

It was a cruel way for any team to lose such a monumental game, but given the recent turbulence with the departure of Harry Redknapp, and reports of financial uncertainty under owner Alexsander Gaydenk, this was a pill which would have been particularly hard to swallow for all those connected with the South coast club.

Pompey got their dream lead just after the hour when Younes Kaboul headed in Glen Johnson’s cross just after the hour. The home side were then in dreamland when former Arsenal striker Kanu extended the lead, firing in from close range.

However it wasn’t to be as the Milan club produced a fine comeback to break the majority of the 20,000 spectator’s hearts.

The Uefa Cup saw better fortunes for Manchester City who produced an impressive win in Germany, defeating Schalke 04 by two goals to nil.

Stephen Ireland continued his fine run of form when he added to Benjani’s opener to put City on their way to victory.

Tottenham Hotspur also gained an inspiring away victory, winning 1-0 at NEC, Jamie O’Hara grabbing the only goal in the 14th minute.

By Alex Zielski

Frank Lampard was dismissed in France last night as Chelsea’s progress into the last 16 was put on standby.

The Londoner’s were made to defend from the off as Bordeaux forced some fine saves from Petr Cech, with Mathieu Chalme and Yonnan Gourcuff efforts being thwarted brilliantly.

It looked to be serviced resumed when Lampard put Nicolas Anelka clean through, who took full advantage, finishing exquistly over the onrushing Valverde.

However, the French side had other ideas as Alou Diarra was left unmarked from a corner to head home from six yards. This seemed to leave the visitors a little taken aback, and they were left to hang on even more when Lampard was given his marching orders with five minutes to go following a second caution. The Blues have now been leapfrogged by Roma who take top spot following a 3-1 victory against CFR Cluj-Napoca.

Liverpool’s fortunes contrasted those of their title rivals as they also faced French oposition in the form of Marseille.

A Steven Gerrard far post header from Xavi Alonso’s cross was enough to see them through to the knockout stages along with Atletico Madrid who saw off PSV Eindhoven by two goals two one.

The night also saw Barcelona and progress as they ran riot in Portugal, beating Sporting Lisbon by five goals to two, Thierry Henry and Lionel Messi amongst the scorers.

By Alex Zielski

Manchester United and Arsenal booked their places in the last sixteen of the Champions League while Celtic look set to loose out all together.

United secured their place by playing out a goalless draw against Villarreal in Spain. Meanwhile Arsenal did enough to overcome Dynamo Kiev at the Emirates in William Gallas’ first game since his public outburst. Nicklas Bendtner’s 87th minute strike was enough for Arsenal in a somewhat shaky performance.

Celtic were dealt a bitter blow in Denmark as they were downed by Aalborg. Gary Caldwell’s late own goal was the sucker punch as the hosts turned the game on its head, following Barry Robson’s opener. Caca pulled the Danish champions level with a long range effort in the 73rd minute, and the unfortunate Caldwell completed the turnaround with just three minutes to go.

Manchester United and Arseanl will be joined in the final 16 by Juventus and Real Madrid from Group H, and Lyon and Bayern Munich from Group F, as they all secured their passage with one game remaining.

By Alex Zielski

Chelsea reserve team coach Brendan Rodgers has been given the task of turning Watford’s season around, after being named replacement for the sacked Aidy Boothroyd.

It will be Rodgers first role as a manager, and Malkay Mackay, who was in temporary charge for the Hornets last four fixtures, including Saturday’s 3-0 triumph over QPR, will be kept on as a coach.

Before enhancing his management skills at Stamford Bridge, Rodgers was youth academy director at Championship rivals Reading.

He has replaced Aidy Boothroyd, who parted company with the club on the 3rd November. Rodgers will not be in charge until after tomorrow nights clash with Bristol City.

Toffees Crumble At JJB

An early second half strike from Henri Camara was enough to haul Wigan out of the relegation area at the JJB.

Wigan were marginally the better side in what was a dull affair, and Latics boss Steve Bruce believes his side didn’t perform anywhere near their best: “Sometimes football is a strange game. It was arguably one of our worst performances of the season. We have played a lot better and lost.”

By Alex Zielski

Tottenham finally moved out of the bottom three as they overcame ten man Blackburn at White Hart Lane.

Roman Pavlyuchenko scored the only goal of the game, striking home from?six yards after Aaron Lennon, who was effective throughout, ran through the Rovers backline.

It was indeed Lennon’s pace which saw the visitors face a numerical disadvantage, with Martin Olsson given two bookings for?successive fouls?on the tricky winger.

In today’s other Premiership game, it was another single goal affair as West Ham took all three points against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light,?Valon Behrami’s first English goal being the difference.

By Alex Zielski

Arsenal collapsed at the City of Manchester Stadium as Robinhio inspired an impressive City victory, as all of the top four failed to chalk up a victory.

The Gunners, without shamed captain William Gallas, were left reeling as Manchester City ripped through their defence to humble the visitors.

The home side burst into life after the break following an uneventful first period, with the only notebale piece of action bringing the opening goal from Stephen Ireland.

Brazilian ace Robinhio found himself in behind the Arsenal backline following a neat ball from Shaun Wright-Phillips. The forward showed his class as he delightfully lobbed the ball over the onrushing Manuel Almunia in what was an exquisite finish.

Substitute Daniel Sturridge compunded the Londeners misery, winning and converting a last minute penalty.

Elsewhere, there were goaless draws for Chelsea and Liverpool at home to Newcastle and Fulham respectively, and Manchester United were held to the same scoreline at Villa Park. Bolton Wanderers gained an impressive win at the Riveside Stadium, Johan Elmander crashing in the decisive winner, and Stoke City gained a 1-0 win over rivals West Brom at the Britannia Stadium.

Pardew Shown the Exit at The Valley

Alan Pardew has been sacked as manager of Charlton Athletic after they were comprehensively defeated at The Valley by Sheffield Untied.

Pardew, 52, took over the reigns from Les Reed in December 2006, but was unable to keep the club in the Premiership. After missing out on the Championship play offs last season, the south London club now find themselves in the relegation area after today’s crushing 5-2 home defeat, which proved to be the final nail in Pardew’s coffin.

Wolverhampton Wanderers restored their lead at the top of the Chamionship, seeing off Blackpool at Molineux, Chris Iwelumo grabbing a double.

Scunthorpe Out-Foxed in Top of the Table Clash

Leicester City moved back to the top of League One again, replacing Scunthorpe United in the process, who they beat by two goal to one at Glanford Park.

Andy King scored the winner in the 81st Minute, striking low from the edge of the 18 yard area to send the visitors home with maximum points.

Histon Top Of Blue Square Premier League

Histon won their seventh successive league game to move in top spot in what is becoming a competitive division, humbling Oxford United 5-2.

Mat Mitchell-King got the final Histon goal in the rout which slips Oxford to within three points of the drop.

By Alex Zielski

Arsenal captain William Gallas has criticised his Arsenal team mates, lambasting them for “not being brave enough” and also questioning the squad’s morale.

The 31 year old questioned the team’s self belief and also stated that an individual player was causing unrest within the dressing room.

The outburst comes at an untimely period for Gunners boss Arsene Wenger, who is already nursing several injuries in his squad who have had a run of unimpressive results of late.

Although Gallas would not name the individual who is apparently causing friction within the Emirates camp, he hinted at their age: “I’m thirty one, the player is six years younger than me.” There are currently three players aged 25, Robin Van Persie, Emmanuel Eboue and Bacary Sagna. Gallas continued: “We are not brave enough in battle. To be Champions you have to play big games every weekend and fight.”

Arsenal have yet to respond to the captain’s comments.

By Alex Zielski