TALK about splitting opinion. Chelsea’s Diego Costa was the key man in a pivotal London derby that has effectively kick-started Chelsea’s season and all but ended Arsenal’s. But he received as much criticism as he did praise afterwards and could today discover if he faces FA disciplinary action.

Studio Ghibli, Bourne, and a Cilla Black tribute are among the gems on TV tonight

An inquest has found that a teenager in England burned to death after clipping a 250,0000-volt electricity cable in a prank at a railway depot.

Manager Nigel Clough insists Sheffield United did not rush into their decision to allow convicted rapist Ched Evans to train with the club.

CRAZY CAKE

Crystal Palace are closing in on their new manager and are considering a stunning return for Neil Warnock.

Crystal Palace 1 West Ham United 3

A gay bank worker who murdered his arranged bride in a pre-planned attempt to hide his sexuality has been ordered to serve at least 21 years behind bars.

A mother has been arrested in the UK on suspicion of kidnapping her 13-month-old daughter during a supervised family access visit.

Two brothers who used their UK printing firm’s Christmas and New Year break to churn out £1.2m worth of fake banknotes have both been jailed for seven years.

Aston Villa 1 Sheffield United 2

In the UK, a 75-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the discovery of an explosive device near a mosque in Walsall.

A suspicious package found near a mosque was a small home-made explosive device, British police have confirmed.

A task force for tackling radicalisation in the UK set up by the British Prime Minister in the wake of soldier Lee Rigby’s murder is to meet monthly in a bid to deal with extremism head on, a Downing Street spokesman has said.

Police in the UK have released photographs of two men wanted in connection with a well-planned raid on a museum in which treasures worth more than £2m (€2.4m) were stolen.

Police shut down a global criminal conspiracy suspected of milking millions of pounds from stolen iPhones through premium phone lines today.

Nathan Delfouneso is to link up with Aston Villa for the Guadiana Cup in Portugal just days after playing for England Under-19s in the European Championships.

JAMES MILNER has been included in Aston Villa’s squad for the Guadiana Cup in Portugal this weekend after holding “amicable” talks with club manager Martin O’Neill.

James Milner has held amicable talks with Aston Villa manager Martin O’Neill after reporting today for pre-season training.

James Milner returns to training with Aston Villa later today and is set to have crunch talks with Martin O’Neill over his long-term future.

The leader of a worldwide Muslim movemen will today issue a fatwa – or Islamic religious ruling – condemning terrorism and warning suicide bombers that they are “destined for hell”.

SCOTT DANN returned to his home city to remind both Everton and Liverpool just what they missed out on.

THE granddaughter of a man thought to be Britain’s oldest father of twins said yesterday it was “ridiculous” that her 71-year-old grandfather was still having children.

Leicester were crowned League One champions today after a 2-0 win at Southend confirmed their promotion to the Championship.

SUPERMODEL Erin O’Connor will guest model in a celebrity-filled line-up at the Irish Examiner Irish Design Fashion Weekend at the end of the month.

Aston Villa manager Martin O’Neill has confirmed that midfielder Gareth Barry’s transfer to Liverpool could still be on.

ASTON VILLA skipper Gareth Barry – a target for Liverpool throughout the summer – is to remain with the midlands club.

MARTIN O’NEILL has warned Liverpool he is ready to set a deadline for them to meet his valuation of want-away Aston Villa skipper Gareth Barry.

Martin O’Neill has warned Liverpool he is ready to set a deadline for them to meet his valuation of want-away Aston Villa skipper Gareth Barry.

England’s Oliver Wilson continued his recent good form to card a four-under-par 68 and take a share of the clubhouse lead midway through the opening round of the BMW Asian Open.

West Brom returned to the top of the Coca-Cola Championship after Zoltan Gera’s second-half goal earned the Baggies a 1-0 win at Wolves.

THOUGH the dispute between the GAA’s county board in Cork and the county’s hurlers and footballers has entered unchartered and dangerous waters, it is wrong to imagine that the GAA is our only sports organisation facing significant challenges.

West Ham winger Julien Faubert is refusing to rush his comeback from a serious Achilles injury despite a goalscoring return for the reserves.

Birmingham skipper Damien Johnson has suffered more injury misery and will be out of action for up to a month following another hamstring setback.

A pair of funeral singers and a topless dancer are among the latest batch of contestants to face the X Factor judges tonight.

A pair of funeral singers and a single mother who escaped a violent relationship are among the contestants facing The X Factor judges this weekend.

Birmingham captain Damien Johnson will miss the big kick-off at Chelsea because of a hamstring injury suffered in the friendly at Walsall a fortnight ago.

British supermarket giant Asda today unveiled plans to create 8,000 new jobs and open at least 18 new supermarkets over the next 12 months.

Bolton manager Sam Allardyce today rejected all allegations made against him in last night’s damning Panorama documentary.

Bolton are considering whether to ask the BBC for further information on last night's Panorama programme.

Bolton manager Sam Allardyce tonight insisted he will “fight” allegations by the BBC’s Panorama programme that he has received illegal payments.

Steve Staunton has been warned he will be taking a risk by accepting the Republic of Ireland manager’s job.

THE deal may not be officially inked yet but already the debate has started in earnest about the likely appointment of Steve ‘Stan’ Staunton as Republic of Ireland manager — with assistance from veteran boss Bobby Robson.

Steve Staunton and Bobby Robson have both held talks with the Football Association of Ireland with a view to becoming the Republic’s new managerial double act.