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

DAVID BECKHAM is fully focused on helping AC Milan beat Manchester United tonight, even though he admits it will not be easy to put his own emotions to one side.

ALEX FERGUSON expects amore forceful ChampionsLeague challenge from Italy this season — but he still believes holders Barcelona represent the biggest danger to Manchester United’s hopes of reclaiming the trophy.

WATCHING live sport provides a welcome respite from the realities of life but examining the business models behind English soccer provides an opportunity to witness fantasy.

ARSENAL’S hopes of closing to within a point of leaders Chelsea may have been frustrated by the weather last night but Gunners boss Arsene Wenger has predicted that less could prove more in this season’s title race.

DIDIER DROGBA has compared this season’s Chelsea side to the title-winners of 2005 and 2006 under Jose Mourinho and suggested that after four managerial changes since the Portuguese left in September 2007, Chelsea finally have the right man in charge in Carlo Ancelotti.

BURNLEY are resigned to losing Owen Coyle to Bolton after their manager confirmed his desire to leave Turf Moor yesterday.

MANCHESTER City coach Roberto Mancini is set to test the loyalty of his team’s keenest fans by trying to sign a 34-year-old former Manchester United player.

ARSENE WENGER maintains his young Arsenal side have both the required hunger and mental strength to continue their march towards the top of the Barclays Premier League table, with victory against Bolton tonight crucial.

THE Irish horse and greyhound racing industries look set to suffer heavy financial blows due to postponements brought on by the wintry weather.

MANCHESTER CITY manager Roberto Mancini wants all talk of new signings put on the back-burner until after Wednesday’s Carling Cup semi-final showdown with Manchester United.

WOLVES boss Mick McCarthy believes his team selections are being unfairly singled out for scrutiny despite other managers adopting similar tactics.

ALEX FERGUSON will escape any FA action over his post-match comments at Old Trafford on Sunday.

HULL’S Kevin Kilbane has called for a winter break to ease the financial burden on fans ahead of FA Cup third-round day.

MANCHESTER CITY defender Dedryck Boyata received the perfect compensation for missing a family Christmas when he was handed his senior debut at Middlesbrough.

DIFFICULT times call for revised ambitions, and far from aspiring to claim a first title in 20 years or delivering a sixth European Cup to the Anfield trophy room, Liverpool’s diminished status means Jamie Carragher is now hoping to place a tick against one of the less heady ambitions on his career ticklist.

THE last time Arsene Wenger lifted a trophy was the FA Cup in 2005 and realistically the Frenchman knows that with Manchester United now eliminated, the famous old competition has suddenly become his side’s best bet for silverware this term.

ITALY international defender Giorgio Chiellini looks certain to stay with Juventus despite attracting interest from Manchester City and Manchester United.

“GIVEN the time of the year that’s in it, I suppose you’ll be wanting an oul’ look back on the decade, boss,” I said to the Commander-In-Chief, as I plumped up the pillows behind his back and spoon-fed him his favourite tipple of brandy and Complan.

WOLVES boss Mick McCarthy will send out his strongest side in tomorrow’s FA Cup clash at lowly Tranmere in a bid to regain the winning formula ahead of crunch Barclays Premier League games with West Ham and Wigan.