Headlines of the day...wednesday 3rd may

DEAR JOSE, YOU MAY HAVE JUST WON THE TITLE BUT... TONIGHT YOU LOSE
The Sun report on tonight's big match between Liverpool and Chelsea, with Rafa Benitez in bullish mood despite the Blues winning the title at the weekend

RAFA: YOU CAN BE KOP LEGENDS
The Daily Star quotes Benitez as insisting that the pressure is all on Chelsea as they are the champions and have spent ?220m on their team, while Liverpool have nothing to lose.

LET BATTLE COMMENCE
In the Daily Mirror, Benitez insists that Steven Gerrard is better than Frank Lampard and that he will prove it at Anfield tonight.

LET'S GET IT ON
In the Daily Express, Jose Mourinho insists that his team are mentally stronger than Liverpool.

RAFA TALKS TOUGH... AND CHELSEA WORRY OVER DUFF
However, the Daily Mail report on Chelsea's fears over Damien Duff, who limped out of training to leave him doubtful for tonight.

RIVALS FACE UP TO TEST OF NERVE
The Times say that a pair of tickets for tonight's game was going for ?1,200, pointing out that they will only be worth the price if the result goes the right way.

MOURINHO: I'M SEMI PRECIOUS
Meanwhile, The Special One was at it again, boasting at how he's never lost a semi-final in his managerial career in the Daily Mirror.

MOURINHO HAPPY WITH OFFER OF UP TO ?8.6M A YEAR
Well he would be, wouldn't he? The Guardian report on the astronomical price of keeping the World's Greatest Person at Stamford Bridge.

I UNDERSTAND THE BOO BOYS
Speaking of ludicrous wage demands, Rio Ferdinand has admitted that he understands why the 'little people' (AKA United fans - not his actual words of course) booed him during Sunday's win at Charlton, reports The Sun

SILKY PERSIE SINKS ROBBO
Finally, The Sun report on last night's 2-0 win at West Brom for Arsenal, with Robin van Persie striking the killer blow to the Baggies' hopes of pulling themselves out of the relegation zone.

Other top stories...

CECH FIRED BY PAINFUL MEMORIES OF DEFEAT
The Independent find Petr Cech highly motivated ahead of tonight's game as he seeks to avoid another semi-final heartache after the Czech Republic's shock defeat to Greece in Euro 2004.

CUTTING WIT OF THE KOP GIVES LIVERPOOL EDGE
In the Daily Telegraph, Henry Winter eulogises about those legendary funsters, The Kopites, the Best Fans Ever In The World... Ever!

LIVERPOOL PASSION PLAY TAKES CUE FROM GLORIOUS PAST
There's similarly sentimental fare in The Times, with Jamie Carragher only adding to the myth that it will be the Liverpool fans who can beat Chelsea tonight, rather than the players.

WE DIDN'T DRINK MUCH ON SATURDAY.. WE SPILLED MOST OF IT!
However, in The Sun, Jose Mourinho doesn't seem too worried about that, and doesn't seem worried about anything really...

WE'RE NOT SCARED OF THE KOP
In the Daily Star, Mourinho even suggests that the Kop will help his side: "My players will be affected by the atmosphere in a positive way. I have to agree it is a fabulous place."

JAMIE IS SPEAKING THE RIGHT LANGUAGE
Maybe he should be scared of the Kop's on-pitch representative Jamie Carragher, who Rafa Benitez admits he can't understand most of the time, according to the Daily Mail: "If I can understand Carra, I can understand anyone," he said. "Sometimes I listen to him, look round the room and think 'what's he saying'?"

WENGER: GIVE ME A SECOND
Meanwhile, in the Daily Mirror, Arsene Wenger has called upon his Gunners to make sure they claim second place after beating West Brom 2-0.

SIGNS NOT GOOD FOR RIO LEADING UNITED
In the Daily Express, they warn Rio Ferdinand that dragging his feet over signing a new contract is putting his chances of becoming the next club captain at risk.

YOU'VE BEEN AD
Birmingham could be in trouble with Trading Standards after advertising Saturday's clash with Blackburn as the return of Robbie Savage, when he was actually not allowed to play, reports the Daily Mirror.

 

twilight zonish.. it's tuesday on my sun-dial!