Chelsea's wage bill has been overtaken by Manchester United's for the first time in more than a decade.

In 2004, the Roman Abramovich-owned club were reckoned to be the biggest payers in world football as Chelsea spent heavily.

Chelsea's wage bill in 2012/13 was £176million compared to £182m for United in the same season, while Manchester City's was £233million.

The increasingly-prudent approach to wages at Chelsea reflects the club's commitment to complying with Uefa's financial fair play rules, where clubs in European competition can only record losses of 45million euros (£37.5m) during the first two-year accounting period.

Chelsea have also benefited from signing the likes of Eden Hazard, Oscar and Juan Mata before they were established superstars demanding huge salaries, which also has taken the pressure off the wage bill.

ASTON VILLA: Belgian striker Christian Benteke has been ruled out for six months due to a ruptured Achilles tendon and will also miss the World Cup in Brazil.

In a statement on Villa's website, manager Paul Lambert said: "It's a terrible blow both for Christian and for the club.

"He will miss the rest of the season, obviously, and also the World Cup."

Villa said in their statement: "Christian Benteke will undergo surgery after suffering a ruptured Achilles tendon injury today in training.

"He will be out for a minimum of six months."

The powerful forward, who joined from Genk in August 2012, was Villa's leading scorer and driving force in his first season at the club.

Although he has at times struggled to reproduce that form during his second term at Villa Park, the 23-year-old has remained the focal point of Lambert's attack, scoring 11 goals in the current campaign.

He was set for his first World Cup with Belgium, despite experiencing a recent goal drought at international level.

Benteke has frequently been linked with a move away from Villa Park, but the anticipated length of his absence looks likely to rule out any summer departure as it means he is not expected back until October at the earliest.

LIVERPOOL: Reds captain Steven Gerrard admits even he is fighting to prevent his own title dreams interfering with his focus as the Anfield club sit top of the table.

He said: "It is flashing in and out of my mind from time to time, but I am trying to get it out as quick as it is going in because nothing has been achieved yet.

"Dreams only happen when you get the job done."

SUNDERLAND: The Black Cats are reportedly in bother after fielding an ineligible player in four Barclays Premier League matches.

Striker Ji Dont-won did not have international clearance to play in the games, with a league probe set to be launched into the blunder.