Headline of the day...
DOWN TO THE WIRE
Michael Ballack and Florent Malouda scored yesterday to help Chelsea to a 2-0 victory at Newcastle United. The win means the Blues are now level on points with Manchester United at the top of the Premier League going into the final day. The Independent reveal this is the first time this has happened since Manchester City edged out United in 1968.
Hold the back page...
DOWN TO THE WIRE
Same headline, different story in The Daily Express. They quote John Terry, who has asked Wigan Athletic to put up a fair fight against United on the final day. "We hope they will do the Premier League justice and will go out there wanting to beat United," he says. "We will be disappointed if they don't."
LET'S AV A BIG'UN WIGAN
The Daily Star have the same quotes, but attach a rubbish rhyming headline...
SQUEAKY BUM TYNE
...while The Daily Mirror go for the painfully obvious option.
IT'S BORING
Mind you, not everyone is impressed by one of the tightest title races in years. Kevin Keegan tells The Daily Mail: "This league is in danger of becoming one of the most boring, but great, leagues." Spoilsport!
KEEGAN: I'LL NEVER WIN BORING TITLE
The Daily Express pick up the same story, and it seems King Kev is feeling sorry for himself: "I was thinking, 'What have I got to do next year to get near Chelsea?' - and the truth is there's nothing I can do. I haven't got enough money and I wouldn't be able to get the players anyway." Awww, diddums.
REDKNAPP LURES CROUCH WITH £75M-A-WEEK OFFER
Speaking of money, Harry Redknapp looks set to make a bid for Peter Crouch. The Daily Mirror reckon the lanky striker will be offered £4million a year.
Finally for the back pages, Nani has apologised for head-butting Lucas Neill. Well sorta. "I recognise that my action was a thoughtless one," he tells The Daily Star, "but I also have to say I was provoked and attacked. I know it serves as no excuse but that's exactly what happened."
Other top stories...
THIS CLASS WAR I JUST A BORE
Des Kelly riffs on the famous class sketch from The Frost Report as he writes about the structure of the Premier League in The Daily Mail. The Big Four are the upper class John Cleese character (Platinum Club). Everton, Villa, Blackburn, Portsmouth, Manchester City, West Ham and Spurs take up residence in Ronnie Barker's segment (Business Class), while all the rest are in Economy Class with Ronnie Corbett.
I'D PLAY ON ONE LEG TO LIFT TROPHY
Title fever grips the inside pages of the papers as well as the back. In The Daily Star, Rio Ferdinand, who has struggled with injury in recent weeks, says: "I had to have injections to play against Arsenal, but, at this stage of the season, you'd almost play on one leg if it means getting a trophy."
REASONS TO BE CHEERFUL
A bizarre (and garishly coloured) three-part story from The Daily Mirror, who report on some good news for Liverpool, United and Arsenal fans. For Rafa Benitez's men, Jose Reina has explained that Fernando Torres can only get better. For Arsenal, Jens Lehmann insists that Arsene Wenger will improve his team this summer. And for United, Ferdinand hails this current side the best in his time at Old Trafford.
GOOD BUYS, BAD BUYS
With the end of the season almost upon us, The Independent look back upon the best and worst transfer moves. Blackburn Rovers's Roque Santa Cruz tops the best list, ahead of Sylvain Distin, Antonio Valencia and Fernando Torres, while Marlon Harewood is named as the worst. He beats Emerse Fae, Rolando Bianchi and Andrei Voronin to the title.
ENGLAND IS BEST, SAYS MOURINHO
Never far from a soundbite, Jose Mourinho has piped up, saying the Premier League is the best in the world. Although he takes some of the credit himself. "I love England," he says in The Daily Mail. The time there gave me very, very, very much pleasure and we contributed a lot to English club football becoming the dominating force in the world."
PLATINI HELPS TIE UP VISA DEAL FOR FINAL
Manchester United and Chelsea fans have been given a boost with news that they will not need a visa to enter Russia for the Champions League final. Instead, The Daily Telegraph reveals, match tickets can be used for a 72-hour period from May 19th to May 23rd.
DIVING IS ON VERGE OF BEING ERADICATED, SAYS REFEREES' CHIEF
Finally, Keith Hackett has explained that the fight against diving is gradually being successful, but The Guardian have proof to the contrary. They show that only seven players have been booked for simulation this term, a few of which probably were actual fouls.
