The Chelsea striker has a lot to look forward to in 2006 - including a World Cup with war-torn Ivory Coast. David Shonfield reports.

CHELSEA boss Jose Mourinho is feeling “no pressure” at the top of the table - and insisted it is Arsene Wenger and Alex Ferguson who should be worrying.

INTER MILAN overcame an Adriano no-show to thrash Livorno 5-0 yesterday and move within six points of Serie A leaders Juventus.

TOTTENHAM head coach Martin Jol yesterday revealed why he turned down the chance of working with Alex Ferguson at Manchester United.

NOVEMBER may be the cruellest month according to TS Eliot, but David Moyes believes December will tell if Everton are in dreamland or the wasteland.

MARTIN O’NEILL is bravely standing by his after-match comments in Seville and has insisted the only people feeling embarrassed today should be the UEFA Cup winners.

ARSENE WENGER has defended his gamble not to make a significant investment in new players this season by insisting his current Arsenal squad should have been good enough to win the title.

RIO FERDINAND is in pole position to retain his place in the England side for today's friendly against Argentina - keeping Sol Campbell out of the team.

SINCE these troubled times for Manchester United and - to judge by the wall-to-wall news coverage - the whole world as we know it, this column feels duty-bound to try and cheer people up with a good, old-fashioned gag.

JOHN O’SHEA is refusing to concede the Premiership title to Arsenal.

IT’S not the first time I’ve said this but thank goodness for Manchester United’s ability to produce off pitch interest when the on-pitch entertainment value drops to zero.

ALEX FERGUSON has branded Tal Ben Haim a disgrace and claimed the furore surrounding Wayne Rooney should not be allowed to mask the Bolton defender’s attempt to get the England striker sent off.

MANCHESTER UNITED captain Roy Keane will set a modern era record of six FA Cup final appearances when he leads his side out against Millwall on Saturday.

CHELSEA assistant boss Steve Clarke hit back at Arsene Wenger’s attack on the Blues’ style of play by insisting that his side are entertaining the Premiership — as well as being poised to win it.

SUNDERLAND striker Stephen Elliott is gunning for Arsenal tonight after grabbing his third goal in four games.

Man Utd 1 Basle 1

ROY KEANE will return to training in a fortnight with the Manchester United skipper set for his playing comeback ''within a month'', Football Association inquiries permitting.

RIO FERDINAND insists Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson “will not bat an eyelid” about pairing youngsters Wes Brown and John O’Shea at the heart of his defence against FC Basel tonight.