Gary Newbon presents The Pieman's Blog

An English team will be in the European Champions League for the fifth season running. That's a fact because Manchester United will play Arsenal in one of the semi-finals. Arsenal are playing very well but I take Manchester United to be defending their title in the final in Rome at the end of May. In the other semi-final Chelsea will play the Spanish giants Barcelona. I would not want to write off Chelsea but Barcelona with the likes of Lionel Messi are well fancied. I think Barca will shade it.

United had to be the first English team to win in Porto. The presence of Rio Ferdinand in United's defence was a big factor. I am so impressed with Wayne Rooney and his incredible work rate. Manchester United are looking strong and back in business. They have won the World Club Championship and the Carling Cup. They play Everton in the semi-final of the FA Cup at Wembley on Sunday. Everton are doing so well but they do not have the resources, strength or as much talent as United. David Moyes has got his side playing like a real team but I expect United to return to Wembley for the final. That leaves the Premier League. United are of course reigning Champions of the PL as well. They have a one point lead over Liverpool with a game in hand. Liverpool have just six matches left. United to retain this title as well! Hey, they could still win all five trophies. Sir Alex Ferguson deserves it!

Liverpool were involved in a fantastic ECL quarter-final second leg tie at Stamford Bridge. They were 3-1 down from the first leg at Anfield. After falling behind several times in the amazing return Liverpool led 4-3 but Frank Lampard's second goal made it 4-4 and sealed it for Chelsea. What a regular star Lampard proves to be for Chelsea.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger says he fancies the ECL semi-finals with Manchester United. He has to, but they are on a great unbeaten run in the Premier League, they are fourth and look certain to nail another ECL place next month. It’s great for Arsenal that they have their three best players back, Cesc Fabregas, Emmanuel Adebayor and Robin Van Persie. Add the likes of Theo Walcott who scored the first goal against Villarreal, and of course they play Chelsea on Saturday in the FA Cup semi-finals.

The Premier League proves once again it’s the best and strongest there is in the world. The Chelsea v Liverpool match was football at its most exciting. The best match of the season anywhere!

Gary Newbon presents The Pieman's Blog

Sir Alex Ferguson takes gambles to win matches. His latest was vital. On Sunday with the club trailing Liverpool in the Premier League and Aston Villa in the match itself Sir Alex threw on a 17 year old substitute Italian Federico Macheda for his debut. His stunning winner three minutes into added time was the stuff dreams are made of. United are now one point ahead of Liverpool with a game in hand (v Portsmouth) and with 8 matches left (7 for Liverpool who appear to have an easier run in). This 3-2 win could be the result that actually makes the difference! United were without five very important players through suspension and injury. That's how big a result they pulled off. I have been tipping United all season. No change now. I also have big bets with two wealthy Aston Villa fans from last August. I said Villa were not ready yet to be in the top four. They have been closer than I expected but I will be proved right in the end and collect!

Liverpool have been more consistent in team selection. Like United they can score plenty of late goals. Liverpool have scored 8 times after 90 minutes this season - the latest in the 1-0 away win at West Ham from substitute Yossi Benayoun. Liverpool are scoring lots of goals at present and looking very confident. But I still think Chelsea can pip them to runner's up spot even if Liverpool have by far the easiest looking run in to the season of the top four clubs. And what a match on Wednesday in the regular European Champions League pairing of Liverpool at Chelsea. It’s the quarter-final first leg tie at Anfield. I do not know which club will get through over the two legs because it is always so tight with so few goals. But my money would just edge Chelsea. We will see!

Alan Shearer lost his first match as Newcastle's manager. He had 8 matches to save them from relegation. No surprise losing to Chelsea who have the best away record in the Premier League but a bad defensive mistake by Newcastle's Coloccini led to the first goal... and the Toon will need more than the Messiah to save them. Television pundits do not often make great first time managers! Newcastle need someone with proven experience right now. I think it is a daft gamble that will not work!

Fabio Capello is certainly the experienced choice for England. He has instilled discipline and fear in the England squad in the right way. The World Cup group six that England are topping with 100 % record after 5 matches is not very strong but the matches still have to be won. England at the half way mark will qualify for the finals in South Africa next year.

What of the others in the UK and Ireland? The Scots must ideally beat Norway away and Macedonia at home in the autumn to win a play-off place behind Holland in group 9. Wales have no chance now in group 4; Northern Ireland's home wins over Poland and Slovenia puts them top of Group 3 but Slovaki are just one point behind with two games in hand. So the Irish matches in both Poland and the Czech Republic are huge if the Irish are to stand a chance of reaching the World Cup finals for the first time since 1986.The Republic of Ireland drew 1-1 at leaders Italy in Group 8 thanks to a late, late goal by Robbie Keane. The Republic are now second, two points behind the World Champions. Difficult games in Bulgaria and Cyprus may settle the automatic issue.

Scotland and Rangers took action against Barry Ferguson and Alan McGregor. They were relegated to the Scotland subs bench after breaking a late-night drinking curfew but when both players gave V signs at the match to photographers when on the bench they were banned for life by Scotland and suspended for 2 weeks by their club Rangers. Well done, both club and country. Disgraceful behaviour by both players.