”We are ready for war,” Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho said, his hair cropped in a buzz cut, but still voicing the arrogance that has won many games — and few friends. ”I don’t care too much about image,” he said. ”I don’t think it’s possible to be loved by everyone. Not in a lifetime and especially not in football.”

Some unfamiliar names could reach this season’s 32-team group stage of the Champions League. Some of Europe’s powers, including last season’s runners-up Arsenal, six-time champions AC Milan and 2005 champions Liverpool, face tough opposition in the final qualifying round for the Champions League.

Thierry Henry came on as a substitute on Saturday and scored in the 84th minute to earn Arsenal a 1-1 draw with Tottenham in the last game at Highbury between the north London rivals. In the other key game on Saturday, Liverpool defeated Chelsea 2-1 in the semifinals of the FA Cup at Old Trafford.

The threat of a breakaway in formula one seemed to fade on Monday when the teams planning their own series submitted entry forms for the 2008 season. The Grand Prix Manufacturers Association — made up of Renault, BMW Sauber, McLaren Mercedes, Honda and Toyota — said it was signing up to meet a deadline of March 31 established by world governing body FIA and its president Max Mosley.

Stuart Parnaby’s goal in second-half injury time lifted Middlesbrough to a 4-3 victory on Sunday over Bolton, a victory that almost guarantees they will avoid relegation from the Premier League. Parnaby’s winner from a close-range shot came after Bolton had levelled the score after being two goals behind, the goals coming from Radhi Jaidi and Jay Jay Okocha.

William Gallas scored in the last minute on Saturday to give league-leading Chelsea a 2-1 win over Tottenham, which moved the Blues 18 points clear atop the English Premier League. Other results on Saturday included: Birmingham 1, West Brom 1; Bolton 4, West Ham 1; Everton 3, Fulham 1; and Portsmouth 2, Manchester City 1.

James Beattie scored in the 13th minute on Saturday, and Everton won their fourth straight English Premier League match by defeating Arsenal 1-0. Also, Neil Mellor scored in second-half injury time to give Wigan a 3-2 victory at Middlesbrough. ‘Boro drew level after trailing 2-0, only to let a valuable point slip away.

The League Cup probably offers Arsenal and Manchester United their best chance for a trophy this season. Both teams play this week in the first leg of the League Cup semifinals, with Arsenal at Wigan on Tuesday and Man United at Blackburn on Wednesday. Neither team are challenging Chelsea this season in the league.

Chelsea regained their nine-point lead in the English Premier League on Sunday, beating Arsenal 2-0 on goals by Arjen Robben and Joe Cole. In the day’s other Premier League game, Mido scored an 83rd-minute goal to rally Tottenham to a 3-3 draw at Middlesbrough.