While Manchester City are in one of the toughest Champions League groups in recent memory, their performances have shown that while money may be able to buy domestic success, European pedigree is a priceless commodity.

Just ask Roman Abramovich. He and Jose Mourinho brought Premier League titles and FA Cups to Stamford Bridge almost immediately after the Russian oligarch pumped many millions into the club, but the Champions League title remains elusive to this day.

A lot of the talk around the Spurs squad has centred around goalkeepers this week. Firstly, manager Harry Redknapp underlined the fact that he considers Brad Friedel to be the club's number one while at the same time, Carlo Cudicini has been trusted with the gloves in the Europa League.
That has led to transfer talk involving Heurelho Gomes and it's thought that the erratic Brazilian could be on his way as early as next January.

Seldom, in recent years, has the gap between the Premier League and Champions League titles seemed so great. In the minds of some, Manchester United's trip to Wembley for the Champions League final against Barcelona should have been a coronation, a celebration of a uniquely long-lasting dynasty that has dominated English football for almost two decades.

BBC Sport Aston Villa sign Shay Given from Manchester City on five-year deal.

In probably the most cost effective transfer in the close season to date, Aston Villa today signed Republic of Ireland international goalkeeper Shay Given to a 5 year deal.

Given is widely regarded as one of the top goalies in the Premier League despite having spent most of last season on the bench as backup to Manchester City's England goalkeeper Joe Hart.

Eric Abidal lifts the Champions League trophy for Barcelona. Image: AP Photo/Daylife

This is it, people. The final results post before summer kicks in and a Kickette staffer's thoughts turn to tanned torsos, embarassing holiday snaps and drunken snoozling on the beach.

Revel in every glorious moment of it.

After finishing up the match report of Barcelona's 3-1 win over Manchester United in the Champions League final, I realized that this amazing victory deserves two posts. And so, because my "Best Images from..." compilations (Manchester City's FA Cup win and Real Madrid's Copa del Rey win) were so popular, I've decided to make one for this Barcelona victory.

Barcelona have won their fourth Champions League. It's their second in the past three years, and it was won with an amazing display of dominance. While Manchester United offered some resistance in the first half, by the end of the match we saw why Barcelona's ideal style of playing is loved by so many around the world.

Manchester United vs. Barcelona in a rematch of the 2009 final in Rome.

Park needs to be--and should be--loud tomorrow...

I'll take the probably very clichéd contrarian approach of suggesting that Manchester United will take this one. Barcelona certainly has the upper hand and there is not reason that their possession-oriented "attack" shouldn't work on the divots of Wembley.

By CALEB SONNELAND

Police were called to the Grosvenor Hotel in London Monday night after a brawl broke out at West Ham's end-of-season dinner.

West Ham striker Demba Ba was at the center of the altercation, after he reportedly got into an argument with a fan, which resulted in the fan racially abusing the Senegalese player and an ensuing fracas.

Transfer rumours today link Spurs with players that would provide either a last line of defence or a first line of attack and while the name of Klass-Jan Huntelaar has emerged again, one of his Schalke 04 team mates could be unexpectedly available.

It was firmly believed that goalkeeper Manuel Neuer would be leaving his present club to join Bayern Munich at the end of the season, but the Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge had this to say:

"I don't really think we are going to find a quick agreement.

Tim Krul will play his 20th game of the season tonight against Manchester United. Tim Krul 20th game for Newcastle tonight And Tim will get another big chance to impress his manager Alan Pardew, and at the same play for the last time against his Dutch idol, Edwin van der Saar, who played 130 [...]

It seems that Tim Krul will get to play against his idol, Edwin van der Saar, tonight in the game against Manchester United at St. James' Park, in Edwin's last season in football. Edwin van der Saar in final season for Manchester United Edwin was recently named in the PFA Premier League side for [.

The fact that Spurs had little chance of progressing to the Champions League semi finals meant that the spotlight was taken off Heurleho Gomes to some extent. The latest in a line of elementary errors gifted Cristiano Ronaldo the winning goal and briefly took the momentum away from a Spurs team who were threatening to win the tie at least.

Aww, baby. Image: AP Photo/Daylife

It's part two of our marvelous Champions League Results round up, people. Strap yourself in, grab your hip flask and join us for the ride.

(Psst: there's semi-nekkid Pique and everything!)

Chelsea 0-1 Manchester United

Really, Nando?