David Beckham, now playing on loan at Milan, chalked up his 108th full international appearance to equal the record for an outfield England player in the Three Lions' 0-2 defeat to European champions Spain in Sevilla.

Beckham, who was born on May 2, 1975, has played for Manchester United, Real Madrid and Los Angeles Galaxy. He joined AC Milan on loan in January but is pushing to make his move permanent.

Glenn Hoddle gave Beckham his England debut in Chisinau against Moldova (3-0) on September 1, 1996. He scored 17 goals in England's famous white jersey.

Other news for February read:

• Former Aston Villa and Wolves player Paul Birch dies aged 46.

• Scottish Premier League attendances have risen this season, slightly up by 0.7 per cent from 92,244 to 92,918 per week.

• Championship side Burnley shock West Brom with a 3-1 win at Turf Moor in the fourth round of the FA Cup.

• Manchester United duo scoop the month awards for January − Sir Alex Ferguson as manager and Nemanja Vidic as player.

• Premier League club Portsmouth sack manager Tony Adams a few months after he took over from Harry Redknapp, who joined Tottenham.

• Brazilian Luiz Felipe Scolari gets the sack after only seven months at Chelsea.

• England's Under-21 side suffer their first defeat after a record run of 28 games unbeaten, going down 2-3 (Johnson, Campbell) to Ecuador after they were leading 2-0 at neutral Malaga. In another friendly, the Republic of Ireland hold Germany to a 1-1 (Spillane) draw.

• Ireland keep their hopes of qualifying for the 2010 World Cup alive after their 2-1 (Keane 2) home win over Georgia. In another match, Northern Ireland topple San Marino 3-0 (McAuley, McCann, Brunt) away.

• England suffer only their second defeat under Fabio Capello after losing 0-2 to Spain in Seville. In another friendly international, Wales lose at home to Poland 0-1.

All-Dutch at Chelsea

• Dutchman Guus Hiddink takes charge of Chelsea until the end of the season.

• Paul Hart and Brian Kidd take over from Adams at Portsmouth on a temporary basis.

• Togo and Arsenal striker Emanuel Adebayor is voted Confederation of Africa Footballer of the Year.

• Portsmouth goalkeeper David James chalks up his 536th Premier League appearance in the home 2-0 win over Manchester City to surpass Gary Speed's (now at Sheffield United) record of 535.

• The Scottish Premier League announce that season 2009-10 will commence on August 15.

• The Football Association confirm Ian Watmore as their new chief executive, replacing Brian Barwick.

• In a UEFA Cup third round first leg tie Aston Villa draw 1-1 at home against CSKA Moscow. Other results: FC Copenhagen-Manchester City 2-2, Shakhtar Donetsk-Tottenham 2-0.

• In the Champions League first leg ties of the first KO round, Liverpool win 1-0 at Real Madrid. Other outcomes: Arsenal-Roma 1-0, Inter-Manchester United 0-0, Chelsea-Juventus 1-0.

• Championship side Coventry City knock out Premier League's Blackburn 1-0 in a fifth round replay of the FA Cup at the Ricoh Arena.

• Darlington enter administration and are deducted 10 points.

• After their win in Madrid, Liverpool go top of UEFA's ranking system for the first time since 1985. Rankings are based on performances in Europe over past five seasons.

• Only Manchester City have marched to the fourth round of the UEFA Cup after their 2-0 (4-2) win at home against FC Copenhagen. Aston Villa, away at CSKA Moscow (0-2, 1-2), and Tottenham at home to Donetsk (1-1, 1-2) bow out of the tournament.

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