BEJANI vindicated Harry Redknapp’s decision to reject the overtures of Newcastle as his hat-trick emphatically ended Portsmouth’s six-match goal drought at Fratton Park.

Craig Fagan has backed Derby’s threadbare squad to end their away-day misery at Sheffield Wednesday tonight.

Derby manager Paul Jewell will be without four of his new signings for tomorrow night’s FA Cup third-round replay at Sheffield Wednesday.

Derby 0 Wigan 1

Derby manager Paul Jewell is likely to hand debuts to a number of players for tomorrow’s visit of his former club Wigan to Pride Park.

ROBBIE SAVAGE hopes his hatred of losing will rub off on his new Derby team-mates after he completed his move to the Barclays Premier League’s rock-bottom club for an initial £1.5 million yesterday.

NEW Derby signing Laurent Robert has insisted he never had any doubts about returning to ‘the best league in the world’.

Derby are closing in on the signings of Robbie Savage and Laurent Robert as they step up their bid to avoid relegation from the top flight.

Derby manager Paul Jewell is set to bolster his struggling side with a couple of new recruits this week.

Mike Ashley is set to meet with the board of Newcastle next week as he attempts to push through his takeover of the club.

Tycoon Mike Ashley may have to remain patient as he attempts to push through his takeover of Newcastle.

MANAGERS heading for football’s January sales look like they’ll be buying in the High Street rather than Bond Street.

LEVANTE have signed former Newcastle winger Laurent Robert from Benfica.

Liverpool 0 Benfica 2 (Benfica win 3-0 on aggregate)

Liverpool suffered a double defensive injury blow prior to their Champions League last-16 second leg clash with Benfica at Anfield.

THERE were ominous signs for Britain’s Champions League contenders after a hectic weekend of football across the continent.

Benfica 1 Liverpool 0

RAFAEL BENITEZ is backing Liverpool to make it four big wins in 11 days when they tackle Benfica at the Estadio da Luz tonight.

ALAN SHEARER’S dream of becoming manager of Newcastle United moved closer yesterday when he stepped in to assist caretaker boss Glenn Roeder after the sacking of Graeme Souness.

Newcastle caretaker manager Glenn Roeder will be assisted by club captain Alan Shearer following the departure of Graeme Souness.

Newcastle boss Graeme Souness has defended his decision to offload 10 first-team players during the summer despite the injury crisis which has left him fighting for his job.

Liverpool’s fine recent run of form has not halted manager Rafael Benitez’s restructuring at Anfield after two players yesterday joined the Reds and two more were strongly linked with a move to Merseyside.

Laurent Robert swapped the grind of a relegation dogfight for the glamour of Champions League football by signing for Portuguese giants Benfica on a free transfer.

Liverpool will unveil new signing Jan Kromkamp tomorrow after the World Cup prospect successfully completed his medical.

Laurent Robert has completed a transfer to Benfica after passing a medical this morning.

Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp will recall skipper Dejan Stefanovic, midfielder Gary O’Neil and forward Laurent Robert to his squad for the home clash with fellow strugglers Fulham after they missed the 4-0 midweek defeat at Arsenal.

Patrick Vieira watched from the stands as Arsenal pt on a stunning first-half show to put another major dent in Portsmouth’s fight against relegation.

Arsenal 4 Portsmouth 0

Portsmouth will be without two key players for tomorrow’s trip to Arsenal.

Portsmouth 1 West Ham 1

Jason Roberts’ double and Lee McCulloch’s header cancelled out Antoine Sibierski’s opener as Wigan took a 3-1 lead over Manchester City into the interval at the JJB Stadium.

Portsmouth 1 West Brom 0

Harry Redknapp gambled on the creative brilliance of Frenchman Laurent Robert to give him a happy homecoming in Portsmouth’s vital Barclays Premiership clash with fellow strugglers West Brom.

Harry Redknapp pulled no punches about the severity of Portsmouth’s plight as he prepares for the Barclays Premiership game at Tottenham.

Harry Redknapp looks certain to be offered a short-term contract together with a massive bonus to beat relegation if, as expected, he returns as Portsmouth manager next week.

Sheffield United have a week to secure the future of Portsmouth target Neil Warnock following the Blades’ chief’s admission that he will take charge of this weekend’s derby against Sheffield Wednesday.

Portsmouth 0 Chelsea 2

Liverpool 3 Portsmouth 0

Portsmouth winger Laurent Robert looks to have talked himself into more trouble with his club.

Portsmouth 0 Wigan 2

Portsmouth manager Alain Perrin is set to name an unchanged side for the Barclays Premiership visit of high-riding Wigan to Fratton Park.

Portsmouth defender Andy O’Brien is losing his fight to return for the vital Fratton Park clash with Wigan amid fears his knee injury could be more long-term than first anticipated.

LAURENT ROBERT will not be handed a lifeline at Newcastle following the latest chapter of his controversial career.