FA Cup — Saturday review

Blyth Spartans saw their hopes of an FA Cup third-round upset ended by Birmingham’s second-half fightback at Croft Park.

Swansea have ’reluctantly accepted’ Jonjo Shelvey’s violent conduct charge from the Football Association, the Barclays Premier League club have announced.

West Ham United 1 Newcastle 0

Wigan have enjoyed plenty of giant-killing acts in the FA Cup over the last two seasons but were on the wrong end of a Capital One Cup upset tonight when going down 2-1 at League Two Burton in the first round.

Stoke boss Mark Hughes believes Stephen Ireland’s match-winning performance against Tranmere was just a tantalising glimpse of what he is capable of.

Stephen Ireland has been praised after scoring his first goal since December 2011 to help his new side Stoke into the fourth round of the Capital One Cup last night.

Stoke striker Kenwyne Jones has confirmed he was looking to leave the club last season and suggested several of his team-mates were too, such was the dissatisfaction in the squad at life under then-manager Tony Pulis.

Liverpool managing director Ian Ayre has sought to temper expectations heading into next season by admitting it may take a while to regain Champions League football.

Liverpool managing director Ian Ayre expects the next step in the redevelopment of Anfield will be completed this summer.

Few will forget Ireland’s ill-fated 1995 clash with England at Lansdowne

Dean Saunders will open talks with Wolves today about their vacant managerial position after Doncaster confirmed receiving an approach from the npower Championship club.

Aston Villa boss Paul Lambert admits he has a big decision this weekend to decide whether to persevere with former Newcastle goalkeeper Shay Given after his goal-costing error against Everton last weekend.

Richard Dunne is considering his international future with the Republic of Ireland and has asked Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert for advice.

Arsenal striker Robin van Persie will be the clear favourite after being named among the nominees for PFA Players’ Player of the Year award today.

STEVE STAUNTON is in the running to become the new boss at Premier Division Dundalk.

Wayne Rooney’s father was one of nine men arrested today as part of an investigation into suspicious betting activity, sources said.

Sheffield Wednesday started their npower League One campaign with a 2-0 victory over Dagenham & Redbridge.

WOLVES manager Mick McCarthy has warned his players to beware the challenge of wounded West Ham in tomorrow’s crucial Premier League showdown at Upton Park.

WOLVES midfielder Matt Jarvis atoned for missing an open goal by scoring the winner in a hard-fought 1-0 victory over League One Tranmere at Prenton Park last night.

FT: Tranmere 0 Wolves 1

WOLVES boss Mick McCarthy will send out his strongest side in tomorrow’s FA Cup clash at lowly Tranmere in a bid to regain the winning formula ahead of crunch Barclays Premier League games with West Ham and Wigan.

Skipper Karl Henry insists the Wolves players have genuine belief that they can achieve Barclays Premier League survival and have “nothing to fear” going into the New Year.

Security will be heightened at Anfield on Sunday as fans plan a march to protest against George Gillett and Tom Hicks’ ownership of the club.

Alberto Aquilani's first appearance in a Liverpool shirt last night finally gave Rafael Benitez something to be pleased about after a nightmare week that has seen his management at Anfield openly questioned.

Bolton 2 Liverpool 3

Glenn Whelan, fresh from his appearance for the Republic of Ireland on Wednesday, could be left out of Stoke’s starting line-up against Burnley tomorrow.

Tottenham will begin their quest for a third successive appearance in the Carling Cup final with a second-round tie at Doncaster.

MIDDLESBROUGH’s bid to make an instant return to the Premier League got off to an inauspicious start as they were held to a goalless draw by Sheffield United in the opening game of the new season.

Tranmere 2 Liverpool XI 2

North Queensland Fury striker Robbie Fowler has denied a report he is set to reunite with former Liverpool team-mate John Barnes at Tranmere and insists his future remains in Australia.

Liverpool have confirmed that reserve team boss Gary Ablett is to leave the club.

Oldham have confirmed they have parted company with manager John Sheridan.

UNLUCKY defender Daniel Agger believes he has got to start his Liverpool career all over again after almost 10 months of injury anguish.

Unlucky defender Daniel Agger believes he has got to start his Liverpool career all over again after almost 10 months of injury anguish.

Rafael Benitez insists he will successfully complete some major Liverpool signings in the coming weeks.

GEORGE O’CALLAGHAN is set to make a dream debut with Tranmere Rovers in a televised Merseyside derby friendly with Liverpool today just two days after completing his switch from Cork City.

RAFAEL BENITEZ will give his supporting cast the chance to shine today in Liverpool’s first pre-season friendly.

Rafael Benitez has called for Liverpool fans to “trust him” as he works in the transfer market to improve the Anfield squad.

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has admitted he wanted to keep Peter Crouch as the England striker prepares to complete his move to Portsmouth.

Non-leaguers Havant & Waterlooville could face a trip to Anfield to take on Liverpool in the fourth round of the FA Cup.

LEEDS manager Dennis Wise has questioned the motives of the majority of Football League chairmen who voted to uphold the club’s 15-point penalty for breaching rules on insolvency.

Leeds face a battle to persuade fellow Football League clubs they do not deserve to start the season with a 15-point penalty.

Bolton insist they are yet to receive an official approach for French striker Nicolas Anelka despite persistent rumours linking him with a move away from the Reebok Stadium.