Today's Papers / Top Dog / 19 May 2008 / Leave a comment

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

Top Dog

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

• 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:

So the season is nearly over, with only one big trophy left to be decided (apart from the play-offs, of course). Peter Cech has told BBC's Inside Sport - and is quoted in The Sun - that winning the Premier League title has actually made Manchester United less likely to win the Champions League final. 'When you've won something you are more relaxed because you know you have already succeeded'. That might have applied to Spurs in the back half of the season, but could be different for Fergie's lot. United are [2.64] to win the final in 90 minutes, Chelsea are [3.25]

Cruft's:

The Sun - Thanks for giving me best night of my life - Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been walking down memory lane about Manchester United's last Champions League success story, and it makes good reading. Who will be a hero for life when Wednesday comes around?

Daily Mail - Ee-aye-addio, Grandad won the Cup - On the subject of memories, the Mail has lovely back page picture of Harry Redknapp with son Jamie and three-year-old grandson Charley holding the FA Cup.

Daily Mail - Alan Hudson and Larry Lloyd interviews - Most of the build-up coverage to the Champions League is emerging from press conferences shared by all the papers, so well done the Mail for setting off for something different. Chelsea's great sixties icon Alan Hudson tells Paul Hayward about why he's having to sell his Cup Winners Cup medal to pay the bills. And Nottingham Forest's captain Larry Lloyd talks about why he sold his two European Cup medals. Interesting reads from both.

Pedigree Chum:

Daily Mirror - I'm your man says Mancini - This story began life in the Sunday paperes but has been picked up this morning. Inter Milan coach Roberto Mancini won the Italian title yesterday and has claimed he'll now take over as Chelsea manager whatever the result of the Champions League final.

Daily Star - It's war but we won't crow if we win - Joe Cole promises there will be no bragging when the England players meet up a few days after the Champions League final - whoever wins. 'We've had a little word about it already and agreed you can't go running round the England hotel with a medal round your neck!'

Daily Star - France call up Diarra - Portsmouth's midfield man Lassana Diarra has been picked in France's 30-man squad for Euro 2008. The French are [4.8] to reach the final

Daily Star - I won't beat myself up over howler - Top Dog loved this quote from Cardiff goalkeeper Peter Enckelman on his blunder that handed Portsmouth the FA Cup: 'I'm not making excuses but there was rain and the ball was skidding, and it was a different ball to the one we usually use which was lighter and moved about a lot more.' Hate to hear him when he does start making excuses!

The Sun - Mac's back - News that Steve McClaren could be returning to football, as boss of Dutch side FC Twente. He watched them book a Champions League place with a 0-0 draw against Ajax yesterday and will give a decision on their offer later this week

The Sun - Don't shout too loud your next trip is to Nigeria - Portsmouth have lined up a summer surprise for their victorious FA Cup winning squad. They are going to Nigeria to play a dress rehearsal of the Community Shield against Manchester United.

The Sun - Wembley match report - The exact age of Portsmouth's FA Cup final hero Kanu is always a subject of debate. Shaun Custis comes up with verdict: 'He had the best ten years of his career between the ages of 29 and 30!'

Dog' s dinner:

Daily Star - Grant: I'll walk away - David Woods has a different take on the gossip surrounding Chelsea's manager and his future. He's heard that Grant plans to quit if he wins the Champions League final rather than wait for Roman Abramovich to sack him. Woods quotes a source close to Grant who says he's told close friends he is seriously considering standing down." A bit like Harry Redknapp was after the FA Cup final, presumably?

The Sun - Off his head - What Wayne Rooney actually said was: "Didier Drogba at his best his unplayable. Big, strong, scores goals with left foot right foot and headers. But sometimes it seems as if his head's not quite there.' Somehow that's translated into a big back page headline and a first paragraph that says: 'Wayne Rooney has told Didier Drogba: You're off your head'. Somebody at The Sun is trying too hard.

Daily Mirror - Villa closer to Carson - The Mirror claim Liverpool have dropped their asking price for Scott Carson to £6million and Aston Villa are ready to do business. Top Dog thinks this has been leaked at Liverpool's end to encourage other clubs to start bidding.

Today's other headlines:

The Sun - 3 tears for Harry - Avram ready for Rom axe - Give Harry a statue - 12 page Super Goals pull-out - Has-beens to heroes - Rompey Pompey - I've no regrets says Pete - Carrick aims to give Fab a Moscow hint - Ex factor

Daily Express - Harry in his Pomp - Mancini chasing Blues job - Party chime for Redknapp - I owe it to the boss says Kanu - Old boys add a touch of spice to final - I will show Capello I'm Fab says Carrick - Losers will not be hammered

Daily Star - Happy Harry's streets ahead - Ole Gunnar Solskjaer interview - Go with the Flo, Av - Suits you, Harry - Eight page FA Cup final souvenir - You Kan deal me in Harry - Let the good Chimes roll - Full League Two play-off reports

Daily Mirror - Harry makes wife so proud - We're just wild about Harry - Av-a-go hero - Ron: I know I'm man for the big time - 12 page FA Cup and Champions League pull-out - Pomp idol - Old father Chimes - Joe Cole on living the dream - Grecians are back

Daily Mail - Fergie's Moscow axe falls - Harry's army revel in glory - How we fell under spell of football's Snoop Dog - My dad's a real deal says Jamie Redknapp - Diarra on way back to big time - Stats the way to go Motty - Grant Moscow plan is coming together - Now you can be a hero just like Ole - Casual look a winner for Exeter

Tags: Champions League final, football betting, Petr Cech