IAN LADYMAN IN PARIS: Say what you like about David Beckham's return to the Champions League in Paris on Tuesday night but one thing is beyond question. He looked entirely at home. As the dust settled on PSG's dramatic 2-2 draw with Barcelona at the Parc des Princes the debate over Beckham's influence on the game began.
Brighton fans have reported a long catalogue of incidents of homophobic abuse from rival fans to the FA. The Seagulls are regularly the subject of taunts with the city known for having a large gay community.
Blackburn goalkeeper Paul Robinson has developed a blood clot in his lung following an operation on his back and he will be out of action for at least six months.
Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe has suffered a muscle injury which will keep him out of the club's next three matches. Defoe has scored 14 goals for Spurs this season.
Neil Warnock has mocked Mark Hughes for decimating his old QPR side and claims he wants the Welshman to succeed him as Leeds manager.
Carlos Tevez (centre) escaped a prison sentence today after pleading guilty to driving while disqualified and without insurance. Tevez has been ordered to serve 250 hours of community service. He now follows in footsteps of Joey Barton (right)
Manchester United have caused huge problems to England Rugby's staging of the 2015 World Cup by pulling the plug on the crucial use of Old Trafford for the tournament.
Rafa Benitez has revealed that Chelsea will be without Ashley Cole and Gary Cahill for at least two weeks. The left back was injured in Chelsea's FA Cup quarter-final win.
JAMIE REDKNAPP: I am told Sir Alex Ferguson recently took delivery of Paolo Di Canio's autobiography at his office at the training ground. That doesn't surprise me. The Italian has some story to tell.
Jose Mourinho prepared for a reunion with one of his favourite sons by laying into claims he was showing a lack of respect to his current captain Iker Casillas.
Brendan Rodgers has moved to end the uncertainty about Pepe Reina's future, insisting he is 'counting' on Liverpool's keeper for next season.
Michael Owen may have failed his screen test to head BT Sport's new analysis team - but that does not mean BBC and ITV are not in a battle to sign him up.
Emile Heskey has agreed to extend his stay Down under for another season after signing a new one-year deal with Australian outfit Newcastle Jets.
Having scored the winning goal in the FA Cup against Man United, Demba Ba is aiming to end a turbulent season at Stamford Bridge with an FA Cup and Europa League double.
Bubba Watson owns many of the coolest things in life: a Green Jacket, General Lee (the car from the Dukes of Hazzard), a neon pink driver... oh, and a hovercraft golf buggy.
Wladimir Klitschko was pictured on a Florida beach with rumoured fiancee Hayden Panettiere.
Andreas Harto may not be the first golfer to be caught with his pants down - Tiger Woods, anyone? - but at least this one was in competition.
Chinese table tennis players will pair up with international rivals for the first time at the Korea Open to improve competition and boost the sport's global growth.
Darren Bent’s future at Aston Villa looks increasingly bleak after he failed to make Paul Lambert’s match-day squad for the defeat by Liverpool.
NEIL ASHTON: When it comes to making game-changing decisions, Jose Mourinho doesn't hang about. Against Manchester United in the Champions League last month, he altered the course of the tie within three minutes of Nani's dismissal.
Theo Walcott would swap all of his personal accolades for a trophy with Arsenal, who have failed to win anything since the 2005 FA Cup.
West Ham target Wilfried Bony has admitted that a summer move to Upton Park is 'a possibility'. The Ivory Coast striker has scored 27 goals in just 25 games.
Messi is facing three weeks on the sidelines after departing last night's Champions League tie at half-time, but the statistics suggest Barcelona won't miss him too much.
Grand National sweepstake: Your essential kit for Saturday's big race!
Get yourself ready with Sportsmail's brilliant sweepstake kit
Is Ferguson losing his tactical touch?
NEIL ASHTON: How would Man United have done this season if he had been adventurous with his substitutions?
Six years after Chelsea sacked Mourinho... Bring Daddy home
NEIL ASHTON: Didier Drogba says Chelsea need 'Daddy' back; their creator; their inspiration
Meet 'The Emperor'... Galatasaray's crazy boss who is ready to end Mourinho's dream
Fatih Terim's presence makes it a case of 'Special Two'
PICTURE SPECIAL: From Red Rum to Bob Champion, Devon Loch and Foinavon... drama and emotion have made the Aintree spectacular a National treasure
ALAN CURBISHLEY: The pressure of relegation is huge... you're playing to keep the dinner lady and groundsman in jobs
Latest Footballers' Football Column
Graham Chadwick: My picture of the week - Hernandez's face is one of disbelief
The expression on the United striker's face is priceless at Chelsea
Beckham was in cruise control against Messi and Co... so, should England really bring him back?
IAN LADYMAN: David Beckham was at home
Welcome to England's most exciting league: Why the rollercoaster Championship is hurtling towards epic climax
It has more twists and turns than Eastenders
After shackling Messi, Thiago Silva proved himself as one of the great Brazil defenders (there's not been many, but here's our top six...)
Remember these guys?
Where did all the Spanish style go? Barca's away kit nightmare was just the latest in sport's long line of fashion disasters
But which is the worst?
JAMIE REDKNAPP: If Di Canio was losing in training he'd walk off
I'm not sure how long he will last at Sunderland, because he isn't a patient man
MARTIN KEOWN: It's a circus but Di Canio will keep Sunderland up
There's been negativity, but with regards to football, it could be an inspired appointment
RON ATKINSON: He once got himself sent off for disputing a throw in
Paolo was upset that a throw-in didn't go his way. When I say 'upset', he was close to losing it
Rollercoaster! 12 years ago, Leeds reached a Champions League semi
DOMINIC KING: April 1, 2013: A barely half-full Elland Road is filled with rancour and frustration
TERRY YORATH: Leeds fans are a demanding lot, the writing was on the wall for Warnock
They don't look at the finances - they are only interested in the football
Flood's braced to tackle the master
Over a decade after their paths first crossed, Toby Flood and Jonny Wilkinson will face each other for the first time
CHRIS MEARS: I get massively excited when we go away, but diving always comes first
Great Britain diver and Rio hopeful Chris Mears talks to Sportsmail
| Teams | P | GD | PTS | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Manchester United | 30 | 39 | 77 |
| 2 | Manchester City | 30 | 29 | 62 |
| 3 | Tottenham Hotspur | 31 | 15 | 57 |
| 4 | Chelsea | 30 | 27 | 55 |
| 5 | Arsenal | 30 | 26 | 53 |
| 6 | Everton | 30 | 12 | 51 |
| 7 | Liverpool | 31 | 19 | 48 |
| 8 | West Bromwich Albion | 31 | 0 | 44 |
| 9 | Swansea City | 31 | 1 | 40 |
| 10 | Fulham | 30 | -3 | 39 |
| 11 | West Ham United | 30 | -9 | 36 |
| 12 | Southampton | 31 | -9 | 34 |
| 13 | Stoke City | 31 | -9 | 34 |
| 14 | Norwich City | 31 | -19 | 34 |
| 15 | Newcastle United | 31 | -15 | 33 |
| 16 | Sunderland | 31 | -10 | 31 |
| 17 | Wigan Athletic | 30 | -20 | 30 |
| 18 | Aston Villa | 31 | -26 | 30 |
| 19 | Queens Park Rangers | 31 | -23 | 23 |
| 20 | Reading | 31 | -25 | 23 |
Didier Drogba seems to know exactly what Chelsea require. He says they need their 'Daddy' back; their creator; their inspiration. To Drogba, Jose Mourinho really is the special one; the manager who made it all happen once at Stamford Bridge and, in his opinion, can do so again.
Bayern Munich took a commanding lead into the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final against Juventus after dominating the Italians throughout.
The omens might be in Borussia Dortmund's favour if they can progress beyond Malaga. Dortmund lifted the Champions League in 1997 - the last time they won in Spain.
IAN LADYMAN IN PARIS: Despite being dominated by Barcelona on their own patch, Paris St Germain managed to fight back twice to secure a draw.
There is often no room for sentiment in football and that will especially be the case when the Champions League quarter-finals are contested.
David Beckham may be in the twilight of his career but for the stars of Barcelona it looked as if a new day was dawning despite them only gaining a draw in last night's Champions League clash against PSG.
Jose Mourinho is usually the manager that everybody is talking about, but Fatih Terim's presence during the Champions League tie will make it a case of 'Special Two' rather than 'Special One' Terim's persona is like his football - he is not afraid to attack.
David Beckham is confident PSG can reach the Champions League semi-finals after their dramatic 2-2 draw at home to Barcelona, in which they came from behind twice.
Xavi paid a heartwarming tribute to a 10-year-old boy with Leukaemia after scoring a vital penalty against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League last night.
Nuri Sahin has enjoyed swapping Liverpool for Champions League contenders Borussia Dortmund, and believes his adopted club must be wary of Malaga's threat.
The npower Championship lived up to its billing as the most exciting league in England over the Easter weekend. Sides in the bottom half of the table picked up 10 more points than those at the top.
Troy Deeney produced the one moment of Premier League quality to help Watford crack their Hull hoodoo and blow the Championship promotion race wide open once more.
Bolton made it four consecutive 1-0 wins at home as Chris Eagles' 58th-minute strike kept Dougie Freedman's men in the npower Championship play-off hunt.
Mario Balotelli's girlfriend Fanny Neguesha posted this saucy picture of the pair on Instagram, showing the Belgian model straddling the Milan striker while draped in a camouflage blanket.
Romelu Lukaku may go out on loan next season but could end up rejecting West Bromwich Albion in favour of a club that can offer European football.
Brighton were made to endure a frustrating night as dogged Charlton held out for a point at the Amex. The Seagulls hit the woodwork twice during stoppage time.
Zinedine Zidane and Luis Figo will play for a Real Madrid veterans side in a charity match against Manchester United this summer.
Zinedine Zidane has lavished praise on Tottenham star Gareth Bale, describing the Welshman as the best player in Europe this year.
Brian McDermott is one of the names Leeds' owners are likely to consider for their new vacancy after the npower Championship club parted company with Neil Warnock last night.
David Beckham has reiterated his desire to play for England again. The former England captain, 37, starred in PSG's 2-2 Champions League draw against Barcelona last night.
EVERTON 1
FULHAM 3
ASTON VILLA 1
SOUTHAMPTON 2
SUNDERLAND 0
MANCHESTER CITY 4
SWANSEA 1
Arsenal 4
WEST HAM 3
WIGAN 1
EVERTON 1
FULHAM 3
Alan Curbishley looks at the pressures of a relegation battle in his first Footballers' Football Column. The former Charlton and West Ham boss says what is needed to beat the drop and predicts his three to go down this season. He also explains why his four-year absence is his fault.
A Barclays Premier League footballer posted this collage on his Instagram account on Wednesday morning. Can you work out who it is?
CHARLES SALE: Betting exchange Betfair are not expected to continue Blue Square's the company's six-year sponsorship of the non-League Conference.
David James is set to sign for his ninth club after announcing he will join Icelandic side IBV as a player/coach.
Chelsea's on-loan Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has admitted that he does not know where he will be playing his football next season.
Rafa Benitez has been blamed for a lot during his time at Chelsea - but according to Ray Wilkins he is now to blame for Ashley Cole's hamstring injury.
When Fulham sold Bobby Zamora to Rangers for £4million in January 2012 they negotiated a £500,000 bonus for every year QPR stayed in the Premier League.
British-based company Hawk-Eye has lost out in its bid to provide goal-line technology at the 2014 World Cup after FIFA awarded the contract to German outfit GoalControl.
DOMINIC KING: April 1, 2001: Elland Road, packed to the rafters, is bouncing as Leeds United dismantle Deportivo La Coruna 3-0 in the first leg of a Champions League quarter-final.
The pain of defeat to Chelsea in the FA Cup will be softened for Manchester United fans by the fact they remain absolute certainties to land their 20th league title this season.
Petr Cech has revealed how rival goalkeepers have been texting him in admiration for the stunning athleticism and reactions he showed at Stamford Bridge.
West Brom striker Peter Odemwingie has been labelled 'a loose cannon' and urged to grow up if he is to get his career back on track. The verdict comes from Samson Siasia.
Samir Nasri has labelled Roberto Mancini a liar after he questioned his efforts in training, and was damned with faint praise after his impressive showing against Newcastle.
Three private investigators have denied posing as senior West Ham officials to spy on private documents for Spurs while the two clubs were battling for the Olympic Stadium.
Rangers have announced that Neil Murray has left his post as chief scout just days after former-teammate Ally McCoist confirmed he had been suspended.
Esmael Goncalves has been issued with a Notice of Complaint by the SFA's compliance officer for alleged simulation during St Mirren's clash with Celtic in Paisley on Sunday.
It was the two bouncers on the door in their black fleeces who gave away the fact this would be no ordinary day at Sunderland Football Club. The club naively hoped this would be a routine inaugural manager's media conference. They begged their visitors to ask about the football, not the fascism. Some hope.
New Sunderland manager Paolo Di Canio declared himself 'The Unique One' after vowing to keep the club in the Barclays Premier League.
There's been a lot of negativity surrounding Paolo Di Canio's appointment as Sunderland manager. But with regards to football, it could be an inspired appointment.
What more of an insight into the mind of Paolo Di Canio can I provide you with, other than that which you already know?
Charlton boss Chris Powell says he has never had any problem with former team-mate Paolo Di Canio, after the Italian was caught up in a storm about his right-wing views.
Few events on the British sporting calendar capture the imagination quite like the Grand National. And in our Golden Years special, we take a look at some memorable images from the race's past. Nick Metcalfe has been searching the archives to bring you these special pictures ahead of this weekend's event.
It is 20 years since the biggest debacle in Grand National history with the 1993 void race. Peter Scudamore rode Captain Dibble in the race - here are his memories.
Get yourself ready for the Grand National with Sportsmail's brilliant sweepstake kit. Simply print out and put them into a hat ahead of the big race on Saturday.
Sam Twiston-Davies is best advised switching off his mobile on Saturday morning. That way he'll avoid the barrage from brother Willie ahead of riding Imperial Commander.
With two horses dying in each of the last two Grand Nationals, equine welfare is under intense scrutiny and some believe the race itself is on trial.
After all the years of opposing each other in training for club and country, it was no surprise that Toby Flood had to pause for careful thought before confirming that his clash with Jonny Wilkinson on Sunday will be the first time the friends have locked horns in a match.
Slovakian cyclist Peter Sagan has issued a grovelling apology for pinching the bottom of a flower girl while they were on the podium at the Ronde of Flanders classic.
Kimi Raikkonen is on Red Bull's shortlist to replace Mark Webber should the veteran Australian decide to retire at the end of the current Formula One campaign.
It's the iconic image heralding a British sporting summer: men in whites, picnics by the pavilion and the glorious sound of leather on willow. But, like everyone else, British cricket is facing a cold snap. With the opening match of the LV= County Championship just seven days away, unseasonable temperatures have taken their toll on the players.
Laura Robson became the British women’s No 1 tennis player after seeing off Spain’s Estrella Cabeza Candela 6-2, 6-2 in her first-round match in Charleston.
Saracens head into Saturday's Heineken Cup quarter-final against Ulster at Twickenham believing Chris Ashton is in excellent form despite his poor Six Nations campaign.
Paralysed jockey JT McNamara was already planning to quit the sport before his horrific fall. McNamara was seriously injured in a first fence fall at Cheltenham last month.
Declan Kidney paid the price for Ireland's poor showing in the Six Nations after he was relieved of him of his role as head coach with immediate effect.
Chris Tremlett has been included in England's 30-man Performance Squad for the 2013 summer international season, although James Taylor is a notable omission.
Rory McIlroy isn't the only big name playing in the Valero Texas Open this week on the advice of his caddie. Ian Poulter has also decided to change his routine before Augusta.
The Indian Premier League returns for its sixth edition tomorrow and you can be guaranteed there will be fireworks (both metaphorical and physical), blaring music, plenty of sixes and no doubt plenty of exciting finishes. However, if you're tracking the progress of English players you'll have to look hard - there are only four in this year's IPL
JEFF POWELL: David Price's decision to take a re-match with Tony Thompson rather than fight Dereck Chisora does little for bank balance but a great deal for his integrity.
It's no surprise Neil Warnock decided to walk early. Leeds fans are a demanding lot, they don't look at the finances - the only thing they are interested in is the football.
HANNAH ROBERTS: Many Italian clubs can count violent hooligans among their fans. But when it comes to racism, Lazio's 'Ultras', as they are known, are in a league of their own.
In the end, perhaps they were just playing in the way most of us felt? After all, many of them had had a long week of international football and Premier League games.
Sportsmail's hard-hitting columnist on Sunderland's controversial appointment of Paolo Di Canio, how Harry Redknapp outfoxed Martin Jol and who would be his Footballer of the Year. And he doesn't agree with Jamie Redknapp's pick of Luis Suarez.
Chris Mears talks to Sportsmail about getting away to China, where diving is taken to a whole new level, as well as taking in the glamorous sights in Dubai
George Boateng looks back on his career and talks about Gordon Strachan's temper, Middlesbrough's UEFA Cup run, why Steve McClaren is his favourite manager.
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