Today’s back pages: Hamilton joy, Gomes horror

Three stories dominate the back pages this morning, with Lewis Hamilton the toast of the country after he secured his Formula 1 world title as England's rugby stars lick their wounds and a horror injury in the Premier League leaves players in tears.

Hamilton achieves greatness

“Lewis Hamilton is champion of the world again and inevitably the chorus of acclaim floating his way is stirred by the numbers that attest to his greatness,” says Jonathan McEvoy in the Daily Mail.

“The numeral ‘6’ leads the way – the sixth title that puts him ahead of Juan Manuel Fangio and behind only Michael Schumacher in the all-time reckoning. There are also all those poles, an unsurpassed 87 of them, and wins, the 83 that leave him only eight adrift of Schumacher again at the summit of achievement.

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“So is Hamilton already the greatest driver in history?” he asks. “Hamilton can conclusively settle the issue before he is done. That is by equaling the record total then winning an eighth world title at another team.”

Jones sticks with England

As the dust settles on England’s horror show in the Rugby World Cup final, there will be no kneejerk reaction to defeat at the hands of South Africa.

“Eddie Jones has vowed to stay on as England head coach after Saturday’s humiliating World Cup final defeat to South Africa, with the RFU planning to open talks over extending his contract until the end of the 2023 tournament,” says Mick Cleary in the Daily Telegraph.

“Jones’ current deal expires in August 2021 and the Australian is adamant he will not walk away despite his England side, heavy favourites before the match, producing arguably the worst performance of his tenure in their comprehensive 32-12 loss in Yokohama.”

Andre Gomes injury horror

The most shocking event of the weekend came at Goodison Park, where Everton star Andre Gomes suffered a gruesome leg injury during the game against Spurs.

The Portuguese was rushed to hospital as players from both sides were left in tears after the incident that led to a red card for an inconsolable Son Heung-min.

Fortunately the pictures on the back pages, although upsetting, do not reveal the full extent of the injury that was so severe Sky Sport refused to show a replay.

The game finished 1-1, but “it all felt completely irrelevant”, says Andy Hunter in The Guardian. “The sight of André Gomes being carried off and straight to Aintree hospital with a horrific leg-break, players from both sides barely able to look at the stricken midfielder as he received treatment, rendered the problems of Mauricio Pochettino and [Marco] Silva a footnote on a thoroughly depressing evening.

“The Portugal midfielder was sent sprawling by a cynical foul from Son Heung-min although it was a combination of an awkward landing and collision with Serge Aurier that caused a dislocated fractured right ankle.”

Today's back pages