Quote of the Day

For the second week running I've been unable to find a 'Weekend Hero' - I'd hoped for a nominee from yesterdays 'Super Sunday' football match between Chelsea and Manchester United but the match - unsurprisingly - just didn't live up to its 'Super' billing.

The match - or rather the post-match television discussion - did however provide the 'Quote of the Day'.

Jamie Redknapp, a former professional footballer of note and regular studio 'pundit' reportedly remarked:

"Manchester United will be delighted ... apart from losing the game."

Well done Jamie.

I say reportedly because I'd switched-off the tv on the final whistle, fed-up that yet another match had been decided, not by a moment of brilliance from one of the players, but by match officials (referee Martin Atkinson) not doing their jobs: 1) the free kick that led to the goal was simply not a free-kick, 2) a Chelsea player (Drogba) fouled a Manchester United player (Brown) as the free-kick was played before 3) Drogba was in an off-side position as John Terry headed goalwards.

I imagine Redknapp was suggesting that Sir Alex Ferguson and his coaching staff would have been pleased with their teams performance, despite the result, against one of their title rivals. But he wasn't - and he said so - during his after-match interview. His team didn't do enough to win the game in my opinion - despite long periods of possession they rarely troubled the Chelsea goal and I can only remember Peter Cech making one real save of note. As such, Manchester didn't deserve to lose the game and a draw would have been a fair result.

Well done Mr Atkinson.

'Best League in the World' anyone?

[photo credit: Tom Jenkins/www.guardian.co.uk]

Quote of the Day

"There's the lesser spotted Eidur Gudjohnsen - he doesn't even make the bench these days for Barcelona"

Rob Palmer, commentator, Sky Sports Spanish football coverage





Towards the end of the first half of this evenings La Liga fixture between FC Barcelona and Real Zaragoza the camera cut to the grandstand to show Eidur Gudjohnsen enjoying the match.

That's the same Eidur Gudjohnsen that signed for French league side AS Monaco during the summer transfer window.

That probably explains why he doesn't make the bench for Barcelona these days.

Quote of the Day

Interviewed on Eurosport after the official presentation of the route for the 2010 Tour de France, Mark Cavendish was asked:

'What do you have to do more to win that green jersey?'

Without a seconds delay, and delivered with a determined look, Cavendish replied:

'Hopefully not get a bent barrier in the road, you know.'

Brilliant.

The reply refers back to the 14th stage of this years Tour when, whilst contesting the green jersey with main rival Thor Hushovd, Cavendish crossed the line in 13th place but was later placed 154th and credited with the same time as Hushovd for straying from his racing line during the sprint. It was generally felt that Cavendish had been hard done by as, if Hushovd had been blocked, it appeared to be a situation created by a poorly laid-out crowd control barrier.

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