A child was hurt in a violent bust-up in the East Stand at Old Trafford between a small number of home and away supporters at a Europa League match between Manchester United and Liverpool.

While the Gunners might have desperately needed to pocket all three points from our day out at the seaside, I’ll be delighted if the Cherries go on to consolidate their highly-prized place in the Premier League because the humble, yet most hospitable, environs of Dean Court is a very welcome addition to the top flight.

Liverpool lost ground on table-topping Arsenal as strikes from Jake Livermore and David Meyler, as well as a Martin Skrtel own goal, handed Hull a surprise 3-1 victory at the KC Stadium.

Paul Scholes has confirmed his retirement for a second time.

A Scottish Premier League match between Kilmarnock and Hibernian has been abandoned after a supporter collapsed in the stand.

Kilmarnock 0 Celtic 6

English football will pay its respects to Wales manager Gary Speed this weekend following his death at the age of 42.

The Professional Footballers’ Association are to extend the circulation of their booklet on handling depression and make it available to all 50,000 ex-professionals in the wake of Gary Speed’s death.

I CANNOT believe that the England captaincy is still making headlines in the papers — isn’t it time to just move on?

Hibernian 0 Rangers 3

Hibernian v Rangers

IT SEEMED entirely appropriate at a time of unprecedented activity in the construction sector in this country that Lansdowne Road should finally play host to the demolition experts.

NOSTALGIA hanging heavy in the air above Dublin 4 just now, the other day I dug out my old copy of Simon Inglis’ definitive ‘The Football Grounds of Europe’ to see what the expert had to say about Lansdowne Road back when his sumptuous tome was first published in early 1990.

CHELSEA’S affinity with the FA Cup shows no sign of ending as they prepare for their ninth semi-final in 17 years and it’s fair to say Stamford Bridge’s love affair with John Terry – if you’ll pardon the pun – looks likely to last just as long after a trademark performance from the centre-half against Stoke City.

MUSGRAVE PARK will host its lowest number of Magners League games since the competition’s inception when Munster Rugby announces its home venues for the 2009/10 campaign later this week.

West Brom have frozen season ticket prices for next season, if purchased by the end of April, irrespective of which division they are in.

Twelve people were arrested during crowd trouble at the FA Cup fourth-round tie between Hull and Millwall.

CHELSEA are not a club which traditionally lacks confidence. From the defiantly ugly architecture of Stamford Bridge’s corporate sprawl, to the absurd posturing of their pre-match PA announcer, this is one sporting institution with apparently bottomless resources of self-esteem.

The demolition of the historic Lansdowne Road stadium is almost complete after the West Stand was razed to the ground, developers revealed today.

DEMOLITION work at Lansdowne Road is due to finish in December but work has already begun on the new state-of-the-art ground with excavation and supports for the new East Stand currently underway.

Peter Kenyon insists the race for the Barclays Premiership title is not over as Chelsea re-group in the wake of their Champions League exit.

Manchester United fans’ groups have called on supporters not to cause trouble at Old Trafford tomorrow night.

Manchester United have confirmed supporters will be able to pay at the turnstiles for tonight’s FA Cup quarter-final replay with Middlesbrough at Old Trafford.

CHELSEA insist John Terry’s scans since the Carling Cup final are part of the “routine” assessment following a head injury.

LEINSTER have been boosted with yesterday’s announcement that Felipe Contepomi has signed a two-year extension to his contract.

Hunt and Sonko were predictably booed when Reading's team was read out over the tannoy and the jeering continued until kick-off when the home fans switched their attention to Chelsea's blistering start.

Manchester United have unveiled plans for a statue to honour George Best, Denis Law and Bobby Charlton.

CHELSEA have refused to comment on Alex Ferguson’s criticism of Jose Mourinho’s planned meeting with referees’ chief Keith Hackett.

DAVID WALLACE is a doubt for Saturday’s Test against South Africa after an ankle injury flared up.

Arsenal goalkeeper Jens Lehmann faces a police probe after he was accused of kicking a water bottle at Manchester United fans.

Arsenal 1 Tottenham 1

UNITED fans were able to pay on the gate in last night’s Champions League tie at Old Trafford.

Munster 27 Llanelli Scarlets 16

Manchester United have announced massive season ticket price hikes of up to 24% as they bid to claw back a £14m (€20.4m) loss in media revenues and stave off the threat of a Malcolm Glazer takeover.

Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp has been forced to accept that midfielder Amdy Faye will be out for the first three months of the season.

Aston Villa midfielder George Boateng has apologised to Leicester striker Paul Dickov after his boot-throwing antics at Filbert Street.

Watford supporters who bought shares in the club have raised £1m which will be used to help buy Vicarage Road.

Manchester United fans must remain seated during matches or parts of Old Trafford will be closed.