IF they manage to get Champions League football, no-one at Eastlands will remember how much anxiety and nerves there were on the way but this was another horrible night for Roberto Mancini’s side before Carlos Tevez scored three times to bring some relief.

FRANCE v Romania. Oh dear. Let’s blame it on the weather, shall we?

Arsenal were tonight facing up to the unsavoury prospect of life without Patrick Vieira as the French World Cup winner seemed to edge closer to a move to Real Madrid.

ROY KEANE’S return to international football with Ireland was welcomed yesterday by the outstanding French midfielder, Patrick Vieira.

Chelsea'a season comes down to a noon showdown with unbeaten Arsenal on Saturday and Frank Lampard another chance to prove he can compare with the very best midfielders in Europe. He spoke to Mark Gallagher.