THE TIMES: Chelsea and Manchester United had been expected to warm up for their Barclays Premier League showdown on Sunday with comfortable victories in the Champions League last night, but both were pushed to their limit before securing their places in the last 16 with two matches to spare. Also: West Ham United's financial problems mounted yesterday when Alan Curbishley, their former manager, won his claim against the club for constructive dismissal.

DAILY TELEGRAPH: Sir Alex Ferguson is facing some sleepless nights between now and Sunday with thoughts of a rampant Didier Drogba likely to wake him with a jolt in the early hours. Also: Arsene Wenger would have "no fear" about Stan Kroenke eventually owning Arsenal, although Alisher Usmanov, the club's second largest shareholder, has expressed serious reservations about a potential takeover.

THE INDEPENDENT: Rafael Benitez last night invoked the legend of his football club as he prepared to enter the toughest battle of his five-year Anfield reign, shorn of defenders, with his captain back at home and his prime striker nowhere near full fitness.

THE GUARDIAN: Manchester United's proud record of having not lost a Champions League group game on their own ground for eight years is still intact, rescued by another one of those feats of escapology in which Sir Alex Ferguson's team specialise. Also: Rafael Benitez leads Liverpool into their crucial Champions League tie with Lyon tonight admitting a victory to ease the pressure and revive qualification hopes would rank among the finest achievements of his Liverpool career.

DAILY EXPRESS: Antonio Valencia needed a big deflection but he finally came up with the sort of matchsaving goal Cristiano Ronaldo made his name with. Also: Rafa Benitez drew inspiration from Liverpool's famous anthem last night as he vowed to lift the pressure on his Anfield reign by plotting another great European escape.

DAILY MAIL: Manchester United staged a dramatic fightback last night to claim a 3-3 draw at home to CSKA Moscow which clinched their place in the last 16 of the Champions League. Also: Rafa Benitez drew inspiration from the Kop anthem last night as he prepared for the biggest game of his tenure as Liverpool manager.

DAILY MIRROR: New dad Wayne Rooney came off the bench to lead a dramatic Champions League fightback last night. Also: Rafa Benitez summoned the spirit of the Kop to answer his critics last night.

THE SUN: Wayne Rooney celebrated the birth of son Kai by lifting Manchester United into the Champions League last 16. Also: Carlo Ancelotti says he would not swap Didier Drogba for any other striker in the world.

DAILY STAR: Rafa Benitez has come out fighting ahead of the biggest 90 minutes of his Liverpool career. Also: Manchester United staged yet another of their injury-time comebacks at Old Trafford last night.