We will paint the crown red

Betfacts / Editor / 28 September 2007 / Leave a comment Free £25 Bet

Betfair's top dog sniffs around the truth behind the latest tabloid tales.

Top Dog

Cruft's champion - Top stories that can dominate the news agenda
Pedigree chum - Insights that tell you something you don't know
Dog's dinner - Speculation, guesswork, or ideas that just don't come off.

Top Dog says:

Chelsea are facing charges over failing to control their players in the defeat at Old Trafford - but surprise, surprise, England skipper John Terry has got away scot free for apparently trying to snatch the red card from referee Mike Dean's hand. Couldn't be because the FA wanted him on their side with big England qualifers coming, could it?

Cruft's:

Daily Express - Drogba in U turn - Harry Harris has strong contacts in Israel and reveals that Didier Drogba has changed his mind about Avram Grant and is now promising his 100 per cent support. Last year's Golden Boot winner Drogba is now 16.5 to repeat the achievement. Even with another six weeks out injured he could have a chance.

Pedigree Chum:

Daily Express - We will paint the crown Red - Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry heaps pressure on Rafa Benitez with the claim that the Reds are now ready to win the Premier League title. Betfair punters still make them 5.1 third favourites behind United and Arsenal. Parry's experienced enough not to make such claims without substance.

Daily Mail - Curse of the number 2s - Matt Barlow tracks the history of assistant bosses who stepped into the top seat and wonders whether Sammy Lee can join the likes of John Lyall and David O'Leary who succeeded or Brian Kidd and Don Howe who failed. Bolton are 2.76 favourites to win their big bottom of the table clash at Derby - but Lee still 4.3 to lose his job.

Daily Mirror - Gunners Red October - John Cross and Martin Lipton reveal that Russian billionaire Alisher Usmanov has upped his stake in the club to 22 per cent and still plans a complete takeover - aided by David Dein. Internal strife will be the biggest threat to Gunners' stability. Gunners remain 1.1 a top four finish or 1.12 to lay it.

The Sun - Jussi on Sam's menu - Sam Allardyce admits Shay Given isn't happy at sitting on the bench for Newcastle. North West man Martin Blackburn reckons Big Sam is still chasing Jussi Jaasklainen. The Finn, described last year by Allardyce as the best in the top flight, is out of contract next summer and is a certain Toon target.

Dog' s dinner:

Daily Mail - You Butchers - Rafa Benitez worried that Fernando Torres isn't getting enough protection from referees. Maybe that's why he protects him by sticking him on the bench!

Daily Mirror/Daily Star - Brooking on Ashton - somebody got their wires crossed. The Mirror and Star share the same interview, but while the Mirror says Trevor Brooking thinks Dean Ashton is the answer for England the Star claims he's warning Steve McClaren can't rely on him yet. Confused?

Today's other stories:

The Sun - Jol says 'I'm better than Jose' - United are ripping off fans with reserves - Wenger on money men in football

Daily Express - Trevor Brooking on Fabregas the master - Curtis Davies on his hopeless Villa debut - nat's the way to do it - Sanchez furious as Fulham go out - more Carling cup action - Gerrard praise for Torres - Bendtner wants the big time

Daily Star - Rafa's big title shot - Fergie kids will never catch Arsenal - Blues fight bad boy rap - Craig Gordon interview

Daily Mirror - You'll win nothing with kids, Fergie - Curtis Davies - Benitez on Torres - Jol hits back at critics

Daily Mail - You're not fit to wear the shirt says Fergie - Sanchez in dock for ref rebuke - Roman grounded as Portugal goes crazy for Jose - Allardyce dilemma over Given .

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