Blackburn Rovers 1; Manchester United 0: Shortly before 2 pm on Saturday a black Lamborghini screeched into Blackburn's car park and, after much "look at me" revving, swept into a vacant space.
Out stepped Dwight Yorke, who walked towards a group of waiting fans with the air of a man expecting to sign several books of autographs. Instead the forward, a non-playing substitute against his former employers, was largely ignored; the supporters preferred to coo over his car, with one man rendered so awestruck he repeatedly stroked a tyre.
Three hours later Graeme Souness was massaging the ego of another striker, confident his praise would not turn the head of Jonathan Stead, the 21-year-old who has replaced Yorke in the affections of Rovers aficionados.
"I've made mistakes about people I've brought here in the past," admitted Blackburn's manager, who had just seen Stead score his sixth goal in 11 Premiership appearances after leaving Huddersfield. "I've spoken glowingly about people when I didn't realise their attitude wasn't right, but I'm confident what I'm saying now won't go to Jon's head. He has a fantastic attitude and he listens. Jon hangs on your every word and wants to learn. He also shows everyone respect."
Stead, whose goal arrived when he met Paul Gallagher's adroit pass to direct a rising, right-foot shot over Tim Howard, is the first player to be transferred from the Third Division to the Premiership since Tommy Miller swapped Hartlepool for Ipswich three years ago.
Stead did not take up football until his 11th year when his mother remarried and her husband expressed horror that the boy, then a keen swimmer, had never played.
No one else really looked like scoring during a strangely polite game played at exhibition pace. Things were enlivened only by Stead's zeal for debunking Wes Brown's England credentials and some bickering between Garry Flitcroft and Phil Neville.
Alex Ferguson arranged United's midfield diamond with Eric Djemba-Djemba at its base and Kleberson at the apex. Neither convinced, thereby emphasising why United's manager cannot afford to fall out with the reputedly still injured Ruud van Nistelrooy and Roy Keane, neither of whom travelled to Ewood.
Meanwhile Nicky Butt, out of position on the right, struggled against Michael Gray in a cameo which suggested selling David Beckham was a huge mistake.
"When you see how we've performed over the last few weeks it's not looking good," said Mikael Silvestre. "Sometimes our concentration and determination is missing. I think everyone is committed but it has to be from the first minute right to the end."
Ferguson, whose players appeared worried about sustaining injuries ahead of the FA Cup final, conceded that Chelsea "are in pole position" to finish second, so condemning United to the perils of the Champions League preliminary round. Ferguson requires no reminders that Newcastle, third last May, were beaten by Partizan Belgrade in this season's qualifier.
Perhaps United's priorities were misplaced here. After all, winning the FA Cup but then missing out on the Champions League would be a bit like a footballer boasting a Lamborghini but lacking a first-team place.
Guardian Service
