Today's Papers / Top Dog / 07 March 2008 / Leave a comment " class="free-bet-btn" rel="external" onclick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/G4/inline-freebet');" target="_blank">Free Bet

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: Under-pressure managers and coaches home and abroad will be sleeping less easy after yesterday's outburst from The Special One. Six months of relative peace was shattered by Jose Mourinho as he held court on just about everything round-ball. And the bad news for Benitez, Keegan, Mancini, Rijkaard, Schuster - to name but a few - is the sacked Chelsea boss wants a job soon and rules out nothing. Not even a return to the Bridge!

Cruft's:

Daily Mirror - Arsene's a flop idol - The Mirror are on top form today with a string of sizzling headlines and different twists on tales everyone else has. They make Mourinho's attack on Wenger's failure to win a trophy in three years their main insider double-page spread. The two never saw eye to eye, especially after Jose accused Arsene of being a voyeur. The Frenchman's right of reply will no doubt fill the weekend papers but if you fancy Arsenal to make Mourinho look a twit then, they are [3.3] for the title and a generous [10] to bag the Champions League as well.

Daily Mail - Put a lid on it, Bentley, says angry Wenger - Shame Arsenal are playing Wigan on Sunday rather than Blackburn - because after Arsene's war of words with former Gooner David Bentley, it would have been a cracker for the Sky viewers. Poor Wenger, after arguably the best Euro night of his N5 reign, firstly kops it from Jose and then conceited Bentley, who says Walcott must quit the Emirates- like he did. But the Frenchman will have the last laugh if his leaders [1.59] beat Bruce's Wigan [7.4] at the JJB.

Pedigree Chum:

The Sun: Far and away - Pat Sheehan gets stuck into Spurs' Uefa Cup flops after they were played off the White Hart Lane turf by Dutch League leaders PSV Eindhoven. Hard to believe this was the same bunch who destroyed Chelsea in the Carling Cup final last month. If you fancy Uefa Cup king Juande Ramos to inspire a recovery next week, back Spurs at [2.92] to qualify. If not, then lay them at [3.35].

Daily Mirror - Fergie's quit plan - Exclusive back page, though playing second fiddle to Mourinho's 'kill Chelsea - reveals Sir Alex is thinking about abdicating in three years. There is even a quote in Ann Gripper's (who she?) report with the United boss stating: "Maybe three more years, then I'll finish." If kosher, this is a belter that deserved bigger licks. But it doesn't affect the managerial change market, with King Kev at [3.3] still favourite to be the next out.

Daily Star - Hero Tim left on the Flor - Everton's crushing 2-0 defeat at Fiorentina makes Top Dog's statement about the Premier League being the best on planet look a tad premature. The top three might have no European equals but the same does not apply to the rest - with only Bolton's draw against Sporting Lisbon sparing us total humiliation last night. Everton, [3.35] for a top four EPL finish, are now [5.0] to qualify for the Uefa Cup last eight, with Bolton at [3.5].

The Sun - I was in wrong place at wrong time - You can say that again, Danny. The Currant gets the big rugby union exclusive with England's axed starlet Cipriani apologising for spending ten minutes in a nightclub - a gross error of judgement that means he is dropped for the Calcutta Cup clash. England are [1.26] to beat the Scots [5.4]

Daily Express- Kiely on the final frontier- Amid everything else going down this week, it's easy to forget it's FA Cup quarter-final weekend. So, well done the Express for reminding us with John Wragg's excellent piece about West Brom's veteran keeper Dean Kiely. The Baggies ([2.16]) travel to league One outfit Bristol Rovers [3.9] on Sunday night. But before that Man Utd ([1.35]) face Pompey ([12.5]), Barnsley ([14]) entertain holders Chelsea ([1.34]), while Middlesbrough ([1.72]) meet Cardiff ([6.0]).

Dog' s dinner:

The Sun - I want my Chelsea job back - Yes big mouth Mourinho may have said this but then he said it shortly after getting the sack and, let's be honest, what chance is there of this happening in the near future? Top Dog reckons none whatsoever, which makes the decision to splash it on the back page look rather stupid.

Daily Mirror- Becks gunning for 2010 - Perhaps Golden Balls would do better to focus on Paris in springtime or even Trinidad and Tobago in the summer. That's if he really is dreaming of a 2010 World Cup swansong. Martin Lipton has quotes from a close friend of Becks to back up the idea. But Top Dog isn't giving this one a second glance.

Today's headlines:

The Sun - I want my Chelsea job back - Ramos Rocked - I'm so sorry - I feel nothing for Avram Grant - Torres is just terrific - Smith Ok with Kop - Doubt for Ed - Ron's 3 glee- I've got a better idea, Scu - Far and away -Meg eyes miracle - Kuz does for Moyes Boyz - Davis is first class - Warcott- Milan want Drog - Anton: it's no crisis - Keane will tough it out -He's harmless - F for flop - I was in wrong place at wrong time

Daily Express - I'll kill Chelsea - Lineker is face of World Cup bid - Fafan downs Spurs - McGeechan anger over Cipriani axe -Fabio the right one - Jose in threat to Blues - Steele looking to lay foundations - Spurs rout fired us up says Terry - McCann keeps Bolton hopes alive - Woe for Everton - Kiely on final frontier - Red faced Green hacked off - Now it's Phil Vacary preaching gospel - Harmison off pace as England -Dwain hoping for golden handshake - Murray fails to capitalise

Daily Star - I want to kill Chelsea - Spurs heroes to zeroes - Hero Tim is left on Flor - Megson has up and down night - We can still sex it up - Owen fired up for Kop- Bulls High - Hicks to raise stakes - Kiely's final frontier - We'll be pie and mighty Roman - Harry will fight - A fab way to treat Becks - Haye has Warren bristling - Jim eyes final spot - Ryan's got Tayl up

Daily Mirror: I'm out to kill Chelsea - Fergie's quit plan - Arsene's a flop idol - Terry: We are pass masters - Becks is gunning for 2010 - Gilberto's debut hell - Cousin's cruising - It's a real Italian sob for Moyes - Best in world, Kuyt hails Torres - We're gonna party like it's 1999 -Milan lure flop Sheva - Gibson admits ugly Boro job - Harmless

Daily Mail: Lane pain - Cirpriani axed for spending ten minutes in nightclub - Can they make four into one go - Spurs cooled by Farfan - Sporting spoilers - Redknapp: Euro Cup will have big four winner - I really love Chelsea but now I want to kill them - Albion set for a late show - Rangers in control - Put a lid on it Bentley, says angry Wenger- Hicks hint to Dubai group

Tags: Chelsea Champions League, FA Cup matches, Mourinho interview