LIVERPOOL failed to gain any reward for their valiant efforts in making the long-haul trip to Madrid as a familiar foe gave Atletico a 1-0 victory in their Europa League semi-final first leg last night.

ONE YEAR ago today, the Roy Keane whirlwind blew into Ipswich Town targeting promotion to the Premier League in the first season of his two-year contract.

MANCHESTER UNITED midfielder Darren Fletcher believes Chelsea are beginning to feel the strain as the race for the Barclays Premier League title reaches a climax.

ARJEN ROBBEN may have been Bayern Munich’s Champions League saviour once more but he was still forced to issue an apology following the 1-0 semi-final first leg win against Lyon on Wednesday night.

MANCHESTER UNITED have scored another title success by being valued as the biggest football club in the world.

THE conqueror of Fiorentina and Manchester United, Arjen Robben, again produced the moment of individual brilliance that settled a Champions League game, although the former Chelsea winger’s 70th-minute winner was just one of several talking points.

ALEX FERGUSON believes Manchester United may have discovered some stars of the future thanks to their title-winning reserve side.

ALEX FERGUSON does not intend to demand Wayne Rooney matches Cristiano Ronaldo’s 42-goal haul from two seasons ago – 40 would be enough for the hard-to-please Manchester United boss.

SUCCESSFUL organisations invariably have a culture of excellence; an instinctive code of conduct and expectation that informs and drives everything they do. Second best is never good enough, it is not an option. It is not even considered.

DAVID BECKHAM is not a manused to being overshadowed but his Old Trafford homecoming was hijacked by Wayne Rooney last night as the striker produced a mesmerising performance to help Manchester United beat AC Milan and reach the Champions League quarter-finals.

ARSENAL centre-back Thomas Vermaelen is relishing the chance to have the last laugh on the club’s critics this season after being written off in the Champions League and domestic title race.

ENGLAND officials have been warned to sweep team venues for listening devices on a regular basis to avoid being bugged.

AN ANGRY Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has told his players they have to show more desire, determination and self-belief if they are to stand a chance of securing Champions League football next season.

WITH Wayne Rooney struggling for fitness Wes Brown’s suspected broken metatarsal has added to Manchester United’s injury woes ahead of AC Milan’s visit in Champions League tomorrow night.

ENGLAND midfielder Frank Lampard insists John Terry thrives on the kind of abuse dished out by Stoke fans during Chelsea’s 2-0 FA Cup quarter-final victory at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

ARSENE WENGER’S determination to banish all negative thoughts ahead of tonight’s crunch Champions League clash with Porto at Emirates Stadium has extended to a refusal to practise penalties or wallow in the absence of talisman, Cesc Fabregas.

OUR football correspondent LIAM MACKEY is back in top form and full of energy.

ALEX FERGUSON has furiously rejected a newspaper report claiming he is supporting the Red Knights’ bid to take over Manchester United.

PAUL SCHOLES breathed a sigh of relief after finally notching his 100th Premier League goal – now he can look ahead to far more important honours.

HOW TO shatter a dream.