Slovakia 0, England 1: England have a new lucky charm after their dramatic World Cup qualifier victory in Trnava last night - a shiny gold coin given to new manager Sam Allardyce by a Slovakian fan.

England 0 Slovakia 0: England manager Roy Hodgson took a major gamble by making six changes for a final group game against Slovakia and was made to sweat as his team dominated without reward in a goalless draw that sends them through to the last 16 — but only in second place and with questions to answer.

Sevilla are targeting an immediate return to winning ways at the Sanchez Pizjuan stadium when they host Fiorentina in tonight’s Europa League match (live on 3e, ITV4).

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)

As the flares were lit around a raucous Stadio San Paulo in Naples, it was hard not to think that Andre Villas-Boas’ career as Chelsea manager was also going up in smoke.

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

Fernando Torres and Edinson Cavani — tonight’s match in Naples is packed with intriguing contrasts but none perhaps as telling as the contrasting fortunes of two strikers.

ARSENAL AND CHELSEA will both face Italian opposition in the last 16 of the Champions League after yesterday’s draw in Nyon.

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.

HE may have called a halt to the celebrations at the end of last night’s win in Zilina — but Russia coach Dick Advocaat must know Euro 2012 qualification is all but certain now.

THE ghosts of the past did their best to play tricks on Manchester City as they renewed their acquaintance with the European Cup last night but Roberto Mancini declared himself happy with their Champions League debut and promised better to come.

Man City 1 Napoli 1

Manchester City v Napoli

ARMENIA stunned Slovakia with four second-half goals in Zilina to blow Ireland’s Euro 2012 qualifying Group B wide open.

YOU won’t hear too much talk about a record six-in-a-row clean sheets after this European Championship body blow at the Aviva.

Republic of Ireland 0 Slovakia 0

Republic of Ireland 0 Slovakia 0

Kevin Doyle won a late reprieve as the Republic of Ireland attempted to edge their way closer to qualification for the Euro 2012 finals.

SLOVAKIAN playmaker Marek Hamsik has no more than a 50-50 chance of featuring in tonight’s European Championship clash against the Republic of Ireland, according to his manager Vladimir Weiss.

Vladimir Weiss will not rely on his enviable record against Italians as he attempts to guide Slovakia past the Republic of Ireland tomorrow night.

SLOVAKIA captain Marek Hamsik travelled to Dublin with his international teammates on Wednesday night but vowed to play in Friday’s Euro 2012 qualifier against Ireland only if he is 100%.

Slovakia 1 Andorra 0

IF THERE are gods of football, justice, then on Sunday they were surely smiling down on Naples.

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.

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.

Napoli 0 Liverpool 0

Slovakia 1 Republic of Ireland 1

Liam Lawrence failed a fitness test on a leg injury today so Keith Fahey started tonight’s Euro 2012 qualifier in Zilina in midfield as one of two changes for the Republic of Ireland from Friday’s 3-2 defeat by Russia.

THE pity for Ireland was that Armenia had done Giovanni Trapattoni a huge favour earlier yesterday in Yerevan by claiming their first Euro 2012 Group B win over our group rivals Slovakia.

NETHERLANDS coach Bert van Marwijk yesterday played down striker Robin van Persie’s petulant reaction to being substituted during his side’s 2-1 win over Slovakia.

ITALY coach Marcello Lippi took full responsibility for his side’s World Cup group exit, admitting the reigning champions had played with “terror in their hearts, heads and legs”.

Slovakia 3 Italy 2

MANCHESTER City striker Roque Santa Cruz is convinced Paraguay can reach at least the quarter-finals of the World Cup.

NEW Zealand manager Ricki Herbert has hailed his team’s 1-1 World Cup draw with Slovakia yesterday as the best result in the nation’s football history.

SLOVAKIA coach Vladimir Weiss has admitted the World Cup pressure is on his starlet son as his team prepares to meet New Zealand in their opening World Cup encounter in the Royal Bafokeng stadium today.

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has quashed speculation linking Napoli midfielder Marek Hamsik with a move to Eastlands.

OUR football correspondent LIAM MACKEY is back in top form and full of energy. He casts his eye over your comments and gives his own critical analysis of the goings on throughout the world of football.

Napoli insist Ezequiel Lavezzi will not be leaving the club in the winter transfer window amid reported interest from Chelsea.

NIGEL WORTHINGTON is hoping for a touch of home comforts on Wednesday when Northern Ireland aim to get their World Cup qualifying campaign up and running.

Slovakia 2 Northern Ireland 1

SLOVAKIA rounded off their Group D campaign with a resounding win over minnows San Marino.