Ahead of TheGame: Wenger - Don't Put Pressure on Walcott

The news in 60 seconds

WENGER: DON'T PUT PRESSURE ON WALCOTT
The Arsenal manager praised the forward's modest response to his match-winning display, but warned England fans he cannot always perform at that level. "What happened you have to consider to be an exception,"  he said. "Even for players of 25, 26, to score three goals in an international is a one-off."

CROATIA FANS REPORTED TO FIFA
The FA has asked the world governing body to investigate the monkey chants directed towards Emile Heskey in Zagreb. "It is unacceptable for anyone to be subjected to racial abuse," an FA spokesman said. "The FA and the England team are determined to do all they can to eradicate any form of racism from football." 

FA TOLD TO TIGHTEN RULES
Andy Burnham , the Culture Secretary, wants the FA to consider tighter regulation of football finances to prevent the game "losing touch with its core support". In a speech to Westminster,  he  was also expected to voice his concern at the spate of foreign takeovers at English clubs.

WARNER SLAMS KEANE'S ATTITUDE
The Fifa vice-president has sent an angry letter to  the Sunderland manager over Dwight Yorke's absence from Trinidad and Tobago's World Cup qualifier. "Your callous disregard for the rights of 'small' countries to have their players represent them - as enshrined in Fifa regulations - reveals a mean streak in your character,"  it  read. "It is one which will not endear you or Sunderland to such countries and it is a dangerous path to tread."

GUTIERREZ DOUBTFUL FOR NEWCASTLE
The Argentina international damaged his shoulder on international duty and could miss the match at home to Hull City on Saturday. Initial reports claimed he had dislocated the shoulder but an official said the winger suffered "strong trauma" to the joint.

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10
Walcott's age when he started playing football. He made his Southampton debut five years later.
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If you've got another couple of minutes

VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS: ENGLAND V CROATIA
Setanta weren't the only broadcaster to show last night's triumph. They also showed it on Croatian television. Watch highlights of their coverage here:
 
MORE HIGHLIGHTS: WORLD CUP ROUND-UP
We've also got highlights from the other qualifiers that took place in Europe and Latin America last night. Stand-out matches include Denmark's stunning victory over Portugal, a clinical victory for France over Serbia and Germany's six-goal thriller against Finland.

WADDLE TAKES THE MIC
A youtube highlight featuring another protagonist from Zagreb. Years before Chris Waddle was employed as a commentator by Setanta, he recorded a priceless follow-up to Diamond Lights with Basile Boli, a team-mate at Marseille. The video to We've Got A Feeling features the former winger in various states of regrettable dress including Cowell-height chinos, a pink polo shirt and a gentleman's suit - top hat included. Reminded of the song recently, Waddle proudly claimed it reached No 1 in Albania.

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>>>>>THE TABLOID TALE<<<<<
£1m for Hurst's '66 goal line - Daily Star
What you need to know: 1) The famous goal-line from the 1966 World Cup is being dug up and sold on an internet auction. 2) The turf was relaid in a Hertfordshire garden after Wembley was dug up in 1969. 3) The sellers reckon it could fetch up to £1 million.
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>>>>>THE RIVALS<<<<<

Stone the Cro's... we're on way to the Wald Cup! - The Sun
Capello hailed Walcott as world class for his performance in Zagreb.

Capello hails new hero but racist chants sour success - The Guardian
Croatian fans cast a shadown on England's success by directing monkey chants at Emile Heskey.

Carragher hits out at Hicks and Gillett - Daily Mail
The Liverpool defender says he is sickened by the broken promises and profiteering of the club's owners.

Blackburn battle to keep Ince - Daily Mirror
Dennis Wise has put his former England team-mate on the shortlist to be the new Newcastle manager.

Chelsea fury at FA charges - Daily Telegraph
FA says the London club failed to keep groundsman Sam Bethell under control in infamous "Battle of the Bridge".

Zola agrees terms after West Ham pass on Bilic - The Independent
The Italian has agreed a three-year deal to become the new manager at Upton Park. He will give his first press conference at Upton Park at 4.30pm this afternoon.

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In TheGame

Samuel - Capello rewarded for throwing caution to the wind
Our Chief Football Correspondent praises the England manager for a gamble that paid handsome dividends, suggests a suddenly promising future awaits the national team and bemoans a cynical approach that will lose Croatia many friends.

Hughes - England learn to keep it simple
Matt Hughes compares the philosophy underpinning Capello's tactics to that of Bill Shankly, wonders if Andriy Shevchenko has started an unexpected to return to form and describes his feelings on checking out of Zagreb's version of Fawlty Towers.

Does Zagreb spell bad news for Gerrard, Beckham and Owen?
Three of England's most high-profile players did not start in Zagreb. What does that mean for their international careers?

Who is England's brightest star: Capello or Walcott?
Who deserves the most plaudits for last night's triumph: the lightning-heeled teenager or the hard-nosed Italian?

Fanzone: Cometh the hour, cometh the boy
Our England loyalist expresses his relief and excitement at you-know-who's coming of age.

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Joe Bloggs' Soapbox

Bill and Malcom have posted new entries to their ongoing personal duel but AOTG has decided its time to pull the soapbox out from under their feet. Sorry, chaps, it's somebody else's turn now.

First up is John Mann, from London:
"I recall hearing Mark Lawrenson on Five Live last Saturday saying the Walcott wasn't ready for England and needed more experience. Spot on as always, Mark." 

David Space, also based in London, has a word of caution:
"Amazing how quickly we go from despair to hyperbole. England were good but I don't think this ranked with the performances against Israel and Russia at home under McCLaren. Walcott took his goals well but otherwise looked quite edgy. He never looked like going round anyone! And James was appalling." 

DBP remembers who gave Walcott his chance in international football:
"All those people who slated Sven for taking him to the World Cup should eat their hats. It was brilliant forward thinking by a man who knew he would not be around to reap the results. Walcott/Rooney and a tall forward is the future for England."

And Longo, from Spli (should that be Split?), has AOTG a little bit scared:   
"Big victory only because you won Croatia in Zagreb but it is not so clear victory like result saying. The reason is rigorous red card giving advantage to England team and first lucking goal achieved after unhappy Croatia defender action. So enjoy in your victory, but we will wait like you do." 

"Lucking"? He means lucky, right?

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And expect...

Slaven Bilic to gatecrash Gianfranco Zola's press conference at Upton Park this afternoon, CV in hand.