Though Manchester United defeated Watford for the first time since the Hornets’ most recent return to the top flight, they’ll be without the services of defender Rio Ferdinand for an undetermined period due to a broken toe.

On the evidence of this display, I’ll not call it karmic payback.  That would require a double amputation.

Iain Dowie earned his first 3 points as manager of Charlton Athletic, as the Addicks’ Darren Bent scored a pair of 2nd half goals in a 2-0 home win over Bolton.  Scott Carson saved a penalty kick from El Hadji Diouf, and to the relief of journalists eager to get the fuck out of the Valley, Sam Allardyce blew off the post-match press conference.  Can We Cover You Every Week? etc.

When rumors surfaced last year of Dennis Wise interviewing for the QPR managerial vacancy, my reaction was  akin to say, a Yankee fan absorbing the news that Buddy Bell had been named Joe Torre’s heir apparent.  So with that snap judgement in mind, I should acknowledge that a) under Gary Waddock, Rangers find themselves in 19th place in the Championship after Friday night’s 3-1 loss at Ipswich, the Tractor Boys’ first league win of 2006-07, and b) Wise’s Swindon Town have taken 15 points from 5 matches, preserving their perfect record in League Two with Saturday’s 2-0 home victory over Stockport.