NEWCASTLE boss Sir Bobby Robson saluted his defence after watching them fend off battling Bolton as the club worked behind the scenes to tempt Jonathan Woodgate to Tyneside.

REPENTANT Rio Ferdinand has thrown his European Championship dream at the mercy of a three-man Football Association appeals panel.

BAYERN MUNICH midfielder Michael Ballack has denied reports he has come to a gentleman’s agreement to join Manchester United after the 2006 World Cup.

England 2

MANCHESTER United will tighten up its procedures governing the buying and selling of players, following a review undertaken after pressure from major shareholders John Magnier and JP McManus.

Liverpool 1 Chelsea 0

AFTER another less than emphatic week of British performances in Europe, the first question to ask is: will the Manchester United faithful be singing “Gonzalez from the half-way line” at Old Trafford tomorrow?

IT came as a shock to Charlie Haughey. It brought down the Berlin Wall, put paid to the mini-skirt and accounted for such disparate phenomena as punk rock and crooner Engelbert Humperdinck.

EVERTON avoided city neighbours Liverpool in the draw for the final qualifying round of the Champions League only to land equally-daunting opposition in Villarreal, one of Spain’s most impressive sides last season.

SAM TORRANCE yesterday hinted all 12 members of his team would play at least once before the final day singles in next month’s Ryder Cup.

MANCHESTER UNITED yesterday dismissed reports claiming they have made illegal approaches to young players overseas.

THE FA have confirmed that Roy Keane has until Friday to appeal against his five-match ban and £150,000 (€234.157) fine.

Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson yesterday requested a personal hearing with the Football Association after denying a charge of improper conduct.

THE MOST common title on most e-mails, faxes and texts that fans are sending to each other this morning is stark and simple: ‘Manchester United RIP’.

Leeds manager Terry Venables believes the Football Association should adopt a definitive stance over with regard to putting players on trial by video.

ROY KEANE was once content to clean his manager’s boots, accepting the chore from then boss Brian Clough in his early days as a professional at Nottingham Forest without complaint.

Everton 1

James Whelan

MANCHESTER UNITED manager Alex Ferguson paid tribute to non-league Burton Albion after they held his side to a goalless draw in the FA Cup and then admitted he was relieved to still be in the competition.