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David Beckham showed class off the pitch too after Windsor loss

Fri, 17 May 2013 03:20:01 GMT

September 7, 2005. The word had gone out. No England players were giving interviews.

Rafa Benitez is leaving a good team for the incoming Mourinho

Thu, 16 May 2013 08:56:32 GMT

Rafa did it then. Last night he achieved something that past and soon to be present Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has yet to experience.

Chelsea will be special for as long as Roman Abramovich stays

Wed, 15 May 2013 03:20:02 GMT

Even by increasingly crazy Chelsea standards, this season has surely been the most turbulent, bizarre and bewildering of recent times at Stamford Bridge.

Sir Alex Ferguson: a salute to the departing king of English football

Fri, 10 May 2013 07:00:00 GMT

Fergie time. It's over. No turning back on this occasion. Sir Alex Ferguson is departing the stage he has strutted for 27 years.

Liverpool must take their medicine over Suarez and ensure this is the last time

Fri, 26 Apr 2013 07:00:00 GMT

Ten games for Red Seven then. Liverpool may say it's too harsh a suspension for Luis Alberto Suarez Diaz, but for once the Football Association got it right when disciplining a player.

Rodgers cool as Benitez touts for Liverpool job

Fri, 12 Apr 2013 07:00:00 GMT

Brendan Rodgers played more hurling than cricket as a kid growing up in Carnlough but having to deal with a hostile delivery from Rafael Benitez, the Liverpool manager smashed it out of the park.

We've not seen the last of Martin O'Neill

Tue, 02 Apr 2013 07:00:00 GMT

On Saturday I wrote about Martin O'Neill's future as Sunderland manager. The piece ended with the words: "Martin needs to prove he still has the midas touch to save Sunderland's season – and probably his job."

O'Neill not the problem with Northern Ireland - but he could do more

Fri, 29 Mar 2013 08:00:00 GMT

It just goes to show you how brilliant David Healy was for Northern Ireland in his pomp. He would rock up at Windsor Park and smash home a blinding goal or two or three, inspiring the team to a famous victory.

Defeat leaves Northern Ireland fighting for fourth place

Thu, 28 Mar 2013 08:00:00 GMT

Another dismal night at Windsor Park. Is there no end to this misery? On the evidence of last night sadly not. It is so depressing.

IFA silence amid avalanche of criticism is snow joke

Tue, 26 Mar 2013 08:00:00 GMT

It was a bleak weekend in Northern Ireland. The weather was horrendous, the electricity was off leaving thousands without power or heat, roads were blocked meaning cars were abandoned by fearful drivers and rescue teams faced snow drifts of almost 20ft trying to check on the well being of those isolated in rural areas.

Time for Michael O'Neill to be a winner at last

Fri, 22 Mar 2013 08:00:00 GMT

On the day this newspaper broke the news that Michael O'Neill was going to be the new Northern Ireland manager, I received a call from a well known former international.

How on earth could Roy Keane believe that the referee was right to send Nani off?

Thu, 07 Mar 2013 08:34:46 GMT

Sensational wasn't it? You couldn't take your eyes off the fascinating events unfolding at Old Trafford. And that was just Roy Keane!

Wenger must tell Arsenal fans that he's quitting at end of season

Thu, 21 Feb 2013 08:00:00 GMT

Maybe it would be best to make the announcement sooner rather than later. Ease the pain for all concerned, because it's almost unbearable now.

Michael O'Neill facing a crucial double

Sat, 09 Feb 2013 14:17:21 GMT

It was a poor result in Malta. A draw was not what was required or expected as Northern Ireland continued their long, depressing, winless run.

Same old shot-shy story from Northern Ireland

Fri, 08 Feb 2013 09:14:57 GMT

Another dismal result for Northern Ireland. Eight games in and Michael O'Neill is still searching for that first victory as an international manager.

Malcolm Brodie: full of fun and simply the greatest and the most generous of them all

Fri, 01 Feb 2013 07:00:52 GMT

It was a cold wet night and we were driving along an autobahn in Germany back to our base in Frankfurt.

Steven Beacom: Liverpool FA Cup flops shocked by dose of reality

Wed, 30 Jan 2013 07:00:32 GMT

They are calling it the weekend when, at last, the magic of the FA Cup returned. Given the performances, application, desire and stunning victories of Oldham Athletic, Luton Town, Millwall, Milton Keynes Dons and Leeds United, they have a point.

Steven Beacom: Chelsea’s lap of honour has morphed into a marathon of shame

Sat, 26 Jan 2013 07:00:31 GMT

This should have been the most enjoyable season Chelsea supporters have ever experienced.

Steven Beacom: End of the line for British clubs ...but only after some crackers

Sat, 22 Dec 2012 08:00:27 GMT

The draw for the last 16 of the Champions League is made and now Manchester United, Arsenal and Celtic know who they must defeat to move a step closer to the final at Wembley. Will it be sweet 16 for the British teams? Unlikely is the answer. Here’s my take on all the games.

Robin van Persie can drive Manchester United to title glory

Sat, 01 Dec 2012 08:00:41 GMT

Steven Beacom assesses the title race, the top four and the relegation battle with ideas on how everything will finish

Steven Beacom: Rafael Benitez given taste of what lies ahead at Chelsea

Tue, 27 Nov 2012 08:00:06 GMT

As dull as dishwater, wasn’t it? Chelsea’s match with Manchester City was given the big build-up but, let’s be frank, watching the ink dry on one of the many hand-made signs displayed at Stamford Bridge yesterday would have been more exciting.

Steven Beacom: Roman Abramovich has made Chelsea successful... and hated

Fri, 23 Nov 2012 08:00:52 GMT

Roberto Di Matteo’s reign as manager of Chelsea was never going to last. They never do at Stamford Bridge.

Steven Beacom: Northern Ireland must be more clinical in front of goal

Sat, 17 Nov 2012 08:00:31 GMT

By the time Northern Ireland next play — a friendly in February — they will have gone 18 months without a victory. Far too long.

Steven Beacom: Too little too late as Azerbaijan kill Northern Ireland's World Cup dream

Fri, 16 Nov 2012 08:00:47 GMT

More Windsor woe then. This was another night of misery. We really should be getting used to them by now, but this one was desperately hard to take.

Steven Beacom: Northern Ireland expects

Wed, 14 Nov 2012 08:00:00 GMT

The last time Northern Ireland played Azerbaijan at Windsor Park the build up to the game was dominated by the then manager Lawrie Sanchez sending Jeff Whitley and Philip Mulryne home after the pair stupidly broke a curfew.