Betfair Official Blog

Top Dog: Heskey's late goal means swift rewrites for journalists

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:

Hasty rewrites as Emile Heskey's injury time goal completely changed the dynamic of the title race. One minute Chelsea were breathing down Manchester United's neck, the next they were being left miles behind. Chelsea are now as long as [15.5] for the title, with United [1.06] favourites. Meanwhile Avram Grant has shortened to [2.52] in the managerial change market after again failing to win a crucial game.

Cruft's:

Daily Express - Rio rejects Barcelona - Harry Harris reveals that Rio Ferdinand has agreed a new five-year contract with Manchester United worth £130,000 a week, at the same time knocking back an attempt by Barcelona to sign him. Trust this story, it has quotes from Ferdinand's agent Pini Zahavi.

Daily Mirror - Gaffer Benitez - David Maddock gets to grip with the Anfield politics best, making it clear that Rafa Benitez will be off this summer if he doesn't get complete control of football matters. Maddock also reckons Benitez has got a strong enough hand to win his battles. He's now [10.0] in the managerial change market.

Pedigree Chum:

Daily Mail - Redknapp report - Jamie Redknapp gives a detailed view on why Arsenal's wheels have fallen off and what they need to do about it. They lack a goalkeeper and a commanding powerhouse of a centre half, he says. Top Dog suggested laying them a top two finish months ago when they were on top of the table and [1.18]. Time to start counting you're your winnings!

Daily Star - Give 'em both barrels - The Star gives space to preview tonight's big Black Country derby where Wolves can push their own play-off chances and damage the promotion hopes of their hated rivals at the same time. Striker Sylvain Ebanks-Blake is the double-barrelled man aiming to shoot Albion down. Wolves are [2.86] to win, Albion [2.76] slight favourites.

Daily Star - Kev treble is trouble for Keano - Kevin Keegan has laid down the gauntlet to Sunderland by naming his team already for Sunday's Tyne-Wear derby. Toon are [1.89] the home win. Just as interesting is confirmation from Belgium that Anderlecht striker Mbark Boussoufa is a £5million Newcastle transfer target.

Daily Mirror - Arsenal are told to ditch Gallas - Most of the papers carry quotes from William Gallas demanding an internal inquiry into why Arsenal blew the title race. Gunners legend Lee Dixon says Gallas was part of the problem and should be sacked as skipper.

Dog' s Dinner:

The Sun - Rafa: Get me Barry - Shaun Custis claims Aston Villa's Gareth Barry will be the player in the middle of the Anfield politics in the summer. Rafa Benitez wants him and is demanding he gets boardroom backing or he'll quit. This looks like just guesswork, though.

Daily Mail - Liverpool want £12m Johnson - If you want proof that Custis is guessing Liverpool's transfer target, here it is. The Mail say it's Manchester City's Michael Johnson who is the midfielder Benitez is after. They are having a stab in the dark too!

Today's Other Headlines:

The Sun - That's given Em the title - Blues Av no hope - Ian Wright column - Proud Rafa has shown he's not afraid to quit - Gallas gutted at Arsenal's latest barren season - Tommy leaves it late to lift Owls.

Daily Express - Blues make Emile of it - Gallas runs out of ideas - Emile deals a big title blow - Tommy spurs Wednesday fightback - Alan Curbishley column - Ferdinand shows a ruthless streak - McCarthy ready to spoil Albion show.

Daily Star - Heskey's hammer - Rio: No tears for Gunners - Torres: We back Rafa - Heskey deals deadly blow to Chelsea - Gallas: sort it out.

Daily Mirror - Back me or I quit says Rafa - Chelsea title hopes over - You blue it, Avram - Fergie on his four musketeers - Law men spurred to steel a point.

Daily Mail - Moody Blues - Emile hands it to Fergie - We'll patch it up says Parry - New name of the game is respect.