No more penalties for Ronaldinho

Ronaldinho will no longer be allowed to take penalties for AC Milan after missing his third spot kick of the season.

The demotion comes after the Brazilian missed his penalty against Atalanta over the weekend - bringing his tally up to three.

Apparently coach Leonardo has had enough. According to reports in the Italian publication La Repubblica - veteran midfielder Andrea Pirlo will be assigned penalty taking duties moving forward.

This news caps a bad few days for 'Dinho - after he enjoyed a comeback into the spotlight on the back of some sizzling performances, most notably against Manchester United in the Champions League round-of-16 tie in February.

Brazil's national coach Dunga, however, refused to be impressed by the midfielder's dazzling return to form - leaving him out of his team to face Ireland in an international friendly on Wednesday.

The round of friendlies is supposed to be an important lead-up to the World Cup in June and speculation is rife that Ronaldinho might not make it to Dunga's final squad.

Jamie Carragher would have "no problem" moving to another club if Liverpool decide not to offer him a contract extension.

The 32-year-old defender will have a year remaining on his present deal when this season finishes, and there are no negotiations currently taking place about a renewal.

That could change in the summer, as Liverpool are keen to let Carragher focus on playing before looking at his future.

But Carragher, who has spent all of his career so far at Anfield, acknowledges there may come a time when he has to search for another club.

"The club will give me a new contract if they want to," he told the Sunday Times.

"If not it doesn't matter, I'll still play my best and if I have to move then I'll move, no problem. It wouldn't bother me."

Carragher famously quit international football in 2007 after becoming frustrated with limited opportunities in the England team, and stresses he is "not scared of making big decisions".

"It's a club thing," he said. "It's down to them. I'll keep playing and see where it takes me."

Only Dirk Kuyt and Lucas Leiva have made more appearances than Carragher for Liverpool in the Premier League this season, suggesting the club still rely heavily on their vice-captain.

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez said: "There is no news about Carragher. We have spoken to him and he was very clear that at this moment he just wants to concentrate on doing his job.

"I think Jamie prefers the situation as it is. The information I have is that he is comfortable with how things are and that he wants to wait."

Wenger: Walcott will come good

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has no doubts that Gunners forward Theo Walcott will come good for England.

Walcott, who turns 21 next month, has seen his progress this season hampered by injury.

However, after a return to the Arsenal team, Walcott was called up to the England squad for the friendly against Egypt, and started at Wembley on Wednesday night before being replaced by Shaun Wright-Phillips after an ineffectual display.

Walcott - who smashed a famous hat-trick in the qualifier against Croatia at the start of last season - admits he cannot rely on past glories to make sure of his place in Fabio Capello's final 23-man party for South Africa.

Wenger, though, feels the former Southampton man - a shock inclusion in the last World Cup squad four years ago - is on the right track, despite being an easy target for critics.

"I believe for a while maybe people expected too much of Theo and now they are too hard with him," said the Arsenal manager.

"I believe Theo will be a great football player, he is very young, he will be 21 this year, he will have a great future.

"I believe in him because he has a fantastic attitude, he's an intelligent boy and he is highly motivated. These players always improve."

Former England winger Chris Waddle questioned Walcott's England credentials, claiming the youngster "doesn't understand the game".

Wenger, however, defender his player.

"Don't worry for him," the Arsenal boss said.

"I believe Theo has not only a football brain, but he has a brain - that means he will continue to develop at a very quick pace."

FA Cup Quarter-Finals Review

Holders Chelsea, Aston Villa and Portsmouth confirmed their spots in the semi-finals of this season's FA Cup.

On Sunday, goals from Frank Lampard and controversial captain John Terry gave Chelsea a 2-0 victory over Stoke as they booked a semi-final clash against Aston Villa.

Lampard had put the holders in front in the 35th minute when he fired a rising 20-yard shot into the net and Terry sealed victory 22 minutes from time with a firm header.

After two successive defeats, title hopefuls Carlo Ancelotti's side returned to top form and they were drawn with Villa in the last four after Martin O'Neill's men remained on course for a second Wembley final of the season.

Hat-trick hero John Carew inspired a second-half fightback as they came from 2-0 down to beat Reading 4-2.

The Royals had already knocked out Premier League sides Liverpool and Burnley and a third scalp appeared imminent after Shane Long marked his return from suspension with a two-goal blast during the opening 45 minutes.

Brian McDermott's side were the better team, with Jimmy Kebe in particular causing problems down the right flank and the Villa defence looking unusually nervy.

But Villa turned the tie on its head in dramatic fashion with three goals in the first 12 minutes of the second half through Ashley Young and two from Carew.

Then, in injury time, Carew completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot after being brought down by Ivar Ingimarsson.

On Saturday, Portsmouth earned a trip to Wembley after Frederic Piquionne fired them to a 2-0 victory over Birmingham.

Pompey, saddled with debt and being pursued by Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs, will earn more than £600,000 in prize money and broadcasting fees for reaching the FA Cup semi-final but money was hardly on their minds as they celebrated victory against Alex McLeish's men.

Piquionne's goals brightened up a tie short on action until he struck in the 67th and 70th minutes, though Liam Ridgewell thought he had scored for the Blues late on only for the officials to deem his header hadn't crossed the line.

Before that, there was little to do for the two England goalkeepers on display, with David James looking to re-establish himself as Fabio Capello's first choice and Joe Hart tipped as a future number one.

Fulham and Tottenham must try again after their quarter-final at Craven Cottage ended goalless.

Heurelho Gomes was the busier of the keepers but, in a game of few clear-cut chances, neither manager could have much complaint about the 0-0 scoreline.

Zoltan Gera came closest to settling the tie at the first time of asking, but his close-range header was well saved by Gomes diving to his left.

The replay is at White Hart Lane on Wednesday March 24.

FA Cup Semi Final Draw

Aston Villa v Chelsea
Fulham/Tottenham v Portsmouth

Man United favourite to land Cole

Manchester United could swoop for Chelsea midfielder Joe Cole on a free transfer if his contract impasse is not resolved.

United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is looking to take advantage from the well-publicised contract stalemate between Cole and Chelsea and sign Cole on a free - just as he had signed Michael Owen earlier this season.

It has been reported that Cole had wanted a pay raise and this has been the main stumbling block in him agreeing to sign a new deal with the Blues.

Cole has been struggling to make England's World Cup squad after a cruciate knee-ligament injury. He is now fit again but has failed to re-establish himself at Chelsea under manager Carlo Ancelotti.

And his contract talks have stalled, with Chelsea said to be unwilling to increase the midfielder's wages from £80,000-a-week to in excess of £100,000.

According to reports from England, there are also interest from Tottenham, Liverpool and Manchester City, but it is believed Ferguson will be favourite to win the battle if Cole and Chelsea can't reach an agreement.