News Headlines

The ten best play-off finals

Blackpool take on Cardiff this weekend in the all-or-nothing Championship play-off final to determine who will be playing in the Premier League next season.

Milner refuses to commit to Villa as City prepare to raise their bid

The England midfielder James Milner has given the clearest hint yet that he is ready to join Manchester City, paving the way for the club to prepare what is expected to be a bigger second offer for the Aston Villa player after their initial bid of £20m was rejected.

Grant resigns to chase chance of vindication at Upton Park

Avram Grant resigned as manager of relegated Portsmouth last night, leaving the defeated FA Cup finalists after a turbulent six months on the South Coast.

Blackpool players target £5m windfall in Championship play-off

For a bunch of players whose salaries dip to £90 a week each summer, the bonus on offer for Blackpool's players this weekend is an eye-watering prospect in itself, let alone thoughts of promotion to the Premier League and the financial bonanza that would bring.

Mourinho's sides lack style, claims rejected Robben

The former Chelsea winger Arjen Robben has added a bit of spice to the Champions League final build-up by accusing his old coach at Stamford Bridge, Jose Mourinho, of having a "win-at-all-costs" attitude to management.

Laporta refuses to pay over odds for 'Barcelona product' Fabregas

The Barcelona president Joan Laporta last night suggested Arsenal were overpricing Cesc Fabregas because he had left them for next to nothing seven years ago and has won next to nothing in the way of major honours since.

United fans' group hits out at Glazer 'spin'

The battle between the Glazer family and Manchester United activist supporters determined to oust them from Old Trafford descended to the level of personal insults yesterday, with the most prominent fans' group declaring the Americans' public relations representatives to be "about as effective as a...

Flashback: No 1. Uruguay 1930: the first World Cup

Jose Nasazzi, the captain of Uruguay, and his Yugoslavia counterpart Milutin Ivkovic are presented with flowers prior to the semi-final between the two at the Estadio Centenario in Montevideo at the inaugural World Cup in 1930.