Let’s be blunt: do you deserve to win when you fail to score in the entire second half and manage only three points in the last 60 minutes?

Giovanni Trapattoni never had much time for Paolo Di Canio as a player but this week in New York he expressed his optimism that the Sunderland manager would be a success in the Premier League.

ON Thursday night, in his regular slot on Off The Ball, John Giles ventured the opinion that on the strength of his performances against Everton and Galati, Wayne Rooney was the best central midfield player in the Premier League.

OF all the countless tributes paid in recent years to the star player on a star-filled Barcelona team, we particularly liked the one The Guardian penned after he’d ripped the champions of England apart, so much so we’ll recite it here.

GIOVANNI TRAPATTONI has learned the hard way that if he suggests one of his players in England could do with a move, it only ends up causing what he likes to call “a polemica” in the press.

IN the VIP lounge at Dublin airport last night, as he awaited his flight home to Milan, the emotion of the preceding 24 hours finally got to Giovanni Trapattoni.

Sven-Goran Eriksson has placed Elano alongside Italian legends Roberto Baggio and Roberto Mancini as one of the best playmakers he has ever worked with.

THAT tasty little touch landed by Arkadina at Gowran Park on Sunday was the third time this season, I reckon, horses trained by David Wachman have cost the layers an unexpected bundle.

HEIDELBERG may be the romantic soul of Germany but, until Saturday, nobody could have confused it with the beating heart of this World Cup.

HERE’S one to while away an idle year or two in the pub: select a first eleven from the ranks of Republic of Ireland internationals who have gone on to earn a crust as pundits and analysts on radio and television.

AKSHAR rates a safe wager to take the Bloomfield House Hotel Hurdle at Kilbeggan tonight, on what looks a particularly dull weekend for Irish racing.

REAL MADRID midfielder David Beckham was sent off in the 36th minute of his side's Primera Liga match against bottom club Murcia last night for insulting a linesman.

Dino Baggio has rejected a loan move back to Italy from Blackburn and given another headache to Rovers boss Graeme Souness.

Blackburn manager Graeme Souness reunites Andy Cole and Dwight Yorke up front as Rovers look to leapfrog Bolton in Barclaycard Premiership today.

Blackburn boss Graeme Souness has responded to an injury crisis by calling three reserve midfielders into the squad for tomorrow’s derby at home to Bolton.

Wolves 2 Blackburn 2

Tonight's Premiership team news.

Blackburn midfielder Brett Emerton returns to the squad for tomorrow’s match against Wolves, after recovering from a foot injury.

Birmingham 4 Blackburn 0

FA Cup latest:

FA Cup latest:

Blackburn have made Aston Villa an offer to buy goalkeeper Peter Enckelman, whose loan spell at Ewood Park runs out tonight.

Italian legend Roberto Baggio has confirmed that he will retire from football in 2004 after nearly 16 years in Serie A.

Arsenal 1 Blackburn Rovers 0

Premiership results:

Premiership latest:

Premiership latest:

Premiership latest:

Premiership latest:

Premiership latest:

Premiership latest:

Leeds caretaker-boss Eddie Gray made just one change to the starting line-up for the visit of Fulham at Elland Road.

Premiership latest:

Premiership latest:

Premiership latest:

Arsene Wenger named an unchanged line-up as Arsenal looked to return to the top of the Premiership by avenging last season’s double defeat at the hands of Blackburn.

Andy Cole and Lucas Neill are both suspended for Blackburn’s visit to Manchester United tomorrow.

Blackburn 2 Everton 1

Turkish international Tugay will be available for Blackburn’s Barclaycard Premiership clash with Everton at Ewood Park on Monday after the club agreed his release with the Turkish FA.

Blackburn Rovers 1 Genclerbirligi 1 (Genclerbirligi win 4-2 on aggregate)

Blackburn 1 Genclerbirligi 1 (Aggregate: 2-4)

Blackburn manager Graeme Souness is without Lucas Neill and Barry Ferguson for tomorrow’s second leg of the UEFA Cup first-round tie against Turkish side Genclerbirligi at Ewood Park.