And now arriving in terminal one is the daily service from Matthew Le Tissier International Airport

Did I just read that right, did I just write that accurately, has my lack of sleep and a bad back finally caught up with me? No it is all true. There is a campaign on the popular social networking site Facebook to get Eastleigh Airport renamed after the former husband of the ever so fine Emily Symons. Oh and he was also a football player for some club who are languishing in the depths of the Championship and are flat broke and on the brink of administration.

Le Tissier played for England on several occasions but never really cemented his place in the side. Some say it is because England managers were too scared to build a team around a player who didn't play for a top club, others say it is because no-one thought he was good enough. However at club level he certainly had a distinguished career.

It is not unusual for famous people to have airports named after them, John Lennon (Liverpool), George Best (Belfast City), Charles De Gaulle (Paris), John F Kennedy (New York) and even medieval folklore hero Robin Hood (Doncaster) have all had the honour bestowed upon them.

The question though is whether he really did that much to raise the profile of the area. He never lifted them to any trophies, didn't bring in any tourists, was unable to bring great honour to the area. He was just a half-decent football player.

The only way in which this story would be a flyer is if the area was lacking in history and desperate for some acclaim.

Oh wait...

Just to follow up on Harry's piece a few weeks ago. Football fans are clearly being priced out of the game they love and it is terribly unfair!

Euro 2008 is just around the corner but are the English interested?

Every couple of years the country usually goes mad with football fever. Ever since Italia '90 took the country by storm from nowhere, England in a major tournament has been a huge thing, not just for football fans but for industry as well.

England's failure to qualify for Euro 2008 is estimated to of cost the economy around £1.5bn. Not that I would condone an effigy of Steve McClaren to be carted around the streets of England for his woeful managerial skills, but some people have lost out on a lot of money thanks to his incompetence (and those who appointed him - what were they thinking - I mean really?)

However one must not dwell, we have a festival of football ahead of us. Here at TalkFootball.co.uk we have put together a thorough Euro 2008 Preview with guides to all the nations taking part. If you are interested in watching this tournament then that is a darn good place to start.

If Chelsea are going to get a new manager please let it be one of top quality. I would rather have Frank Rijkaard or Hiddink. I think Hiddink has already ruled himself out though?

All I hope for really is that do not make Sven Sven Sven-Goran Eriksson the manager!

Chelsea have sacked Avram Grant after a trophy less season - what next for the club with more money than sense?

It was no surprise that Chelsea parted company with the dour Israeli but the way it has come about is a shock. Just days after leading his side into the final of the Champions League, he has found himself out of a job.

The fact that Grant’s team were the better side seems to of counted for nothing. If John Terry hadn’t of slipped when going up to take that spot kick, then Chelsea would’ve been crowned Champions of Europe and the manager would’ve been hailed as a hero.

Following the self dubbed ‘Special One’ was never going to be an easy job. Mourinho had captivated the media and the public alike. Whatever you thought about him, you had an opinion and a strong opinion at that.

Grant seemed to be everything that Mourinho wasn’t and sadly for him, that includes having that extra 2% that would’ve helped take his team over the top. Grant’s time is over in the top job at Stamford Bridge and now attention turns towards who will take his spot in the dugout.

Jose will be the fans favourite but surely not…?

Sign up and discuss this and more on the TalkFootball Forum.

Cristiano Ronaldo has now won everything there is to win at Manchester United. Is he ready to walk out on the club for sunnier climbs?

Real Madrid clearly want him - well who wouldn't? However the pressure is being put on from many parties and news is leaking out that Real and the players' agent have agreed terms for the move.

Ronaldo has stated that he is happy at Manchester United but has made no bones about his desire to play in Spain at some point. Whether that point has been reached is unclear but he certainly hasn't unequivocally committed himself to the Old Trafford club.

Manchester United do not need to sell their best player and rebuild their squad. If the player wants to go though then what more can you do? His price is around the highest it'll ever be and will the Glazers decide that it makes good business sense to sell him now?

If you have an opinion on Ronaldo then please sign up and debate it on our Forum

Final Score: Manchester United 1-1 Chelsea - Manchester United win 6-5 on Pens.

22:55: I'll wrap it up there. I hope you enjoyed the blog and hang around on the site. The Forums are open for your discussions on the game and more. It was quite a night - five hours worth pretty much until we knew who would lift the grand old trophy.

Time for me to go and watch The Apprentice and go to bed.

Good Night y'all.

22:50: Rio Ferdinand & Ryan Giggs lift the trophy.

22:42: John Terry is clearly distraught and you can't blame him. Avram Grant is trying to console him but it is impossible. He will never get over it - never.

22:40: 50 years since Munich and maybe it was written in the stars. I am quite happy I am not a Chelsea fan tonight though I must say.

22:39: Man alive - Better team loses again - From Neil in NY.

22:38: Ronaldo is being interviewed now. He knows he got out of jail there.

22:35: Chelsea were the better side on the night, of that there is no doubt, but that does not matter. They hit the post, they hit the bar, they had a penalty to win it but John Terry of all people slipped as Van Der Sar went the wrong way. United were lucky but no-one will remember that when the history books are written.

22:33: Anelka steps up - and he doesn't score - Van Der Sar saves it and Manchester United are European Champions.

22:33: Ryan Giggs now - strokes it home.

22:32: Kalou needs to score here - awesome spot kick.

22:31: Anderson steps up in sudden death - cracking penalty.

22:31: John Terry to win it for Chelsea - this would be some story. He slips and hits the post.

22:30: Nani has to score here - and just about does. Cech should've saved it.

22:29: Ashley Cole steps up - and boy Van Der Sar gets a strong hand to it but it creeps in.

22:28: Hargreaves steps up - Great penalty

22:28: Lampard steps up - and he scores.

22:27: Ronaldo steps up - saved! Terrible penalty from Ronaldo.

22:26: Belleti steps up - and does the business

22:26: Carrick steps up - strokes it home.

22:25: Ballack steps up - nice penalty.

22:24: Tevez steps up - strokes it home to the keepers left. Cech goes the wrong way.

22:23: United to take first.

22:22: I really don't know what to say at this point. Penalties is a lottery but what else can you do? The Rugby fan has said how bad it is and how there must be a better way and football is stupid for having that rule. Rugby clearly does everything so much better...

22:19: And we go to penalties.

22:19: Makelele off for Belleti - Presumably he is a penalty taker. United do the same with Brown off for Anderson.

22:16: By the way I said many bad words about Lubos Michel out loud that can't be put down in words.

22:11: Lubos Michel loses the plot. Didier Drogba is sent off for a slap on Vidic. It is a disgraceful decision by Michel, absolutely disgraceful. Lubos Michel has spent the whole evening trying to screw Chelsea over. It all came about after Manchester United broke the unwritten code regarding injuries. Chelsea weren't impressed and Drogba raised his arms, yes he was stupid but if that is a red card then it is just wrong. Lubos Michel does everything by the book and that is what makes him a terrible referee. He is just like Howard Webb. Tevez and Ballack also got booked for their parts in the incident.

22:06: Drogba hits the free kick wide. Is this one petering out to the dreaded spot kicks?

22:05: Yellow for Vidic for a foul on Anelka. Harsh for me as it was a good challenge.

22:02: Where has Ronaldo gone? He has gone missing since Half Time.

22:01: Ballack has a dig and it is blocked. Chelsea players still look surprisingly fresh. United look sluggish.

22:00: We are off again...

21:58: One of the Rugby supporters says Drogba is rubbish and a waste of space - yeah...

21:58: After 105 we are still level.

21:53: Rooney hauled off for Nani.

21:51: And suddenly Manchester United should've scored. Evra fired his way to the by-line and found Ryan Giggs. He pokes it towards goal only to see John Terry clear it and heads it over. That is why John Terry is great.

21:50: Anelka on for Joe Cole.

21:49: Another lovely move Chelsea. They really are dominating this game.

21:47: I'm watching this with three Rugby fans - oh boy...

21:45: Lampard hits the bar and then Kalou misses the rebound. Chelsea have chance after chance but still haven't scored.

21:43: Kalou on for the disappointing Malouda.

21:42: We are off again. United with a lovely move but failed to get an effort on goal.

21:36: Full Time: Manchester United 1-1 Chelsea
We go +30 just like I predicted earlier today...

21:34: Two added minutes. Horrible foul on Joe Cole just now.

21:31: Giggs on for Scholes - Giggs is now the all time appearance leader for Manchester United.

21:30: When was the last time Lubos Michel gave Chelsea a decision?

21:25: Tevez drills one over - first real effort in a long long time for Sir Alex's side.

21:24: Another chance for Drogba but Ferdinand defends well.

21:22: Drogba hits the post. Terrific effort by the Ivorian who curled it past EVDS who it beaten all ends up.

21:21: Penalty shout for Chelsea as Malouda goes down in the area under pressure from Ferdinand. Looked a good decision for me as he may of tripped over his own foot.

21:18: United have had a couple of half chances but really Chelsea look the more likely. 15 minutes left in normal time but we'll have 4+ added.

21:12: Rio Ferdinand looks injured and United are all over the shop. Michel stops the game despite not actually being allowed to.

21:09: Wicked ball in from Malouda and cleared by Carrick. All Chelsea.

21:06: Chelsea look really good now and United look rattled for the first period in the match. United need a good five minutes just to kill Chelsea's confidence.

21:01: Chelsea are on top. The midfield is starting to really tick over.

20:58: Michael Essien has the first chance of the second half. He checks back on to his left and steadies himself before firing it comfortably over the bar.

20:56: No real chances yet this half but tempers are flaring. I wonder if we'll end 11v11.

20:48: Sir Alex gives Lubos Michel a right rollicking. You'd have to think that was about the Calvalho foul on Ronaldo.

20:47: Here we go again...

20:37: United really should be ahead. However they are not - typical Chelsea. Grab on to a lucky break and pounce on it. United still the big favourites for me.

20:33: Half-Time: Manchester United 1-1 Chelsea

20:33: Carvalho gets a yellow for an ugly challenge on Ronaldo.

20:30 Goal: Manchester United 1-1 Chelsea - Lampard
And Chelsea are right back in it. Michael Essien comes forward and has a blast from thirty odd years. A couple of deflections and the ball fell just in front of Frank Lampard and he tucks it in with his left foot.

20:29: Ballack takes it and fires it over. Don't think the Drog will let him take the next one.

20:28: Yellow for Rio and a free kick right on the edge of the area.

20:27: Tevez really has to score there. United could and maybe should of wrapped this one up already.

20:25: Florent Malouda's first touch is the worst I have seen from a so-called World Class footballer.

20:20: What a double save by Petr Cech. Carlos Tevez with the initial header before Carrick fires the rebound which Cech palms high and wide of his goal. This game is starting to get going.

20:19: Great save by Van Der Sar. Ballack forces Ferdinand to head towards his own goal which forces the keeper into a fine save.

20:15: United look very fluent. Chelsea look rattled and this game is there for the taking for the Manchester club.

Wooooooooooooooooooooooo - Matt via text

20:11 Goal: Manchester United 1-0 Chelsea - Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo scores for the Old Trafford club. A left footed cross is headed in by Ronaldo who leaps over Michael Essien.

20:09: Scholes returns after his cut. Clearly they are worried about him.

20:06: Paul Scholes is cut after fouling Makelele. Scholes sees yellow as does Makelele. Not exactly sure Lubos Michel saw there.

20:04: First corner of the game and it is for the reds.

20:02: Ronaldo has twice gotten down the left in dangerous positions. having him going up against Essien is clearly something they've worked on due to the fact Ashley Cole always has Ronaldo in his pocket.

19:59: My housemate who allegedly supports Manchester United has got up and left the room to do her washing up. This game has really whetted her appetite so far.

19:54: David Pleat tells us that it has been 30 years since George Best terrorised Benfica in the 1967 Final at Wembley. I really don't need to say just how bad he is as a co-commentator after a comment like that do I?

19:53: And now the first dangerous cross for United, Hargreaves whips in a ball that Terry clears just as Rooney looks set to pounce. Really not started this game as yet.

19:49: Bitty start but Malouda swings in a wonderful cross that Vidic has to deal with. First dangerous moment of the match.

19:45: Man U kick off. It is a goal kick to Chelsea within seven seconds.

19:44: This game will start on Wednesday and end on Thursday local time - that is pretty cool.

19:43: Frank Lampard looks up to the heavens just as the Champions League theme finishes - you know exactly what he was thinking about.

19:41: David Pleat gets the nod to sit next to Clive Tyldesley. Disgusting move by ITV.

19:40: Red Roman looks happy looking on.

19:37: I've lost count of the number of ad breaks we've had. It has been quite a few to say t'least.

19:34: All I want is for it to be a real quality match. This is a great opportunity for the Premier League to show its quality and superiority as a football league on the world stage. All we can hope is that the quality of the pitch matches the football. - Wardy on the TalkFootball Forum

19:32: Now we have a piece on some bloke called Ronaldo. I've yet to see him really take a big game by the scruff of the neck, could this be the night?

19:28: We are watching a piece about Michael Ballack. He is a terrific player and Jose clearly never liked him. He may not of performed in the 2002 final but this can be his time.

19:19: For me both teams are good enough that it can go either way, but I am a reds supporter and I really do think we can beat Chelsea, it will be tough, but I really think we are the better team and can go ahead and win - Matt on the TalkFootball Forum

19:16: Chelsea 2-1 Manchester United - Harry Ford on the TalkFootball Forum.

19:11: If you want to join in the debate on tonight's match then either comment on the blog or join in on the forum.

19:06: Teams: Chelsea, Cech, Essien, Carvalho, Terry, Cole A., Makelele, Ballack, Lampard, Cole J., Drogba, Malouda

19:06: Teams: Manchester United, Van Der Sar, Brown, Vidic, Ferdinand, Evra, Carrick, Hargreaves, Scholes, Tevez, Rooney, Ronaldo

19:03: Tonight is the night of all nights. It's ITV for me as I'm downstairs with the housemates, so no Tyler & Gray for me. Gabriel Clarke tells us the teams and there are no surprises. It is peeing it down with rain.

19:00: Here we go folks. Excited much?

So tonight is the night. The Champions League Final is set for a 10:45 k/o local time and it's set to be special.

Chelsea face Manchester United for the title of best club team in Europe. Both teams have been amongst the bookies favourites all season for the competition. Sir Alex's side have already held aloft a prime piece of silverware this season in the Premiership. Chelsea have all their eggs in the Champions League basket, failure to win would mean that their 2007/2008 campaign had been a unsuccessful one.

United find themselves favourites at 8/11 outright, Chelsea are 11/10 to lift the trophy. Manchester United have European pedigree having lifted the Champions Cup twice before, once under the great Sir Matt Busby in 1968 in Wembley Stadium, the other in the Camp Nou on that barmy night when Bayern Munich somehow were beaten with two dramatic late goals.

Avram Grant's side will be competing in their first European Champions Cup final. They have tasted Super Cup and Cup Winners Cup success but they'll fallen short in the big one, having lost at the semi-final stage three times this decade.

I believe that this game revolves all around Didier Drogba. The Ivorian has had an up and down campaign for the club from west London, but when he has been on, his team have clicked and they have won games. He terrorised the Liverpool defence in the second leg of the semi-final, basically dragging his team mates from the scruff of their necks through to the game in Moscow.

Manchester United obviously have the best player on the park, albeit not the most important one. Cristiano Ronaldo has won honour after honour this season. His play has been first rate and his brilliance is not in question. However questions still swirl around the Portuguese internationals temperament and ability to shine in the big games. He has gone missing before and this is the big chance for him to silence his critics.

You'd have to agree that the bookies have it right that the reds are the favourites. However there is something about Chelsea, they are full of resilience, full of big game nous, full of big characters, they have a real chance in this one. I don't think it would stun anyone if this game went 90+.

Prediction time is coming around. The official TalkFootball.co.uk prediction is that Chelsea will lift the trophy in Extra Time.

To discuss the game please sign up to and use our TalkFootball Forum.

Sometimes I wonder why I love Football but on Saturday I was reminded in no uncertain terms as to why I am in love with the beautiful game.

I woke up at 5:31AM. This is in part due to the very drunk man that was laying on my bed but mostly due to the fact it was FA Cup Final day. I was only eight years old when Pompey last reached the semi-finals. I cried that day, cried tears of agony watching my team lose. 16 years later I saw us win a semi-final and book a place in a Wembley final.

The nerves were already in full swing when I got out of bed. The morning dragged like anything, watching football shows all the way until it was time to leave. I was on a work weekend away so instead of travelling up to Aldershot I came down from the Cotswolds and the train was rammed full of Cardiff fans.

The ones I sat with and spoke too were nice enough. We had a good chat about the game and then it was off to Wembley. It was grey and overcast when I met up with my friends who had my ticket. They were in the neutral area but when I got up there I was surrounded predominately by Cardiff fans.

Sitting high up practically on the half way line I had what most would call the perfect view. It was a shame I wasn’t buried deep inside of the Portsmouth end but just being there was the all important thing. Being a fan of a so called unfashionable club just being at a Cup Final is just an incredible feeling.

The game itself wasn’t a classic but it was better than what had occurred twelve months earlier. When Kanu hit the post after a wonderful piece of skill I was stunned beyond belief. 14 minutes later though everything would change.

A mistake by the Cardiff keeper gifted a goal to the Nigerian and Portsmouth were ahead. I went absolutely nuts, I really did, luckily no-one really seemed too offended. The rest of the game passed by in a blur. Never did I feel that we were going to concede, not even when they had the ball in the back of the net. I spotted the handball and had seen Mike Dean signal pretty early so my heart didn’t even skip a beat.

When the referee blew for full-time I kept my emotions in check but it wouldn’t be for long. As the players were celebrating on the field I welled up. The realisation had got to me, I was watching my team lift the FA Cup. I was there with 30,000+ other Portsmouth fans seeing a dream become reality.

Never in all my dreams did I ever picture being at Wembley stadium watching my beloved Portsmouth win the Cup. It is days like these that fans of the big teams will never understand. Winning things is second nature to them, for 99% of Pompey fans there it was the first major trophy they had ever seen the club win.

The tears didn’t roll down the cheek, I wiped them away before that but I would well up once more. I just stood there for around twenty minutes not believing what my eyes were witnessing. Portsmouth players on the pitch celebrating winning the greatest club competition in the world. Some will argue that the Champions League is better but I would argue with that profusely. Kids do not go to bed dreaming about winning the league or the Champions League, they dream of winning the FA Cup.

Those that know me well will know that I am not a natural smiler. I am pretty straight faced and smiling is not something that naturally occurs. On Saturday for those twenty minutes I just couldn’t stop beaming and welling up. Being a fan of a football team, certainly a working class team like Portsmouth makes you feel part of a family. I was proud of the boys, the manager, the fans, the city of a whole, Portsmouth, my Portsmouth were at the centre of the football world, even if it was for just one day.

The journey home was surreal. I bumped into a couple of Pompey fans on the tube who were going the same way as me so I tagged along with them. We missed the train but literally seconds despite running the length of the underground only to be foiled. The train home was again with a hoard of Cardiff fans.

Despite it being an amazing day it wasn’t until I got back that I realised what was so special. From when I got on the train at 11:07 on Kemble station until I got back I didn’t think about anything except the game and football. My personal problems that had been running through my mind at a million miles an hour hadn’t even made an appearance in my thought process. The game had been a complete release, a distraction from the day-to-day grind of my life and my issues. I had forgotten just how much a game of football could help forget about the rest of my lives problems.

When I got home today I watched the Sky coverage of the game. Seeing Jamie Redknapp celebrate with his family was special. Both Meridian Tonight and South Today gave the game and the parade and celebrations pride of place in their programming. The pictures of 300,000 fans lining the streets of the city once again brought a tear to the eye.

Portsmouth is a proud city full of proud people. I am a proud man today and it is now over 48 hours since the game. Football has brought me many lows and a few highs but Saturday was about as high as I could ever be. Maybe a marriage or having a kid could knock those twenty minutes of my life off top spot but in the current climate neither look likely.

As I am writing this I’m watching the BBC coverage of the game and I am still emotional. There isn’t too much more I can say apart from your 2008 FA Cup winners are Portsmouth.

Nwankwo Kanu's 37th minute goal sent Portsmouth on their way to winning the FA Cup for only the second time in their history.

A mistake by Cardiff City goalkeeper Peter Enckelman led to the only game of the game. A cross from Nigerian international was mis-handled by the Cardiff custodian and was bundled home by the man who was named as the Man of the Match.

Pompey rode their luck early on as Cardiff took early control of the game. Pompey keeper David James had to save smartly from Paul Parry in the 12th minute after he'd been played in one-on-one.

Kanu hit the post after a lovely Pompey move mid-way through the first half, big Hermann went down the left flank and fed in Diarra who in turn found Kanu. The lankly front man then beat his man and the keeper before hitting the post from the narrowest of angles with the goal at his mercy.

The only goal of the game came a few minutes before the break. John Utaka finally took on his man and got in a decent cross to the near post. The keeper couldn't hold the ball and Kanu reacted quickest to score from a couple of yards.

Cardiff had a goal disallowed in first half injury time thanks to a handball and that would be the closest they would come.

The second half saw Cardiff come forward more, but with a strong defence that has only conceded once in the FA Cup, the Pompey backline held form.

It was the greatest day in 69 years for Portsmouth Football Club. A truly remarkable achievement for the club and for their manager Harry Redknapp.

For more on the FA Cup Final then keep checking the blog in the coming days.

So the UEFA Cup Final was in Manchester this year and approximately 200,000 Rangers fans travelled down to savour the atmosphere.

They would see their team go on and lose 2-0 to Zenit St Petersburg but it wasn't the game that made the headlines. I have to admit to not watching the game (Hull City v Watford and The Apprentice won out in the watching/Sky+ stakes) but I did see the result. I heard there had been problems with the fans, but not until I saw the lunchtime news that I realised just how bad it was.

As a fan of football, I don't care for violence or hooliganism. However if two sets of fans want to meet up and beat each other up away from innocent bystanders that is their prerogative. I do have a big problem with innocent people getting involved and certainly having running battles with the Police.

When I saw these pictures from a CCTV camera on the news I was more than shocked and appalled, I was sickened to the pit of my stomach. These fans were like rabid dogs, hunting in packs and violently attacking those who opposed them. They didn't care if innocent people got dragged into the confrontations, they were just wanting a fight after a day long drinking session and having seen their team lose.

A few years ago Celtic fans travelled to Seville to watch their side play in the final of the same competition. Celtic were beaten 3-2 AET by FC Porto but you heard absolutely nothing bad about the fans. The host city had warmly welcomed the influx from the Celtic nations and the game went by without incident. The fans mingled without a problem and it was by all accounts a positive experiences.

Fast forward five years and we saw very different scenes. Fans stabbed, running battles with the police, innocent people getting attacked by fans and the police. It was just one ugly experience and one that has shamed both Rangers and British football as a whole.

I am quite frankly disgusted by it. I'll be in London on Saturday for the FA Cup Final and hope that nothing like this occurs. A final should be a great day out and even if you see your team lose, it is only a game and taking it out on anyone in a violent way is just pathetic. I may sulk all the way home if Pompey lose on Saturday, but I will not have a crossed word with an opposition fan, let alone have a fight.

Around 44 seconds into the CCTV footage linked earlier in this blog, one police officer is caught alone. He turned his back on the hoards of hooligans and started jogging back towards the rest of his colleagues. Then someone clearly trips him up and he was then pounced upon by 30 odd people kicking and hitting him.

I love football but when I see footage like this I struggle, I really do.

The FA Cup Final is just two days away so it is time to have a look at the Wembley showpiece.

Last year the FA Cup Final returned to Wembley and had the so-called 'dream final'. Chelsea and Manchester United played out a dour game which was won by a Didier Drogba effort late in injury time.

This time around though the big boys are nowhere to be seen. Even after the quarter-finals the so called 'big four' were already absent. Your FA Cup Final of 2008 is set up to be a lot different to its 2007 counterpart.

The favourites are Premiership side Portsmouth. They haven't reached the final since upsetting Wolverhampton Wanderers in 1939. They famously held the Cup for seven years due to the outbreak of the Second World War. They will be facing a Cardiff City side who like their opponents on Saturday have only lifted the trophy once.

Both sides have beaten one Premiership side en route to the big match. Cardiff disposed of Middlesbrough at the Riverside in their Quarter-Final, whilst Portsmouth defeated Manchester United at Old Trafford in a memorable game in the same round. Those games were certainly their signature wins, with neither side having impressed too much in any other round.

Some see this as a disappointing final but last years dream one was one of the worst in recent history. Portsmouth have only conceded once on their run to the final and are a strong and powerful line-up. Cardiff are seen as a neat and tidy passing side by most but are serious underdogs despite Portsmouth's woeful run of form to round-out the season.

David James has missed several games due to a thigh injury but he is set to return in goal for the nominated home side. Cardiff have no new injury problems, so both teams are fully expected to be at full strength.

If both teams play to their best then I don't see how I can predict anything other than a Portsmouth win. However as a superstitious fellow and a Portsmouth fan, I will be predicting a Cardiff victory.

The Champions League final is still over a week away but all eyes are on Moscow.

The big question in the Chelsea camp early doors has been the fitness of club captain John Terry and star striker Didier Drogba. Terry was stretchered off in Sunday's Premier League finalé against Bolton Wanderers with a dislocated elbow. Drogba also felt discomfort in his knee during the same game, both are vital players for Chelsea and losing them would be a huge blow.

However both are expected to play next week after Drogba spoke to French newspaper L'Equipe today and conformed he would make it. He also said that he had spoken to Terry who said that he wouldn't miss the game.

This is excellent news for The Blues having missed out on the Premier League trophy on Sunday.

Over in the red half of this match-up, Manchester United have no injury concerns ahead of the game. It has been reported quite openly that Paul Scholes will definitely start for United, having missed out on the final in 1999 due to suspension.

Keep checking out TalkFootball.co.uk for news and further previews over the next few days. This game is the biggest domestic showdown in Europe that we have ever seen. United are the favourites with the bookies will prices around the 13/10 range with Chelsea floating at 2/1.

With many supporters travelling out to Moscow for the match, all sorts of companies have brought out special offers. MBNA have introduced a special credit card dedicated to people who want to show their support for their football team. They are offering the Manchester United Credit Card and the Chelsea FC Credit Card which both give you a very competitive 0% on balance transfers for 12 months (3% handling fee applies), 0% on card purchases for 3 months and 15.9% APR typical (variable) on card purchases, The Manchester United Credit Card gives you the opportunity to earn 'RedRewards', which could see you winning a host of Money-Can't-Buy Man Utd prizes! While the Chelsea FC Credit Card is a great way to play your part in securing the long term future of the club! Chelsea FC receives a one-off payment for every approved account and further contributions for every card purchase. All contributions and one-off payments the club receives will be used to help further youth development.

If you are travelling to Moscow, don't forget to get your Travel Insurance sorted out, some great deals are waiting to be snapped up, take a look at Travel Insurance Guide which offers lots of advice on what to look out for and gives you the cheapest deals around from over 65 top UK providers!

The news of this signing has been posted on the Official Porto FC website but is yet to be published on the official Chelsea website.

I haven’t seen much of Bosingwa myself yet so I will have to get and do some research. From what I've heared he is a very good right back with excellent attacking prowess. He has recently also replaced Miguel in the Portuguese first team.

Has anyone else seen a lot of him, what's he like?

Going into Game 38 it was Fulham who were in the driving seat. As the afternoon went on they found themselves down in 18th and then 19th but when the final whistle blew, it was celebration time for Roy Hodgson and his team.

On a very warm and summery day on the south coast, Fulham knew that victory would see them retain their Premiership status for another year. Reading travelled to Derby County which was always going to result in an away win, this left Birmingham City on the outside looking in as they hoped Derby could provide one of the shocks of the season.

Reading led early and I think everyone knew deep down that the home side were never going to score. This knocked Birmingham out of the equation, they would go on to win 4-1 but it wasn't to matter. It was a two horse race between Reading and Fulham for safety.

The Pompey Chimes roared out from the away end at Pride Park in an ever increasing racket. The Reading fans were imploring the south coast side forward. Then on 76 minutes everything changed. A Jimmy Bullard free kick swung into the Portsmouth box. The defenders let Danny Murphy go and the former England international headed towards goal, the Pompey keeper Jamie Ashdown decided not to move and the ball hit the back of the net.

The 2,500 travelling support went crazy as they knew that was the goal that could save them from the Championship. 250 odd miles away in the east midlands elation turned to despair as the Reading faithful heard the news from their radios. It really is something being involved in the final day drama and listening to news from other games miles away. I have been there and the rumours that spread like wildfire through the stands are usually pretty accurate.

Reading were doing a job on Derby - like pretty much every other club in every game this season, but their survival hinged on Portsmouth getting an equaliser. The problem Reading fans had was they knew that Portsmouth were in full FA Cup Final mode and never looked like scoring.

The final whistles blew and Fulham had survived. Four wins out of their last five games saw them safe. The big turnaround was that game at Manchester City when they were 2-0 down with twenty minutes left and were down. They then turned on the style and bagged three goals to secure a stunning away win that gave them some momentum.

Reading deserved to go - their form in the second half of the season has been woeful at best and pathetic at worst. Birmingham surprised as a month ago they looked to have the class to stay up, sadly for them they didn't have the bottle.

So Craven Cottage in once again on the Premiership map next season. Jimmy Bullard is their star and I bet at least eight to ten Premiership managers are gutted that he won't be available in the summer. He is the heartbeat of that team and gets them playing. If he stays free of injury next season then he'll enjoy a fine season and will be knocking on the door for international honours.

You feel sorry for those who've dropped and the tears are never easy to watch. Birmingham and Reading though when it mattered over the final few games of the year failed to deliver. They brought about their own downfall and a year of struggle for both teams awaits.

So everything to play for in the Premiership has been won or lost - Manchester United are worthy champions but boy did they ride their luck in Game 38.

When Ryan Giggs came off the subs bench and scored the goal that secured the title, it was only fitting. The Welshman had equalled Sir Bobby Charlton's all-time appearance record for the club. He had just won his tenth league title medal and once again reminded us what a fine player he has been throughout his long and distinguished career.

Before he'd put the gloss on the finish, United had been put through the wringer by a Wigan side who certainly did themselves proud. Wigan had a great penalty shout turned down mid-way through the first half after Rio Ferdinand learnt into the ball with his upper arm. 'Was it shoulder or upper arm' was the question that referee Steve Bennett had to make a decision on, luckily for United he decided shoulder and the result was a corner kick.

Less than ten minutes later United themselves had a penalty shout and this time the referee pointed towards the spot. Rooney had gone down under the challenge of Paul Sharner, the away side appealed strongly before seeing the whistle go to Bennett's mouth. Upon replay it was soft and one that you'd expect to go the way of the home side. Ronaldo coolly slotted away the penalty to put United seemingly on course for some easy title celebrations.

A few minutes later however Steve Bennett yet again had a big decision to make. Having booked Paul Scholes earlier in the first half for a bit of an ugly challenge, the fiery midfielder took Valencia down to stop a quick break. It was a yellow card all day long and Scholes knew it as he turned towards the referee with a look of desperation. He seemed ready to walk off but Bennett just strode over and gave the free kick without flashing the yellow, which would've been swiftly followed by the red.

News from Stamford Bridge leaked through early in the second half that Andrei Shevchenko had fired the home side ahead from close range, a goal now for Wigan would see the title go back south to London. Wigan were full of endeavour but didn't look likely to break the deadlock and once Giggs found himself in acres of space just outside the box, this title race was over.

Matthew Taylor scored a late equaliser for Bolton at Stamford Bridge not that it mattered by then. Manchester United were crowned back-to-back champions and celebrated with their 5,000+ travelling support.

Manchester United over the course of the season have deserved the title. They got a bit of luck on the final day with some decisions from the referee, but maybe they deserved the luck. It would've been a travesty if Chelsea had stolen the title. The brand of football played by Avram Grant's team all season long has been lacklustre to put it mildly. United have been strong at the back, inventive in the middle of the park and flamboyant and deadly up top.

Next season we'll hopefully see another close title race with Arsenal looking set to join the top two. Liverpool are still a way behind and with the turbulence in the boardroom at Anfield, it is hard to see how they are going to kick on and become serious title challengers.

The 2007/2008 was all about Manchester United's dominance - they nearly found a way to blow it but they didn't.

Manchester United - Premier League Champions 2007/2008.

Here we go then - the end of the Premiership season is just a couple of days away and we have everything still to play for.

Obviously we have to start at the very top. Manchester United (1/4) are big favourites to retain their Premiership crown, but they could've wrapped it up a long time ago. Dropping points at Middlesbrough and Blackburn, coupled with the defeat to Chelsea (11/4) has left the west Londoners in the race and with a legitimate shot at winning it all.

United go to Wigan on Sunday knowing that victory - bar some freak scoreline from Stamford Bridge - will secure them back-to-back titles. If you gave any manager the option of going into the final game of the season knowing that victory at Wigan would win them the crown, they would all take it. However there are easier games they could've had.

Chelsea themselves host a Bolton team that are already safe. They have faced Bolton at home before on the final day of the season. On that day Bolton were not safe and were trying to stay up at the expense of Everton. In a bizarre scene the whole crowd were cheering for Bolton and willing them to score, Chelsea fans were booing their own players when they got the ball. Bolton poured forward only needing one goal to safe themselves but it wasn't to be. Chelsea actually scored another on the break deep in injury time as they had a three on one.

This time it is Chelsea who have something to play for. They will win, I don't think anyone thinks any differently. The only question is whether Manchester United will be able to come out on top, which they really should. TalkFootball.co.uk predicts that the best football team this season will take the title - and that my friends is Manchester United.

We now go down to the depths of the Premiership. (Odds to given on being relegated) Birmingham City (1/9) looked good enough to escape a few weeks back but they start the final day of the season mired in the mud. They entertain Blackburn Rovers on the final day of the season sitting a point adrift of their rivals. Blackburn themselves are fighting for an Intertoto Cup spot so they won't be a pushover. This one has a draw written all over it and that will not be enough for Birmingham to survive.

Reading (8/15) have sunk like a stone in recent weeks and they now find themselves looking up the safety mark. They have a game which most would say is the gimme of all gimmes, Derby County away. The Rams will go down as the worst team to have ever graced the Premier League. Reading have been pretty poor recently to say the least but surely they can't fail to beat hapless Derby?

It will be immaterial though should Fulham (4/5) go down to FA Cup Finalists Portsmouth knowing that victory will see them pull off a quite remarkable escape. Wins at Manchester City and at home to Birmingham City have given them hope. Their opponents haven't won since three days after their FA Cup semi-final. They will however want to find some form before their big game. Fulham though are on form.

It is a two-horse race for survival in my eyes but despite saying for the past three months that I think Reading will drop, TalkFootball.co.uk will predict that Reading will stay in the top flight.

The last battle is for that UEFA Cup spot. Everton (1/9) are the big favourites. They are three points clear of rivals Aston Villa (17/2) to finish fifth and secure an automatic berth in Europe's second competition. The Toffees face Newcastle at home knowing that a point will be good enough. Aston Villa travel to West Ham knowing that the 0-2 defeat at home to Wigan has probably cost them their chance. No surprises but your TalkFootball.co.uk prediction is for Everton to finish the season at the number one club behind the big four.

I have very strong feelings for Warren Aspinall. He was a Pompey player and he set up our goal at Highbury in the 1992 semi-final. A player who earned a huge wage but now has nothing to show for it. A terrific read and a sombre tale for those that think footballers can afford to lose so much money gambling. Sometimes players look distracted on the field of play and now we can see why.

Martin O'Neill certainly doesn't do things by half does he? I mean I can see his point. You don't recommend a another club to a team mate when you are being paid by that club! I know Liverpool is a huge club but I can't say I'm shocked by MO'N's attitude!

'When Sol, goes up, to lift the FA Cup, we'll be there, we'll be there' chant the Portsmouth fans but he won't be there next season.

Sol Campbell will lead Portsmouth out for the last time at Wembley on Saturday 17 May. The Portsmouth captain has long been linked with a move away from Fratton Park and the club have confirmed that he will leave in the summer.

Campbell joined Portsmouth on a free transfer following the 2005/2006 season. His last game for his previous club Arsenal was the Champions League Final, which he scored in. He was released from his contract because he told his manager that he wanted to go and play in Europe, only for the former England international to turn up on the south-coast.

After two years in which he helped the club stabilise in the Premier League, Campbell has decided he wants to move on. The club have agreed to let him go and the general feeling is that he will finally move overseas to end his career. Spanish club Villarreal have long been linked with a move for the Portsmouth captain.

Campbell has had quite a career and to end it on the continent would be an interesting experience. It is not one last big pay day and Sol is paid a princely sum to turn out for Portsmouth. This move has all the hallmarks of a player wanting to try out new things in new places. Pompey are extremely grateful for his excellent work for the club and will wish him all the best for the future.

It'll be interesting to see where Harry turns for his next centre back...

Just like two years ago - just before a major tournament Luis Felipe Scolari is wanted by someone. This time it is Manchester City who want a swift response before Euro 2008. It is just like deja vu and we'll see what happens.

Personally I think it is ridiculous to get rid of Sven. He hasn't done a big job and Scolari has no experience of English football. This just stinks of a chairman not liking how much a manager is loved by the fans.

Milan Mandaric has pledged to stay at Leicester City despite the club going down to League 1.

Mandaric came into the club and was hailed as the saviour. He had previously owned Portsmouth, who under his leadership were transformed from a team in the lower reaches of the Championship, to the team we see today in the final of the FA Cup and sitting in the top half of the Premier League.

What some people overlooked was he had a huge turnover of managers at Fratton Park. Alan Ball, Tony Pulis, Steve Claridge and Graham Rix all sat in the hot seat before Harry Redknapp came on board. His nous in the transfer market coupled with the collapse of ITV Digital helped Portsmouth romp home to the First Division trophy in his first full season in charge.

A lot of fans heaped the praise on to the chairman but it was a mix of circumstances that took Portsmouth up. The collapse of the TV deal with ITV Digital crippled the majority of clubs in the league. The clubs had budgeted for the money and when it disappeared the clubs couldn't afford to splash out money on any new players. Harry Redknapp convinced Milan Mandaric to fund the club big time for the season and he would get the club promoted - he did just that.

Milan obviously played his part but the credit isn't solely to be rested at his feet. When he came into Leicester the fans thought he'd be able to repeat the same success. All he was able to repeat was the turnover in managers. They had three permanent managers this season so it can be no surprise that they got relegated to the third tier of English football for the first time in their history.

A lot of people are now starting to question Mandaric's ability to run a football club. Is he the great chairman that Leicester fans thought they were getting when he came into the late in late 2006? Next season will be a big one for Foxes fans but there are more questions than answers when it comes to Milan Mandaric these days.

After the game yesterday we are guaranteed our first final day finish to a Premiership title race this decade.

The last time things came down to the wire, we saw King Kev's breakdown on Sky Sports. It has been a while since those days but it is great for the league. Manchester United have been the class of the field but Chelsea are just relentless. They seem unable to take 'no' for an answer just like a slightly inebriated guy at a downtrodden bar when it comes to closing time.

Chelsea haven't exactly been pretty on the eye all season long unlike United who have been flamboyant and easy on the eye. United have been the silver service where as Chelsea have been the cutlery from the local greasy spoon. However after a year of use both are still standing and looking to serve the last meal of the season (yes I know that was a pretty bad analogy but I'd already used the Cameron Diaz/Heather from Eastenders one yesterday).

As an unabated lover of Jose Mourinho, I am torn as to which way I want this to go. Avram Grant has tenuous links to Portsmouth but is no Jose. Manchester United have long been that pinnacle for fans to look at and envy. Being brought up in football during the 90s then you pretty much dislike Manchester United, you are brought up with this dislike for them and you don't know why.

What I do like though is that it is going down to the wire. The final day of the season and two teams can still win the title. Two teams out of three will also fall through the trap door and there is still a UEFA Cup spot up for grabs. Sky will show three games on Sunday including both games at the top of the division, Wigan Athletic v Manchester United is on Sky Sports 1 with Chelsea's home match with Bolton Wanderers on Sky Sports 2. Birmingham City v Blackburn Rovers will also be on Sky Sports via the interactive red button. Sentana Sports will also show a live game, either Derby County v Reading or Portsmouth v Fulham.

It is going to be one fun afternoon and if you can't get to a TV then you can follow everything live here on TalkFootball.co.uk. Please post your predictions in the comments below.

I agree with Grant that United will be under more pressure but I do think they are are too good to lose to Wigan at this stage.

Full Time:

Newcastle United 0-2 Chelsea (Ballack, Malouda)

17:58: Chelsea thoroughly deserved that. They've not been great this season but one thing they have been is relentless. They go into the final day level with their rivals but due to Goal Difference they'll need to better United's result.

Chelsea v Bolton Wanderers and Wigan Athletic v Manchester United next Sunday for all the domestic marbles.

17:57: Full Time.

17:54: We are just playing out time here. Chelsea have won and this is going to be quite a finish to the season.

17:48: Drogba comes off to a chorus of cat whistles. Andrei Shevchenko replaces him.

17:43 GOAL - Newcastle United 0-2 Chelsea
A wonderful move finished by Malouda. Several passes in the midfield before the killer ball and the Frenchman coolly slotted it past Steve Harper. We go on to next week.

17:41: N'Zogbia on for Enrique for Toon. Alex on for Carvalho for Chelsea.

17:40: JT nearly comes to blows with Ricardo Carvalho as the latter is walking off injured. Bizarre to say the least.

17:37: Yellow for Enrique, Essien skinned him and he just pulled him down.

17:33: It should be 1-1. Martins hits a chance that goes just wide but from the corner, a scuffed shot bobbles to my boy Owen who just completely misses the ball from six yards out. He should've scored. This game is opening up.

17:32: That was Geremi's last contribution before being replaced by Damien Duff - now there is a career that has disappeared in the past few years.

17:31: Geremi's second attempt is pretty disappointing to be honest. Straight into the wall and never looked like it had a real chance of finding the net.

17:30: Malouda booked for charging down the free kick. Clear yellow.

17:29: Silly free kick given away by Carvalho. Chance for the Toon here on the edge of the D.

17:26: Anelka off for Frank Lampard.

17:21 GOAL - Newcastle United 0-1 Chelsea
And they get one. Drogba runs up to take the free kick and stops, the defence all stop and then he takes it with Ballack charging forward unmarked to glance home from inside the six-yard box. It was coming, it really was.

17:21: Yellow for Faye and Chelsea have a free kick a yard outside the box. Needs a good delivery.

17:17: It is wave after wave of blue coming forward. 'Only a matter of time for me' says Dundee's finest and it is impossible to argue.

17:15: JT hits the bar. Smashing cross to the near post and Terry is extremely unlucky not to put his side ahead.

17:10: Malouda came to this country with a lot of kudos but I have to admit he's been pretty shoddy this season. They say you need a year to adjust to life in the Premiership and we'll need to see something a lot better next time around.

17:08: We are back underway

17:07: Alan Smith coming on to replace the injured Mark Viduka.

16:52: If this was a boxing fight then Newcastle would be ahead on points.

16:51: Half Time.

16:48: Baye and Drogba swap volley attempts that go nowhere near. Is their a private side-bet going on for who can have the worst attempt at goal in this match?

16:43: Jon Obi Mikel tries to hit the man in the opposite seat to the guy Baye tried to hit earlier. A shot that wasn't your Cameron Diaz of shots lets put it that way, more your Heather from Eastenders...

16:41: Neat and tidy play by Chelsea there leading to an Anelka chance. However yet again his final effort was disappointing. He really hasn't settled into the Chelsea system as one of the wide men in a front three, I'm guessing he'll flourish next season when the big man goes.

16:38: Best chance of the game by a mile for the away side. Ballack fed in down the inside left channel but has a first touch akin to my good self on my left foot. His final attempt is a long way high and wide - poor from a player with such a pedigree.

16:37: Yellow for JT. Owen knocks it past him and Terry stands still and Owen ploughs straight into him. Some might say harsh but I thought it was a booking.

16:32: John Terry saves his team. Martins and Viduka both have efforts blocked and saved only to see the ball roll back to Owen. The England striker strokes it towards goal only to see Terry back on the line to clear the danger. Chelsea are in trouble here folks - they really are.

16:31: The Drog seems far less up for this than he did on Tuesday night. I didn't hear Keegan slag him off in the press, coincidence?

16:29: Drogba goes down in a heap but no-one seems to care. Both teams play on and the Ivorian gets up when he sees no-one is paying attention to him and carries on playing. Maybe the players around him have been watching 'Supernanny' recently.

16:26: Baye hits a volley from thirty+ yards that has more chance is disturbing someone's Meat Pie in row Z than it does troubling the goalkeeper. King Kev comes out of his dugout to say something to him, I bet it wasn't 'do the same next time son.'

16:23: Joey Barton wags his finger at the assistant who flagged him offside. The Toon midfielder will surely go over and apologise when he sees the replay, which shows him a good couple of yards off when he really shouldn't have been.

16:21: Free kick to Chelsea. Was the first real chance but Scummer Bridge fires it into the wall.

16:18: Toon have certainly started the better and Chelsea look weary early on.

16:16: United have a quick break chance but Obifemi Martins runs with his head down straight into the heart of the defence just like Milan Baros would. In fact I've never seen them in the same room together, maybe, just maybe...?

16:14: Your web developer chimes in with, 'I think a draw is more then likely, but I am holding onto the hope of Newcastle doing something brilliant and Owen winning the game.' No surprises there then.

16:09: First real chance of the match. Butt dinks it in for my boy Michael Owen (whom I do have a man-crush on) but he lets me down by firing over. Andy Gray tells us that 'it isn't for him to criticize' but then carries on to criticize Owen for taking it with his right foot instead of his left. It is like those times when a girl says 'I like you but...' and then reels off a list of bad points as long as her arm. Oh wait is that just me?

16:07: Jon Obi Mikel kicks the ball away but doesn't get a booking. Geremi smashed his free kick high, wide and not very handsome.

16:03: We are underway!

15:59: I see Steve Bennett has the game. He is part of the 'big four' when it comes to referees this season. Known as a disciplinarian and his stand-offish approach. Does in general get the big decisions right but his mannerisms annoy me immensely.

15:57: Your TalkFootball.co.uk prediction is a 2-2 draw. Dundee's finest goes for 3-0 Chelski.

15:55: As predicted by me on Saturday. Martin Tyler does sit alongside Andy Gray in the gantry for Sky TV. Martin Tyler is now clearly the #1 at Sky after a couple of years where Rob Hawthorne fought him for it.

15:50: King Kev says that he hopes Manchester United win the title today - because that'll mean his team has won the game. He seems genuine. A lot of United fans I know think King Kev will tell his team to roll over and die today, which I think is a pretty shabby attitude to have.

15:47: It has been a while but the infamous Kevin Keegan rant has been played several times over the past 48 hours over various TV networks. Could King Kev help his old adversary Sir Alex win back-to-back titles?

15:38: Team News:

Newcastle: Harper, Beye, Taylor, Faye, Enrique, Geremi, Butt, Barton, Viduka, Owen, Martins.
Subs: Forster, Cacapa, Duff, N'Zogbia, Smith.

Chelsea: Cech, Ferreira, Terry, Carvalho, Bridge, Essien, Mikel, Ballack, Anelka, Drogba, Malouda.
Subs: Cudicini, Shevchenko, Lampard, J. Cole, Alex.

15:34: Here we are back again. A really tough game for Chelsea as they look to take the title to the final day. A defeat for Chelsea and it is all but over thanks to the superior goal difference that Manchester United have. A win or a draw and we go on.

I was watching a video of the 1990 World Cup the other day and this kid had the footballing world at his feet. I just think its sad that he never reached the heights that he should've done. What next for Gazza?

How it is:
Promoted: West Brom, Stoke
Play-offs: Hull, Bristol City, Crystal Palace, Watford
Relegated: Leicester, Scunthorpe, Colchester

Final Scores:

Blackpool 1-1 Watford
Bristol City 3-0 Preston
Cardiff 3-0 Barnsley
Charlton 4-1 Coventry
Crystal Palace 5-0 Burnley
Ipswich 1-0 Hull
QPR 0-2 West Brom
Scunthorpe 3-3 Colchester
Sheff Wed 4-1 Norwich
Southampton 3-2 Sheff Utd
Stoke 0-0 Leicester
Wolves 1-0 Plymouth

15:57: Stoke are going to be fighting with Derby's record for the worst club in the history of the Premiership next season. I wonder if they'll even make double figures?

15:55: It's over. Stoke are promoted and Leicester City are relegated.

15:54: They are safe. However Leicester are still playing at Stoke and a goal there would send Coventry down.

15:54: The Saints are going to be safe. I'm gutted.

15:52: Into added time at the new Skip as well...

15:50: Four minutes of added time at Stoke.

15:49: Wolves lead against Plymouth. They now need some help from Blackpool.

15:48: Doesn't look like it...

15:44: Into the final ten minutes or so - will there be one final twist?

15:41 The Scum are down to ten men. Stern John has been sent off for a second yellow, that stupid yellow for the celebration could really come back to haunt them.

15:40: Leicester are mauling them but they still haven't scored. If they do then Coventry will fall through the trap door.

15:39: Leicester are really going for it. If I were a Coventry City fan I'd be incredibly nervous, I really would.

15:38: West Brom are the Champions. 2-0 to the Albion as Chris Brunt smashes home a free kick.

15:35: What a decision at the Stoke game. A Leicester player is brought down just inside the box and your FA Cup Final referee Mike Dean gives them a free kick and not a penalty. You don't want a referee to get name checked on the final day of the season but boy what a decision and what a decision to get wrong.

15:34: Looks like Sheff Weds are home n hosed. Ben Sahar smashes it home.

15:30: Poop. Stern John scores yet again and again the Scum are lifted outside the drop zone. 23 mins to go...

15:29: Ipswich lead against Hull. This means that it looks like Stoke are going up.

15:26: GGGGGGGGOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLLL And its all changed yet again. Southampton concede and now they are in the drop zone. This is so nervous. Stead grabs the goal.

15:24: Palace score their 5th - who wants to face them in the play-offs? I thought as much...

15:22: Goals at three games but the only one that matters is the one at Blackpool. Watford score just after being reduced to ten-men.

15:21: How Leicester haven't scored no-one knows. They hit the post and the ball rolls across the box and Hayles pounces but the keeper makes a quite wonderful save.

15:18: The referee books Stern John for over-celebrating the goal. I know what the assessor in the crowd will say Phil Joslin but lets be serious...

15:14: The Scum lead. Stern John scores for the home side and they look like they'll survive.

15:13: Get those champagne glasses out West Brom fans. Your team lead at QPR and you will get the trophy today.

15:13: Bristol City now 3-0 up thanks to David Noble.

15:11: Sheffield Wednesday now lead against Norwich. They lost their first six games but it looks increasingly like they'll survive. Ben Sahar nabbing the goal.

15:10: Charlton restore their two-goal lead thanks to a terrible goalkeeping error by the younger Schmichel. Grant Basey enjoying the gift.

15:09: Cardiff score a second through Kevin McNaughton. This is looking like a very good tune-up for their next game...

15:08: There is a Premiership game going on as well. Arsenal have just taken the lead through Bentdner. Around ten minutes left there and Everton will not secure 5th spot and a UEFA Cup place if things stay as they stand.

15:07: Colchester have scored twice in the opening two minutes of the second half. Vernon and McLeod.

15:06: All games are now underway.

15:04: Players are coming out all over the country for the second half. So much still to play for.

14:51: We are at the interval all around the country. All we know so far really is that Palace will make the play-offs - every other question has yet to be answered or are even close to being answered.

14:48: I am having kittens here. End to end stuff at the new Skip. I didn't know I cared this much about them but clearly I do.

14:44: Paul Parry has scored for FA Cup Finalists Cardiff against their semi-final opponents Barnsley as they look to tune up for the big one on May 17.

14:43: Saganowski this time scores for the Scum. Sheffield United should've scored not 30 seconds before, they really should've. Watford now go back up to 6th.

14:39: How the Scum aren't level I have no idea - they are rampant. Saganowski is the latest player to not take his chance as Kenny saves - but he shouldn't of had the chance too.

14:38: Ah we go we - a goal. Selhurst Park as Crystal Palace are now home n hosed. 3-0 Palace and Soares the scorer.

14:36: No goals for ages. Fuller should've scored for Stoke but was denied by a fine double save.

14:32: All all Southampton. Is it 15:50 yet?

14:29: It has been five minutes since they fell behind but it is all Southampton at the St. Scum Stadium.

14:24: GGGGGGGGGGGGOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL Sheffield United score at the new skip. Southampton need to score twice as it stands. Also as it stands SU are going to make the play-offs. Stephen Quinn grabbed the goal, completely unmarked at the far stick.

14:22: Neon Deon Burton scores for Sheff Weds. He missed a pen last week but smashes this one home. It moves Wednesday back above Leicester as it stands.

14:21: Penalty to Sheffield Wednesday.

14:21: What was I saying? Coventry will one back through Mifsud

14:19: Coventry are going to lose. Andy Gray finishes a move that must've had twenty odd passes. They'll need help from elsewhere if they are to survive.

14:19: City get their second with Michael McIndoe impressing yet again.

14:17: Level at Scunny. Forte with the goal.

14:14: Stoke are on top v Leicester, still 0-0 but they are starting to really get home of the game by the scruff of the neck.

14:13: Goal at the battle at the bottom. Second from bottom Colchester lead against bottom of the table Scunthorpe. McLeod claims the goal.

14:12: Lee Trundle scores for Bristol City in a game that doesn't matter. They will finish 4th whatever happens and PNE are sitting in mid-table.

14:09: Moses scores for Palace, 2-0 to them and they are set for more football this season.

14:09: Now its Sheffield Wednesday fans who are nervous. They are 1-0 down at home to nothing to play for Norwich. Darren Huckerby has slotted it home.

14:08: Ben Watson slots it home. Crystal Palace now up to 5th and surely play-off bound.

14:07: Penalty to Crystal Palace. Clarke Carlisle has been sent off. Stonewaller.

14:05: Coventry are behind and now they have to start looking over their shoulders. Luke Varney scores for the home side. It has been a really disappointing season for the Addicks.

14:03: A disallowed goal at Portman Road. Kuqi scores but the flag goes up. It looks like a dodgy decision I must say but there is plenty of time yet.

14:02: An early goal and it's at Bloomfield Road. Ben Burgess half-volleys home from a corner kick to send the home fans into raptures. They are on their way to safety and Watford's play-off hopes are looking shaky.

14:00: And we're off!

13:59: We are going around the grounds and the fans will seem excited. I remember the last time I was involved in a final day drama and whilst we all knew we would thump Barnsley, we needed other results to go our way. Excited wasn't how I'd describe the atmosphere...

13:56: One of my good friends James has just text me saying that he thinks Leicester'll drop and the Scum will survive. I haven't been this nervous for a game not directly involving Pompey for a long, long time.

13:50: TalkFootball.co.uk predictions. Stoke to join WBA n the Premiership. Leicester to drop (although we hope we are wrong and a certain team that play in red & white stripes go instead) with Bristol City, Hull, Crystal Palace and Wolves to make up the play-offs.

13:48: For up to date news on how things are going then keep ot the top of this blog. That'll be updated in real time.

13:46: The Norwich Coach is stuck in traffic in Sheffield City Centre. The game should still kick-off as planned but you really have to fancy Sheff Weds today.

13:44: Relegation Scrappers line-ups: (minus Leicester City)

Southampton: R. Wright, J. Wright, Powell, Perry, Surman, Viafara, Safri, Idiakez, Euell, Saganowski, John.
Sheff Utd: Kenny, Geary, Kilgallon, Naysmith, Halls, Cotterill, Speed, Tonge, Quinn, Hulse, Sharp.

Sheff Wed: Grant, Beevers, Wood, Johnson, Spurr, Watson, Bolder, Songo'o, Burton, Sahar, Slusarski.
Norwich: Marshall, Otsemobor, Doherty, Shackell, Bertrand, Huckerby, Russell, Fotheringham, Pattison, Dublin, Evans.

13:42: Promotion Chasing line-ups:

Stoke: Nash, Cort, Wilkinson, Shawcross, Dickinson, Lawrence, Delap, Whelan, Cresswell, Fuller, Sidibe.
Leicester: Henderson, Stearman, McAuley, N'Gotty, Mattock, Worley, Oakley, Bell, Howard, Hume, Hayles.

Ipswich: Bywater, Simpson, De Vos, Bruce, Wright, Walters, Garvan, Miller, Quinn, Kuqi, Counago.
Hull: Myhill, Ricketts, Turner, Brown, Dawson, Folan, Ashbee, Marney, Hughes, Campbell, Windass.

13:34: Here we go. The situation is simple(ish). Stoke avoid defeat at home to Leicester and they go up. Southampton lose at home to Sheffield United. Apart from those scenarios then it starts to get a little bit complicated...

Full Times:

Aston Villa 0-2 Wigan (Valencia 2)
Blackburn (Santa Cruz 2, Roberts) 3-1 Derby County (Miller)
Fulham (McBride, Nevland) 2-0 Birmingham City
Manchester United (Ronaldo 2, Tevez, Carrick) 4-1 West Ham United (Ashton)
Middlesbrough (Riggott, Tuncay) 2-0 Portsmouth
Reading 0-1 Tottenham Hotspur (Keane)

16:56 - All over at Carlisle. Bournemouth's superb run has come up two points short. That ten-point penalty for going into administration has cost the Cherries. I was hoping for a Bournemouth v Saints derby next season - oh well. Can I call them the Scum on here? I'll think about it for tomorrow's big final day in the Championship TalkFootball Special.

16:55 - Villa 0-2 Wigan FT

16:55 - Fulham 2-0 Birmingham FT

16:54 - Nottingham Forest are promoted to the Championship. Gillingham have been relegated to league 2. Bournemouth still need a goal but they are still playing...

16:53 - Borobore 2-0 Pompey FT

16:53 - Blackburn 3-1 Derby FT

16:51 - Reading 0-1 Spurs FT

16:47 - GOAL - Erik Nevland scores to put Fulham on their way to a huge victory. Birmingham should've equalised not thirty seconds before but they look in deep deep trouble. If Fulham survive it'll be quite an achievement to say the least.

16:44 - Reading are trying to grab something against Spurs. They are going into the drop zone as things stand but they haven't really thrown the kitchen sink at the away side's defence as yet.

16:42 - Cheltenham have scored v Donny Rovers. They look like they are staying up.

16:39 - GOAL - Santa Cruz grabs his second of the day for Blackburn. Derby are just one terrible football team. With these three points Blackburn will go 7th in the battle for an Intertoto Cup Place.

16:36 - Down in League 1 it has looked all afternoon long that Forest would be joining Swansea in the automatic promotion places but that isn't as guaranteed anymore. Donny have levelled at Cheltenham and Yeovil have pulled another one back v Forest.

16:29 - Bournemouth are back in it. Brett Pitman levels it up for the Dorset side and I'm not even going to pretend I'm not biased. C'mon you Cherries!

16:28 - Memo to Harry Redknapp - Don't sign Milan Baros in the summer. If he could shoot or look up once in a while, then he'd be a decent player. I think he wears blinkers.

16:22 - GOAL - It is Olaf Mellberg Day at Villa Park but it's Valencia's day on the pitch. He bags his second from the inside right channel. Wigan are safe and now they go on to face Man U next week. If Valencia scores the goal that stops them winning the title will their interest dissipate?

16:18 - Goal down in league 1 - Bournemouth's hopes have shrunk in a big way. Looked offside but it counts as Scott Dobie puts the home side away.

16:17 - Talk about an exciting few minutes. Reading as it stands are entrenched in the drop zone but travel to Derby on the final day. Talk about a bye...

16:14 - GOAL - Borobore seal their Premiership survival with a second v Cup Finalists Portsmouth. Pompey look like they are already on holiday as Glen Johnson loses concentration to allow Tuncay to steal in and double the home sides lead.

16:13 - GOAL - This is the big goal of the day - could this be the £60million goal? Fulham lead at home to Birmingham as Brian McBride is left unmarked eight yards out and rams home a powerful header from a Jimmy Bullard free kick.

16:12 - GOAL - Wigan lead at Villa thanks to United target Valencia, who hits a 25 yarder that takes a wicked deflection.

16:08 - GOAL - Blackburn have come from behind to lead against Derby. Pathetic defending as usual from Derby and Jason Roberts scores for the home side - They are the worst Premiership teams I've ever seen - and its not even close.

16:07 - They've kicked off everywhere in the 2nd 45. Really seems like the calm before the storm at the moment.

15:48 - GOAL - Blackburn level it up against relegated Derby. Championship Manager legend Roque Santa Cruz with the goal.

15:42 - GOAL - He was recalled from a loan period at Stoke because they needed bodies and Chris Riggott as repaid Gareth Southgate's faith in him. I am not amused.

15:36 - Nervy times up and down the country. I have a feeling they'll be some late late drama this afternoon...

15:28 - Boro should've scored at home to Pompey. They still aren't safe but it would be quite something if they slipped through the cracks.

15:23 - All Spurs in the town where I had lunch last Saturday. Reading are sinking like a stone and playing like a team who have as much confidence in themselves as I do with the ladies.

15:21 - GOAL - Derby are ahead - away from home. Yes rub your eyes and have another look. Derby lead away from home. Kenny Miller with the goal.

15:20 - Goal down in league 1. Gillingham are one up at Leeds. They need to win and hope other results go their way if they are to stay up.

15:17 - GOAL - Reading fans its time to panic. Robbie Keane has fired Spurs ahead and it has been coming. Reading are a terrible side and are in awful form - bad combination at this time of the season.

15:10 - What a save by the Brum keeper at Fulham. Bullard had a free kick, they all thought he would shoot but he set up Simon Davies who struck it beautifully but the keeper made a terrific fingertip save.

15:08 - It's all Fulham at the Cottage - the crowd are really into it which is not something you can often say about the paying public at that particular ground.

15:07 - Pompey are at Middlesbrough today and Baros has a great early chance but he fluffs it. Big Herman also has a chance - good start for the FA Cup Finalists.

15:04 - Big Sam is part of the panel on Soccer Saturday. They've sent Kammy off to Craven Cottage for the big one - you've got to love Kammy - if you don't then I question your love of football.

15:02 - Just a shout-out for AFC Bournemouth. They are at Carlisle United looking to win their seventh straight and pull off one of the most remarkable escapes of all time.

15:00 - Here we go. Birmingham can go down today as can Fulham. They play each other. Manchester United have already secured three points towards the title. All the twists & turns as the afternoon unfolds here on TalkFootball.

Full Time Score: Manchester United (Ronaldo 2, Tevez, Carrick) 4-1 West Ham (Ashton)

12:35 - Hey everybody. It's game one of four for the Premiership title. Man United up first before Chelsea on Monday. West Ham have won three straight against United but not many will fancy the upset today - surely Chelsea's only hope is Man U to drop points at Wigan next Sunday.

12:40 - Team News. United are unchanged from Tuesday night whereas West Ham make two changes, down both flanks with the underwear model and Faubert making way for Noble and Boa Morte.

12:41 - Martin Tyler and Andy Gray for this one - what are the odds that they are both on the gantry at St. James' on Monday afternoon?

12:47 - We are off - two minutes later than scheduled. West Ham get forward early and had a chance to produce a dangerous cross but found the keeper.

12:50 - Some early pressure from United. J-S Park yet again looks lively. West Ham though look surprisingly up for it.

12:50 GOAL - Oh well, the game was interesting for three minutes. Cristiano Ronaldo with the goal with help of a deflection which left Robert Green helpless. You can put it on the board as the Hawk would say - if any of you know who the Hawk is then I feel sorry for you as you'll of heard him.

12:54 - Somehow West Ham nearly equalised. Edwin Van Der Sar weekly attempts to grab a header from a corner, Bobby Zamora diverts it goalwards only to see Patrice Evra hack it off the line.

12:55 - Paul Scholes lucky not to see yellow for a foul there. He knew what he was doing. The referee today is Mike Riley - who has the nickname 'Manchester' Mike Riley despite being from Leeds. I wonder how he got that nickname...

13:14 - Sorry about that technical problems - let's sum the past twenty minutes...

13:15 - West Ham should've had a stonewall penalty decision at 13:01. Wes Brown just knocked the ball away deliberately with his hand. The referee said their was a push by Zamora on the United defender but that's just plain wrong. Another big decision in a big game that goes in United's favour from Mike Riley.

13:16 - GOAL - Cristiano Ronaldo following a horrific bit of defending thighs it in at the far post. Pantsil totally to blame. Goal was at 13:12

13:17 - GOAL - 3-0 to United as Tevez smashes one home from distance. The ball does move all over the shop but still I think Green has to get something on it. Goal at 13:14

13:18 - GOAL - This one goes in at the other end. Tremendous finish by Dean Ashton. Overhead kick by the England squad member who seems to of hurt himself. 3-1 but still it's United's game to throwaway and we are back up to date.

13:21 - West Ham yet again cause panic in the heart of the United defence. Ashton knocks a free kick wide to McCartney who swings in a good cross. The ball bobbles around the box for a good thirty seconds and WHU put in a couple of more than half decent crosses.

13:24 - Red Card - And Nani is sent off. Suddenly this game is on and Chelsea fans start perking up. Nani headbutts Lucas Neill and afterwards the United player goes down fiening injury to try and avoid the red card. The assistant referee on the near side sees it clearly and advises the referee to send him off - and he does.

13:27 - Neill is booked for his role in the incident which is fair. McCartney is also booked for a foul.

13:34 - WHU certainly look like they could do United here and throw the proverbial spanner in the works.

13:35 - Half Time - 3-1 United but 11-10 West Ham in terms of players.

13:51 - We are back for the 2nd half. Tevez has moved wide right.

13:57 - WHU have started the 2nd 45 really well. Having lots of joy down the United left. Solano on for Boa Morte.

14:02 - Ashton off now as well, Carlton Cole on. West Ham need some belief but they aren't show me that they truly believe they can get something here.

14:05 - GOAL - Michael Carrick scores thanks to another deflection. They let the United midfielder run a good twenty yards or so before even thinking of closing him down. He cracks a shot that clips off Scott Parker and gives Robert Green no chance.

14:07 - Ronaldo gets a needless booking for a bit of a swipe. Ryan Giggs comes on for Ji-Sung Park.

14:10 - Sir Alex wisely brings Ronaldo off. This game is done and there are two big games left, no point in risking injury or suspension. Darren Fletcher replaces him.

14:12 - Bobby Zamora is extremely harshly booked for deliberate handball. Whether it hit his upper arm or not I'm still not sure even after two replays. Yet Riley from thirty yards away saw enough to say it was deliberate and a yellow...

14:17 - Fletcher hits the post after a wonderful move. Swept from left to right culminating in Giggs feeding Fletcher to slot it home - however the Scot saw his effort back off the inside of the post.

14:18 - As an aside - just how disappointing have West Ham been second half? This is why a lot of people I know think Alan Curbishley is vastly overrated as a manager. This game was there for the taking but he stuck with 4-5-1 and a limping striker.

14:19 - Scholes makes way for John O'Shea.

14:21 - Mullins off for young Freddy Sears. Talk about shutting the stable door after the horse has bolted.

14:23 - For the record Lucas Neill wasn't booked in the first half for his involvement in the Nani sending off.

14:27 - This game is petering out and has been a thoroughly disappointing second half I must say.

14:37 - Full Time. I really didn't enjoy that second half. It was all set up for a pulsating encounter but West Ham retreated into their shells. United dominant and now 1/8 for the title.

So Liverpool are going after Gareth Barry, no-one saw that coming, honest guv... He is a good player but can he really hold his own at the very top level? I'm not too sure but if Villa get £10m for the player when all is said n done then its pretty good business by Martin O'Neill.

Thierry Henry is coming back to the Premiership next season - that is if Barcelona have their way.

Anybody that follows Spanish football knows the man with his finger on the pulse is Guillem Balague. In his recent Sky Sports column he stated that "Interestingly enough, they (Barcelona) are looking for a team in the Premier League that will take Thierry Henry - and that is definite."

When it comes to Spanish football then you pretty much take his word as gospel. So the big question is who will they find to take him?

Newcastle are clearly a team that would fit his play. With King Kevin taking charge then playing attacking football will suit the way he plays. However the problem with Newcastle is that they haven't won anything for an age and are up in the North East - which isn't as glitzy as Barcelona and London - no offence Geordies - but it isn't.

Manchester City are another club who aspire to gatecrashing on the top four. They have the money and the facilities to attract the very best players to the City of Manchester Stadium. Again though there are a couple of issues with Henry going there. Firstly they are not in Europe, they don't have a manager as Sven is on his way out and it is unlikely that he would want to commute from Manchester to London day in and day out.

How about Portsmouth? Henry has stated before of his up most respect for the club and for the fans. They are a club on the up and have brought in some World Class talent. Portsmouth is close to London and commuting would be a possibility but are they willing to splash out £15m on one player? With Peter Crouch looking set to join the club in the summer, Henry joining Pompey at this time doesn't make a lot of sense.

Then we get to the London clubs, Arsenal is the obvious point of call. They do say you should never go back and certainly not this quickly. He has openly stated his love for the club but they have moved on.

You can rule out Spurs as he just wouldn't do that, so that leaves us with two feasible destinations - Chelsea and Queens Park Rangers.

The first won't surprise, they have all the money they need and have a star striker who is on his way out in the summer in Didier Drogba. Chelsea and Henry seem like a good match on paper but their style doesn't suit him. He needs a fast team and not a direct one. QPR might not be in the Premier League but they have so much money its ridiculous. They could pay him whatever he wants and he could help them dominate the Championship next season. I'm sure a year in the second tier would be fun, but deep down I don't see it happening.

There are many possible ports of call for the talismanic Frenchman but nowhere seems to make any sense for him at the moment. This is a story that'll rumble on for a while and it'll be interesting to see what shirt he is wearing when the 2008/2009 season kicks off in August. My bet is it will be in the Premiership but where, I just don't know. Just throwing it out there but Torres, Henry, Gerrard as a front triangle in the North West?

Sounds tasty doesn't it?

Sunday sees the first big final day of the season. 14 of the Championship's 24 teams have something to play for going into the final day and boy its going to be some ride.

We'll start at the top, as already spoken about here on the TalkFootball blog, West Brom are all but assured of promotion back to the Premiership. The big question is who will join them without having to partake in the end of season drama known as the play-offs.

Stoke City lie in Pole Position as they only need to secure a draw at home to Leicester City to spark off celebrations in the Potteries. Tony Pulis' men have been one of the biggest surprises of the season and the Premiership would be just rewards for the club and for the manager, who has trawled around the Championship for many years without tasting the success of promotion.

The team who'll hope to put a spanner in the works is Hull City. They travel to Portman Road already secured of a play-off spot but knowing that a win coupled with a Stoke City would see them join England's elite.

The race for the play-offs is just as exciting. The only team that we know for sure will take part in the four team crapshoot is Bristol City. They will be joined by whomever fails to go up automatically out of Stoke and Hull. Then there are five teams that are squabbling over the final two places, with Watford and Crystal Palace being the incumbents going into the final day.

Watford visit Blackpool who aren't safe yet whilst Crystal Palace will fancy their chances at home against mid-table Burnley. The first alternate are Wolves, who also play a team with nothing to play for at home in Plymouth. Ipswich as we've already said play promotion chasing Hull before the Blades of Sheffield United travel to the south coast to play Southampton, who go into the final day in the dreaded drop zone.

Relegation wise, the simplest way of explaining things is that if Southampton lose at home against Sheffield United then they will go down. It has been a turbulent season at St. Mary's made all the more galling by their arch-rivals 11 miles down the M27 making the FA Cup Final and on the verge of making Europe.

If they grab a point then they'll survive unless Leicester get at least a point against Stoke. The smart money would be on Southampton to beat Sheffield United and survive. However a second relegation in three years could spell disaster for the Saints, who are in financial crisis and have problems at board level with Rupert Lowe looking set to take a stranglehold on boardroom once again.

Sheffield Wednesday have been in and around the drop zone all season long but look like they'll escape. They face Norwich on Saturday knowing that a win will see them safe. In all reality a draw should see them survive as well. Coventry and Blackpool can also go down but it would take quite a set of results to see either side fall through the trapdoor.

All I can say for certainty is that its going to be one tense afternoon and you can enjoy it with us at TalkFootball. They'll be a live blog on this website from 13:30 on Sunday afternoon taking you through all the ups and downs from Matchday 46 in the Championship.

They say never wake a sleeping lion but Rafa Benitez has clearly never heard that fable before as he woke up the lion of his nightmares before Wednesday nights Champions League encounter with Chelsea.

The storyline going into the game all reverbed around the Spaniard's comments that Drogba is a diver. Unsurprisingly Didier wasn't overly amused by this and you just knew he was going to be really up for it.

When the Drog fired Chelsea ahead his celebration to run half the length of the pitch to slide on his knees and enjoy the moment in front of the Liverpool bench was poignant. Benitez had stoked the fires and he was being burnt right in front of his very eyes.

Some might say that Drogba was being unsporting but not in my eyes, he didn't leave the pitch, he didn't remove his shirt, he didn't gesture at any of the Liverpool bench, he just enjoyed the moment with his team mates in an area that the opposition bench would get the best view.

If that wasn't enough to bring Benitez's managerial decisions under the spotlight then taking off his star striker when you need a goal surely is. The gaffer said after the game that, "He had a problem with his hamstring. I was talking before with him, he told me he was not 100% so we needed to change him."

The thing is this is your season on the line. Torres is your star man and even if he isn't 100% he has to stay on the pitch unless he really couldn't even move. I know some players don't like to grind it out when not feeling at the peak of physical condition but this is it - lose today and there is no tomorrow as far as their season goes.

Another question is where was Peter Crouch? - The England international front man has always given John Terry and Ricardo Carvalho a hard time but he was nowhere to be seen. You need goals and have a giant of a man who has regularly given these two defenders all manner of problems and you don't even get him on the pitch.

It was a disappointing night for Liverpool and yet another disappointing season. They are no nearer to winning the Premiership, they went out of the FA Cup to Barnsley, they lost to Chelsea in the League Cup quarter-final and failed to dispatch the same team in the semi-final of the Champions League. No silverware yet again for the red half of Merseyside - the question now is just how long can Rafa live on that night in Istanbul?

Even Liverpool fans were starting to question him on talkSPORT last night. With Jose Mourinho still out there then you wouldn't want to be Benitez this morning...