CLAUDIO RANIERI’S reputation is growing with every victory, but if it gets to the point where he is wanted by other big clubs then Chelsea fans need not fear - for the Italian will not desert his “baby”.

JOSE MOURINHO warned Chelsea’s rivals that there will be no let-up in the Blues’ desire for more trophies next season – as they will now be chasing success on five fronts.

MANCHESTER UNITED received a blow yesterday when, within half an hour of each other, the FA and UEFA served notice that Gary Neville and Cristiano Ronaldo respectively will face misconduct charges for recent misdemeanours.

FAMOUS giant-killers Yeovil are eagerly looking forward to their FA Cup third-round match against Liverpool.

CHELSEA striker Hernan Crespo has been dropped by Argentina for next month’s Copa America in Peru.

Newcastle 1 Chelsea 1

MANCHESTER UNITED head south to Chelsea tomorrow looking for a win which would strip bare the cash-rich Londoners’ title credentials.

THE BUILD-UP to this afternoon's FA Cup Final has felt less like a football story than a tale of the tape, a heavyweight eyeball-to-eyeball confrontation with all the appropriate chest-pounding, shadow boxing and verbal sparring.

ALEX FERGUSON yesterday hit back at FIFA president Sepp Blatter after he rebuked the Manchester United manager for criticising the Olympic soccer tournament.

IF Alex Ferguson needed stark evidence that the standards he has imbued at Manchester United have slipped, then it would have arrived as he sat in the Stamford Bridge stand, along with assistant Walter Smith, last Wednesday.

NEW recruit Jonathan Macken yesterday spoke of the 20 minutes in 1997 that threatened to ruin his prospects of playing international football for Ireland.

NICKY BUTT has issued a public apology for walking out on Birmingham before their Premiership defeat at West Ham.

ARSENE WENGER believes Arsenal are better equipped to sustain their challenge for the Premiership title than last season.

FORMER Ireland soccer star Liam Brady put the boot in yesterday, severely criticising the FAI’s decision to allow Roy Keane rejoin the Irish squad.

SONIA O’SULLIVAN has confirmed she would like to run for Australia in next year’s Commonwealth Games in Melbourne.

ROY KEANE could cause a stir

Liverpool 1 Ipswich 1

MANCHESTER United striker Wayne Rooney will not be charged with an offence following his goal celebration at Anfield on Saturday, the Football Association have confirmed.

DAVID BELLION last night completed his loan move to Nice after Manchester United allowed him to end his loan spell at West Ham and return to his native France for the season.