From the Back Pages, March 13: Chelsea make Raphael Varane transfer from Real Madrid their top priority for the summer
John Terry insisted that Chelsea will continue to invite criticism by putting referees under pressure as the fallout from their Champions League exit at the hands of Paris Saint-Germain rumbled on. (The Times)
CHELSEA are ready to open talks on a new four-year contract for Jose Mourinho despite the Champions League elimination at the hands of Paris St Germain on Wednesday. (The Express)
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Hide AdEnner Valencia has joined the undistinguished list of sportsman to succumb to injury in bizarre circumstances. The West Ham striker looks likely to miss his team’s trip to the Emirates this weekend for the Premier League game against Arsenal after what his manager described as a “freak” incident. (The Independent)
English hopes of progress in Europe remain in the balance but, crucially for Everton, deservedly intact. Romelu Lukaku became the club’s leading goalscorer in a European campaign to seal an impressive recovery against Dynamo Kyiv and put the quarter-finals within reach of Roberto Martínez’s polarising team. (The Guardian)
Mercedes dominated the first free practice of the Formula One season-opening Australian Grand Prix on Friday, with Nico Rosberg edging his world champion team mate Lewis Hamilton to top the timesheets. (Daily Mirror)
Tony McCoy was “slightly melancholy” leaving the house for the third day of the Cheltenham Festival, according to his wife, Chanelle, and sure enough the chants of “Ruby, Ruby” started up again after the first race, won in a canter by McCoy’s great friend and rival, Ruby Walsh, on Vautour. (The Telegraph)