The Professional Footballers’ Association revealed their team of the year on Sunday and there were few dissenting voices when it emerged the XI was dominated by players from Manchester United.

Whenever Liverpool and Everton meet sparks are always likely to fly but for Peter Crouch and James Beattie there’s more at stake this weekend than simply local pride.

Wigan manager Paul Jewell today became the first manager for four-and-a-half years to win two consecutive Barclays manager-of-the-month awards.