YAYA TOURE would take more pleasure out of winning the FA Cup with Manchester City than if he had achieved greater glory with one of England’s traditional powerhouses.

THE POOR old FA Cup has been subjected to more battering in recent years than the Spanish version which Sergio Ramos let fall under the wheels of the Real Madrid bus.

TOLD his record for making the most appearances for one club in the top flight was about to go, Steve Perryman let out a chuckle.

ULSTER COUNCIL president Aodhan Ó Fearghaill applauded the decision to cut 10 live TV games from the schedule this year after what he described as the “ridiculous” level of coverage afford to the championships last year.

BARCELONA eased to their third successive La Liga title with a low-key draw away to Levante last night to retain their crown with two games to spare.

RIO FERDINAND has never watched the 2009 Champions League final but images in his mind remain as vivid today as they were when he was going through the whole shattering experience.

FRANCE coach Laurent Blanc was yesterday cleared to continue in his job following an investigation into the racial quotas row.

ALEX FERGUSON has revealed how he turned down the opportunity to be Arsenal manager just months before taking over at the helm at Manchester United.

FIRST a confession.

MANCHESTER CITY are literally fighting their way towards the Premier League title yet last night at the Emirates, they surrendered behind enemy lines.

IF Robbie Keane is on his way out of Tottenham, he would love to have remembered his last game in a fonder light than this.

RONNIE STAM scored an 80th-minute equaliser to salvage a precious point for Wigan and leave neighbours Bolton bitterly frustrated.

EVEN Carlo Ancelotti’s match predictions have been affected by the alarming malaise at Stamford Bridge.

CHRIS SMALLING is determined to seize every opportunity to prove he is worthy of a Manchester United first team place.

LOS ANGELES GALAXY are open to David Beckham’s loan move to the Premier League.

WITH so many of the big men missing, at a time when energy levels are at their lowest, Alex Ferguson could rely on Javier Hernandez and Nani to do the business for him last night as Manchester United moved three points clear at the top of the Premier League with a scrappy win.

AHEAD of tonight’s pivotal showdown with Arsenal, Manchester City have once again found themselves in the uncomfortable position of having to play down training ground fracas.

ARSENAL manager Arsene Wenger accepts rival clubs cannot berate Manchester City for trying to buy the Barclays Premier League title, but warned there is “no given formula” for success.