As details of the draw for the next round were announced on the radio during extra-time at West Brom in midweek, and the terrace tom-toms transmitted the news of the prize home draw against Chelsea that was awaiting the victors, it was the thought of the ensuing familial flashpoint that immediately weighed most heavy on my mind and a clash with my Mum’s 80th birthday bash.

Striker Shane Long insists he is happy to stay at West Brom amid fresh speculation over his future.

Wolves 0 Ipswich 2

Kevin Doyle, who captains Ireland for just the second time, when they play Oman at Craven Cottage this evening has said that James McClean’s Twitter own goal has, paradoxically, helped integrate him better into the squad.

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.

Sunderland 0 Wolves 0

Fulham 5 Wolves 0

Mick McCarthy famously claimed he was not Merlin the Magician on the day of his appointment but will surely need to display incredible levels of escapology to avoid becoming the latest Premier League managerial casualty.

Precisely a year on since his deadline-day arrival at Anfield, Andy Carroll provided an overdue reminder of exactly why Liverpool made him their club-record signing.

CLAIMS that the English city riots were provoked by social deprivation, marginalised youths, the disadvantaged and social malcontents in British society, do not tally with the profile of some of those already charged with looting, arson and vandalism.

West Brom manager Roy Hodgson should have a full squad available for Monday’s Barclays Premier League clash with Stoke.

West Brom 1 Wolves 1

Wolves 2 Manchester United 1

EVEN Carlo Ancelotti’s match predictions have been affected by the alarming malaise at Stamford Bridge.

MANCHESTER CITY striker Mario Balotelli roared out of the Black Country in a fit of pique last weekend and departed even earlier this time as the forward loudly announced his arrival in the land of cash and controversy.

An 11-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of arson today after a major blaze at a school in the UK.

Stephen Hunt fired a parting shot at Hull's financial mis-management after swapping Humberside for the Black Country.

Stephen Hunt admits Wolves’ determination to bring him to Molineux helped make his decision to switch to the Black Country an easy one.

READING booked an FA Cup quarter-final clash against Aston Villa after staging a remarkable comeback to see off a West Brom side who were themselves within a minute of a meeting their midlands neighbours.

AS HE peered through the fog that shrouded Molineux last night, Roberto Mancini will have been acutely aware that he cannot possibly visualise a future at Manchester City without Craig Bellamy.

Wolves 1 Middlesbrough 2

PETERBOROUGH United were unlucky to come away with just a draw in the third round FA Cup tie at West Brom.

Wolves boss Mick McCarthy has warned his team they must not underestimate tomorrow’s opponents QPR as they look to maintain their lead at the top of the Coca-Cola Championship.

OCTOBER 7, 2006. Not a day that holds too many fond memories for anyone involved in the Ireland set-up but, while the national team was getting stuffed in Nicosia, Andy Keogh was having a day to remember in Nottingham.

Wales goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey has been ruled out of the Euro 2008 qualifiers against Cyprus and San Marino with injury.

TONY MOWBRAY spelt out his delight at marking his first match as West Brom manager with victory over Wolves in the Black Country derby and then challenged his players “let’s keep this going”.

WOLVES manager Mick McCarthy believes match-winner Jay Bothroyd is “Premiership class” after watching the striker’s late wonder goal sink Leeds at Elland Road.

West Ham striker Dean Ashton faces an anxious wait to discover whether the hamstring injury he sustained in last night’s win at West Brom will rule him out of the FA Cup final.

Champions Chelsea moved another step closer to retaining their Premiership title with a gritty 2-1 win at West Brom.

WOLVES chief executive Jez Moxey believes his club are on to a winner whoever they face in the FA Cup fourth round.

JAMES MARTIN CAHILL spent his 28th birthday carrying out the murder of Limerick bouncer Brian Fitzgerald.

READING extended their lead at the top of the Coca-Cola Championship to nine points, beating Wolves 2-0 in the Black Country while Sheffield United were defeated by Norwich.

MManchester United 3 West Brom 0

Southampton are in talks to sign Olivier Bernard and Henri Camara before the transfer deadline.

Everton overtook Arsenal to claim second place in the Barclays Premiership with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Merseyside rivals Liverpool.

Cash-strapped Manchester City are on the hunt for a new goalkeeper after Belgian international Geert de Vlieger was ruled out for the entire season.

Wolves coach Stuart Gray has agreed a new two-year contract at Molineux.

Leicester’s valiant battle against relegation from the Premiership ended after they drew today and Manchester City beat Newcastle.

KENNY MILLER left Molineux on Saturday with the match video tucked under his arm and his indelible mark on Wolverhampton history assured.

Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson has reported “plenty of interest” in want-away midfielder Nicky Butt.

Wolves have asked Senegal if they can delay Henri Camara’s departure for the African Nations Cup so he can play against Manchester United and Liverpool next week.

FORMER Republic of Ireland international Denis Irwin will decide in the next week if he will remain in top flight football for another season.