Aww, look at him in his little hat! And Archie too! Image via Jack's Twitter.

Some serious football fixtures demand our attention this weekend, Kickettes. Before settling down at the foot of our nacho mountain to watch the manhose unfold, we prepared this little round-up of the stuff that occurred in between our unscheduled naps.

Laurent Koscielny is old enough to be married. This is his wife, Claire. Image: Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images.

The Laureaus World Sport Awards took place at the Central Hall in Westminster last night. As is usual with these events, a smattering of footballers turned up to watch Bobby Charlton pick up a Lifetime Achievement Award and surely what must be the most shocking event of the year so far; Leo Messi not winning an award he has been nominated for.

A cat-themed team to celebrate last night's pitch invader at Anfield 1. Pussy Whiskerlainen 2. Kevin Muscat 3. Anton Furdinand 4. Claws Lundekvam 5. Darren Purrse 6. Lee Cattermole 7. Dirk Cat 8. Marouane Felinei 9. Dave Kitten 10. Tabby Agbonlahor 11. Ryo Miaowchi Manager: Kenny Dogleash (a cat's best friend)

In appreciation of the cat who made it onto the pitch at Anfield this evening I felt that it was about time I drew up another "Best XI". This time it's for players with "cat" in their name.

Cat XI

Between the sticks is Antalyaspor's 35 year old custodian Omer Catkic.

Although we realise this 'look' probably wasn't by her choice, Sami Khedira's model/WAG, Lena Gercke, walked the runway at Rebekka Ruetz's Autumn/Winter 2012 fashion show with two of the most terrifying Scouse Brows we've ever seen. Make them stop, Kickettes. We're begging you. Image: Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images Europe.

By Alan Duffy

Another day, another police identity parade

On loan from Arsenal, where he struggled to live up to the (self-inflated) hype surrounding his ability, Nicklas Bendtner has been nothing more than average for Sunderland so far this season.

By Oli Baker

At the time of writing, no side in Europe's top five leagues has made as few tackles per game as Wolves (15.4) or as few interceptions (11.9).

For a team that gained a reputation as being tough and uncompromising last season, these are startling statistics.

Although Wolves do fare quite well in the possession stakes, averaging 50.

By Oli Baker

At the time of writing, no side in Europe's top five leagues has made as few tackles per game as Wolves (15.4) or as few interceptions (11.9).

For a team that gained a reputation as being tough and uncompromising last season, these are startling statistics.

Although Wolves do fare quite well in the possession stakes, averaging 50.

By Alan Duffy

For the majority of us mere mortals, it's the season to be jolly and maybe a bit drunk, but for footballers, Christmas is often the season to go off the rails completely.

The Sunderland duo of Nicklas Bendtner and Lee Cattermole are the latest stars to get up to no good in the festive period.

Tottenham Hotspur v Sunderland, White Hart Lane, Sunday 18th December, 3pm Kick off

So on Thursday night Spurs European adventure for this season came to an end, despite a 4-0 win at Shamrock. The perceived wisdom is that this is a blessing in disguise and can leave Harry Redknapp and his team to concentrate on getting Spurs back into the Champions League.

Sunderland duo Nicklas Bendtner and Lee Cattermole have been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage. The incident relates to damaged caused to cars Stowell Street, in Newcastle city centre, on 6 December. The pair, both aged 23, were arrested yesterday before later being bailed. A Northumbria police spokesman said: "Police can confirm that on 15 [.

Featured player Nicklas Bendtner played the 90 minutes as Sunderland put on a brave performance at Old Trafford this afternoon against Manchester United. Sunderland set out in a 4-4-2 counter-attacking system against Man-U with N.B-52 and Connor Wickham upfront but the later was stretchered off early on due to a injury replaced by Ji Dong Won.

Darren Bent's first return to Wearside since his switch to Aston Villa has dominated the headlines, but Steve Bruce will more concerned with trying to find what would only be his third home win of 2011.

Alex McLeish is coming off the back of two losses; one far from unexpected, the other extremely disappointing.

What we learned this week... Wayne Rooney must be rubbish at writing letters

The England striker wrote to Uefa to avoid a ban but failed spectacularly, while Liverpool MD Ian Ayre made an idiot of himself and Lee Cattermole claimed he's not a dirty player

View the full story here: Goal

A news article on 2011-10-14 07:52:00 from: Goal

This news item has been reproduced from today's media.

By Alan Duffy

Sunderland's combative midfielder Lee Cattermole has apparently cultivated something of a persecution complex judging by his latest comments.

The 23-year-old hardman, who has picked up only 47 bookings and five red cards since 2005/06 in domestic football said: "I feel like they (referees) are out there for me at the minute.

Liverpool's Strikeforce: Luis Suarez & Andy Carroll

I should have spent more time on Sunderland in my preview of their match versus Liverpool, but I didn't want to make it a season preview. They definitely need to add attacking options and put a leash on Lee Cattermole. But Stéphane Sessègnon is impressive; Ahmed Elmohamady, Kieran Richardson & Gyan are all big factors, and their back line was well organized, essentially making Andy Carroll irrelevant.

Liverpool endured a frustrating opening day setback as Sunderland show resilience and courage with a touch of class from their new signing.
Liverpool showed off all their new major signings in front of their home crowd. For the first half Liverpool looked dangerous and inventive with Suarez forcing Richardson into a bad back pass which the striker pounced on and rounded the keeper; only to be brought down by Richardson.

Shay Given has ended his Manchester City nightmare with a £3 million move to Premier League rivals Aston Villa.

The Ireland goalkeeper, who signed for City from Newcastle in an attempt to win trophies, has been a frustrated figure this season after losing the number one jersey to England goalkeeper Joe Hart.

Gossip Gordon has come out of retirement to address the pressing matters of the transfer market. Gordon knows that half of these rumours are probably made-up by the cleaner at The Sun or, in a bygone era, were probably found out by certain chaps listening in on intimidate phone calls between Kevin Keegan and Alan Shearer.

Steve Bruce insists Liverpool have made no indication that they want Lee Cattermole, despite ongoing speculation over the midfielder's future.
Cattermole was linked to the Black Cats at the start of the summer, but Liverpool then negotiated a big-money deal for Jordan Henderson. However, speculation surrounding Cattermole refuses to go away.

Bruce in dark over Catt talk

Sunderland boss Steve Bruce admits he is in the dark about by reports linking midfielder Lee Cattermole with Liverpool.

View the full story here: Sky Sports

A news article on 2011-07-18 10:47:29 from: Sky Sports

This news item has been reproduced from today's media.

Bruce baffled by Cattermole to Liverpool rumours

"We have been dealing with Liverpool for the past five weeks over the Jordan Henderson deal and there was never a mention that they wanted Lee," says Sunderland boss

View the full story here: The Mirror

A news article on 2011-07-18 09:30:58 from: The Mirror

This news item has been reproduced from today's media.

Liverpool could be set to make a £10million move for Lee Cattermole with the Sunderland player devastated at losing the captaincy to new boy John O'Shea.
Black Cats boss Steve Bruce has handed his recent signing from Manchester United the armband, delivering a massive blow to the tenacious Cattermole.

Liverpool set for £10m Lee Cattermole move

Liverpool could be preparing a £10million swoop for Sunderland midfielder Lee Cattermole who has been shocked to discover John O'Shea has been handed the captain's armband.

View the full story here: The Mail

A news article on 2011-07-17 11:52:39 from: The Mail

This news item has been reproduced from today's media.

Liverpool plot £10m swoop for Sunderland midfielder

Lee Cattermole could be on his way to Anfield after being devastated at losing the captaincy

View the full story here: The Mirror

A news article on 2011-07-16 22:00:44 from: The Mirror

This news item has been reproduced from today's media.

Whilst still struggling to the cope with the loss of John O'Shea and Wes Brown to Sunderland, we've had a chat with Collin Randall from the excellent Mackem blog, Salut Sunderland, about their new signings.

Scott the Red: Are you pleased with the signings of Wes Brown and John O'Shea?

Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish is considering bidding for Sunderland's £10 million-rated midfielder Lee Cattermole.
Dalglish is keen to bolster his midfield with young English talent and is an admirer of both Cattermole and his Sunderland team-mate Jordan Henderson, who is valued at £14 million.

Not just back-to-back wins, back-to-back 3-0 wins. How about that? And one of them was away. These are heady times we live in.

Sunderland looked like a team with no forwards and no interest. When you play against a midfield containing Cattermole and Henderson you expect to have a battle on your hands, but according to the BBC Sunderland committed precisely one foul in the whole of the first half.

Dirk Kuyt and Luis Suarez fired Liverpool to victory at Sunderland as the Reds made amends for their beachball disaster on Wearside last season.
Kuyt set the visitors on their way with 33 minutes gone when he converted a hotly-disputed penalty, and Suarez completed the job with 13 minutes remaining.

Reina
Carragher Skrtel Agger Johnson
Kuyt Lucas Spearing Meireles
Suarez Carroll
Goals:
Kuyt 33' (pen)
Suarez 77'
It wouldn't be Liverpool-Sunderland of recent years without a refereeing controversy. Last season's fixture saw the infamous beach ball.

Liverpool will be hoping there are no beach balls on the pitch when they visit the Stadium of Light on Sunday.
The last time they faced the Black Cats at the Wearside venue, the now departed Darren Bent's winning goal famously deflected into the net off such a piece of beach equipment.
But even if there aren't any beach balls, boss Kenny Dalglish knows there is a potential banana skin to avoid, given the Reds have lost all three of their Premier League away games directly following a Europa League matchday this season.

Click here to view the embedded video.

GOOD WEEK

Whacked Out Warm-Up: AC Milan fans were distracted from their programme reading and pre-match routines (above) by a bunch of actors purporting to be players and arsing around on the pitch during the 'team' warm-up before the Bari game last weekend.

Sunderland's Lee Cattermole has had his ban from every pub and club in the North East region of Stockton extended for a year after he attempted to get back into some of the premises.

Any day that starts with Zizou is bound to be a good one. Image: Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images Europe.

Gems of the Lower Leagues: Danny Graham is a post from: Just Football

Just Football's 'Gems of the Lower Leagues' series continues now with a look at the Championship striker currently banging in the goals for Watford. Making his JF debut, we welcome James McMath:

Danny Graham is the Championship's joint top-scorer and an integral part of a Watford team whose attacking prowess has seen them make an unlikely challenge for promotion.

Ives Galarcep reports that U.S. midfielder Michael Bradley could be headed to the English Premier League, whose sixth-place Sunderland is lining up an offer to his German club, Borussia Moenchengladbach.
Bradley is seen as a possible replacement for captain Lee Cattermole, who has been battling a back injury.

Lots missed in a Monday where TSG wasn't at the internet terminal:

• Junior to cross Black Cats' path?

Junior, moving with ball against Colombia...will he be moving without it soon?

A Fox Soccer reported suggested Michael Bradley could be the cat's meow at Sunderland FC in the Barclays.

Lots happening over the last week or so it's time for Project 2010 to help you catch up:

The big move to report is Jermaine Jones to Blackburn. The American midfielder has joined the club on loan for the duration for the season, although Blackburn are supposedly saying they'd like to make the loan deal permanent at the end of the season.

Just days after Jermaine Jones made the move from the German Bundesliga to the English Premier League, now comes word a U.S. teammate of Jones could be joining him in the EPL.

Sunderland is lining up a transfer bid for U.S. World Cup midfielder Michael Bradley. The Black Cats are believed to be looking for a potential replacement for Lee Cattermole, who is battling a back injury and is drawing transfer interest from the likes of Liverpool, and Bradley could be just the player to solidify the midfield for Steve Bruce's side.

The TSG Sis is in from the middle of Nowheresville, Africa...so hiatus till Tuesday.

Your top 5 games for Americans to watch this weekend:

5. Saturday: Villarreal vs. Osasuna

The skinny: Yanks' fans always tune in to see if Jozy Altidore will play for the Yellow submarine, however Jersey-born

Rossi, ahead of most Americans abroad.