Manchester City 0 Northampton 0

Mary Flanagan encounters the New England nobs and admires a lyrical turn from an elegant stylist; Evening by Susan Minot Chatto & Windus, pounds 15.99, 264pp

NATIONWIDE LEAGUE

MANCHESTER CITY are heading for a new power struggle, with the family of the late Stephen Boler, a former director, ready to sell their large stake in the club. The troubled Maine Road club may face more behind- the-scenes intrigue with the news that 28 per cent of the shares are about to come on to the market.

Manchester City 2 Stoke City 1

THERE IS a distressing tendency among English writers of a certain age - Alan Hollinghurst, Joan Smith, Geoff Dyer - to frequent raves.

A MYSTERY plague has struck the lobster population off the coast of Maine in the northeastern United States, baffling marine researchers and spreading fear among lobstermen that their multimillion-dollar industry may be on the brink of disaster.

FLAMINGOS flying over sand dunes (above), Sperm whale carrying calf (left) and Bull moose (right) are among 105 highly commended entries for the BG Wildlife Photographer of the Year Competition.

Kim Newman sees a besieged bestseller look in the mirror once again; Bag of Bones by Stephen King Hodder & Stoughton, pounds 16.99, 516pp

CUBA LIBRE by Elmore Leonard Viking pounds 16.99

IT'S hot news at Debenhams. It's making Terry Green, the store's chief executive, a little hot under the collar. Stephanie Chen, the buying and merchandise director is thrilled. And the customer? Well he - and this time it is one for the boys - should be chomping at the bit. Ozwald Boateng, the larger than life Savile Row tailor to the stars, is joining the stable - the latest designer to add his signature to Debenhams' list of labels available only to those in the know. His collection, designed exclusively for Debenhams, is in the pipeline, alongside a men's range by John Richmond and a jewellery collection by Van Peterson.

JOE ROYLE and Willie Donachie have committed themselves as Manchester City's managerial team into the next century.

Manchester City's latest casualty was supposed to be the club's saviour, writes Guy Hodgson

FRANCIS LEE'S turbulent reign at Manchester City's chairman ended yesterday for "personal, family and business reasons". The millionaire and former City striker, who was swept to power by popular support four years ago, was driven out by spectator miscontent as the club sit perilously in the First Division's relegation zone.