From the Back Pages, December 8: Manchester United’s title defence is not over yet, insists defiant David Moyes

Ian Bell struggled to contain his frustration, and even anger, after being left high and dry on a glorious but inconsequential 72 by another dismal batting performance from his team-mates in the second Test here. (The Guardian)

It is not just Manchester United who are suffering in this gloriously unpredictable Premier League campaign. In a week of buried hoodoos at Old Trafford, Stoke City ended their own 38-year wait for a League victory over Chelsea thanks to a spectacular last-minute goal by the substitute Oussama Assaidi. (The Independent)

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has heaped praise on his side after seeing them win 4-1 against West Ham, despite describing it as a “difficult game.” (The Mirror)

As the referee Anthony Turner sounded the final whistle here, the entire crowd stood as one to applaud the players off the pitch. If a standing ovation at the end of a score draw seems a little over enthusiastic, nobody can suggest the Southampton locals were lacking in critical facility. (The Telegraph)

TOTTENHAM managed to edge a spirited Sunderland team in a close 2-1 victory at the Stadium of Light. (The Express)

World Cup organisers turned up the heat on England and manager Roy Hodgson by bringing forward the kick-off time of their opening Group D match against Italy in the Amazon rainforest by three hours to meet the demands of European television. (Daily Mail)