ARSENAL, Chelsea and Manchester United each earned more than stg£53 million from television and prize money last season – at least stg£20m more than any of their rivals in the Barclaycard Premiership — and heralding the rise of a new breed of super-rich club.

WORLD CUP winner, Youri Djorkaeff, and Nigeria’s star midfielder, Jay-Jay Okocha, will, barring injury, be included in the Bolton Wanderers team to play a Cork selection on Wednesday of next week at Turner’s Cross.

CHELSEA have set their sights on “turning the world blue” by replacing Manchester United as the richest club on the planet after signing a record £50 million club sponsorship deal.

ASHLEY Cole declared he would stay at Arsenal for at least another three years as he admitted he still has to win back the fans after his controversial talks with Chelsea.

IF Alex Ferguson was able to offer a Christmas toast to five goals and three points at Old Trafford, then news that Ruud van Nistelrooy will be out for up to six weeks must have left the Scot nursing a very nasty hangover.

LOUIS SAHA has blasted Fulham for ruining the “chance of my life” by refusing to sell him to Manchester United.

SOCCER legend George Best stayed away from the pub yesterday after a week-long binge that family said could have killed him.

RIO FERDINAND will be asked by the Football Association for his mobile phone records before they decide on any charges for missing a drugs test.

ERIC Djemba-Djemba’s agent admitted Aston Villa manager David O’Leary is right to fine the player after his failure to turn up at the club.

THE future of Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson was in doubt last night as Malcolm Glazer prepared to seize control of the club.

ROY Keane has revealed his contempt for complacency in one of his most open and honest interviews about himself.

LEEDS chief executive Trevor Birch has warned it would be “a brave man” who puts the club into administration.

MANCHESTER UNITED stars begged Alex Ferguson to play Wayne Rooney against Tottenham on Saturday but their pleas fell on deaf ears.

JAAP STAM has backed Roy Keane for his outspoken attack on his Manchester United team-mates.

AMERICAN football tycoon Malcolm Glazer has increased his stake in Manchester United, prompting increased speculation of an imminent takeover.

ALEX FERGUSON believes Arsenal could become so determined to preserve their unbeaten Premiership record it could eventually bring about another championship collapse.

Gerard Houllier is certain of one thing: Michael Owen's future is at Anfield, writes Paul Walker.

MANCHESTER UNITED are prepared to sit and wait for Leeds to crack as the battle hots up to land striker Alan Smith.

RYAN GIGGS may have collected more medals than any other player in Manchester United history but nothing eclipses the satisfaction of beating Liverpool.