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Sky's SuperBigEnormousSundayGrandslamSunday wasn't quite the DampMoistWetEndofWeek of recent years (if you ignore the snow outside) but results-wise, unfortunately, it probably ended the season early. I'll let Matt611 bum me with a prawn sandwich if the World's Greatest ClubTM doesn't now go on and win the League.

The main interest for me (and believe me, it wasn't the tedious 0-0 draw we had with Notlob on the Saturday) was the behaviour of Benitez. Now I know, despite the form running upto the United game, that he's a man under pressure but his backing of Mascherino's behaviour is the act of a desperately bad loser. I'm not sure why Torres was booked but Mascherino deserved to go, regardless of the fuss in midweek over Ashley Cole.

The league desperately need to clampdown on players behaviour towards refs. I regularly run the line for my 12 year old son's team and this season I've noticed for the first time that some of the players are now questioning calls from refs and linos. They're copying what they see on TV. In a couple of years time as they bulk out and get even more confident they'll be swearing at them and by 16 physically intimidating them. Is it any wonder you can't ask a kid to turn down his or her music on a bus?

And Mad Kev's Jongleurs FC have finally won. Was good to see the little fella smiling on TV after the second goal went in but it'll still end in tears, mark miwurdz...

how thick do you have to be to not realise that having a go at the referee this weekend was likely to get you sent off?

totally agree that something needs to be done. there are several teams who deliberately set out to intimidate refs. you can sort of accept players complaining about dodgy decisions, but actually they complain about all decisions right or wrong.

I blame the managers. When Ferguson, Wenger and co question every single decision after the match despite clear evidence to the contrary is it any wonder that their ignorant puppets on the pitch do likewise. And I'd be very surprised if many of them were not instructing their players to harangue the ref - with 75000 people calling you a wanker if you spot Ronaldo diving and call it as you see it the last thing you need is 11 morons screaming "fuck off" inches away from your face. No wonder the big clubs get so few penalties given against them at home.

Biggest shock of the weekend?
Newcastle winning.

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Pressure Drop: http://www.pressuredrop.info

I despair of 'top players' behaviour and the sheer one-eyed hypocrisy of EVERY top-flight manager is beyond belief - I'm sure if you swapped Mascherano for Scholes then Fergie would've been a tad miffed, but as a fan I'd have been more irritated with the player's brainless actions. Fines have been rendered irrelevant - what's £5k to a multi-millionaire? - so surely it has to be points deducted, as the only thing that seems to matter these days is European qualification (as if winning of the title is no more than a means to have a crack at the Holy Grail of the 'Champions League'). I'm pretty sure that behaviour might be moderated if managers see their hard-won points tally dwindling week-in week-out because of the morons they choose to represent the side?

It ain’t over yet .. and I’ve been saying for months that it’s Chelsea rather than the Arse who’ll run United closest … a five point lead ain’t nothing with 8 games left (a possible 24 points remember)

I’m still undecided on the Mascharano incident: his actions were abhorrent but his timing was unfortunate .. if it had happened a week ago he would have got away with it. As someone mentioned on commentary, managers should have alerted players to this kind of thing in light of Ashley Cole’s ridiculous antics earlier in the week.. Looks like Ferg mentioned it; Rafa didn’t

Its also unfair to have this deflect from United’s performance .. they were awesome .. I feel something special happening this season

I'm with matt on this one - hopefully the fact that United haven't been basking at the top of the tree for months might do away with complacency now they're there - and we might actually get a decent game at the Bridge in April!

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If Ian Curtis had lived, and enjoyed the ale…

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