Carlo Cudicini has warned Petr Cech he is not about to surrender the Chelsea goalkeeper’s jersey to the £9m (€13.5m) new arrival without a fight.

Chelsea today confirmed they are continuing their pursuit of Claude Makelele despite Real Madrid demanding in excess of £13.8m (€20) for the Frenchman.

NIGEL MARTYN wants to know what the future holds for him at Leeds before considering a move away from Elland Road.

Leeds goalkeeper Nigel Martyn has turned down the chance of a move to Chelsea in order to fight for his place at Elland Road.

The most dramatic and eventful 48 hours in Chelsea’s 98-year history culminated tonight with the news controversial chairman Ken Bates is making plans for his retirement.

Dutch international goalkeeper Ed de Goey is keen to follow up interest from midlands rivals Birmingham and Wolves after being released by Chelsea.

Midfielder Jody Morris and goalkeeper Ed de Goey will both be looking for new clubs after being released by Chelsea.

Alex Ferguson has set David Beckham a 10-goal target for the season as Manchester United try to wrest the Barclaycard Premiership crown from Arsenal’s grasp.

Manchester United 2 Sunderland 1

It maybe the start of a new year but it was the same old Manchester United which broke brave Black Cat hearts at Old Trafford this afternoon.

Sunderland manager Howard Wilkinson suffered more heartbreak when his team were beaten by a Jo Tessem goal in the fourth minute of injury time.

GORDON STRACHAN believes Southampton can “go toe-to-toe with anybody” as they go into today’s match against Sunderland at St Mary’s Stadium on the back of a fine recent run.

Kevin Phillips hit top form when his team needed it the most as Sunderland struck back from the dead to grab a priceless point at The Hawthorns

LIVERPOOL must rediscover their ruthless touch in front of goal if they are to rekindle their faltering title challenge, according to boss Gerard Houllier.

Gerard Houllier has vowed to drag Liverpool out of their Premiership slump as struggling Sunderland further dented their title hopes.

Sunderland 0 Manchester City 3

Sunderland 0 Manchester City 3

Sunderland manager Howard Wilkinson will make sweeping changes for Tuesday’s fourth round Worthington Cup tie against Sheffield United at Bramall Lane.

Chelsea boss Claudio Ranieri will today be reminded that three into two just does not go – leaving him with no choice but to drop one of his trio of big-name strikers to the bench against Sunderland.

Sunderland 0 Birmingham City 1

Liverpool 0 Sunderland 0

Sunderland boss Howard Wilkinson will send out his lads’ army for the Worthington Cup third round trip to Arsenal.

Sunderland have signed former Everton goalkeeper Thomas Myhre from Turkish side Besiktas.

Sunderland 0 Republic of Ireland 3

Peter Reid's position as manager of suffering Sunderland was left hanging by a thread due to an awesome first half display from Manchester United.