NEWCASTLE climbed back to the top of the Coca-Cola Championship last night but needed a lucky own goal from Sheffield United skipper Chris Morgan to do so.

ROY KEANE’S Ipswich survived a major scare in the Carling Cup first round last night.

The family of Heath Ledger arrived in Australia on the way to the actor’s home town, where he is expected to be finally laid to rest, it was reported today.

EDUARDO Da Silva struck twice to help Arsenal book their place in the Carling Cup quarter-finals with a routine victory over Sheffield United at Bramall Lane.

Eduardo Da Silva struck twice to help Arsenal book their place in the Carling Cup quarter-finals with a routine victory over Sheffield United at Bramall Lane.

ARSENE WENGER maintains Gilberto is a “100% professional” and ready to take his place among a youthful Arsenal side in the fourth round of the Carling Cup at Sheffield United tonight.

Sheffield United Boss Neil Warnock looks set to ease the pressure on new England B call-up Phil Jagielka by naming a substitute goalkeeper for his side’s relegation decider with Wigan.

Sheffield United boss Neil Warnock has given up on signing David Nugent after describing the Preston striker as “outrageously overpriced.”

Sheffield United have signed Leeds defender Matthew Kilgallon for an initial fee of £1.75m (€2.6m), which could rise to £2m (€3m).

Sheffield United captain Chris Morgan and striker Rob Hulse are both suspended for tomorrow’s FA Cup third-round tie with Swansea at Bramall Lane.

Sheffield United goalkeeper Paddy Kenny is expected to be out for up to three weeks after a scan confirmed no serious injury to his groin.

A groin injury to Irish goalkeeper Paddy Kenny means that Paul Gerrard will turn out for Sheffield United in the Premiership at Middlesbrough tomorrow.

Sheffield United took off Rob Hulse and Michael Tonge in the defeat against Portsmouth to keep the pair fresh for the St Stephen's Day clash against Manchester City at Bramall Lane.

STUART PEARCE has released 10 Manchester City players including loanees Kiki Musampa and Albert Riera and French defender David Sommeil.

Arsenal 3 Sheffield United 0

Arsenal were left frustrated after dominating a goalless opening half of today’s Barclays Premiership clash with bottom-club Sheffield United at the Emirates Stadium.

Sheffield United 1 Reading 2

Veteran centre-back Craig Short is out of Sheffield United’s Barclays Premiership clash against Tottenham at White Hart Lane tomorrow.

Stuart Pearce has released 10 Manchester City players including loanees Kiki Musampa and Albert Riera and French defender David Sommeil.

Celtic 0 Leeds 0

Coventry manager Micky Adams has strengthened his squad with a double signing.

Birmingham 3 Liverpool 0

Fredrik Ljungberg and Jose Reyes returned to the Arsenal line-up at home to Birmingham as Arsene Wenger’s Barclaycard Premiership champions continued their quest to finish the league season unbeaten.

Liverpool 3 Birmingham 1

Birmingham 0 Aston Villa 0

Birmingham 0 Aston Villa 0

Birmingham goalkeeper Ian Bennett starts his first game of the season against Aston Villa at St Andrews on Sunday.

Matthew Upson has spelt out the need for players from both sides to keep their cool when Birmingham take on Aston Villa at St Andrews on Sunday.

THE Englishman, the Scotsman and the Welshman provided the punchlines at Old Trafford but the joke may be on the Dutch after next weekend.

Ruud van Nistelrooy was on the spot again to end Birmingham’s unbeaten record and dispel any remaining doubts that he has lost his nerve for taking penalties.

Manchester United responded to the challenge of Arsenal’s early kick-off win over Liverpool by dismissing 10-man Birmingham 3-0.

Birmingham City goalkeeper Nico Vaesen has set his sights on a return to action in October – two months ahead of schedule.

Damien Johnson is confident fellow Northern Ireland international Maik Taylor can make a big impression with Birmingham.

Richard Wright will almost certainly miss the start of the new season after seriously damaging his shoulder when he fell out of a loft.

BIRMINGHAM manager Steve Bruce has dismissed reports linking him with a move for Leeds goalkeeper Nigel Martyn and insists he wants Ian Bennett to stay at St Andrews. Bruce has been linked with a move for Martyn who is second choice at Elland Road behind Paul Robinson.

Steve Bruce has agreed a new five-year deal with Birmingham after keeping the club in the Barclaycard Premiership.

Birmingham 2 West Ham 2

Newcastle 1 Birmingham 0

Substitute Geoff Horsfield scored an injury-time winner to virtually guarantee Premiership survival for Birmingham and send local rivals West Brom closer to the relegation trapdoor.

Blues made a positive start in the noon sunshine and Larus Sigurdsson was forced to clear a dangerous cross from winger Paul Devlin.

Blackburn’s Republic of Ireland international goalkeeper Alan Kelly has joined Birmingham on month’s loan as cover for the injured Nico Vaesen and Ian Bennett.