Aiding and abetting

Noteworthy contributions from two members of the current Newcastle squad in the weekend's internationals: Bigger Lad - operating as a lone striker as he has for us for much of the season - provided the knock-down for Danny Rose to score the only goal of England U21's home win over their Portuguese counterparts, while Cameroon qualified for next summer's World Cup thanks in part to Geremi, whose corner was nodded home by Inter Milan striker Samuel Eto'o for a 2-0 lead.

Meanwhile, Obafemi Martins - who's been in good goalscoring form on the occasions he's actually been selected to play for new club Wolfsburg - scored twice to seal Nigeria's dramatic passage into the World Cup draw. No such joy for Messrs Given and Duff, whose Republic of Ireland side went down 1-0 at home to the French in the first leg of their play-off. It may not be all over for the Irish just yet, but it certainly doesn't look too promising.

And did anyone else watch James Milner putting in a good performance in England's friendly against Brazil with a mixture of pleasure and regret?