THE Champions League kicks off again this week with each team aware that this round of 16 provides more shocks than the rest of the tournament combined.

UEFA have been urged to investigate a laser beam incident involving Manchester United’s Cristiano Ronaldo.

Patrice Evra took time out on his return to France to praise his Manchester United team-mate Ryan Giggs, who is set to make his 100th Champions League appearance tonight.

LYON COACH Alain Perrin believes the open style of football practised by English clubs gives his side a great chance of causing an upset against Manchester United in the Champions League last 16.

Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp is poised to sign former Liverpool and Aston Villa striker Milan Baros on loan from French champions Lyon.

Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp has admitted his interest in bringing former Liverpool and Aston Villa striker Milan Baros to Fratton Park.

Lyon striker Fred claims Tottenham are one of two clubs who have made an offer for him.

French champions Lyon take a four-point lead into the Christmas break after they were held to a 1-1 draw by closest challengers Nancy.

Rangers 0 Lyon 3

Walter Smith fielded a cautious line-up for Rangers’ crunch Champions League qualifier against Lyon at Ibrox.

Manchester United defenders Mikael Silvestre and Gabriel Heinze remain targets of French champions Lyon.

Lyon may join Liverpool in the race to sign Gabriel Heinze as they try to come to terms with the loss of captain Cris for six months.

Toulouse warmed up for their Champions League qualifier against Liverpool on Wednesday by beating reigning league champions Lyon tonight.

Reigning Ligue 1 champions Lyon enjoyed a convincing start to the defence of their title on today with a comfortable win over Auxerre.

Portsmouth have completed the signing of Ghana international midfielder Sulley Muntari from Udinese.

Fulham have sacked manager Chris Coleman and replaced him with Northern Ireland boss Lawrie Sanchez on a caretaker basis.

Liverpool’s Anthony Le Tallec is hoping his move to Sochaux will allow him to catch the eye of France coach Raymond Domenech.

LIVERPOOL midfielder Xabi Alonso will undergo a scan after an ankle injury made him a major doubt for the FA Cup final.

PORTSMOUTH chairman Milan Mandaric has pledged to stay at Fratton Park next season, raising hopes of manager Harry Redknapp agreeing a new contract.

Portsmouth chairman Milan Mandaric has pledged to stay at Fratton Park next season, raising hopes of manager Harry Redknapp agreeing a new contract.

Player power will almost certainly ensure Harry Redknapp signs a new contract to manage Portsmouth again next season after he controversially returned to Fratton Park to engineer Barclays Premiership survival.

Fans are still in the dark about Portsmouth’s plans for their new stadium redevelopment at Fratton Park after officials stayed silent over lack of progress.

Portsmouth striker Svetoslav Todorov is hoping to be considered for a place in the squad to face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Saturday – despite walking out on the team before the last match.

PORTSMOUTH chairman Milan Mandaric has assured manager Harry Redknapp his job is safe after striking an agreement in principle with a Russian billionaire’s son over the club’s future shareholding and development.

PORTSMOUTH manager Harry Redknapp has claimed having players who cannot speak English is harming his chances of saving the club from relegation.

Harry Redknapp pulled no punches about the severity of Portsmouth’s plight as he prepares for the Barclays Premiership game at Tottenham.

Portsmouth chairman Milan Mandaric has insisted on an apology from Jim Boyce after the Irish FA president criticised him for his interest in Lawrie Sanchez.

Harry Redknapp looks set to return to Portsmouth after the Barclays Premiership strugglers announced they will hold a 5pm press conference.

Star striker Lomana LuaLua has told managerless Portsmouth they could have to do without him again for up to six games during the African Nations Cup next month.

Harry Redknapp’s fears that he could be left “in limbo” look set to be realised after Milan Mandaric revealed Portsmouth are not planning further talks with Southampton.

PORTSMOUTH chairman Milan Mandaric is set to talk with former Republic of Ireland boss Brian Kerr and Northern Ireland manager Lawrie Sanchez about the vacant managerial post at Fratton Park.

Louis Saha is ready to start smiling again after a tortuous two years which have felt like one, long bad joke.

Sheffield United today announced manager Neil Warnock is staying at the club.

Sheffield United defender Craig Short has resigned himself to seeing Neil Warnock appointed the new manager of Portsmouth.

Sheffield United have given Portsmouth permission to talk to manager Neil Warnock.

Portsmouth chairman Milan Mandaric has confirmed his determination to speak to Rangers manager Alex McLeish, despite a refusal from the Glasgow club yesterday.

Sheffield United have a week to secure the future of Portsmouth target Neil Warnock following the Blades’ chief’s admission that he will take charge of this weekend’s derby against Sheffield Wednesday.

Portsmouth 0 Chelsea 2

Portsmouth caretaker-manager Joe Jordan is boosted by the return of skipper Dejan Stefanovic for tomorrow’s Barclays Premiership visit from leaders Chelsea.

Portsmouth caretaker boss Joe Jordan has told his squad to forget about Alain Perrin’s sacking and instead concentrate on beating Chelsea.

Paul Jewell believes Alain Perrin’s sacking as Portsmouth boss yesterday has again underlined the frailty of management.

Former Portsmouth coach Alain Perrin has spoken of his disappointment at how quickly his “adventure” with the club ended.

PORTSMOUTH chairman Milan Mandaric’s chances of bringing in Neil Warnock as manager have been hit after Sheffield United signalled their intentions to keep him at Bramall Lane.