Manchester City Football Club is at the centre of plans, believed to be worth 1bn, to redevelop a 200-acre site around its Eastlands home.

The scheme will transform one of the poorest areas of the city and create hundreds of jobs.

The club is believed to be planning a training complex on unused land near the stadium as part of the scheme.

It will look into the viability of extending the stadium’s current 48,000 capacity as part of the redevelopment.

Manchester City has signed an agreement with the city council and regeneration body New East Manchester to develop the project.

As well as developing the club’s global profile, the focus will be on regenerating the area around its home.

“Manchester City has been and always will be at the heart of the community it serves in the city of Manchester,” said City chief executive Garry Cook.

“The longer-term considerations for the area reflect the long term commitment of our owners to the club and the community it serves.”

The first phase of the development will involve a market place-style fan zone, on Joe Mercer Way, the current approach to the stadium.

Further plans are yet to be decided but the proposals tie in with the council’s hope to create the “nationally-significant destination” earmarked for the area since the abandonment of the super-casino.

Sir Richard Leese, council leader, said the combined strength of the club and council would act as an “engine of economic growth” in the area.

“From the securing of the Metrolink tram system to the building of world class sporting facilities in and around Sportcity, there has already been real vision in creating a sustainable future for east Manchester.

“The City of Manchester Stadium has also been a credit to the city and this further investment will enable local people who can work to work, will give our young people the best possible start in life and will make east Manchester a place in which to work, invest, live and visit.”

A Metrolink stop is set to be incorporated at the Sport City site – to be called Sportcity Stadium – as part of the current expansion of the tram network.

Work on a 19m national BMX centre at the Sportcity site, which will also create jobs and attract visitors, is already under way.

Barclays Premier League
Venue: Stadium of Light Date: Sunday, 14 March 2010 Kick-off: 1600 GMT
Coverage: BBC Sport website, BBC Radio 5 Live, live on Sky Sports 1 & highlights on Match of the Day 2

Sunderland captain Lorik Cana must serve a two-match suspension for picking up 10 bookings this season.

David Meyler is available after a ban, but Lee Cattermole, Kieran Richardson and Jordan Henderson are all doubtful.

Manchester City are boosted by the return of Patrick Vieira after his three-match ban, but Emmanuel Adebayor remains suspended.

Kolo Toure could be recalled after his recent knee injury but Michael Johnson and Martin Petrov are still sidelined.

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Sunderland

Suspended: Cana (two matches)

Doubtful: Cattermole (hamstring), Henderson (ankle), Richardson (calf)

Injured: Reid (hamstring)

Man City

Suspended: Adebayor (three matches)

Injured: Petrov & M Johnson (both knee)

There was a mysterious and surreal feeling to Manchester City’s 4-3 win over Sunderland earlier this season, as the curtain abruptly came down on Mark Hughes’s tenure as City boss shortly after the game.

Roberto Mancini was reportedly in the Eastlands stands that day as victory saw City rise to sixth in the table. Three months on, and his team are the bookmakers’ favourite to finish fourth, largely thanks to their impressive win at Chelsea last time out.

Sunderland’s emphatic midweek victory over Bolton ended a run of 14 league games without a win. Darren Bent also fired his first Premier League hat-trick to take him to 19 goals for the season in all competitions.

However, his father quickly brought him back down to earth by letting him know he should really have scored five. Bent’s hat-trick was the first scored in the Premier League by a Sunderland player at the Stadium of Light.

It was also the first hat-trick scored by a Sunderland player in the top flight since Kevin Phillips in a 4-1 win at Bradford. Ex-City and Black Cats striker Niall Quinn was the other scorer that day, and he will be watching on with interest from the directors’ box in his modern day capacity as Sunderland chairman.

Head-to-head

City have become a bogey side for Sunderland, having won nine successive league games against the Wearsiders, including the last four at the Stadium of Light.

Sunderland’s last victory against City was a 1-0 home win in December 2000. Don Hutchison scored the winner.

Sunderland chairman Niall Quinn spent the majority of his career with the Black Cats and Man City. He scored twice for Sunderland against his former club, including a 3-1 win at Roker Park in August 1997.

Sunderland

Steve Bruce’s side are looking for back-to-back Premier League victories for the first time in 15 months since beating West Brom and Hull in December 2008.

Darren Bent has scored half of Sunderland’s 36 league goals so far this season.

The Black Cats are unbeaten in their last five Premier League matches at the Stadium of Light. This is their third of four successive home league games.

Sunderland have more yellow (63) and red cards (6) than any other Premier League club.

Man City

City have lost only once in 16 games against sides currently in the bottom half, a 2-1 defeat at Hull last month.

The Eastlands club are 14 points up on this stage last season and also have a game in hand.

Roberto Mancini has lost four of his 16 games in charge – two defeats more than predecessor Mark Hughes suffered in 21 games this season.

Sunderland

Bent: 19 goals (18 league); Jones: 7 goals (7 league)

Man City

Tevez: 21 goals (15 league); Adebayor: 9 goals (9 league)

Referee: Chris Foy

Assistant referees: Dave Bryan & Shaun Procter-Green

Fourth official: Lee Mason

Sunderland (W4-0 v Bolton, h): Gordon, Ferdinand, Hutton, Turner, Mensah (Zenden 79), Cana, Cattermole (Bardsley 70), Malbranque (Benjani 85), Bent, Jones, Campbell. Subs not used: Kilgallon, Carson, Da Silva, McCartney.

Man City (W4-2 v Chelsea, a): Given, Bridge (Santa Cruz, 78), Richards, Zabaleta, Lescott, de Jong, Barry, Kompany, Johnson (Wright-Phillips 60), Bellamy, Tevez (Sylvinho 89). Subs not used: Toure, Onuoha, Taylor, Ibrahim.

Man City scorers: Santa Cruz 4, 69, Tevez 12 (pen), Bellamy 35

Sunderland scorers: Mensah 16, Henderson 24, Jones 62

Barclays Premier League
Venue: Stamford Bridge Date: Saturday, 13 March 2010 Kick-off: 1500 GMT
Coverage: BBC Sport website, BBC Radio 5 Live, local radio, Final Score & highlights on Match of the Day

Goalkeeper Ross Turnbull will make his league debut for Chelsea as Hilario is sidelined with an abductor muscle injury.

Juliano Belletti and Michael Ballack return after one-match bans, while Yuri Zhirkov has recovered from a calf strain.

West Ham welcome back Benni McCarthy and Danny Gabbidon after injuries.

But full backs Julien Faubert and Herita Ilunga are not fit for the trip across London.

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Chelsea

Injured: Bosingwa & Essien (both knee), Carvalho (hamstring), Cech (calf), A Cole (ankle)

West Ham

Suspended: Da Costa

Injured: Boa Morte & Hines (both knee), Davenport (leg), Faubert (hamstring), Ilunga (tendon), Noble (arm)

In 1996, new Parma manager Carlo Ancelotti decided that the unique talents of Gianfranco Zola did not fit into his system and sold the diminutive striker to Chelsea, thus setting in motion the process that led to Zola becoming a Blues legend.

On Saturday the Italian returns to Stamford Bridge desperate for a result that would seriously damage his former club’s title ambitions, and boost his own side’s stuttering survival bid.

Zola’s side hover just three points outside the drop zone and suffered a morale-sapping defeat at home to relegation rivals Bolton last time out. They follow up Saturday’s trip to Chelsea with another London derby at Arsenal – a daunting prospect for a side who haven’t won away from home since the opening day of the season.

Chelsea’s hopes of a first Premier League title since 2006 have been hit by two defeats in their last three league outings amid question marks over team-morale in the wake of several high-profile scandals.

Ancelotti’s side go into Saturday’s game trailing leaders Manchester United by two points, but will take heart from a 10-match unbeaten run against their east London rivals.

Head-to-head

West Ham have not beaten Chelsea in any of their last 10 meetings in all competitions (D2, L8). Their last win came in May 2003, with their last victory at Stamford Bridge coming a year earlier in September 2002.

In the last 10 Premier League meetings with the Blues, West Ham have failed to score more than one goal.

Chelsea

Chelsea have not lost back-to-back Premier League games since May 2006.

Didier Drogba has scored 10 goals in his last 11 Premier League appearances.

If the Blues concede a goal, they will have shipped more goals already than in any full season since 2003-04.

Nicolas Anelka turns 31 on Sunday.

West Ham

The Hammers have not won any of their last eight Premier League London derbies.

They have only earned one point after conceding the first goal this season, losing 12 times and drawing once. They last came from behind to win a league match in December 2008, beating Stoke 2-1.

Along with Bolton, West Ham and Chelsea have scored the most goals from set pieces this season (20).

Chelsea

Drogba: 25 goals (19 league); Lampard: 16 goals (12 league)

West Ham

Cole: 9 goals (9 league); Diamanti: 8 goals (7 league)

Referee: Mark Clattenburg

Assistant referees: Stephen Child & Rob Lewis

Fourth official: Stuart Attwell

Chelsea (L2-4 v Man City, h): Hilario, Ivanovic, Carvalho (Kalou 69), Terry, Lampard, J Cole (Sturridge 60), Mikel (Belletti), Ballack, Malouda, Drogba, Anelka. Subs Not Used: Turnbull, Ferreira, Alex, Matic.

West Ham (L1-2 v Bolton, h): Green, Faubert (Dyer 47), Tomkins, Upson, Spector, Behrami, Parker, Kovac (Stanislas 75), Diamanti, Cole, Franco (Mido 67). Subs Not Used: Stech, Ilan, Da Costa, Daprela.

West Ham scorer: Diamanti 45 (pen)

Chelsea scorer: Lampard 61 (pen)

Barclays Premier League
Venue: Reebok Stadium Date: Saturday, 13 March 2010 Kick-off: 1500 GMT
Coverage: BBC Sport website, BBC Radio 5 Live, local radio, Final Score & highlights on Match of the Day

Bolton full back Sam Ricketts is suspended but Tamir Cohen returns to the squad after serving a one-match ban for his red card at West Ham.

Fabrice Muamba and Jack Wilshere both picked up knocks against Sunderland and will be assessed before the game.

Wigan boss Roberto Martinez has reported no fresh injury concerns ahead of Saturday’s trip to the Reebok.

Captain Mario Melchiot remains absent with a thigh injury, but the Latics have an otherwise fully-fit squad.

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Bolton

Suspended: Ricketts (one match)

Doubtful: Muamba & Wilshere (unspecified)

Injured: Basham, M Davies, Davis & J O’Brien (all knee), Cahill (arm), Holden (broken leg), McCann (ankle).

Wigan

Injured: Melchiot (thigh)

Two Lancashire neighbours managed by coaches united in their commitment to attractive football find themselves separated by just one point at the wrong end of the Premier League table.

Bolton hover just five points clear of the relegation zone, and saw their recent resurgence suffer a demoralising setback with Tuesday’s 4-0 capitulation at Sunderland.

Owen Coyle’s side continue to struggle for goals – they have netted just four times in their last 10 – and showed signs of fatigue at the Stadium of Light, unsurprising for a team who will be playing their eighth game in 28 days on Saturday.

Wigan make the short journey to the Reebok Stadium buoyed by Monday’s morale-boosting victory over Liverpool, their first win in 10 outings.

Top scorer Hugo Rodallega’s first goal since Boxing Day was a welcome fillip, and the Latics will take further heart from their record against their local rivals – they are unbeaten in their last four meetings, all without conceding a goal.

Head-to-head

This is the 34th meeting between these sides. Bolton have won 12, Wigan 14 and there have been seven draws.

The Latics are unbeaten in their last four games against Bolton, winning two. Bolton failed to score in all four meetings.

Bolton

Bolton have only scored three goals in the last eight league games.

They have lost 14 of the 15 games in which they have gone behind this season.

Wanderers have lost only one of their last seven Premier League matches at the Reebok and have not conceded in their last three at home.

Wigan

Wigan have won just one of their last nine league games away from home, conceding 26 goals.

Charles N’Zogbia has completed 68 dribbles this season, more than any Premier League player.

Bolton

Cahill: 7 goals (5 league); Klasnic: 6 goals (6 league);
K Davies: 6 goals (3 league)

Wigan

Rodallega: 8 goals (8 league); N’Zogbia: 6 goals (4 league)

Referee: Mike Dean

Assistant referees: Simon Beck & Paul Thompson

Fourth official: Phil Gibbs

Bolton (L0-4 v Sunderland, a): Jaaskelainen; Robinson, Ricketts, Knight, Steinsson, Gardner (Taylor 73), Wilshere, Muamba (Weiss 57), Lee, Kevin Davies, Elmander (Klasnic 65). Subs not used: Al Habsi, Samuel, Riga, Andrew O’Brien.

Wigan (W1-0 v Liverpool, h): Kirkland; Boyce, Caldwell, Bramble, Figueroa, Diame (Thomas 82), McCarthy, N’Zogbia, Scharner, Rodallega (Scotland 86), Moreno (Moses 67). Subs not used: Stojkovic, Amaya, Gomez, Sinclair.

Barclays Premier League
Venue: Turf Moor Date: Saturday, 13 March 2010 Kick-off: 1500 GMT
Coverage: BBC Sport website, BBC Radio 5 Live, local radio, Final Score & highlights on Match of the Day

Burnley expect leading scorer Steven Fletcher to return against Wolves, having missed the last two matches with a broken hand.

Chris McCann is unlikely to be rushed back from a knee problem, while Steven Caldwell is absent with a groin injury.

Wolves boss Mick McCarthy could name an unchanged side for the fifth successive match.

Striker Stefan Maierhofer has recovered from an ankle injury and could be named among the substitutes.

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Burnley

Doubtful: Fletcher (hand), McCann (knee) Injured: Caldwell (groin)

Wolves

Injured: Edwards (ankle), Kightly (ankle/knee)

Burnley brought the advertising hoardings closer to the pitch in midweek in an attempt to nullify Stoke’s threat from throw-ins; there is no evidence of them needing to move the goalposts for the visit of toothless Wolves.

The Black Country side have scored the fewest goals in the top flight this season, a problem encapsulated by the sight of Sam Vokes blazing over the bar from close range last weekend as a point went begging against Manchester United. Wolves have now failed to score in seven games out of 10 since beating Burnley before Christmas.

Burnley failed in their attempt to deny Stoke’s Rory Delap a decent run-up for his exocet throw-ins, but a point on Wednesday ended a four-match losing run and brought Brian Laws’ side level on points with 17th-placed Wolves.

Burnley’s inferior goal difference is a consequence of having the worst defensive record in the division. Clearly, both clubs have obvious improvements to make if they are to avoid an immediate return to the Championship.

Head-to-head

Burnley have not won in their last eight top-flight home matches against Wolves since a 1-0 victory in November 1963 (D4, L4).

Wolves have won three of their last four league visits to Turf Moor. Their only defeat in the last five was 1-0 last season.

Burnley

Burnley’s only win in their last 18 league matches was 2-1 at home against West Ham on 6 February.

They have scored in all 14 Premier League matches at Turf Moor.

The Clarets have the worst defensive record in the top flight, conceding 61 goals.

They have only earned 11 points from 13 games against other sides in the bottom half of the table – the worst record in the division.

Wolves

Wolves have lost their last three league matches without scoring. If they lose on Saturday it will be their longest run of defeats this season.

Their only victory in the last 10 games was 1-0 at home against Tottenham on 10 February.

Wolves have failed to score in seven of their last 10 league matches.

They have scored 21 league goals – the lowest tally in the division this season.

Burnley

Fletcher: 11 goals (7 league); Nugent: 6 goals (6 league); Alexander: 6 goals (5 league)

Wolves

Doyle: 6 goals (6 league); Craddock: 4 goals (4 league)

Referee: Steve Bennett

Assistant referees: Andy Garratt & Trevor Massey

Fourth official: Phil Dowd

Burnley (D1-1 v Stoke, h): Jensen; Mears, Carlisle, Cort, Fox (Jordan 77), Paterson, Alexander, Cork (McDonald 46), Eagles, Nugent, Thompson (Elliott 71). Subs not used: Weaver, Duff, Blake, Bikey.

Wolves (L0-1 v Manchester United, h): Hahnemann; Zubar, Craddock, Berra, Ward (Keogh 84), Henry, Foley, Guedioura (Ebanks-Blake 84), D Jones, Jarvis (Vokes 88), Doyle. Subs not used: Hennessey, Elokobi, Milijas, Mancienne.

Wolves scorers: Milijas 15, Doyle 50

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) will not pursue its dispute over the validity of the administration at Portsmouth football club, the BBC has learned.

A scheduled High Court hearing is still expected to go ahead on Monday.

But administrator Andrew Andronikou says an HMRC challenge to his appointment will now be dropped.

Mr Andronikou, of UHY Hacker Young, was appointed administrator last month, and cut 85 jobs at the club on Wednesday.

Portsmouth are facing a nine point deduction for entering administration.

‘Substantial interest’

The validity of Mr Andronikou taking charge of the club matters had been challenged by HMRC.

But on Thursday afternoon he told the BBC that the challenge had been dropped.

“We can now send out letters of terms of engagement,” Mr Andronikou said.

“Interested parties have to pay 5,000 – that allows us to concentrate on real buyers.

“After six weeks they get the money back or can donate to charity.”

He added: “From what I’ve seen there are five substantial interested parties. One has had an interest in a football club before.

“My abiding concern is that we find the right buyer.”

Mr Andronikou had earlier said that interested parties have to provide him with proof of funds and a proven financial covenant before he would release further financial documents for scrutiny.

On Wednesday when the job losses were announced he said no players were being made redundant as they were the “shop window” with regards to finding a potential buyer.

The administrators of Portsmouth have started to make employees redundant, with 85 people losing their jobs.

Administrator Andrew Andronikou said no players were being made redundant as they were the “shop window” with regards to finding a potential buyer.

He also said he had held constructive talks with the tax authorities, and provided them with further details about club finances.

Portsmouth are the first Premier League club to enter administration.

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has been seeking a winding up order against the club, and Portsmouth is due in the High Court next Monday, as revenues and customs officials have challenged the terms of the club’s administration.

Mr Andronikou said that the authorities “should now be satisfied” that his appointment as administrator was valid.

He also said other staff had agreed to work fewer hours and that he would attempt to agree salary deferrals with others.

He also said “one or two” players had offered to take pay cuts.

‘Players protected’

The administrator was adamant that all prize money earned by Portsmouth from reaching the FA Cup semi-final would go to the club.

He added that Portsmouth would be taking its place in the semi-final and would “certainly fulfil its fixture list this season and begin the new season in August 2010″.

Mr Andronikou also said chief executive Peter Storrie – who has been criticised over his handling of Portsmouth’s troubles – had tendered his resignation. In the meantime, he has taken a 40% wage cut and currently remains in his post.

“Peter Storrie has tendered his resignation, he is working to a timetable. He is still chief executive today. It may very well change,” Mr Andronikou said.

He added that his hands were tied in relation to the playing wage bill as the players were “very much protected by [players' union] the PFA”.

Before the job cuts the club had a staff of 166 full-time employees, and 154 part-time.

The club’s administrator added that he had received substantial interest in buyers for the stricken club, but only two had been able to show proof of funds.

Arsenal drew level on points with second-placed Chelsea after making hard work of beating Burnley.

Cesc Fabregas opened the scoring when he slotted in from close range but soon afterwards he was forced off injured.

Burnley equalised when David Nugent latched on to Leon Cort’s header and looped the ball over Manuel Almunia.

Theo Walcott curled in a sublime shot to ease the embarrassment of Nicklas Bendtner’s awful finishing before Andrey Arshavin rifled in a third.

Denmark international Bendtner, who scored for his country in midweek, is in the running for miss of the season with at least three of his fluffed efforts on goal.

Fortunately for Arsenal, the impressive Walcott was able to supply the cutting edge to his game that has often been lacking to keep the Gunners’ title ambitions on track.

The result takes Arsenal to within two points of leaders Manchester United, who won at Wolves 1-0 later on Saturday.

The Gunners are level on points with Chelsea but have an inferior goal difference and have played one game more than both their title rivals.

And while Arsenal’s victory keeps the title race wide open, it also served to leave Burnley deep in relegation trouble.

Brian Laws’ side have now won only one of their last 17 league games – and it is hard to see how they will turn things around after another performance lacking guile and belief.

In contrast, there was mental toughness in evidence from the hosts, who were determined to show that the horrific broken leg suffered by Aaron Ramsey against Stoke last weekend would not derail their season.

There was one flashpoint when Walcott reacted angrily to a challenge by Daniel Fox – which showed that memories of Ramsey’s injury are still fresh.

But that aside, Arsenal did not look shaken and vulnerable in the way they did after Eduardo suffered a similar injury two years ago.

They did, however, offer Burnley a glimmer of hope when they conceded a poor goal after Emmanuel Eboue’s clearance was headed back by Cort and Nugent split the defence to finish smartly.

That goal, against the run of play, restored parity after Fabregas had struck first, steering the ball between Brian Jensen’s legs after Samir Nasri’s exquisite chip had played him in.

Arsenal will be concerned that Fabregas was unable to continue for long and was replaced by Abou Diaby.

However, even without their talisman, the hosts should have romped to victory given the chances they created.

That they did not was largely down to awful finishing from Bendtner, who headed wide from eight yards, sidefooted wide from the same distance and screwed another good chance off target in the three worst examples from a woeful catalogue of misses.

Jensen also did brilliantly to deny Walcott and Arshavin more than once, while Tomas Rosicky fired over and substitute Eduardo also turned a cross wide.

However, Burnley were not without their chances, and they had a good opportunity to bring things back to 2-2 when Almunia failed to deal with a corner but Steven Thompson could only smash over.

Instead, substitute Arshavin finally finished off one of Arsenal’s chances when he cut inside from the flank and drove the ball into the bottom corner.

But the stories of the match were Burnley’s vulnerability in defence – they have only once on their travels in the league this season conceded fewer than two goals – and Bendtner’s nightmare.

Arsenal, though, will be delighted with the form of Walcott who looked sharp and creative.

For Burnley, their top-flight status could be slipping away as they remain next to bottom.

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Burnley boss Brian Laws:
“I thought in the first half we sat a bit too deep I the first half and we conceded the goal but I thought we responded well in the second half.

“We lived a bit of a charmed life and the had a few chances but we stayed in the game as long as we could.

“But there are positives to take away from the game, we worked ever so hard and we competed well.”

Plymouth Argyle are set to sign Burnley’s 20-year-old defender Richard Eckersley on a one-month loan deal.

“Subject to the paperwork going through, we’re signing Richard,” Pilgrims boss Paul Mariner told BBC Radio Devon.

Mariner needs cover for the injured Reda Johnson and Eckersley can play at full-back or in central defence.

“It’s a bit of a godsend he’s come to us, as it affords us a little room,” added Mariner.

Eckersley started his career as a trainee at Manchester United before moving to Burnley last summer.

Accrington have signed Everton defender James McCarten on a short-term loan.

The 19-year-old reserve team player completed the move to the Crown Ground after Accrington’s temporary transfer embargo was lifted.

The embargo was in place after a delay in paying around 30,000 to HM Revenue and Customs.

Boss John Coleman told BBC Radio Lancashire. “He’s good in the air. He’s a good talker and will add competition for places.”

McCarten signed his first professional deal at Goodison Park in 2008 after a number of impressive performances at the club’s academy.

He told the club website: “I’ve been waiting around for a couple of weeks wanting to sign.

“I trained here a few weeks ago but wasn’t allowed to play in the games so I went back to Everton.

“Now the embargo has been lifted I’m really happy to come here and try to get some games.”

McCarten could make his Accrington debut against Barnet on Saturday.

Birmingham manager Alex McLeish says Barry Ferguson has “certainly proved a few people wrong” in his first season back in the Premier League.

Ferguson signed for Blues in the summer after his second spell at Rangers.

McLeish told BBC WM: “Barry Ferguson’s got a co-ordination and a touch on the ball that most players would kill for.

“He’s brought a calmness and composure to the team without being casual and complacent. He’s brought a real authority to this football club.”

Ferguson, 32, has been a key figure in midfield for Blues in their successful Premier League season. He had previously appeared in the Premier League for Blackburn between August 2003 and January 2005.

McLeish added: “He’s certainly proved a few people wrong.

“People thought he was getting a bit tired in his performances at Rangers, and for the fans probably the love affair had finished. It was time for him to spread his wings and go somewhere else.

“It’s a little bit remiss of people not to mention his very good form just before he left Blackburn.

“People forget that, and I think if you look back at videos of Blackburn games then you’ll see he was actually in excellent form and I know other clubs had courted him.

“But his first love was Rangers and he was desperate to go back there. But this year has given people a lasting look at him for the whole season, and then they realise just how good a player he is.

“He brings drive, but he also brings that thing that I really love about players, he takes the ball. He can keep the ball and he can pass it first time. Other people attempt that and the ball will go all over the place.”

Birmingham manager Alex McLeish is disappointed with the International Football Association Board’s decision to rule out using goal-line technology.

Shortly after the Fifa-backed IFAB ruling, a Liam Ridgewell header that had crossed the line was disallowed in the Blues’ FA Cup defeat at Portsmouth.

“It is frustrating. They’re doing their officials a disservice,” said McLeish.

Former Premier League referee Graham Poll said the decision reflected a “level of arrogance” within the game.

Poll told BBC Radio 5 live’s Sportsweek he was disappointed but not surprised by the decision.

“It’s the same as experimenting with things like sin bins, they say ‘oh that’s a rugby idea, we wouldn’t do that’. We have to be different, we’re football,” he said.

“I’ve spoken to Dr Paul Hawkins who developed Hawk-Eye and it is clear that technology, which has been tested in Premier League grounds, in Premier League training grounds, to the satisfaction of the Premier League, is available and would help match officials.”

Poll went on to defend assistant Adam Watts who was at Fratton Park on Saturday, saying: “I don’t think many people would have been 100% confident that the ball was over the line when they saw it at full speed the first time.

“It’s not helping match officials by not brining new technology in.

“The time has surely come that we need to help officials and I can guarantee that the referee and the assistant driving home from the Portsmouth match will have been very sad they missed that goal.”

Fifa has been under increasing pressure to use some form of technology to eliminate mistakes which are highlighted by television replays.

France striker Thierry Henry’s handball in the build-up to the equalising goal against the Republic of Ireland in Paris in November helped his country to qualify for the World Cup.

Raymond Kennedy, president of the Irish Football Association, Northern Ireland, said there had not been enough controversial goals to warrant introducing new technology.

“If you were to take the FA Cup as an example, that has teams right from the very bottom and if you were to use [goal-line technology] in that competition you would have to have that installed in many of the smaller grounds,” he told Sportsweek.

“I happen to believe that the extra officials, maybe brought in at a latter stage, does much more than goal-line technology. They are there, they will see the fouls that go in the penalty area.

“We believe our game is played by humans and we want human eyeballs to decide whether it is a goal or not. There will be mistakes, people thrive in the controversy of football.”

Former Rangers boss McLeish believed technology needed to be introduced when the stakes were so high.

“I know you can’t stop every part of the game but certainly for key decisions in a major competition like the FA Cup, your chances of getting to semi-finals and finals are few and far between for a little club like us,” added the Scot.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger described the IFAB’s move as “beyond comprehension”.

“For me, it is difficult to understand, for one reason because you want as much justice as possible,” said the Gunners boss.

“I do not even think it is linked with the money factor. If you love football you want the right decisions to be made.

“There was an incident again at the Portsmouth game and I just do not understand why we rule that out.”

Football’s lawmakers reached the decision after watching presentations of two systems, Cairos – which uses a chip inserted in a ball, and Hawk-Eye – used in tennis and cricket.

And the company behind the development of the chip technology have voiced their exasperation over the IFAB vote.

Cairos marketing director Oliver Braun said: “It’s frustrating for us because we have developed this system over so many years. IFAB encouraged us to develop the system.

“They set up some criteria and said if they were met they would go with the technology. For them to come back and say in principle they don’t want to use any technology, that’s frustrating.

“If they said that before it would have saved a lot of time, effort and money.

“The solution to these incidents is here – it’s not an issue that the technology isn’t working. The technology is working, but they don’t want to use it.”

Europa League
Venue: Stadio Olimpico di Torino Date: Thursday 11 March Kick-off: 2005 GMT Coverage: Full commentary on BBC London 94.9 FM, DAB, DSAT & Online, BBC Sport website, BBC Radio 5 live and ITV4

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Fulham will be without captain Danny Murphy (ban) for the first leg of their Europa League last-16 tie against Serie A giants Juventus in Turin on Thursday.

Nicky Shorey and Stefano Okaka, who are both cup-tied, will also be missing.

Paul Konchesky could replace Shorey at left-back if he recovers from an ankle injury but Andy Johnson, Clint Dempsey and John Pantsil (all knee) are out.

Juventus are without Gianluigi Buffon, Giorgio Chiellini and Amauri through injury, while Felipe Melo is suspended.

That has left Juve coach Alberto Zaccheroni short of midfield options so Mohamed Sissoko and Claudio Marchisio could be called upon despite the fact both are carrying knocks.

It has ensured Zaccheroni, only beat Fulham counterpart Roy Hodgson once during the three spells the 62-year-old spent in Italy in charge of Inter Milan (twice) and Udinese, will not be taking Fulham lightly.

“Roy is a very honest person,” said the Italian. “His teams are always successful without trying to do too much, they just keep it simple.

“We should never underestimate him and his team. He was worked hard and has fought hard as a manager.”

“I watched Fulham when they played Shakhtar Donetsk (in the last round) and they were very strong. They were arranged very orderly and have plenty of good players so Thursday will be a tough match.

“None of the players play for themselves, they all play for the team they can defend really well. They are a typical English team, they’re very tough, they create a lot and have some excellent players.”

Still, though, the size of the task Fulham face against the Italian giants is not lost on midfielder Zoltan Gera.

He told the club’s website: “I like to watch football in general so I know Juventus and the players. There won’t be any surprises because I’ve seen them a few times.

“There will be a big difference between Shakhtar Donetsk and Juventus. We played against Roma twice and played very well and hopefully we can do the same against Juventus and get a result.”

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Fulham provisional squad: Schwarzer, Zuberbuhler, Baird, Kelly, Stoor, Hangeland, Konchesky, Hughes, Smalling, Marsh-Brown, Gera, Duff, Greening, Davies, Etuhu, Riise, Nevland, Elm, Zamora.

Stoke defender Robert Huth said that it was a proud moment to captain the team in their FA Cup quarter-final defeat by his former club Chelsea.

“The manager [Tony Pulis] thought I could do the job, which is nice,” defender Huth told BBC Radio Stoke.

“I didn’t know anything about it until an hour before the game, so I didn’t have much time to think about it.”

Goals from England pair Frank Lampard and John Terry condemned the Potters to a 2-0 defeat at Stamford Bridge.

“It was a weird game because normally we play with a bit higher tempo, but they had a lot of opportunities in the game and it was probably a fair result,” continued the Germany international.

Pulis added that the target now for Stoke, currently 11th in the Premier League, is to reach 40 points and maintain their top-flight status for a third year.

“We have to put everything into context, and we have to make sure that we pick up some results in the league,” he told BBC Radio Stoke.

“We’ve had a smashing season so far, but we mustn’t take our foot off the pedal.”

Stoke travel to Burnley on Wednesday, with midfielder Glenn Whelan doubtful after picking up a hamstring injury against the FA Cup holders.

Stoke chairman Peter Coates says that Ryan Shawcross’s tackle which broke Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey’s leg was just part of football.

Shawcross was sent off for the tackle and left the field in tears.

“He’s nothing to reproach himself for, it was very unfortunate,” Coates told BBC Radio Stoke.

“It does happen in professional football. When you’ve got a game as intense and quick as it is in the Premier League, things can go wrong.”

Coates continued: “It’s a real shame, but Ryan simply has got to understand that it’s the game we’re in and it can happen.

“Rory Delap had a double fracture in his first game for us and was out for eight months, but we accepted it as part and parcel of the game.

“Nobody goes out to do these things, but they can happen and I’m sure that some time in the future it will happen again.”

Coates admitted that the events of Saturday took the shine of what should have been a celebratory moment for Shawcross, his first call-up for the full England squad and the first for a Stoke player since Mark Chamberlain in 1984.

“We’re really pleased for him,” he continued. “It’s a recognition of how far he’s come and we’re not surprised [with the call-up] because we think he’s one of the best young centre-backs in the Premier League.”

Shawcross reported for duty with his England team-mates on Monday, ahead of the friendly against Egypt at Wembley on Wednesday.

Brighton and Hove Albion have signed Stoke City midfielder Diego Arismendi on loan until the end of the season.

The Uruguay international joined the Premier League club in the summer from Nacional for a reported 3m.

The 22-year-old has yet to play in the Premier League and has made only two Carling Cup appearances for the Potters this season.

Arismendi will join up with the Brighton squad in time for Monday’s trip to Colchester in League One.

Stoke defender Ryan Shawcross has been defended by his team-mates after his challenge on Aaron Ramsey saw the young Arsenal midfielder suffer a broken leg.

Shawcross, 22, was sent off for the tackle, but Danny Pugh and Rory Delap said he did not mean to hurt Ramsey.

“There was no malicious intent from Ryan, he’s not that kind of player,” midfielder Pugh told BBC Radio Stoke.

Delap said: “He’s a committed player, but he’s never going to go into a challenge looking to hurt someone.”

He added: “Everyone knew straight away what had happened. The referee [Peter Walton] said it wasn’t meant, but because of the injury he had to send Ryan off.”

Pugh continued: “No one wants to go out and hurt a fellow professional, Ryan more than most. He’s a good lad, he’s not a malicious player and he’s been unlucky that that’s happened.”

Shortly after being driven away from the Britannia Stadium by his parents, Shawcross received his first call-up to the full England squad for the friendly against Egypt at Wembley on Wednesday.

Following the challenge there was a lengthy delay while Wales international Ramsey, 19, was treated on the pitch, with players from both sides visibly shaken.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger described the tackle by Shawcross as “horrendous” and “not acceptable”, but Pugh refuted claims that Stoke are a dirty team.

“I don’t think we are, we’re fully committed. We don’t go out to hurt anyone, we just give 100% in every game,” he added.

Stoke manager Tony Pulis told BBC Radio Stoke: “It’s an unfortunate injury, it looks a poor challenge, but Ryan Shawcross has not got any bad blood in him whatsoever.

“There’s no way in a million years that he would ever, ever go out to hurt a person. He’s a lovely kid and he’s been exemplary since he’s been at this football club. It was breaking his heart coming off the pitch.

“The game drops into insignificance really in respect of the injury. We just wish Ramsey all the best, we hope he recovers quickly. It’s a desperately sad blow for Arsenal.”

Shawcross, himself, released a statement on the official club website, reading: “There was absolutely no malice in the challenge. I would never, ever go out to hurt a fellow professional.

“I am deeply upset that Aaron has suffered such a bad injury and my thoughts are with him. I would like to send him my best wishes too for a speedy recovery.”

Burnley’s attempts to nullify the long-throw threat of Stoke’s Rory Delap in Wednesday’s league clash backfired.

The Clarets moved the advertising boards closer to the pitch in an effort to disrupt Delap’s run up and delivery.

However, the ploy failed when Mamady Sidibe flicked on one of Delap’s trademark missiles for Tuncay to score the opener in a 1-1 draw at Turf Moor.

“We noticed what they had done as soon as we came out but we got on with it,” said Stoke boss Tony Pulis.

His Burnley counterpart Brian Laws had the hoardings moved to within five feet of the touchline in a cunning effort to try and counter Delap and his not-so-secret weapon of mass assistance.

But the 33-year-old simply ran around the lengthy barrier to provide his 10th throw-in assist of the season.

“They have to do what they have to do. You take it and get on with it,” added Pulis.

“I don’t care where a goal comes from. It is always satisfying scoring.

“Because he was a javelin thrower as well, Rory has that technique obviously down to a treat.”

David Nugent’s headed finish earned relegation-threatened Burnley their first point in five games in a scrappy encounter at Turf Moor.

Stoke opened the scoring in familiar fashion when Rory Delap’s long throw was flicked on by Mamady Sidibe for Tuncay to head in from six yards.

Nugent levelled when he rose above Robert Huth to head in Martin Paterson’s deep cross.

But Burnley could not find the winner to take them out of the bottom three.

Stoke’s fine form had seen Tony Pulis’ side six points better off than they were at the same stage last year and almost free of relegation worries.

Burnley on the other hand had won just once in 17 league games and the solid home form that sustained them earlier in the season had deserted Brian Law’s side.

And the difference between the two showed early on, where Burnley too often looked edgy and rushed while Stoke played like a side under no pressure and completely at ease with their gameplan.

Abdoulaye Faye flicked Liam Lawrence’s cross wide with his left foot after just three minutes to signal Stoke’s intent.

And when Burnley did finally fashion an effort, Jack Cork tried to square his pass to Paterson when he should have gone it alone – and his short ball was cut out.

For Stoke, looking to win back-to-back away matches for the first time in the Premier League, the opening goal was to come from a tried and tested formula.

Delap’s fourth attempt at a long throw yielded its usual devastating reward when Sidibe beat three Burnley defenders to flick the ball on towards the edge of the six-yard box.

Tuncay was quickest to react and powered his header past Brian Jensen for his fifth goal of the season.

Burnley should have levelled after 38 minutes, but when Chris Eagles found space and crossed to Paterson unmarked on the far post, the Northern Ireland striker scuffed his shot wide of the post.

However, the home side started the second half with a far higher tempo and were immediately rewarded.

Paterson, bright and full of endeavour throughout, crossed from the edge of the 18-yard box for Nugent to rise highest and score his sixth goal of the season with a strong header.

After the equaliser Burnley looked the better side and the Clarets had chances to secure the win which would have pulled them out of the relegation zone.

Eagles tested Thomas Sorensen with a long-range effort but the Danish keeper got across to make the save diving to his right.

And captain Graham Alexander shot wide as Burnley pressed for the winner.

With the home crowd urging their side on, the chances, albeit never clear-cut, came primarily for Burnley but substitute Kevin McDonald’s cross-cum-shot looped agonisingly wide of Sorensen’s right post.

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Burnley manager Brian Laws:

“Everyone expects Burnley not to be in the Premier League next year but we believe it. We have goals in us. We just have to keep it tight at the back.

“I will take a lot of things out of the game particularly the second half performance. They bullied us in the first half.

“The players could have felt sorry for themselves but responded magnificently.

“Nugent’s goal was terrific, it was great ball in by Paterson. It set the tone and I am disappointed we didn’t go on and win the game.”

Stoke boss Tony Pulis:

“We’ve had a lot of games lately against the bigger clubs and it takes a bit out of you. I thought we started the second half really flat.

“Give Burnley credit they had a right go and had the crowd behind them. We were down to the bare bones.

“We are still wearing nappies when the comes to the Premiership and we won’t take any team lightly, certainly not a team near the foot of the league.

“We are desperate to get 40 points, that’s our target.”

Wolves midfielder David Jones remains confident that they will survive in the top flight, despite a tough run-in.

Six of Wolves’ remaining 10 games are away from Molineux, starting with a three successive road-trips to Burnley, Aston Villa and West Ham.

“I don’t think we’ll be afraid to go to the places we’re going away from home,” Jones, 25, told BBC WM.

“I’m sure we’ve displayed this season that we can play well and score goals away from home.”

The former Manchester United player has benefited from manager Mick McCarthy’s switch to 4-5-1, forming a three-man central midfield with skipper Karl Henry and January signing Adlene Guedioura.

“It’s been working quite well, we just need to convert a few more goals,” he noted after the narrow home defeat against Manchester United.

“I’m sure with performances like that in the remaining games of the season we will pick up points.”

Jones has started the past seven Premier League games after recovering from a long-term knee problem, scoring the winner in the home game against Tottenham.

Rafael Benitez has said Wigan chairman Dave Whelan should concentrate on his own club rather than worry about what is going on at Liverpool.

Whelan claimed the Reds were in a “mess” following Wigan’s 1-0 victory over Benitez’s side on Monday.

Whelan said: “Liverpool are in a mess. The owners, being American, I don’t think they feel what we [fans] feel.”

Reds manager Benitez hit back: “I do not talk about Wigan. He [Whelan] should talk about his own club.”

Whelan also admitted he felt sorry for Liverpool fans after Hugo Rodallega’s volley consigned them to a seventh league defeat away from Anfield this season, and their ninth loss in total.

“The big sympathy I have is for the Liverpool supporters because they are a fantastic lot,” Whelan added.

“I’m really, really sorry for their supporters. We went to Anfield earlier in the season and there was absolutely no atmosphere and no heart at all.

“The supporters feel that and I think the players are starting to feel it.”

Monday’s result left Liverpool in sixth place in the Premier League table, one point behind Tottenham and Manchester City who have one and two games in hand respectively over the Reds.

Aston Villa, who are three points behind Liverpool, have three games in hand as the race for fourth spot, and a place in next season’s European Champions League, gathers pace.

Benitez was highly critical of his side’s performance at the DW Stadium, accusing them of lacking attitude and character.

But the Spaniard has little time to dwell on the defeat with the Reds travelling to France to take on Lille in the Europa League on Thursday.

“Hopefully there will be a reaction in Lille,” said Benitez. “This is an opportunity to put things right and try to get a good result.

“In football you sometimes prefer to rest but at this time it is good to have a match quickly after what happened at Wigan.”

Meanwhile, the Football Association has confirmed Steven Gerrard will face no disciplinary action over an apparent ‘V’ gesture at referee Andre Marriner during the game against Wigan.

It is understood Marriner saw the incident at the time but did not deem it worthy of further punishment. Under those circumstances, the FA cannot take retrospective action.

Europa League
Venue: Stadium Lille-Metropole Date: Thursday 11 March Kick-off: 1800 GMT Coverage: Commentary on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra from 1800 GMT and then BBC 5 live from 1900; text commentary on BBC Sport website and mobile phones. Also live on Five TV

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Yossi Benayoun is doubtful for the first leg of Liverpool’s last-16 Europa League tie against Lille on Thursday after sustaining an ankle injury.

The midfielder suffered discomfort in the defeat by Wigan and his fitness will be monitored ahead of the match.

Centre-back Daniel Agger should be available having recovered from a sickness bug which reduced him to the role of unused substitute on Monday.

The Europa League represents the Reds’ only realistic chance of silverware.

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Liverpool team (from): Reina, Johnson, Degen, Agger, Carragher, Kyrgiakos, Insua, Gerrard, Lucas, Aquilani, Benayoun, Riera, Rodriguez, Ngog, Kuyt, Torres, Cavalieri, Pacheco, Spearing, Darby, Babel, Kelly.

Footballer Steven Gerrard compared sport to science when he opened a new facility at a university on Merseyside.

The Liverpool midfielder toured the 25.5m Tom Reilly Building at Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU).

The centre will house the School of Sports and Exercise Sciences, School of Natural Sciences and Psychology.

The England star said the university’s sports degrees meant football and other sports were no longer seen as “only a game, but as science”.

‘Everton supporter’

“It’s a great privilege to be launching the building named in honour of Professor Tom Reilly.

“Like me, his two great passions in life were football and family.

“I’ve been told he was actually an Everton supporter but he loved the game as a whole and I’ve been assured that he would have been happy for me to officially launch the new facility.”

The centre houses equipment for each of the schools – from a scanner for measuring body fat, muscles and bone density, to lie detectors and eye-tracking equipment.

LJMU Vice-Chancellor Professor Michael Brown said: “In order to have ‘fit for purpose’ graduates you need ‘fit for purpose’ buildings, where students can gain both a thorough grounding of their chosen academic discipline and secure, vital work-related skills and experience.”

Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher has said he would have “no problem” leaving Anfield should his hometown club decide not to extend his current contract.

The 32-year-old has just over a year left on his contract, but has yet to begin negotiations over a new deal.

He told the Sunday Times: “I’ll still play my best and if I have to move then I’ll move. It wouldn’t bother me.”

Carragher has spent his entire career at Anfield, making over 500 appearances for the club over the last decade.

The Bootle-born central defender, who made his debut against Middlesbrough in 1997, is one of the few home-grown products to regularly make Liverpool’s starting line-up.

He has been a mainstay of the side this season, with only midfielders Dirk Kuyt and Lucas Leiva making more Premier League appearances for the Reds.

However, Liverpool’s vice captain acknowledged he may have to look elsewhere if he wants to continue his playing career.

“The club will give me a new contract if they want to,” he added. “It’s a club thing. It’s down to them. I’ll keep playing and see where it takes me.”

The versatile defender quit international football in 2007 after becoming disillusioned with a lack of opportunities in the England team and said he was “not scared of making big decisions”.

Manager Rafael Benitez said the player wanted to concentrate on completing this season before beginning talks on a new deal.

“There is no news about Carragher,” said Benitez. “We have spoken to him and he was very clear that at this moment he just wants to concentrate on doing his job.

“I think Jamie prefers the situation as it is. The information I have is that he is comfortable with how things are and that he wants to wait.”

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez says goalkeeper Jose Reina and midfielder Javier Mascherano are close to signing new contracts with the club.

“I think we will have news about Reina and Mascherano very soon and that will be very positive for the future,” said Benitez of the Spaniard and Argentine.

“Everything is very close and there are no problems.”

Reina, 27, has been at Liverpool since July 2005, while Mascherano, 25, joined the club in January 2007.

Reina, who arrived from Villarreal, has kept 12 clean sheets for Liverpool this season and Benitez insists the Spain international is now the best goalkeeper in the Premier League.

“He is the best in England, miles away from the others, and we are really pleased to keep him here for a long time,” the Anfield boss said.

“I remember at the beginning people said ‘for England, in the air, he is not the best’.

“But he is always organising the defenders and is more than a keeper. Sometimes the style of goalkeepers is for them to be really good in the six-yard box, Pepe is really good in the 18-yard box.”

Benitez highlighted Reina’s brilliant stoppage-time save from Christopher Samba’s goalbound header in their 2-1 victory over Blackburn as evidence of his class.

“When you talk about a goalkeeper in a top side he normally doesn’t have much to do,” he added.

“To be involved in this game, especially at the end, and that save shows the level of the player.”

Mascherano, who signed from West Ham, was linked with a move to Barcelona last summer but Benitez is convinced Argentina’s captain is keen to stay on Merseyside.

“I was talking with him and his agent the other day and it is true Javier is happier,” Benitez said.

“The conversations were very positive. When you talk with Javier he is very settled and happy. Everyone knew about some clubs being interested in him but talking with us he was fine.”

Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel will miss much of the remainder of the season because of a broken metatarsal.

The 25-year-old Slovakia international will not need surgery but is likely to be unavailable to manager Rafael Benitez until the end of April.

He was forced off during his team’s 4-1 aggregate win over Unirea Urziceni in their Europa League tie on Thursday.

Manager Rafael Benitez said after the match: “It was a good result but then we had the bad news about Martin.”

Skrtel was injured in a second-half clash with Antonio Semedo as the Reds won 3-1 in Romania to reach the last 16 with a 4-1 aggregate score.

He has been a mainstay of Liverpool’s central defence this season, featuring 29 times and scoring one goal, in the 2-2 draw at home to Manchester City in November.

Benitez will at least be comforted with better news regarding Skrtel’s fellow defender Glen Johnson.

The 17m signing is nearing a comeback, having not played since late December because of a knee injury.

“He’s doing well. He was training [on Friday] with the team – a light training session,” said Benitez.

“I was watching him and he was quite sharp but Sunday will be too soon.”

The Football Association has announced the details of the FA Cup semi-finals, which will be played at Wembley.

Aston Villa will play holders Chelsea at 1700 BST on 10 April. Portsmouth, the 2008 winners, face either Fulham or Tottenham at 1600 BST on 11 April.

Fulham and Tottenham are due to replay their sixth round match at White Hart Lane on 24 March, after they drew 0-0 in last weekend’s round.

Pompey beat Birmingham and Chelsea saw off Stoke to reach the semi-finals.

Birmingham gained revenge for their FA Cup exit on Saturday and brought Portsmouth back to earth with victory in the Premier League at Fratton Park.

Cameron Jerome ran on to a Chucho Benitez ball and drilled under David James to give the Blues an early lead.

A delightful backheel from Benitez then sent the striker clear to drive a second under James before the break.

Substitute Kanu headed home Jamie O’Hara’s cross to ensure a tight finish but Pompey could not grab an equaliser.

Portsmouth, in administration and near certainties for relegation, had gone into the game at least buoyed by Saturday’s 2-0 win over Alex McLeish’s side which secured a place in the FA Cup semi-finals.

But the reality of their plight came back into focus four days later as Birmingham claimed a victory which takes them above Everton into eighth place in the table.

Avram Grant’s Portsmouth side huffed and puffed throughout but some clinical finishing from the Blues ultimately proved the difference between the teams and Grant’s defiant weekend statement that “no-one will take our spirit” will now be put to the test.

The defeat leaves Pompey four points behind second-bottom Burnley, having played a game more, and with a further nine points set to be docked from the total after entering administration, relegation seems assured.

Not that you would have guessed their plight from the atmosphere on the south coast. The passionate home fans cheered their stricken side from beginning to end, despite the visitors never looking back after taking an early lead.

Benitez picked up the ball on the edge of the Portsmouth area and an attempted pass to Keith Fahey fell perfectly into the path of Jerome, who drove low past James.

It was harsh on the hosts, who had dominated the opening stages. And the home supporters were infuriated still further when a cross from Aruna Dindane hit Roger Johnson on the arm – only for referee Mike Jones to turn down appeals for a penalty.

Far from being disheartened though the hosts continued to surge forward, helped in no small part by tremendous support from the Fratton Park terraces.

But the clear-cut chances only seemed to be arriving at the other end and Benitez was guilty of a shocking miss just before the break.

The Ecuadorian striker was clearly offside when he received a flick-on from Jerome, but managed to get into a hopeless tangle when attempting to round James and ended up on his backside.

The Portsmouth crowd laughed at the mistake but they were not smirking for long as the chunky striker quickly made amends.

A backheel on the edge of the area rolled perfectly into Jerome’s path and the striker bagged his second with a finish under the sprawling James.

For all their toil, and the tireless work of O’Hara in midfield, the closest Portsmouth came to a goal in the first half was that penalty claim and they were to see another appeal waved away after the break.

Quincy Owusu-Abeyie, on as a substitute for Marc Wilson, broke into the area and fired a shot that appeared to strike Craig Gardner’s lower arm – but the home appeals again fell on deaf ears.

Birmingham seemed happy to sit back and break on the counter attack, as has been their way in an impressive campaign. Scott Dann blasted over and substitute Sebastian Larsson shot straight at James but the visitors hardly threatened in a tame second period.

The same could have been said of Portsmouth, in truth, until Kanu’s late goal set up a tense final few minutes.

O’Hara was inevitably the creator with a swinging cross from the right and a nodded close-range header looked like it might spark a comeback.

But the Blues held on and will believe that European qualification is still a possibility. For the Portsmouth fans, chants of “Wembley, Wembley” throughout showed where their thoughts are.

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Portsmouth manager Avram Grant:
“I think there was a physical effect because players had to play because we are short in the squad. But the players did a great job on Saturday and they tried to do it again.

“We started the game very well. The first goal was from their first attack. But we played very slowly and let them organise very easy.

“It’s a very difficult situation. It’s just become more and more difficult. We try to do everything to keep the spirit of the club. But many things happen off the pitch. I don’t know because that’s not my area. But many things are happening off the pitch and that makes it difficult.

“It’s not a secret that the financial situation is not good. We fight for the club.

“I hope we will not be docked the points. I hope football decisions will be made on the pitch.

“When you punish something you punish the people who did something wrong. You need to punish the right people.”

Birmingham manager Alex McLeish:
“We were well up for it. We freshened things up and the lads were back in form.

“We spoke before the game about how Pompey might have thought our confidence has dropped and that we didn’t have much more to play for this season – and we responded brilliantly.

“The first half was fantastic; we could have been four or five up. Although I was relieved at the final whistle as there was a bit of an onslaught. But we should have been out of sight by then.

“It was a disappointing goal to concede and the defenders are actually gutted because they’re so proud of their clean sheets.”

Crisis club Portsmouth will not be able to compete in Europe next season even if they win the FA Cup.

The club would be declined entry to the Europa League because they have not applied for a Uefa club licence.

Portsmouth went into administration last month and were not in a position to file their accounts – a criterion for entry into European competition.

Portsmouth beat Birmingham on Saturday to reach the semi-finals of the FA Cup – a competition they won in 2008.

That Wembley triumph led to the club’s first ever European campaign, which gave fans memorable matches against AC Milan and Wolfsburg.

The FA Cup winners qualify for the Europa League, with the place given the runners-up if the winners have already qualified for Europe through the Premier League.

The club could submit a retrospective application for a Uefa licence, but their financial predicament makes it unlikely this would be granted.

Portsmouth, bottom of the Premier League, face either Tottenham or Fulham in the FA Cup semi-finals.

And the club’s administrator Andrew Andronikou says he has been reassured by the Football Association that the club will not be thrown out of the competition.

“The FA are fully supportive of us and they want us to succeed and get to the other end,” said Andronikou. “There is no chance of us being kicked out of the FA Cup.”

Pompey are currently fighting a battle in the High Court over their right to go into voluntary administration.

Andronikou was appointed as the club’s administrator on 26 February with the aim of cutting costs and finding a buyer for the Hampshire club.

The decision to go into administration came ahead of an scheduled winding up order from Her Majesty’s Revenue & Customs.

HMRC have since challenged the move and questioned the validity of Andronikou’s appointment.

Portsmouth have been told to make a special representation to the Football Association in order to be paid their FA Cup prize money.

Pompey have earned 607,500 in winnings and broadcast fees after beating Birmingham to reach the semi-finals.

Any club in administration, as Portsmouth are, have to seek approval from the FA to keep Cup winnings.

“I don’t envisage there will be any problems,” said the club’s administrator, Andrew Andronikou.

“We had a very constructive meeting with the FA last week. We have to write to them and I’m very confident they will be forthcoming with our reward,” he added.

Portsmouth’s case will now be reviewed by English football’s governing body, to see if the club has met all its obligations to competitive clubs.

The south-coast side will need to write to the FA and make a representation to the Professional Game Board, who will assess the case on the basis of any obligations Portsmouth have to fulfil.

The FA Cup is one of the few areas of success for Portsmouth this season and the crisis club will face either Tottenham or Fulham in the semi-finals.

Pompey are currently fighting a battle in the High Court over their right to go into voluntary administration.

Andronikou was appointed as the club’s administrator on 26 February to see if he could salvage the club’s finances by cutting costs. The move came ahead of an expected winding up order from Her Majesty’s Revenue & Customs.

HMRC have since challenged the move into voluntary administration and questioned the validity of Andronikou’s appointment.

It was claimed that Andronikou may have links with Portsmouth owner Balram Chainrai, compromising his independence. The case is due to reconvene on 15 March after it was adjourned on 2 March.

As a result of going into administration, the club also face a nine-point penalty from the Premier League that will almost certainly see Pompey relegated to the Championship.

Frederic Piquionne scored twice as Portsmouth put their off-field problems to one side by beating Birmingham and reaching the FA Cup semi-finals.

The hosts, who entered administration last week, finally went ahead when Piquionne bundled home after the break.

The on-loan striker then raced on to a neat Jamie O’Hara pass and turned Roger Johnson before slotting home in style.

Birmingham were unlucky when a header from Liam Ridgewell was disallowed late on despite the ball crossing the line.

Portsmouth beat Manchester United at this stage of their run to Cup glory back in 2008 but victory at Wembley this season would surely represent a greater achievement under such dire financial circumstances.

Ironically, the bonuses paid to players following the win two years ago contributed to the precarious position the club now finds itself in.

This victory guarantees 360,000 in prize money, plus another 250,000 in broadcast rights, but Pompey fans will be more satisfied with a display full of passion and pride.

Birmingham, meanwhile, miss the chance to reach the semi-finals for the first time since 1975 but with European qualification still a possibility in the league, manager Alex McLeish will at least have something to focus his players on.

After their second successive win, the Portsmouth playing staff are clearly not struggling to concentrate on the job at hand.

Birmingham started positively and Pompey goalkeeper David James needed to be at his sharpest in the early stages.

The England World Cup hopeful produced a brilliant low save to deny Cameron Jerome in what was the only clear chance of the first half.

Portsmouth badly lacked a cutting edge early on but there was no lack of purpose in their passing and approach.

Piquionne looked lively up front, testing Joe Hart with a couple of low drives, while O’Hara again pulled the strings in an industrious midfield.

But shots on goal were few and far between.

John Utaka burst through with the interval approaching but sent a dreadful effort way off target. It was an attempt that summed up a forgettable half of football.

Hart and James were no doubt hoping to outdo each other in the race to be named as England’s number one keeper for the World Cup, but a lack of chances certainly reduced their opportunities to impress.

Thankfully, the second half improved for all concerned. Hart had to be quick off his line to deny Utaka immediately after the break while James was happy to see Lee Bowyer slice a volley high and wide.

Birmingham had Barry Ferguson to thank for clearing the ball off Utaka’s head after a knock-back by the impressive Piquionne, before Seb Larsson forced James into a tip-over at the other end.

But Pompey finally broke through in a game that desperately needed a goal.

A goalmouth scramble ended with Danny Webber putting pressure on Hart and the loose ball bounced perfectly off the goalkeeper’s right foot for Piquionne to bundle into the net.

Birmingham looked bewildered and a lack of concentration resulted in them quickly slipping further behind amid wild celebrations on the south coast.

Another clever ball from O’Hara set Piquionne racing through, and the striker turned Johnson inside out before slotting under Hart to the delight of the home supporters.

The visitors really should have set up a tense finale when a close-range header from Ridgewell trickled fractionally over the line before being scrambled clear by James.

But the officials decided the whole ball had not crossed the line and Portsmouth held on in the closing minutes to secure another trip to Wembley in a truly memorable season.

Birmingham will not have to long to wait for a chance of revenge though – the teams meet again at Fratton Park in the Premier League on Tuesday.

Portsmouth manager Avram Grant saluted the pride and determination of his players after Pompey beat Birmingham to reach the FA Cup semi-finals.

The club have had four owners this season, are in administration and facing a winding-up order from Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs.

But two goals from Frederic Piquionne secured a 2-0 win and a return to Wembley for the 2008 FA Cup winners.

“You can break many things but you cannot break our spirit,” said Grant.

“The spirit of the players and fans was high. Other people maybe thought we would break but nobody can break our spirit.

“I’m very proud, when you see players of the age of Hermann Hreidarsson and David James giving their heart for the team. It’s important for the spirit of football.”

Grant, who completed a lap of honour after the final whistle at a jubilant Fratton Park, also insisted taking the Premier League’s bottom club to Wembley was as satisfying as reaching the Champions League final with Chelsea.

“There are some moments in your life you always remember and this is one of them,” he stated.

“I was in the Champions League final and was happy, this is the same.”

Birmingham can count themselves considerably unlucky that a late effort from Liam Ridgewell was disallowed.

The defender rose to head at goal from close range and although Portsmouth keeper James clawed the ball clear, TV replays showed it had just crossed the line.

“We should have had a lifeline with a perfectly legitimate goal but unfortunately it wasn’t to be,” said Birmingham manager Alex McLeish.

“It would have given us a lifeline and I wouldn’t bet against my team coming back if we got that goal. They’ve done that this season.

“You would expect an official at this level to see that. They do the fitness tests and part of that is the vision side of things. It’s a shame the guy missed that, I’m sure he will be hurting about it.

“I don’t see how he could be obscured because he was over the line. Nobody was over the line so he should have been on that corner flag. James actually landed and caught it behind the line.”

The incident came shortly after Fifa announced they would not be pursuing goal-line technology.

“My stance has always been that they should,” added McLeish.

“That is a frustrating decision by Fifa because I think they are doing their officials a disservice.

“It’s not easy for their guys to see it in a split second. We feel he should have seen that but in a split second, you see offside decisions (given).

“I know you can’t stop every part of the game but certainly for key decisions in a major competition like the FA Cup, your chances of getting to semi-finals and finals are few and far between for a little club like us.”

Portsmouth boss Avram Grant has remained non-committal over his future at Fratton Park as he waits to see what happens to the crisis-hit club.

Last month Portsmouth became the first Premier League club in history to enter administration after racking up debts of “60-70m”.

“We don’t know what will happen,” said Grant, who was appointed in November.

“We don’t know who the owner will be or what will happen with administration,” added the 54-year-old Grant.

“First, I want to see what happens with the club.”

Portsmouth, who play Birmingham City in an FA Cup quarter-final on Saturday, are expected to be deducted nine points for going into administration.

The Premier League has delayed confirming the points deduction after Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs challenged the legality of the club’s move into voluntary administration.

“On the football side, maybe I could have left in January,” said Grant, referring to his unhappiness over when players were transferred without his knowledge during the January window.

“I stayed and I’m very happy with the fans and the players. These people deserve more.”

Grant returned to Portsmouth in October as the club’s director of football, before replacing Paul Hart as manager the following month.

The Israeli was technical director at Fratton Park from June 2006 to July 2007, before leaving to become director of football at Chelsea.

He subsequently succeeded Jose Mourinho as manager at Stamford Bridge leading the team to the Champions League final before being sacked in May 2008.

Despite’s Portsmouth’s financial problems, administrator Andrew Andronikou is confident Pompey will survive as he evaluates bids from 12 parties who are interested in buying the club.

“There is no timescale. We are not rushing. We want to do it properly. We need a measured approach,” said Andronikou.

“It’s about putting the club in the hands of someone who is going to look after it and make sure it’s in a good position in three, six, nine months’ time.”

Premier League footballer Steven Pienaar has been banned from driving for 12 months after pleading guilty to drinking and driving.

The Everton midfielder was pulled over by Merseyside Police in the early hours of 21 February – the day after the club’s 3-1 win over Manchester United.

The South Africa player was found to be nearly twice the legal limit when breath-tested by officers in Liverpool.

Pienaar, 27, was fined 1,000 by Liverpool magistrates.

He was also ordered to pay a further 100 fine for failing to comply with a traffic signal.

The case was originally listed to appear at Liverpool Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday.

Driving course

But Pienaar’s decision to plead guilty meant he was dealt with on Monday, a court official said.

The South Africa international was pulled over hours after Everton’s Premier League victory at Goodison Park.

Merseyside Police found he had 61 micrograms of alcohol per 100ml of breath. The legal limit is 35 micrograms.

His year-long driving disqualification could be reduced by three months if he completes a course before 7 October.

Pienaar was also ordered to pay 100 in costs.

He was brought to Goodison Park on loan in the summer of 2007 and signed for 2.05m when he permanently left his former club, Borussia Dortmund in April 2008.

Everton FC declined to comment.

Everton midfielder Mikel Arteta says he was delighted see the Toffees return to form following their 5-1 win over Hull City on Sunday.

“We played some terrific football today,” Arteta told BBC Radio Merseyside after securing the Blues’ sixth successive league win at home.

“We wanted to get back from both defeats last week and we have. We scored a few goals and I’m delighted.

“I’ve been out for a long time and I was expected to score a few goals.”

Everton sit in eighth place and have now closed the gap on the Europa League places.

The Spaniard praised defender John Heitinga who played along side him in midfield during the victory over the Tigers at Goodison Park.

“I had more freedom today to go forward as we were playing Johnny behind me. So the manager wanted me to go forward and play closer to the strikers and have more chances and influence in attack,” he said.

“I tried to do that and I scored a few, created a few chances for the lads and we scored a few goals.

“He [Heitinga] is comfortable on the ball and he can hit long passes as well and he is defensively really comfortable. That gives me Steven Pienaar and Jack Rodwell when he came on me freedom to run up and get forward.”

The midfielder, who only returned to action last month following a cruciate ligament injury, was also pleased defender Phil Jagielka started his first game of the season following a similar knee problem.

“I’m so happy for Jags to get back into the team. I think he played really well after being out for so long with injuries.”

Everton boss David Moyes has resigned himself to United States star Landon Donovan returning to LA Galaxy after Saturday’s game against Birmingham.

The 27-year-old forward has been on loan at Everton for 10 weeks, but is set to return to America on 15 March.

“We’d like him to stay but it looks like he’s going back,” said Moyes.

“We respect that and don’t have a problem with it. I think we and Landon would be keen but he is here for the Birmingham game next week.”

Donovan has impressed in his short time at Goodison Park, which has coincided in an upturn in fortunes for the Toffees, who have moved up into eighth place in the Premier League table.

“Maybe there is a bit of time to see if anything can be done but, if not, you could see what the supporters thought of him,” said Moyes, following Everton’s 5-1 home win over Hull, with Donovan scoring one of the goals.

Asked whether his appearance off the bench could be his last appearance at Goodison Park, Donovon told BBC Sport: “It could be – we’ll know definitively this week but if it was, it was a nice send-off.

“It is out of my hands, it’s up to the people here and at the Galaxy. – If it works out I’d love to stay, if not it’s been a great ride and I’ll be happy to go back as well.

“I’ve really enjoyed it here if there’s a chance and they want me back here (in the future), I would jump at it.

“I couldn’t have imagined it would go as well when I started, I give a lot of credit to the manager for believing in me and giving me chances and I hope that I’ve given a lot to the club as well.”

On Friday Galaxy coach Bruce Arena responded to reports linking the forward with an extended stay at Goodison Park by saying his club was “not interested”.

Arena said: “Landon will be back here on 15 March, as we have said all along.”

The only hope for Everton appeared to be if the Major League season was delayed, with the start of the season in jeopardy if no labour agreement can be reached during current ongoing talks between League officials and the players’ union.

In that event, Arena conceded: “If we didn’t have a league going on we would certainly entertain the idea of allowing Landon to stay there.”

LA Galaxy’s first match of the season is on 27 March.

Chelsea captain John Terry says his goal celebration in Sunday’s FA Cup victory over Stoke was a tribute to Blues fans for their support.

Terry has endured a turbulent few weeks following allegations about his private life and lost the England captaincy.

After heading Chelsea’s second goal in a 2-0 quarter-final win, he celebrated by pointing to his captain’s armband.

“The armband means a lot. Chelsea have been supportive. We wanted to show the fans what it meant to us,” said Terry.

Terry was booed throughout Sunday’s tie at Stamford Bridge by the visiting Stoke supporters, who lambasted the 29-year-old over his alleged affair with Vanessa Perroncel, the ex-girlfriend of former Chelsea team-mate and current Manchester City defender Wayne Bridge.

Terry, who was stripped of the England captaincy by national coach Fabio Capello last month after the allegations came to light, was also barracked by a small minority of home fans during the international friendly win over Egypt at Wembley on Wednesday.

When questioned about the verbal abuse aimed at Terry, Chelsea assistant coach Ray Wilkins replied: “John’s dealing with the situation in the only way he can – committing himself to the cause.

“He’s an exceptional captain and we’re delighted to have him on board. He leads these players on the pitch in fantastic fashion.

“He was taking a bit too much stick from the Stoke fans and wanted to demonstrate that.”

Stoke manager Tony Pulis defended the Potters fans over their treatment of Terry and suggested the defender could win fans over at the World Cup in South Africa this summer.

“Our fans are brilliant, different class,” stated Pulis. “John will have to accept he’ll take stick.

“He took stick from England supporters the other night but if he does well in the World Cup and wins it, he’ll come back a hero.”

Terry’s form has undoubtedly dipped during the fall-out from the recent newspaper revelations, but his performance against Stoke – capped by his powerful 67th-minute header – represented a marked improvement.

The Blues grew in stature and confidence throughout the match to record a deserved victory over a powerful Stoke side to set up a semi-final clash with Aston Villa.

The win was Chelsea’s first in three matches following a 2-1 defeat by Inter Milan in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie on 24 February and the 4-2 Premier League home loss to Manchester City three days later.

“I thought we played well and bounced back from last week,” added Terry. “We had a couple of days to work on their set-plays but they can play as well.”

Despite seeing Stoke exit the FA Cup, Pulis was proud of his side and their achievements in the competition this season.

“The players were first class,” he said. “We gave everything and had a right go.

“We’ve knocked Arsenal and Man City out so to pull Chelsea out of the hat at Stamford Bridge was a difficult tie.”

John Terry will grab the headlines for all the right reasons after scoring Chelsea’s second goal to help them sink Stoke and reach the FA Cup semi-finals.

The home skipper has been the subject of a host of allegations about his private life of late, but headed in a Frank Lampard corner to seal the win.

Lampard himself opened the scoring when his 20-yard drive was deflected in.

Stoke rarely threatened, and only then from set pieces, as holders Chelsea set up a last-four clash with Aston Villa.

And it was perhaps fitting that Terry – so revered by the Chelsea supporters – should have grabbed the hosts’ all important second goal as the 29-year-old ended another difficult week on a high.

The centre-half has undoubtedly been off colour in recent weeks during the fallout of the newspaper revelations, but this was a determined return to his best from the Chelsea captain, both in defence and attack.

And while he may have been barracked by a small section of England fans during the midweek friendly defeat of Egypt, there is no doubting the regard he is held in by the Stamford Bridge faithful.

There is little argument that recent weeks have seen Chelsea endure the most difficult period of their season so far.

The Terry saga has been well documented, injuries to Petr Cech and Ashley Cole, among others, have uncovered something of a soft centre to their squad, and consecutive defeats to Inter Milan and Manchester City have all seen their campaign stutter of late.

But this might prove something of a turning point for the Londoners following a performance that saw them grow in stature and confidence the longer the game went on.

This was always likely to be a match-up of Chelsea’s guile and Stoke’s physicality – and so it proved.

Cech’s absence has meant a run in the Blues goal for Hilario, but the Portuguese keeper is simply not in the Czech’s class and he looked vulnerable throughout against the visitors’ barrage at set pieces.

As early as the fifth minute Stoke could have made the most of a Rory Delap throw, Mamady Sidibe flicking over from Robert Huth’s header, before the same player forced a good close-range block from Alex.

Neither came as close as Whitehead, though, who latched on to a tame Hilario punch clear to lash goalwards, forcing Jon Obi Mikel into a fine clearance on the line.

However, that was about as close to a goal as Stoke came to a goal, although Ricardo Fuller forced a smart stop from Hilario in injury time with the game all but done and dusted.

In between, Chelsea were in complete control.

Nicolas Anelka should have opened the scoring when he forced an error from Whitehead on the edge of the area only to lash wide of the far post.

But five minutes later, the hosts were ahead. A Florent Malouda corner caused problems in the Stoke defence, Terry laid it back to Lampard and the England midfielder lashed in from 20 yards via a deflection off Abdoulaye Faye.

It could have been 2-0 before the break but Stoke keeper Thomas Sorensen got down well to keep out Didier Drogba’s volley, while the visitors then had Andy Wilkinson to thank for two fantastic blocks in quick succession, from an Anelka header and then an Alex header.

Chelsea’s deserved second was not too long in coming, though, with Terry muscling his way among the Stoke defence to head in Lampard’s corner.

Only a string of saves from Sorensen kept the score down thereafter, Lampard denied from range and Salomon Kalou and Anelka both stinging the Stoke keeper’s palms from inside the area.

As it was those misses did not prove crucial and Chelsea, clear favourites to win the tournament for a sixth time now, eased their way into the last four for the fourth time in the last five years

Stoke, on the other hand, will turn their attention back to the Premier League as their wait to reach a first FA Cup final goes on.

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Chelsea assistant coach Ray Wilkins:
“(The barracking from away supporters) is happening and John’s just getting on with the situation.

“I’m not too happy about it, but there’s nothing I can do. He’s dealing with the situation in the only way he can – committing himself to the cause, and that was another superb performance from him.

“He’s an exceptional captain and we’re delighted to have him on board. He leads these players on the pitch in fantastic fashion and scored a great second goal.”

Stoke manager Tony Pulis:
“Our fans are brilliant, different class. John will have to accept he’ll take stick. He took stick from England supporters the other night.

“If John does well in the World Cup and wins it, he’ll come back a hero.

“As for the game, we’ve knocked Arsenal and Man City out of the FA Cup and to pull Chelsea out of the hat at Stamford Bridge was a difficult tie.

“The players were first class, though, we gave everything and had a right go.”

Chelsea midfielder Joe Cole still has a future at Stamford Bridge, says assistant coach Ray Wilkins.

Cole has failed to start regularly since his return from injury and his contract is due to expire this summer.

Talks to extend his deal have stalled prompting rumours of Cole’s departure but Wilkins is hopeful that the 28-year-old will stay at the club.

“We sincerely hope he will be here next season,” Wilkins said. “I am sure he and the club will sort it out.”

Cole and his representatives are thought to have infuriated Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich with their hard-line stance over wages during contract negotiations.

The midfielder, who has scored once since his return from a serious knee injury in September, is understood to be chasing wages in excess of 100,000 a week.

But Wilkins said he had spoken to former West Ham player Cole numerous times and said he was “upbeat” about his future at the club he joined in 2003.

“He loves Chelsea,” he added. “He wants to stay at Chelsea and I am sure that the club and his people will sort the situation out.

“We are desperate to keep Joe. I know the club are and we as a management group feel the same.

“He is a very valuable asset to us. It is a contractual situation that he and the club I am sure will sort out at a later stage.”

Wilkins dismissed suggestions that contract wrangles were affecting Cole’s form, insisting that he was returning from a 10-month lay-off and adding that the player is still in contention for a call-up to England’s World Cup squad.

“He was outstanding in the Carling Cup against Queens Park Rangers and then you find, when you have had a long lay off, that your form does drop.

“Joe has just had a dip in form. He has shown in certain games, when he has played, a lot more of that good form.

“He has got to get a little bit more consistency back and then there will not be a problem with him.

“I think he will give England something slightly different. He can play on both sides of the pitch and in different formations so Joe has a very good chance of being selected for England.”

Chelsea face Stoke on Sunday in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup and Wilkins says the holders still see the competition as a major target.

“The FA Cup is massive,” said Wilkins. “Thinking back to last May and the joy we experienced in the dressing room at Wembley. These guys play this game to win trophies and we want to win the trophy badly.”

Liverpool’s hopes of qualifying for the Champions League suffered a major setback as struggling Wigan punished an insipid display by Rafa Benitez’s side.

The visitors’ out-of-sorts display was summed up by four misses from Fernando Torres, who hit the post early on.

A Dirk Kuyt mistake led to Wigan’s goal, with Emmerson Boyce then crossing and Hugo Rodallega volleying home.

Charles N’Zogbia almost added a second for Wigan when he broke clear and the home team held on for a deserved win.

N’Zogbia, Rodallega and James McCarthy were outstanding for Roberto Martinez’s side as Wigan troubled Liverpool with their pace and no shortage of skill.

Not for the first time this season, Liverpool were well below par and five yellow cards, including bookings for Torres and Steven Gerrard late on, summed up a miserable Monday for the Merseysiders.

They remain just a point behind Tottenham and Manchester City in the race for the top four, but have played 29 games to Spurs’ 28 and City’s 27, while Aston Villa in seventh are three points behind with three games in hand.

But while Benitez’s side need to find form fast as they embark on a run in that includes a trip to Manchester United and an Anfield meeting with Chelsea, Wigan can approach the final games with renewed confidence.

The Latics had won just once in the league in 2010 to fall to within a point of the relegation zone, yet victory saw them climb to 14th with two of their next three games against fellow strugglers Bolton and Burnley.

As both teams came to grips with Wigan’s relaid pitch it was Liverpool who started the brighter, their initial attacking strategy to bypass midfield with both Jamie Carragher and Gerrard launching passes to try and release Torres.

That initial spurt of pressure saw Liverpool win a corner with Maxi Rodriguez heading the ball to Torres, but the Spanish striker’s volley struck the post.

Having survived that scare, Wigan started to give Liverpool a few things to worry about.

Chief pest to the Liverpool defence was N’Zogbia, who after almost releasing Rodallega with a clever reverse pass, flashed a couple of dangerous crosses across the Liverpool defence.

Symptomatic of Wigan’s growing dominance were the yellow cards dished out to Emiliano Insua, Lucas and Sotirios Kyrgiakos.

Openings for Liverpool were proving rarer to spot, though Yossi Benayoun’s trickery saw him break clear and tee up Gerrard, who was unable to get his shot on target after his initial effort was blocked by Paul Scharner.

Gerrard and Lucas had been guilty of giving the ball away and the next Liverpool player to do so was Kuyt, an error that led to Wigan’s opener.

Boyce pounced on Kuyt’s mistake and with the outside of his right foot curled in a cross that Rodallega cleverly touched past Pepe Reina.

Just before the break, Torres glimpsed a sight of goal, but under pressure from Gary Caldwell steered his header over the bar.

That chance was created by Rodriguez and soon after the interval the two former Atletico Madrid team-mates were at it again, with the same result – Torres putting the ball over the bar, this time with a shot.

Soon afterwards Benitez introduced Glen Johnson for Lucas, as the England full-back returned to action for the first time since late December.

Rejigged, but not revived, and almost immediately Liverpool suffered another scare when Marcelo Moreno blocked Carragher’s clearance and with the ball looping towards the goal Kyrgiakos had to head away from under the bar.

Liverpool might have dominated possession in the second half but Wigan always threatened on the counterattack with N’Zogbia scampering clear and wriggling a shot past Reina, who was relieved when Scharner was unable to force the ball home at the far post.

With a quarter of an hour to go Torres missed his fourth reasonable chance, volleying narrowly wide after Kuyt headed the ball back to him following Insua’s cross, one of the rare fluid pieces of Liverpool play.

Torres’s night of frustration etched up a notch when he was booked for a poor tackle on Boyce, with Gerrard becoming the fifth Liverpool to be yellow carded for an equally poor challenge on McCarthy.

Rafael Benitez pulled no punches in assessing his side’s poor display after the 1-0 defeat by Wigan, accusing his team of lacking attitude and character.

“I’m really disappointed,” a sombre Liverpool manager told BBC Sport.

“In the first half we didn’t do anything and didn’t show the attitude required. It’s difficult to explain.

“At half-time we talked about the things we weren’t doing well – the attitude and the character. We made too many mistakes and played too quickly.”

A ninth Premier League defeat in 29 matches leaves Liverpool with an uphill struggle to qualify for the Champions League, with Benitez’s side a point behind fourth-placed Tottenham, who have a game in hand.

Just above Liverpool are Manchester City, who have the same number of points as Spurs, but have played one game less than the London side, while Aston Villa are in seventh, with 45 points from 26 games.

Hugo Rodallega’s 35th-minute winner came from a mistake by Dirk Kuyt, a point that was picked up on by Benitez, who has frequently promised during the season that Liverpool will qualify for the Champions League.

“We didn’t deserve anything in the first half,” conceded Benitez, who, perhaps with Thursday’s Europa League match against Lille in mind, broke from his usual approach of defending his team following a poor performance.

“In the second half we worked harder but Wigan defended really well.”

Late in the game, television pictures seemed to capture captain Steven Gerrard flashing what looked like a V-sign at referee Andre Marriner after the midfielder was booked but both Benitez and club officials have played it down.

“I don’t know, I was too far away,” was the Liverpool manager’s response.

While Benitez reflected on another painful defeat for Liverpool, Wigan boss Roberto Martinez savoured his side’s first win since 16 January.

“We were worthy winners and that speaks volumes about the character of the players,” said Martinez, whose side moved four points clear of the relegation zone after the victory.

“We have had a few painful lessons and thrown away 19 points and had we even kept half of them we would be in a completely different situation.

“We are a young squad but the way we beat Liverpool and Chelsea a few months ago shows the potential they have,” added the Spaniard, referring to Wigan’s 3-1 victory over Carlo Ancelotti’s side in September.

“We must make sure that we finish the season as strongly as we can do.

“It was pleasing to be able to perform the way we did but the application, concentration and desire to keep Liverpool as quiet as we did is a huge compliment to the players.

“We have got five huge games left at home – it is important the players understand the magnitude of this performance. This standard is something we need to show week in, week out.”

Champions League last 16 second leg
Venue: Old Trafford Date: Wednesday 10 March Kick-off: 1945 GMT Coverage: Listen on BBC Radio 5 live and BBC Sport website; text commentary on BBC Sport website and mobile phones. Also live on Sky Sports 2

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David Beckham insists he will not show any nerves when he faces Manchester United at Old Trafford for the first time with AC Milan on Wednesday night.

The midfielder will line up against his former club in the Champions League last 16 second leg tie, with Milan needing to overturn a 3-2 deficit.

But the 34-year-old, still revered by United fans, said: “I’m not nervous.

“Coming back to Manchester as a Milan player is exciting. It will be a tough game for us but nothing is impossible.”

The match will see Beckham line up as part of the opposition at Old Trafford for the first time since he left United for Real Madrid in 2003.

He faces a United side boosted by the return to fitness of Wayne Rooney – who scored twice in the first leg – but that will be without Wes Brown, Ryan Giggs and Michael Carrick through injury and suspension.

Still, despite receiving a hero’s welcome on his arrival at Manchester airport on Tuesday, Beckham is not guaranteed a start – and United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed he is struggling to predict Milan’s team as a result.

“I am finding it difficult to pick their team, I don’t know whether Beckham will start,” said the Scot.

“I have not got that down in my conclusions about their team. He has not started a game since the first leg, so it is difficult to say what impact he will have on the game.

“But he will be there and the one thing you have to be aware of is his delivery of the ball, which is fantastic. That is the threat. There are a lot of threats in their team of course, but we are well aware of David’s.”

Asked whether Beckham had a chance of starting, Milan coach Leonardo skirted round the issue.

“For Beckham, it is obviously something special to have the opportunity to play against Manchester United given his history at the club,” he said.

“When we saw the draw we knew it would be an unbelievable situation for him. But knowing David, and his attitude, I am sure he can cope.”

Whether he starts or not, though, Beckham admits this is the first time he has ever wanted the club he supported as a boy to lose.

“I will always be a Manchester fan and this is perhaps the first time in my life that I want them to lose,” he told the AC Milan website. “I’ll meet up with many friends and all the people who supported me for many years on the night.

“I played in that stadium for many years and I know what it means to be a Manchester United player.

“But I also know what it means for opponents to play there. It is always difficult to win, especially 2-0. We know we’ll have to go for it, play good passes and create many moves, we have many players who can score. We are aware of the fact that it will be a very difficult match, but nothing’s impossible.

“Milan have a lot of experience in Europe, they’re one of the best clubs in the world.”

If selected, Beckham could once again line up against former team-mate and long-term friend Paul Scholes, who believes the return to Old Trafford of the ex-England skipper will ensure a cracking atmosphere.

“United fans still love him for what he did for this club and he will get a fantastic ovation,” said Scholes, who made the United first-team alongside Beckham in the 1990s.

“He will need to be watched though. If you give him time and room on the ball there is no doubt he will pick players out. From free kicks as well, his delivery is as great as ever.”

Milan, though, will have to create history if they are to reach the quarter-finals – Manchester United have never been eliminated in Europe after winning an away first leg.

Still, Milan president Silvio Berlusconi remains defiant, saying: “We don’t fear any team in the world, not even Manchester United. On the contrary, it’s the others who must fear us.”

Ferguson, meanwhile, has urged supporters to keep their protests against the Glazer family’s ownership of the club away from the match.

There has been some suggestion that fans will delay their entrance into the match by 10 minutes, but Ferguson said: “They won’t do that, it is too important a game.

“Old Trafford will be rocking and I am sure whether they are wearing the traditional red and white or the protest green and gold scarves, the fans will be united and singing with one voice to get us through.”

Champions League last 16 second leg
Venue: Old Trafford Date: Wednesday 10 March Kick-off: 1945 GMT Coverage: Listen on BBC Radio 5 live and BBC Sport website; text commentary on BBC Sport website and mobile phones. Also live on Sky Sports 2

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Manchester United will be boosted by the return of Wayne Rooney from injury for Wednesday’s Champions League last 16 second leg tie against AC Milan.

The in-form England frontman sat out Saturday’s 1-0 defeat of Wolves with a knee problem but trained on Tuesday.

Wes Brown, however, misses out due to an injury sustained against Wolves, while Ryan Giggs (arm) and Michael Carrick (ban) are also unavailable.

David Beckham could start on the bench for Milan on his Old Trafford return.

The 34-year-old has not started a match since lining up in the first XI in the first leg in Milan and may have to content himself with a role as substitute again.

However, If selected, it will be the first time the former Manchester United midfielder, who was mobbed by supporters on his arrival at Manchester airport on Tuesday, has played at Old Trafford as a member of the opposition since he left for Real Madrid in 2003.

And he will almost certainly come up against Rooney, who has made a swift recovery from a recent knee problem.

“It was a worry with Rooney,” said Ferguson of his 28-goal front-man. “Looking at him last Friday I didn’t think he had any chance.

“But he has progressed and he plays and we are pleased at that because given his form at the moment I am sure that whatever match he went into he would be an absolute threat to anyone.”

Rooney’s return could mean Dimitar Berbatov drops to the bench with Ferguson favouring one man up front in recent European games.

United have never been eliminated in Europe after winning an away first leg and have reached the last two Champions League finals, beating Chelsea in 2008 and losing last year to Barcelona.

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Man Utd (from): Van der Sar, Kuszczak, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evans, Rafael, Evra, Neville, De Laet, Park, Scholes, Obertan, Gibson, Valencia, Nani, Fletcher, Rooney, Berbatov, Diouf.

Manchester United and England defender Wes Brown faces a lay-off of four to six weeks with a broken bone in his foot suffered at Wolves on Saturday.

The 30-year-old was hurt after a challenge with Matt Jarvis and left Molineux with his foot in a protective boot before having a scan on Sunday.

“It’s just unfortunate,” United boss Sir Alex Ferguson said. “He has had a career blighted by injury.”

There had been fears the injury would rule him out of the summer’s World Cup.

But the news will be concerning for England boss Fabio Capello as Liverpool right-back Glen Johnson is only just making his way back from a knee ligament problem which has kept him out since the end of December.

England’s campaign in South Africa kicks off on 12 June against the United States.

Brown will miss Wednesday’s Champions League last-16 return leg against AC Milan and a majority of United’s end-of-season fixture programme.

However, with nine games remaining in the Premier League, as well as the ongoing Champions League campaign, Ferguson added: “We hope to get him back for some of the season.”

It is another bad injury for the right-back, who has also slotted in at centre-back, and comes just over a year after breaking a metatarsal.

Brown won his 23rd cap for England against Egypt last Wednesday and is expected to be in Capello’s squad for the World Cup.

United head to Old Trafford on the back of an impressive 3-2 win in Italy but with a growing injury list which already includes Anderson (knee), Ryan Giggs (arm) and John O’Shea (leg).

However, striker Wayne Rooney has overcome a knee problem.

Mikel Arteta scored twice as Everton reignited their quest for Europe and left Hull in the relegation zone.

The Spaniard volleyed home at the back post to open the scoring but then saw a Yakubu penalty saved by Boaz Myhill.

Teenager Tom Cairney equalised with a superb volley but Arteta slotted a fine second before an own goal from Richard Garcia made it 3-1 to the hosts.

Landon Donovan came off the bench and slammed in a fourth before Jack Rodwell completed another fine move to seal it.

All that means the Tigers are still without an away win in the league this season and well and truly failed to put down the marker demanded by manager Phil Brown.

But the day belonged to Everton, and Arteta in particular.

The goals were the Spaniard’s first since returning from injury and served as a timely reminder of his quality and importance to Everton’s cause.

The victory – a sixth in succession at home – equals a club record in the Premier League and lifts the Toffees up to eighth, four points behind Aston Villa.

The game was not as dramatic as Everton’s recent home success against Chelsea and Manchester United but it is matches against the struggling sides that David Moyes’ team must win if they are to qualify for Europe once again.

Arteta’s form will be vital in that quest.

The result, meanwhile, will surprise few, particularly with such bleak omens for Hull coming into the match.

The Tigers have not won at Goodison Park since the days of rationing in 1952, although some early promise hinted that record could finally change.

Everton’s defenders played a hopeless offside trap, leaving Garcia through on goal but his dink was slapped away by an advancing Tim Howard.

That served as a wake-up call to Moyes’ side, who surged forward and came within a whisker of taking the lead.

Leon Osman robbed George Boateng in midfield and fed Yakubu but a calm finish from the Nigerian hit the base of the post.

Hull’s defending looked slugged though, and they failed to learn lessons from the let-off.

Yakubu delivered a hanging cross from the left and Arteta volleyed home superbly at the back post, although some slack defending from Everton old boy Barmby allowed the Spaniard all the time in the world.

Yakubu failed to increase the advantage from the spot though.

A cross from Leighton Baines deflected into the area and Kamil Zayatte crudely brought down the Nigerian from behind – although the defender may have got a trace of the ball.

But Yakubu’s lazy run-up never looked convincing and Myhill pulled off a simple save low to his right.

Hull wasted little time in taking advantage, as Cairney scored an excellent first Premier League goal.

A free-kick was only half cleared and the midfielder pounced with a wonderful left-foot volley from just outside the area.

It was a goal that will live long in the memory for the 19-year-old but Hull were unable to savour the strike for long.

Victor Anichebe crossed from the right to Steven Pienaar and a clever backheel fell perfectly for Arteta to pass home from 12 yards in style.

Everything the Spaniard touched was turning to gold, and goals, and it was no surprise who inspired Everton’s third after the break.

A chipped cross looped over Myhill and Garcia, almost laughably, headed into his own net.

The hosts should really have moved further ahead when a fine pass from substitute Donovan was sidefooted over the bar by Yakubu.

But Donovan showed the striker how it should be done, wrapping up victory with a powerful drive on the angle after another teasing cross from the impressive Baines.

Rodwell put the gloss on a fine display by firing home from Donovan’s pass late on.

Hull can be grateful at least for the return from injury of Jimmy Bullard but Brown’s side are still in the relegation zone. Much will rest on a trip to basement club Portsmouth next weekend.

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Everton manager David Moyes:
“He (Arteta) did some fantastic stuff. He got into the box and he’s improving all the time.

“When he’s on form we’re a really good team.

“I was a bit worried when it went to 1-1. I thought it might be one of those days but thankfully we went on to win it.”

Hull boss Phil Brown:
“I thought we were competitive in the first half but in the second we certainly weren’t. We left our game in the changing room for whatever reason.

“Everton were good but we made them look good because we didn’t get in the face of the opposition.

“Defensively I have questioned one or two but we will dust ourselves down and get on with it. We have got 10 big games now.”

Aston Villa produced a remarkable second-half comeback as John Carew’s hat-trick eased the pain of their Carling Cup defeat to Manchester United by sealing a swift return to Wembley and an FA Cup semi-final clash against Chelsea.

Championship strugglers Reading had looked on course for another FA Cup shock as two Shane Long goals carved out a 2-0 half-time lead for the home side, who outplayed their more illustrious rivals in a superb first-half display.

But Villa responded with three goals in 10 minutes early in the second half, Ashley Young starting the fightback before Carew took over in devastating fashion.

The win ended Martin O’Neill’s bizarre statistic of never having won a game in March with Villa since he took over from David O’Leary in 2006.

O’Neill was clearly intent on breaking his mad March duck as he fielded his strongest possible side against the only non-Premier League side still in the competition.

Gabriel Agbonlahor was the only notable absentee as he recovers from a stomach virus and O’Neill must have started to have a similar uneasy feeling in the pit of his stomach as his side made an uncertain start.

Brian McDermott’s side played with the confidence earned from a cup run that has already been decorated by the Premier League scalps of Liverpool and Burnley, as well as Championship high-fliers West Bromwich Albion.

Jimmy Kebe, in particular, looked lively for the Royals and, against a side boasting one of the finest collections of wing talent in English football, the Mali wide man looked determined to steal the show.

Kebe had the ball in the net early on when he lashed home after Matt Mills’ bundled effort had finally fallen at his feet, but Dein’s whistle had already sounded for a push by Simon Church.

Stilian Pretrov lashed long range shot just too high and wide and Kebe turned defender as he headed behind to prevent the waiting Stewart Downing benefitting from a deep Milner centre.

But that was Villa’s best spell in a first half dominated by Reading, who deservedly went ahead on 27 minutes. From a Brian Howard corner, Mills rose highest to flick on for Long to escape into space and nod home from close range.

Carew looked to have swiftly replied when he swept home Milner’s chipped free-kick but the goal was ruled out for offside – although replays suggested he was not.

The momentum was clearly with Reading, and it took a vital block from Dunne to prevent Villa falling further behind when Sigurdsson started and finished a flowing Reading move involving Church and Long.

But the home side did extend their advantage minutes later as Sigurdsson carved open the Villa defence with a perfectly weighted pass and Kebe sprinted clear before cutting the ball back for Long to slide home.

O’Neill clearly needed to get to work at half-time and although he resisted any personnel changes, he sent Villa out early for the second half with a clear challenge to improve or forget about a Wembley return.

Reading knew the opening exchanges of the second half were crucial, but no-one could have predicted the devastating turnaround that was about to unfold.

Young completely changed the momentum with a goal only 82 seconds after the restart. Ryan Bertrand’s sliced clearance allowed Downing to cut the ball back towards Carlos Cuellar, and though he failed to make contact Young reacted quickest to ram home at the far post.

Seven minutes into the second half Villa produced the kind of football most had been expecting from them, Downing’s right-wing cross finding Carew for an easy headed finish past Federici.

And the clinical turnaround was complete five minutes later, Young feeding the overlapping Warnock who pulled the ball back for Carew to escape Ivar Ingimarsson and apply a measured finish.

Villa’s response meant there was a feeling of how many more they would score against a deflated Reading, but the home side responded bravely to the devastating spell.

Ingimarsson had a header nodded off the line by the alert Young and substitute Grzegorz Rasiak saw his header fumbled by Friedel before being hacked clear.

Heskey wasted the chance to put the tie beyond doubt when he was denied by Federici in a one-on-one, but Villa’s comeback was sealed in stoppage time as Carew completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot afteer he had been fouled by Ingimarsson.

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Reading boss Brian McDermott:
“If you are going to lose a game, that is how you lose it.

“We played really well in the first half and knew if we could keep it tight for 15 minutes in the second half we’d have a chance but that didn’t happen.

“But I am proud of every single one of our players and it is just a shame we couldn’t get through for our fans.”

Aston Villa manager Martin O’Neill:
“It was a great spell by us just after half-time. The team showed such great character.

“We needed to do something because we had played so meekly in the first half.

“I didn’t need to say much at half-time because we have some fine players and they knew how second best we were in the first half.”

Bolton made the most of some poor West Ham defending to clinch their first away victory since September and climb away from the Premier League drop zone.

Kevin Davies nodded Bolton ahead from Lee Chung-Yong’s cross before James Tomkins’ error let in Davies to help set up Jack Wilshere’s volleyed finish.

Bolton stayed on top until they had Tamir Cohen sent off after 70 minutes.

Alessandro Diamanti replied with a low shot before Junior Stanislas hit the bar for the Hammers in injury time.

But Davies also hit the woodwork for Bolton in what was a frantic finish and, ultimately, the visitors got their reward for a determined display.

The win was the first in the Premier League for Wanderers boss Owen Coyle, who had not enjoyed any success on the road in the top flight with Burnley before taking charge of Bolton in January.

And it was an even more unlikely success given that, going into the game, West Ham had not conceded a goal in any of their previous four home matches and Bolton had not found the net for more than seven hours on their travels.

Those statistics counted for little when Davies opened the scoring after 10 minutes, heading expertly into the bottom corner after Tomkins misjudged Lee’s cross.

Things got even worse for the Hammers, and Tomkins in particular, five minutes later when he tried to shepherd the ball out of play but allowed Davies to cross for Cohen, who teed up on-loan Wilshere to score Bolton’s second goal, his first in the Premier League.

And, while Diamanti went close to replying with two free-kicks and it took a last-gasp challenge from Sam Ricketts to deny Carlton Cole, Bolton would have been 3-0 up at the interval had Johan Elmander not skied his shot when the impressive Davies found him in space in front of goal before the break.

The Hammers did at least improve at the back in the second half, but were desperately short of ideas at the other end until Cohen saw red for his second booking, following a trip on Scott Parker.

Even then, Bolton looked like holding out until Diamanti’s expert finish late in normal time – but they were almost denied a deserved victory when substitute Stanislas smashed his shot against the woodwork with Jussi Jasskelainen beaten.

Instead, Wanderers can celebrate their second-successive victory, which sees them leapfrog West Ham and move into 13th place, five points clear of third-bottom Hull.

The Hammers are more perilously placed, only two points above the danger zone, and will need a much-improved defensive performance if they are to get anything from their next two matches – trips to Chelsea and Arsenal.

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West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola:
“We started slowly and it is very difficult to come back from going behind like that against against an experienced team like Bolton.

“The bottom line is that the points we missed today, we need to get somewhere else. It was a poor performance but our reaction will be big.”

Bolton manager Owen Coyle:
“It was a very accomplished performance. we had a nervy last five minutes after they pulled one back but we were certainly worthy winners.

“It’s the first time for a year that the club has won two games back to back which is another positive to take away.

“I’m disappointed we didn’t get a clean sheet because the lads worked hard to get that, but we have to accept it was a quality finish for their goal.”

Paul Scholes grabbed the winner to earn Manchester United a laboured win over strugglers Wolves and send his side back to the top of the Premier League.

The 35-year-old ran onto Nani’s pass in the box, turned past Christophe Berra, and slid home the winner on 73 minutes.

Scholes’s 100th Premier League goal spared the blushes of a United side clearly missing the cutting edge of the injured Wayne Rooney.

Wolves battled well but wasted several chances to put the pressure on United.

Sam Vokes wasted their best chance late on, firing over from close range, and Mick McCarthy must wonder where his side would be in the table if they could match their valiant approach play with a touch of composure in front of goal.

It meant another brave display from the hosts went unrewarded and they remain outside of the drop zone only on goal difference, while United will be hugely relieved to escape from Molineux with all three points.

They now leapfrog Chelsea at the top of the table and sit at the Premier League summit with a two-point cushion, albeit having played a game more the Blues.

This, though, was the most unconvincing of victories. But if the old adage about title-winning sides picking up victories when not at their best is true, it may well underline their title credentials.

Wolves were fined 25,000 the last time these two sides met because of McCarthy’s controversial decision to field a weakened side.

But there will be no repeat this time around following a performance full of valour, intent and no little talent from a line-up that has been unchanged in four matches.

Kevin Doyle was the star turn as he performed well against Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand – the first time United’s first-choice centre-back pairing had played together since October last year.

The Irishman had the first chance of note, dragging wide from inside the area, and was then heavily involved in a fine counter-attacking move on the half hour that ended with David Jones’s shot being charged down bravely by Michael Carrick.

Neither of those were as gilt-edged as the chance that fell to Stephen Ward, though, the midfielder rising unmarked six yards out only to head Matt Jarvis’s cross straight at United keeper Edwin van der Sar.

United, denied any room across the park by Wolves’ hassle and harry, were desperately missing Rooney, unavailable after aggravating a knee injury on England duty in midweek.

Dimitar Berbatov, up front on his own, was at times sublime but at others ineffective, while Nani, Scholes and Darron Gibson were unthreatening.

The best the visitors managed before the break was when Gibson got an out-stretched foot onto Nani’s deflected free-kick, but his effort dribbled wide.

Ferguson’s side did at least up the tempo in the second half, and Patrice Evra almost forced the opener when he burst onto Gibson’s pass, only to see his original effort blocked and the follow-up cleared by Kevin Foley.

Still, though, a lack of spark in the United ranks only added to Wolves’ confidence levels and McCarthy’s side continued to look the more likely to score.

That was until Scholes’ intervention, with the veteran midfielder’s neat finish rounding off 100 Premier League goals 16 years after his first.

After that, in truth, United could have had plenty more. Ji-Sung Park forced a good block running on to an excellent Berbatov pass, while Mame Diouf wasted two fine openings, heading a Gary Neville cross over at the back post and then dragging a shot wide on the counter-attack.

However, there was still time for a twist in the tale and Vokes almost provided it in injury time.

The substitute looked odds-on to score and snatch what would have been a vital point for the hosts when Ronald Zubar’s prodded pass fell to him unmarked eight yards out with the goal gaping, but he somehow contrived to sweep the ball over the bar and leave McCarthy with his head in his hands.

It means Wolves, with only four home games to come from their remaining 10 matches, have it all to do to retain their Premier League status this season.

But United continue their charge for a fourth straight title, even if, on this evidence, they must be eagerly awaiting Rooney’s return from injury.

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Wolves manager Mick McCarthy
“We played well but I’m sick of saying that. If we maintain those standards, I firmly believe our luck will change.

“Sam (Vokes) would expect to score that chance at the end, but it’s the story of our season. There was a mistake at one end and a miss at the other.

“But we’ll never give up, as long as there is breath in our bodies.”

Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson:
“We deserved the win, no question. They had an outstanding chance at the end but the lad didn’t take it.

“Our form is good and we’re managing without some players, which is important at this time of year.

“And we have players coming back – that was the first time that back four has played together for a year and a half.”

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson fears that Wayne Rooney could miss the Champions League second-leg match with AC Milan on Wednesday.

The striker was unavailable for United’s 1-0 win over Wolves at Molineux after aggravating a knee injury playing for England in midweek.

“He’s a doubt for Wednesday, which is a bigger problem for us,” said Ferguson.

“It wasn’t looking good when he got back on Thursday – his knee was swollen,” added the United boss.

United coped without Rooney in the win at Molineux, with Paul Scholes scoring the solitary goal in a hard-fought win that took the Red Devils to the top of the Premier League table.

United are already without striker Michael Owen, who has been ruled out for the rest of the season with a hamstring injury.

The 24-year-old Rooney had been struggling with the knee problem before last weekend’s Carling Cup final but still played in England’s win over Egypt on Wednesday at Wembley, much to Ferguson’s chagrin.

“I don’t think he should have played on Wednesday,” said Ferguson.

“It is his own enthusiasm that has caused it. His problem is that he can’t say no.”

“He told us on Sunday he was feeling his knee. Then all of a sudden people put an arm around his shoulder with England and he wants to play.

“[England boss] Fabio Capello has to pick his best team. A win was important so I don’t blame him at all.

“I was more disappointed with Wayne. Why didn’t he come off? I can’t believe it.”

Rooney was a substitute in United’s 2-1 Carling Cup win over Aston Villa, but came on after Owen pulled up with the hamstring injury and scored the winning goal.

Rooney admitted to a knee problem after the match but still played 86 minutes in England’s 3-1 victory over Egypt on a Wembley pitch which has drawn widespread criticism over the last week.

The turf was seen to cut up last Sunday leading to Ferguson partly blaming it for Owen’s hamstring injury.

Rooney has been a key figure for United this season, scoring 27 goals this season, including two in United’s 3-2 first-leg win in Italy, while he leads the Premier League scoring charts with 23 goals.

“It is hard to quell the enthusiasm of people like Wayne,” Ferguson added.

“He is restless. He can’t sit down. He is always on the move. Even in hotels he is moving from one table to another. If we are away in Europe he is walking about all the time.

“You don’t want to take away from him but age does some good things for you.

“Eventually you see you can’t be doing this running about all the time. You have to take a rest sometimes.”

Manchester United striker Michael Owen will not play again this season after pulling his hamstring in the 2-1 Carling Cup final win over Aston Villa.

The 30-year-old, who scored United’s equaliser at Wembley, pulled up while chasing a pass in the first half.

The injury all but ends Owen’s hopes of playing for England at the World Cup.

“It is more serious than we thought. I think the heavy pitch at Wembley played some part, but it’s also bad luck,” said United manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

Owen, who will have one year remaining on his two-year contract at Old Trafford at the end of this season, was initially expected to be out for only a few weeks, but will now undergo surgery on Monday.

He said: “I have loved every minute of my first campaign with Manchester United and have already enjoyed some memorable moments.

“I am determined to come back at the start of next season in peak condition.”

Owen, who has scored 40 goals in 89 games for England, admitted in February that he was not expecting to be included in coach Fabio Capello’s 23-man World Cup squad for South Africa.

He last played for the national side in March 2008 in a 1-0 friendly defeat by France, but has not featured in a squad since.

“It’s been a long time since I was in the England squad. You never give up but it’s probably a long shot in racing terms,” Owen told BBC Sport last month.

And that call seems even less likely now, considering Capello said he would only recall Owen if he was playing regularly for United.

Owen, who has struggled with groin, ankle, thigh, hernia, metatarsal and knee ligament injuries in the past, had not missed a training session this season following his surprise move to Old Trafford on a reported pay-as-you-play deal in the summer.

But the 2001 European footballer of the year found starting chances limited, with 20 of his 31 appearances this season coming as substitute.

However, he has scored nine goals in all competitions, including a hat-trick in the Champions League win against Wolfsburg and an injury-time winner in September’s Manchester derby before Sunday’s equaliser in the Carling Cup final.