Cadel Evans beats the clock to win Le Tour

After spending years in Lance Armstrong and Alberto Contador's rear wheel, plucky and typically unlucky Cadel Evans has finally conquered the Tour by winning the Yellow Jersey in Saturday's Time Trial.

He reversed a 53 second deficit to Luxembourg's Andy Schleck, whose climb up the Galibier two days prior earned him the lead, to bring his unassailable advantage over the 27-year old to 1:34. Despite there being one stage to go, Evans will just cruise to the finish line in Paris.

Defending champion Contador, who has struggled for form and fitness this Tour, galiantly rode to 3rd place in the TT, to finish in fifth behind gutsy Thomas Voeckler, Frank Schleck, his younger brother Andy, and Evans.

Evans, who first rode the Tour in 2001 and was always seen as a perennial runner-up, can now say he has won the world's biggest bike race.

Why the fascination of the Tour de France?

The Tour de France - the most prestigious event in road cycling - is steeped in history from a cultural and sporting perspective. Road routes change year-on-year, providing fantastic visual spectacle for the fans and riders. But recent British success in the form of Bradley Wiggins and Mark Cavendish, plus a major rivalry in 2007, encapsulated my interest in the event.

It isn't something that should be visually consumed for five hours a day for three weeks (of course there are a couple of rest days), far from it. That would be on the verge of insanity. The last 20km, generally, even on mountain stages, is the most appropriate part to have your eyes glued to the telly. Tactics galore, as riders jostle for position. It is tactics which what makes sporting competition interesting. Every sports person needs to execute a strategy to win, whether it was made up on the day, or prepared days in advance. The Tour provides such a hybrid of strategies it makes Formula 1 just a basic car race.

Flat stages are not really my cup of tea. Monotonously-paced and very few splits in the peloton (French word for a herd of riders) mean there is usually little to be excited about during the race. Sprint finishes are captivating, but the inevitability of a Cavendish win is always in the horizon knowing his sprinting prowess at the event. The excitement with lead-outs to sprinters lasts five minutes, but in the heat of a mountain stage, probably 30-45 minutes.

In my relatively young age, I was under no illusion how figures such as Lance Armstrong, Jan Ullrich, or Marco Pantani sparkled the Tour. I didn't really get to see how Armstrong was so 'strong' over the rest when he dominated the TdF for some 10 years. I watched my first Tour only in 2007 on Eurosport, partly due to the technical definitions that I would not be bothered to understand as much as its apparent boredom. I remember watching Alberto Contador, an emerging mountain rider with such explosive power due to his rapid bursts of acceleration on steep climbs, and his rivalry with Dane Michael Rasmussen, also a climber I hadn't heard much of. Both were exhausting each other towards every mountain summit finish to the brink of collapse, and them passing through noises of the internationally diverse crowds was something else. I always wondered where they park their cars on a summit finish!

British interest is much more prominent this year, with a nod to subordinate figure to Wiggins, Geraint Thomas, partly due to his recent form Tour de Suisse where he won the overall race. And also Ben Swift, an up-and-coming sprinter, probably unlucky to be in the shadows of the imperious Cavendish.

Tactics have always been an intriguing element to road cycling, with teams set up to support one or even two of its leading riders. They can either contest the headline-making General Classification, where the rider to cycle the Tour in the fastest time will don the Yellow Jersey in Paris. While the best sprinter will wear the Green Jersey, a strategic race where points are accumulated through intermediate sprints, but mostly through sprint finishes. Polkadot jersey is the one who is the best mountain climber in the Tour. In many ways, the best climber can challenge for Yellow, but they never compete in flat or hilltop stages where they are not specialists in.

Most teams are set up to prop their main man up the GC standings, but HTC Highroad, Cavendish's, have built a squad to help him win stages through requiring powerful lead-out men that set a pace near the stage finish (in a flat) to help Cav stay ahead of his rivals metres from the finish. The same principles are used for the mountains, but it is a long-term game for domestiques (or support riders) to set a good pace, and even ground to a halt if the team leader has suffered a mechanical failure, to bring him back to the peloton using as less effort as possible.

The variety of riders add spice and intrigue to what would usually appear to be just a bunch of men cycling long distances. This year will probably see Andy Schleck challenge Contador again like last year, but will also probably create even more buzz through wider media presence and more fan-favourite riders. Come on Wiggins!

Andy Murray's Wimbledon hopes crushed yet again in a Semi

A despondent Murray speaks to the media after his defeat to Rafa Nadal in the Semis (Independent)

2-1 in the second set, and 15-30 on Rafa Nadal's serve after taking the first set, Andy Murray was about to lay the foundations of defeating the now former World No.1. That was until an overhit drive volley curtailed his amazing progress and then coincided with the loss of seven straight games. Murray's mental collapse was costly as he wakes up to a new week knowing he could, and possibly should have won Wimbledon 2011 knowing Novak Djokovic's achievements yesterday.

Murray dominated exchanges in the opening set, firing forehand winners and exerting authority over the 25-year old Spaniard. The crowd reached its crescendo in game 12, when an error-strewn game from Nadal gifted Murray the set. And going with serve for the first three games in the second, Murray dragged Nadal away ready for a driven forehand. Unfortunately, the Scot hit long by 2 inches, and it the high-risk tennis which put paid to his chances. What was going so right for him at the early stages, certainly was there at the heart of the match.

High risk and under confidence were never the recipe for success. He folded under the increasing pressure of Nadal's defence and virtually conceded the second set 6-2. The same pattern emerged in the third, as Murray's forehand dissipated, and Nadal's defence impenetrable as ever. Same set score 6-2. But the fourth set, even when Nadal secured a break in the first game, Murray gave home fans some degree of hope when he had break point opportunities at 1-2. The Spaniard though was unrelenting as he was unforgiving as he held serve through punishing groundstrokes and successfully held serve for the rest of the match to win 5-7, 6-2, 6-2, 6-4. Murray's Wimbledon dreams over for another year in his quest for the illusive 'Slam'.

Murray forced the issue, but gave himself very little margin for error. But as sorry the British support were, was as much angry the nation was in the Scot's mental collapse from that unforced error in the second set. It has been a major flaw in his game in his development as a Tour player, and it is still getting the better of him today in the heat of the moment final stages of Grand Slams.

The US Open remains Murray's best hope for a GS. And basing on his recent form, it is hard to say he cannot perform at Flushing Meadows in August. Only his mind can tell whether he can provide that challenge many expect from the 24-year old.

European GP - five things we found out from the weekend

1) Valencia produces habitually poor races

It was supposed to be a street circuit that illuminated the backdrops of its beach and marina, great vantage points to see some F1 cars flying around the Valencia track. But sunbathing would have even provided more entertainment after watching a pitiful race that only had the Alonso/Webber second place fight to thank. The sharp, slow corners yield for good traction, a distinct part of Red Bull's pace, but straights are often curved and are often difficult to position the car for an overtake. There are no fast corners either, but unlike Monaco, the track does not have the decadence nor an iconic section of the track that appeals to the drivers.

Bernie Ecclestone indicated on the BBC one of the two Spanish races - possibly Barcelona - may leave the F1 calender. That could be a rueful decision as the Catalonia racetrack has been a servant to the sport since the 1980s and is possibly provides more of a challenge to the drivers. Lets see how this one unfolds.

2) Red Bull have up to second over the field

The Milton Keynes outfit's advantage is staggering, a clear advantage not seen over the field since Ferrari's dominance from 2001-04. Yesterday's victory from Sebastian Vettel signified utter deflation among his rivals, and even from his teammate Mark Webber, who lies over three race victories behind the German.

The car's key advantage is the off-throttle exhaust gas blowing - an aerodynamic function that blows hot air over the Red Bull's floor and out of the exhaust when not pressing the accelerator - thereby increasing downforce, and consequently, grip. In qualifying the car's potential is maximised with Vettel's pole positions this season are often between 0.5 secs - 0.9 secs. Valencia, a track of few overtaking opportunities, made his car advantage extremely ominous for Ferrari and McLaren as he won the race by around 20 seconds over Ferrari's Fernando Alonso.

Things, however may turn around, as engine mapping (between qualifying and race) and hot exhaust blowing are now banned from Silverstone onwards, the next race. Engine mapping was a useful tool for Red Bull as it allowed them to change settings of how much fuel would be distributed out of its engines.

3) Hamilton is ruffled

Lewis Hamilton's was not his worst. But neither was it a race that extracted the very best of his gifted skills. His McLaren on Sunday was like a dog trapped in a mud as it struggles to gain momentum from a standing spot. Traction was a real headache as Hamilton and Button struggled with rear tyre management. Hamilton lost two positions at the start to the Ferraris, but while he covered off Felipe Massa's threat in the pitstops, Hamilton's pace never matched Webber's nor Alonso's.

The team concentrated in front wing downforce, in hindsight a mistake as a lack of low downforce at the rear punished and overheated their tyres. Silverstone's fast layout will mean rear-tyre degradation will have less factor, a strength of the Red Bull, so it will be interesting to see what new updates McLaren will bring to the table.

4) Button still hasn't mastered qualifying to be a serious title contender

6th on the grid translated into the same position in the race, Jenson Button needs to produce on a Saturday if he is to improve his feint hopes of recapturing his world title he won in 2009.
The reverberating theme is the McLaren is achieving good balance in practice and in the first two parts of qualifying, but cannot replicate the form when it matters on Q3.

His race craft has always shone in changeable conditions, but his form in dry races has been inconsistent. He has been mingling with the Mercedes in during races, rather than the Red Bulls, an indication of his lack of competitiveness. Button made a nice overtaking move on Nico Rosberg early in the Valencia race, but lacked pace to challenge Felipe Massa in 5th.

5) What's the point of having Hispania?

23rd and 24th positions - the lowest ever placed finishes in the history of the sport - belonging to Narain Karthikeyan of Hispania Racing. They are on average 10 seconds a lap off the Red Bulls and it is hard to understand there objectives in the sport. Yes, a 13th and 14th place finishes in the Canadian GP may mean they could climb above the Virgin Marussia team in the Constructors Championship, but it will matter very little if they are unable to challenge the Toro Rossos' or Williams' in the near future.

The team have had financial difficulties arriving onto the scene, and effectively treated qualifying the first F1 race in Australia as a shakedown due to lack of pre-season testing. And during races, the leading drivers have been seen making hand gestures of their obligatory blue flag move-overs. It is hard to see what they do offer as a racing entity.

Button pushes the limit to win Canadian GP

It was a Canadian Grand Prix that was disastrous for one Englishman, but certainly fell in place for another as McLaren's Jenson Button made a storming comeback for his first ever victory at the Gilles Villenenuve circuit.

The 2009 world champion came through from the back, mostly attributing to a collision with his teammate Lewis Hamilton and later with Fernando Alonso, to capitalise on leader Sebastian Vettel's mistake on the final lap when the German slid wide in the Turn 6 chicane.

His miraculous recovery told only half the story from a race that provided chaos from a torrential downpour that delayed a restart of the race by two hours, and several examples of disastrous overtaking attempts throughout the field.

Button was in the mire of the race's talking points, and on Lap 8 and defending sixth place from Lewis Hamilton on the pit straight, deviated towards the pit wall that left Hamilton no room to pass, consequently smashing his left rear axle and therefore retiring despite complaining to his team his car was still fit to continue. Hamilton was also in the wars on Lap 4, the first real racing lap as the race disappointingly started under the safety car, when a failed dive into Turn 1 sent Red Bull driver Mark Webber into a spin as he and Hamilton lost several positions.

With Button taking to the pits to assess the damage and change to intermediate tyres, the safety car made its entrance again to clear debris from the Hamilton incident. As Button was making his way back to the pack he incurred a pit lane penalty for speeding under safety car conditions. With Vettel in control, Webber and particularly Button, were sything their way through. The Brit caught his way up to eighth when a downpour, and subsequently a safety car and red flag, put paid to his progress.

After a two-hour halt waiting for the rain to abate, he restarted back in ninth in hunt of the uncompetitive Fernando Alonso on Lap 34. But the two collided three laps after the restart on the Turn 4 chicane, diving on the inside with Alonso refusing to budge, with Button returning back to the pits for the then fifth time with a puncture left front and a change to inters, and Alonso beaching his car on the high kerb.

The change to intermediates soon galvanised after the safety car intervention from the Lap 37 incident in an drying racetrack. The race evolved to the point where rain tyres quickly became uncompetitive and the likes of Button, Michael Schumacher, Webber were making strong headway with intermediates, and then to the soft slicks. Button surged to fourth until yet another safety car appearance came on Lap 56 when Nick Heidfeld clattered the back of Kamui Kobayashi and dislodging his front wing scarily under braking the following corner. The incident gave Button the opportunity to creep his way towards Webber and Schumacher, passing both using DRS as well as his supreme driving talent in evolving conditions, before pursuing Vettel with only five laps left.

The gap was only three seconds then soon the gap dissolved as Vettel, who was in reasonable comfort at the front the whole race, was a target for a determined Button, who had thought his chances of a strong diminish from the early stages. Vettel on colder tyres than Button's, ruefully dipped his right tyre off the racing line, causing him to slide and agonisingly see his McLaren rival breeze past him to victory.

FIA transfixed by Bahrain money over safety

It seemed as if no one in F1's governing body was oblivious about the Arab Spring. But either way the FIA have their own reputation by reinstating a grand prix that was always going to be impossible to stage. It took a vote from the Formula 1 to cancel the Bahrain race for October to restore sense into a sport that was blinded by Sheikh money.

The naivety of the FIA, especially its president Jean Todt, has been astounding. They are probably up there with the likes of FIFA in the publicity stakes. Figures involved with the sport questioned the decision then. Max Mosley on BBC News said that the race would never materialise because it was up for the teams to decide. And Red Bull driver Mark Webber also was a stern critic for FIA's leniency towards Bahrain, claiming there are no safeguards in terms of protests during the race weekend. Would any spectators be there to see it anyway?

Although the Sakhir circuit looks aesthetically pleasing to the viewing eye while bringing in the lucrative revenues to the sport (It brings in $40m to host the opening race), the Bahrain GP has produced habitually boring races and a lack of attendees. Replacing India's spot would take the gloss off India's efforts to stage the race there. I say lets keep Bahrain off the F1 radar and let India have its glory. Boring Bahrain.

French 2011-12 Jersey

Football kits are never trendy, but kudos to the French national team's sponsor Nike with its Mime Artist design worn here by midfielder Samir Nasri in June 2011.

Rafa reigns supreme in Paris

Nadal and his obligatory trophy celebration in front of world's media (Reuters)

Kevin Mitchell, boxing and tennis writer from the Guardian, gave a great analogy of Sunday's showpiece between Rafa Nadal and Roger Federer. "Federer floated like a butterfly, but Nadal stung like a bee". Those words rung truer when reliving some moments of the match when Federer diced with the Spaniard clay master, but was left demoralised by Nadal's punishing forehand. Federer metaphorically was left bloodied and bruised, Rafa celebrated like a Heavyweight Champion of the world.

Nadal won in four sets, but the fashion in which the World No.1 won the first set - coming back from 5-2 down and facing a set point - and racking up five consecutive games meant the match almost had an inevitability thereafter. Federer was good, stunningly good. He mixed up his shots very well and did not show much predictability in his general play. But his mental state gradually became a weakness, with a defeatist attitude in the early half of the match. I didn't have much confidence in him finishing off a point in some stages, even in dominant position to do so such was Nadal's impenetrable aura.

Onto Wimbledon in a couple of weeks. Federer's status as the greatest tennis player that ever lived is a statement that is losing validity. He'll need to win the tournament in July to regain some of his invincibility that we saw in the last eight years, otherwise it may well be a champion slowly heading into decline.

West Ham will rue boardroom indequacies

West Ham will not look back at the 2010-11 season very fondly. In fact it was probably the worst season in the club's Premier League history. Even poor than 2003, the last time the Hammers were relegated. As a Hammers supporter though, this one was much more relieving than the previous fall to the 'B-League', giving us a sense of realism and a kick up the bottom.

When David Gold and David Sullivan brought the club outright from the almost financially-bankrupt Icelandic bank Straumur in 2010, fans seemed joyful of a more secure financial future at the club, but at the same time, wincing at the prospect of where they will take the club. Avram Grant was not the solution to their problems, but one that would compound further suffering.

Four straight league defeats set the tone, conceding 3 goals in each game in the process. While a home win over Tottenham stemmed the losing momentum in September, poor home form in the coming months really was the Hammers' undoing. They lost to Newcastle, and dropped points against West Brom, Fulham, Blackpool and Everton. The 'Save Our Season' fixture against Wigan in November seemed almost irreparable, despite the 3-1 victory, as their away form collapsed like an Avram Grant facial expression of disappointment.

The mood soured at Upton Park soured for a number of reasons other than their matchday performances. Hammers fans never likened the idea of leaving home for a redeveloped Olympic Stadium after the 2012 Games. Then there was the managerial upheaval in January before and after the Arsenal fixture, with Grant suffering the ignominy of defeat for two obvious reasons. Grant was, though, given a vote of confidence by the board. The West Ham board did not cover themselves in glory with sporadic decisions in transfer policies. Rather putting the structure in place for a brighter long-term future, short-term and expensive recruits Wayne Bridge and Robbie Keane were drafted on in a steadily sinking ship. Signings such as Pablo Barrera, Winston Reid and Tal ben-Haim lacked thought and of little intention to take the club to great strides.

Benni McCarthy, Victor Obinna and Freddie Piquionne have proved inconsistent purchases, while Demba Ba should have been acquired at the beginning of the season, and not through an inflated £6m fee during the January transfer window from Hoffenheim.

Those mistakes, coinciding with Grant's lack of motivational skills, tactical deficiencies, adn over-reliance of Scott Parker cost the Israeli his job, and have made Gold, Sullivan and Karren Brady a laughing stock in the hub of east London.

Richard Keys and Andy Gray: a sexist joke too far

Five days have passed since the story first escalated after developments plateaued on Wednesday when Richard Keys resigned from his presenter's job at Sky Sports a day after his colleague and pundit Andy Gray was sacked from the station.

You could sense that when the media coverage exploded their days were numbered. The Sky Sports duo initially caused furore from many figures within the game (not least Karren Brady) when slamming the performance of Sian Massey, the assistant referee for Wolves' game against Liverpool earlier this month, suggesting on the basis of her gender. For Gray, it was a stay of execution. After clinging onto his £2m annual pay packet two days after this development unravelled, Sky Sports' managing director Barney Francis called time on the Scot's career with the broadcaster when finding new evidence of suggestive sexist comments.

"Can you tuck this (his mic) for me?," Gray asked Sky Sports News presenter Charlotte Jackson. Initially smirking, the young presenter seemed perturbed after. According to the Guardian, the presenters are known to be chauvinistic towards colleagues behind the camera, possibly the reason why the assumed Sky staff member posted two videos of Gray and Keys making lewd comments liking women as inferior, sexual objects. It was the final straw, like killing off the opposition with another goal in injury time to seal their fate.

Keys also resigned under constant media barraging, notably also because of his comments towards former Liverpool and Tottenham player, now Sky pundit, Jamie Redknapp. Referring to his former girlfriend 'Louise' as 'it', Keys said, "you'd smash it...you could've gone round there any night and found Redknapp hanging out at the back of it."

Key on Wednesday came to TalkSport's studio discussing his embarrassment and his apathy towards Massey. His body language reminisce someone who had been caught with their trousers down, much like Gordon Brown last year when he called a female OAP a 'bigot' with his mic from Sky left switched on as he rued to tell the tale on Radio 4.

Whilst it is clear to see the two have a good chemistry on camera, they sadly lack decency off it. Gray and Keys have a depth of knowledge to rival any other broadcasting duos. It is unfathomable to hear comments of viciousness and conviction of Massey, who actually had a good game.

While some may defend this as a bit of 'banter', it can be assumed either or both of them have made more similar comments off camera. As if Sky Sports haven't had enough critical comments about their widespread coverage of bias and repetition, and hiring very attractive women for its news channel. There is a culture in Sky and to an extent in the football game that women are not taken seriously when discussing or officiating about the game. This is a sad indictment that we are seemingly heading back into the dark ages of the one race, one gender game.

Murray leaves trail of destruction in first week of Aussie Open

When a heavyweight seed cruises through the first week of a Grand Slam, people think it is almost a cert that the person will win the Slam on the pure basis of form. With Andy Murray, there is always a sense of unease with every GS he enters, more so in Wimbledon. With the spotlight partially away from him in the UK because of the time difference, the Scot is basking in the light (and heat) of Melbourne where high pressure is less intense.

The fourth round win over Jurgen Meltzer was a display of sheer class and temperament from the Scot. The Austrian was tipped to case some trouble with his impenetrable tennis, but Murray carved his way through anyhow by producing countless winners.

Four rounds of routine high quality performances has seen Murray regarded as a favourite to lift his first GS in Melbourne, also the scene of his crushing final defeat against Roger Federer last year. But last year was so last year. This year is the clever and canny Murray, playing high percentage tennis and cracking winners from all areas of the back of the court. The thing that has improved so much this season is arguably his mental state. On evidence of his displays so far, the Scot hasn't sulked in periods where his opponent is in a spell of ascendancy.

His serve also has a strong degree of assurance. His first serve often allows Murray to dictate the play from the baseline. In the first set against Illya Marchenko during their second round match, Murray smashed eight aces past the Ukrainian. Against the serve, Murray also displays strong reliability in his forehand as well as his backhand, gaining eight breaks of serve over Guillermo Garcia-Lopez. Against Meltzer, the same thing happened as Murray demoralised the Austrian world no 11 spirit in very much the same way to the Spaniard in the previous round.

To win every set of the tournament thus far by at most to the loss of just three games has laid the marker to his likely contenders for the tournament - Novak Djokovic, Rafa Nadal, and Roger Federer. Whether he can his next opponent Alexandr Dolgopolov in the quarters will we know if he is up to the job.

How far can Andy go?

Andy Murray romped into the third round of the Australian Open with a clinical 6-1 6-3 6-3 victory over Illya Marchenko. He will next face Spaniard Guillermo Garcia-Lopez.

Murray traded hard-hitting groundstrokes with Marchenko, but strikingly his composure on important game points, a facet that has so often let him down in the past, saw past the Ukrainian. Murray's strong serving will also provide him a great reference point later on as he seeks to win his first ever grand slam.

Garcia-Lopez, like most Spaniards, play behind the baseline, taking the ball on the rise and punishing the opponent with seemingly endlessly long rallies. It would not be such a surprise to see Murray at the net on many an occasion to exert pressure and force Garcia-Lopez to come up with the shots.

While the Spaniard may seem like a tricky customer, Murray should dispatch him easily. Tougher tests will come after this should he pass. Nadal remains the ominous threat to the Scot's challenge.

Are today's tackles unacceptable and dangerous?

This weekend's FA Cup action provided intrigue, shock and sheer excitement. But there are two sides of every coin, and tackling provided another topic to talk about the following day at work. There were at least three crunching challenges seen this weekend, one that saw a QPR striker's leg break in two places. Are today's tackles the worst, and could defensive coaches at clubs do much more about the practices into the art of slide tackling?

Football is multi-million pound money spinner. Lower league clubs are dependent on the FA Cup to earn them lucrative ties in the hope of attracting commercial appeal. The same applies with the Premier League, with much emphasis on staying in the top tier to reap premium financial rewards, while entry into European football also adds marketing, commercial and financial exposure. It isn't surprising that players give it their all, with each competitive game almost acting as if their lives depended on it.

Of course football is only a sport, and a BBC Inside Sport documentary last year analysed how the fun aspect has been ebbed away because of the pressures of professionalism. This is possibly where tackling revolves around: the intensity of the modern game. The FA Cup saw three, to a partial extent, leg-breaking challenges - one which actually did cause that damage. Chiek Tiote's challenge that earned him a red card, Steven Gerrard which earned him the same punishment, and Gael Givet's fierce challenge on Jimmy Mackie which caused a double compound fracture to Mackie as well as minor injury to himself, were all tackles that carried velocity.

Referees are aiming to cut down on potentially dangerous tackles. Seemingly it is, the FA have asked referees to clamp down on 'excessively forceful' challenges with Mark Taylor's horrendous challenge on Eduardo left the Croatian striker's leg in a heap in 2008 acting as the blueprint for decision-making. And lets also not forget a fellow Arsenal player Aaron Ramsey, who suffered a similar serious injury when competing with Ryan Shawcross of Stoke last year. There have been examples where players have lunged in two-footed. Karl Henry for Wolves has had stick from the press for ill-timed tackles on Fulham's Bobby Zamora and Wigan's Jordi Gomez, the former still out with a knee injury from the September fixture.

We all often forget, but isn't the basic rule for a football player is to have a duty of care for its opponents? The furious pace of the Premier League will not diminish with players' stamina at very high levels, but you would think tougher sanctions need to be put in place before we get another case of a broken leg. The FA have not solved the problem and clubs are paying the penalty because of corporate ignorance.

Which manager will trip up in the Premier League sack race?

It has been a funny old season, hasn't it? Chelsea see their title hopes dashed in recent weeks; Aston Villa suffering the ignominy of dropping into the relegation zone for the first time since 2002; Liverpool falling further than ever before; and then there is West Ham, who are bottom. All of the clubs' managers are facing the prospect of the stadium exit, but which one will be out of the door soon?

Roy Hodgson

Six months ago, the former Fulham boss' stock value was as high as it ever had been. Mid-table security capped by a run to the Europa League final meant a move to Liverpool was imminent. Rafa was forced out of the club after a disastrous campaign last year, which led to the inevitable appointment of Hodgson. Inherited a fundamentally poor squad, Hodgson sought to improve the quality of his team with four new signings, including Joe Cole on a free transfer. The signings have turned out as sheer disappointments, and to a large extent, are worse in quality than Rafa's bunch. Hodgson has had little money to spend since his arrival, and may not get the chance to spend a penny more under the new ownership regime of NESV.

His brand of football has left empty seats at Anfield. Lack of spark and verve to their play has been the main cause, and too much reliance on Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres seems to be the norm these days at The Reds. Passing is insipid and defensive displays have often been mediocre at best.

Hodgson looks the likelier to leave first, with fans unlikely to tolerate sloppy performances at home and unacceptable levels of performance away. Whether the board have a short-term replacement remains to be seen. Kenny Dalglish could well be moving a further few yards forward in the dugout soon from the cushy executive box.

Carlo Ancelotti

It is hard to believe that a manager who has presided in his club's first ever league and cup double last season to be on the cusps of the sack six months. But that is the ever-pressures of managing Chelsea. Transfer spending at the Bridge appears to be rarity these days when Roman Abramovich's chequebook remains in his draw, shut. It seems to be very unlikely that there will be any player movement at Chelsea this month.

A great start to the season - five straight wins in as many games, including two 6-0 drubbings - soon saw form dissipate. John Terry, Didier Drogba, and more notably Frank Lampard, all had lengthy spells on the sidelines. Their absences coincided with a home 3-goal capitulation against Sunderland, defeats at Birmingham and Wolves, and a mentally-sapping loss at Arsenal - a team they seemed to beat on a frequent basis in recent years.

Ancelotti also relieved his assistant Ray Wilkins of his duties, exposing the unease atmosphere around the club. The Italian should still remain in charge until at least the end of the season, but don't be surprised if Abramovich wields in the axe on the twice Champions League winning boss.

Avram Grant

A picture of uncertainty reigns over at Upton Park. New owners seek fresh start combined with higher expectations. What they got was fan animosity, player discontent, bottom of the league, and an arguably inept Israeli. You get the feeling he blagged his way through the interview process, clinging onto his 2008 Champions League exploits with Chelsea, and an FA Cup Final with Portsmouth. Great accomplishments, but some might say that was not all down to his managerial wizardry. An Olympic Stadium move has alienated the Hammers faithful, and while negotiations for a leasing contract goes on, West Ham decline to the depths of the relegation zone. They're not stranded alone however, as the bottom seven are split by just two points.

Grant's team have continually stuttered through the course of the season. A poor start, with only a home win against Tottenham to show for their feeble efforts, saw West Ham rooted at the bottom. The losing trend continued, but despite an upturn in form over Christmas that briefly saw the Hammers out of the drop zone, they were brought back down to earth with a 5-0 drubbing at Newcastle. Grant needs things to go his way, and quickly otherwise David Gold and David Sullivan will probably seek for short-term alternatives to salvage their season.

Gerard Houllier

Aston Villa can often be a confusing side to understand their intentions. Aspirations are high although investment is low compared to the renowned top sides in the league, but a below midtable finish should be a realistic position for them. Houllier has walked in shouldering the expectations of the midlands (although Birmingham FC have something to say about that), but have hit a concrete wall during the first half of the season. Home form has been very poor, while sloppy goals and lack of firepower have added to their woes. With Houllier also reportedly causing a split in the dressing room arguing with captain Richard Dunne, the task is nay impossible for the Frenchman.

Newcastle United? More like London United...

Alan Pardew has been installed as Newcastle United manager, prompting a sharp level of discontent from fans in owner Mike Ashley's decision-making. Pardew joins the Magpies in an almost outrageous five-and-a-half year contract, a signal of intent that the former West Ham boss will be here for the long-term.

Some will be surprised if Pardew even makes it past five-and-a-half months. There is a feeling that Newcastle has gone all cockney with Ashley and his associate Derek Llambias having an affiliation with London. After all, both were born and made their riches in the capital. Not that there is anything about Londoners in general, but there is a feeling that their swagger and arrogance have alienated the working-class, northeast fans that live and breathe Newcastle.

Pardew is the latest southeastern personality to make the 300-mile journey up north, replacing another Londoner in Chris Hughton. Pardew will receive a hostile reception come Saturday teatime, and not entirely of his own doing, but the fans had taken to the humbleness of Hughton's man-management. His low profile kept Newcastle United's players grounded. Working hard, tremendous unity and low expectations were the values carried into this season. The latter didn't appeal to Ashley as we found out on Monday. But Pardew does carry some managerial clout in the top tier. He was a success at Reading before his acrimonious departure to West Ham when they were in the Championship. He fulfilled his expectations during his reign, earning promotion in his second season at the club and took the Hammers into the FA Cup Final in 2006.

While Toon fans are still hurting and angered by Hughton's sacking, Pardew seeks an antithesis of the anger similar to the student protests in London at his club. He'll provide the perfect tonic should they defeat Liverpool on Saturday.

Ashley ditches Hughton as Newcastle United owner looks for experience boss

Chris Hughton is sacked, but who will take on this poison chalice? (Action Images)

Newcastle United have had a long-standing reputation of sacking managers within a short period on the job, and earlier today they have inexplicably continued that trend.

Steering The Toon through a transition period after the turmoil of Premier League relegation in 2008, Chris Hughton had garnered support from the Newcastle faithful. Wins at Arsenal, Everton; trouncing fierce local rivals Sunderland as well as Aston Villa; a credible draw against Chelsea (who they also knocked out in the Carling Cup at Stamford Bridge), Hughton has been credited as the one who put the club back down to earth. No pretentious comments that they were going to vie for the Premier League title, no in-house scuffles, Hughton has got them working hard and playing hard.

And it is his ethos that has seen the likes of Kevin Nolan and more in particularly, Joey Barton rejuvenated. Andy Carroll has blossomed into the England spotlight thanks to Hughton's faith in him, especially when the local lad was arrested on assault charges earlier this season.

A positive start in the league has seen Newcastle positioned admirably in 12th, although interwoven by some odd and hugely disappointing results. After a crushing 6-o victory at home against Aston Villa, Newcastle produced an abject performance against Blackpool at St. James, losing 2-0. The surprising away win at Arsenal's Emirates was followed by an aberration at Bolton, and an inept defensive display at West Brom, going down 3-1.

And it is the day after the defeat at the Hawthorns that Mike Ashley and the board have had enough of Premier League inexperience and naivety. In comes, they hope, a top-class manager who has achieved everything there is to achieve in the game. No, pretty likely not. Early favourites for the Newcastle job were Alan Pardew, Alan Curbishley, Martin Jol and Martin O'Neill. While all credible candidates in their own right, do people honestly think either one can do a significantly better job than what Hughton has managed? This job is a poison chalice and many will now know it based on today's developments.

It is simply the point that Ashley wants immediate success in exchange for limited investment in acquiring new players. The new manager most likely will not be bankrolled huge sums of cash to bring in fresh faces, and a pep talk saying "work with what you've got, mate".

The peculiar timing has confused fans and media alike. We all had an inkling that Hughton would go sooner rather than later, but really this soon? It is not as if their ship was about to sink. Newcastle have not won in five, but still are in a relatively comfortable position. However, with the transfer window opening in less than a month, maybe Ashley just could not have trust Hughton with his wedge of money, whatever it may be. Hughton did not buy many players during his time, with only a 36-year old Sol Campbell and loanee Hatem Ben Arfa being Hughton's only high profile signings.

The signs are that fans may choose to alienate themselves from this embarrassment, while the media look to feast on Ashley. Maybe the fans will too do that. Newcastle boycott, anyone?

Danish consortium seals Croydon Athletic majority stakehold

Croydon Athletic has taken an absolute battering in the national media with the Mazhar Majeed cricket scandal. A tough start to their league campaign and laying second from bottom in the Ryman Premier, The Rams can see some light at the end of a miserable tunnel. A Danish consortium have confirmed it has agreed a 51% majority stake in the club from Majeed.

BBC Panorama spills beans over Fifa corruption

One must feel a degree of sympathy for the England 2018 World Cup bid team. Months of hard work might all count for nothing just three days before international football governing body Fifa announce the hosts for the 2018 and 2022 tournament.

BBC's Panorama on Monday (November 29) revealed that three senior Fifa officials, who will vote on Thursday, took bribes from a sports marketing firm. It alleges that Nicolas Leoz, Issa Hayatou and Ricardo Teixeira were offered money by the now-defunct International Sport and Leisure (ISL) company, to gain World Cup rights to market the tournament.

Panorama uncovered the murky world of corruption in Fifa, and looked into Hayatou's dealings. The programme showed details of 100,000 French francs paid to Hayatou, the Fifa vice-president.

Leoz, the head of the South American football confederation, was shown to have taken payment totalling $600,000 (£384,000) in three installments of $200,000. Secret ISL documents obtained clarified a list of 175 secret payments.

However, Teixeira was marked as a serious figure in bribery claims, with 21 secret payments received by a Liechtenstein fronbeen t company called Sanud totalling $9.5m (£6m) channeling through Teixeira Brazilian company to him. Teixeira had close links with Sanud after an inquiry of the Brazilian senate in 2001.

Fifa president Sepp Blatter was asked by journalist Andrew Jennings why Fifa had not punished the officials, instead reverting to a court case in 2008 where the former ISL officials were largely exonerated.

Jack Warner, the head of Central America (CONCACAF) football, was alleged to have profited greatly from selling 2010 World Cup tickets to black market touts stacked up to $84,000. Panorama received evidence from Norwegian journalists showing invoices and e-mails that state that Warner was involved in the transactions.

An e-mail trail showed that tickets were destined to go on the black market, including 38 World Cup final tickets in Johannesburg. But it was rejected by touts as they were unwilling to meet with the asking price. Warner had also been alleged in selling tickets to touts in the 2006 World Cup in Germany.

Frankly, the programme has come at an unwelcoming time for England. The episode provided an insight into Fifa's murky dealings, but England's bid officials have said that these alleged transactions were dated and had little to say whether these bribes are being completed today. former MP and sports minister David Mellor says it may be more morally acceptable for England to "insist in reforming Fifa, and making Fifa transparent instead of kowtowing to Fifa in order to get the World Cup finals".

Whether this will subsequently damage England's World Cup bid will be seen on Thursday. The bid details the infrastructure in place (stadiums, transport etc.), the passion and fanbase of English football, and how financially lucrative a prestigious tournament can stimulate the English economy, although full details of how much it can gain from hosting remain to be seen. David Beckham, Prime Minister David Cameron and Prince William have arrived in Zurich to meet Fifa officials to reverberate their England World Cup message.

England will compete against favourites Russia, Spain/Portugal and Belgium/Netherlands. All the contenders will go through an elimination process hoping to achieve a majority from the 22 Fifa members voting. The candidate will have to reach at least 12 votes to be awarded the rights to host the World Cup, otherwise it will go round after round until the third stage of the vote after the contenders are eliminated one-by-one.

The votes are cast by officials in Europe (9), South America (3), CONCACAF (3), Africa (3), and Asia (4). England are in a game of Russian Roulette, but looks like they may have shot themselves in the foot.

Chelsea's indifferent form leaves Ancelotti searching for answers

The sacking of assistant manager Ray Wilkins has clearly had a mental effect on manager Carlo Ancelotti. Since Wilkin's dismissal (whatever the reason may be), Chelsea have lost three in the last five matches as dark clouds hang over the Stamford Bridge.

Ancelotti has since replaced the former Blues player with chief scout Michael Emenalo. A strange move, given that he has no coaching certificates. The players had an affinity with Wilkins and almost unfathomable that he was sacked. Why? Was it more to do with his contract? Or did he have differences with the manager? Or maybe the fact that he speaks Italian was probably an eroding asset as Ancelotti's English has improved, as has his knowledge of the national game.

Defeats at Liverpool, at home to Sunderland and at Birmingham have halted Chelsea's majestic start. And while that should not represent a decline of Chelsea FC, it is hard to believe they can regain that imperious form of their first five league games, which they had a 100% record.

Ancelotti on Sunday could preside in Chelsea's worst spell in the league if they lose away at Newcastle. Three straight defeats means it will be their worst run since 1999, and may leave calls for his resignation. Unlikely, but it is hard to see where the Blues can go from here looking at their wafer-thin squad.

Haye demolishes subdued Harrison; eyes Klitschko brothers

A lifeless performance from Harrison condemned him to defeat (AP)

David Haye said to his family and friends he would knock out his former training partner and friend Audley Harrison in the third round. On Saturday, he delivered on his promise with an almost effortless performance against an inert Audley Harrison in their WBA heavyweight title bout.

The fight was frankly a mismatch between a rising star and a flop who believed he had a genuine hope of capturing a world title. National newspapers have already questioned the validity of the fight as to whether Haye placed a bet on himself to knock out Harrison in the third. He instead stated after the fight his friends and relatives placed a wager on Haye for a third round KO.

The first two rounds did not lend itself to be a British heavyweight classic. Haye studied his opponent's evasive approach in the first six minutes, and only landing a couple of his shots to Harrison's temple, but never followed up with more combinations. The lack of action prompted a chorus of boos surrounding the MEN Arena, with many paying between £100-400 for the good seats, as many as 700,000 purchasing the event on pay-per-view and thousands of others going to their local to watch it. Harrison responded by a jab to Haye's forehead that barely rocked him back.

Harrison stepped up into the third looking very timid and defensive, and Haye capitalised on his vulnerability. Piercing right-handed shots stunned the 39-year old Harrison, and was felled by the 'Hayemaker' just over a minute in. The dazed and dejected Harrison managed to recover by the count of eight, but the inevitable was to happen. A further barrage of blows to his head and body, some of them not cleanly struck, led the referee to intervene for a technical knockout victory.

It is difficult to see where Harrison will go on from here, with pundits including Barry McGuigan calling for his retirement. However many will criticise Haye for choosing Harrison knowing he would guarantee a third round KO, and for the fact that it was his easiest £6m cheque he could ever collect. Harrison, who only landed one of his 33 punches, will pocket £3m for his feeble attempt in his promise of knocking out his former sparring partner. For Haye, it is the matter of onwards and upwards, and surely a fight with one of the Klitschkos beckons after what seems to be endless negotiations over pay distribution.