Gerrard and Rooney on Ballon d'Or shortlist

England internationals remain in contention for the 2009 award after the final list was reduced to ten players

The Net Post: end of term report on world's top eight

Neil Harman, The Times Tennis Correspondent, delivers his verdict on the world's best players as another season draws to a close

PlayTheGame: the best five players of the weekend

Nick Szczepanik analyses the best performers from another action-packed weekend in the Premier League

Laszlo looks to the future after win

Kilmarnock 1, Hearts 2: Csaba Laszlo's team pick up win thanks to second half goals from Eggert Jonsson and Christian Nade

Hibernian extend nine-game unbeaten run

Hibernian 2, Falkirk 0: Comprehensive victory over bottom club moves Easter Road team level on points with Rangers

David Beckham: the penalty of not tackling ashtma properly

The condition in many sufferers is exacerbated by incorrect use of their inhalers

Ibrahimovic puts Real Madrid in their place

Barcelona 1 Real Madrid 0: host side were below par but Swede's sweet strike was enough to win a scrappy contest

Hodgson losing his zest for Europe

Fulham 1 Bolton 1: London club's manager fears his side face an impossible task against CSKA Sofia on Thursday night

Zola finds concerns in goal-fest

West Ham 5 Burnley 3: defensive errors suggest that both sides need to score goals to counter frailties at the back

Fates work in Preece’s favour

Bath City 1 Forest Green Rovers 2: pheasant’s intervention on road to Bath proves lucky omen for visiting team

Beckford puts end to heroics from Harper

Kettering 1 Leeds 1: Kettering were denied by a late equaliser - and a visit to Manchester United awaits the winner

Morais pays tribute to McInnes affect

St Johnstone 1 Hamilton 1: midfielder scores home side's goal and says his coach is destined for the top

Celtic go top as fans go missing

Celtic 3 St Mirren 1: 20,000 empty seats pointed to the affects of the recession on the league leaders

Brazil president backs England World Cup bid

England’s campaign to host the 2018 event is suddenly gathering momentum — now Lula da Silva has added his support

Allegation adds insult to Bent's injured pride

Wigan 1 Sunderland 0: accusations of racial abuse towards forward’s mother sour downbeat atmosphere for visiting team

Emerton talks up Carling Cup hopes

Blackburn Rovers 0 Stoke City 0: Rovers midfielder cites growing confidence as evidence that Chelsea can be beaten

FA Cup round-up: Staines get second chance at giant killing

Late equaliser from Chaaban gives non-League outfit another opportunity to put one over on Millwall

Moyes sees bright side of derby defeat

Everton manager finds cause for optimism despite losing a Merseyside derby in which luck all too often deserted his side

Managers outraged by referee

Motherwell 2 Dundee United 2: complaints about the official's performance overshadowed a pulsating draw

Dawson could be in World Cup contention

Aston Villa 1 Tottenham 1: centre half defended soundly and still found time to crash home the equaliser

Young inspires McGhee's men to victory

Aberdeen 1 Rangers 0: Derek Young, the returning midfield player, helped his side outplay lacklustre opposition

Championship round-up: Henderson inspires Sheffield United

Forward dedicates hat-trick to his children and Chris Brunt warns his West Brom team-mates of the dangers of complacency