UK Back Pages: Phil Mickelson Takes a Swipe at Rory McIlroy, Graeme McDowell

On a night when there was no shortage of League Cup drama to go around, it was instead Phil Mickelson who stole the headlines with a swipe aimed at his European counterparts in the buildup to the Ryder Cup. 

Mickelson answered frankly when asked about the Americans' chemistry issues, which have plagued them over the years. 

"Well, not only are we able to play together, we also don't litigate against each other, and that's a real plus, I feel, heading into this week," Mickelson said in a press conference.  

European stars Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell have been involved in a legal row involving their former shared management team.

Three of the back pages used almost identical taking-the-Mick headlines.

The Star also looks at Newcastle's wild League Cup win and Ronald Koeman's backing of Nathaniel Clyne to be included in the England squad. 

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Thursday's Daily Star back page - "Riv Dance" #tomorrowspaperstoday #bbcpapers pic.twitter.com/qyXxMJLHtO

— Nick Sutton (@suttonnick) September 24, 2014"

The Sun also runs an exclusive with Sam Allardyce, who apparently backs former Manchester United boss David Moyes. 

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Thursday's Sun back page -"Phil takes the Mick" #tomorrowspaperstoday #bbcpapers #RyderCup pic.twitter.com/nreiySZk8n

— Nick Sutton (@suttonnick) September 24, 2014"

The Mirror also leads with Frank Lampard's two-goal output for Manchester City and the fact that he can actually celebrate those goals.

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Thursday's Daily Mirror back page - "Taking the Mick" #tomorrowspaperstoday #bbcpapers #RyderCup pic.twitter.com/WSTXoq7Pri

— Nick Sutton (@suttonnick) September 24, 2014"

The Daily Express' focus is on Mickelson's comments, but at least it runs with a different headline. 

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Thursday's Daily Express back page - "Europe's heroes courting disaster" #tomorrowspaperstoday #bbcpapers #RyderCup pic.twitter.com/R8ezSWxnUo

— Nick Sutton (@suttonnick) September 24, 2014"