BRAD GUZAN emerged as the Aston Villa hero as Martin O’Neill’s men secured their place in the Carling Cup quarter-finals at Sunderland’s expense last night.

MANCHESTER UNITED manager Alex Ferguson last night conceded Gary Neville deserved to be sent off in the Red Devils’ 2-0 Carling Cup win against 2-0 win over Barnsley at Oakwell.

MANCHESTER UNITED manager Alex Ferguson has accepted a charge of improper conduct following his comments about the fitness of referee Alan Wiley.

MANCHESTER UNITED left-back Patrice Evra has questioned the team’s attitude after they were eclipsed by Liverpool at Anfield.

JAVIER Mascherano demands that Liverpool must build on their shock victory over champions Manchester United – and not allow their standards to drop again.

IT is the time-honoured complaint of the newly-promoted: rough justice from referees who are more concerned with reputations than hard facts.

IF Sunderland were growing giddy at their sprightly start to the new season, this was the most brutal of reality checks.

ARSENE WENGER expanded on two familiar themes as he was forced to contemplate his side’s failure to finish off a West Ham side who completed an impressive comeback thanks to a disputed penalty.

AROUND 1,000 Liverpool supporters staged a protest march against the club’s owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett yesterday.

ALEX FERGUSON risked landing himself in further trouble with the Football Association after questioning whether referee Andre Marriner had enough experience to handle Manchester United’s meeting with Liverpool yesterday.

ANFIELD has played host to more than its fair share of drama in recent weeks, and not all of it to the Kop’s pleasure.

NO errant beachballs to concern Rafael Benitez this time, just the spectre of Alex Ferguson attempting to kick more sand in his face.

CARLO ANCELOTTI insists Chelsea possess the best defence in the world and that will be key to winning the Premier League title.

MANCHESTER UNITED Alex Ferguson believes Chelsea’s five-point lead at the top of the Premier League is not insurmountable.

SEAN ST LEDGER has joined the growing chorus calling for the introduction of video referees along the lines of those used in rugby union.

BERNARD DUNNE has revealed not only does he fancy returning to the ring, he would love to do so against the fighter who dethroned him as WBA super-bantamweight champion, Poonsawat Kratingdaenggym.

ARSENAL manager Arsene Wenger breathed something of a sigh of relief after learning the damage to Robin van Persie and Kieran Gibbs during the international break was not as severe as first feared.

ALEX FERGUSON admits the toughest part of his job these days is dealing with today’s “fragile” footballers.

RAFAEL BENITEZ insists he is not obsessed with football and that family comes first. However, the Liverpool manager is intent on getting their campaign back on track following the international break.

PATRICE EVRA has expressed annoyance that Ireland are bringing a reported 25,000 fans to the World Cup play-off second leg at Stade de France tonight.