Chelsea 3 Arsenal 1: The annual post-mortem into the death of Arsenal’s title challenge started long before this demoralising defeat, even though some experts claimed to see life in the fading beast before kick-off. Not now.

Here's your lunchtime bulletin.

Our quick guide to tonight's television.

Emre Can, Liverpool’s utility man last season, is determined to nail down a place in midfield for the coming campaign.

In spite of infernal overnight motorway roadworks, I suspect our 180-mile trek home from Burnley on Saturday night must’ve felt a helluva lot less tiresome than it did for the smattering of Spurs fans who schlepped back from their half-hearted display at Turf Moor the previous weekend.

Alastair Campbell opens with a compliment about an old mate. Kind of. 

As long as a gift is nice, it doesn’t matter if it’s a day late.

Boss Paul Lambert defended Aston Villa’s fans after their lowest league gate for 15 years.

Manchester United are expected to complete the British-record signing of Angel di Maria later today.

Jose Mourinho predicted Petr Cech would provide stiff competition for Thibaut Courtois after the Belgian won the first battle for the Chelsea goalkeeping gloves at Burnley.

A couple separated a little boy from his six brothers and sisters because they felt that he “did not fit into the family”, a High Court judge in England has heard.

One of Britain’s most wanted fugitives has been arrested in Spain, police said.

One of Britain’s most wanted fugitives has been arrested in Spain, police said.

A law student who sent Stan Collymore a series of racist tweets has been spared jail.

A British crematorium is set to broadcast funerals live on the internet.

Banking giant Santander UK today said it had returned all its call centres in India to the UK following complaints from customers.

Bolton boss Owen Coyle says he will not stand in Gary Cahill’s way if a big club comes in with a bid for the defender this summer.

Liverpool are looking at a contingency plan for alternative travel options to Madrid should UEFA decide to press ahead with their Europa League semi-final against Atletico on Thursday.

Stephen Ireland has been ruled out of Manchester City’s Premier League trip to Burnley with an ankle injury.

England captain John Terry refused to talk today about allegations that he had an affair with the ex-girlfriend of former team-mate Wayne Bridge.

Owen Coyle was unveiled as Bolton manager today and described moving to the Reebok Stadium from Burnley as an “unbelievable wrench” but also an “exciting challenge”.

ALEX FERGUSON has absolved his young players of blame for Manchester United’s shock FA Cup defeat to Leeds last weekend.

Alex Ferguson has absolved his young players of blame for Manchester United’s shock FA Cup defeat to Leeds last weekend.

Bolton should have a clearer idea tonight as to whether their preferred managerial choice Owen Coyle will be making the short trip to the Reebok Stadium from Burnley.

A man appeared in court in Britain today charged with the murder of a 15-month-old boy.

Arsenal are to continue considering their options following the injury sustained by Robin van Persie while on Holland duty – with FIFA appearing to have ruled out pursuing legal action for compensation against the Dutch federation.

Troubled Hull will be without goalkeeper Boaz Myhill for tomorrow’s vital trip to Burnley.

Wigan goalkeeper Chris Kirkland and midfielder Paul Scharner are both doubtful for tomorrow’s Barclays Premier League match at Burnley.

Birmingham striker Christian Benitez could miss this weekend’s trip to Burnley after his father was involved in a serious accident in Ecuador.

Sunderland midfielder Lee Cattermole is a major doubt for tomorrow’s Barclays Premier League trip to Burnley.

New defender Sylvain Distin made his Everton debut against Wigan at Goodison Park while another new signing, Russia winger Diniyar Bilyaletdinov, was on the bench.

Everton will spend some of the cash from Joleon Lescott’s sale to Manchester City on Russian winger Diniyar Bilyaletdinov.

MANCHESTER UNITED must brace themselves for another summer of upheaval in 2010 after it was revealed Nemanja Vidic is likely to move on.

Park Ji-sung is putting club before country in a bid to cement his place at Manchester United.

Newly-promoted Burnley will carry the fight to Manchester United next season despite knowing the town’s entire population could fit into Old Trafford with a few seats to spare.

A CROSS-DRESSING burglar who broke into a house and filmed himself wearing a schoolgirl’s underwear was jailed indefinitely.

THE FA would not be drawn yesterday on comments by Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp that he will field his weakest possible team in the FA Cup.

Arsene Wenger has every faith his young Gunners will once again seize the opportunity to show just how good they are in tonight’s Carling Cup quarter-final at Burnley.

Private label household goods firm McBride today said it planned to axe one-tenth of its UK workforce as “unprecedented” cost inflation bears down on profits.

Harry Redknapp fears Wigan’s much-derided striker Emile Heskey could wreak havoc on Portsmouth’s patched-up FA Cup favourites at Fratton Park on Saturday and lead his own team to Barclays Premier League safety.

Arsenal forward Robin van Persie could return to action from a muscular problem at the end of next week.

A UK supplier of footwear and accessories to retail chains has gone into administration after its largest customer stopped placing orders.