From the Back Pages, March 3: Manuel Pellegrini: one down, three to go

Manuel Pellegrini immediately set his sights on a clean sweep of trophies by warning his players that “one is never enough” after Manchester City lifted the Capital One Cup. (The Times)
From the back pagesFrom the back pages
From the back pages

Alan Pardew is set to be banned from football grounds for at least five games after his nut job on David Meyler. (The Mirror)

Real Madrid and their noisy neighbours Atletico laid on the perfect prelude to the Oscars with an at-times X-rated blockbuster full of action, villainy and bad acting as both sides lost the plot and played out a draw in which the real winner was the third team in the Spanish title race, Barcelona. (Daily Mail)

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With the rain teeming down, Norwich leading and the Holte End breaking out into groans, it felt like another of those afternoons was unfolding for Aston Villa. What followed was a reminder of the importance of Christian Benteke to Paul Lambert’s side as a moment of brilliance from the big Belgian – equalising with an overhead kick – changed the mood entirely, sending confidence flooding through the home ranks and sparking a rush of four goals in 16 minutes that flattened Chris Hughton’s visitors. (The Independent)

Vincent Tan’s presence may not be the most reassuring sight for a struggling manager, but Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is hoping the Cardiff owner’s rallying call is proof they will stick together for the final 10 games of the season. (The Telegraph)

GLENN MURRAY scored an 82nd minute penalty to hand Crystal Palace a hard-fought 1-1 draw with Swansea at the Liberty Stadium on Sunday. (The Express)

For once England’s almost unrivalled capacity for turning comfort into catastrophe did not prove terminal as they eked out a three-wicket win in the second match to level the three-match series. They made it tough on themselves, though, after the England spinners, four of them, had bowled excellently to dismiss West Indies inside 45 overs for 159, Lendl Simmons underpinning it all with an accomplished 70. (The Guardian)