As you perused the stats from Saturday's English first division games you'll have noted that Manchester City's Danny Tiatto (left), for whom the term "fiery midfielder" was coined, came off at half-time against Rotherham, a touch fatigued. Little wonder - he flew all the way to Australia and all the way back again, all for absolutely nothing.

Tiatto thought he had served a three-match ban, for being sent off against New Zealand, by sitting out Australia's friendlies against Japan and France and that he'd be eligible to play home and away against Uruguay in the World Cup play-off. But on his arrival in Melbourne he learned his ban applied to World Cup matches only not friendlies. So? He flew back all the way back to Manchester. A City spokesman said, on the record: "We are quite amazed by this development. Off the record? "*** **** ** ***."