West Ham 0 Sunderland 0

Sunderland boss Gus Poyet has once again reported a clean bill of health as he prepares for Saturday evening’s Barclays Premier League clash with Tottenham.

Aston Villa 0 Sunderland 0

Hull City 1 Sunderland 0

Hull 1 Sunderland 0

Sunderland 2 Newcastle 1

Real Madrid took centre stage on the final day of the summer transfer window as two Galacticos departed to make way for the most expensive player in the history of football.

Branislav Ivanovic was Chelsea’s unlikely hero with the extra-time winner that means there is still one English club in the Champions League.

Chelsea 4 Napoli 1 (AET, Chelsea win 5-4 on aggregate)

Ashley Cole joined John Terry in failing to make Chelsea’s Champions League clash at Napoli tonight.

MANCHESTER CITY may be riding high in the Premier League but their Champions League hopes are out of their hands after Roberto Mancini’s side crashed to a 2-1 defeat to Napoli last night.

Napoli 2 Manchester City 1

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini made four changes for tonight’s crucial Champions League Group A clash at Napoli’s intimidating Stadio San Paolo.

Manchester City v Napoli

WILL you turn off those damned alarm bells? Some of our lads are trying to sleep.

LIVERPOOL captain Steven Gerrard came to his side’s aid once again as his late hat-trick inspired the side to a Europa League victory against Napoli which highlighted the gulf in class within the squad.

Liverpool 3 Napoli 1

MANAGER Roy Hodgson claimed after last night’s draw in Naples he intends to enjoy a long spell at Liverpool, and rubbished speculation he could stand down after the difficult start to his reign.

IT WAS the longest goodbye on record, and even now there will be aftershocks aplenty.

FOR sale; one football club, rather tarnished, good fixer upper (just needs floor, roof and walls), bargain at €600 million.

IT’S not getting any better is it? A lead in a European tie and a point away to a side that enjoys great home success against the best aren’t the worst things in the world, but if anything the last week has only intensified the distaste for the way we play.

Napoli today confirmed the signing of defender Andrea Dossena from Liverpool on a four-year deal.

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez will resist the temptation to make wholesale changes to his side for tomorrow’s FA Cup third round clash at Reading.

Andrea Dossena’s agent has ruled out a return to Italy for the Liverpool defender, claiming that Spain is a likelier destination.

Rafael Benitez must decide whether to continue with Alberto Aquilani in midfield as Liverpool travel to Aston Villa tomorrow.

Dirk Kuyt can expect a return to Liverpool’s starting line-up for tomorrow’s tough away trip to face Aston Villa.

Javier Mascherano starts a four-match suspension when Liverpool face Wolves at Anfield on St Stephen's Day although the midfielder would have been out anyway for three weeks as he recovers from a knee problem.

OUR football correspondent LIAM MACKEY is back in top form and full of energy.

Portsmouth 2 Liverpool 0

Portsmouth 1 Liverpool 0

Liverpool striker Fernando Torres was back in the starting XI for the Barclays Premier League clash against Portsmouth after coming off the bench during the midweek win over Wigan.

THEY paid tribute to Bill Shankly at Anfield last night in their tens of thousands and, while the current Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez is still some way short of having the same impact on Merseyside as the legendary Scotsman, goals from David N’gog and Fernando Torres at least ensured a victory over Wigan and an end to recent miseries, for the moment at least.

Striker Fernando Torres returned to Liverpool’s starting line up for the first time since November 4 for the visit of Arsenal to Anfield in the Barclays Premier League.

LIVERPOOL captain Steven Gerrard reflected on his team’s Champions League campaign and admitted it had been “not good enough” after the Reds’ involvement in the competition finished with a 2-1 home defeat to Fiorentina at Anfield last night.

Liverpool have decided against risking Fernando Torres in their Barclays Premier League trip to Blackburn tomorrow.

Fernando Torres will have a fitness test tomorrow to see whether he is fit enough to be considered for a place in Liverpool’s squad against Everton at Goodison Park on Sunday.

LIVERPOOL crashed out of the Champions League after a bitterly disappointing victory in the Hungarian capital last night. They needed to win to give themselves any chance of reaching the last 16, but events in Florence ended those dreams with Fiorentina achieving the victory they needed to qualify.

Dutch forward Ryan Babel has been ruled out of Liverpool’s Champions League Group E clash with Debrecen in Hungary tomorrow after twisting his ankle in the weekend draw with Manchester City.

Steven Gerrard will miss his third successive Liverpool match tomorrow with the groin injury he picked up playing for England in Ukraine earlier this month.

Arsenal midfielder Samir Nasri made his first start of the season and Alberto Aquilani was on the bench for Liverpool in the Carling Cup fourth-round clash at the Emirates Stadium.

Steven Gerrard is out of Liverpool’s Carling Cup fourth round tie at Arsenal tomorrow, but should have recovered from his groin problem to play in Saturday’s Barclays Premier League game at Fulham.

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez will give his injured trio of Steven Gerrard, Fernando Torres and Glen Johnson every chance to prove their fitness ahead of Sunday’s Barclays Premier League match against Manchester United.

Liverpool will be without Fernando Torres for the second game in succession when they face French league leaders Lyon in the Champions League at Anfield tomorrow.

Javier Mascherano and Yossi Benayoun are out of Liverpool’s Champions League squad against Fiorentina tomorrow in the Group E clash in Italy.