The top stories making Thursday’s back pages in the UK…
The Sun: Chelsea have rejected Manchester City’s £30million bid for David Luiz.
Also: Fernando Torres sent Chelsea to the top of the Premier League – and spared Petr Cech’s blushes.Daily Mirror: Brendan Rodgers has launched a scathing attack on Newcastle by telling them: ‘You’ve got a nerve thinking you can do a number on us.’
Also: Chelsea went back to the top of the Premier League for the first time in 21 months last night – but the European Champions were given a real scare by Reading.
And: Liverpool owner John W Henry is willing to oversee the sale of two midfielders – Charlie Adam and Jay Spearing – to fund a bid for Fulham forward Clint Dempsey.Daily Star: Fernando Torres was on target as Chelsea staged a stirring comeback at Stamford Bridge last night.
Also: Arsenal are ready to turn to £27m-rated Spain winger Jesus Navas to solve their goalscoring woes.Daily Mail: Chelsea were top of the Barclays Premier League for the first time since November 2010 last night – but they had to rely on a dodgy offside decision.
Also: QPR have made a formal complaint to Leeds accusing goalkeeper Paddy Kenny of sending a series of abusive messages to a member of their management team.Daily Express: Andy Carroll will be handed a lifeline tonight with new Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers insisting he would be ‘a nut case’ to sell him at a knockdown price.
Also: Chelsea went top of the Premier League after coming from behind to beat Reading 4-2 at Stamford Bridge last night.Metro: Brendan Rodgers has gambled with Liverpool’s Europa League future by omitting a glut of first-team players from the squad to face Hearts.
Also: Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho has given his blessing for midfielder Nuri Sahin to join Arsenal on a season-long loan.Daily Telegraph: Chelsea showed their resilience, recovering from 2-1 down to win 4-2, but Reading left the home of the European champions seething with the injustice of the Fernando Torres goal that effectively gave the hosts victory.
Also: Tottenham have submitted a new bid for Internacional striker Leandro Damiao.The Times: Brendan Rodgers has accused Newcastle United of ‘taking liberties’ in their pursuit of Andy Carroll and insisted he would be a ‘nutcase’ even to consider allowing Liverpool’s record signing to return to Tyneside on loan.
Also: Robert Green’s position in goal for Queens Park Rangers is in the balance after one game as the club have held preliminary talks with Julio Cesar.The Guardian: Chelsea perch on top of the fledgling Premier League table, restored to the summit for the first time in almost 21 months, yet that is where the prescribed script from this frantic occasion has to be ditched.
Also: Jose Mourinho says he is ready to loan Nuri Sahin to an English club but denied that Real Madrid have received any offers for the Brazilian Kaka.The Independent: If this is to be the season that Fernando Torres finally emerges from the darkness as the £50m striker Chelsea always hoped he would be, then he can give some small measure of thanks to one linesman’s bad call last night.
Also: The Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero is expected back in action in less than a month following the knee injury he suffered against Southampton on Sunday.
