Sir Alex Ferguson offers high praise for departing chief executive

Chelsea 0 Swansea City 2

Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has revealed he was confronted by a gang of hooded fans during contract talks with the club eight years ago. The group turned up outside the player's house to demand that he signed a new deal.

'United boys' wanted centre-back to sign new contract

Even at this 11th hour and 59th minute, is it too late to save Dr Liam Fox? With the Cabinet Secretary Sir Gus O'Donnell due to report to the PM today on Foxy's friendship with Adam Werritty, pray God someone instantly alerts Sir Gus to this rebuttal of the damaging charge that, in Mr Werritty's company, he met with the American director of a private equity firm with commercial links to the Ministry of Defence. The good doctor insists this pow-wow in a Dubai restaurant came about purely by chance – and before cynics sneer and sneerers sin, there is a compelling precedent for such a defence.

Club heavily in the red last year but happy to press on with planned multimillion outlay on striker Torres

Talking Football: When the dust has settled on most of Abramovich's big decisions at Chelsea you can just about see the cold, hard logic. But it is harder this time

Roman Abramovich has assured Carlo Ancelotti that his job is safe for now in the wake of Chelsea's 1-0 defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers on Wednesday that has left them with 10 points from the last 11 games. Ancelotti will also have the funds to bid for Benfica defender David Luiz this month.

The former Chelsea FC chief executive Peter Kenyon has accepted £20,000 damages over a claim he had allowed his judgement to be influenced by a "catfight" involving his girlfriend. Mr Kenyon and Chelsea FC plc brought libel proceedings over a story in the Daily Mail in September 2008.

Kenny Huang, the Hong Kong businessman who led the first and arguably most credible bid to take over Liverpool, last night ended his interest in the club.

Key FA board member gives support to manager who remains keen to stay in job

How is the Coalition playing in the Tory shires? Paul Vallely finds out – after a tetchy start

Punishing people on the basis of their private lives is a tricky business indeed

Rejuvenated Brazilian was a transfer target the United manager failed to land