News Headlines

Defensive puzzle for Mancini

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini admits he has no idea what his best defensive line-up is.

Thatcher, Murdoch, Hillsborough and beyond: What the 1980s did to Britain

The values of 80s Britain, which once reigned supreme, now seem utterly discredited. Are we finally waking up to what that decade did to us? In 2006, the year before the financial crisis started, BBC2 broadcast a luxurious adaptation of The Line of Beauty , Alan Hollinghurst's heady novel about...

Allardyce hails Nolan impact

West Ham boss Sam Allardyce believes the signing of Kevin Nolan is the most important deal he has made as a manager.

Di Matteo backing for Torres

Chelsea manager Roberto Di Matteo has once again leapt to the defence of misfiring striker Fernando Torres.

Fergie anxious to limit gap

Sir Alex Ferguson is determined not to allow Chelsea to open up a gap on his Manchester United team.

Football news in brief

• Sunderland sign free agent James McFadden • Celtic will sack racist players, says Neil Lennon Sunderland James McFadden has completed a move to Sunderland . Martin O'Neill had hinted on Thursday that the 29-year-old would sign and the club have confirmed that the former Scotland...

Mancini: adapt to tactics or get out

• Manchester City manager defends three-at-the-back tactic • 'At the moment we do not have a best defence' Roberto Mancini, under pressure from critics inside his own club and facing almost certain elimination from the Champions League, insisted there is no future for those Manchester...

Legal dispute colours Villa-Norwich match

• Aston Villa manager not expecting visiting fans to applaud him • 'I've got nothing to be ashamed of. I've got nothing to hide' Paul Lambert has strongly suggested that he will not shake the hand of the Norwich chairman, Alan Bowkett, should their paths cross on Saturday afternoon...

Fernando Torres still testing strength of Chelsea's protective cordon

Striker insists he is a better player but only goals can repay the support shown by everyone at Stamford Bridge Fernando Torres's Chelsea career is the pub debate that never stops. The critics always believe that they boast the loudest and decisive word when they highlight his scoring record since...