Wes Hoolahan picked up where he left off on Saturday, following up a brilliant display in Ireland’s World Cup qualifier against Moldova with another superb showing as Norwich beat Rotherham 3-1 to go top of the Championship table.

Premier League clubs paid out nearly £130 million (€185 million) to agents last year — a £15m (€21m) increase on the year before.

Jermain Defoe’s hat-trick spared Sunderland’s blushes as they defeated Exeter 6-3 in a thrilling Capital One Cup clash last night.

How the Irish fared

One of Oldham’s sponsors has severed ties with the club ahead due to the “imminent signing” of convicted rapist Ched Evans.

Oldham and the Professional Footballers’ Association will resume talks on Wednesday over the possibility of the club signing convicted rapist Ched Evans.

Talks on convicted rapist Ched Evans signing for Oldham have concluded for the day without a decision being taken on his future.

Oldham remain in talks over the potential signing of convicted rapist Ched Evans despite a furious backlash from fans, sponsors and politicians.

Oldham manager Lee Johnson says it will be a “board decision” if the club opts to sign convicted rapist Ched Evans, as a sponsor threatens to abandon the club if it goes through.

Former Oldham midfielder Rick Holden does not see how convicted rapist Ched Evans “can survive” if he returns to football with his old club.

Convicted rapist Ched Evans is unlikely to be able to resume his football career abroad due to the UK's tough regime in managing sex offenders.

Former Sheffield United and Wales striker Ched Evans has been offered a route back into football - by Maltese side Hibernians.

TODAY

Another potentially thrilling clash between Barclays Premier League leaders Arsenal and Tottenham is in the pipeline after the north London rivals were drawn against each other in the FA Cup third round.

League leaders Arsenal were handed a mouthwatering tie against north London rivals Tottenham in the third round of the FA Cup.

Republic of Ireland attacker Simon Cox had to stretchered off tonight as Nottingham Forest cruised to a simple 3-1 win over his Hartlepool side in the Capital One Cup.

Newly-promoted Newport have been handed an exciting trip to Championship side Brighton in the first round of the Capital One Cup.

Sheffield United have announced the appointment of Danny Wilson as their new manager.

Today’s Barclays Premier League matches at Wigan and Liverpool have both fallen foul of the weather, the clubs have confirmed.

MANCHESTER UNITED and Liverpool will meet in the third round of this season’s FA Cup after the bitter rivals was pitted against each other in last night’s draw.

Phil Neville makes his return to the Everton starting line-up as David Moyes’ side look to kick-start their faltering season with a victory in the third round of the Carling Cup at Brentford.

Victor Moses should be fit to return for Wigan when they host Manchester City in the Barclays Premier League on Sunday.

Victor Moses will miss Wigan’s trip to Tottenham tomorrow after damaging ankle ligaments in his side’s midweek Carling Cup victory over Hartlepool.

SCOTT PARKER spared West Ham’s blushes by scoring their winner against League Two outfit Oxford with a right-foot shot deep into injury time to send the Hammers through to the third round of the Carling Cup.

Hartlepool 0 Wigan 3

Wigan midfielder James McCarthy insists manager Roberto Martinez has the full support of the Latics squad.

Sheffield Wednesday started their npower League One campaign with a 2-0 victory over Dagenham & Redbridge.

DAVID HEALY came off the bench to score his first goal for Ipswich last night, securing another precious point in a 1-1 draw at Scunthorpe as they continue their bid to avoid relegation from the Championship.

The weekend's football schedule has been decimated in the UK as the freezing weather conditions tighten their grip.

Cork City boss Tom Coughlan defended himself and his commitment to soccer in Cork City as he appeared before a disciplinary committee in Abbotstown at lunchtime today.

DEAN KIELY insists he has not quit international football with Ireland and has claimed Giovanni Trapattoni broke an understanding that he would not be called up just to sit on the bench.

Leeds United face an away tie against Oldham Athletic in the first round of the FA Cup.

LUCKLESS Steven Reid suffered another injury setback last night.

TOTTENHAM will begin their quest for a third successive appearance in the Carling Cup final with a second-round tie at Doncaster.

Tottenham will begin their quest for a third successive appearance in the Carling Cup final with a second-round tie at Doncaster.

CORK CITY yesterday rejected an “insulting” double-transfer bid for Colin Healy and Denis Behan from English League One side Hartlepool United.

Football League new boys Burton Albion face a difficult away trip to Coca-Cola Championship club Reading following the draw for the first round of the Carling Cup today.

STEVEN Thompson struck twice as Burnley wrote another glorious cup chapter by dumping West Brom out of the FA Cup to book a fifth-round trip to Cardiff or Arsenal.

Manchester City new-boy Craig Bellamy admits he has made plenty of mistakes in his career – but has denied allegations he went on strike to engineer a move away from West Ham.

BRENDAN RODGERS has been given an early opportunity to show his former employers what they are missing after Watford were drawn at home to Chelsea in the fifth round of the FA Cup.

Hartlepool 0 West Ham 2