Latest North East & Newcastle sports headlines & news

United breeze past Saints

Manchester United set up an FA Cup fourth round home tie against Tottenham with a comfortable 3-0 win over Coca-Cola Championship strugglers Southampton. Read

Merseyside rivals handed cup clash

The fourth round of the FA Cup will feature a Merseyside derby after Liverpool and Everton were the first two balls drawn out of the hat. Read

Tigers fightback stuns Bath

Leicester staged a stunning late fightback to dent Bath's Guinness Premiership title ambitions in a thrilling 24-22 win at Welford Road. Read

A second-half double from Kris Boyd and a stunning strike from Pedro Mendes saw Rangers sink bottom side Inverness 3-0 and close the gap on Clydesdale Bank Premier League leaders Celtic to five points. Read

Adams still hopes to keep Defoe

Portsmouth manager Tony Adams insists he has not given up on keeping striker Jermain Defoe at Fratton Park despite all signs pointing to the former Tottenham striker returning to his old club after missing Saturday's grim goalless draw with Bristol City in the FA Cup. Read

Villa edge past battling Gills

Birthday boy James Milner grabbed both goals as Aston Villa reached the fourth round of the FA Cup for only the second time in eight seasons courtesy of a 2-1 win - but they were given a scare by Gillingham. Read

Tevez disappointed by contract reports

Manchester United striker Carlos Tevez has revealed his disappointment over speculation suggesting he had rejected a new contract to stay at the club. Read

Chimbonda's Lyon switch off - Agent

Pascal Chimbonda's possible move from Sunderland to Lyon is now "dead", according to the player's agent, Roger Boli. Read

Mendes leads Gers to victory

A stunning strike from Pedro Mendes and a second-half double from Kris Boyd allowed Rangers to close the gap on league leaders Celtic with a 3-0 win over Inverness. Read

Downing to hand in transfer request

Middlesbrough's resolve to hang on to midfielder Stewart Downing will be tested to the full on Monday when he hands in a written transfer request. Read

Hughes looking for famous five

Under-fire Mark Hughes estimates it will take the arrival of five more players this month to ensure Manchester City remain competitive in the Premier League. Read

Gerrard praise after traumatic week

Steven Gerrard was hailed as ``a model professional'' after he masterminded Liverpool's 2-0 FA Cup third-round victory at Preston. Read

Gower expects Pietersen backing

Former England captain David Gower believes skipper Kevin Pietersen will win his power struggle with coach Peter Moores. Read

Lamb blasts Spurs

Middlesbrough chief executive Keith Lamb has hit out at Tottenham and labelled their bid for Stewart Downing "derisory". Read

Scolari bemoans lack of confidence

Chelsea boss Luiz Felipe Scolari hinted his players were suffering a crisis of confidence in front of goal after League One minnows Southend snatched a last-gasp 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge. Read

Defoe reveals death threats

Jermain Defoe has received threats from Portsmouth fans angered by the prospect of him leaving the club, admitting: "Some of the calls have made me sick to my stomach." Read

Job well done for Wenger

Arsene Wenger reflected on a job well done after Arsenal saw off determined Coca-Cola Championship side Plymouth 3-1 at Emirates Stadium to book a place in the fourth round of the FA Cup. Read

Turner hails Pools effort

Chris Turner hailed the biggest victory of his football career after seeing Hartlepool dump Barclays Premier League Stoke out of the FA Cup. Read

Hutchings hails Rams resilience

Derby caretaker boss Chris Hutchings paid tribute to his side's battling spirit after they twice came from behind to knock Forest Green out of the FA Cup with a dramatic 4-3 triumph. Read

Proteas fight back

South Africa captain Graeme Smith was taken to hospital for x-rays on a suspected broken finger after a century from Australia's Michael Clarke was negated by a Proteas fightback late on day two of the third Test at the SCG. Read