Season 2005/06

136 episodes · 2005

This afternoon's traditional curtain-raiser to the new season saw Premiership champions Chelsea play FA Cup holders Arsenal at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff.

Manchester United v Debreceni VSC. Coverage from Old Trafford of the first leg of United's third-round Champions League qualifier.

The waiting is over: as the Premiership season gets under way, Gary Lineker presents highlights of today's eight games. While Goodison's prodigal son Wayne Rooney returns to Everton in Manchester United colours and European champions Liverpool travel to Middlesbrough, other action includes Sunderland's return to the top flight in a home game against Charlton, and play-off winners West Ham's clash with Blackburn.

Highlights of England's friendly against Denmark in Copenhagen as Sven-Goran Eriksson 's men prepare for next month's crucial World Cup qualifiers away to Wales and Northern Ireland.

New signing Edgar Davids makes his White Hart Lane Premiership debut as Spurs face Middlesbrough. Also Liverpool take on Sunderland, Blackburn Rovers are at home against Fulham, while Newcastle United host West Ham at St James' Park.

Highlights of tonight's three Premiership matches as champions Chelsea welcome West Bromwich Albion to Stamford Bridge, Arsenal take on Fulham in a London derby at Highbury and Blackburn Rovers entertain Tottenham Hotspur.

Were Spurs able to break a winless league streak against Chelsea dating back to 1990? Did Fulham preserve an unbeaten 39-year home record against Everton? All will be revealed in action from all seven of today's Premiership games.

Northern Ireland v England. Sven's men travel to Windsor Park for a crucial World Cup qualifier, just days after clashing with Wales in Cardiff.

Highlights of today's eight top-flight games, including the eagerly awaited Manchester derby, Liverpool's visit to Tottenham, and a clash of the champions as Premiership kings Chelsea welcome Championship winners Sunderland.

Highlights of Charlton v Chelsea and Fulham v West Ham, plus Sunderland's clash with West Brom and Tottenham's trip to Aston Villa.

Action from West Ham's London derby against Arsenal, plus Aston Villa's bid to get on the scoresheet against Chelsea after drawing a blank last season and Blackburn boss Mark Hughes 's return to Man United.

Have Fulham beaten Manchester United at home for the first time in 41 years? Highlights of this plus all today's other Premiership matches, including Sunderland v West Ham, Charlton v Spurs and Blackburn v West Brom.

Coverage from Windsor Park of this Group Six World Cup qualifier. The home side will be buoyant after their victory over England, while Wales will be hoping to salvage some pride and lift themselves from the foot of the table.

After losing to Northern Ireland, England must win this World Cup qualifier against third-place Austria if they are to top Group Six.

England's World Cup fate could hang in the balance at Old Trafford in Manchester as they face Poland in their final Group Six qualifier.

Highlights of all seven of today's Premiership matches, which included Chelsea taking on Bolton, Wigan facing Newcastle in a league fixture for the first time and Liverpool hosting Blackburn.

Today's Premiership highlights saw Arsenal host Manchester City and Man Utd entertain Spurs, both home sides hoping to steal a march on rivals Chelsea who play Everton tomorrow.

Premiership highlights, including the north London derby between Tottenham and Arsenal, plus Wigan at home to Fulham - the first meeting of the sides since their Division Two clash six years ago - and Man Utd away to Middlesbrough.

Premiership highlights, including Aston Villa at home to European champions Liverpool, and newly promoted Sunderland's bid to win at Highbury - for the first time in 22 years. Plus the pick of today's FA Cup first-round ties.

Chasetown v Oldham Athletic. An FA Cup first-round tie against one-time semi-finalists gives the Staffordshire non-league side their biggest match to date

Argentina v England. Old rivals lock horns again in Geneva, Switzerland, scene of this eagerly awaited friendly.

Premiership highlights, including Chelsea v Newcastle, Charlton v Manchester United, Liverpool v Portsmouth, Wigan v Arsenal, Manchester City v Blackburn, and West Brom v Everton.

Highlights of today's six Premiership ties, including dream-start debutants Wigan Athletic's clash with a reinvigorated Tottenham at the JJB Stadium, and Portsmouth's unenviable task of taking on Chelsea at Fratton Park.

Premiership highlights include Arsenal v Bolton and Chelsea v Middlesbrough.

Worcester City v Huddersfield. The Conference North minnows take on the League One high-flyers in this tantalising FA Cup second-round tie. Following their 4-1 first-round win, the Terriers - who won the Cup once, way back in 1928 - should beat a side that last reached this stage in 1984. But their defeat by Accrington Stanley two years ago should give the underdogs hope.

Chelsea's potentially fascinating game against overachieving new boys Wigan and Newcastle's clash with an Arsenal side they've found unbeatable of late are among the Premiership highlights mulled over by host Gary Lineker and the MOTD pundits.

Premiership highlights, including Manchester Utd's clash with Aston Villa , Bolton's trip to Everton and the game between two of the season's early pace-setters, Wigan and Charlton.

Ten Premiership ties took place today, including Charlton v Arsenal and Chelsea v Fulham. Plus all the goals from the other matches.

The Merseyside derby between Everton and Liverpool is likely to have been the most hotly contested of today's games, but Chelsea had a point to prove against recent bugbears Manchester City, while title-chasers Arsenal and Manchester United needed points from Portsmouth and Birmingham respectively.

Comprehensive Premiership highlights, including Chelsea v Birmingham, Manchester Utd v Bolton, Sunderland v Everton, and Portsmouth v Fulham.

The best of today's Premiership action, including Chelsea's tough-looking assignment at Upton Park against West Ham. Plus highlights of Blackburn's game against Portsmouth and Newcastle United's appointment with mid-table neighbours Middlesbrough.

Championship side Hull will be looking to cause an upset against the seven-times winners of the competition, who have struggled to emulate their past glories of late, both in cup competitions and the Premiership.

Kenilworth Road is the venue for two sides who, when they last met in the tournament back in 1987, needed two replays to separate them. These days, Championship contenders Luton are looking to return to the top flight of English football, while European champions Liverpool are beginning their bid to win a seventh FA Cup, spearheaded by manager Rafael Benitez and captain Steven Gerrard.

Did dreams come true for the would-be giant killers? Mark Pougatch introduces action from today's FA Cup ties, in which Premiership and Championship sides entered the fray alongside football's minnows.

Spurs are eight-times winners of the competition and manager Martin Jol 's side are currently enjoying their best Premiership season for years. By contrast, Leicester have been struggling in the lower half of the Championship so will be particularly hopeful of victory tonight. Plus highlights of this afternoon's three other third-round ties, including the much-anticipated meeting of non-League Burton Albion and Manchester United.

Action from - plus reaction to - eight Premiership fixtures, including the Manchester derby, Aston Villa v West Ham, Liverpool v Spurs, Blackburn v Bolton and Arsenal v Middlesbrough.

FA Cup Third-round Replay coverage of one of tonight's replays to decide who makes it through to the fourth round - even if it means the dreaded penalty shoot-out.

Did Arsenal extend their seven-match unbeaten run away to Everton? Was there a fiery encounter at St James' Park, where Newcastle manager Graeme Souness encountered his old club Blackburn?

It's the biggest day in the history of League Two Cheltenham Town as they take on six-time winners the Magpies in this FA Cup fourth-round tie. Tiny Whaddon Road has never before played host to top-flight opposition in the Cup, and John Ward's side will relish the chance to share a pitch with Alan Shearer and co. Despite a proud FA Cup tradition, Newcastle haven't won the trophy since 1955 and Shearer would love to lift it in his final season.

Arsenal travel to the Reebok Stadium for what is likely to be a hard-fought FA Cup fourth-round fixture. A single goal was enough to give the Gunners a win here in last season's sixth-round tie, but the current holders know they won't be in for an easy ride after losing 2-0 to the Trotters in the Premiership earlier this year.

Today's feast of FA Cup fourth-round football included the all-Premiership clash between Bolton Wanderers and holders Arsenal, and Cheltenham Town's giant-killing attempt against Graeme Souness' mighty Newcastle United.

This FA Cup fourth-round tie pits Harry Redknapp's Portsmouth against European champions Liverpool at Fratton Park. This could be close: two years ago Portsmouth beat Liverpool in a fifth-round replay - and, in 1992's semis, Liverpool required penalties to break Pompey hearts.

Highlights of tonight's games, including Chelsea's trip to Aston Villa, where the Blues haven't won in the Premiership for almost seven years. Meanwhile Manchester United and Blackburn meet for the third time in a month following their Carling Cup semi-final, and relegation-threatened Birmingham face a tough task against Liverpool at Anfield.

With Chelsea and Liverpool meeting tomorrow, today's focus was the bottom of the Premiership. Sunderland and Portsmouth faced West Ham and Newcastle respectively, Birmingham hosted Arsenal, and ex-Red Devils Bryan Robson and Mark Hughes locked horns as West Brom played Blackburn.

Coverage of one of tonight's replays to decide who makes it through to the fifth round - even if it means the dreaded penalty shoot-out.

Chelsea take the defence of their Premiership title to Middlesbrough, Portsmouth play Manchester United, who have yet to score a Premiership goal at Fratton Park, and Bolton descend on Arsenal hoping for a repeat of December's 2-0 league win. Plus Liverpool v Wigan, Aston Villa v Newcastle, Everton v Blackburn and Fulham v West Brom.

Passions will be running high at Anfield in an all-Premiership FA Cup fifth-round tie between two fierce rivals. As well as deciding a spot in the last eight, the match will also go some way to deciding bragging rights as the premier team in the North West. On past results in this competition, United hold the upper hand with eight wins to two in their favour. But Rafa Benftez's men will be pumped up following the 1-0 defeat at Old Trafford last month.

Two sides in a state of flux meet for an intriguing FA Cup fifth-round tie at St James' Park. Both teams have experienced recent managerial upheaval: George Burley took over at the Saints following the departure of Harry Redknapp , while Graeme Souness left the Geordie giants after a huge financial outlay failed to bring returns on the pitch.

FA Cup fifth-round action from the all-Premiership ties Liverpool v Manchester United, and Bolton v West Ham. Plus Newcastle United v Southampton and League One Brentford attempting to cause an upset away to Charlton.

Coverage of this all-Premiership FA Cup fifth-round tie from Villa Park. With the competition key to both clubs' hopes of qualifying for Europe, it promises to be a hard-fought encounter.

Highlights from today's Premiership as the relegation battle hots up. How did struggling Birmingham fare against an equally troubled Sunderland? Did Chelsea pile on the misery for Portsmouth? And did Euro hopefuls Blackburn Rovers make trouble for Arsenal?

England v Uruguay. Gary Lineker presents live coverage from Anfield, as England continue preparations for the World Cup finals with a friendly against Uruguay.

Premiership highlights including West Bromwich v Chelsea and Newcastle v Bolton.

Highlights from a potentially crucial day's football in the Premiership, including Chelsea v Tottenham, Birmingham City v West Bromwich Albion and Bolton Wanderers v West Ham United.

West Ham United v Bolton Wanderers. Two Premiership high-flyers seek to further their European ambitions as they vie for an FA Cup quarter-final place at the Boleyn Ground.

Highlights of all today's Premiership games, including Arsenal v Charlton.

Manchester City v West Ham. Coverage of the first FA Cup quarter-final tie.

Chelsea v Newcastle United. In what should turn out to be the tie of the FA Cup quarter-final matches, the Premiership champions take on the resurgent Magpies.

Charlton v Middlesbrough. Coverage of the last of this week's all-Premiership FA Cup quarter-finals as Charlton welcome Middlesbrough to the Valley.

Highlights of all today's Premiership games, including Liverpool v Everton, Chelsea v Manchester City and Portsmouth v Arsenal.

England v France. Coverage from Ewood Park of this Women's World Cup qualifying game. Can Hope Powell 's England even the score following their defeat by France in the 2003 qualifiers

Highlights of all today's Premiership games, including Arsenal v Aston Villa, Bolton v Manchester United and Newcastle v Tottenham.

Highlights of today's Premiership games. Relegation-threatened Birmingham travelled to Wigan and fellow strugglers Portsmouth hosted Blackburn, who've been chasing a place in Europe. Tottenham, another side aiming for at least a Uefa Cup berth, are at home to Manchester City, while Charlton welcomed Everton and Fulham headed to Sunderland.

Middlesbrough v Charlton Athletic. The two teams reconvene for this FA Cup quarter-final replay at the Riverside Stadium after a goalless draw at the Valley last month.

A packed Premiership weekend continued today with Bolton taking on Chelsea and Fulham playing Charlton, while relegation-threatened West Brom faced a tough trip to Arsenal as Portsmouth entertained Middlesbrough.

Action from today's seven Premiership games. A Spurs side chasing a place in Europe next year sought a rare result against visitors Manchester United. Meanwhile, relegation certainties Sunderland aimed to salvage some pride at home against North East rivals Newcastle, while Portsmouth and West Brom continued their campaigns to stay up with tricky ties against Charlton and Bolton respectively.

Chelsea v Liverpool. Gary Lineker presents one of the year's biggest games as the Premiership champions take on the European champions at Old Trafford for a place in the FA Cup final on 13 May.

Highlights of today's five Premiership matches and the FA Cup semi-final between Chelsea and Liverpool.

Chelsea v Manchester United was today's stand-out Premiership match. Plus, could Portsmouth repeat their great escape of 2004, away to Wigan, and Blackburn Rovers secure a Champions League place on a visit to Charlton?

Coverage from the New Den, Millwall, of a north v south showpiece clash. Arsenal are seeking their third league-and-cup double in the past six seasons. By contrast, this is Leeds' first appearance in the final. But the Yorkshire side come into the clash with their confidence buoyed by a convincing semi-final win over Liverpool.

Highlights of the final Premiership ties of the season. As champions Chelsea enjoy their trip to Newcastle, stragglers Birmingham, West Brom and Portsmouth face Bolton, Everton and Liverpool respectively, in potentially critical games.

England v Hungary. Coverage from St Mary's, Southampton, of the Women's World Cup qualifier. With only the group winners going through to next year's finals in China, England cannot afford any slip-ups but they'll be hot favourites to win this evening, having beaten Hungary 13-0 in Budapest in October.

All the magic of the Cup is about to envelop the two Premiership sides who line up this afternoon for the 125th annual showpiece occasion at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium. The Merseysiders, favourites for a seventh Cup win, have a slight psychological advantage, having recently beaten their opponents in the league when Luis Garcia and Hayden Mullins were sent off. Three-time winners West Ham are through to their first final since 1980, but they know how to win in Cardiff - 12 months ago they clinched promotion in the Championship play-off final.

Trinidad and Tobago v Wales. England's World Cup Group B opponents Trinidad and Tobago take on Wales in a warm-up game at the Liebherr GAK Stadium in Graz, Austria.

England v Hungary. Coverage of this international friendly at Old Trafford, with just 11 days to go until England's World Cup campaign gets under way in Frankfurt.

England's first ever match against Jamaica in this friendly at Old Trafford.

Hosts Germany take on Costa Rica in the opening game of the tournament.

Highlights from the opening day of the tournament, which saw hosts Germany take on Costa Rica, while Poland faced Ecuador.

England's World Cup campaign starts here, in Frankfurt and fans will be expecting a victory. Paraguay are no pushovers, though - the South Americans beat Argentina on their way to qualifying for this, their third successive World Cup finals.

Highlights from all of day two's games, with Adrian Chiles , Gordon Strachan and Lee Dixon.

Coverage of the Group C match in Leipzig. Despite failing to make the 2002 World Cup, Holland qualified with ease this year under the guidance of their one-time star striker Marco Van Basten, and will be clear favourites to win today.

The highly rated Central Americans do battle with the Middle East minnows, live from Nuremberg. Iran are unlikely to keep their fans happy as they take on Mexico, currently ranked in the world's top ten, and favourites to win Group D.

Day three saw the Netherlands take on Serbia and Montenegro, while Iran faced Mexico.

The first of tonight's two matches from Group E sees the American underdogs take on the highly fancied Czechs in Gelsenkirchen.

The three-time winners from Italy start their 16th campaign in Hanover against the African hopefuls making their World Cup debut.

Highlights of the day's action, presented by Ray Stubbs , with lain Dowie and Gavin Peacock.

Coverage from Frankfurt as South Korea take on Togo in Group G.

The 1998 World Cup winners face their European neighbours in Group G.

A mouth-watering clash sees the South Americans start the defence of their title in Berlin.

Highlights of today's games, which saw Brazil begin the defence of their title and 1998 champions France entertain Switzerland.

The tournament hosts face up to their European neighbours at the Fifa World Cup Stadium, Dortmund, in what could be the match of Group A.

Highlights from the sixth day of the tournament, which saw hosts Germany take on European rivals Poland in Group A. Elsewhere, in Group H, Spain began the campaign against Ukraine in Leipzig, and Saudi Arabia played Tunisia in Munich.

Highlights of England's second World Cup group match against Trinidad and Tobago in Nuremberg.

Coverage of this Group C tie at Gelsenkirchen.

Highly rated contenders Argentina, the Netherlands and Mexico were all in action today.

Frankfurt plays host to this Group D clash.

Highlights from two Group E games - Italy v USA and Czech Republic v Ghana - plus Portugal v Iran in Group D.

Coverage of the crucial Group G clash from Leipzig's Zentral Stadion.

Highlights of today's three matches - Japan v Croatia, Brazil v Australia, and France v South Korea.

Coverage from Dortmund, as Togo take on Switzerland in Group G.

Spain's perennial underachievers continue their 42-year quest for a major tournament win as they take on the African underdogs in Stuttgart.

Highlights of the day's action, presented by Ray Stubbs , with Lee Dixon and Gavin Peacock.

Highlights of England's final group game against familiar foes Sweden, and a recap of the match between Paraguay and Trinidad & Tobago. Plus, the action from today's Group A matches as hosts Germany took on Ecuador and Costa Rica met Poland.

Highlights of the final Group C and D games, including the clash between old foes Argentina and the Netherlands. Plus news of Ivory Coast v Serbia and Montenegro, Portugal v Mexico and Iran v Angola.

Coverage from Hamburg of one of the most eagerly awaited group games.

The final Group F match from Stuttgart. With Brazil in their group - for whom failure to qualify is unthinkable - Croatia and Australia will have to put aside their close cultural ties if either are to progress to the second round.

A team that impressed against hosts Germany in a pre-tournament friendly take on the ever-mercurial holders in Dortmund.

Highlights of today's four games as Groups E and F reached their climax. Holders Brazil and Japan met in Dortmund while Australia's Premiership stars also vied for a place in the last 16 with Croatia. Dark horses the Czech Republic played Italy, and debutants Ghana faced a fast-improving USA side.

From Kaiserslautern, the final match in Group H.

The West African minnows invidiously tagged as the tournament's lowest-ranked side stake their claim for an infamous giantkilling act as Group G climaxes with a David and Goliath battle in Cologne.

From Hanover, the final match in Group G. In 2002 South Korea stunned Italy and Spain en route to the semi-finals. Switzerland, meanwhile, have never reached the second round in World Cup tournaments held in Europe.

Highlights of all four of today's World Cup matches - Saudi Arabia v Spain, Ukraine v Tunisia, Togo v France and Switzerland v South Korea - as the group stage reaches its climax.

Round of 16: Winner Group A v Runner-up Group B. Second-round action from Munich.

Round of 16: Winner Group C v Runner-up Group D. Gary Lineker presents the action from Leipzig.

Highlights from today's second-round games.

Round of 16: Winner Group B v Runner-up Group A. Gary Lineker presents second-round coverage from Stuttgart, featuring the winner of England's group.

Round of 16: Winner Group D v Runner-up Group C. Coverage of the crucial second-round clash from Nuremberg.

Highlights of today's two second-round matches.

Round of 16: Winner Group E v Runner-up Group F. A second-round clash from Kaiserslautern featuring qualifiers from Italy's and Brazil's groups.

Round of 16: Winner Group G v Runner-up Group H. A showdown from Cologne that may well involve France, South Korea, Spain or Ukraine.

Today's highlights, with Ray Stubbs , Gavin Peacock and Leonardo.

Round of 16: Winner Group F v Runner-up Group E. Second round action from Dortmund.

Round of 16: Winner Group H v Runner-up Group G in Hanover.

Adrian Chiles is joined by Gavin Peacock and Lee Dixon to review highlights of the day's action.

The first quarter-final match from Berlin.

Hamburg is the setting as Gary Lineker introduces the second quarter-final.

Highlights of today's quarter-final matches.

Gary Lineker is in Gelsenkirchen for the penultimate quarter-final.

Coverage from Frankfurt of today's second quarter-final tie.

Highlights of the last two quarter-finals.

The nerve-racking first semi-final, in Dortmund.

Highlights from the Dortmund showdown.

Coverage of the second semi-final from Munich.

Highlights of the second semi-final.

The curtain is set to fall this weekend on what has been a month of top-drawer footballing drama, with a cast of incredible characters performing on a world stage. Tonight, Stuttgart is the venue for the play-off for third and fourth places. After the bitter disappointment of semi-final defeat in midweek, which team will be able to regroup to show the world its resilience has not been shattered?

It's time for the biggest international football match in four years, as Gary Lineker introduces coverage of the 2006 World Cup final from the Olympiastadion in Berlin.