Aston Villa 0 Wigan 2

AWARD judges couldn’t split Cork’s sporting finest yesterday.

THERE are times when it hardly seems worth bothering crossing the road to go to a football match in England.

MANCHESTER UNITED’s claims that Roy Keane left Old Trafford yesterday “by mutual consent” have been greeted with widespread scepticism.

MALCOLM GLAZER'S commitment to restoring Manchester United to full health means one more new signing this summer and no sale of Wayne Rooney at any price.

Shares of Manchester United rose more than 4% yesterday after US financier Malcolm Glazer told the world’s richest football club he was planning an £800 million (€1.16 billion) takeover offer.

LEEDS new boy Nick Barmby insists he is still on the trophy trail following his £2.75million move from Liverpool.

SKIPPER Olof Mellberg believes qualifying for Europe can help Aston Villa hold onto their top players – and attract new blood to the club in the summer.

Manchester United 3 Middlesbrough 0

ROY KEANE will start in Ireland's crucial World Cup qualifier against Switzerland on Wednesday provided there is no negative reaction to his two days of training with the squad.

ROY KEANE has launched a broadside at Manchester United’s younger generation and warned them never to forget how lucky they are to play for the club.

BARCELONA restored their six- point lead over Real Madrid in the Primera Liga last night as a spectacular strike from Samuel Eto’o and a cool finish from substitute Lionel Messi helped them to a 2-0 win over Albacete.

LIVERPOOL manager Rafael Benitez has spent all season talking of the “small steps” his side are taking.

CARLOS QUEIROZ knows Manchester United must dance past Charlton today if they are to prevent Arsenal or Chelsea waltzing away with the Premiership title.

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.

LEE HENDRIE has called for Aston Villa manager David O’Leary to be given the financial backing to significantly strengthen his squad in January if the club are to push for a European spot.