Men no longer at work

Australia were reminded yesterday that football is a cruel game, exiting the World Cup following Italian substitute Francesco Totti's 94th minute penalty. The spot kick was awarded after Fabio Grosso took advantage of Lucas Neill's prostrate form and went to ground easily. Then again, Neill has got away with so much in the Premiership that perhaps it was time he got his comeuppance.

The Aussies' exit means no more World Cup involvement for our very own Craig Moore, who defended stoutly throughout the tournament and yesterday made an impression of a rather more physical kind on Luca Toni, winning the ball and taking out the Italian striker in one particularly ferocious tackle. Moore can return home just in time to join in with the start of training for our forthcoming campaign...

Jean-Alain Boumsong is now the only current Newcastle player still with any direct interest in the World Cup, but the likelihood of him dirtying his boots would seem to be slim - especially as France are widely expected to be dumped out of the tournament by Spain tonight.