A bad year for the Manchester City skipper got worse with the closure of his two pubs in Belgium.

Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey stunned Galatasaray with a stunning left-footed strike in the Champions League last night.

There were just a handful of us in the lift coming down from the press box in the Corinthians Arena in Sao Paulo last week when the doors opened and in walked... ‘O Fenomeno,’ I heard myself involuntarily mutter under my breath.

For fans over a certain age following a World Cup, you’re never really watching just that World Cup.

Yaya Toure’s Manchester City future is the subject of speculation after a confusing and increasingly farcical day of comments from the player and his agent.

Yaya Toure has reinforced his commitment to Manchester City following a series of extraordinary claims from his agent.

Tottenham 4 Anzhi Makhachkala 1

The last time Manchester United played Real Madrid at Old Trafford, almost 10 years ago, they fell to a Ronaldo hat-trick in one of the greatest games the Champions League has ever seen; but this time Ryan Giggs, in his 1,000th career match, is planning a different outcome.

Russia’s mega-rich club Anzhi Makhachkala would consider a bid for Manchester United’s Wayne Rooney, according to their team director Roberto Carlos.

Blackburn are in talks with Anzhi Makhachkala over the possible transfer of wantaway defender Christopher Samba, it is understood.

Tottenham striker Roman Pavlyuchenko insists there is no truth in reports linking him with a return to Russia with big-spending Anzhi Makhachkala.

Scotland fans and the Scottish Football Association have refuted claims by Brazil star Neymar that he was abused by the Tartan Army in the countries’ friendly at the Emirates Stadium.

Celtic manager Neil Lennon remains keen to add a striker to his squad before tomorrow`s transfer deadline, despite seeing Daryl Murphy net the winner against Motherwell on his first start for the club.

MOTHERWELL manager Craig Brown felt Shaun Maloney went down “very, very easily” to win Celtic the penalty that edged them to a 1-0 victory at Fir Park.

DAMIEN DUFF is likely to discover today whether he must miss the forthcoming World Cup double header against Italy and Montenegro with a calf injury.

Sol Campbell has claimed he quit Notts County after just one game because promises he was made about other big-name signings were not kept.

Real Madrid defender Fabio Cannavaro insists he wants to remain at the Bernabeu, claiming his first priority is to extend his contract.

Arsenal 0 Fenerbahce 0

Arsenal youngster Aaron Ramsey was drafted into Arsene Wenger’s starting line-up against Fenerbahce among five changes made from the side that lost to Stoke at the weekend.

Fenerbahce 2 Arsenal 5

Chelsea 4 Portsmouth 0

FENERBAHCE coach Zico has claimed that tonight’s Champions League opponents Chelsea were affected by ‘negative pressure’ during the quarter-final first-leg defeat in Istanbul last week.

Fenerbahce 2 Chelsea 1

Fenerbahce boss Zico will remain faithful to his Brazilian heritage by sending out his side to attack Chelsea – but he may have to do it without his compatriot Roberto Carlos.

SUBSTITUTE Semih Senturk’s late strike lifted Fenerbahce to a 3-2 win in their Champions League last 16 first leg tie against Sevilla.

NO Ronaldinho. No Kaka. No Pato. If it was any other country arriving without three of their franchise names you’d feel cheated but this is Brazil and the ‘Seneçao’ never lose their allure.

Man Utd 1 Roma 0

A FRANCOIS Clerc own goal in the first half and late strikes from Lionel Messi and Thierry Henry gave Barcelona a comfortable victory over Lyon in their Group E Champions League clash at the Nou Camp on Wednesday night.

ARJEN ROBBEN spoke of his relief after finally completing his move to Real Madrid yesterday, ending one of the summer’s longest-running transfer sagas.

The messy Gabriel Heinze saga has finally reached its conclusion after the Manchester United defender agreed a four-year contract with Real Madrid.

Man City 1 Derby 0

MANCHESTER UNITED chief executive David Gill has admitted the club may sign a new striker this summer.

Real Madrid full-back Roberto Carlos has agreed to join Turkish champions Fenerbahce.

Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon believes the Primera Liga trophy is bound for the Bernabeu if the team can maintain their current form.

Sevilla’s much-admired full-back Daniel Alves is staying tight-lipped on his future plans as he focuses on tomorrow night’s UEFA Cup final at Hampden Park.

BAYERN MUNICH took their place in the quarter-finals of the Champions League thanks in part to the quickest goal in the tournament’s history.

Madrid put their recent troubles aside to hold the advantage going into the second leg although Bayern snatched two vital away goals.

REAL MADRID were last night forced to deny media reports that coach Fabio Capello handed in his resignation 24 hours before tonight’s Champions League clash against Bayern Munich.

David Beckham is to leave Real Madrid and move to Los Angeles Galaxy in the summer after agreeing one of the richest deals in sport – but the former England captain insists he is not going for the money.

UNSETTLED Roberto Carlos has dismissed a move to Chelsea by insisting he will only leave Real Madrid for one club - Santos of Brazil.

Marcelo could make his first appearance for Real Madrid in Friday night’s friendly against Atletico Madrid.

Real Madrid 3 Racing Santander 1

REAL MADRID booked their place in the next round of the Champions League, but they needed a farcical own goal from Banel Nicolita to see off battling Steaua Bucharest.

Roberto Carlos has justified his international retirement by insisting playing for Brazil was no longer contributing anything to his career.