Newcastle United boss Sam Allardyce admitted the prospect of Champions League football convinced Tal Ben Haim to choose Chelsea over the Toon yesterday.

He said: "I think we've had a long, hard go this week, but the lure of Chelsea and the Champions League for Tal has perhaps just pipped me at the post.

"I'm sad I can't bring him here and work with him again. I like the lad an awful lot and we know each other really well. But, like I said, the lure of Chelsea is a big one."