At times like these, I truly wish Joe Buck could be assigned to work a Premier League match or two. The Irish Times’ Daniel Taylor on Manchester City’s er, revealing rebound from a miserable showing against Chelsea 8 days prior.
Stephen Ireland may have the most suspicious hairpiece at Manchester City since the days of Peter Swales, his reputation may have been irretrievably damaged by the Peculiar Case of the Two Dead Grannies and it is fair to say he leads a complicated personal life, but there can be no disputing his value as a goal-scoring midfielder.
As if magnetically attached to controversy, Ireland inexplicably chose the moment to lower his shorts, revealing a pair of blue underpants, in the goal celebrations. That might not be the last he has heard of that if the Football Association fails to see the funny side but, in mitigation, Ireland deserves credit for playing such an influential part in City’s success this season while going through a series of personal crises off the pitch.