Even if it is indisputable that Bobby Moore was a football god who in one of the greatest games ever played fought Pele to a standstill, no-one should sneer the word sacrilege if it should happen this evening in Seville that his total of 108 caps for England is matched by David Beckham.

Talking Football: England no longer have to go into games hoping Gerrard and Lampard will work

The Last Word

When Martin O'Neill was ploughing through the Nottingham Forest midfield, the club went from the middle of the old Second Division to winning the European Cup in three seasons. Between 1974 and 1982, O'Neill's current club, Aston Villa, made the same giant leap. Yet in the wonderful world of the Premier League these days, the ambition for any promoted club is purely and simply to avoid relegation. For even a Villa, an Everton or a Tottenham, despite all being ever-present for the League's 17 seasons, the great achievement would be merely to break into the top four places.

In 1978 Brian Clough's 'bunch of misfits' took First Division by storm. Now the third-tier team pray for play-off success

Golden boots but not too many golden balls. In the 27th minute of his 100th appearance for England, David Beckham received a pass, took a touch – and hit a wildly ambitious ball sailing high in the direction of Wayne Rooney's game but, to be honest, fruitless run. William Gallas simply tidied up.

Beckham's 99 caps provides a distinction surpassed by only four other players

Suave elder of the Democratic party

Leicester manager is frustrated by the boardroom row that threatens the club's future.

With luck, the England-Scotland matches won't spark a cross-border war. Yet soccer often has a close affinity with malice and mayhem.

Phil Shaw talks to the Leicester goalkeeper who is enjoying his return to the limelight after a frustrating spell in Blackburn Rovers' reserves

PHIL SMITH

PGA Championship: Goosen surrenders share of lead to Europe's No 1 while Els and Clarke produce poor rounds

ALAN SHEARER, who will spearhead the Newcastle attack in the FA Cup final against Manchester United at Wembley on Saturday, gave his Player of the Year vote to the United striker Dwight Yorke.