The business end of the Champions League has been less sweet 16 and more a knockout for England’s elite this week, another chastening trial for the self-styled ‘greatest league in the world’. 

While the bulk of attention has been on the fight for the Premier League title and qualification for Europe next season, we can’t overlook what is shaping up to be the most exciting relegation battle in a long time, with every team in the bottom half still vulnerable and their respective boardrooms dreading the financial implications of playing in the Championship next season.

Everton 2 Hull 1

Dropping Greaves a brave call

Moldova 0 England 5

Seismic! Historic! Revolutionary!

Roy Hodgson left Wembley this evening after a “positive” four-hour meeting with the Football Association, thrashing out the contract that is set to confirm him as England’s new manager.

Tottenham failed in an audacious bid to sign Manchester City maverick Carlos Tevez in January, Harry Redknapp has confirmed.

Tottenham failed in an audacious bid to sign Manchester City maverick Carlos Tevez in January, Harry Redknapp has confirmed.

Republic of Ireland skipper Robbie Keane tonight became the first British or Irish player to reach 50 senior international goals as he scored twice against Macedonia.

Franz Beckenbauer has expressed sympathy for the controversial manner in which England bowed out of the World Cup and called for the introduction of technology to prevent such injustices in future.

TOTTENHAM boss HarryRedknapp insists the FA Cup is important to him this season but is still preparing to make changes to his starting XI for today’s clash against Peterborough.

Fabio Capello has saluted the spirit among his squad that has taken England to the brink of the World Cup following victory over Andorra last night at Wembley.

England 6 Andorra 0

WITH Steven Gerrard talking of his “hunger” for the league title and manager Rafael Benitez close to agreeing a new contract, this is probably not the time for West Ham to be trying to end a 45-year wait for a win at Anfield.

England legend George Cohen has described the withdrawal of several senior players ahead of tonight’s friendly with Germany as “too much of a coincidence”.

Diego Maradona has told England they have no right to continue complaining about his ’Hand of God’ goal which knocked them out at the quarter-final stages of the 1986 World Cup in Mexico.

Argentina coach Diego Maradona will not lose any sleep if Scotland assistant Terry Butcher does not shake his hand at the end of tomorrow’s friendly at Hampden.

NOT everyone on Merseyside is celebrating Tuesday night’s extraordinary victory over Arsenal.

England coach Steve McClaren is ready to offer Sol Campbell a shock international recall.

SOCKS rolled down round his ankles, sweat staining his shirt, legs and lungs still pumping when others were out on their feet.

WEST HAM are never slow in honouring their heroes. The bronze monument outside Upton Park bearing the statues of Bobby Moore, Geoff Hurst and Martin Peters is a fitting tribute to the club’s golden age, but another figure may soon have to be squeezed onto the plinth.

SHAUN WRIGHT PHILLIPS couldn’t have looked more dumbstruck if Jose Mourinho had just told him he was going to start a match for Chelsea.

The Icelandic businessman behind the takeover of West Ham has vowed to bring the good times back to the club – and to keep faith with manager Alan Pardew.

David and Victoria Beckham said today they could not comment on speculation the footballer is to receive a knighthood.

SVEN-GORAN ERIKSSON saluted England captain David Beckham after he had played through sickness to rescue England’s World Cup dreams against Ecuador.

England 1 Ecuador 0

West Germany’s first goalscorer in the 1966 World Cup final Helmut Haller claims England can win this summer’s tournament on German soil.

West Ham are urging supporters to observe a minute’s silence before tonight’s FA Cup final rehearsal against Liverpool in memory of former manager John Lyall.

BOBBY CHARLTON wants FIFA to act in an effort to stop the game being marred by ugly scenes of players rounding on referees.

FIFA officials will discuss the merits of camera-based goal-line technology next month, with changes in the current laws possible depending on the outcome of the meeting in Switzerland.

Former England and West Ham manager Ron Greenwood has died at the age of 84 after a long illness.

Ozzy Osbourne stole the show at the UK Music Hall of Fame ceremony by baring his bottom at the audience.

Three of England’s 1966 World Cup-winning team are up against Live Aid and Billy the White Horse in a poll to decide the name of a state-of-the-art footbridge at the new Wembley stadium - but Roy Keane has not made the shortlist.

ENGLAND’S 1966 World Cup final hat-trick hero Geoff Hurst has backed calls for the introduction of goal-line technology ahead of FIFA’s scheduled discussion of the proposal next month.

WORLD CUP hat-trick hero Geoff Hurst has accused David Beckham of "bringing the country into disrepute" in deliberately getting himself suspended for tonight's World Cup tie in Azerbaijan.

Former England captain Gary Lineker has declared that Wayne Rooney can become the country’s “first genuine all-time great” player.

Football legend George Best today delivered an embarrassing snub to the game’s governing body when he failed to turn up to open a centenary exhibition.

PELE may be the world’s favourite footballer but he walked into a storm of controversy yesterday over his choice of the greatest living players.

ENGLAND have been set the daunting challenge of proving that the crocked Michael Owen is replaceable for tomorrow’s vital Euro 2004 qualifier in Turkey.

England 2

England 2 Liechtenstein 0

Sir Geoff Hurst cast his eyes over the latest Wayne Rooney wannabes in Nottingham today and said the Everton prodigy was blazing an inspirational trail for the next generation of Premiership stars.