GERARD HOULLIER has challenged Liverpool to maintain their improvement and not slip back into the form that brought their season to crisis point.

RUUD van Nistelrooy believes he will finish his career at Manchester United if he signs a new contract at Old Trafford.

TEDDY SHERINGHAM yesterday completed his move to West Ham – the club he supported as a boy – and immediately set his sights on helping them return to the top flight.

ARSENAL defender Ashley Cole has been ordered to appear for a second day before the Premier League’s ‘tapping-up’ inquiry, deepening his club’s frustration three days before the FA Cup final.

CELTIC’S management team of Martin O’Neill and John Robertson will be counting down the minutes in Toronto tonight as their team’s gruelling pre-season tour comes to an end against Roma.

MARTIN O’NEILL has distanced himself from talk of becoming Manchester United’s next manager — but admitted the man who eventually replaces Alex Ferguson will face a daunting task.

MANCHESTER United are monitoring Real Mallorca’s £10million-rated Cameroon international Samuel Eto’o, the striker’s agent has claimed.

MANCHESTER UNITED has raised their offer for Ronaldinho to nearly £18 million.

SOL CAMPBELL has warned his side’s title rivals that Arsenal are top of the table without even being at their best as he insisted they would peak when it mattered most — in the Premiership run-in.

CLIVE WOODWARD yesterday sent his congratulations to Liverpool on their Champions League victory - and backed the Lions to mirror the Reds’ glory in New Zealand.

MANCHESTER UNITED chief executive David Gill has insisted the Red Devils' magic has not been eroded by the loss of the Premiership title to Arsenal.

MANCHESTER was a city in mourning last night as thousands of football fans paid tribute to George Best.

ARSENE WENGER has warned that Dennis Bergkamp faces a tougher battle than ever to hold down a regular first-team place at Arsenal – even if he agrees a new contract.

NEWCASTLE goalkeeper Shay Given has been labelled “Lazarus” by his rival Steve Harper.

LEEDS chairman Peter Ridsdale has once again insisted David O'Leary did not leave Elland Road because of a difference of opinion over the decision to sell Rio Ferdinand.

ARSENAL and Chelsea remain locked in a battle to land Southampton teenage striker Theo Walcott.

DENIS IRWIN has predicted a return to international football for Roy Keane.

GREEN MEP Patricia McKenna has urged communities to step up their opposition to incinerators after plans to build a facility in Tipperary were scrapped.

Diarmuid O’Flynn