Darlington To Host Villa

League One Doncaster have been drawn to play against Aston Villa in the fourth round of the Carling Cup. The lowest ranked club yet to be knocked out of the competition were said to be delighted at being set to play hosts to the Midlands side at the Reynolds Arena.

Meanwhile, after Chelsea were beaten by Charlton, Mark Hughes' Blackburn now have the difficult task of aiming to get a positive result against The Addicks at Charlton.

At Old Trafford Man Utd play West Brom whilst Newcastle face the wrath of the in-form Wigan at The JJB Stadium. Crystal Palace have rightfully earned a trip to The Riverside after they knocked out European Champions Liverpool last week.

Bolton face Leicester at The Reebok Stadium, and past FA Cup finalists Millwall play Birmingham at home. Finally, Championship side Reading will be making a trip down to North London to play Arsenal at Highbury.

Carling Cup Fourth Round Draw:

Bolton v Leicester

Manchester United v West Brom

Doncaster v Aston Villa

Arsenal v Reading

Wigan v Newcastle

Charlton v Blackburn

Middlesbrough v Crystal Palace

Millwall v Birmingham

Gazza Takes Over At Kettering

Paul Gasgoine has taken the over the managerial position at Kettering Town it was heard today. The 38 year old ex-England midfielder is part of a consortium that now has control of the club and will work alongside former Arsenal player Paul Davis who has been named as Coach of the Midlands club.

Kettering who currently are in fifth position in the Conference League North, have not been in the football league for over 130 years. There highest profile achievement was reaching the FA trophy final at Wembley in 1999. Gasgoine who won 57 caps for Enland said his main aim was to reach the football league with the club.

"One of my main objectives is to help the club is to help the club get into the Football League" Gasgoine stated.

The main successes of Gascoigne's international career were helping England to reach the semi-finals of the 1990 World Cup in Italy and the same stage at Euro 96 in his home country. He briefly worked as player-coach at Boston United, nevetheless, this is his first manegerial role. Gazza did state that if the club suffered from any injuries to certain players he may be able to play as a replacement although, he officially ended his playing career in 2004.

Kettering Town fans just hope that he will not give up on the team like he has done at previous clubs, including China's very own Gansu Tianma.

Charlton Beat Champions Chelsea

Charlton have knocked holders Chelsea out of the Carling Cup after the game went to a penalty shoot out. The two teams who are currently topping the premiership finished with one goal each after normal but failed to score within extra time, so the game reached a huge climax when the Brian Hughes scored the final spot kick.

Chelsea controlled most of the first half with captain John Terry opening the scoring for the blues after an assist from Arjen Robben. Charlton tried to build up pressure with Dennis Rommedahl and Darren Ambrose lashing two powerful shots over the Chelsea crossbar. However, it was to nobody's surprise when Chelsea grabbed the lead with a Terry trademark header.

The lead only lasted four minutes due to a poor defensive mistake by Chelsea's Robert Huth. The Germany centre back failed to put enough power on his header back to Carlo Cudicini and Darren Bent was in the right place at the right time to capitalize on his mistake.

Chelsea went close to restoring the leader after the break with shots from Terry and Wright-Phillips going narrowly wide. Gudjohnsen and Lampard then followed up with two more strikes, only to see Addicks keeper, Stephan Anderson keep them out of the back of the net.

The game went to extra time and Chelsea continued to pile on the pressure. Carlton carried on defending deeper and deeper nevertheless, through all Chelsea's dominance, the team full of star players failed to find the goal.

It finally went to penalties, and Charlton showed no nerves by putting all their spot kicks away in fabulous style. For Chelsea however, one slip up now means that they will not be put into the draw for round four. Robert Huth was at the center of attention again when Anderson marvelously saved his penalty. One can only hope that the talented youngster can now pick himself up from this.

In tonight's other matches, Newcastle controlled most of their game against Grimsby at Blundell Park, but in all fairness to the league two side, they kept Newcastle at bay for most of the game with a strong defensive unit. Shearer grabbed his chance to put Newcastle through to the fourth round in the eightieth minute with an unstoppable left footed drive, driven low into the keepers left hand corner.

Man Utd brushed Barnet aside in an extrodinary tie that finished with the scoreline 4-1 to the Red Devils whilst Barnet had their keeper sent of in the second minute for handling outside the box. Miller, Richardson, Rossi, and Ebanks-Blake all scored to put Utd through with Sinclair scoring for Barnet.

Birmingham, Bolton, Leicester, and Middlesborough all won their ties respectively.

Hearts Negotiate With Sir Bobby

Hearts will hold talks with Sir Bobby Robson this week hoping the 72 year old will accept their job proposal. Chief Executive Phil Anderton stated that the club are aiming to hold talks for the vacant managerial position within the next forty eight hours. Hearts spoke to Robson in July before George Burley acquired the position though, Robson could not accept the job due to domestic reasons. Club sources claim they have received over 20 applications, apparently amongst them is an inquiry from Nevio Scala, the former Parma coach. Scala was one of the leading contenders for the position last July however, the club decided to appoint a British manager instead.

George Burley suddenly left the club subsequent to a confrontation with chairman and millionaire, Vladimir Romanov. Current Caretaker Manager John McGlynn has said that he is interested in the job but does not feel the chairman would appoint a lower profile coach like himself.

Both Robson and Scala will be in Edinburgh this week with the bookmakers favourite being Robson. Hearts currently lie on top of the SPL, above Celtic and Rangers. The clubs board will want to get the crisis resolved sooner rather than later.

O'Neill Rules Out Republic Role

Former Celtic boss Martin O'Neill has ruled himself out of the running for the vacant Republic Of Ireleand post. O'Neill was reported to be at the top of the FIA's wishlist, ahead of David O'Leary, Roy Keane, and Phillippe Troussier. O'Neill left the managerial position at Celtic for personal reasons, he stated that these issues have not changed and are not likley to in the foresseeable future. Nevertheless, it is believed that if the ex-Northern Ireland player was to return to management, he would prefer to do so at club level rather than national.

Former Japan coach Phillippe Troussier has indicated that he would like to take the role however, it is believed that the FIA are not so keen to appoint him for undisclosed reasons.. David O'Leary ended all rumours, stating that he may like to take the role later on in his career but not at the present.

"If I'm approached about the job in the future, I'd like to do it," O'Leary told the Sun newspaper.

George Burleys shock departure from Scottish club Hearts has also prompted the bookmakers to take bets on him to be the next Republic of Ireland manager, at one point Burley was 9-4 favourite.

Along with Burley on the possible contenders list there is, Alex Ferguson, Steve Staunton, John Aldridge, Kenny Dalglish, and Roy Keane. However, the Repulic of Ireland do not play any competetive matches until August of 2006. Therefore, the FAI has indicated no rush to fill the vacant position.

Liverpool Knocked Out By Palace

Crystal Palace carried out a memorable victory over Liverpool last night to secure a place in Round Four of the Carling Cup. The win came after Rafa Benitez publicly critisized his players for not performing well enough. Nevertheless the Spaniard failed to critisise such players for losing out in the Carling Cup against a Championship side!

Dougie Freedman opened the scoring to give Palace the lead, Scott Carson could only get a fingertip on Freedmans header before the ball had hit the back of the net. It was only three minutes and ten seconds later when Gerrard found the back of the net from twenty two yards out, this was Gerrards fiftieth goal for the Merseyside club.

Palace had arguably played the better football for most of the match and it was within the sixty-sixth minute in which Marco Reich shot home the winner with a volley from ten yards out. Liverpool failed to have any attacking threat and even though Fernando Morientes partnered the wasteful Peter Crouch, there were no real chances created in front of the Palace goal.

As well as Crystal Palace winning, Arsenal also won at the stadium of light where tickets were £5 for Adults and just £1 for concessions. The Gunners played very entertainingly and won by three goals to nil in front of nearly 50,000 people. Blackburn also gained victory with the same scoreline over Leeds United.

In the other matches, Aston Villa, Doncaster, Millwall, Reading and Wigan all won their matches respectivley. West Brom won in extra-time against Fulham at Craven Cottage, the game finished 3-2.

Beckham And Parker Win Appeal

Both David Beckham and Scott Parker successfully won their appeals at their relevant tribunals today. As you may have read Beckham received a red card in the Valencia match on Sunday and in Newcastle leagues derby against Sunderland Parker was judged to have fouled Andy Welsh and was shown a yellow card.

Beckham was first booked for dissent and then was shown a second yellow for sarcastically applauding the referee.The Spanish Football Federation decided that the clapping formed part of his initial protest at a decision was not worthy of a second yellow card. The commission that heard Real's appeal decided that Beckham was not intentionally being confrontational as the clapping occurred as Beckhams back was turned and as he was returning to his rightful position. Therefore Beckham was not directly insulting the referee. Beckham will now be able to play in Madrids next game versus Deportivo tomorrow.

Scott Parker also won his appeal as The FA agreed to Parkers claim of mistaken identity and transferred the yellow card to Steven Carr who actually committed the foul. Carr was also booked in the match which means the punishment has equaled out to be a one match ban. The defender would have probably missed The Toon Army's next game anyway as he has a slight groin strain.

Shearer May Require Surgery

Newcastle skipper, Alan Shearer maybe facing a hernia operation according to the club manager, Graeme Souness. The striker is allegedly due to have surgery during the international fixtures in November in which there are no premiership matches. The former England star who agreed to carry on playing for one more season in April last year has been suffering with the problem for nearly two weeks and could continue for the rest of the season with it. However, Souness knows that the injury could deteriorate later on in the season and would prefer to have the surgery completed sooner, rather than later.

Souness stated "Given his track record and given the way he plays football, I would imagine he would be out for about three weeks."

This would be a huge blow for Newcastle as they already have been digging into the reserve squad in order to replace many other injured players. Steven Carr has recently joined Craig Moore, Albert Luque, Michael Owen, and Steve Harper in the treatment room. Without Shearer either, the club would struggle to cope without their captain and fans hero.

On a brighter note, Kieron Dyer has made a surprise return to be named in the squad to face Grimbsy in the Carling Cup tie tomorrow night. The England midfielder has been plagued with injuries since joining the club nearly six years ago. Hopefully there will be no repercussions of the never ending night mare, that is his hamstring injury. Shearer has also been named in squad along with, Emre, Parker, Bramble, and Babayaro.

Beckham Sent Off For Petulance

David Beckham was sent off last night for sarcastically applauding the referee in Real Madrids match versus Valencia. The football icon is now expected to miss Wednsdays trip to Deportivo due to suspension. The sending off was extremley similar to Wayne Rooneys dismissal in Man Utd's champions league clash against Villareal last month. That was also for applauding the referee after a caution - and Rooney's came shortly after Beckham publicly criticised him for losing his temper with a referee during an England game.

Beckham has been in good form of late for Real but his position as England captain has been questioned. There have been ever-growing claims that Chelsea skipper should take over the role, and there have even been suggestions that Shaun Wright Phillips should take Beckhams place on the right of the England midfield.

The incident occured with just three minutes of time remaining and with Madrid already down to ten-men after the sending off of Thomas Gravesen.

The ex-Everton man saw red after a reckless challenge on Vicente Rodriguez, eight minutes before time.

Jonathan Woodgate did not feature in the squad as Sergio Ramos took hisplace at the back following his European debut on Wednesday in which he and Beckham scored in order to contribute to the 4-1 win over Norwegian Champions, Rosenburg.

Weekend Filled With Action

The weekend fixtures put premiership doubters wrong with a sequence of thoroughly entertaining football. Arsenal comfortably won their home fixture over Man City although Robert Pires wasted a second penalty after bizarrely attempting to set up Henry and conceding a free-kick.

Man Utd could only scrape a draw after an early Silvestre goal was subsequently cancelled out by a superb Jermaine Jenas free-kick.

Liverpool continued their poor league form by losing to Chris Colemans Fulham. Collins John and Luis Boa Morte both scored to give Fulham the victory over a lacklustre Liverpool.

At Villa Park an Aaron Hughes own goal and an Alan Mahon strike gave Wigan a third away win of the season at Aston Villa. Wigan now climb up to fourth in the table.

Meanhile, Blackburn, Bolton, West Ham and Charlton all won their Matches.

Sunday definatley prooved a point to all the pesemistic punters out there. The early match kick off between local rivals Necastle and Sunderland contained four first half goals in four minutes. Shola Ameobi gained more needy confidance by grabbing two, whilst Liam Lawrence and Steven Elliot clinched two goals for Sunderland. However, Newcastle controlled with the dominating midfield combination of Solano, Emre, Parker, and the skillful N'Zogbia. The game was then finally won by the man of the match Emre with a superb curling free-kick.

Everton also held Chelsea to a draw at Goodison Park with James Beattie scoring from the penalty spot. Nevertheless Frank Lampard equalised with a super long range trademark shot. The game ended 1-1.