Anzhi Makhachkala 1 Liverpool 0

Greece 1 Russia 0

Russia went top of Group A as Alan Dzagoev’s double helped them to an impressive victory over the Czech Republic at the Municipal Stadium in Wroclaw last night.

Russia 4 Czech Republic 1

Not for the first time, an air of dissatisfaction hangs over Russia.

Blackburn are in talks with Anzhi Makhachkala over the possible transfer of wantaway defender Christopher Samba, it is understood.

Russia coach Dick Advocaat is confident his players will seal their place at Euro 2012 when they take on Andorra tomorrow night, but is aware they cannot afford to start the celebrations just yet.

Giovanni Trapattoni is confident the Republic of Ireland’s hopes of Euro 2012 qualification remain alive after a battling draw in Russia.

THEY already have some imposing statues in the capital of Russia but they may have to make way for one of a man from Tallaght after this minor miracle in Moscow.

Republic of Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni saluted Richard Dunne and Shay Given for their heroic performances in a precious 0-0 draw in Russia.

Russia 0 Republic of Ireland 0

HALF TIME: Russia 0 Ireland 0

Chelsea striker Didier Drogba returned to the starting line-up to partner Fernando Torres up front against Blackpool at Bloomfield Road.

ALEX FERGUSON has been charged with improper conduct by the Football Association.

Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson has been charged with improper conduct by the Football Association.

The Football Association have requested a copy of Alex Ferguson’s post-match interview with MUTV from Tuesday’s encounter with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

MANCHESTER UNITED midfielder Michael Carrick has urged officials to get the big decisions right in important matches.

Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson will turn to Wes Brown to fill the defensive void left by the suspension of Nemanja Vidic following the Serbian’s dismissal in last night’s damaging loss at the hands of Chelsea.

IT HAS been a long time coming but last night Chelsea, thanks to a controversial 80th-minute penalty winner from Frank Lampard, dramatically disrupted Manchester United’s title challenge and revived their own fractured season; lock, stock and two smoking barrels.

aChelsea 2 Manchester United 1

Didier Drogba will start Chelsea’s FA Cup fourth-round replay against Everton tomorrow in place of the cup-tied Fernando Torres.

Carlo Ancelotti’s injury problems are easing with his squad reporting no new injuries after the draw against Aston Villa.

Jose Bosingwa returns to the Chelsea squad for Monday’s crunch Barclays Premier League game at Arsenal.

John Terry will miss the match against Newcastle but the pain he has suffered from the nerve problem in his leg is subsiding and he should be fit to return next weekend.

CHELSEA will attempt to end their miserable run of form when they take on MSK Zilina in the Champions League tonight but they will have to do with it with little more than a reserve side.

WHAT a difference a goal makes. The first half against Blackburn last Saturday was truly woeful. We were lethargic, too narrow, outfought and outpaced.

IF seasons hinge, twisting and turning almost imperceptibly, on numerous weekends of subtle momentum shifts, then Chelsea’s impressive victory at Ewood Park on Saturday may well prove to be one such moment in their attempt to hold onto the Premier League title.

ARSENAL and Chelsea all but secured a place in the last 16 of the Champions League after recording comfortable victories last night.

Spartak Moscow 0 Chelsea 2

Aston Villa 0 Chelsea 0

IT used to be that you could always rely on Chelsea to spice up those vacant weeks when the international programme lays a dead and frosty hand across football.

FYR Macedonia 0 Russia 1

Republic of Ireland 2 Russia 3

Russia have named four Premier League players in their squad for their Euro 2012 qualifier with the Republic of Ireland in Dublin on October 8.

THE name Mike Dean, quite rightly in some cases, has been trotted out by any number of Premier League managers in recent seasons as an excuse to mask their own team’s inadequacies.

Chelsea have announced that defender Ashley Cole will be out of action for approximately three months after fracturing his left ankle in yesterday’s match against Everton.

Chelsea strikers Didier Drogba and Salomon Kalou were paired in attack for today’s Barclays Premier League clash with Fulham.

NICOLAS ANELKA stunned Porto for a second time this season as Chelsea finished top of Group D with a 1-0 victory in the Estadio do Dragao.

Porto 0 Chelsea 1

CAPTAIN John Terry insists Chelsea are becoming a feared team once more as he prepares to lead Carlo Ancelotti’s side through an 11-day period that could go a long way to defining their season.

Slovenia 1 Russia 0

Russia 2 Slovenia 1

Chelsea coach Carlo Ancelotti believes striker Salomon Kalou will play an important part in the future of the club after the Ivory Coast international signed a new three-year contract.