During a break in the action on this past Saturday's broadcast of Sunderland against Manchester United, ESPN's commentator Ian Darke mentioned that Clint Dempsey had just scored a goal for Fulham away at West Ham United. At first, I was ready to cry blasphemy at Darke's decision to break one of the cardinal rules of commentating which is not to tell people what the scores are in the other matches played at the same time.

One of the most fascinating aspects of soccer is its formula for declaring a champion. In no other sport (mind you I come from an American sports background) can a match that pits the team at the top of the league versus a middle-of-the-pack team be the game that goes further than any other in determining that season's champion.

If you listen to the excellent Arsenal podcast by actor and comedian Alan Davies, you will know that he regularly refers to our captain as Jesus.

And who would argue?

At times our little Spaniard does indeed seem to be the son of God (yes, that's right – his dad really is Dennis Bergkamp).

Just a few, it's been a long day, need to put my feet up and eat Piri Piri chicken 'n snap beans...#1 - MLS Insider reports that the league has finally signed U.S. youth star Luis Gil. There will be a weighted lottery to decide who gets him on Monday. Well done.#2 - Crikey! It's blasphemy, is wot it izzzzzz!

Serie A has had something of an image problem since Calciopoli or perhaps before, depending on whom you ask and sweeping changes came after the fact to try and recoup some integrity within the confines of the peninsula. Of course the problem extends beyond the borders, because Italian teams just haven't seemed to [.

Hit the jump for the full list of matches for the season...

Kind of the Premier League site to lead with "Managerless Liverpool." Thanks for the reminder.

August
14 Arsenal (H)
21 Man City (A)
28 West Brom (H)

September
11 Birmingham (A)
18 Man Utd (A)
25 Sunderland (H)

October
2 Blackpool (H)
16 Everton (A)
23 Blackburn (H)
30 Bolton (A)

November
6 Chelsea (H)
9 Wigan (A)
13 Stoke (A)
20 West Ham (H)
27 Tottenham (A)

December
4 Aston Villa (H)
11 Newcastle (A)
18 Fulham (H)
26 Blackpool (A)
28 Wolverhampton (H)

January
1 Bolton (H)
5 Blackburn (A)
15 Everton (H)
22 Wolverhampton (A)

February
2 Stoke (H)
5 Chelsea (A)
12 Wigan (H)
26 West Ham (A)

March
5 Man Utd (H)
19 Sunderland (A)

April
2 West Brom (A)
9 Man City (H)
16 Arsenal (A)
23 Birmingham (H)
30 Newcastle (H)

May
7 Fulham (A)
14 Tottenham (H)
22 Aston Villa (A)

Obviously this is pending revisions due to any cup competitions, TV deals, etc.

Does anyone read Caught Offside? Yeah, me neither. Still, when I came across this little nugget, which popped up on my NewsNow feed earlier today, I just couldn't overlook it.

Should Chelsea Pair Be Punished for their ‘Injury' Inspired England Absence?

Questioning my commitment?

Ladies, gentlemen. Our preseason hath ended and what a spectacular one it was.

Support at the Bridge on Sunday. Get into it.

You would think the work done, the feats accomplished, over the past five matches was of little consequence, of no value.