Iain Balshaw enhanced his World Cup chances with two tries as England sank Japan with a nine-try blitz at Tokyo’s National Stadium.

Glenn Roeder let out a huge sigh of relief as West Ham cracked their home hoodoo last night – and immediately challenged his players to turn the victory against Blackburn into the pivotal moment of their season.

Japan’s hopes of World Cup glory came to an end as the co-hosts bade a fond sayonara on an ignominiously wet, grey afternoon.

Chelsea 4 Tottenham 0

Man Utd 3 West Ham 0

Hibernian 0 Celtic 1

Fredrik Ljungberg has warned rivals Manchester United and Liverpool that Arsenal will not be undermined by nerves as they enter the home straight of the title race with a commanding lead.

Paul Lambert reckons former team-mate Harald Brattbakk has proved the critics wrong but is hoping he can still become a Celtic hero in Porto next week.

The unsuspecting stranger clearly had not recognised Ireland’s most famous rugby player when he anxiously sought the use of a mobile phone in the middle of busy down-town Dublin.

Darren Morris tonight underlined the Lions’ determination to erase memories of a disastrous week by declaring: ‘‘This is a squad of winners - not losers.’’

Being booked for time-wasting in the first half of your Eircom League debut would be a puzzling introduction to any new football situation but Bray Wanderers goalkeeper Matt Gregg was not going to let that spoil his enjoyment.

Cork City will continue to look over their shoulders as Dundalk produced another demolition of Derry City at the Brandywell, the Lilywhites rarely moving into top gear to remain one point adrift at the business end of the Premier Division.

Podge Collins fancies a resurgent Clare will be buoyed by the opportunity to maintain their fine home championship record in Cusack Park against Limerick.