From the Back Pages, February 8: Time for England to call on Harry Kane, Arsène Wenger says

When it comes to writing his memoirs, Steven Gerrard’s final Merseyside derby will probably rate a sentence and the Liverpool captain might have to be prodded to recall it. The match would pale in comparison with his first, a 3-2 victory at Anfield which saw him, wearing the No 28 shirt, clear off the line from Danny Cadamarteri. (The Independent)

It ended with Chelsea moving seven points clear at the top of the Premier League and maybe even the semblance of a smile from the man who came back to English football insisting he wanted to be known as the Happy One. José Mourinho’s scowl has felt like a permanent attachment in recent times but this felt like a significant moment in the Premier League title race and it was not straightforward seeing off an Aston Villa side that had at least paid attention to the photograph of an empty goal splashed across the front of the Birmingham Mail. “Memo to Villa,” it read. “This is what a goal looks like.” (The Guardian)

Relief around the Etihad quickly gave way to realisation that Manchester City have fallen seven points behind Chelsea. The Premier League champions narrowly avoided a third straight home defeat, but this will go down as a serious stumble in the title race. (Daily Mail)

SPURS are confident of winning the race to sign Everton forward Kevin Mirallas following a generous loan deal involving England winger Aaron Lennon. (The Express)

Cristiano Ronaldo endured a miserable return to action as his Real Madrid side were thumped 4-0 as the Primera Division title race was blown wide open. (The Telegraph)

The great AP McCoy has announced his retirement from racing. The 2010 BBC Sports Personality of the Year winner revealed that the current season will be his last, after winning his 200th race of the season on Saturday afternoon. (The Mirror)