Carling Cup; Final. Wembley Stadium, 27/02/11

This game showed that dodgy offside decisions are not restricted to Scottish lower league football. Even in real time, on television, it was obvious that Lee Bowyer was onside when Zigic played him in very early on. The television replays only confirmed it. A penalty and sending off would have been the sure result of a correct decision.

Had Arsenal gone on to win this game it would have been an injustice for that reason alone. But then maybe if they had gone down to ten men they would have rallied and Birmingham might have relaxed. As it was Birmingham stuck at it and reaped their reward through another Arsenal defensive mix-up.

Arsène Wenger seems to have a blind spot as far as defence is concerned. At Arsenal he inherited a good one but he doesn’t seem to be able to construct one himself.

Now that I’ve said that they’ll probably win the three trophies they’re still contesting this season.

Old Trafford, 25/11/09

I’ve just watched the second half of the “Champions League” match on TV tonight.

And what a deeply dispiriting experience it was. Totally devoid of interest and, apart from a flurry in added time, any spectacle whatever. I was knackered, though, and couldn’t be bothered even switching channels

I know Utd fielded their Carling Cup side but Besiktas are on a seven game unbeaten run in Turkey.

So this is what passes for high class football? Both teams were entirely run-of-the-mill.

And Rangers were knocked out of this competition last night.

I don’t normally bother with these “big” teams live on TV. If this is what’s on offer I’m glad I don’t pay the Rupert tax and ITV’s viewing figures for their flagship football programme will surely decline.

I genuinely get more entertainment from watching Dumbarton in the Second Division. Hell, even in the Third. Partly that’s the live experience, being involved, shouting encouragement, decryng the ref and assistants, partly the emotional involvement. But the whole package is so much less hyped and more grounded. (Even a humping you can resign yourself to as being good for the soul.)

What I saw tonight was highly paid professional players being unable to pass the ball to a colleague, or make a cross get past the first defender, or running up blind alleys. Not likely to make me want to come back for more.

*I know the result was 0-1 but the goal was in the first half. The second was all I saw and it was a snooze-fest.