One-game ban for Wayne Rooney

Wayne Rooney has escaped a fresh FA rap over his red card at Fulham. The striker will miss his side’s clash with Aston Villa on 5 April as he serves a one-match ban. But ref Phil Dowd confirmed Rooney did not swear at him after his second booking. Soho Square chiefs will let the star off with a written warning for punching the corner flag as he went off. An FA spokesman said: “We clarified with Phil Dowd that there was no abuse from the player after he was dismissed. In relation to the incident when he punched the corner flag, we have written to Wayne reminding him of his responsibilities.”
Neil Custis, The Sun

The Sun also claims Villa are appealing Brad Friedel's red card against Liverpool. At the moment he'll be suspended for their visit to OT a week on Sunday.

It's painful sifting through the pro-Liverpool hype, but the Telegraph's Kevin Garside offers a different view, suggesting United "can still ruin Rafa's wonderland". He writes: "Triumphalism is a dangerous indulgence in March", adding: "Liverpool can win their remaining nine fixtures and still fall short, not that many in Rafa's wonderland are giving that notion much thought."