From the Back Pages, December 8: Arsene Wenger targeted with foul-mouthed abuse at train station by furious Arsenal fans

There are few sights in football quite like that of Andy Carroll heading the ball. The spring-heeled leap, the hang-time and the neck strength make for something as powerful as it is spectacular. It owes some of its magic to its rarity. There are not many players like Carroll any more, far fewer than there used to be. (The Independent)

WEST HAM boss Sam Allardyce reserved special praise for former Arsenal star Alex Song following his display this afternoon against Swansea at Upton Park. (The Express)

It has been a long time coming – and in more ways than one. Alan Hutton’s first goal in four years and Aston Villa’s first in the Premier League in front of the Holte End since April – a remarkable statistic – settled a tempestuous Midlands derby that saw Paul Konchesky sent off and Ashley Westwood taken off on a stretcher with a potentially serious knee injury. (The Guardian)

Lionel Messi continued his ‘anything you can do I can do better’ battle with Cristiano Ronaldo with three goals that helped Barcelona to a 5-1 win over neighbours Espanyol. (Daily Mail)

Fourth ODI, Colombo (England won toss): England, 265, lost to Sri Lanka, 267 for 4, by six wickets, with two balls remaining. There is something rather ho-hum about England losing a one-day international on the sub-continent, but the consolation will far outweigh the negative result if James Taylor can build on a very enterprising innings to fill the vacancy at No 3 for the World Cup next year. (The Times)

Leicester ended Toulon’s nine-match unbeaten run in Europe as Owen Williams kicked 20 points to see the Tigers home at Welford Road. (The Telegraph)