By Alan Duffy

That headline is meant to be ironic, by the way. Anyway, while the run-up to his prestigious friendly against world-beaters Spain was polluted by the ridiculous uproar over Poppygate, the game itself was a comapratively dull affair.

Two second half goals gave Derby the win in a game missing a lot of our big names, including new boy Charles N'Zogbia, but provided a useful, if uninspiring, run out for a lot of young squad players.

This post is more a stake in the ground to record the result, I managed to pick up very little during what was very much a low key, perhaps even dull, affair.

SOURCE: REPUBLICAKATHMANDU, June 15: Laxmi Hyundai Manang Marshyangdi Club (MMC) narrowed the gap to one point against leader Nepal Police Club with a nervy 1-0 win over top flight debutant Swayambhu Club on Wednesday in the Martyrs Memorial Red Bull A Division League at the Dasharath Stadim.

I guess you could forgive both sides for taking it easy today with nothing to play for and to see out the 2010/11 Premier League season. You wouldn't be surprised if this one turns out to be a dull affair with not much happening as much of the interest will be on other games that affect the bottom of the league.

Sporting Kansas City get back to league play tomorrow when the Wizards will take on the Columbus Crew at Crew Stadium. After having last week off, KC has had a chance for a few of those nagging injuries to heal up. The Crew on the other hand were busy last week when they went out to LA and took on Chivas USA.

BRUSSELS, Belgium —Three-time winner Liverpool was fortunate to leave Sparta Prague with a 0-0 draw in the first leg of their Europa League last-16 match, but fellow former champions Ajax, FC Porto and CSKA Moscow emerged with away wins on Thursday. Kenny Dalglish's first European match in charge of the Reds was a dull affair [.

Go Gunners!

When the draw was being made, I was praying for Barca and praise the God (not Henry) for he heard me. This series of events brought a sense of deja vu in me and I am not talking about the usual deja vu of playing Barca again. It brought memories of another Barca team led by another sorcerer and guided by another genius.