Rafa Benitez dominates proceedings in the British inkies. And why not? His transfer saga has been the subject of rampant speculation for, well, months and months and months. He's signed the deal, or at least agreed it and will be at Anfield/Stanley Park/New Anfield/KFC Stadium until 2014.

That's in every paper possible. Few of them have found the real story behind why it's happened now and not before or later. His battle with Rick Parry has often been quoted as the turning point, with transfer policy a particular sticking point, yet The Guardian believe he will have to work under a new chief executive.

In The Independent, Ian Herbert offers a decent timeline piece on the whole affair. The Daily Mail says he has been offered £25m over those five years. To be quite honest, very little else is offered. Perhaps the Sundays can produce a bit more info on it. Even the Liverpool Echo/Daily Post let us down.

Across the East Lancs Road, Sir Alex Ferguson's interview in left-leaning periodical "The New Statesman", and his comments about Rafa's fabled comments being "weird", potential retirement dates, favourite players, favourite rival bosses, is lifted by all and sundry. Carried out by master tweeter and blogger, Burnley fan Alastair Campbell, it is not hugely disimilar to his interview with Sir David Frost last year. Though there is some regretful praise of Tony Blair and New Labour. Stick to the football, Alex.

Tabloid tales: Nani tells the Daily Mirror, or whatever source they pinched it from, that Jose Mourinho is the man to replace Sir Alex. Not that he will be there by the time Fergie does hang up his hairdryer. The same paper says Freddie Kanoute wants to come back to the Premier League.

The Sun says Carlos Tevez will not be allowed to extend his loan deal at Manchester United and that the Red Devils will have to buy him outright. Which is hardly a dazzling revelation in our eyes.

On to the sensation that's got everyone talking...in Hull. The Fabregas spitting row. Cesc gives an "exclusive" interview to Wapping's finest that seems to bear a considerable resemblance to the statement he gave to the Arsenal website. With one addition. He denies that he spat at Michael Ballack four years ago. He "leant over and shouted at him."

Back to the broadsheets where The Times says that fans are doing their best to get the Everton v Manchester United FA Cup semi-final moved. Getting back to the north west after a 4pm start and the potential of extra-time and penalties could mean that fans will get home way past the witching hour. Key line here: "The FA was unmoved last night, insisting that the matches were arranged weeks ago with Sky Sports and Setanta, the broadcasters, but gave an assurance that there would be a full rail service operating for fans to get home."

A sentence to drive fear and loathing into the heart of any right-thinking football fan or regular user of the West Coast mainline.