Liam Lawrence failed a fitness test on a leg injury today so Keith Fahey started tonight’s Euro 2012 qualifier in Zilina in midfield as one of two changes for the Republic of Ireland from Friday’s 3-2 defeat by Russia.

THE pity for Ireland was that Armenia had done Giovanni Trapattoni a huge favour earlier yesterday in Yerevan by claiming their first Euro 2012 Group B win over our group rivals Slovakia.

MIROSLAV STOCH scored the only goal as Slovakia inflicted a shock Euro 2012 Group B home defeat on Russia at Moscow’s Lokomotiv Stadium yesterday, a result that could have major implications for the Republic of Ireland.

Russia 0 Slovakia 1

Holland 2 Slovakia 1

NEW Zealand manager Ricki Herbert has hailed his team’s 1-1 World Cup draw with Slovakia yesterday as the best result in the nation’s football history.

NORTHERN IRELAND have only one chance remaining of making it to the World Cup finals after this setback at a stunned Windsor Park.

Burnley striker Martin Paterson has been drafted into the Northern Ireland starting line-up for their crucial World Cup qualifier against Slovakia at Windsor Park tonight.

Chelsea expect Frank Lampard and Alex to be fit after a week’s rest ahead of the FA Cup final against Everton.

Chelsea have just one injury concern ahead of Saturday’s FA Cup final against Everton at Wembley.

Chelsea are likely to be without Salomon Kalou for their last home game of the season against Blackburn.

Didier Drogba is a doubt for Chelsea’s Premier League clash with Arsenal on Sunday.

Midfielder Deco and centre-half Ricardo Carvalho are unlikely to figure against Barcelona in tomorrow’s Champions League semi-final second leg due to hamstring problems.

Chelsea are without midfielder Deco and defender Ricardo Carvalho for the visit of Fulham.

Chelsea will be without midfielder Deco and defenders Ricardo Carvalho and Ashley Cole for their Champions League semi-final first leg against Barcelona at the Nou Camp.

Chelsea are without midfielder Deco and right-back Jose Bosingwa for tomorrow’s home Barclays Premier League clash with Everton.

Chelsea skipper John Terry returns from suspension for tomorrow’s FA Cup semi-final against Arsenal at Wembley.

Chelsea captain John Terry is suspended for the Champions League quarter-final return leg against Liverpool at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea boss Guus Hiddink must decide whether to play Ricardo Carvalho or John Terry in defence against Bolton tomorrow.

Chelsea are without striker Didier Drogba and right-back Jose Bosingwa for tomorrow’s trip to Newcastle.

Chelsea are without Nicolas Anelka and Paulo Ferreira for their FA Cup quarter-final at Coventry.

Chelsea are without defender Ricardo Carvalho for tomorrow’s home clash with Wigan.

Chelsea tonight make one change from the side that beat Aston Villa in the Premier League last Saturday – Ashley Cole has replaced Paulo Ferreira at left-back.

Chelsea are without Deco for tomorrow night’s Champions League last-16 tie against Juventus at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea defender Ashley Cole will miss tomorrow’s Premier League clash with Aston Villa through suspension.

ONE of the most damning indictments of Scolari’s reign was that even Nice Bloke Wilkins was more capable of changing a game than the World Cup winning boss as he demonstrated at Watford last Saturday.

Chelsea are without suspended captain John Terry for their FA Cup fifth round trip to Watford tomorrow.

Chelsea are waiting on defender Ricardo Carvalho ahead of their home clash with Hull City.

Chelsea will be without defender Ricardo Carvalho for Sunday’s trip to Liverpool.

SO another obstacle overcome with only a modicum of discomfort: yet another goal conceded from a set-piece. Scolari must be very grateful indeed to Lampard as his amazing strike may have distracted the supporters enough to realise that the game itself was yet another insipid display against inferior opposition.

Chelsea will be without captain John Terry for tomorrow’s FA Cup fourth round tie against Ipswich at Stamford Bridge.

COMETH the hour (of need), cometh the man. I’m not going to write another eulogy in praise of Lampard but I have to thank him for giving me one of those brain-melting celebrations as a fan last Saturday.

Didier Drogba is back in the Chelsea squad for tomorrow’s Barclays Premier League match at home to Stoke.

Chelsea welcome back captain John Terry and midfielder Michael Ballack for the Barclays Premier League trip to Manchester United on Sunday.

Chelsea are likely to be without defender Alex and winger Florent Malouda for their FA Cup third round tie against Southend at Stamford Bridge tomorrow.

Chelsea are without suspended captain John Terry for the clash with west London neighbours Fulham at Craven Cottage.

Chelsea coach Luiz Felipe Scolari is without suspended captain John Terry for the visit of West Brom on St Stephen's Day.

Chelsea coach Luiz Felipe Scolari is unlikely to have defender Ricardo Carvalho fit for Monday’s Barclays Premier League trip to Everton.

WELL, the silly season is up and running . . . and I am not just talking about the results.

Chelsea hope to have midfielder Joe Cole fit to face Bolton tomorrow but striker Didier Drogba is still out through suspension.

Chelsea were missing England midfielder Joe Cole for this afternoon’s Premier League clash with title rivals Arsenal at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea midfielder Joe Cole could miss Sunday’s vital London derby against Arsenal at Stamford Bridge after suffering an ankle injury in the Champions League draw with Bordeaux on Wednesday night.

Chelsea have a doubt over midfielder Frank Lampard, who withdrew from England’s squad for the friendly with Germany on Wednesday because of a rib injury, for tomorrow’s Barclays Premier League clash with Newcastle.

Chelsea coach Luiz Felipe Scolari with add youngsters Miroslav Stoch and Michael Woods to his injury-hit Chelsea squad for tomorrow’s trip to West Bromwich.