Beckham moves fourth in post-war captains' log

In last month's dramatic 3-2 victory over Argentina in neutral Gen-eva, David Beckham chalked up his 50th appearance as England captain.

The Real Madrid midfielder made his England debut against Moldova, in Chisinau, in a World Cup qualifier in September 1996 in Glenn Hoddle's baptism as England coach.

He first captained England against Italy in Turin, a friendly played in November 2000.

Beckham's total of 50 appearances wearing the captain's armband has put him in fourth place in the post-war skippers' list that denotes only those who led the team ten times or more.

Bobby Moore 1963-73 90
Billy Wright 1948-59 90
Bryan Robson 1982-91 65
David Beckham 2000-05 50

Alan Shearer 1996-00 34
Kevin Keegan 1976-82 31
Emlyn Hughes 1974-80 23
Johnny Haynes 1960-62 22
David Platt 1993-96 19
Gary Lineker 1990-92 18

Tony Adams 1994-00 15
Jimmy Armfield 1961-66 15
Peter Shilton 1982-90 15
George Hardwick 1946-48 13
Stuart Pearce 1991-97 10
Ray Wilkins 1982-86 10

Other items of football interest which occurred in November:

¤ Arsenal become the first English side to progress to the knock-out phase of the Champions League sequel to their home 3-0 victory over Sparta Prague.

Other results: A. Bratislava-Rangers 2-2, Liverpool-Anderlecht 3-0, Real Betis-Chelsea 1-0, Lille-Manchester United 1-0.

¤ In UEFA Cup group phase matches, Bolton topple Zenit St Petersburg 1-0 at home and Middlesbrough thrash Dnipro 3-0 at the Riverside Stadium.

¤ Celtic duo Gordon Strachan and Stilian Petrov scoop the monthly awards for Best Manager and Player, respectively.

¤ The costs to build the new Wembley are expected to overrun by a rise of £75 million. The redevelopment of the stadium was originally set at £757 million.

¤ FA Cup first round shocks read: Bournemouth-Tamworth 1-2, Burscough-Gillingham 3-2, Burton Albion-Peterborough (rep-lay) 1-0.

¤ St Mirren defeat Hamilton 2-1 at Airdrie to lift the Bell's Cup, the knock-out contest for non-Premier sides.

¤ England players will earn up to £300,000 each if they win next year's World Cup.

¤ At White Hart Lane, England U-21 only manage to draw 1-1 (Ambrose) against France in the first leg of the European Championship play-off.

¤ Wigan's Paul Jewell and Chelsea's Frank Lampard are named Manager and Player of the Month, respectively.

¤ In a friendly international in Switzerland, England make a remarkable comeback, from 1-2 down, to topple Argentina 3-2.

Other results: Scotland-USA 1-1, N. Ireland-Portugal 1-1, Cyprus-Wales 1-0.

¤ Eric Cantona is voted the greatest Premiership player of all time following a survey commissioned by League sponsors Barclays. Arsenal's Thierry Henry and Chelsea's Jose Mourinho receive accolades for top foreign player and best coach, respectively.

¤ England U-21 bow out to France in the deciding European Championship match, losing 1-2 (Bent D.) away.

¤ A sculpture of World Cup winning captain Bobby Moore is commissioned to stand outside the new Wembley Stadium.

¤ Roy Keane leaves Man. United, bringing to a sudden halt his 12-and-a-half-year stay at Old Trafford.

¤ Chelsea (2-0 vs Anderlecht away) and Liverpool (0-0 vs Real Betis at home) progress to the knock-out stage of the Champions League.

Other results: FC Thun-Arsenal 0-1, Manchester United-Villarreal 0-0, FC Porto-Rangers 1-1.

Perrin perishes

¤ Portsmouth sack coach Alain Perrin to become the first managerial casualty in the Premiership this season.

¤ Middlesbrough's Abel Xavier is given an 18-month suspension after testing positive for a banned substance.

¤ Following the 0-0 draw against AZ Alkmaar away, Middlesbrough secure their place in the knock-out phase of the UEFA Cup.

Bolton Wanderers earn another valuable 1-1 draw against Vitoria in Guimares.

¤ New rules for agents will come into force in January after being ratified by the FA.

¤ Manchester United legend George Best loses fight for life after passing away in Cromwell Hospital, London, aged 59.

¤ German Rainer Bonhof steps down as coach of Scotland U-21 national team.

¤ Ronaldinho, of Barcelona, is voted European Footballer of the Year, followed by Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard.

¤ Fulham will rename their Stevenage Road stand in honour of former England stalwart Johnny Haynes, who died in October.

¤ League One (third tier) side Doncaster topple Aston Villa 3-0 in front of their own fans in the fourth round of the League Cup.

Leading marksmen

Premier League
11 - Lampard (Chelsea); Van Nistelrooy (Man. United)
8 - Bent (Charlton); Yakubu (M'Boro), Henry (Arsenal)
7 - Cole (Man. City)

The Championship
11 - Akinbiyi (Burnley)
10 - King (Watford); Jerome (Cardiff)
9 - Kabba (Sheff. Utd); Young (Watford); Cort (Wolves)

Scottish Premier
13 - Skacel (Hearts); Boyd (Kilmarnock)
9 - Hartson (Celtic)
8 - O'Connor (Hibs); Duffy (Falkirk)