Everton have been given a major boost ahead of next week’s crucial Capital One Cup semi-final second leg at Manchester City with midfielder James McCarthy and defender Seamus Coleman likely to be fit.

Holders Arsenal must entertain Burnley in the fourth round of the FA Cup while Northampton’s reward if they can get past MK Dons in a third-round replay will be a visit from Chelsea.

After scoring probably the most celebrated Ireland goal by someone other than Ray Houghton, Alan McLoughlin still had a life to live – though it almost ended a couple of years ago through cancer.

The Portsmouth Supporters’ Trust expects other fan groups to follow its lead after it was given permission by a High Court judge yesterday to take control at Fratton Park.

Former Portsmouth owner Balram Chainrai hopes to clinch a takeover of the club within the next fortnight.

Portsmouth will not go into liquidation today after Liam Lawrence, the last remaining senior player on the books at Fratton Park, agreed to leave the club.

Portsmouth could be liquidated today after 114 years as a football club - although administrator Trevor Birch remains "cautiously optimistic" they will survive.

Portsmouth’s fight for survival will go to the wire but a takeover by fans is feasible, the club’s administrator said today.

Southampton boss Nigel Adkins chose to see his side’s 3-0 weekend defeat at Blackpool as a mere blip as they continue their hunt for promotion.

Portsmouth’s home match against Hull became the first npower Championship fixture to fall victim to the weather as it was postponed due to a frozen pitch this morning.

NIGEL ADKINS would prefer for people to be talking about his Southampton team’s style of play instead of Luke Chambers’ red card after the Saints defeated Nottingham Forest on Saturday to stay at the summit of the npower Championship.

Portsmouth have confirmed the appointment of Michael Appleton as their new manager.

Portsmouth 3 Nottingham Forest 0

Nottingham Forest boss Steve McClaren had blamed off-field “squabbling” for his side’s poor start in the npower Championship this week and they responded by going down without a fight at Burnley.

Emile Sinclair scored twice as League Two minnows Macclesfield topped the bill on a night of Carling Cup upsets with a 2-0 win over npower Championship Hull at the KC Stadium tonight.

WAYNE ROUTLEDGE marked his second QPR debut with a goal as the npower Championship leaders came from behind to sink Coventry yesterday.

CARDIFF climbed back into second in the npower Championship with only their second victory in eight attempts and their first at home since October.

Tottenham midfielder Jamie O’Hara insists he has not held talks with West Ham over a loan move but admits he may have to leave White Hart Lane in order to gain first-team football.

Portsmouth have confirmed the appointment of Balram Chainrai as the club’s new chairman.

Portsmouth have confirmed the sale of the club to businessmen Balram Chainrai, Levi Kushnir and Deepak Chainrai has been completed.

THE way people were warning him off going to Portsmouth, Liam Lawrence would hardly have been surprised to find a sign proclaiming ‘Abandon hope all ye who enter here’ greeting him at Fratton Park.

Portsmouth 6 Leicester 1

EVERTON crashed out of the Carling Cup at the third round stage last night, beaten 4-3 in a penalty shoot-out by League One strugglers Brentford after a 1-1 draw. Jermaine Beckford and Phil Jagielka failed from 12 yards for David Moyes’ men.

Portsmouth are hoping to sign Liam Lawrence on an emergency loan from Stoke after a permanent deal between the two clubs collapsed.

Holders Manchester United will begin their Carling Cup defence at Scunthorpe - and the third-round draw also paired Tottenham and Arsenal together for a north London derby.

Portsmouth have rejected a £2m bid from West Brom for captain Marc Wilson.

West Brom have confirmed their interest in signing striker Frederic Piquionne who played a major role in Portsmouth reaching last season’s FA Cup final.

ALGERIA’s former Portsmouth midfielder Hassan Yebda says he had witnessed first-hand how England pair Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard fail to reproduce their club form for their country.

West Ham today appointed Avram Grant as their new manager on a four-year contract.

Avram Grant described his decision to step down as Portsmouth manager last night “as one of the most difficult” of his career.

Republic of Ireland defender Steve Finnan has been released by his club Portsmouth.

Avram Grant has emerged as the leading candidate for the West Ham manager’s job as new owners David Gold and David Sullivan look to take the club forwards.

Avram Grant is crossing his fingers another battling Portsmouth performance in yesterday's FA Cup final can unearth a buyer willing to take on the cash-strapped club.

Avram Grant took another swipe at the Premier League after Portsmouth’s troubled season came to a close with a 1-0 defeat against Chelsea in the FA Cup final.

TAL BEN-HAIM knows better than most just how dangerous Chelsea can be – but maintains Portsmouth must show “no fear” when they tackle his old team-mates in tomorrow’s FA Cup final at Wembley.

SUNDERLAND chairman Niall Quinn predicts limited big money deals on the transfer front this summer as some of the Premier League’s biggest clubs feel the pinch of the global economic downturn.

Portsmouth will have more than two-thirds of their debts written off after a deal with creditors was thrashed out today but have been hit with a further £17m claim from the taxman.

Portsmouth’s debts have increased to £138m, it has emerged.

FROM Mick McCarthy there was humour, from Avram Grant heartfelt passion.

Portsmouth 3 Wolves 1

Portsmouth manager Avram Grant admits he has received offers to manage other clubs, as he prepares for his side’s final Barclays Premier League home fixture against Wolves tomorrow.

PORTSMOUTH’S administrators have revealed in intricate detail how the club’s debts plunged to an incredible €137million.

Portsmouth 1 Aston Villa 2

Portsmouth manager Avram Grant handed 18-year-old academy defender Leonard Sowah his first start in this afternoon’s Premier League clash against Aston Villa at Fratton Park.