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TWO SIDES TO EVERY STORY

A real difference of opinion appeared last week: "Ashley Cole was given a yellow card for a late tackle on Alan Hutton" - Chelsea official website.

"Ashley Cole was yellow carded just before half-time for a high challenge on Alan Hutton that looked worse with every replay - red was widely anticipated but referee Mr Riley took the yellow option" - The Tottenham Hotspur official website.

STAT-ATTACK

Congratulations go to Jeff Stelling, the doyen of Saturday afternoon television.

He makes no secret of his support of Hartlepool United and his passion for the North-East, a point reiterated in midweek.

After collecting the Broadcaster of the Year award for the third successive year, Stelling got into trademark mode.

"A hat-trick for Hartlepool? Well the last one was Jon Daly, against Wrexham in September 2006, it was during a run of seven goals in three games in a week - the best spell of his scoring career.'' After being interrupted by the host, and asked about rehearsing his stats, he added: "And the last hat-trick before that was Adam Boyd against Sheffield Wednesday in April 2005!"

He later added: "I've had a fantastic year and one thing that people tend to remember was my Middlesbrough rant, about it being a great town to live in.

"During the year I was given an honorary doctorate by Teesside University and after my Middlesbrough rant, Middlesbrough council presented me with a bust of Brian Clough and all Brian's family were there to see me receive it, which was just fantastic.

"It's been an absolutely great year and I hope the next one is just as much fun, I'm sure it will be in the Soccer Saturday studio where there is never a dull moment!"

WEDDING BELLS

At half-time at Villa Park on Saturday there was a proposal of marriage from a female Villa fan via the PA announcer to her boyfriend in the crowd. "We'll get back to you with the response," said the announcer. As soon as the Villa fan said yes the crowd erupted with a chorus of "You don't know what your doing".

KILLJOY COPPERS

How about this beauty from the Scottish Daily Record last week?

Killjoy police chiefs banned East Fife players from drinking bubbly after they won the league.

Club officials were stunned when officers ordered the team not to down bottles of champagne in the dressing room after the historic title win.

Officers had also objected to players spraying champagne over themselves and fans at the final whistle.

The Methil side clinched the Third Division title on Saturday with a 3-0 away win over East Stirling in Falkirk.

It was East Fife's first league title in 60 years.

A club insider said: "It's a sad, sad day when a club like ours gets a rare bit of glory - and up pop the police to start complaining about the champagne.

"Everyone was really excited on Saturday and there was no suggestion of trouble of any kind.

"The police started going on about licensing regulations. It just made us wonder what sort of country we're living in."

The Record's source said: "One officer in particular seemed upset by the fact there was champagne in the ground.

"Police even came into the dressing room after the game and said we were breaking the ban on alcohol in football grounds.

"The champagne was put to one side temporarily and everyone managed to have a good time out of sight of the police."

Manager Dave Baikie said: "I wasn't actually in the dressing room at the time but I heard police had come in and said the champagne was not to be used. I believe it was used anyway."

WHAT THE PAPERS SAY

DAILY STAR: Sir Alex Ferguson last night accused Rafa Benitez of trying to get referee Steve Bennett on Liverpool's side for today's big battle at Old Trafford. Also: The agony is finally over for Kevin Keegan. At the tenth attempt since returning to manage Newcastle for the second time, the Messiah won a match...Fabio Capello revealed last night that he's not happy about today's 'Super Sunday' showdowns - three days before England play France in Paris.

THE PEOPLE: The return of 'Messiah' Kevin Keegan finally came good for Newcastle as they recorded their first win in 10 games since he came back to Tyneside. Also: Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez is confident of beating off competition from Atletico Madrid to land Blackburn's David Bentley in a sensational £12million swoop...Avram Grant claims he can transform Chelsea just like Arsene Wenger changed the face of Arsenal - as long as Roman Abramovich gives him time.

NEWS OF THE WORLD: Billionaire Newcastle owner Mike Ashley has lost an astonishing £129m gambling on financial markets in the City. Also: Furious Alex Ferguson has accused Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez of trying to influence ref Steve Bennett ahead of today's explosive showdown at Old Trafford...Kevin Keegan saluted strikers Mark Viduka and Michael Owen after finally breaking his Newcastle duck.

SUNDAY MIRROR: Martin Jol has emerged as the leading contender to take over at Newcastle - if Kevin Keegan fails...Kevin Keegan danced a jig of delight as he celebrated Newcastle United's first win since he returned as manager...Chelsea will not be held to ransom by Frank Lampard and are planning for life without him next term.

THE OBSERVER: The publishers of Wayne Rooney's autobiography face a bill that could exceed half a million pounds following legal action brought about by David Moyes. Also: Paul Robinson has been called up to the England squad for Wednesday's friendly against France in Paris, replacing the injured Scott Carson.

SUNDAY TIMES: Martin Johnson, one of the most inspirational and iconic figures ever produced in British sport, is considering this weekend whether to take over the running of the England rugby union team.

INDEPENDENT ON SUNDAY: The Football Association's new independent chairman, Lord Triesman, says England will have little chance of winning a major tournament if the percentage of foreign players in the Premier League continues to increase.

MAIL ON SUNDAY: Lewis Hamilton's bitter rivalry with Fernando Alonso spilled over before this morning's Malaysian Grand Prix when the Briton was demoted five places on the grid after a protest from his former teammate, now with Renault, and BMW's Nick Heidfeld. Also: Sir Alex Ferguson, Arsene Wenger and the Premier League's other big-name managers have been accused by the man at the top of English football of threatening the game's future by their repeated criticism of referees.

SUNDAY EXPRESS: Sir Alex Ferguson was last night warned to stop ranting about referees by the FA's powerful new independent chairman Lord Triesman.

Also: Fabio Capello insists that if David Beckham wins his 100th cap for England against France on Wednesday night, he will will have earned it...Arsene Wenger - one of the more cautious Premier League managers - has claimed that his stuttering Arsenal side will definitely win the title.

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH: Marcus Trescothick yesterday announced his retirement from international cricket, insisting that he could no longer put himself through the questions and demands'' of a possible return to the England side.

10:53am Monday 24th March 2008

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