It was not the return to Wales Blackburn manager Mark Hughes had hoped for, but at least he avoided the ignominy of becoming a high-profile FA Cup scalp.

Tottenham 5 Everton 2

Aston Villa and Birmingham will not face any further punishment for the brawl at Villa Park on Sunday.

BOLTON striker El-Hadji Diouf last night admitted he had shown a “lack of moral responsibility” and issued an apology after being fined two weeks’ wages for spitting at Portsmouth captain Arjan de Zeeuw.

Norwich 1 Blackburn 1

Manchester City manager Kevin Keegan has been fined £8,500 (€12,200) and received a reprimand from the Football Association for his foul-mouthed tirade at referee Steve Dunn on October 24.

Kevin Keegan was left cursing the referee for the second Premiership game on the trot – but at least his ire was quelled by unearthing the “new Billy Bremner”.

Manchester City 1 Norwich City 1

The Football Association has attempted to clarify the charge being levelled against Manchester City boss Kevin Keegan.

KEVIN KEEGAN will write a letter of apology to referee Steve Dunn for his foul-mouthed tunnel tirade at St James’ Park on Sunday — but remains unrepentant about his post-match media comments.

Manchester City manager Kevin Keegan will write to referee Steve Dunn to apologise for his conduct in the players’ tunnel after the defeat at Newcastle on Sunday.

Manchester City manager Kevin Keegan charged by Football Association for “using abusive and/or insulting words and/or behaviour” to referee Steve Dunn.

Craig Bellamy knows better than most how short a journey it can be from villain to hero in football.

MANCHESTER CITY boss Kevin Keegan was furious with referee Steve Dunn after again finding himself on the wrong end of a seven-goal thriller against his old club Newcastle.

Mark Hughes was furious with referee Steve Dunn for not awarding his side a penalty in the 1-0 Barclays Premiership defeat to Charlton tonight.

Charlton 1 Blackburn 0

Southampton fans turned on chairman Rupert Lowe as Southampton suffered a crushing home defeat just two days after manager Paul Sturrock left the club by “mutual consent” following reports that player-power forced him out.

BIRMINGHAM captain Kenny Cunningham will miss the first two games of the 2004/05 Premiership season following his sending off in Saturday’s 3-0 defeat by Liverpool.

Birmingham captain Kenny Cunningham will miss the first two games of the 2004/05 Premiership season following his sending off in Saturday’s 3-0 defeat to Liverpool.

Birmingham 3 Liverpool 0

Portsmouth 1 Fulham 1

Bolton might want Rivaldo to add a bit more glamour and panache down at the Reebok, but who needs Brazilian magic with miraculous come-backs like this one?

GARY NEVILLE fears the ‘diver’ taunt, levelled at him by referee Graham Poll, has turned him into a marked man among the men in black.

Manchester United 2 Charlton Athletic 0

Blackburn 1 Leeds 2

ARSENAL goalkeeper Jens Lehmann has been fined £10,000 by the Football Association following an incident with Southampton’s Kevin Phillips in December.

Arsenal goalkeeper Jens Lehmann has been fined £10,000 (€18,000) by the Football Association following an incident with Southampton’s Kevin Phillips in December.

Newcastle 3 Leicester 1

Michael Brown (pictured) has accused Manchester City midfielder Claudio Reyna of elbowing him during Sunday’s fourth round FA Cup tie.

Arsenal goalkeeper Jens Lehmann today admitted a Football Association misconduct charge arising out of a clash with Kevin Phillips as he received a warning from boss Arsene Wenger to keep his cool.

AUXERRE chief Jean-Claude Hamel insisted last night that Djibril Cisse will be a Liverpool player next season.

Arsenal goalkeeper Jens Lehmann and Southampton striker Kevin Phillips have been charged with improper conduct by the Football Association following their spat during the Gunners’ 1-0 Premiership win at St Mary’s on December 29.

Referee Steve Dunn has handed Liverpool midfielder El-Hadji Diouf a reprieve by admitting he was wrong to send him off during the 1-0 win over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday night.

Arsenal goalkeeper Jens Lehmann has accused Southampton striker Kevin Phillips of foul play during Monday night’s clash at St Mary’s Stadium.

ARSENAL boss Arsene Wenger has demanded greater protection for goalkeepers after watching Jens Lehmann become embroiled in a spat with Southampton striker Kevin Phillips during Monday night’s 1-0 victory.

Arsenal goalkeeper Jens Lehmann can expect to feel the Football Association’s wrath after throwing the ball at Southampton striker Kevin Phillips after his side’s victory at St Mary’s.

Southampton 0 Arsenal 1

Southampton 0 Arsenal 1

Furious Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp gave his team extra Christmas Day training following their recent slump in form and that policy paid rich dividends as Patrik Berger’s free-kick double sent Tottenham crashing to defeat.

Wolves defender Paul Butler has been charged with misconduct by the Football Association over incidents which followed the club’s 2-0 defeat at Middlesbrough earlier this month.

Middlesbrough 2 Wolves 0

Portsmouth 1 Liverpool 0

Birmingham 2 Fulham 2

Birmingham 2 Fulham 2