From the Back Pages, March 23: Arsene Wenger takes the blame as Arsenal suffer ‘a good hiding’

Arsène Wenger accused referee Andre Marriner of guessing or being misled as to which Arsenal player should be dismissed after an extraordinary case of mistaken identity during the humiliating 6-0 defeat to Chelsea yesterday. (The Telegraph)

Wayne Rooney, as dispirited a figure as any of his team-mates during defeat in Manchester United’s last Premier League game at home to Liverpool, added another spectacular goal to his portfolio to set the abdicating champions on the way to a second reviving victory of the week. He beat the goalkeeper from some 57 yards out before adding another goal himself as United dominated the game and put all the panic about their manager David Moyes into more rational context. (The Independent)

Who needs top strikers when Yaya Toure is on the prowl? With Sergio Aguero injured and Edin Dzeko unwell, the midfield Ivory Coast powerhouse took responsibility for snuffing out Fulham’s challenge single-handed and grabbed his first hat-trick in English football with two expertly-taken penalties and a trademark piledriver from outside the penalty area. (Daily Mail)

Brendan Rodgers can still dream of a title as Liverpool won a nine-goal thriller at the Cardiff City stadium. Liverpool were at full strength with Daniel Sturridge and Luis Suarez in attack, while Cardiff striker Craig Bellamy was recalled to face his old club. (The Mirror)

Many of England’s recent troubles have been self-inflicted but in Chittagong there was every justification to sympathise with their bad luck. At the end of one of cricket’s longest days – the match was abandoned at 11.10pm – England lost to New Zealand via the Duckworth-Lewis system. (The Guardian)

FORMER Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe believes he had to leave the club to boost his chances of making England’s World Cup squad. (The Express)