The real Sir Alex Ferguson: memories of his ghost-writer
I nailed my colours to the mast three years into Sir Alex Ferguson's trophy-laden 26-year reign as manager of Manchester United.
But this was before all the silverware started to arrive. It was in fact a turbulent time, as the Reds sank into the bottom half of the table after a run of 11 league games without a win, despite spending a lot of money on players like Gary Pallister, Danny Wallace, Paul Ince, Neil Webb and Mike Phelan.
They just weren't gelling - perhaps too many new faces introduced too quickly - and the mood was captured by one unhappy fan who held up a bed sheet at Old Trafford on which he had painted: "Three years of excuses and we're still crap, ta-ra Fergie".
The knives were certainly out as United approached the third round of the FA Cup with a
tricky tie at Nottingham Forest
and injuries to key players.
Television commentator Jimmy Hill even said United looked like a beaten team in the warm-up.
Inauspicious start: Ferguson's first game in charge of Man Utd was a 2-0 defeat away at Oxford United
My editor at the Manchester Evening News ran a phone-in asking readers to vote on whether Ferguson should be sacked.
The result of the poll showed a majority in favour of him going and I was asked to write a story accordingly.
In fact, what I did was argue that if you deducted the votes of Manchester City fans wanting to cause mischief and you took into account the United supporters who couldn't be bothered to ring in, you were left with an overwhelming vote of confidence in Alex Ferguson.
It was all very tongue in cheek on my part and my editor wasn't best pleased, but it went into the paper before he could do anything about it.
That was the moment I became a 'Fergie man', close enough to help write his programme notes for 26 years.
Early riser...
"Sir Alex is a man of confidence with an unshakeable belief in his abilities which, along with many other qualities, makes him the stand-out manager of all time.
His attention to detail and capacity for hard work are unbelievable, as I mused one day when I sat sipping a cup of tea at 7.30am in the dining room at United's Carrington training ground waiting for his arrival.
I was there as Sir Alex's 'ghost', to work with him on the column he writes in the match programme for all home fixtures.
I'm used to the early starts.
He likes to get this kind of job out of the way before the real business of his day involving his coaching staff and of course the players. This morning, though, I congratulate myself on arriving before him and get ready to enjoy telling him he's late. But then I'm told by one of the other early arrivals, a cleaner, that he is already here and in the gym while he waits for me!
A few minutes later he's in the canteen with a bowl of porridge - with salt not sugar of course.
He had found his work-out hard going, but then you would, wouldn't you, if you have turned 70 and been up since the crack of dawn because once awake you can't wait to start work.
This is a manager as keen to get to grips with the day as he was when he first bounced into Manchester more than 26 years ago years ago, fresh from slaying the two Glasgow monsters of Rangers and Celtic as manager of Aberdeen.
Now he can take life a little more leisurely, perhaps even get up a bit later.
Though somehow I doubt it."
David Meek
It wasn't just blind loyalty, though, toadying up to the manager - more a conviction that given time he would come good. For I knew all the far-sighted work he had done behind the scenes, putting an end to the drinking culture by transferring Norman Whiteside and Paul McGrath, and totally reorganising the youth set-up which was about to deliver the enormously promising FA Youth Cup-winning team containing players like Gary Neville, David Beckham, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt.
My support for the manager at a critical time in his career established a trust that would prove enormously helpful in 37 years covering Manchester United for my paper and, after my retirement from the Evening News, as a freelancer writing about the club, helping to set up the
United museum at Old Trafford,
and scripting the panels for the Munich tunnel.
Not that it protected me completely from the occasional
'hairdryer' treatment
when he considered the Evening News had let him down.
For instance, I felt the full force of his anger when we printed a story about his players visiting the SAS at Hereford in a bid to toughen up their attempts to win the league title.
He slaughtered me and my editor because he said we were exposing his people to retaliation from the IRA. He said he was ending his co-operation with us, although he did tell me that it was nothing personal.
That helped, because I realised he had exploded with rage because he wanted me to go back and tell the editor that on no account must we print any more stories against his wishes.
I learned then that this remarkable manager aimed to have control of not just his football club but everything else that had a bearing on its welfare.
To an astonishing extent he succeeded because in addition to his anger he has a personality that can be extremely persuasive.
For a start, Ferguson has always had an air of authority about him, as
Brian McClair,
his first signing for United and now manager of the club's academy, explained to me. "I remember meeting Alex Ferguson for the first time when I was playing for Celtic and in Monaco to receive the Golden Boot award as Europe's top scorer," he said.
"He was there representing Aberdeen and after the dinner and presentations he asked me what I was going to do.
I told him that I wanted to take the opportunity of being in Monte Carlo by going to the famous casino, to which he said, 'Oh no you're not, son, you are going to your bed'.
Ferguson eventually surpassed the mighty achievements of Sir Matt Busby
"The funny thing was that even though I didn't play for his club and he wasn't my manager, that's exactly what I did. There was just something about the man that I didn't want to argue with.
He has a natural authority.
"Somehow you just accept that what he says is right. I was young, but even so, that first experience of meeting him has never left me."
But for every tale of Fergie the hard man, like the time he dropped Jim Leighton for an FA Cup final replay and broke his heart as well as his career, there are just as many instances of Alex the softie, like his unsung charity work and supporting the boys' club he played football for when he was growing up in Glasgow, along with his readiness to pay his respects to old friends, be it a leaving party or a funeral.
I doubt whether Alice, a long-time United supporter celebrating her 100th birthday in a nursing home in Leicester, will ever forget the unheralded arrival of Sir Alex to wish her many happy returns.
At one point the matron rushed in to announce that the Queen's traditional telegram had arrived.
"Oh never mind the Queen," said Alice. "Alex is here!"
Equally appreciative, I'm sure, is the long-serving member of staff who doesn't drive and clearly had a problem getting to United's isolated training ground at Carrington when her husband, who used to drive her to work every day, died. Now she comes to and from work in a taxi laid on by Sir Alex.
I also experienced his concerned care.
A few years ago I had bowel cancer and in addition to receiving the traditional flowers, I answered the phone at home one afternoon as I recuperated from the operation to hear a voice coming down the line: "The Scottish beast is on his way."
The manager had not forgotten his programme ghost and he came to deliver an encouraging message. "You can handle it," he said. Coming from him I found his words quite inspirational.
We all know how much Sir Alex has achieved in the game - more than any other British manager - but he has also touched the lives of so many away from the glamour of football, and these moments are also very precious.
.
Gael Clichy signs new Manchester City contract
Manchester City left-back Gael Clichy has signed a new four-year deal that commits him to the club until 2017.
The France international, 27, has played 74 times for City
since moving from Arsenal for ВЈ7m in July 2011.
"Things didn't go the way we wanted them to this year but we'll come back stronger next season," said Clichy of a campaign in which City lost the Premier League title to Manchester United.
Gael Clichy in 2012-13
Manchester City appearances: 37
Yellow cards: 3
Red cards: 0
Goals: 0
Clichy kept Aleksandar Kolarov out of the side in the season's final weeks.
Although City are without a manager
in the wake of Roberto Mancini's sacking on Monday,
interim boss Brian Kidd said Clichy would be an asset to whoever came in to replace the Italian.
"We are building a side that will challenge for honours for years to come and to do that, you need top quality players - Gael comfortably fits into the bracket," said Kidd.
"Gael is a top professional off the pitch as well as on it and his attitude and conduct is faultless.
He is a manager's dream."
Although he appeared to cement his place as City's first-choice left-back ahead of Serbia's Kolarov over the second half of the season,
Clichy struggled to contain Wigan's Callum McManaman in his side's 1-0 FA Cup final defeat on 11 May.
Clichy added: "We are just going to keep moving forward and raising the bar. We know where we want to be and with the talented players in our squad there is no reason why we can't achieve our targets.
"When I look around me and see the quality players and the plans that are taking shape at Manchester City, I know that I am in the right place.".
David Beckham's emotional Paris goodbye
David Beckham left the pitch in tears as he completed the final home match of his 20-year career.
Paris St-Germain's game against Brest was briefly halted as Beckham, captain for the night, was substituted after 81 minutes, his team-mates congregating in the middle of the pitch to applaud him.
PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi said afterwards: "It's up to the coach but I think that will be David's last match."
PSG fans plead with David Beckham to stay
PSG, who are already champions, won 3-1 against relegated Brest.
Reports before the match suggested Beckham will not be involved in his side's game at Lorient on the season's final day.
"I want to say thank you to everybody in Paris - to my team-mates, to the staff, to the fans," Beckham said as he addressed PSG supporters after the final whistle.
"It's been very special to finish my career here. It could not have been any more special.
"I just feel that it's the right time [to retire]. I feel that I've achieved everything that I could in my career. I wanted to go out as a champion. I've finished my career in a team that has treated me like I've been here for 10 years.
"After 22 years of playing football I'm going to take a few months to enjoy time with my family."
Beckham, who was clearly emotional in the five minutes preceding his substitution, embraced manager Carlo Ancelotti as he made his way off the field to a standing ovation from supporters at the Parc des Princes.
Beckham bows out
David Beckham's emotional Paris goodbye
After the game, the former England captain, watched by a crowd including wife Victoria and former French president Nicolas Sarkozy, was repeatedly thrown into the air by his team-mates.
The 38-year-old announced on Thursday that he was to finish his career at the end of the season, although it now appears unlikely he will feature in his side's final fixture on 26 May.
Beckham marked his last home appearance with a trademark assist, as his corner was volleyed into the net by Blaise Matuidi.
That was PSG's second goal, sandwiched between two strikes from Sweden international Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Brest pulled one back through Charlison Benschop but never threatened a fight-back.
.
David Beckham: Tearful midfielder signs off with win in Paris
David Beckham left the pitch in tears as he completed the final home match of his 20-year career.
Paris St-Germain's game against Brest was briefly halted as Beckham, captain for the night, was substituted after 81 minutes, his team-mates congregating in the middle of the pitch to applaud him.
PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi said afterwards: "It's up to the coach but I think that will be David's last match."
PSG fans plead with David Beckham to stay
PSG, who are already champions, won 3-1 against relegated Brest.
Reports before the match suggested Beckham will not be involved in his side's game at Lorient on the season's final day.
"I want to say thank you to everybody in Paris - to my team-mates, to the staff, to the fans," Beckham said as he addressed PSG supporters after the final whistle.
"It's been very special to finish my career here. It could not have been any more special.
"I just feel that it's the right time [to retire]. I feel that I've achieved everything that I could in my career. I wanted to go out as a champion. I've finished my career in a team that has treated me like I've been here for 10 years.
"After 22 years of playing football I'm going to take a few months to enjoy time with my family."
Beckham, who was clearly emotional in the five minutes preceding his substitution, embraced manager Carlo Ancelotti as he made his way off the field to a standing ovation from supporters at the Parc des Princes.
Beckham bows out
David Beckham's emotional Paris goodbye
After the game, the former England captain, watched by a crowd including wife Victoria and former French president Nicolas Sarkozy, was repeatedly thrown into the air by his team-mates.
The 38-year-old announced on Thursday that he was to finish his career at the end of the season, although it now appears unlikely he will feature in his side's final fixture on 26 May.
Beckham marked his last home appearance with a trademark assist, as his corner was volleyed into the net by Blaise Matuidi.
That was PSG's second goal, sandwiched between two strikes from Sweden international Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Brest pulled one back through Charlison Benschop but never threatened a fight-back.
.
England v New Zealand: Hosts threaten to waste Root’s good work
England's casual batting at the end of the third day has given New Zealand a glimmer of hope in an absorbing first Test at Lord's.
The hosts had totally dominated the third day and were in the process of batting New Zealand out of the game, but some injudicious shots from Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow, Matt Prior and Jonathan Trott in the final hour took the gloss of their performance.
Despite the mini-collapse, England still hold the upper hand and, if they can extend their lead -
currently worth 205
- beyond 250 on a pitch that is starting to give considerable assistance to the spinners, they should win the game.
Root's first-class form this season
49 & 182:
Yorkshire v Durham, County Championship
236:
Yorkshire v Derbyshire, County Championship
179:
England Lions v New Zealand, Tour match
40 & 71:
England v New Zealand, 1st Test
There are clear rough areas on both sides of the wicket and the sharp turn and bounce that part-time off-spinner Kane Williamson generated to bowl Trott suggests England's Graeme Swann will be a handful.
The flurry of late wickets merely underlined the importance of the 123-run partnership for the third wicket between Root and Trott after England had lost openers Alastair Cook and Nick Compton to the new ball in falling to 36-2 in their second innings.
Twenty-two-year-old Root, who made 71 from 120 balls, plays like somebody who has been batting in first-class cricket for at least five years longer than he has.
He makes everything look so easy and already seems to belong at this level.
Usually, when a young player starts off in Test cricket you can see areas they need to work on, but I cannot see any obvious weakness in his game; there is nothing in his make-up that makes you question his technique.
He is not a flamboyant player, although his one-day form in New Zealand shows he can play that sort of innings.
Test Match Special analysis
Geoffrey Boycott
Ex-England batsman & TMS summariser
"For a while, England were coasting: Trott and Root were in control; there were no problems for the batsmen.
"When Southee came on, bowling with Williamson, they changed the context of the game.
I'm not sure England let in slip - more that New Zealand went and grabbed it."
He plays calmly yet still scores at a good rate; he always seeks to be busy without being the least bit rushed or flustered.
Along with Trott, he ensured England's approach was much more positive than their rather
hesitant effort in the first innings.
The bad balls were dispatched to the boundary on an ever-quickening outfield, while left-arm spinner Bruce Martin was rightly treated with far less respect than he had been
on the opening day,
when England were too often patting his bad balls meekly to cover when they should have been hitting them for four.
Root's latest innings - made from number four because of Ian Bell's illness - coupled with a failure for Nick Compton, will inevitably lead to more talk of the young Yorkshireman moving up the order, but he should be kept in the middle order.
When
Kevin Pietersen comes back,
Root should return to number six so he can get more experience, make some more runs, bed himself in as a Test player and really get his England career fully under way.
Jonathan Agnew was talking to BBC Sport's Sam Sheringham.
Listen to match highlights and Jonathan Agnew and Geoffrey Boycott's analysis of each day's play on the
Test Match Special podcast..
Bradford City promoted to League One after play-off final win
Everton reached the Continental Cup semi-finals with a 3-1 win at Doncaster Belles in their last group game.
The Toffees had to come from 1-0 down after Belles forward Beth England opened the scoring in the 35th minute.
But it took Everton just four minutes to level as striker Nikita Parris scored with their first shot on target.
Defender Vicky Jones then gave the visitors the lead in the 72nd minute and a Toni Duggan penalty deep into stoppage time wrapped up the victory.
Doncaster's disappointment was eased by having England winger Sue Smith back in action following a 14-month absence.
Smith had been out with a serious knee injury that she sustained on her Donny debut and that was feared would end her career.
What is the Continental Cup?
The Continental Cup, named for sponsorship reasons, features the eight Women's Super League sides. Two groups of four compete in a round robin before the top two progress to knockout semi-finals and then a final.
The 33-year-old was quickly in the action on her return to set up midfielder Millie Bright for a second-minute 25-yard shot that flew past the post.
And England was unlucky not to put the Belles in front when her well-struck 12th-minute shot thudded against the crossbar.
Her strike partner Jessica Sigsworth then ran with the ball from inside her own half before firing in a long-range effort that went narrowly wide.
The pressure paid off, though, as the home side took a deserved lead in the 35th minute with England latching on to an inch-perfect Sigsworth through-ball to shoot home.
But striker Parris soon equalised with a fine curling shot over goalkeeper Nicola Hobbs.
Donny had chances to regain the lead straight after the break, but keeper Lizzie Durack made excellent saves from Smith and then defender Ashleigh Mills.
Despite creating several other half-chances, however, Donny were on the way to defeat when Jones scored with a tremendous 20-yard shot.
And three minutes into stoppage time Duggan completed the scoring from the penalty spot following a foul on midfielder Kelly Jones.
Everton will be joined in the semi-finals by local rivals Liverpool if the Reds get at least a draw from their final game in the same group, against Chelsea on Sunday..
David Beckham: A look back at the ex-England captain’s career
Everton reached the Continental Cup semi-finals with a 3-1 win at Doncaster Belles in their last group game.
The Toffees had to come from 1-0 down after Belles forward Beth England opened the scoring in the 35th minute.
But it took Everton just four minutes to level as striker Nikita Parris scored with their first shot on target.
Defender Vicky Jones then gave the visitors the lead in the 72nd minute and a Toni Duggan penalty deep into stoppage time wrapped up the victory.
Doncaster's disappointment was eased by having England winger Sue Smith back in action following a 14-month absence.
Smith had been out with a serious knee injury that she sustained on her Donny debut and that was feared would end her career.
What is the Continental Cup?
The Continental Cup, named for sponsorship reasons, features the eight Women's Super League sides. Two groups of four compete in a round robin before the top two progress to knockout semi-finals and then a final.
The 33-year-old was quickly in the action on her return to set up midfielder Millie Bright for a second-minute 25-yard shot that flew past the post.
And England was unlucky not to put the Belles in front when her well-struck 12th-minute shot thudded against the crossbar.
Her strike partner Jessica Sigsworth then ran with the ball from inside her own half before firing in a long-range effort that went narrowly wide.
The pressure paid off, though, as the home side took a deserved lead in the 35th minute with England latching on to an inch-perfect Sigsworth through-ball to shoot home.
But striker Parris soon equalised with a fine curling shot over goalkeeper Nicola Hobbs.
Donny had chances to regain the lead straight after the break, but keeper Lizzie Durack made excellent saves from Smith and then defender Ashleigh Mills.
Despite creating several other half-chances, however, Donny were on the way to defeat when Jones scored with a tremendous 20-yard shot.
And three minutes into stoppage time Duggan completed the scoring from the penalty spot following a foul on midfielder Kelly Jones.
Everton will be joined in the semi-finals by local rivals Liverpool if the Reds get at least a draw from their final game in the same group, against Chelsea on Sunday..
Women's football: Everton reach Continental Cup semi-finals
Everton reached the Continental Cup semi-finals with a 3-1 win at Doncaster Belles in their last group game.
The Toffees had to come from 1-0 down after Belles forward Beth England opened the scoring in the 35th minute.
But it took Everton just four minutes to level as striker Nikita Parris scored with their first shot on target.
Defender Vicky Jones then gave the visitors the lead in the 72nd minute and a Toni Duggan penalty deep into stoppage time wrapped up the victory.
Doncaster's disappointment was eased by having England winger Sue Smith back in action following a 14-month absence.
Smith had been out with a serious knee injury that she sustained on her Donny debut and that was feared would end her career.
What is the Continental Cup?
The Continental Cup, named for sponsorship reasons, features the eight Women's Super League sides. Two groups of four compete in a round robin before the top two progress to knockout semi-finals and then a final.
The 33-year-old was quickly in the action on her return to set up midfielder Millie Bright for a second-minute 25-yard shot that flew past the post.
And England was unlucky not to put the Belles in front when her well-struck 12th-minute shot thudded against the crossbar.
Her strike partner Jessica Sigsworth then ran with the ball from inside her own half before firing in a long-range effort that went narrowly wide.
The pressure paid off, though, as the home side took a deserved lead in the 35th minute with England latching on to an inch-perfect Sigsworth through-ball to shoot home.
But striker Parris soon equalised with a fine curling shot over goalkeeper Nicola Hobbs.
Donny had chances to regain the lead straight after the break, but keeper Lizzie Durack made excellent saves from Smith and then defender Ashleigh Mills.
Despite creating several other half-chances, however, Donny were on the way to defeat when Jones scored with a tremendous 20-yard shot.
And three minutes into stoppage time Duggan completed the scoring from the penalty spot following a foul on midfielder Kelly Jones.
Everton will be joined in the semi-finals by local rivals Liverpool if the Reds get at least a draw from their final game in the same group, against Chelsea on Sunday..
Kilmarnock v St Mirren
St Mirren ended a
run of seven games without a win
thanks to goals against Kilmarnock from two players likely to exit Paisley this summer.
John McGinn had powered a beautiful volley past Cammy Bell to give the Buddies a 20th-minute lead.
That advantage only lasted five minutes, though, with Kris Boyd poking the ball beyond Craig Samson.
But Paul McGowan scored with a 75th-minute penalty and Conor Newton weaved his way in for the third.
A deserved win for the Buddies, their first over Killie this season, ended the home side's hopes of a seventh-place finish, which they could have secured had other results also gone their way.
With more than half of St Mirren's starting line-up destined to leave the Paisley club in the coming weeks, six Buddies had an added incentive to end the season on a high and it was perhaps fitting that two of them should score.
Paul Dummett, the on-loan Newcastle United defender, did not do much for his hopes of impressing any watching scouts when he dallied on the ball, was robbed by Cillian Sheridan and Borja Perez's cross to the back post just evaded the unmarked Chris Johnston at the back post.
The opposite was the case for Dummett's fellow Magpie, Conor Newton, moments later when the midfielder's lovely cross to the back post was thrust into the roof of the net via McGinn's superbly controlled volley.
It was a moment that breathed much-needed life into an encounter that, until then, had all the hallmarks of an end-of-season affair.
The lead would not last long and
Borja, who has just signed a contract extending his stay in Ayrshire,
slipped the ball through to Boyd.
The Scotland striker, who will almost certainly be looking for a bigger pay cheque this summer after his brief return to the blue and white stripes, neatly tucked the ball beyond Samson,
the goalkeeper who could end up at Killie after rejecting a new St Mirren contract.
McGowan, another who has turned down a new deal in Paisley, was next to play his part, cleverly setting up David van Zanten for a shot into the side-netting then firing just over the crossbar from long range.
Newton shot just over the crossbar after a powerful run into the penalty box as St Mirren dominated possession after the break.
However, a young Killie defence handled the pressure with aplomb beyond their tender years - until the second goal that is.
Ashcroft, the 19-year-old who signed a new contract in midweek, had prevented veteran Sam Parkin from marking the end of his Buddies stay with a goal while on-loan Rio Ave striker Esmael Goncalves was substituted midway through the second half.
It was an interception by his replacement, Anton Brady, that led to McGowan's penalty.
Referee Willie Collum pointed to the spot after Ashcroft stretched to tackle the 19-year-old debutant and McGowan fired past Rangers-bound goalkeeper Cammy Bell.
Newton sealed the victory when he jinked into the penalty box and squeezed a shot under Bell before supplying another cross that should have made the victory margin even more emphatic had another of several young debutants, Mo Yaqub, not half-volleyed over from six yards.
Lineup, Bookings (0) & Substitutions (6)
Kilmarnock
01 Bell
04 Fowler
23 McKeown (Hay - 80' )
35 Ashcroft
38 O'Hara
08 Clingan
11 Boyd
12 Sheridan (Muirhead - 60' )
15 Perez (Kilpie - 68' )
30 Johnston
31 Davidson
Substitutes
53 Jaakkola
02 Tesselaar
03 Hay
46 Kilpie
19 Ibrahim
28 Winchester
39 Muirhead
St Mirren
01 Samson
02 van Zanten
03 Dummett
14 McAusland
06 Goodwin
10 McGowan (Yaqub - 86' )
17 Mclean
24 Newton
19 Parkin
29 J McGinn (Smith - 90' )
77 Goncalves (Anthony Brady - 54' )
Substitutes
12 Smith
05 Mair
33 Yaqub
34 Anthony Brady
07 Imrie
09 Thompson
28 Smith
Ref: Collum
Att: 4,428
Match Stats
Shots
2
7
On target
1
3
Corners
4
3
Fouls
9
3
Live Text Commentary
90:00 +1:59 Full time
Full Time The referee blows for the end of the match.
90:00 +1:17
Jack Smith takes a shot. Save made by Cameron Bell.
89:32 Substitution
Substitution Jack Smith on for John McGinn.
87:52
Kenny McLean provided the assist for the goal.
87:52 Goal scored
Goal - Conor Newton - Kilmarnock 1 - 3 St Mirren Conor Newton finds the back of the net with a goal from the edge of the penalty box to the bottom right corner of the goal. Kilmarnock 1-3 St Mirren.
86:43
Effort on goal by Mo Yaqub from inside the area goes harmlessly over the bar.
85:01 Substitution
Substitution Mo Yaqub is brought on as a substitute for Paul McGowan.
85:01
Robbie Muirhead fouled by Jim Goodwin, the ref awards a free kick. James Fowler restarts play with the free kick.
81:44
Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Paul McGowan by Sammy Clingan. Paul Dummett takes the free kick.
78:51 Substitution
Substitution (Kilmarnock) makes a substitution, with Garry Hay coming on for Rory McKeown.
78:51
Corner taken right-footed by Chris Johnston.
76:23
Centre by David van Zanten, free kick awarded for a foul by Sam Parkin on Lee Ashcroft. Direct free kick taken by Cameron Bell.
74:24 Goal scored
Goal - Paul McGowan - Kilmarnock 1 - 2 St Mirren Placed penalty scored by Paul McGowan. Kilmarnock 1-2 St Mirren.
73:33
Penalty awarded for a foul by Lee Ashcroft on Anton Brady.
71:28
Corner taken left-footed by Chris Johnston, Sammy Clingan has a headed effort at goal from close in which goes wide left of the target.
67:58 Substitution
Substitution Greg Kilpie is brought on as a substitute for Borja Perez.
59:52 Substitution
Substitution Robbie Muirhead replaces Cillian Sheridan.
57:49
The ball is swung over by Paul Dummett, Lee Ashcroft makes a clearance.
55:27
The ball is crossed by Kenny McLean, clearance by Borja Perez.
53:33 Substitution
Substitution Anton Brady comes on in place of Esmael Goncalves.
52:36
The referee blows for offside against Kenny McLean.
Free kick taken by James Fowler.
51:30
Conor Newton takes a shot. Blocked by Mark O'Hara. Inswinging corner taken by John McGinn from the right by-line, Cameron Bell makes a save.
48:23
Foul by Lee Ashcroft on Sam Parkin, free kick awarded. Free kick crossed left-footed by John McGinn, Kris Boyd makes a clearance.
47:39
The offside flag is raised against Esmael Goncalves. Mark O'Hara restarts play with the free kick.
46:12
Cillian Sheridan is flagged offside by the assistant referee.
Free kick taken by Craig Samson.
45:01
The referee gets the second half underway.
45:00 +1:07 Half time
Half Time The ref blows to signal half-time.
40:22
Paul McGowan produces a right-footed shot from just outside the penalty area that goes harmlessly over the target.
31:34
Corner from the right by-line taken by Chris Johnston, John McGinn makes a clearance.
30:28
Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Paul Dummett by Borja Perez.
Direct free kick taken by Jim Goodwin.
29:03
Inswinging corner taken left-footed by Chris Johnston, clearance by Sam Parkin.
28:04
Unfair challenge on Chris Johnston by Jim Goodwin results in a free kick. Free kick taken by Sammy Clingan.
24:15
Borja Perez provided the assist for the goal.
24:15 Goal scored
Goal - Kris Boyd - Kilmarnock 1 - 1 St Mirren A goal is scored by Kris Boyd from the edge of the penalty box to the bottom right corner of the goal.
Kilmarnock 1-1 St Mirren.
21:29
Foul by Lee Ashcroft on Esmael Goncalves, free kick awarded. Direct free kick taken by Paul McGowan.
19:35
The assist for the goal came from Conor Newton.
19:35 Goal scored
Goal - John McGinn - Kilmarnock 0 - 1 St Mirren Goal scored by John McGinn from close in to the bottom left corner of the goal. Kilmarnock 0-1 St Mirren.
16:11
Borja Perez crosses the ball.
14:36
Corner taken left-footed by John McGinn from the left by-line to the near post, Shot on goal by Kenny McLean from just inside the area goes over the target.
14:05
Outswinging corner taken by John McGinn from the left by-line.
13:12
Foul by Kris Boyd on Jim Goodwin, free kick awarded. Free kick taken by Jim Goodwin.
10:05
Mark O'Hara challenges Sam Parkin unfairly and gives away a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Sam Parkin.
7:41
Borja Perez produces a cross.
6:14
John McGinn fouled by Borja Perez, the ref awards a free kick. Paul Dummett restarts play with the free kick.
1:58
Kris Boyd gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Paul Dummett. Craig Samson takes the direct free kick.
1:34
John McGinn crosses the ball.
0:00
The game gets underway.
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Everton boss David Moyes desperate to sign off in style
David Moyes wants to break Everton's record Premier League points total in his final match at the club before taking over at Manchester United.
A win at Chelsea,
where the hosts need victory to wrap up a Champions League group phase place next season, would trump 2007-08's 65-point haul by one.
Despite Everton being
guaranteed sixth place,
Moyes - who will
succeed Alex Ferguson
- wants to finish in style.
"We want to try to get a record points total if we can," said the Scot, 50.
Everton's Premier League record
Season
Points
Position
1992-93
53
13th
1993-94
44
17th
1994-95
50
15th
1995-96
61
6th
1996-97
42
15th
1997-98
40
17th
1998-99
43
14th
1999-2000
50
13th
2000-01
42
16th
2001-02
43
15th
2002-03
59
7th
2003-04
59
17th
2004-05
61
4th
2005-06
50
11th
2006-07
58
6th
2007-08
65
5th
2008-09
63
5th
2010-11
54
7th
2011-12
56
7th
After news emerged that he was bringing an end to his 11 years at the Toffees, Moyes was given a
rousing farewell
by the Goodison Park crowd last weekend as
Everton beat West Ham 2-0.
"We finished the game off very well last week," said Moyes.
"That has put us in a league position where we can't go any further up or any further down."
A sixth-place finish will not be enough to earn Europa League football next season because both
League Cup winners Swansea
and
FA Cup victors Wigan
will not finish in the top five.
"In the year we
qualified for the Champions League
(2005), the points we have (this season) would have been enough to get us there," said Moyes, who
joined Everton from Preston in 2002.
"But we don't even make Europa League football this year, which is really tough on us.
"It was something we really wanted to drive for, to get back to European football.
"I thought it was something we needed as a football club, so we are disappointed to miss out on that, and it was only maybe one or two weeks ago that we were beginning to think we probably wouldn't make the Champions League - we had always thought we had an outside chance."
Sunday's match at Stamford Bridge will also be Chelsea's interim manager
Rafael Benitez's last match
in charge..
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