Stewart Downing will not face charges relating to the Liverpool player's arrest last month on suspicion of assault, police have said. The 27-year-old England winger was held for questioning following an alleged incident at the Cross Keys pub in Yarm, Teesside, at around 1am on 8 January. A 32-year-old woman also arrested at the time on suspicion of assault remains on police bail. A Cleveland police spokeswoman said: "A 27-year-old man who was arrested on suspicion of assault following an alleged incident at a pub on Yarm High Street has been released without charge. "A 32-year-old woman

Roberto Mancini has admitted that the gamble on signing Owen Hargreaves has not paid off, confirming what many suspected to be the case, when David Pizarro was brought in from Italy as cover, that the midfielder is still not fit enough to resume his career and now seems unlikely to find a significant role with the club. The injury-plagued former England player has made only four appearances since signing on a one-year deal last summer, his two starts both coming in the Carling Cup. "We took a gamble on Owen because he was such a fantastic player," the City manager said. "We thought we could

Mick McCarthy has had talks with Steve Morgan after being left unimpressed by the Wolverhampton Wanderers owner's decision to enter the dressing room and lambast his players this week. Morgan made his intervention in the aftermath of Tuesday's 3-0 home defeat to Liverpool, which left the club heading into Saturday's game at Queens Park Rangers second bottom in the Premier League, having won two of their last 21 matches. It was the first time in his managerial career, according to McCarthy, that his chairman had entered the dressing room to deliver such a rebuke and, although the manager ap

This is second against fourth in the Premier League, a clash between two sides who have carved up the last seven titles between them, but somehow it does not feel like it. United have won eight of their last 10 fixtures in the league but are grinding out results in their pursuit of Manchester City. Chelsea, meanwhile, stumble and stutter in their attempt to hold on to the final Champions League spot. Neutrals must hope that at least one of these big beasts can rediscover their mojo come Sunday tea-time. John Ashdown Venue Stamford Bridge Tickets Sold out Last season Chelsea 2

Liverpool exude an air of conviction now that makes it hard to recall that they were defeated at Bolton recently. Those memories are all but erased following progress in the Carling Cup and FA Cup. However, Tottenham, 11 points better off in the league, may reintroduce some anxiety to Anfield. Their firepower has been greater than that of Kenny Dalglish's side. But Craig Bellamy and Dirk Kuyt have recently been at their best and Liverpool have not missed Luis Suárez too badly during a now completed suspension. Kevin McCarra Venue Anfield Tickets Sold out Last season Liverpool 0 T

If Shay Given can expect a warm welcome on his return to Tyneside, Darren Bent should brace himself for hostility. As a one-time Sunderland forward Bent is not popular on Gallowgate, from where home fans will watch his intriguing duel with Fabricio Coloccini. Alan Pardew hopes to offer Papisss Demba Cissé, Newcastle's new signing from Freiburg, a debut, quite possibly alongside his Senegal strike partner Demba Ba. Signficantly, Pardew, who managed Bent at Charlton, is not discounting talk of Champions League qualification. Louise Taylor Venue Sports Direct Arena Tickets Sold out

Manchester City have every cause to feel nervous. The leadership of the Premier League is no longer so reassuring when it is based solely on goal difference. A side that scored freely for a time was beaten 1-0 at Goodison Park in midweek. Some of the decline can be blamed on the loss of the Touré brothers to the Africa Cup of Nations, but City have also underperformed. At least they have the comfort of a perfect league record at home, with 11 wins. Fulham have recorded just one away victory in the league all season. Kevin McCarra Venue Etihad Stadium Tickets Sold out Last season

Nicklas Bendtner has been fitted with a custom-made mask which should permit him to return to playing centre-forward for Sunderland by the middle of February. The Denmark forward, on loan from Arsenal, had been expected to be sidelined for several weeks with a broken nose and other facial injuries but, thanks to a new face guard, his return has now been accelerated. "Nicklas is definitely going to get a mask fitted," Martin O'Neill said. "He's seen a specialist down in London and we're hoping to have the go-ahead to start him running next week." When Bendtner does come back O'Neill must c

A key subplot of Newcastle United v Aston Villa on Sunday will involve an attacking beauty contest featuring Papiss Demba Cissé, Demba Ba and Darren Bent. While Alan Pardew, Newcastle's manager, is looking forward to fielding Cissé, his new £9m signing from Freiburg, alongside Ba he will be wary of the threat posed by Villa's Bent, a player he managed at Charlton Athletic. "I know Darren very well and he is similar to Cissé. They are two good No9s," said Pardew. "Both play off the shoulder, are good in the air and can finish with the right foot and the left foot.

Hundreds of supporters of the Cairo football club, which lost 74 fans in Wednesday's riot, have rallied outside the club's premises to mourn the dead and call for revenge against fans of their rival team. As the rally took place, fans of Al Ahly club in central Cairo were still burying those killed in the northern city of Port Said during the clashes with supporters of their bitter rivals, Al Masri. The violence was Egypt's worst football riot in 15 years. Yet, among the outrage of the crowd of about 400 people, a sense of responsibility was stirring. "Take that sign down," said one leader