What The Sports Pages Say

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WHAT THE PAPERS SAY

THE SUN: Alex Ferguson has blasted Owen Hargreaves for his criticism of Manchester United's medical staff. Also: Chelsea striker Didier Drogba has dramatically spoken for the first time about the horrific collision which knocked him out for nearly eight minutes.

DAILY MIRROR: Arsene Wenger had his own Eric Cantona moment yesterday as the pressure on him increases. Also: Sir Alex Ferguson has hit back at Owen Hargreaves' claim that Manchester United are to blame for his three-year injury nightmare.

DAILY MAIL: The son of the late Sir Matt Busby has expressed his disgust and sadness after video footage of a four-year-old boy singing a song about the Munich disaster appeared on the internet yesterday. Also: Sir Alex Ferguson and Manchester United have accused Owen Hargreaves of talking rubbish after he suggested they had mismanaged the knee injuries that almost ended his career.

DAILY EXPRESS: Storm clouds gathered over Arsene Wenger last night as he outlined the Doomsday scenario of more Arsenal stars following Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri through the exit door. Also: Nick Easter has until Monday morning to prove his fitness, otherwise England will replace him in their World Cup squad with Thomas Waldrom, who is already standing by in Dunedin.

THE STAR: Sir Alex Ferguson has hit back at Owen Hargreaves after he claimed Manchester United mishandled his medical treatment. Also: Arsene Wenger has admitted Arsenal could struggle to convince skipper Robin van Persie and other top stars to sign new contracts.

THE TIMES: Sir Alex Ferguson and Manchester United moved yesterday to dismiss Owen Hargreaves' claims that his rehabilitation during three injury-ravaged years at Old Trafford was hindered by a course of injections. Also: Arsene Wenger fears that key Arsenal players will choose to run down their contracts rather than sign new deals with the club.

DAILY TELEGRAPH: The Chelsea manager, Andre Villas-Boas, yesterday delivered a sharp rebuke to his critics who accused him of being "naive" in the way he approached Sunday's Premier League meeting with Manchester United. Also: Kenny Dalglish has railed against what the Liverpool manager perceives as the country's "obsession" with Andy Carroll, insisting the striker will prove to be an asset for Anfield in the long-term and describing his £35million price tag as "irrelevant".

THE GUARDIAN: Sir Alex Ferguson has delivered a robust response to Owen Hargreaves' claims that Manchester United jeopardised the player's career and angrily defended the reputation of the club's medical staff. Also: Andre Villas-Boas has said he will continue to place as much importance on playing attractive football as on getting results even though he knows it will prove more difficult to satisfy Roman Abramovich's appetite for trophies.

THE INDEPENDENT: Sir Alex Ferguson said the sight of the Manchester United team hotel besieged by Leeds fans was "like something out of Zulu". Also: The pressure might be on Arsene Wenger but the Arsenal manager demonstrated yesterday that he still has the ability to come up with some of football's most striking metaphors when he compared himself to a polar bear, protecting his brood from the "bullets" of those who would seek to destroy them.

 

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WHAT THE PAPERS SAY

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH: England's hopes of qualifying for Euro 2012 suffered a setback yesterday when Wayne Rooney missed Manchester United's draw at Stoke with a hamstring injury and Theo Walcott picked up a knee problem during Arsenal's win over Bolton. Also: An upbeat Martin Johnson said it was ''job done'' after his England side ran in 10 tries against Romania to reach the verge of the World Cup quarter-finals.

SUNDAY TIMES: The controversy caused by the balls being used in the Rugby World Cup took a new turn when Jonny Wilkinson became embroiled in a ''ball-tampering'' row during England's thumping 67-3 win over Romania. Also: Fernando Torres will miss three of Chelsea's Premier League fixtures after being sent off for an ugly tackle on Swansea's Mark Gower at Stamford Bridge yesterday.

THE INDEPENDENT: England have been in New Zealand for almost a month and yesterday they put 10 tries past Romania, but their manager, Martin Johnson, looked ahead to Saturday's match against Scotland and said: ''The World Cup really starts now.'' Also: For once Manchester United endured a worse day than Manchester City, dropping points for the first time this season, and this morning they lead the Premier League only on goal difference.

THE OBSERVER: Martin Johnson has warned his unbeaten England players their Rugby World Cup campaign has not yet begun in earnest despite their position at the top of Pool B. Also: Fernando Torres scored his second goal in consecutive league games in Chelsea's 4-1 win over Swansea City at Stamford Bridge but was then sent off. It capped a turbulent week for the Spanish striker.

SUNDAY MIRROR: Toon boss Alan Pardew hailed hat-trick hero Demba Ba. Also: Tottenham will turn to Carlo Ancelotti if England come calling for boss Harry Redknapp next year.

SUNDAY EXPRESS: Sir Alex Ferguson believes that Michael Owen can still be a European championship match-winner for Fabio Capello's England Also: Mike Tindall insisted England's World Cup party days are over as they prepare to get down to business - starting with next Saturday's showdown with Scotland.

DAILY STAR SUNDAY: Roberto Mancini has targeted #20 million-rated Napoli hotshot Marek Hamsik as a possible replacement for Carlos Tevez. Also: £50million misfit Fernando Torres scored a rare goal to set Chelsea on their way to a 4-1 win against Swansea - and minutes later he was sent off.

THE PEOPLE: Carlos Tevez's fragile relationship with Manchester City is at breaking point again. Also: Fernando Torres went from hero to villain once again as the £50 million man scored - and was sent off!

MAIL ON SUNDAY: Frank Lampard's long-term future at Chelsea is in jeopardy after he was dropped and appeared to storm away from the Stamford Bridge pitch last night. Also: Manchester City will make a £30million swoop for Arsenal captain Robin van Persie if contract talks between the crisis club and the disaffected star make no progress before the January transfer window.

 

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WHAT THE PAPERS SAY

THE SUN: Robin van Persie has warned Arsenal he may not sign a new contract. Also: Neil Warnock blew his top at referee Michael Oliver over three penalty decisions last night...Alex Ferguson has branded Peter Crouch a serial fouler.

DAILY MIRROR: Lewis Hamilton was attacked by furious race rival Felipe Massa after they collided at the Singapore Grand Prix. Also: Neil Warnock accused referee Michael Oliver of wanting to give a penalty against QPR yesterday.

DAILY MAIL: Robin van Persie has dealt Arsenal a significant blow by telling them he is not ready to open new contract talks. Also: England have been alerted to the looming danger of losing their new centre sensation Manu Tuilagi to club rugby in the southern hemisphere, just as their World Cup challenge was left hanging in the balance last night.

THE GUARDIAN: Out of the chaos of an uphill kilometre of suburban Danish road came a new British world champion. Also: Andy Robinson has warned England to expect a furious Scottish onslaught on Saturday, when one of the two nations will suffer a premature exit from the Rugby World Cup.

THE TIMES: Lewis Hamilton was dragged into an embarrassing fracas with Felipe Massa, the Ferrari driver, in front of tens of millions of television viewers around the world after the Singapore Grand Prix last night. Also: "Thirty seconds of madness". And now, if it is going to be mad, desperate, ferocious Scotland that head north to tackle England in Auckland on Saturday, knowing that a simple win is not enough.

DAILY TELEGRAPH: As he crossed the finish line, Mark Cavendish held both arms aloft in victory; he may as well have been grasping at the cloths of heaven. Also: The fury of the denied and the potentially damned will be coming at England on Saturday night in Auckland

DAILY EXPRESS: Lewis Hamilton was involved in an angry confrontation with Ferrari driver Felipe Massa during a live television interview after the two collided in the Singapore Grand Prix. Also: Arsenal face an anxious wait to see if Robin van Persie will commit his future to the club after he revealed he is not ready to discuss a new contract.

DAILY STAR: Roberto Mancini has told his sulking striker Carlos Tevez that he can still have a big future at Manchester City. Also: Neil Warnock faces an FA rap after blasting Michael Oliver for his Loftus Road horror show.

THE INDEPENDENT: Robin van Persie has said that he has not yet made up his mind whether he will sign a new contract with Arsenal, prompting fears the club will find themselves in the same position with the captain next summer as they were with Samir Nasri and Gael Clichy in the last transfer window. Also: Mark Cavendish snared Great Britain's biggest road cycling success in nearly half a century yesterday when he blasted to victory in the World Road Race Championships.

 

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Latest Paper Talk at 11:00 BST


TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 27

THE SUN:

Jack Wilshere could be out for six months after an ankle op.

Fernando Torres has revealed the full frustration of his "struggle" at Chelsea.

Edin Dzeko is out to bring Bayern Munich's defensive wall tumbling down in Germany tonight.

Former Blackburn striker El-Hadji Diouf is trying to win a contract at Wigan.

Neil Warnock finds out today if he faces an FA rap for slamming the ref in QPR's 1-1 draw against Aston Villa.

West Brom are eyeing a move for Fiorentina prodigy Maxwell Acosty.

THE TIMES:

Roberto Mancini has urged his Manchester City team to prove they belong in the Champions League when they take on Bayern Munich tonight.

Petr Cech says he will give up football the day he is scared to risk injury.

THE INDEPENDENT:

Sir Alex Ferguson has accused television companies of enslaving English football and argued that Premier league clubs should be given a bigger slice of revenue from overseas sales.

The plans of both Arsenal and England have been further disrupted by the news that Jack Wilshere will be out for "four to five months" after ankle surgery.

DAILY MAIL:

Arsene Wenger's season of turmoil took another turn for the worse last night when it was confirmed Jack Wilshere will not play in any of Arsenal's Champions League group matches.

Bayern Munich's Jerome Boateng believes Manchester City have no chance of winning the Champions League.

El-Hadji Diouf is in talks with Wigan and Doncaster.

Liverpool are willing to let Jonjo Shelvey leave on loan.

DAILY STAR:

Frank Lampard has hit back at critics who have written him off.

Gary Cahill could be in line for a stunning move from Bolton to Barcelona

Sunderland boss Steve Bruce is under even more pressure after his side crashed at Norwich.

Jack Wilshere's season is in doubt amid fears he could be out for six months.

Yaya Toure says Manchester City have nothing to fear in the Champions League.

DAILY MIRROR:

Fernando Torres admitted for the first time he has suffered a Chelsea nightmare.

Wayne Rooney remains a major doubt for England's decisive Euro 2012 qualifier in Montenegro.

Roberto Mancini insists "This is just the start" after leading Manchester City into the Champions League big time.

Fabio Capello is set to hand Shaun Wright-Phillips an England recall.

Rio Ferdinand believes David Moyes is missing a trick by leaving Louis Saha out of the Everton side.

Dimitar Berbatov will learn tonight whether Sir Alex Ferguson still has faith in him.

Dirk Kuyt has revealed his disappointment at losing his place in the Liverpool side.

El-Hadji Diouf is training with Wigan - but is in talks with Championship strugglers Doncaster.

DAILY EXPRESS:

Fernando Torres thinks he has turned the corner after his nightmare start at Chelsea.

England face an anxious wait to see if Wayne Rooney will be fit to spearhead their attack against Montenegro.

Alan Tate is using an oxygen chamber to speed up his recovery from a broken leg.

Dirk Kuyt will not shrink from the challenge of regaining his starting place at Liverpool.

DAILY TELEGRAPH:

Arsenal are yet to open talks with Theo Walcott over a potential contract extension beyond 2013.

DAILY RECORD

Aberdeeen insist they will not sack Craig Brown.

Ally McCoist is eyeing a 10-point cushion in the SPL.

Gary Hooper is winning his fitness race ahead of Celtic's Europa League clash with Udinese.

 

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WHAT THE PAPERS SAY

THE SUN: Carlos Tevez must stay away from Manchester City for two weeks while they probe his Munich mutiny. Also: Chelsea's stars lost their cool as they blew what should have been a Champions League Group E win in Spain.

DAILY MIRROR: Furious Roberto Mancini swore at Carlos Tevez after the Manchester City striker refused to play against Bayern Munich. Also: Salomon Kalou left Frank Lampard and his Chelsea team-mates frustrated last night after gifting Valencia an equaliser.

DAILY MAIL: Carlos Tevez was last night suspended by Manchester City for refusing to play against Bayern Munich on Tuesday - and may yet be sacked by the club. Also: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain became the youngest English scorer in the Champions League with the first goal in Arsenal's 2-1 win over Olympiakos at the Emirates.

DAILY STAR: Disgraced Carlos Tevez could face a worldwide ban from football after refusing to play for Manchester City. Also: Frank Lampard bounced back in typical style last night.

DAILY EXPRESS: Carlos Tevez could face a worldwide ban from football after refusing to play for Manchester City. Also: Scotland captain Alastair Kellock has been restored among seven changes in the team for Saturday's decisive pool game against England from the side who lost to Argentina.

THE TIMES: Carlos Tevez was suspended by Manchester City last night after his act of mutiny 24 hours earlier. Also: Aaron Lennon, the Tottenham Hotspur winger, will make a comeback from injury in the Europa League as he attempts to prove his fitness for Sunday's Barclays Premier League derby against Arsenal.

DAILY TELEGRAPH: Carlos Tevez has been suspended until further notice and is facing the possibility of the ultimate sanction of dismissal for gross misconduct by Manchester City after refusing to play as a second-half substitute in Tuesday's Champions League defeat against Bayern Munich. Also: Harry Redknapp has described Carlos Tevez's behaviour as "beyond belief" but warned that the striker would be "holding all the aces" as Manchester City decide how to deal with him.

THE GUARDIAN: Carlos Tevez has been suspended by Manchester City for two weeks after Roberto Mancini made it clear to the club's chairman, Khaldoon al-Mubarak, that the player has no way back following his apparent refusal to take part in their Champions League tie at Bayern Munich. Also: Arsene Wenger will take what he can get at present. This narrow victory over arguably the poorest team in Arsenal's Champions League group sufficed to keep the wolves from the door for another day, although it did little to portray the club as credible contenders.

THE INDEPENDENT: Carlos Tevez was last night suspended for two weeks and told to stay away from Manchester City pending an investigation into his conduct during the Champions League defeat at Bayern Munich, with his club not ruling out the prospect of ripping up his contract and sacking him. Also: Twenty-four hours after one footballer reacted to being dropped by refusing to play another provided the perfect response to his recent omission. Frank Lampard, whose future had become as big and as sensitive an issue at Stamford Bridge as Fernando Torres' finishing, marked his return to the starting XI with a typically well-taken goal in the 56th minute.

 

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WHAT THE PAPERS SAY

THE SUN: Wayne Rooney has set his sights on being captain for club and country. Also: Arsene Wenger last night told the Arsenal boo-boys to lay off Emmanuel Adebayor tomorrow.

DAILY MAIL: Roberto Mancini's row with Carlos Tevez took a remarkable twist last night when it emerged his son refused to come on as a substitute for Manchester City reserves. Also: Martin Johnson has accepted responsibility and expressed regret for the match ball controversy which undermined England's preparations for this morning's crucial World Cup clash against Scotland; Steve Bruce has rounded on his defender Titus Bramble and accused him of showing disrespect to Sunderland and their fans.

DAILY MIRROR: Roberto Mancini's son refused to come off the subs bench in a Manchester City reserve game. Also: Robin van Persie has been urged to shake hands with Emmanuel Adebayor ahead of tomorrow's north London derby; Steven Gerrard last night told Fabio Capello to leave him out of England's Euro 2012 qualifier in Montenegro.

DAILY EXPRESS: Steve Bruce says he and Sunderland's playing staff have been "shocked and devastated" by Titus Bramble's arrest following allegations of sexual assault and possessing class A drugs. Also: Robin van Persie has been urged to put aside his dislike of Emmanuel Adebayor and shake his former team-mate's hand in tomorrow's north London derby between Arsenal and Tottenham.

DAILY STAR: Roberto Mancini has warned his superstar rebels: I'm in charge here, not you. Also: Wayne Rooney has revealed he would love to skipper Manchester United and England.

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Martin Johnson, the England manager, has accepted ultimate responsibility for the ball-switching controversy that has led to two members of his coaching team being banned from Eden Park for today's Pool B decider against Scotland. Also: Roberto Mancini bore the confident look yesterday of a manager who knows he enjoys the full backing of his club's owners, who has been informed that Manchester City's power brokers share his anger over 'Benchgate'.

THE TIMES: Roberto Mancini's bitter dispute with Carlos Tevez was thrown into fresh controversy last night when it emerged that the Manchester City manager's son had been involved in a similar refusal to play during a recent reserve match for the club. Also: Neil Warnock believes that English football would be far better off without Carlos Tevez.

THE GUARDIAN: At the unusually packed Manchester City press conference with Roberto Mancini an elephant was in the room and its name was Carlos Tevez. Also: The Football Association has warned that agreeing new short-term broadcast deals for the England team and the FA Cup could pose a challenge to its financial health, as it lodged its annual results with Companies House.

THE INDEPENDENT: Rafael Benitez has stood by his description of Everton as a "small club", delivered four years ago, insisting that his words related only to David Moyes' side's unambitious display against Liverpool in one fixture. Also: The eve of a win-or-bust World Cup game is not the ideal moment for an outpouring of contrition, especially when the man saying sorry is Martin Johnson, the very embodiment of English rugby's "no backward step" spirit.

 

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THE SUN: Martin Jol has fined one of his Fulham players £500 for missing a penalty. But the Craven Cottage boss is now facing a dressing-room backlash. Also: Roman Abramovich is set to turn his back on 106 years of history and move Chelsea away from Stamford Bridge.

DAILY MAIL: Arsenal and Tottenham have united in an attempt to end the culture of hate which is scarring their north London rivalry. Also: Former England centre Jeremy Guscott has branded some players 'kids' who have shown a 'lack of respect' in New Zealand.

DAILY MIRROR: Arsene Wenger is waving the white flag in the title race - after just seven games. Steve Bruce has been told he still has a long-term future as Sunderland boss - despite Niall Quinn stepping down as chairman last night.

DAILY EXPRESS: Arsenal's crushed players were read the riot act and told to "look at yourselves in the mirror" by club quiet man Pat Rice after the derby defeat at Tottenham. Also: Mark Cueto is ready to reclaim his England jersey against France in the World Cup quarter-final after Delon Armitage was given a one-game ban.

DAILY STAR: England have been warned to be on their guard every minute during their stay in Montenegro this week. Also: Disgraced striker Carlos Tevez was off to Argentina last night after a grilling from Manchester City officials.

THE GUARDIAN: Chelsea are to take what will be perceived as the first significant step towards leaving Stamford Bridge for a new 60,000-seat stadium, by seeking to buy back the freehold for the land on which their home of 106 years is built. Also: Mark Cueto has angrily defended England's off-field conduct at the World Cup, hitting back over the 'horrendous' coverage his team-mates have attracted during their campaign in New Zealand.

THE INDEPENDENT: Chelsea announced last night that they are taking the first major steps to building a new London stadium to rival Arsenal's Emirates home, by buying back the freehold on their pitch and stadium from a supporters' group. Also: Alan Shearer believes Andy Carroll has the ability to follow in his footsteps and became a regular choice for England and a "fearsome" centre-forward.

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Mark Cueto declared yesterday that the England players who made lewd comments to a hotel working "hadn't done anything hugely wrong" and that the incident "was a bit of banter that taken out of hand" in a spirited defence of the team that was seemingly out of step with his own manager as well as public opinion. Also: Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur are to launch a jaunt investigation into Sunday's north London derby in an attempt to identify and potentially ban fans who engaged in abusive chanting.

THE TIMES: Manu Tuilagi has joined England's rugby World Cup hall of shame after becoming the second member of his family to be fined for wearing an illegal gumshield that bore a sponsor's name. Also: Chelsea took the first steps towards leaving Stamford Bridge last night by announcing their intention to buy back the land underneath the stadium that has been for their home 106 years.

 

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WHAT THE PAPERS SAY

THE GUARDIAN: Manchester City will pay just £2m a year to their local council in return for control of the naming rights to the Eastlands stadium, which was built for the 2002 Commonwealth Games with £112m of lottery and public money. Also: Fabio Capello is considering pairing Wayne Rooney with Danny Welbeck in Friday's Euro 2012 qualifier in Montenegro, favouring a partnership that has proved startlingly successful with Manchester United this season.

THE TIMES: England's World Cup campaign is in danger of being overshadowed by fresh controversy today as the Rugby Football Union (RFU) braces itself for another potentially damaging civil war. Also: Fabio Capello is considering using Phil Jagielka as an emergency right back in an attempt to secure the point England need to book their place at the European Championship finals.

DAILY STAR: Fabio Capello is considering giving a shock debut to right-back Kyle Walker in the crunch Euro 2012 qualifier against Montenegro on Friday. Also: The FA have been urged to ban bungling referee Martin Atkinson after they overturned Jack Rodwell's controversial red card.

THE SUN: Emmanuel Adebayor admits he was hurt by the abuse hurled at him by Arsenal fans during the North London derby. Also: Manchester City will push for a full six-week suspension and £1.5million fine for Carlos Tevez - even if he proves he did not directly refuse to play against Bayern Munich.

THE INDEPENDENT: Jonny Wilkinson, still among the highest-profile players in rugby eight years after dropping the goal that brought the World Cup to England, gave beleaguered red-rose manager Martin Johnson a welcome dollop of good news yesterday when he negotiated a training session without aggravating the elbow injury he suffered during the victory over Scotland last weekend. Also: Ireland must discover a response to the question that no one in this World Cup had yet come close to answering: how do you stop George North?

DAILY MAIL: Chicago Fire want to make Rio Ferdinand the new David Beckham of the Major Soccer League. Also: Jonny Wilkinson proved yesterday that he is ready to resume guiding England towards a third successive World Cup final, as manager Martin Johnson prepared to name a side featuring just one change for Saturday's last-eight clash with France.

DAILY MIRROR: Fabio Capello is ready to hand an amazing Euro 2012 chance to Arsenal whizz-kid Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. Also: Accrington's game with Tranmere was abandoned after a horrific clash left Stanley's Tom Bender on the ground for 25 minutes last night.

DAILY EXPRESS: World Cup winner Jason Robinson believes Jonny Wilkinson has been living on borrowed time during the tournament in New Zealand. Also: Accrington Stanley's teenage defender Tom Bender was rushed to hospital on a drip last night after a fight for life on the pitch.

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Jonny Wilkinson looks set to shake off concerns about an arm injury to start England's World Cup quarter-final against France at Eden Park on Saturday. Also: Fabio Capello is considering handing a first international start to 20-year-old striker Danny Welbeck for Friday's crucial Euro 2012 qualifier away to Montenegro.

 

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WHAT THE PAPERS SAY

THE GUARDIAN: Carlos Tevez's adviser has opened a new front in the explosive dispute over whether the Manchester City striker refused to take the field during a Champions League tie at Bayern Munich by claiming the player's post-match comments were mistranslated. Also...The Wales coach, Warren Gatland, has opted for all-out attack in the World Cup quarter-final against Ireland on Saturday by selecting three wingers, leaving James Hook on the bench and omitting Lee Byrne and Stephen Jones from the matchday 22.

DAILY TELEGRAPH: British athletes Dwain Chambers, David Millar and Carl Myerscough will today be handed the prospect of competing in London 2012 when the Court of Arbitration for Sport rules that the International Olympic Committee's controversial Rule 45 banning convicted drugs cheats from future Games is illegal. Also...Ben Foden has warned that England are expecting France to pose the danger of a "wounded animal capable of causing carnage" in their World Cup quarter-final at Eden Park on Saturday.

DAILY STAR: Roberto Mancini was last night put in the frame for his explosive bust-up with Carlos Tevez. Also...Fabio Capello is ready to give a shock first England start to Bobby Zamora in tomorrow's crunch clash with Montenegro in Podgorica.

DAILY MIRROR: Roberto Mancini's "very direct" management style has been blamed for his explosive fall-out with Carlos Tevez. Also...Jamie Carragher believes England are cheating by having Fabio Capello as coach.

THE SUN: Carlos Tevez's agent insists the Manchester City star did not go on strike and that he is a victim of mistranslation. Also...Jenson Button has signed a £60million deal for life with McLaren.

DAILY MAIL: Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher has told the FA they are "cheating" by employing a foreign manager of England. Also...Fabio Capello is considering a surprise England debut for 19-year-old Phil Jones tomorrow night.

DAILY EXPRESS: Jamie Carragher has claimed having Fabio Capello in charge of the England team is like "a form of cheating" and says that the Italian's successor must be English. Also...Jenson Button looks certain to end his career with McLaren after signing a three-year deal to stay with the team until 2014.

THE INDEPENDENT: "Carlos did not refuse to play and what he did was no worse than Cesc Fabregas, Luke Modric and Samir Nasri refusing to play." Also...Tom Palmer has urged England to prey on France's mental fragility in Saturday's World Cup quarter-final.

THE TIMES: Carlos Tevez's adviser claimed yesterday that the striker did not refuse to play for Manchester City during the recent Champions League defeat by Bayern Munich. Also...In his own mind, Scott Parker is still the gap-toothed young boy in that McDonald's advert who dreams of playing in a World Cup for England.

 

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WHAT THE PAPERS SAY

The Guardian: England advanced to the Euro 2012 finals, despite a red card for Wayne Rooney, who was sent off for the second time in his international career. Also: Leeds coach Brian McDermott is proud to be flying the flag for British coaches.

Daily Star: England will start their Euro 2012 bid without Wayne Rooney. Also: Lewis Moody leads England's assault on a World Cup semi-final spot today, telling his players: Show no fear.

Daily Mail: Wayne Rooney soured England's qualification for next summer's European Championships after being sent off for a petulant kick at an opponent. Also: Darren Fletcher has shrugged off tonsilitis to fly to Scotland's aid in their Euro 2012 qualifier in Liechtenstein tonight.

Daily Mirror: Nottingham Forest want Nigel Clough to 'come home' as their new manager. Also: Jenson Button has urged Lewis Hamilton to stay at McLaren and keep Britain's Formula One Dream Team together.

The Independent: England's plans for next summer's European Championships were dealt a huge blow before they had even started last night, when Wayne Rooney's red card for a needless kick meant he will miss the first, and possibly the second, game of the campaign. Also: Kevin Pietersen says he has several goals still to achieve with England.

The Sun: Wayne Rooney said sorry to Fabio Capello for his red-card madness as England stuttered into the Euro 2012 finals. Also: English football's hottest sensation Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has revealed how he could have played for the Irish.. London Irish.

Daily Express: Wolves owner Steve Morgan fears Premier League clubs will face ''serious financial trouble'' unless a wage cap is introduced. Also: Rob Burrow is delighted so many academy products will be playing on both sides of the Grand Final today.

The Times: England will have to cope without Wayne Rooney for the first two matches of next summer's European Championships after his shocking sending-off marred last night's 2-2 draw with Montenegro. Also: Mark Hughes admitted yesterday that he is keen to manage Chelsea.

The Telegraph: On a stormy night in the Balkans, England made heavy weather of reaching Euro 2012. Also: Blackburn Rovers' ground-breaking friendly against Pune FC in India was marred by further demonstrations against manager Steve Kean.

 

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WHAT THE PAPERS SAY

THE SUN: Javier Hernandez is a shock £30million target for Real Madrid. Also: David Haye has quit boxing after handing in his fight licence.

DAILY MIRROR: Fabio Capello is angry with himself for believing Wayne Rooney's claims he was mentally fit to play against Montenegro. Also: Barcelona have put Ashley Cole at the top of their transfer hit-list.

DAILY STAR: Fabio Capello now admits he got it badly wrong by starting Wayne Rooney against Montenegro. Also: Ben Youngs has mounted a disgraceful defence of England team-mate Manu Tuilagi.

DAILY MAIL: Wayne Rooney has written personally to UEFA in a bid to limit his European Championship ban for his red card in Montenegro to a single match.

DAILY EXPRESS: Gareth Barry has warned Manchester City's egotistical stars to stop the strops or risk wrecking their Premier League title bid. Also: Arsenal stalwart Gilles Grimandi claims the best the Gunners can do is be a minor irritant in the Premier League title race.

THE TIMES: An alarming lapse of security that will raise further questions over the handling of England's ill-starred rugby World Cup campaign is revealed by The Times today. Also: Craig Levein knows that Scotland might need a small miracle in Alicante tonight - a victory over Spain - if his team are to grab a European Championship play-off place, but the Scotland manager said yesterday that his players "feared nothing" and would "have a go" against the world and European champions.

DAILY TELEGRAPH: English rugby was in turmoil last night as Martin Johnson's ill-disciplined squad returned home to an increasingly bitter power struggle at the heart of the Rugby Football Union. Also: Shane Williams believes Wales' intoxicating blend of wise heads and youthful fearlessness holds the key to the side making history and reaching their first World Cup final.

THE GUARDIAN: Rebel clubs will make a final attempt to persuade Martyn Thomas to step down as the Rugby Football Union's acting chief executive this week before calling a special general meeting to propose a vote of no confidence in him. Also: Wayne Rooney is to plead his case to UEFA in writing as part of the Football Association's argument that the England striker should not have his automatic one-match ban for violent conduct extended by the governing body's control and disciplinary panel.

THE INDEPENDENT: Wayne Rooney has written his own letter of apology for his red card against Montenegro as part of the Football Association's appeal for leniency when UEFA rules on the striker's Euro 2012 ban on Thursday. Also: The average New Zealander was rather looking forward to seeing the back of England following their miserable contribution to this World Cup, but even though Manu Tuilagi - or "Manu Overboard" as he has become known since jumping from a ferry into Auckland harbour - and the remainder of the party left the country yesterday, there is simply no avoiding other forms of trouble and strife emanating from Twickenham.

 

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WHAT THE PAPERS SAY

THE SUN: Carlos Tevez could find out today that Manchester City want him suspended for another four weeks. Also: West Ham must fight Barry Hearn's Orient for the right to move into the Olympic Stadium.

DAILY MIRROR: Sir Alex Ferguson has praised Wayne Rooney after his England red card, claiming the striker has "shown tremendous improvement" when it comes to discipline. Also: Ireland edged into the Euro 2012 play-offs with a 2-1 win over Armenia, despite having Kevin Doyle sent off.

DAILY STAR: Liverpool are demanding a bigger share of their overseas TV rights in a move which threatens to shatter the finances of rival Premier League clubs. Also: Vitali Klitschko is convinced that he can talk David Haye out of his planned retirement.

DAILY EXPRESS: Liverpool want to negotiate their own overseas TV rights in a move that will reverberate throughout the rest of the Premier League. Also: Wales will have to produce an even better performance than the near-perfection of their quarter-final defeat of Ireland if they are to beat France in Saturday's World Cup semi-final.

DAILY MAIL: Liverpool will consider negotiating their own overseas television rights deal in a move that will send shock waves around the Barclays Premier League. Also: West Ham last night emerged as unlikely winners in the race to move into the Olympic Stadium despite their plan to buy it collapsing.

THE INDEPENDENT: Liverpool managing director Ian Ayre has said that his club should be allowed to pursue their own international television rights deal and that they are being placed at a disadvantage to Real Madrid and Barcelona by being forced to share media income with smaller Premier League clubs. Also...Dimitri Yachvili, the Biarritz scrum-half whose tactical mastery has made him the single most influential player in the French squad at this World Cup, is taking a rest from training until tomorrow.

THE TIMES: Liverpool have signalled their desire to break away from the rest of the Premier League and negotiate their own overseas TV rights deal. Also...West Ham United could still end up owning the £486million Olympic stadium despite the Government's announcement yesterday that the deal for the club to buy it had collapsed.

DAILY TELEGRAPH: Footage of Jack Warner, the former vice-president of FIFA, apparently urging Caribbean members to accept cash gifts from Mohamed Bin Hammam, has been seen by The Daily Telegraph. Also...Olympic officials involved in the collapse of the London 2012 stadium deal will be questioned before Parliament to explain their use of public money.

THE GUARDIAN: The deal that shares television's billions equally between Premier League clubs is facing its biggest threat to date after Liverpool announced they would lead a challenge for overseas TV rights to be sold on a club-by-club basis. Also...Scotland had too much at stake to appreciate Spain's latest dismantling of all before them.

 

[sarahmic]

WHAT THE PAPERS SAY

DAILY MIRROR: Carlos Tevez will be banished to train with Manchester City's reserves today after returning from his two-week ban. Also: Wigan chairman Dave Whelan last night slammed the "diabolical" proposals to ditch the Premier League's collective agreement over worldwide television revenues... Andrey Arshavin has admitted Arsenal fans are right to be unhappy with his recent performances.

THE SUN: Carlos Tevez last night demanded an apology from Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini. Also: John Hartson last night revealed that he is being hounded over gambling debts... Wigan chairman Dave Whelan has blasted the TV plans of Liverpool's American owners.

DAILY STAR: Carlos Tevez will come face to face with Roberto Mancini this morning for the first time since their Munich bust-up. Also: Wayne Rooney will be fighting to avoid a two-game ban today when he learns his fate following his Montenegro meltdown... Liverpool's go-it-alone bid to get more TV cash was last night branded as "diabolical".

DAILY MAIL: Manchester City's dispute with Carlos Tevez looks set to run until Christmas after the club told their former captain they will formally discipline him for 'breaches of contract'. Also: England's band of rugby bad boys are to be called into Twickenham to explain the serial misbehaviour for which a miserable World Cup campaign will be remembered... The FA were yesterday urged to rubber stamp a set of new proposals that include forcing clubs to release all players for England duty from Under 17 level.

DAILY EXPRESS: Dave Whelan has led the chorus of disapproval against Liverpool's plans to seek an individual overseas TV rights deal by claiming the move would "kill the heart and soul" of English football. Also: Dave Ellis has begun the mind games ahead of Saturday's World Cup semi-final by claiming Wales have yet to be truly tested on their own line... Carlos Tevez could be hit with a month's ban and a world-record £1.5million fine after being accused of breaching his Manchester City contract.

DAILY TELEGRAPH: Carlos Tevez will return to Manchester City today demanding an apology and retraction from Roberto Mancini as he continues to fight the manager's allegation that he refused to play as a substitute against Bayern Munich last month. Also: Wayne Rooney will today discover the length of his ban at Euro 2012, with the England striker facing the prospect of missing the group phase if his red-card offence against Montenegro is deemed to be an 'assault'... Javier Hernandez has ended speculation linking him with a move to Real Madrid by agreeing a new five-year contract at Manchester United.

THE TIMES: Carlos Tevez faces a record fine of more than £1million from Manchester City after the club announced last night that the striker would be the subject of a disciplinary hearing for "alleged breaches of contract". Also: Dave Whelan has accused Liverpool of hatching a plan that would "kill the heart and soul of English football"... Football has four months to reform itself or face legislation to force through recommended changes to the way the game is run, including a new club licensing body monitoring debts, tightening ownership rules and ensuring greater fan representation.

THE GUARDIAN: John W Henry, the principal owner of Liverpool, has acknowledged he knew "virtually nothing" of English football or the football club before his Fenway Sports Group took over at Anfield a year ago this Saturday. Also: Manchester City's dispute with Carlos Tevez is threatening to run until Christmas after the club's initial findings found him guilty of refusing to play against Bayern Munich, only for the player to indicate he would fight the allegation and demand an apology from Roberto Mancini... Javier Hernandez has a greed a new five-year contract that moves him into Manchester United's higher bracket of earners and continues the club's policy of ensuring all their more valuable players are confirmed as long-term assets.

THE INDEPENDENT: Carlos Tevez was last night facing the prospect of the heaviest fine in British football history, though his legal battle may drag on for weeks as he fights a Manchester City inquiry which has found there is a case for the striker to answer of alleged multiple breaches of contract. Also: Fran Cotton has agreed to chair an independent review of the entire England structure at the Rugby Football Union, which will place fresh scrutiny on Rob Andrew's role at Twickenham... Liverpool's hopes of negotiating their own international TV rights deal are dead in the water, with not a single elite side supporting their view that the Premier League allocation to modest clubs like Bolton Wanderers is too high.

 

[sarahmic]

WHAT THE PAPERS SAY

THE SUN: Arsene Wenger has ruled himself out of managing England - for good. Also: Wayne Rooney had not a care in the world yesterday as he appeared to shrug off his red-card nightmare.

DAILY STAR: Chelsea have agreed a deal to sign a 14-year-old wonderkid worth a staggering £2m. Also: Angry jockeys are threatening to go on strike on Monday in the increasingly bitter row over new whip rules.

DAILY MIRROR: Sir Alex Ferguson has urged Manchester United and Liverpool fans to stop their sick taunts. Also: Fabio Capello is desperate to appeal against Wayne Rooney's Euro 2012 ban - but fears such a move could see it increased.

DAILY EXPRESS: Wayne Rooney is ready to take out his Euro frustration on Liverpool today. Also: David Moyes launched a withering attack on refereeing standards and claimed the Premier League's image is being tarnished by match officials.

DAILY MAIL: Sam Warburton and his Welsh warriors will hurl themselves into the biggest game in their history this morning determined to go further than any sporting compatriot has gone before. Also: Sir Alex Ferguson has called on fans to stop their sick chants about Munich and Hillsborough when Liverpool and Manchester United clash at Anfield today, claiming the bitter rivals 'need' each other.

THE GUARDIAN: Sir Alex Ferguson has called on Manchester United and Liverpool supporters to put an end to the chanting that has marred previous fixtures. Also: Joe Cole hopes his move to Lille has reinvigorated his England hopes.

THE TIMES: Arsene Wenger dismissed suggestions yesterday that he might one day become England manager. Also: Harry Redknapp has given his clearest indication yet that David Beckham is unlikely to join a Tottenham squad he declared is the best he has ever worked with as a manager.

THE INDEPENDENT: Sven Goran Eriksson has said that English football is still "killing" Wayne Rooney. Also: Ryan Jones is aware that Wales must front up to break the French resistence.

DAILY TELEGRAPH: England manager Fabio Capello is keen to launch an appeal against Wayne Rooney's ban. Also: Carlos Tevez will stay away from Manchester City's match with Aston Villa today.

 

[sarahmic]

SUNDAY OCTOBER 16

THE PEOPLE

Luka Modric's Tottenham career is in the balance again with the Croatian now concerned about Harry Redknapp's future.

Dave Jones is the favourite to take over as Portsmouth boss.

Tottenham are ready to use Roman Pavlyuchenko as bait to snare CSKA Moscow striker Seydou Doumbia.

Sebastien Bassong is stunned that Tottenham blocked his move away from the club.

Manchester United are set to offload Mame Biram Diouf.

Celtic midfielder Beram Keyal wants a move to England.

Everton are lining up a move for Belgium striker Marvin Ogunjimi.

Victor Moses is closing in on a new Wigan deal.

Derby striker Mason Bennett is attracting the attention of Manchester United, Manchester City and Liverpool.

MAIL ON SUNDAY

Wayne Rooney may fly to Switzerland to make a personal appeal to UEFA in a bid to save his Euro 2012 campaign.

SUNDAY MAIL

Derek McInnes is poised to take over as Bristol City boss.

SUNDAY MIRROR

Carlos Tevez will reject any offer to leave Manchester City on loan.

Ashley Cole will extend his Chelsea contract by two years.

DAILY EXPRESS

Chelsea will not sell Didier Drogba, Nocolas Anelka and Salomon Kalou if new contracts are not agreed with the strikers.

DAILY STAR ON SUNDAY

Arsene Wenger has vowed to splash more cash in January if Arsenal are still in crisis.

Arsenal will bid to take Lyon's Yoann Gourcuff on loan until January with a view to a permanent move.

Blackburn and Bolton are battling to land Leeds captain Jonny Howson.

 

[sarahmic]

WHAT THE PAPERS SAY

DAILY MIRROR: Wayne Rooney last night got support to fight his Euro 2012 ban - from his red-card victim. Also: Arsene Wenger praised match-winner Robin van Persie last night - but admitted Arsenal cannot get him to discuss a new contract.

THE SUN: Angry Luis Suarez has furiously denied explosive claims he racially abused Manchester United's Patrice Evra. Also: Harry Redknapp hailed Jermain Defoe after the spurs hitman gave Fabio Capello plenty to think about.

DAILY MAIL: Patrice Evra was left isolated last night after accusing Liverpool strike Luis Suarez of racially abusing him. Also: Wales captain Sam Warburton will miss Friday's Bronze Final against Australia after he was banned for three weeks for his spear tackle on Vincent Clerc as rugby's rulers backed referee Alain Rolland.

DAILY EXPRESS: Liverpool striker Luis Suarez has angrily denied racially abusing Patrice Evra as the FA prepare to interview the Manchester United defender over his allegations. Also: Sam Warburton's family insist the Wales captain will emerge a stronger man from the nightmare experience of seeing his World Cup ended by suspension.

DAILY STAR: Wayne Rooney has been urged to appeal against his Euro 2012 ban - by the player he kicked in Montenegro. Also: Arsene Wenger last night admitted Robin van Persie is refusing to discuss a new contract - despite Arsenal's two-goal hero insisting he is committed to the club.

THE INDEPENDENT: Liverpool and Manchester United were on course for a bitter dispute last night with the Anfield club ready to demand that Patrice Evra be banned if his claims that Luis Suarez repeatedly racially abused him prove to be unsubstantiated. Also: You could tell by the way that he was afforded his own rapturous farewell that the Emirates home support knows Robin Van Persie is the difference between Arsenal maintaining their place among the elite of English football, and the prospect of slipping away into mediocrity.

THE TIMES: Luis Suarez, the Liverpool forward, received the full support of his club last night after hitting back at accusations that he racially abused Patrice Evra. Also: So now it has it. New Zealand has its team in the final in its home tournament. There will be a sigh of relief blowing through the country this morning as the nation contemplates another week, next Sunday, and the last leg of this long journey.

THE GUARDIAN: After the harrowing drama of Wales's elimination at the hands of France and a punctilious referee on Saturday, the other slot in next weekend's final of the 2011 Rugby World Cup was filled on Sunday night in a far more straightforward manner. Also: Liverpool have given their firm backing to Luis Suarez over his denial that he racially abused Patrice Evra at Anfield on Saturday - and want the Manchester United defender to receive a ban from the Football Association should his accusations prove groundless.

DAILY TELEGRAPH: The war of words between Liverpool and Manchester United's Patrice Evra escalated last night as Luis Suarez strongly denied allegations of racism. Also: The year of living dangerously continues for Arsenal. Once again, they relied on their marvellous goalscorer, Robin van Persie, and their defiant goalkeeper, Wojciech Szczesny.

 

[sarahmic]

WHAT THE PAPERS SAY

THE SUN: Arsene Wenger admits his Arsenal reign could end unless results improve. Also: Patrice Evra is adamant he will not back down in the Luis Suarez race row.

THE TIMES: Andrew Strauss believes that Test cricket is in danger of dying out if the game's administrators continue their preference for high-earning, limited-overs matches. Also: Boca Juniors became the latest club to declare their interest in offering Carlos Tevez a haven from his problems at Manchester City yesterday, but a deal to take the troubled forward back to his first club appears to be a non-starter.

DAILY TELEGRAPH: Leading figures in motorsport joined forces to condemn safety standards in IndySeries last night, as the shock surrounding the death of British driver Dan Wheldon on Sunday turned to anger. Also: Patrice Evra is set to meet the Football Association later this week to give a full account of his claims of racist abuse from Liverpool forward Luis Suarez after telling Sir Alex Ferguson he is "adamant" about pursuing the issue.

THE GUARDIAN: Kieren Fallon feels that his fellow jockeys are being bullied by racing's ruling body and should be prepared to push back. Also: Sir Alex Ferguson says an "aggrieved" Patrice Evra has no intention of dropping his complaint of racist abuse against Luis Suarez but stressed the controversy does not represent a worsening of relations between Manchester United and Liverpool.

DAILY MAIL: Dan Wheldon's death at the Las Vegas oval was last night described as IndyCar racing's 'Senna moment'. Also: Sir Alex Ferguson led the cries of outrage after it was claimed a group of foreign owners want to abolish relegation from the Barclays Premier League.

DAILY MIRROR: Sir Alex Ferguson has blasted plans from some foreign club owners to put an end to relegation from the Premier League. Also: Roberto Mancini says he wants to stay at Manchester City and make them the best team in the world.

DAILY EXPRESS: Sir Alex Ferguson has described a bid to scrap promotion and relegation in the Premier League as "suicide". Also: Roberto Mancini is facing the most crucial 24 hours of his Manchester City reign.

THE INDEPENDENT: Sir Alex Ferguson said last night that Patrice Evra had felt "slighted" and "very aggrieved" over the racial abuse he said he received from Liverpool's Luis Suarez on Saturday and was "adamant" that he wanted to pursue his complaint against the Uruguayan. Also: Roberto Mancini said yesterday he would like to remain at Manchester City for at least another four years to mould a club that can compete as one of the best in the world.

DAILY STAR: Patrice Evra has vowed to continue his fight against an alleged racist insult by Luis Suarez. Also: Boca Juniors are plotting a shock move to rescue Carlos Tevez from his Manchester City nightmare.

 

[sarahmic]

THE GUARDIAN: The Football Association has instructed Manchester United and Liverpool not to discuss or take any more questions on the racism debate between Patrice Evra and Luis Suarez because of the potential for it to inflame relations between the two clubs. Also: Sir Alex Ferguson has put aside the rivalry of tomorrow's Manchester derby to praise Roberto Mancini for taking such a hard line with Carlos Tevez and handling the disruption that has been swirling around Manchester City during their climb to the top of the Premier League.

DAILY EXPRESS: Manchester City will make Carlos Tevez sweat over the weekend on their punishment. Also: FIFA boss Sepp Blatter unveiled a radical clean-up yesterday designed to finally weed out corruption after years of shame.

THE INDEPENDENT: Sir Alex Ferguson yesterday launched a staunch defence of Roberto Mancini's handling of the Carlos Tevez affair, declaring that handling players who are dominated by their agents was making the manager's role a difficult and complex one. Also: With his Harpo Marx mop of curls, Fabricio Coloccini has been the distinctive stand-out performer for the Premier League's surprise package team this season, pulling the strings at the back for the unbeaten Newcastle United.

DAILY MAIL: Arsene Wenger has dismissed the Olympic football tournament as a waste of time - on the same day Wayne Rooney made it known he wants to play for Great Britain. Also: Manchester City will unleash over £100million of attacking talent on neighbours United tomorrow as they look to humble the Barclays Premier League champions at Old Trafford.

DAILY MIRROR: Carlos Tevez is refusing to back down despite winning the first round of his fight with Manchester City. Also: Arsene Wenger ridiculed Great Britain's Olympic football team and said it would be "impossible" for players not to suffer burn-out.

DAILY STAR: Sir Alex Ferguson has told Manchester City: You won't steal our crown as kings of English football. Also: Arsene Wenger faces a stand-off with his players and Stuart Pearce after labelling the Olympic football tournament as second-rate.

THE SUN: Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger last night told Stuart Pearce: We do not want out players in the Olympics. Also: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is the No 1 choice for the Portsmouth hotseat.

THE TIMES: Roberto Mancini believes that Manchester City must learn how to win consistently on those occasions when they play poorly if they are to wrest the Barclays Premier League title from Manchester United this season. Also: The FA will interview Luis Suarez next week before determining whether the Liverpool forward should face disciplinary action over the race row with Patrice Evra.

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Manchester derbies are no longer about local bragging rights. Also: Arsene Wenger has launched a fierce attack on next summer's Olympic football competition in London, claiming that it is "not a real tournament" and the Games are "for track and field".

 

[sarahmic]

WHAT THE PAPERS SAY

THE SUN: Alex Ferguson suffered his "worst ever day" as Roberto Mancini's Manchester City set off rockets at Old Trafford yesterday. Also: John Terry last night insisted he did not make a racist slur at Anton Ferdinand during Chelsea's shock derby defeat at Loftus Road.

DAILY STAR: Sir Alex Ferguson admitted Manchester United's thrashing by local rivals City left him shattered yesterday. Also: Motorsport was yesterday plunged into mourning for the second time in a week; Bath signing Steven Donald cut short his fishing trip to hook the biggest prize in world rugby.

DAILY MAIL: Manchester City gave Sir Alex Ferguson the worst day of his football life as they stormed Old Trafford to thrash neighbours United 6-1 in the Barclays Premier League. Also: Another Sunday, another Robin van Persie show to drive Arsenal on to victory at the Emirates.

DAILY MIRROR: Roberto Mancini hailed "crazy" Mario Balotelli for inspiring Manchester City to a historic win over their neighbours and title rivals. Also: Bath-bound Steven Donald was the toast of New Zealand last night after kicking the goal that won the Rugby World Cup.

DAILY TELEGRAPH: By the end of the Demolition Derby, Manchester City fans were convulsed with joy revelling in the sight of the majestic David Silva putting the champions to the sword, serenading Sir Alex Ferguson with "getting sacked in the morning" and designing their "Six and the City" T-shirts. Incredible. Also: From Manchester all the way to West London, the noisy neighbours were in quite raucous form yesterday.

THE GUARDIAN: "Why Always Me?" read the lament on Mario Balotelli's t-shirt. "Why Always Them?" Manchester City fans have complained about United for generations. Not any more. Also: A furious occasion has drained composure from Chelsea's pursuit at the top. Andre Villas-Boas' side lost their discipline as well as a West London derby and an opportunity to hoist themselves into second place and nearer Manchester City was passed up.

THE INDEPENDENT: The last time something of this significance happened, Sir Alex Ferguson repaired home to Wilmslow and buried his head under a pillow, having also contemplated placing it in an oven. Also: John Terry last night categorically denied directing a racist comment towards QPR defender Anton Ferdinand during Chelsea's tempestuous derby defeat at Loftus Road.

DAILY EXPRESS: Sir Alex Ferguson admitted the stunning Manchester derby defeat was his worst humiliation in half a century in football. Also: Andre Villas-Boas last night accused referee Chris Foy of "losing it" and admitted he had a post-match bust-up with the official as Chelsea crashed to a 1-0 defeat at Queens Park Rangers in a frenzy of cards.

THE TIMES: A "shattered" Sir Alex Ferguson bemoaned his "worst ever day" in football as Manchester City crushed Manchester United 6-1 at Old Trafford yesterday to issue a devastating statement of intent in the title race. Also: New Zealand was gripped by a collective euphoria yesterday and the "stadium of four million" began to party as the little land at the end of the Earth belatedly got to rule the world of rugby for the first time in 24 years.

 

[sarahmic]

WHAT THE PAPERS SAY

THE SUN: John Terry will find out today whether he is going to be caught in a race storm. Also: Mario Balotelli insists he has no plans to get shirty again following his cheeky Old Trafford goal celebration.

DAILY MIRROR: John Terry was involved in a bust-up in the tunnel after Chelsea's controversial defeat at QPR. Also: Manchester City derby hero Mario Balotelli has lent his support...to a firework safety campaign.

DAILY STAR: Sven-Goran Eriksson was last night sacked from his £1m-a-year job at Leicester - just hours after telling his squad he was amazed to still be in charge. Also: Mohamed Al Fayed last night branded Mark Hughes a coward and a flop in a bitter war of words with the former Fulham boss.

THE INDEPENDENT: The prospect of the England captain being accused of racism hangs over the game today with Anton Ferdinand expected to ask Queens Park Rangers to petition the Football Association to investigate allegations that John Terry abused him during Chelsea's defeat at Loftus Road on Sunday. Also: Sven-Goran Eriksson was calm but clearly deeply disappointed last night after he was dismissed by Leicester City's Thai owners, despite the club sitting two points off the Championship play-off positions.

DAILY TELEGRAPH: Anton Ferdinand will meet Queens Park Rangers manager Neil Warnock on Tuesday before deciding whether to formally complain over an alleged racist slur made by England captain John Terry during Sunday's clash with Chelsea at Loftus Road. Also: Five England players will go before the Rugby Football Union this week to explain their alleged World Cup misdemeanours.

THE GUARDIAN: Sven-Goran Eriksson has been sacked as Leicester City manager following the club's disappointing start. Also: After Mario Balotelli's house was set on fire by a firework the striker has backed the Treacle safety campaign.

DAILY MAIL: John Terry has vowed to clear his name after he was accused of racially abusing Anton Ferdinand. Also: Blackburn Rovers are ready to give Steve Kean a new contract in a show of support to their beleaguered manager.

DAILY EXPRESS: The Football Association are looking into comments made by Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas about referee Chris Foy's performance in Sunday's 1-0 defeat against QPR. Also: Sven-Goran Eriksson has left his post as Leicester manager following the npower Championship club's mediocre start to the season.

THE TIMES: John Terry faces an anxious wait to discover whether Anton Ferdinand will make a complaint of racist abuse against him. Also: Bernie Ecclestone is to have another shot at ending Formula One's uneasy relationship with the United States by staging a race within sight of the skyscrapers of New York.