Southampton made a winning start to their Europa League campaign and gave Claude Puel his first win as manager with a convincing 3-0 defeat of Sparta Prague last night.

NORTHERN IRELAND’S slim hopes of a Euro 2012 play-off – and possibly Nigel Worthington’s prospects of a new contract – were finally extinguished with a second defeat at the hands of lowly Estonia.

WAYNE ROONEY insists he has no problem with his fitness despite a subdued display in England’s embarrassing European Championship draw with Montenegro.

Fabio Capello defended Wayne Rooney after England had slumped to a disappointing goalless draw in their European Championship qualifier against Montenegro at Wembley.

ENGLAND left Wembley with the jeers of their own fans ringing in their ears as they failed to score at the rebuilt stadium for the first time and had their 11-match winning streak on home soil ended by Montenegro.