RAFAEL BENITEZ admits winning games in the Premiership has become more difficult compared to last season - but the Liverpool boss has been encouraged by Chelsea’s winning run coming to an end.

DELEGATES to the AGM of the FAI in Dublin today will be told that the aborted attempt to build eircom park cost the association €7.2 million.

MANCHESTER UNITED boss Alex Ferguson has admitted the Old Trafford club will probably never see another ‘class of 92’.

PROMINENT Manchester United fans’ groups have called for supporters to boycott Saturday’s Premiership clash with West Brom.

BOOTS may be flying in the Manchester United dressing room but the club’s shares are moving even quicker and starting to turn green.

TWO of Ireland’s greatest sports stars will jet into Cork tomorrow to receive the freedom of their home city.

THE best of coaches will rarely single out one of their own players for special mention, unless it's for an ulterior motive.

PATRICK VIEIRA is still battling to regain fitness in time for Sunday’s clash at Old Trafford as Arsenal hope to stave off an injury crisis ahead of the match which could severely dent Manchester United’s title ambitions.

WOUNDED hero David Beckham was the man inflicting the wounds last night as he inspired Manchester United to a Champions League triumph over flu-ridden Juventus at Old Trafford.

THE BRITISH indie band Half Man Half Biscuit once sang: “All I Want For Christmas is a Dukla Prague Away Kit.” What no self-respecting fan would want for Christmas is a pink Juventus away one.

RIO FERDINAND has admitted Manchester United enter the new campaign with plenty to prove after finishing last season empty-handed.

JOSE MOURINHO expects Chelsea to be given a much tougher test of their Barclays Premiership credentials this season but warned his title rivals “we have improved.”

EUROPE’S richest soccer clubs want to put the boot into national football bodies.

STEVEN GERRARD has insisted that he will “definitely” sign a new contract with Liverpool.

FORMER soccer star George Best is in intensive care, being treated at the private Cromwell Hospital in west London.

LOUIS SAHA is expected to complete his move to Manchester United at the end of the week, dashing Chris Coleman’s hopes of keeping him at Fulham.

ALEX FERGUSON has been warned to his future conduct by the Football Association after a charge of improper conduct against the Manchester United manager was found to be proven.