PHIL BROWN always counselled caution, even at the height of Hull’s autumn hey-day, but even he must be shocked at how spectacularly his side’s season has soured.

Liverpool 2 Hull 2

Swansea 2 Hull 1 (after extra-time)

Bristol City 0 Hull 1

AFTER a remarkable 104 years of frustration and false dawns, Hull City stand on the verge of finally ending their wait for Premier League football after virtually securing a path to the Championship play-off final.

Juan Pablo Angel returned to the Aston Villa starting line-up as his side sought to avoid more knockout humiliation in the FA Cup third round at Hull today.

Simon Johnson made his first start of the season for Leeds today in this crucial relegation battle.

Nottingham Forest are poised to sign former England international Nicky Barmby on a month’s loan from Leeds.

SO the rats have gathered on the deck of the doomed football liner which is Leeds United – and by all accounts they would rather one of them jump than help keep the vessel afloat.

There have been three goals in the first 30 minutes at Upton Park as struggling West Ham try to win their home game against Leeds Utd, who are also suffering from a dip in form.

Leeds midfielder Nick Barmby has today been accused of blowing his feud with Middlesbrough’s George Boateng out of all proportion.

Leeds striker Robbie Fowler will visit a surgeon tomorrow about the hip injury which has forced him to return home early from the club’s tour of Australia and the Far East.

Liverpool star Nicky Barmby has distanced himself from claims that he is about to be sold by the Anfield club.

Reports today claim Manchester City are chasing Liverpool midfielder Nicky Barmby.

Liverpool will almost certainly face Galatasaray at Anfield tomorrow night with a goalkeeper tipped as a future star for England.

Everton defender Abel Xavier is poised for a shock move to Merseyside rivals Liverpool.

England lead Germany by two goals to one at half time in their World Cup Qualifier at the Olympic Stadium in Munich.

Michael Owen has levelled the sides with 12 mins gone in England's World Cup Qualifier against Germany at the Olympic Stadium in Munich.

Nicky Barmby summed up Liverpool's approach to the FA Cup semi-final by claiming: "We will treat Wycombe just like Barcelona!"

Road to the semis: Liverpool v Wycombe

Emile Heskey may be Liverpool's top scorer, but it is his defending that has won the praise of Gerard Houllier.

Gerard Houllier will never allow Liverpool’s glory-hunting stars to lose sight of their club’s main objective - qualifying for next season’s Champions League.

Liverpool's super substitutes stole unlikely FA Cup progress for the Reds with a smash-and-grab raid at Leeds United.