From the Back Pages, January 14: Cristiano Ronaldo unable to contain tears after beating Lionel Messi and Franck Ribery to award

A late wobble, a few scares, some moments of doubt. But Arsenal are back at the top. Back where they want to be. Back with the determination of potential champions too. (The Mirror)

Alan Pardew has escaped disciplinary action from the FA after he was caught on camera verbally abusing Manuel Pellegrini during Newcastle United’s tempestuous 2-0 defeat by Manchester City yesterday. (The Times)

Neil Warnock could take legal action against his former player Jason Puncheon after he reacted with potentially libellous tweets to criticism of his dreadful penalty miss. (The Telegraph)

Chelsea are close to finalising a £25million deal for Benfica midfielder Nemanja Matic. Sportsmail revealed last week that Chelsea were pressing ahead in their interest for the Serbian with Jose Mourinho’s assistant Jose Morais travelling to watch him play for Benfica in the 2-0 defeat of Porto on Sunday. (Daily Mail)

BORUSSIA MONCHENGLADBACH are lining up a move for Manchester United goalkeeper Anders Lindegaard as they seek to replace Barcelona-bound Marc Ter Stegen. (The Express)

The World Test Championship, which was to be held in England in the summer of 2017, is expected to be laid quietly to rest by the end of the month. (The Guardian)