Caretaker boss Greg Abbott has been given the opportunity to take Carlisle United forward after accepting the position of manager.

Abbott has had a fruitful spell as caretaker, leading the Cumbrian side to three wins in his six games in charge.

The new Brunton Park boss has previously been in charge of Leeds United’s youth team, and is taking over from John Ward who left the club last month. United currently sit 17th in League One and will be looking to push on under the new leadership.

By Alex Zielski

Sunderland manager Roy Keane has quit the club following a string of disappointing results which has left the Black Cats in the bottom three of the Premier League.

There has been much speculation recently about the future of Keane. He has taken the decision to walk out on the Wearsiders having just had his century game at the helm in Saturday’s home mauling by Bolton Wanderers.

Keane, who is 37, took charge of the club in August 2006 with Sunderland sitting bottom of the Championship following now chairman Niall Quinn’s short spell in charge. Keane guided the Black Cats to promotion in his first season, winning the division when they pipped Birmingham City and Derby County to top spot.

The former Republic of Ireland international ensured Sunderland’s Premiership status last season when they finished 15th, three points clear of relegation. During his 27 months at the club, Keane has spent over ?60million on new players including a club record ?9million on goalkeeper Craig Gordon.

Chairman Niall Quinn couldn’t hide his disappointment at the decision: “Roy’s decision sums up his desire to always do what is best for the club, despite the club’s efforts to keep him. The board has reluctantly accepted his decision and wish him and his family well for the future.”

Portsmouth Crash Out Of Europe

Portsmouth were sent crashing out of Europe as they were defeated 3-2 by Wolfsburg in Germany.

Goals from Jermaine Defoe and Arnold Mvuemba gave the visitors a temporary 2-1 lead, but Wolfsburg stuck back through Christina Gentner. Zvjezdan Misimovic pounced on an error by David James in the 73rd minute to send the German’s through, and subsequently knock the South Coast side out.

By Alex Zielski

Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United took up the remaining places in the Carling Cup Semi Finals after beating Watford and Blackburn Rovers respectively.

Tottenham did it the hard way at Vicarage Road as they came from behind with goals from Roman Pavlyuchenko from the spot and Darren Bent after Tamas Priskin had given the Championship side a shock lead.

Manchester United made it through in a slightly more convincing manner as they disposed of struggling Blackburn Rovers at Old Trafford. Carlos Tevez terrorised Rovers throughout, grabbing four as the home side ended up 5-3 winners.

Elsewhere across Manchester, a much changed City were held to a goalless draw by Paris St Germain in the UEFA Cup. The result doesn’t affect the Blue side of the City’s progress however, as they had already booked their place in the final 32.

By Alex Zielski

Cristiano Ronaldo has been crowned European Footballer of the Year for 2008.

The Manchester United winger beat off competition from Barcelona’s Lionel Messi who finished in second and, another Premier League player, Fernando Torres, of North West rivals Liverpool who came third.

Ronaldo was influential for United as they won both the Premier League title and the Champions League, which climaxed with a thrilling win over Chelsea in the Final.

The Portuguese winger scored an amazing 42 goals in total, the majority of which came from midfiled including a couple of stunning free kicks, notably against Portsmouth at Old Trafford. He recently pledged his future to Old Trafford, admitting that he regretted his want away move to Real Madrid in the summer.

The twenty three year-old said: “Great emotion fills me but I cannot really describe it.”

By Alex Zielski

Liverpool moved to the top of the Premiership despite West Ham United holding on for a point at Anfield.

The Merseysiders had the chance to take advantage of Chelsea’s defeat to Arsenal yesterday and move three points clear at the top. However Gianfranco Zola’s side had other ideas as they defended solidly to gain a deserved point.

Rafael Benitez’s men had the better chances but Robert Green was equal to them all, pulling off fine saves from former Hammer Yossi Benayoun and Dirk Kuyt.

Although Liverpool moved to the top of the table following the goalless draw, the final whistle was met by a chorus of boos from the home faithful.

Royals Keep Heat On Top Two

Reading made sure that they kept Birmingham City and Wolverhampton Wanderers in sight as they brushed aside Coventry City at the Madejski Stadium.

The hosts had fallen behind following a superb Daniel Fox free kick, but soon turned the game on its head as Noel Hunt and Kalifa Cisse scored within five first half minutes. The home side ensured victory midway through the second period when Hunt stuck again after 62 minutes.

By Alex Zielski

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