Paper Review: Jose Mourinho Cracked, Mixed Views on Wayne Rooney, Spurs Eye Mata

Chelsea dominate the sports headlines in Thursday's newspapers after their 2-1 home defeat by FC Basel in the Champions League.

After comparing his young players to eggs ahead of the game as per the Daily Mail, Blues boss Jose Mourinho was subject to a number of similarly related headlines after the loss at Stamford Bridge.

Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney has aired his view on manager David Moyes and teammate Robin van Persie after his starring role in the win over Bayer Leverkusen on Tuesday.

However, the newspapers remain divided on whether the England international wants to stay at Old Trafford or not.

In transfer news, Chelsea midfielder Juan Mata has been linked with a move to Tottenham in January, but the White Hart Lane club will face competition from across Europe.

Who else is making the headlines in Thursday's papers? Read on to find out more.

Jose Mourinho Left with Egg on His Face After Champions League Defeat

Chelsea suffered a Champions League humbling in their opening group match against FC Basel, with the Swiss club taking a surprise 2-1 victory at Stamford Bridge.

After making an analogy between his young players and carefully nurtured eggs prior to the match, Mourinho became the butt of the headline writers' jokes in Thursday's newspapers.

"Shell shocker for Mourinho as his 'beautiful young eggs' crack in Champions League," wrote the Daily Mirror on the digital version of Martin Lipton's match report.

The Sun opted for "Rotten Eggs" on the top of Paul Jiggins' article as Mourinho admitted he had egg on his face after the game.

Mike Walters' quotes piece in the Daily Mirror claims Chelsea's "'beautiful eggs' turned chicken" as Mourinho took responsibility for the defeat.

The Daily Express took an alternative route with its "Basle faulty" headline on Matthew Dunn's match report, referencing the character played by comedian John Cleese in the 1970s sitcom Fawlty Towers. 

Rooney Questions Whether He Should Stick or Twist on Manchester United

Manchester United forward Rooney spoke with the newspapers after the 4-2 win over Bayer Leverkusen on Tuesday, but the subsequent reports suggested divided opinion on the player's future.

David McDonnell of the Daily Mirror reported that Rooney had to "swallow his pride and deliver for United after being denied a move to Chelsea" in the summer.

Neil Custis of The Sun (subscription required) remains unconvinced that the England international is entirely happy at Old Trafford, despite Rooney's praise for manager Moyes and fellow striker Van Persie.

However, Adam Crafton of the Daily Mail has offered an upbeat spin to the Rooney article, claiming the player is hinting at a longer stay at United.

Elsewhere in United news, Neil Custis of The Sun noted a cash windfall of £362.3 million from reported record revenues.

Meanwhile, Jack Wilson of the Daily Star reported that United remain £389.2 million in debt, despite the increased commercial revenues. 

Tottenham Facing Juventus and Napoli Competition for Juan Mata

Tottenham Hotspur will make Chelsea midfielder Mata a target when the transfer window reopens in January, reports Ben Jefferson of the Daily Express.

However, Andre Villas-Boas and the North London club will face stern competition from Serie A, where Juventus and Napoli are also monitoring the Spain international.

Meanwhile, Tottenham boss Villas-Boas has criticised the timing of Capital One Cup ties so quickly after Premier League matches, reports Paul Jiggins of The Sun (subscription required).

Jiggins claims the Portuguese coach believes playing matches within two days, as Tottenham will do next week, could result in injury to players.

Tottenham face Cardiff City in league action on Sunday before travelling to Aston Villa in the cup two days later. 

Cristiano Ronaldo Lauds New Real Madrid Teammate Gareth Bale

Cristiano Ronaldo has praised Gareth Bale after the pair helped Real Madrid defeat Galatasaray in the Champions League on Tuesday, reports Antony Kastrinakis of The Sun (subscription required).

The former Tottenham winger set up Ronaldo for one of his goals in a hat-trick in Turkey as the Bernabeu club got their campaign off to a flying start with a 6-1 win over the Turkish club.

The Portugal international offered his appreciation of Bale following the game.

"

We’re getting to know each other. Gareth is adapting and finding his rhythm because he’d been inactive for a long time.

Things are coming off for him and it’s going well.

"

Meanwhile, Bale and Ronaldo are set to become rivals off the pitch, according to Charles Sale of the Daily Mail. The Welshman is poised to sign a lucrative new sponsorship deal with Adidas, while his Bernabeu teammate is with Nike.

Bits and Pieces: Luis Suarez, David Ginola, Joey Barton, Fulham

Liverpool are keeping Luis Suarez away from the first team as he prepares to make his return from a 10-match suspension, reports James McMath of the Daily Star.

The Uruguay international is expected to make his return to action in the Capital One Cup tie against Manchester United next week after serving his ban for biting Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic in April.

However, Suarez's most recent display for the Reds ended in a 2-0 defeat to a Burnley development squad.

Former Newcastle United star David Ginola has warned the current French contingent at the club that they must learn to use English as their first language, reports Simon Bird of the Daily Mirror.

Queens Park Rangers midfielder Joey Barton has paid tribute to Sporting Chance clinic founder Peter Kay, who has died at the age of 52, reports Matthew Syed of The Times (subscription required).

Fulham manager Martin Jol wants former Manchester United assistant Rene Meulensteen as his No. 2 at Craven Cottage, claims Steve Goodman of the Daily Star.

Bolton Wanderers manager Dougie Freedman is facing the sack after a poor start to the season, with Paul Ince being considered as a replacement, reports Charlie Wyett of The Sun.