Beleaguered Chelsea manager Rafael Benitez admitted his team face a gruelling battle to hold on to a place in the top four of the Premier League after a dispiriting performance in a 2-0 defeat at Manchester City.

Norwich City 2 Everton 1

Arsenal’s game against Aston Villa today might not be make or break but, such has been the ratcheting up of the pressure on Arsene Wenger in recent weeks, it feels like it is.

Premier League: Arsenal v Aston Villa

Premier League: Man City v Chelsea

Premier League: QPR v Man Utd

The dark hair, the chiselled cheekbones, the lean build — Keith Gillespie could still pass for the kid who wowed ’em on the wing at Old Trafford and St James’ Park back in the day.

Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson has paid tribute to club chief executive David Gill, who will be standing down from the position this summer.

Manchester United midfielder Anderson has claimed the only clubs he would not regard as a step down from life with the Red Devils are Real Madrid and Barcelona.

Man City 2 Liverpool 2

Last April I went to the Emirates and saw Mario Balotelli get sent off.

Arsenal 1 Stoke 0

Fulham 0 Man United 1

West Ham 1 Swansea 0

Roberto Mancini, the Manchester City manager, remained defiant last night in face of the mounting odds against his team and their attempts to retain the Premier League title they won in such magnificent fashion last May.

Premier League: MAN CITY V LIVERPOOL

Premier League: FULHAM V MAN UNITED

Brian Carey reflects on the long football journey which has taken him from Cork City to Wolves as assistant to Dean Saunders.

Following his death at the age of 86, numerous tributes have been paid to Malcolm Brodie, the veteran Belfast Telegraph football writer who covered every World Cup from 1954 to 2006.

Man United 2 Southampton 1