Coming home empty-handed

What a shame for Mr T. Selected for the final of the African Cup of Nations (and, somewhat oddly, sporting the number nine shirt), he played his part as Ivory Coast struggled to exert their superiority over underdogs Zambia. Needless to say, he picked up a second-half booking (soft) and could even have walked for an unsubtle foul not long afterwards.

The game still goalless at the end of extra time, Mr T stepped up to take the first of his country's penalties and made no mistake. Sadly, the same couldn't be said of compatriots and fellow Premier League players Kolo Toure and Gervinho, as Zambia and their male model of a coach Herve Renard won an improbable victory.

I pity the fool who next crosses Mr T. Karl Henry will be back from suspension when Wolves visit in a fortnight...

To complete a miserable weekend for Newcastle and Newcastle-affiliated players, Haris Vuckic endured a decidedly inauspicious debut for Cardiff yesterday. No sooner had I hailed the Bluebirds' loan signing as a smart piece of business than he'd conceded a penalty that put Leicester en route for the win, before being hauled off at half-time by Malky Mackay.