PERHAPS the best piece of advice ever handed out to football referees came from Alan Hardaker, a much-respected former Football League secretary.

Former Premier League referee Jeff Winter believes officials should be helped with decisions on the goal-line – but also claims technology adds pressure by highlighting every error.

Birmingham manager Steve Bruce has launched an attack on former referee Jeff Winter after the retired official branded Robbie Savage a “coward” after a bust-up with Aston Villa skipper Olof Mellberg.

Former top referee Jeff Winter wants Birmingham midfielder Robbie Savage to be banned for three matches for a “sly” attack on Olof Mellberg.

Former top referee Jeff Winter has called for the Football Association to make an example of Ruud van Nistelrooy following his challenge on Ashley Cole which left the Arsenal player writhing in agony during their 2-0 defeat at Old Trafford.

Charlton 2 Southampton 1

GARY NEVILLE fears the ‘diver’ taunt, levelled at him by referee Graham Poll, has turned him into a marked man among the men in black.

Manchester City 0 Fulham 0

Wolves manager Dave Jones played down the first half flare-up between Alex Rae and Leicester striker Paul Dickov as “something about nothing”, as the teams fought out a goalless draw at the Walkers Stadium.

Aston Villa 2 Birmingham 2

Manchester United defender Gary Neville has admitted he “made a mistake” when he headbutted Steve McManaman in a bad-tempered FA Cup fifth-round tie against Manchester City at Old Trafford on Saturday.

Manchester United 4 Manchester City 2

Leicester goalkeeper Ian Walker is unlikely to face any Football Association action over his bust-up with a spectator during his team’s Barclaycard Premiership match against Aston Villa.

Southampton 3 Portsmouth 0

Everton clawed their way out of the Barclaycard Premiership relegation zone despite a disjointed performance against a similarly out-of-sorts Manchester City at Goodison Park.

Everton 0 Chelsea 1

Alex Ferguson will not appeal against his two-match touchline ban and £10,000 (€14,000) fine imposed for abusing match officials, it was announced today.

ALEX FERGUSON and Manchester United will decide today whether to appeal against a two-match touchline ban imposed for abusing match officials.

Alex Ferguson has been handed a two-match touchline ban and fined £10,000 (€14,000) by the Football Association for misconduct.

Alex Ferguson faces a Football Association hearing today into a charge of misconduct for being abusive to match officials during Manchester United’s Premiership clash at Newcastle in August.

MANCHESTER United last night confirmed they are in talks with Marseille about letting Fabien Barthez return to France.

Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson is to fight the two FA misconduct charges brought against him following his side’s win at Newcastle last month.

MANCHESTER UNITED sharp-shooter Ruud van Nistelrooy has no problem with being shoved aside in the scoring stakes.

Leicester 4 Leeds 0

THE new season is less than a fortnight old and already Alex Ferguson and the FA are at loggerheads.

MANCHESTER UNITED boss Alex Ferguson is seriously concerned about Wolves’ survival chances.

ALEX FERGUSON will not find out until today at the earliest whether he is to be charged by the Football Association.

Alex Ferguson is likely to find out in the next 24 hours whether he will face disciplinary action under the referees’ new code of conduct.

ALEX FERGUSON headed back to Manchester on Saturday with his temper vastly improved, after Ruud van Nistelrooy and Paul Scholes teamed up to dash Newcastle’s hopes of a famous victory.

GERARD HOULLIER believes Liverpool still have a strong chance of deposing Arsenal as English Premiership champions.

Liverpool boss Gerard Houllier felt his side had been robbed of victory by referee Jeff Winter after the 1-1 draw with Arsenal at Highbury yesterday.

Manchester City 2

LEE BOWYER will have to carry over any suspension imposed for stamping on an opponent’s head even if he moves clubs.

Fulham 0 Arsenal 1

Facundo Sava unveiled an unusual goalscoring celebration after scoring what proved to be the only goal as Fulham beat Charlton at Loftus Road.

Facundo Sava fired Fulham in front against Charlton at half-time at Loftus Road.

Leeds manager Terry Venables believes the Football Association should adopt a definitive stance over with regard to putting players on trial by video.

THE Football Association announced yesterday that no action would be taken against Thierry Henry for alleged use of an elbow against Charlton’s John Robinson, but insisted there were no plans to change the way incidents were reviewed, despite criticism from leading club managers.

ARSENE WENGER has called for a radical overhaul of the video evidence system, which would ensure that David Beckham was investigated alongside Thierry Henry for weekend elbow incidents.

Arsene Wenger has called for a radical overhaul of the video evidence system, so all elbowing incidents are investigated.

England captain David Beckham has escaped punishment for elbowing Lee Bowyer during Manchester United‘s 1-0 defeat against Leeds.

David Beckham is unlikely to face Football Association punishment for appearing to elbow Lee Bowyer during Manchester United’s defeat at Leeds yesterday.

Lee Bowyer has been placed on Leeds United transfer list after turning down offer of five-year contract.