CLAUDIO RANIERI yesterday claimed to have cast off his tag as the tinker man of the Premiership 24 hours before his Chelsea team aim for the away victory over Middlesbrough which would take them top of the table.

BRIAN KERR yesterday saluted the huge contribution made to Ireland’s cause over the past six years by Shay Given as the goalkeeper prepared to make his 50th international appearance against Norway at Lansdowne Road tonight.

HOLDERS Real Madrid needed a last-ditch equaliser in Dortmund from Javier Portillo to keep their Champions League defence on course.

THE group of Manchester United fans planning a protest at the Cheltenham Festival have been told they have the right to demonstrate outside the racecourse but any action inside would be subject to further discussions.

EDWIN van der Sar believes the next fortnight will make or break Manchester United’s season.

GEORGE BEST’S home city was united in grief last night.

ARSENE WENGER expects Southampton to be fired up for revenge when Arsenal put English football’s only unbeaten league record on the line at St Mary’s tonight.

ARSENAL boss Arsene Wenger has demanded greater protection for goalkeepers after watching Jens Lehmann become embroiled in a spat with Southampton striker Kevin Phillips during Monday night’s 1-0 victory.

ALEX FERGUSON has called on his team to be more patient as they attempt to drag themselves out of their crisis – but he might as well direct his advice to the fans too.

ENGLAND assistant manager Tord Grip believes Nicky Butt’s international prospects would benefit from a move away from Manchester United.

Manchester United 1 Leicester 0

NEWCASTLE boss Bobby Robson yesterday launched a fightback after chairman Freddy Shepherd's criticism of the under-achieving Magpies players.

SCOTLAND manager Berti Vogts is hoping that the money generated from a full house Hampden Park in the Euro 2004 play-offs will be ploughed into youth development.

HARRY KEWELL turned down the chance to join Manchester United because he wanted to join a club that was “on the up.”

MANCHESTER UNITED skipper Roy Keane reckons the Red Devils might look back on Sunday’s ‘average’ display against Newcastle and feel it was the one which won them another Premiership title.

MANCHESTER UNITED boss Alex Ferguson has emphasised the need for his players to stand together in the face of mounting criticism.

PORTSMOUTH chairman Milan Mandaric is set to talk with former Republic of Ireland boss Brian Kerr and Northern Ireland manager Lawrie Sanchez about the vacant managerial post at Fratton Park.

THE FA Cup may come down the list of priorities if you listen to the accountants who run some of England’s biggest football clubs, obsessed as they are with the Champions League and the Barclays Premiership.