Alone at the top!

Yep, the air's a little thinner up here, atop the Prem after a complete matchday. TDH held the proverbial until Sunday's matches were over, and it was worth the wait. The starters were a bit surprising (Zog in defense?), but the team clicked. TDH particularly likes Butt and Smith in midfield until Joey gets back from jail. Job well done to Big Ham - histrionics and all - and to some other unlikely candidates....

First off, of course, was Sven. Shore, he noo owl de tam det hee het harred sum goot plares. Elano is definitely a talent. But it was remarkable to see them playing such elegant football with so little preparation. Perhaps Sven should simply take teams over on rush jobs, say six matches at a stretch.

And then, TDH must give special mention to Marcus Hahnemann, Reading's American keeper, who stifled every dollop that Manure could throw at him. It ain't easy, getting a point at the Theatre of Screams.

Fulham's American contingent weren't as lucky, with McBride and Bocanegra both managing to miss a goal that could have yielded a point. TDH has grave doubts about Lawrie's losers... they'll have to wait to see if three teams are really worse. Can it be? Brickface Bruce seems to say no.