Tom Henning Ovrebro, the Norwegian referee who was blamed for Chelsea’s Champions League exit at the hands of Barcelona in the 2009 semi-final, would be happy to take charge of their European semi-final clash in a fortnight so he can “correct the bad impression from the past’’.

Nemanja Vidic never had any doubt Manchester United would shrug off his season-ending absence and make a strong defence of their Premier League title.

Roberto Di Matteo now has two weeks to prepare his Chelsea side for their sixth Champions League semi-final in nine years.

France midfielder Samir Nasri revealed he deceived Manchester City team-mate Joe Hart in order to score his equaliser in last night’s Euro 2012 draw in Donetsk.

England boss Roy Hodgson insisted his side remained a work in progress after their battling Euro 2012 draw with France in Donetsk last night.

Roberto Di Matteo was the obvious choice to become full-time Chelsea manager next season, according to former Blues defender Frank Leboeuf.

Manchester United are in talks to sign highly-rate Crewe youngster Nick Powell.

An arduous club season, no matter how successful, might not be the platform on which the national side can thrive

Ashley Young ia adamant he is not a diving “cheat”.

Former All-Ireland winning Clare captain and current Dublin hurling boss, Anthony Daly

Wojciech Szczesny suffered a hugely disappointing start to his Euro 2012 campaign as he was sent off in Poland’s incident-filled draw against Greece in the opening match.

Cristiano Ronaldo, who from a young age made no secret of his desire to be regarded as the best in the world, has been dogged for years now by a football snobbery that says no player can ever be regarded as ‘a true great’ until he has underlined his talent by weaving his magic on the World Cup or European Championship stage.

A is for Arshavin: The diminutive little playmaker lit up this tournament four years ago, tormenting a fine Dutch side and inspiring Russia to a place in the semi-finals.

Polish hero returns home

Alex Ferguson has accepted that Manchester City are set to lift the Premier League crown after their 2-0 success at Newcastle United yesterday, but Yaya Toure, scorer of both City’s goals, still insists: “It’s not finished.”

Even the perpetually cautious Roberto Mancini surely can’t now put up a convincing argument to suggest that Manchester United remain favourites for the title.

Wigan manager Roberto Martinez is well aware that every Premier League boss has his own cross to bear.

The muted response from the Old Trafford faithful said it all.

Alex Ferguson believes the “unethical” manner of Mark Hughes’ sacking by Manchester City could help trigger a Devon Loch-style collapse next week that opens the Barclays Premier League title door for Manchester United.

It is a peculiar feature of this Premier League season that the only team in the top six that has had a season they can really be proud of is Newcastle United.