The under-18s embark on their FA Youth Cup campaign in Leeds with some words of wisdom from the club's vice-captain, who won the tournament in 1996 after victory over a West Ham side including Frank Lampard and Rio Ferdinand.

After the hearing, Gordon, said: & 8220;To me, it would have been a disgrace if I had been banned for this one thing, especially when there have been people who have been on the pitch at games like Newcastle versus Tottenham and Celtic who have not b....

Yes, Hull's heroic start to top-flight football, combined with the on- and off-pitch melt-downs at Newcastle and Tottenham have made for an unusually competitive middle-to-lower tier league this season.

Currently European football does not encourage this type of player to flourish. It's a centralised affair and a business of minimising risk. You used to find a player who at least played with some sense of the Ronaldo style at most top clubs. Joe Col....

Rather I'm referring to Chelsea boss Luiz Felipe Scolari rounding on the referee after his side's defeat at home to Arsenal.

Scolari's commitment to expansive, exciting football has made Chelsea a much more watchable side this season, but it's also made them more vulnerable.

Liverpool could be three points clear of Chelsea, who lost at home to Arsenal on Sunday, had they produced their customary victory over West Ham, who have not won at Anfield since 1963 and picked up their first point there in nine years.

It's the third time this season that a supposedly inferior side have held Liverpool to a home stalemate, following identical results for Fulham and Stoke.

Brazilian superstar Kaka heads Robinho's January transfer wish-list for Manchester City.

After a slow start, he appeared to be heading back to top form with eight league goals in 11 games until Sunday& 039;s red card against Manchester City drew headlines for the wrong reason.

There could always be exceptions, however, such as Manchester City, which has been bought by the oil-rich Abu Dhabi United Group, Klinsmann said.

Liverpool don’t need Michael Owen, says Rafa - Premier League, Football - Belfasttelegraph.co.uk

The Portuguese, 23, was last night confirmed as the winner of the 2008 Ballon d'Or, beating competition from Barcelona forward Lionel Messi and Liverpool striker Fernando Torres.

Looking to the wider field it's a process that was applied to Steve McManaman at Real Madrid. McManaman left Liverpool an accomplished, if occasionally frustrating dribbler, but essentially a creative midfielder. This wasn't what Madrid required of h....

Henrik Larsson considers Everton move - Premier League, Football - Belfasttelegraph.co.uk

All of which sees him suspended for one match, Wednesday's Carling Cup quarter final at home to Blackburn, in which he was unlikely to play anyway.

Liverpool could be three points clear of Chelsea, who lost at home to Arsenal on Sunday, had they produced their customary victory over the Hammers, who have not won at Anfield since 1963 and picked up their first point there in nine years.

Liverpool and Manchester United have their eyes on Argentina midfielder Franco Zuculini. (The Sun)

Defeats to Chelsea, Liverpool and, on Sunday, Manchester United, all on home soil, suggest City are a long way from the stated desire of challenging for major honours on the domestic front. And, as Robinho points out, the foundations must be laid fir....

They are, however, still one point ahead of Chelsea and six in front of Manchester United, with Carragher of the belief that too much has been made of their recent failings.