Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has pulled out of the running to become the new Aston Villa manager.

Chelsea were last night planning 11th-hour talks with Didier Drogba in an attempt to reach an agreement on extending his contract at the end of a day where the Ivorian was quoted as saying he’s leaving, remarks the striker’s representatives later claimed he didn’t make.

Barcelona may be the greatest team the world has ever seen but Roberto Di Matteo has taunted the European champions ahead of tonight’s Champions League semi-final at Stamford Bridge by insisting they simply don’t like playing against Chelsea.

Roberto Martinez was always confident Wigan could play their way to safety in the Barclays Premier League.

Early Aintree casualty Junior could bid for swift compensation in the Coral Scottish Grand National at Ayr on Saturday.

Arsenal striker Robin van Persie will be the clear favourite to be named the PFA Players’ Player of the Year after he was named among the nominees for the award yesterday.

Here we go again.

Junior has been left in the Coral Scottish Grand National on Saturday after his early exit at Aintree.

Gary Breen may have visited Roy Keane’s room after the Saipan bust-up — but insisted the Cork man had to go for the sake of the team.

Andy Carroll’s winner at Wembley has given Liverpool fans a welcome but nevertheless thought-provoking dilemma: is their season now to be described as a success or a failure?

David Moyes’ tenure at Goodison Park has frequently seemed like one long battle against the odds but there is one barrier that has remained insurmountable during the manager’s reign.

The debate about Ashley Young’s willingness to go to ground in the penalty area — and the supposedly favourable treatment enjoyed by Manchester United from Premier League officials — will continue unabated after the defending champions moved a step closer retaining their title at Old Trafford last night.

The victory was ultimately emphatic as Manchester United moved a step closer to the Premier League title in a 4-0 victory over Aston Villa, although it was not without controversy as manager Alex Ferguson felt compelled to leap to the defence of his winger Ashley Young.

Arsene Wenger has singled out the mental toughness of England’s Joe Hart as the way forward for his own Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny.

Former Sunderland boss Steve Bruce has hailed the development of James McClean and says circumstances contrived to prevent him from playing the Republic of Ireland winger prior to his sacking.

Blackburn manager Steve Kean remains adamant his side can avoid relegation despite their woeful performance in Saturday’s 3-0 defeat at Swansea.

Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez, left, has warned Manchester United the title race is far from over after he hit a hat-trick in Saturday’s 6-1 annihilation of Norwich.

If watching Carlos Tevez and Sergio Aguero tear Norwich apart in such spectacular fashion was impressive, imagine playing in midfield watching on.

You know you’ve arrived when they name a street after you.

Sunderland boss Martin O’Neill has hinted that record signing Asamoah Gyan is unlikely to return to the club.