CHELSEA last night announced they will not take up their ticket allocation for the Champions League match against Besiktas on December 9 following yesterday’s bombings in Istanbul.

Adrian Curtis

Charlton 2 Liverpool 0

ALEX FERGUSON is refusing to get steamed up at Jose Mourinho's bold declaration that Chelsea will wrap up the title before Easter.

PORTSMOUTH chairman Milan Mandaric has come out in firm defence of Harry Redknapp and angrily denied reports that the club’s co-owner, Alexandre Gaydamak, wants to sack him.

ALEX FERGUSON gave vent to his frustration over Manchester United’s faltering season with an angry onslaught against England’s daily newspapers, accusing them of harbouring a “hatred” of the club.

TALKS have opened between Everton and Wayne Rooney’s representatives to discuss a new five-year deal for the 18-year-old England striker.

AC MILAN president and Italian premier Silvio Berlusconi last night poured cold water on reports that his club might sign England captain David Beckham from Manchester United.

RUUD van Nistelrooy hit the Premiership goal trail for the first time in three months at Old Trafford – then repeated his mantra that he is staying with Manchester United.

Laurent Robert swapped the grind of a relegation dogfight for the glamour of Champions League football by signing for Portuguese giants Benfica on a free transfer.

IAN RUSH has warned Liverpool’s stars if they are not “up for it” at minnows Yeovil, they will be dumped out of the FA Cup on Sunday.

ACCORDING to exotic reports, Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson was drenched in pea soup in the tunnel after his side’s fractious encounter with Arsenal at Old Trafford on Sunday.

RYAN GIGGS has not abandoned hope of featuring in Manchester United’s FA Cup semi-final clash with Newcastle on Sunday — but the odds remain heavily against the Wales skipper making the Millennium Stadium encounter.

US financier Malcolm Glazer would consider making a hostile bid for Manchester United if talks over a friendly £800 million (€1.1 billion) approach fall through, sources close to the process said yesterday.

HARRY KEWELL will not “chase money” as he weighs up his future options.

LIVERPOOL manager Gerard Houllier has defiantly brushed off reports linking skipper Steven Gerrard with a move to Arsenal and Manchester United by declaring: “You would have to cut off both my arms before I let go of him.”

BLACKBURN ROVERS have beaten Chelsea in the race for one of Irish football's brightest young talents.

LYN OSLO and Manchester United are to report agents Rune Hauge and John Shittu, plus Barclays Premiership champions Chelsea to FIFA over the John Obi Mikel transfer wrangle.