STEPHEN IRELAND has played in just six of Aston Villa’s 13 games this season but manager Alex McLeish insists the Cobh native has a future in claret and blue.

GLENN MURRAY headed the winner in extra time as Championship side Crystal Palace stunned Manchester United in the Carling Cup quarter-finals last night.

LAST week, my crystal ball was throbbing impressively.

MANCHESTER CITY boss Roberto Mancini says it is little wonder England struggle in major tournaments when players get little respite between domestic fixtures.

MAYBE going ahead with the game was the wrong thing.

JOHN O’SHEA has admitted Sunderland need to return to winning ways sooner rather than later to save Steve Bruce’s job.

MARIO BALOTELLI blew another fuse at Anfield but Manchester City’s title ambitions remain intact after passing a thorough examination on Merseyside, scene of their last league defeat.

MANCHESTER CITY manager Roberto Mancini accused Liverpool’s players of getting Mario Balotelli sent off during yesterday’s heated 1-1 draw at Anfield.

ARSENAL’S revival, still in its infancy, may well be put in danger ahead of a Carling Cup quarter-final against Manchester City tomorrow by a squad whose energy levels are already ‘in the red’.

TRIBUTES have poured in for Gary Speed as the football world mourned the death of the popular Wales manager.

THE stunning incompetence shown by linesman John Flynn understandably dominated post-match proceedings at Old Trafford while detracting from an undeniably crucial point — Manchester United have stopped scoring goals.

JUDGING by his reaction, it will take more than a start against West Brom and a few nice words from Harry Redknapp to appease Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe.

Yes, says Larry Ryan. No, says Liam Mackey

GUS POYET says he would die in defence of his fellow Uruguayan Luis Suarez against the Football Association’s charge of racist abuse. The Brighton & manager is not a man given to understatement.

ALEX FERGUSON has ruled out the possibility of strengthening Manchester United’s midfield during the January transfer window despite ruling Anderson out until February with a knee injury.

LIVERPOOL have issued an apology to Oldham defender Tom Adeyemi, who claims he was racially abused by a Reds supporter during Friday night’s FA Cup tie between the sides.

FOR a man who had just seen his team become the first to win at Manchester City since December 2010, Alex Ferguson did not seem especially happy.

ALEX FERGUSON saw Wayne Rooney help Manchester United into the fourth round of the FA Cup and insisted reports of a rift between manager and star player are greatly exaggerated.

IT should be about the football, the meeting of the two giants of the game and the joy of the FA Cup but as soon as Liverpool’s name was drawn out of the hat alongside Manchester United one topic dominated — racism.

WAYNE ROONEY’S two goals offered a short, sharp response to those pundits who believe he could be on his way out of Old Trafford due to differences with Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson.