Alex Ferguson has explained his reasoning behind recommending David Moyes as his successor as Manchester United.

Having experienced FA Cup glory and relegation despair in the space of just a couple of days, James McCarthy could be forgiven for not knowing if he’s coming or going.

How Chelsea have been desperately looking for a hero.

The multi-million euro transfer of Waterford-born defender John O’Shea to struggling Sunderland hasn’t been good for his medal cabinet, but very good for his bank balance.

Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart has warned arch-rivals Manchester United that the title race is far from over despite their seven-point lead.

Petr Cech declared Chelsea are back to their bloody-minded best after they combined successive Premier League wins with clean sheets for the first time in more than a year.

Rio Ferdinand has demanded Manchester United sort their defensive problems out before they start to eat away at their season.

Anything the noisy neighbours, and defending champions, from across the city can do, Manchester United can do just as effectively, as Newcastle discovered to their cost, losing a pulsating game which they had led on no fewer than three occasions.

Roberto Mancini, an unlikely source for the injection of farce, even in panto season, suggested the officials had enjoyed their Christmas Day celebrations rather too much in mitigation of a defeat that leaves his side seven points shy of the Premier League summit.

Frank Lampard may be leaving Stamford Bridge for a new career elsewhere, with Los Angeles the most likely destination, but Juan Mata has made it clear you can still expect the Chelsea midfield to contribute plenty of goals in the future.

It’s the season for giving and with the Premier League season at its halfway point, Darren Norris hands out the mid-term honours.

Lionel Messi has gone home to Argentina to fry in the Christmas sunshine with his partner Antonella, infant son Thiago and all the other Messis.

Swansea City 1 Manchester United 1

Chelsea 8 Aston Villa 0

Man City 1 Reading 0

Alex Ferguson, who was the subject of an academic study by professor Anita Elberse at the Harvard Business School, visited the school to meet students to discuss the report.

Manager Arsene Wenger insists he will never be satisfied with what he has achieved at Arsenal.

On the day Alex Ferguson refuted speculation Paul Scholes had decided to quit and insisted Ryan Giggs could extend his career for two more years, the Manchester United manager said he expects Jonny Evans to be at Old Trafford for another 10.

There’s a story around Arsenal that, when one of the old foreign players was first told of the demanding Christmas fixture list, he genuinely thought it was a wind-up.