It is part of Manchester United and Ole Gunnar Solsjkaer’s much-vaunted “DNA” for the club to do everything with a healthy pinch of drama and, based on the way his 10 men toiled in defeat at Molineux last night, the chase for the Champions League this season will be no different.

Liverpool bowed out of the FA Cup on an evening when Jurgen Klopp, via his 21st century boys, signalled that this season it is one competition too many.

Despite four consecutive league defeats to begin his tenure, there have been changes at West Ham under Manuel Pellegrini.

Manchester City can consider themselves highly unfortunate not to beat Wolves. They hit the woodwork three times, Rui Patricio made a world-class save from Raheem Sterling, Gabriel Jesus missed a simple chance, and the Wolves’ goal should have been disallowed for handball.

On the eve of Ireland’s friendly defeat in Turkey last Friday, Seamus Coleman conceded that, as the team captain — and a Premier League player to boot — the focus of attention would inevitably be on his welcome in a green shirt after a year out through injury.

Republic of Ireland legend Robbie Keane will not be returning to Wolves.

Newcastle midfielder Jonjo Shelvey has pleaded not guilty to a charge from the Football Association of using abusive language towards an opponent that included reference to ethnicity, race, or nationality and requested a personal hearing.

Alan Pardew has never been slow to offer reminders when he has done something well, and considering Crystal Palace’s transformation from relegation-threatened to top half of the table this year, backed up by the most impressive transfer dealings of any side outside of the top six excepting Stoke, that knowing grin has widened.

The traffic lights are green but our taxi driver slams on the brakes in Wolverhampton’s city centre and Tomasz Kuszczak is ready to light up the sleepy Monday morning with some colorful language.

Euro roundup: Gareth Bale answered his critics in Spain as his brace helped Real Madrid beat Levante 2-0 at the Bernabeu last night.

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers was named the League Managers’ Association Manager of the Year on Monday night.

West Ham manager Sam Allardyce admits he will be taking a “calculated risk” if he involves Andy Carroll in the Hammers’ crunch Barclays Premier League meeting with Cardiff.

Jon Walters has been forced to withdraw from Ireland’s squad to face Germany and Kazakhstan after a negative assessment on a groin problem following his substitution in Stoke City’s 1-0 loss to Fulham on Saturday.

FAI Chief Executive John Delaney met with headhunters Ray Houghton and Ruud Dokter in Dublin yesterday as the search for a successor to Giovanni Trapattoni kicks into high gear against the background of reports that the Association would ideally like to have the new man installed by November.

Former Ireland manager Brian Kerr believes Roy Keane has strong credentials to become Giovanni Trapattoni’s successor.

Republic of Ireland striker Kevin Doyle has broken his silence to insist he is happy to stay at Wolves and is keen to help the club “right some wrongs”.

After a late night of starkly contrasting fortunes, James McCarthy and Shane Long were up bright and early yesterday to fly into Dublin and take a full part in Ireland squad training at Malahide.

Republic of Ireland international striker Kevin Doyle is gearing up to spend the season in League One with Wolves, according to manager Kenny Jackett.

It was the elephant in the Oak Room of the Mansion House last night as the great and the good, including the managers of Liverpool and Celtic, gathered to raise the curtain on today’s ‘Dublin Decider’ at the Aviva Stadium.

Republic of Ireland international striker Kevin Doyle has so far failed to attract a single bid this summer — much to the surprise of Wolves’ manager Kenny Jackett.

Republic of Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni has not included defenders Richard Dunne or Richard Stearman in a provisional 26-man squad to face Wales in an August friendly.

Fulham are set to complete the signing of Ghana international Derek Boateng.

Wolves have sacked manager Dean Saunders and have begun the search for their fifth permanent manager in less than 15 months.

Wolves have sacked manager Dean Saunders and have begun the search for their fifth permanent manager in less than 15 months.

Our injured columnist finds himself stranded in the desert and miles from the action as D-Day dawns in the Championship

Republic of Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni believes Leeds midfielder Paul Green could be Ireland’s answer to Gennaro Gattuso.

Assistant manager Marco Tardelli has assured striker Kevin Doyle he still has a future with Ireland despite being dropped from the squad by text.

Ireland U21 3 Holland U21 0

Republic of Ireland international midfielder Keith Fahey has returned to Birmingham City for a medical check-up after being on compassionate leave since November.

New Wolves manager Dean Saunders will be unveiled to the media this afternoon although outgoing boss Stale Solbakken believes he should have been given more time to turn the club’s fortunes around.

Wolves have confirmed Dean Saunders as their new manager after agreeing compensation with Doncaster.

Dean Saunders is poised to become the new manager of Wolves.

Dean Saunders will open talks with Wolves today about their vacant managerial position after Doncaster confirmed receiving an approach from the npower Championship club.

Luton 1 Wolves 0

Wolves 0 Ipswich 2

Wolves 0 Millwall 1

The FAI might have a job on their hands shifting tickets for the November 14 friendly against Greece but they should have no problem filling the room for today’s Irish squad announcement at the association’s headquarters in Abbotstown.

Chelsea 6 Wolves 0

Brighton manager Gus Poyet intends to enjoy his side going top of the Championship but knows it is too early in the season to get carried away.

Wolves 2 Leicester 1

Sunderland boss Martin O’Neill has admitted his excitement at the season ahead after handing new boys Adam Johnson and Steven Fletcher debuts.

Yann Kermorgant silenced the jeers of the Leicester fans by firing Charlton to their first npower Championship win of the season, 2-1, against one of the favourites for promotion.

Arsene Wenger maintains Arsenal will soon find the right formula for attacking life without Robin van Persie after being left frustrated by yesterday’s goalless draw against Sunderland.

Giovanni Trapattoni has expressed complete confidence Robbie Keane, Shay Given, Richard Dunne and Damien Duff will all be available for Ireland’s World Cup campaign, which kicks off in Kazakhstan next month.