Harry Redknapp watched Tottenham win his first game in charge, saying he would have "regretted it for the rest of his life" if he'd turned them down.

Salomon Kalou scored twice and set up another Saturday in Chelsea's 5-0 romp at Middlesbrough to maintain the Blues' high-scoring title charge.

Liverpool fought back to a last-gasp 3-2 victory at 10-man Manchester City to keep pace with Chelsea at the top of the English Premier League.

In the week before a major tournament like Euro 2008 the streets of England's towns and cities take on an unusually unified look. The red and white flag of St George appears everywhere. It can be seen draped in shop displays, fluttering from houses and stuck to the sides of every other car.

Sven-Goran Eriksson left Manchester City on Monday, less than a year after taking over as coach of the Premier League club. A statement on City's website said the 60-year-old Swede had parted company with the club by mutual consent. His last competitive game in charge was an 8-1 humiliation at Middlesbrough on the last day of the season.

Manchester United have threatened to report Real Madrid to Fifa as the row over the Spanish club's bid to sign Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo turns ugly. United have been increasingly frustrated by Real's attempts to lure Ronaldo to the Bernabeu in the last year.

Manchester United were crowned kings of Europe for the third time on Wednesday when they beat Chelsea 6-5 on penalties after a breathless all-English Champions League final had finished 1-1 after extra time. United's 37-year-old goalkeeper, Edwin van der Sar, saved the decisive spot kick from substitute Nicolas Anelka.

Chelsea may be playing their first Champions League final and Manchester United appearing in the showpiece event only after a nine-year absence, but there will be no shortage of experience when the two sides line up at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow on Wednesday.

Manchester United has another English title and Cristiano Ronaldo. Chelsea has a huge, talented squad and the wealth of owner Roman Abramovich. There is no underdog in this Champions League final as two English clubs make history by going head to head in Moscow.

Portsmouth meet Cardiff City at Wembley on Saturday in a final the FA Cup has been crying out for, even if the absence of familiar names may prove the competition's lack of appeal for the big clubs. It is the first time since 1991 that none of the current "big four" have contested the final.