Manchester United’s dressing room could not help chuckling when they were sent to Southend for their next Carling Cup mission, but Kieran Richardson insists the holders will have their serious faces on when they visit Roots Hall in a fortnight.

ALAN SMITH has warned Crewe there will be no holding back as he spearheads the start of Manchester United’s Carling Cup defence at Gresty Road.

Wigan manager Paul Jewell took the positives out of seeing his fringe players get a run-out despite the Latics slipping to a Carling Cup defeat against League One Crewe.

Liverpool’s return to training ahead of their Champions League and Community Shield showdowns next month has been overshadowed by another attack on boss Rafael Benitez by outcast striker Djibril Cisse.

Reading came through a thrilling encounter with bottom side Crewe to extend their lead at the top of the Coca-Cola Championship.

Dave Kitson fired a second-half hat-trick as Coca-Cola Championship leaders Reading thrashed Brighton 5-1 at the Madejski Stadium.

Sheffield United emerged victorious from the Steel City derby against rivals Wednesday to keep up the pressure on Coca-Cola Championship leaders Reading.

Neil Shipperley scored the only goal against Wolves to extend Sheffield United’s lead at the top of the Coca-Cola Championship.

Wigan claimed automatic promotion to the Premiership today thanks to a 3-1 win over Reading at the JJB Stadium.

Sunderland will be playing top-flight football next season after today’s victory against Leicester ensured promotion from the Coca-Cola Championship.

ROTHERHAM had relegation from the Coca-Cola Championship confirmed last night after losing 4-3 to promotion hopefuls Ipswich at Portman Road.

Sunderland moved five points clear at the top of the Coca-Cola Championship after a thrilling second-half comeback to win 3-1 against QPR.

IPSWICH missed a great opportunity to extend their lead at the top of the Coca-Cola Championship as Watford claimed an unexpected 2-1 win at Portman Road.

Leeds are hoping to complete the loan signing of West Brom striker Rob Hulse.

READING gained ground on the Coca-Cola Championship pacesetters yesterday as they took advantage of defeats for the top three teams.

Wigan retained their place at the top of the Coca-Cola Championship with a 2-0 win over Gillingham as every top four side finished the day with maximum points.

Roy Carroll is hoping another Champions League shut-out against Sparta Prague on Wednesday will help stave off the renewed threat to his Manchester United place from Tim Howard.

ALAN SMITH has admitted his controversial move from Leeds to Manchester United could not have gone much better.

WES BROWN is eager to put the ‘soupgate’ scandal to one side and start focusing on how normal service has been resumed at Manchester United.

The Football Association have maintained there was nothing out of the ordinary with Manchester United’s Ruud van Nistelrooy beginning his three-match suspension with last night’s Carling Cup third-round tie at Crewe.

Crewe Alexandra 0 Manchester United 3

Crewe 0 Manchester United 3

Crewe 0 Manchester United 1

Tim Howard returned for the first time since September 15 as Alex Ferguson named a strong side for Manchester United’s Carling Cup opener at Crewe.

Wigan survived a late scare today against Plymouth to win 2-1 and remain top of the Coca-Cola Championship.

Wigan regained their place at the top of the Coca Cola Championship with a comfortable 2-0 victory over rock-bottom Rotherham.

Coca-Cola Championship leaders Wigan crashed out of the Carling Cup tonight with a 1-0 defeat at Grimsby.

Sunderland moved up to fourth in Nationwide Division One tonight as they completed the double over struggling Gillingham with a 2-1 win at The Stadium of Light.

Telford boss Mick Jones admitted FA Cup fever was taking over after his Nationwide Conference side swept aside First Division Crewe to reach the FA Cup fourth round.

A late Alex Rae equaliser denied Third Division Kidderminster the chance to cause the shock of the FA Cup third round against Barclaycard Premiership strugglers Wolves.

Sunderland ended a miserable day off the field with a brave performance on it as they beat Gillingham 3-1 at the Priestfield Stadium

Sheffield United knocked West Brom off the First Division summit with a 2-0 victory in the battle of the top two at The Hawthorns.

Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier faces an anxious wait over the fitness of new signing Harry Kewell after the Australian international limped out of today’s 1-1 friendly draw with Crewe at Gresty Road.