Fulham 2 Charlton Athletic 0

APOLOGIES TO regular readers for the absence of a column last week, but the demon of hard drives decided it was time to strike my long- suffering lap-top. And what a hellish experience it was; I'm still trying to get the damned thing fixed. The repair people took away my lifeline, twiddled with her insides and spat her back out at me with no software at all, and years of hard work gone for ever.

JOHN GREGORY has declined a request to write to the Football Association promising not to repeat making adverse comments to match officials in the future.

CHELSEA COULD be about to lose two members of their star-studded squad, one by their own design. The Sunday Mirror says Chelsea are ready to cut their losses on striker Chris Sutton after his abysmal run of two goals in 17 matches, with plans to sell the former Blackburn Rovers man for half the pounds 10m they paid if he fails to click by Christmas. Meanwhile, according to the Mail on Sunday, the frustration of being left out is testing Roberto Di Matteo's patience. They say he will look elsewhere if manager Gianluca Vialli does not give him a role against former club Lazio in the Champions' League tomorrow.

ALAN CURBISHLEY, the Charlton Athletic manager, is urging his side not to neglect their defensive duties after Tuesday's 2-1 defeat at home to Blackburn Rovers denied them a chance of going top of the Nationwide League First Division.

Charlton Athletic 1 Blackburn Rovers 2

Sharp shooters: The fastest goal in England yesterday was scored by Andy Hessenthaler of Gillingham after 16 seconds, as they won 2-1 at Cardiff. Watford's Michel Ngonge netted the first goal in the Premiership, although Sunderland won 3-2 at Vicarage Road.

NATIONWIDE PREVIEW

Charlton 0 Manchester City 1

Charlton Athletic 0 Manchester City 1 Goater 48 Half- time: 0-0 Attendance: 20,043

Grimsby Town 2 Charlton Athletic 5

ROUND-UP

MARK KINSELLA learned yesterday that he will be available for Charlton Athletic's First Division fixture with Grimsby Town next week after all.

Crewe Alexandra 0 Charlton Athletic 2