Chelsea boss Rafael Benitez tonight effectively signalled the end of his troubled reign after launching a broadside at both the club and his detractors.

Middlesbrough 0 Chelsea 2

Chelsea interim manager Rafa Benitez has dismissed reports of a bust-up with his players — insisting it was business as usual ahead of tonight’s FA Cup fifth-round tie at Middlesbrough.

Michael Laudrup believes guiding Swansea to Wembley would rank as one of the finest achievements of his career as the south Wales club prepare to face Middlesbrough in the last eight of the Capital One Cup.

Sunderland 0 Middlesbrough 1

Blackburn 1 Middlesbrough 2

Simon Cox is mulling over a €2.4m move to Championship side Blackburn but West Brom boss Steve Clarke insists his fellow Ireland striker Shane Long is going nowhere.

Celtic first-team coach Alan Thompson has parted company with the club, his lawyer said tonight.

Birmingham 3 Middlesbrough 0

Middlesbrough 0 Leeds 2

West Ham survived the 56th-minute sending-off of Robert Green — and the handicap of having no substitute goalkeeper — to thrash Blackpool 4-1 at Bloomfield Road and return to the top of the npower Championship.

Middlesbrough 1 Sunderland 2 (after extra-time)

Fraizer Campbell provided a heart-warming subplot to a compelling local turf war.

Leeds manager Simon Grayson takes his side to Nottingham Forest for tonight’s npower Championship clash at the City Ground with both clubs planning to pay their respects to Gary Speed.

PAT FENLON’S immediate aim after being named Hibernian manager is to transform results and unify the club.

Pat Fenlon’s immediate aim after being named Hibernian manager is to transform results and unify the club.

A PARALYSED former professional footballer is helping Middlesbrough scout players by rating them using a system of blinks.

Tony Mowbray admitted his side’s scrappy 1-0 win over Watford was harsh on the strugglers.

CHRIS HUGHTON praised Jean Beausajour for providing the spark to give his Birmingham side a vital 2-1 win over Leicester in yesterday’s midlands derby.

BRIGHTON manager Gus Poyet admitted life was “great” after the Seagulls continued their strong start to the season with another win on Saturday.

Middlesbrough will welcome Dutch giants PSV Eindhoven to the Riverside Stadium as their pre-season programme draws to a close.

NEIL LENNON aims to repay Celtic fans for their backing last season after signing a new 12-month rolling contract as Hoops manager.

Celtic manager Neil Lennon has signed a new 12-month rolling contract, the Glasgow club have confirmed.

Cardiff 0 Middlesbrough 3

Middlesbrough 2-1 Coventry

Middlesbrough striker Kris Boyd is to join npower Championship rivals Nottingham Forest on loan as manager Tony Mowbray’s search for a goalkeeper finally paid dividends.

OWEN COYLE accepts Gary Cahill may outgrow Bolton — but has no intention of selling his star defender yet.

Middlesbrough manager Tony Mowbray has confirmed defender David Wheater is on the verge of sealing his return to the Premier League.

Tony Mowbray insisted his struggling Middlesbrough side were disappointed to come away with a point in a 1-1 draw with promotion hopefuls Norwich and hinted at better times to come.

NEIL LENNON revealed a chat with former Celtic boss Gordon Strachan confirmed his inspired decision to play two-goal hero Georgios Samaras in the lone striker’s role at Ibrox.

St Mirren 0 Celtic 1

Neil Lennon is hoping the Celtic board will soon be keen to offer him a contract extension.

New Middlesbrough manager Tony Mowbray insists he will have no problem working with Stephen McManus, Scott McDonald and Barry Robson despite selling them when in charge of Celtic.

Tony Mowbray has been named as the new manager at Middlesbrough.

Middlesbrough chairman Steve Gibson is closing in on Gordon Strachan’s replacement with Tony Mowbray firmly in the frame.

NEIL LENNON claimed Old Firm rookie referee Willie Collum let him down on two crucial decisions during the 3-1 defeat by Rangers at Parkhead yesterday.

NEIL LENNON insists Celtic are not putting any extra pressure on Old Firm debut referee Willie Collum ahead of tomorrow’s Clydesdale Bank Premier League clash with Rangers at Parkhead.

Middlesbrough chairman Steve Gibson was today launching his search for a new manager after Gordon Strachan tore up his contract with the struggling club.

NEIL LENNON has urged his Celtic players to do to Utrecht in the Europa League what Braga did to them in the Champions League.

Celtic 4 St Mirren 0

Celtic today revealed a 15% drop in annual turnover and an increase in bank debt of more than £4m – a financial performance partly attributed to “unacceptable results” under Tony Mowbray.

Celtic have announced that Paddy McCourt has signed a new three-year contract.

Sol Campbell was in Glasgow today having a look around as he mulls over a potential move to Celtic.

NEIL LENNON insists it will take a “ridiculous” amount of money to wrest star midfielder Aiden McGeady from Celtic.