Southampton today appointed former Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp as their new manager.

Alex Ferguson sounded a warning note to Chelsea after they maintained their five-point gap at the top of the Barclays Premiership with a 4-0 thrashing of Newcastle.

ALEX FERGUSON has called on his Manchester United side to shake table-toppers Chelsea out of their comfort zone at the top of the Barclays Premiership.

Tim Howard is set to revert to bench duty tomorrow despite keeping a clean sheet in Manchester United’s Carling Cup victory over Arsenal.

Norwich 2 Southampton 1

SOUTHAMPTON head coach Steve Wigley expects to be in charge at St Mary’s until the end of the season - despite reports linking Glenn Hoddle with his job.

Harry Redknapp (pictured) will seek an urgent meeting with Portsmouth chairman Milan Mandaric tomorrow to try to discover whether his job as manager at Fratton Park is any more secure than that of South Coast rival Steve Wigley at Southampton.

Frank Lampard scored a fantastic free-kick after 33 minutes to give Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea side the lead in the west London derby.

Steve Wigley faces a crucial south coast derby with defeat by Portsmouth at St Mary’s likely to end his command of Southampton’s fight for Barclays Premiership survival.

Former Southampton manager Dave Merrington believes chairman Rupert Lowe must take some of the responsibility for the “complete instability” at the club.

James Beattie could be rushed back into Premiership action as Steve Wigley fights for his job as Southampton boss in the local derby against Portsmouth on Saturday after a crushing and humiliating 5-2 Carling Cup defeat by Watford.

Tottenham are expected to announce their managerial plans for the rest of the season today with favourite Martin Jol vowing to embrace the traditional passing game associated with White Hart Lane.

Arsene Wenger has finished his war of words with Alex Ferguson.

Southampton striker Brett Ormerod admits he is “knackered” after playing two games in less than 24 hours, but is ready to go again when Saints face Carling Cup giant-killers Colchester United at St Mary’s on Wednesday night.

“WHAT a wonderful advert for Premiership football, extremely average,” was Birmingham manager Steve Bruce’s ironic verdict after Blues uninspiring goalless draw at Southampton.

Striker Brett Ormerod is available to bolster Southampton head coach Steve Wigley’s limited options in attack for their Premiership game against Birmingham on Sunday.

Southampton reserve team boss Stewart Henderson reckons Leandre Griffit and Arron Davies could be the next youngsters thrust into action for injury-hit Saints.

Everton 1 Southampton 0

Teenager Leon Best is in line to make his full debut as Southampton head coach Steve Wigley faces a striker crisis ahead of his side’s match at Everton tomorrow.

SOUTHAMPTON yesterday named Frenchman Christian Damiano as the man who will work alongside head coach Steve Wigley for the rest of the Premiership season.

Southampton today named Frenchman Christian Damiano as the man who will work alongside head coach Steve Wigley for the rest of the Barclays Premiership season.

Boston manager Steve Evans has revealed at least two clubs want to recruit Paul Gascoigne following his departure from York Street.

Steve Wigley and Kevin Keegan, perhaps two of the Premiership’s most vulnerable managers, kept faith in trusted resources as Southampton took on Manchester City today.

Defender Claus Lundekvam has recovered from an ankle injury as Southampton head coach Steve Wigley bids for his first Barclays Premiership win against Manchester City tomorrow.

Robbie Keane brought his shooting boots as Tottenham crushed Oldham 6-0 at Boundary Park.

Southampton 1 Newcastle United 2

Southampton striker Brett Ormerod will start a month on loan at Leeds United tomorrow.

Captain Jason Dodd and midfielder Matthew Oakley are still missing for the visit of Newcastle on Sunday as Southampton head coach Steve Wigley bids for his first victory since taking charge.

Southampton chairman Rupert Lowe has rubbished suggestions that Glenn Hoddle might be installed as their new manager due to current head coach Steve Wigley lacking the appropriate qualifications.

Charlton 0 Southampton 0

Southampton have today confirmed the signing of Sweden international Andreas Jakobsson on a two-year deal.

Steve Wigley knows what to expect after taking on the role of Southampton head coach in the wake of Paul Sturrock’s departure from St Mary’s.

A sex fiend who wants to be executed had his wish thwarted at the eleventh hour last night while officials probed a claim that another prison inmate had carried out a murder he was on death row for.