A Fork

There was a young woman who had been diagnosed
with a terminal illness and had been given three months to live.

So as she was getting her things "in order",
she contacted her Pastor and had him come to her house
to discuss certain aspects of her final wishes.

She told him which songs she wanted sung at the service,
what scriptures she would like read, and what outfit she wanted to be buried in.

Everything was in order and the Pastor was preparing to leave
when the young woman suddenly remembered something very important to her.
"There's one more thing," she said excitedly.

"What's that?" came the Pastor's reply.

"This is very important," the young woman continued.

"I want to be buried with a fork in my right hand."

The Pastor stood looking at the young woman, not knowing quite what to say.

“That surprises you, doesn't it?" the young woman asked.

"Well, to be honest, I'm puzzled by the request." said the Pastor.

The young woman explained.

"My grandmother once told me this story,
and from that time on I have always tried to pass along its message to those I love
and those who are in need of encouragement.

In all my years of attending socials and dinners,
I always remember that when the dishes of the main course were being cleared,
someone would inevitably lean over and say, 'Keep your fork.'

It was my favorite part --- because I knew that something better was coming ...
like a velvety chocolate cake or a deep-dish apple pie.

Something wonderful, and with substance !

So, I just want people to see me there in that casket with a fork in my hand
and I want them to wonder "What's with the fork?"

Then I want you to tell them: "Keep your fork, the best is yet to come."

The Pastor's eyes welled up with tears of joy as he hugged the young woman good-bye.

He knew this would be one of the last times he would see her before her death.

But he also knew that the young woman had a better grasp of heaven than he did.
She had a better grasp of what heaven would be like
than many people twice her age, with twice as much experience and knowledge.

She KNEW that something better was coming.

At the funeral people were walking by the young woman's casket
and they saw the cloak she was wearing and the fork placed in her right hand.

Over and over, the Pastor heard the question,
What's with the fork?" And over and over he smiled.

During his message, the Pastor told the people of the conversation
he had with the young woman shortly before she died.

He also told them about the fork and about what it symbolized to her.
He told the people how he could not stop thinking about the fork
and told them that they probably would not be able to stop thinking about it either.

He was right.

So the next time you reach down for your fork,
let it remind you, ever so gently, that the best is yet to come.

Friends are a very rare jewel, indeed.
They make you smile and encourage you to succeed.

They lend an ear, they share a word of praise, and they always want to open their hearts to us.

Show your friends how much you care.

Remember to always be there for them, even when you need them more.

For you never know when it may be their time to "Keep their fork."

Champion League Final: AC Milan 2 Liverpool 1

This time there was to be no miracle escape and no sixth European Cup.

Even though Dirk Kuyt's last-minute header raised the prospect of a comeback equally as memorable as the one Liverpool produced in Istanbul two years ago, ultimately only a Greek tragedy was awaiting Rafael Benitez as his side fell victim to AC Milan's Champions League revenge mission in Athens' Olympic Stadium.

There will be no consolation for the Merseysiders' vast following that Milan's crucial opener was a fluke, Andrea Pirlo's 45th-minute free-kick flicking off Filippo Inzaghi to give Pepe Reina no chance.

All they can reflect on is the knowledge that, in a tight contest, infinitely more watchable than Saturday's woeful FA Cup Final, the Anfield men had enough chances to emerge victorious and squandered them.

For once Steven Gerrard's shooting boots failed him when it mattered and with Liverpool unable to find a second in a frantic late scramble, it was Inzhagi's 82nd-minute second that allowed Milan to complete a British hat-trick, having already eliminated Celtic and Manchester United from the competition.

Of far more significance to the Serie A giants, whom some will remain convinced should not have been allowed back into the tournament after initially being expelled in the wake of the Italian match-fixing scandal, is confirmation of a seventh European triumph - only two behind Real Madrid - and a fifth winners' medal for the remarkable Paolo Maldini.

Unlike on that delightful Turkish night two years, it had all begun rather promisingly for Liverpool.

Although they were starved of possession for long spells, Benitez's men largely kept Milan at arm's length.

Javier Mascherano, who won Olympic gold with Argentina on this ground in 2004, was a key factor in the Merseysiders successful smothering operation.

Twice Liverpool's holding midfielder was left for dead by an initial moment of brilliance from Kaka. On both occasions, rather than dive in, Mascherano stayed on his feet, recovered his position and took the ball back.

As Benitez predicted, Milan got their full-backs forward at regular intervals.

However, not only did Marek Jankulovski and Massimo Oddo continually pick out Pepe Reina with their crosses, their enthusiasm to push down the flanks provided Liverpool's wide men with the space to attack.

Jermaine Pennant in particular rose to the challenge.

The speedy former Arsenal man was by far the Reds most effective performer and visibly rose in confidence after having one early shot parried away by Dida.

Pennant gave the Rossoneri defence a torrid time, providing the cross which Gerrard, asked to provide the main attacking support to lone striker Dirk Kuyt, volleyed over.

Gerrard was his usual energetic self but, without direct involvement in the midfield skirmishes, struggled to exert the kind of influence he would have wished.

Instead, Pennant continued to torment Jankulovski, indirectly creating the opportunity Xabi Alonso fizzed wide just before the half hour, then cutting inside to set up John Arne Riise, who drilled over.

The winger linked with Gerrard to set up Kuyt, only for Alessandro Nesta to block.

At that point, with the snarling Gennaro Gattuso booked for one borderline tackle too many on Alonso, Liverpool were by far the more likely scorers.

Unfortunately, just as in Istanbul, a rude shock was awaiting Benitez right on half-time as Inzaghi's desire to hunt a rebound saw him deflect Pirlo's free-kick past Reina.

Ripping intended interval team talks up against Milan is nothing new for Benitez and in the knowledge Liverpool's position was nowhere near as acute as the one he faced before, he opted not to change things until close to the hour mark.

By that stage two years ago, Benitez's side had thrillingly drawn level. This time, not only were they still behind, Milan were starting to get on top.

The arrival of Harry Kewell at least gave the Italians something else to think about, although the momentum was with them and had Pirlo curled home a 20-yard free-kick instead of dipping it over the bar, Liverpool would surely have been doomed.

Pirlo's near-miss ignited Gerrard's fire and Liverpool's talisman should have levelled when he sped onto Kuyt's pass, then flashed past Nesta, only for Dida to save a precise shot aimed at the far post.

It was the Reds clearest opportunity before Inzaghi raced onto Kaka's inspired through ball, rounded Reina and tapped home Milan's second.

A few Italian hearts must have stopped when Kuyt nodded home from close range but instead of the beginning of a comeback, it proved merely to mark the beginning of the end.

Tottenham 2-1 Man City: UEFA spot for SpursPA

Tottenham booked their place in the UEFA Cup after Robbie Keane and Dimitar Berbatov fired them to a 2-1 victory over Manchester City at White Hart Lane.

No mystery illness ravaging the squad and no final-day disappointment as there was a year ago when Arsenal pipped them to fourth, but City certainly gave Spurs the jitters.

In fact, Paul Robinson produced two saves of the highest quality to keep Spurs ahead, although he could do nothing to prevent Emile Mpenza pulling a goal back before the break.

Coupled with Everton's result at Chelsea, Spurs' win means they are 'best of the rest' again, as boss Martin Jol likes to put it.

Being fifth again was a bonus. A top-seven place was the priority and they now have back-to-back European campaigns for the first time in more than 20 years.

Jol may have been questioned by some fans but his first two full seasons has seen them finish fifth both times. This season has seen his strikers score more than 60 goals between them, although Jermain Defoe missed the chance to add to his tally when he missed a late penalty.

Needing just a point for UEFA Cup qualification, Spurs were given the perfect start when they took the lead in the 10th minute through Keane, who was making his 200th appearance for the club.

Berbatov started the move with a trademark flick into the path of Ledley King. The ball was eventually worked to Jermaine Jenas, who lofted a throughball for Keane to volley home through the legs of Andreas Isaksson.

Protests of offside were waved away as Keane slid on his stomach in front of the fans following his 22nd of the season, his most successful at the club.

Although Spurs looked in control, they needed Robinson to produce a save-of-the-season contender to keep them ahead.

Darius Vassell, who had earlier picked up a booking for leaving a foot in on Didier Zokora, looked certain to equalise but Robinson threw himself to his left to deny the City striker.

The England goalkeeper has endured some criticism this season but even the City fans gave him an ovation for his stunning save.

If City felt their chance had gone, their disappointment was compounded by Sylvain Distin picking up a knock and being replaced by Dietmar Hamann, leading to a reshuffle at the back for the visitors.

Their new-look defence conceded a second goal in the 32nd minute as Berbatov took his tally to 23 in his rookie season in the Premiership.

The Bulgaria striker received the ball from an Aaron Lennon dummy before trying to send the young winger through, only to see Nedum Onouha block. Berbatov picked up the loose ball and fired in at the near post.

Spurs, however, have had a knack of making it difficult for themselves this season. City pulled one back five minutes before the break when Mpenza steered home Hamann's cross with a precise header.

Mpenza then forced Robinson into a full-stretch save before Michael Johnson headed over the rebound, causing flashbacks to City's last win over Spurs when they came from 3-0 down in 2004.

There was certainly an element of nervousness to Spurs in the second half as they looked to avoid final-day disappointment for a second year running.

Robinson was called into action again in the 57th minute to keep them ahead. DaMarcus Beasley's cross was met by Mpenza, whose header was dropping inside the upright until Robinson tipped it over the crossbar. City were threatening with their direct style, sparking groans from the home support. However, centre-backs King and Michael Dawson stemmed some of the pressure, while Berbatov treated fans to some of his silky touches.

Defoe was brought on and had the chance to restore Spurs' two-goal cushion from the penalty spot, only for Isaksson to save his effort.

Richard Dunne gave away the penalty for his foul on Zokora, but was not dismissed.

Stuart Pearce believes he is the right man to take Manchester City forward but insists he will prove himself at another club if he loses his job.

Pearce admits there will be inevitable questions over his future if takeover speculation leads to new owners at the club.

City finished 14th in the Barclays Premiership following their 2-1 defeat to Tottenham at White Hart Lane and their indifferent form has led to Pearce's position looking uncertain at times.

However, he is already focused on bringing players, a striker in particular, to Eastlands in the summer.

'It's football management, I don't sit and worry about my future,' he said. 'When there is talk of takeover situations, if that does happen new owners may want to bring their own men in.

'It's not overly concerning for me, I think I'm the right man to take the club forward.

'The club, whether it's me or another man, needs investment. We've invested less than any team over the last three years.'

City finished a place higher than last season but with a point fewer.

Pearce is determined to improve the club.

'Whether it is me or not is out of my hands. I hope it's me, I've done a reasonable job but I know our shortcomings and plan to address them this summer,' he added.

'If it isn't me, I'll move on and manage elsewhere and prove myself elsewhere.'

Tottenham 1 Blackburn 1

Blackburn's hopes of a direct route into the UEFA Cup were ended by Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe's equaliser in the 1-1 result at a soggy White Hart Lane.

Mark Hughes' side, who were reduced to 10-men following striker Jason Roberts dismissal, needed a win to stay in the hunt for a top-seven finish in the Barclays Premiership - but their European hopes now rest with a possible Intertoto Cup campaign.

The away side were on course for victory when Benni McCarthy opened the scoring to edge him ahead in the battle of the Premiership newcomers with Dimitar Berbatov.

But Berbatov then played his part in Defoe's equaliser, meaning Spurs now need a point against Manchester City on Sunday to play in the UEFA Cup again next season.

Roberts was dismissed after receiving two yellow cards in rapid succession, the first for a tussle with Didier Zokora and a second - apparently harshly - for protesting about the decision to referee Rob Styles.

The match was the 1,000th Premiership match televised on Sky - but there was little in the way of early entertainment before McCarthy struck.

With Jermaine Jenas absent with a slight back problem, Tugay and Aaron Mokoena were able to stamp their authority in midfield, protecting their defence as Spurs looked to strike early as they did earlier in the week against Charlton.

However, aside from Defoe - making his first start in a month - having a sight of goal, Ryan Nelsen and Christopher Samba were initially untroubled.

There was not much at the other end either, and the highlight of the early stages was Morten Gamst Pedersen's clashes on the left flank against Pascal Chimbonda.

The battle of the sharp hairstyles - the Spurs full-back was sporting new ponytails - resulted in the Rovers winger needing treatment for a head injury after one tangle.

Things livened up when Mokoena picked up a yellow card for a foul on Steed Malbranque, with the French midfielder eventually having to hobble off injured just before Rovers broke the deadlock.

The opening goal, in the 32nd minute, came following hesitation in the Spurs defence, leading to Pedersen finding the ball on the left.

His telling cross was met by South Africa striker McCarthy, who had peeled away from Ledley King at the far post to head home his 23rd of the campaign and his 17th in the Premiership.

Roberts looked to double the lead a minute later but his long-range effort was deflected and Paul Robinson saved.

Spurs seemed rocked by the opener and Robinson was then forced to scramble clear when Michael Dawson sold him short with a backpass.

David Bentley was also given an opportunity when Chimbonda ran into trouble on the edge of his own area, but the former Arsenal midfielder chipped over - much to the frustration of the unmarked McCarthy.

Aaron Lennon and Hossam Ghaly came closer towards the break but Brad Friedel did not have to work too hard to keep them out.

In fact, the loudest cheer from the home support up to that point came when Nayim, the former Spurs midfielder who famously lobbed in from the halfway line for Real Zaragoza in the 1995 Cup Winners' Cup final against Arsenal, was paraded at the interval.

There was little for Spurs fans to sing about immediately after the break either, although they appealed when Samba appeared to use his arm while clearing a corner.

After Pedersen had picked up a yellow card for fouling Defoe, Berbatov forced Friedel into a save with the free-kick which home fans optimistically yet wrongly claimed crossed the line as the American claimed at the second attempt.

Martin Jol brought on Robbie Keane in the 59th minute to replace substitute Ghaly, who threw his shirt to the floor in front of his manager. 'Your not fit to wear the shirt,' was the Spurs fans' assessment.

Despite having three strikers with 60 goals between them, Spurs were inches from going 2-0 down when Samba's header from Pedersen's free-kick glanced off the bar to safety.

And it proved a telling moment as Spurs levelled with 23 minutes left - with all three strikers having a hand in the goal.

Keane fed Berbatov, who spun on the edge of the area and fired a shot away, Friedel could only parry and Defoe tapped in.

Rovers boss Mark Hughes introduced strikers Matt Derbyshire and Paul Gallagher for Mokoena and Tugay respectively in the closing stages as he sought the crucial breakthrough.

But it was the hosts who went closest to a winner, with Dawson seeing two efforts go wide, before Robbie Keane hit the post in the first of four minutes of stoppage-time, with Roberts' dismissal the last action of the game.

Tottenham midfielder Hossam Ghaly faces internal disciplinary action for throwing his shirt to the ground when substituted in tonight's 1-1 Premiership draw with Blackburn.

Ghaly was brought on in the first half after an injury to Steed Malbranque but was taken off again as Spurs chased an equaliser after half-time at White Hart Lane.

-You can't do that so we will deal with that,- said manager Martin Jol. -We always deal with that sort of thing, we will deal with it internally.-

The fans provided their assessment by signing: -You're not fit to wear the shirt.-

Jol added: -The fans are entitled to do that. It was out of character but I make the decisions. I was right in hindsight because we played better.-

Blackburn's misery was compounded when Jason Roberts was dismissed for two stoppage-time bookings, with the Rovers striker furious with referee Rob Styles. Roberts was understood to be waiting in the tunnel for the official for an explanation.

Blackburn boss Mark Hughes said: -I was trying to say 'see the bigger picture' to the referee. At that stage, there was no need to send Jason off.

-He would think he said something but Jason is adamant he never swore at the referee. I thought it was completely ridiculous.-

Blackburn can still qualify for Europe through the Intertoto Cup, with Hughes adding: -We've applied for it and it was always an option.-

Spurs will be in Europe with a point on Sunday. They can still finish fifth but could also drop out of the top seven.

-I'm a very happy man if we would be in the top six,- said Jol. -That is the target, you could say we had a fine season.

-We need a point. I would have loved three against Blackburn but they played in an organised way.

-Robbie Keane came on and I felt he was the first player to play it forward and in the end we could have nicked it.-

Blackburn's Morten Gamst Pedersen was demoralised.

He told Sky Sports 1: 'We worked hard in the first half but we let Tottenham in the game in the second half. We let ourselves down in the second half.

'It changed before he [Keane] came on and we have to think about ourselves. We didn't keep the ball and gave it away too many times, myself included.

'It's frustrating but we're going to work as hard as we can and get ready for the last game [at home to Reading] and give our fans a good end to the season.'

Asked why team-mate Jason Roberts' was sent off for two yellow cards late on, the Norway midfielder added: 'That is a good question. He is confused by the decision.'

Charlton 0 Tottenham 2

Charlton's relegation from the Barclays Premiership was confirmed after they failed to find the victory over Tottenham to take their survival battle to the weekend as they lost 2-0.

Ironically, it was former Charlton striker Jermain Defoe, jeered as he came off the bench, who sealed the win with an injury-time strike after Dimitar Berbatov had scored an early opener.

It means Addicks boss Alan Pardew goes into Sunday's clash at Liverpool without the chance of catching his former club West Ham, who are one place above the relegation zone.

Pardew's appointment at The Valley was effectively a job swap with Alan Curbishley, who left Charlton last summer after 15 years as boss, the last six of which were in the top flight.

After his appointment at Christmas, Pardew inspired a turnaround and gave Charlton hope but the struggles under Iain Dowie and Les Reed earlier in the campaign left a mountain too high to climb. Spurs and Liverpool in the final week made it impossible.

Aside from the talk of legal action over West Ham's Premier League punishment, focus will inevitably turn to the future of striker Darren Bent, who distinguished himself in a struggling team along with on-loan goalkeeper Scott Carson.

Bent led the Charlton attack again but found Ledley King and Michael Dawson in uncharitable mood and the striker failed to add to his 15 goals this season.

It was Carson's last match before returning to Anfield and the England Under-21 stopper had barely had a touch of the ball before Berbatov struck in the seventh minute.

In contrast to Charlton's distraught players at the final whistle, Spurs are on course for UEFA Cup qualification, which boss Martin Jol believes would mean a better campaign than last season when they were pipped by Arsenal to fourth place.

The difference has been their three cup runs. The victory at The Valley was their 57th games of the campaign and beating Blackburn and Manchester City later this week will see them finish fifth again.

Despite stroking the ball around with confidence, Charlton striker Marcus Bent had the first chance of the match but failed to connect when a quickly-taken corner fell to him.

Spurs scored their 100th goal of the season in the next move. Berbatov was fed a ball from King out of defence and managed to trick Talal El Karkouri before outpacing the Charlton centre-back.

El Karkouri got within range of a tackle but Berbatov finished coolly, leaving the defender prostrate and needing treatment from the physio for his efforts.

Berbatov and Robbie Keane then showed glimpses of why they were named joint Premiership players of the month, but the hosts knew they needed two goals and were urged forward by their fans.

El Karkouri tried to flick home an equaliser from a free-kick but his effort was straight at Paul Robinson, while Zheng Zhi had a sight of goal as he cut back onto his right foot inside the penalty area but white-shirted players snapped at him and his shot was blocked.

There were tame shouts from the crowd for a penalty on the half-hour mark when Dawson used his body to clear the ball, while Alexandre Song headed wide from close range from Darren Bent's cross.

Bent then crashed an effort wide after getting behind the Spurs defence just before the break, with chances even fewer and far between after the interval.

Darren Ambrose did have a sight of goal but mis-kicked, while Dawson just got something on the ball as Zheng raced through just before the hour mark.

As a last throw of the dice, Marcus Bent was replaced by Jimmy-Floyd Hasselbaink and Song came off for Lloyd Sam, but it was to no avail as Spurs held on, with Defoe racing through to double their lead on the counter-attack.

At least Charlton fans remained in good spirits, despite their seven-year stay in the Premiership coming to an end.

``Always look on the bright side of life,'' they sang.

Thoughts now turn to next season.

Alan Pardew admits Charlton 'haven't been good enough' to avoid the Barclays Premiership drop after his side's relegation was confirmed tonight.

The Addicks needed to win their final two games of the season to stand any chance of survival but went down 2-0 at home to Tottenham.

Referring to the row over West Ham not being deducted points for breaking Premier League rules, Pardew said on Sky Sports 1: 'In terms of where we are in the league, [aside from] the politics that are going on off the pitch, you end up where you end up. 'We haven't been good enough.'

'The scoreline doesn't really do the game justice. Their little bit of quality was the difference.

'That bit of quality is what we've lacked on this final run when we got ourselves so close.'

Pardew refused to be drawn on whether the managerial changes the club made this season contributed to their downfall.

He said: 'I can only talk since I've been here.

'This is a great club. The board have been very, very supportive to me and the fans have been absolutely brilliant.'

Asked whether the club may now need to sell start striker Darren Bent, Pardew added: 'It's an unfair question to hit me with.

'I don't think this is the night to talk about that.'

As for his own future, he said: 'I've signed a contract here and people here have been brilliant to me and in some ways I want to repay that.'

Spurs striker Jermain Defoe admitted there was no place for sentiment after scoring the goal which confirmed relegation for the club where he started his career.

'At the end of the day you've got to be professional and win the game for your team,' he said. 'It's a shame they are down, I've got a lot of friends here.'

Defoe praised Dimitar Berbatov who scored the opening goal and set up the second.

'He does that every day in training, he's unbelievable,' Defoe told Sky Sports 1.

'He has been outstanding for us, he's just an all-round great player.'

One win from two remaining matches would confirm UEFA Cup football for Spurs next season and Defoe looked forward to the prospect.

He said: 'We should be in Europe, we had a good run in Europe this season and we want to be there again.'

Spurs boss Martin Jol was pleased with his side's performance but took no pleasure in Charlton's demise.

He said: 'We are very pleased, not because this is Charlton because they're a very, very sympathetic club.'

As for his side's UEFA Cup prospects, he added: 'We are on 56 points now so we are still in it.'

Asked whether star striker Berbatov, who scored a brilliant opener tonight, was the signing of the season, Jol said: 'Could be, could be. For us, he's excellent quality.'

Jol believes the Bulgarian will be at White Hart Lane next season, saying: 'Berbatov is very happy at our club.

'I spoke to him the other day. He said `what more do I want?'

Robbie Keane

Keane is a small, but extremely skillful striker who started his career with Wolverhampton Wanderers.

It wasn't long before the Premiership scouts were clambering for his signature but the Molineux club held out for three years before they were forced to bow to Coventry City.

The teenage Keane had scored 24 goals in only 67 League starts. He joined the Sky Blues in August 1999 for £6million.

His career at Coventry got off to a blistering start as he scored twice on his debut to seal a 2-0 win at home to Derby County.

Coming the end of the 1999/2000 season, the bigger clubs were still on the trail of the Republic of Ireland international but it was a shock when Inter Milan came forward to sign the player.

The Italian giants had a £13million bid accepted and it didn't take long for him to opt for a move to Serie A.

But all did not go well. Inter had an appalling start to the season, languishing well off the pace in the League and out of the Champions League in the qualifying stage.

Keane found himself well down the pecking order in Milan and that alerted English clubs. Both West Ham United and Chelsea had bids rejected for the player and Liverpool were showing an interest.

But it was Leeds United who won his signature. He signed on loan for the West Yorkshire club for the rest of the 2000/01 season with a view to a £12million permanent move at the end of the campaign.

The player agreed terms for the permanent switch at the time, and in April 2001 the deal was completed. The fee was £11million with another £1million also being paid for the loan period.

Keane had scored eight goals in 11 Premiership starts for the West Yorkshire club at the time.

However, things did not go as well once he was a fully fledged Leeds player, and the signing of Robbie Fowler pushed him down the pecking order. With Alan Smith and Mark Viduka also in the running for a first team spot, Keane had to settle for a place on the bench for much of the 2001/02 season.

Only netted three goals in 25 Premiership appearances that term, and just nine in total. But he will, however, remember his hat-trick against Leicester City in the Worthington Cup.

Keane went to the 2002 World Cup with the Republic of Ireland with his future shrouded in doubt. He was one of the stars of the tournament as Ireland went out on penalties to Spain the in second round.

Keane scored a dramatic injury time leveller against Germany in the group stage, another goal in the 3-0 win over Saudi Arabia, and also a further last ditch equaliser, this time from the spot, against Spain.

It was thought his value would have rocketed, but within weeks of returning to England, Sunderland had an undisclosed bid, though to be in the region of £8million, accepted for Keane. However, the player turned down a move to the Stadium of Light.

Spurs then joined the chase for Keane and just before the transfer deadline in August 2002 he completed a £7million transfer. Keane had scored 19 goals for Leeds, but started only 38 games.

The player signed a four-year deal at White Hart Lane, with the option of a two-year extension.

Keane made his Tottenham debut in a 3-2 win over West Ham United, but had to wait a while until he score hie first goal for the club against Blackburn Rovers.

Although it did seem to take him a while to get settled in London he did eventually find his former, bagging a hat-trick against Everton and totalling 13 Premiership goals in his first season.

The 2003/04 season saw Keane remain a fans' favourite among the Spurs faithful, holding off the challenge from new signings such as Helder Postiga, Bobby Zamora, Frederic Kanoute and Jermain Defoe to notch 14 Premiership goals and 20 in total for club and country.

Keane is an exiting, pacy, skillful little player who will cause problems for Premiership defences for years to come.

Champion League Semi-Final 2nd Leg: AC Milan 3 Man Utd 0

Manchester United's hopes of turning the Champions League Final into an all-English affair were brutally crushed at the San Siro as AC Milan set up a revenge attack on Liverpool.

Sir Alex Ferguson's men chose the worst night possible to turn in one of their poorest displays of the entire campaign, with Cristiano Ronaldo among the biggest let downs.

That is not to apportion blame on the young Portugal winger's shoulders, there were plenty of others around him who did not perform either.

But, without the spark Ronaldo has provided so often this season, United were a dreadful disappointment, their treble hopes shattered.

Nursing a single goal lead from the first meeting at Old Trafford last week, United saw their advantage wiped out by Kaka inside 11 minutes.

Clarence Seedorf capped a brilliant personal display by netting the second on the half hour and hope had virtually evaporated for United by the time Alberto Gilardino drilled home a third late on.

And a bad night for Ferguson's team ended in bad tempered fashion as Paul Scholes managed to provoke Gennaro Gattuso into a furious rage and Ronaldo was booked for a wild lunge on Marek Jankulovski.

Ferguson had promised, win or lose, his team would remain true to their attacking beliefs.

Yet, from the outset, it was obvious something was badly wrong.

There was a hesitancy, almost a timidness about their play. Routine passes went astray with unnerving regularity, loose balls were snaffled by Milan players. Ronaldo and Rooney, so brilliant on domestic and European stages recently, could do nothing right.

At the back, United's defence, supposedly strengthened by the introduction of Nemanja Vidic, creaked and groaned like an old gate in need of a spot of oil.

In contrast, the home team were superb, with Kaka and Seedorf among the most impressive.

United were given a warning of what was to come as early as the second minute when Kaka's free-kick was nodded out to Seedorf, whose snap-shot would have gone in had fellow Dutchman Edwin van der Sar not tipped it over.

There was just a hope, as it all started to unfold in front of Ferguson's eyes, that if United could somehow hold on to their precious advantage, a stronger force might eventually emerge from the shell of a team they appeared to be.

Unfortunately, it did not happen as the Red Devils were caught out by a distinctly 'English' goal as Alessandro Nesta launched a long ball towards the edge of their box.

Seedorf won the aerial duel and turned his header neatly into Kaka's path.

Having given a demonstration of his finishing skills at Old Trafford, United feared what was to follow and the Brazilian duly fired a low shot into the bottom corner.

Ferguson's problems did not end there as Andrea Pirlo skidded a shot just wide.

At least there was some attacking threat from the visitors, albeit a sporadic one, with Ryan Giggs drilling a low shot at Dida which the Milan goalkeeper smothered at the second attempt.

Disaster was lurking though as Vidic, who looked off the pace on his first appearance since breaking a collarbone on March 31, headed Kaka's cross to Seedorf.

The midfielder brushed Darren Fletcher away as though the young Scot did not exist, then took maximum advantage of a fortuitous ricochet as Vidic closed in to make a tackle, belting his volley into virtually the same spot as Kaka had found earlier.

It left United in exactly the same position as they had been in at Everton on Saturday.

At Goodison Park they famously roared back to win. This was an entirely different proposition though and all hope would have been lost had Filippo Inzaghi found the net from Massimo Oddo's cross instead of flashing a near-post effort just wide.

It got no better after the break. As Ronaldo hung his head at another pass sent straight to an opponent, Milan burst forward, Kaka beat Vidic and only a fine save from Van der Sar kept United alive.

Only now, with virtually an hour on the clock, did the visitors start playing.

Ronaldo rocketed two free-kicks into the Milan wall, Fletcher screwed an angled shot wide and Rooney appealed in vain for a penalty when Oddo barged into him from behind.

But the goal that would have given United fresh hope just would not come and in the end it was Milan who scored again, Gilardino racing through alone 12 minutes from time before beating Van der Sar in clinical fashion.

So it was the Italians, so nearly expelled from the tournament for their part in the match-fixing scandal, who will go to Athens, eager to atone for the misery Liverpool inflicted on them with that amazing win in Istanbul two years ago.

Champion League Semi-Final 2nd Leg: Liverpool 1 Chelsea 0 (pen 4 - 1)

Liverpool 1-0 Chelsea WWW.SPORTVIDS.TV
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Liverpool 1 - 0 Chelsea Second Half
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Dirk Kuyt put Liverpool into their second Champions League final inside three years by scoring the winning penalty against Chelsea at Anfield.

With the scores level on aggregate at 1-1 after extra-time, Bolo Zenden, Xabi Alonso, Steven Gerrard and Dirk Kuyt all scored from the spot while Arjen Robben and Geremi saw their efforts saved by Jose Reina.

Defender Daniel Agger had levelled the tie at 1-1 by stroking home Gerrard's 22nd-minute free-kick.

Anfield was the expected cauldron of anticipation and it was no surprise when Liverpool enjoyed the first effort on goal in the fifth minute when captain Gerrard let fly from 25 yards.

However, the England midfielder failed to trouble Petr Cech as his shot drifted past an upright.

Liverpool were clearly intent on levelling the aggregate scores as quickly as possible but while they began to stretch Chelsea's defence, their final ball left a lot to be desired.

In the 10th minute John Arne Riise delivered a superb cross from the left wing only for it fly harmlessly across the face of the Chelsea six-yard box.

In the 14th minute Frank Lampard set Didier Drogba clear of the home defence but the Ivorian's attempted cross to Salomon Kalou was easily dealt with by Agger.

Chelsea were beginning to live dangerously and both Mikel John Obi and Joe Cole were lucky to escape without a booking for fouls on Zenden and Gerrard.

The champions paid dearly for Cole's misdemeanour in the 22nd minute when Agger swept home Gerrard's free-kick to give the home side the lead on the night and put them level overall.

The second half began with Liverpool attempting to put more pressure on the visitors but Dirk Kuyt was unceremoniously dumped on the floor by Paulo Ferreira when he tried to make progress down the left.

Moments later Gerrard found his way blocked by Ashley Cole as he attempted to work his way into the penalty area.

Chelsea had resisted the temptation to make any changes in the interval and were beginning to enjoy more possession.

Joe Cole just overran the ball when he tried to take on the Liverpool defence and Reina went down to collect before the England international could move into a shooting position.

In the 54th minute Chelsea won a free-kick on the right wing but Lampard's punt into the area sailed over everyone.

In the 56th minute Chelsea had Cech to thank when he pulled off a superb save at the far post.

Pennant turned Claude Makelele inside out before crossing to the far post where England striker Peter Crouch's downward header was saved by Cech's legs.

Moments later Kuyt hit the crossbar with a powerful header as Liverpool increased the pressure on the Londoners.

In the 61st minute Agger was booked for one foul too many on Drogba, who was left writhing on the deck after a challenge from behind.

A goal for Chelsea would give Liverpool a mountain to climb but the champions were more content to knock the ball around than to try and hurt Liverpool.

But a poor pass from Makelele left Essien with no choice but to foul Crouch and give Liverpool another opportunity in the 69th minute.

Once again Crouch was the target and his header was cleared for a corner by the grateful Essien.

When Pennant swung the ball into the middle it was Drogba who found the height to clear the danger.

In the 75th minute Chelsea should have equalised when Ashley Cole got clear on the left flank and crossed into the six-yard box where Drogba somehow managed to send the ball over the crossbar.

With the aggregate scores locked at 1-1, the match went into extra-time.

In the 97th minute Mourinho made his first change of the night when he replaced Joe Cole with Dutch winger Arjen Robben.

Three minutes later Kuyt was adjudged offside when he converted the rebound after Cech had failed to hold a ferocious drive from Xabi Alonso.

Five minutes before the end of extra-time Drogba just failed to connect with a low cross from Shaun Wright-Phillips but Cech rescued Chelsea when he punched away Kuyt's shot moments later.

And the game went to penalties with Liverpool keeper Reina the hero as he saved two penalties.