I feel this burning need to talk about football. There’s so many other issues pressing down on me, but in times of stress, we all need some relief, some hope and, even, some joy. Because we came third in the rugby World Cup; winning it became a touch difficult after losing the semi-final last weekend, so third will have to do. So that’s fairly good. Then I watched as Harry Kane, who at one time played for Spurs, if you can remember those days, scored a goal yesterday for Bayern Munich, from inside his own half. One of the hat-trick he notched up yesterday. And there is no easier way than scoring that kind of goal to forever after become a ‘legend’. It happened when Beckham did it against Wimbledon, when he was so young he wasn’t even married to a Spice Girl. Nayim did it against Arsenal and never even met a Spice Girl. And Pedro Mendez did it for Spurs against Man United and… and… it was disallowed.

So then, wonder-kid Jude Bellingham scored twice for Real Madrid against Barca in the El Classico yesterday and one of his, although well inside the enemy half, was a thing of memorable beauty. And he’s only 12, been in Madrid about 3 weeks and reached legendary status on just about his first match anyway.

So England’s strike force is looking more potent than ever. Even if it’s not playing over here. Yet of the teams who are playing over here, we need to see who is the best, currently. And perched confidently, quite beautifully, and for more than just the usual ‘2 hours before Man City play’, sit my very own Tottenham Hotspur. Because after our win against Crystal Palace on Friday night (whilst I was knee deep in Japanese food) we went 5 points clear at the top and so will stay there until we fail to win a match. Though it must be noted that Arsenal won so reduced our lead to 2 points. But Arsenal’s win was tainted. I suppose they had to play Sheffield United, the team which defines the massive gulf between the Premiership and ‘the rest’, and who have amassed one whole point in their 10 matches at the top table, but Arsenal shouldn’t really be gifted points at this important part of the season.

Liverpool look like beating Forest, right now, but football is a game of two halves and they’ve only won the first one. The Manchesters play each other later today and Chelsea don’t count because they’re useless, a state which we hope will continue until at least well after next Monday’s match against Spurs.

South Africa beat the All Blacks in the rugby last night, to claim the title of World Cup winners by one point. Having won the last three games each by just one point. Leaving a trail of opposing kickers ruing any missed conversions or penalties. But that’s rugby. New Zealand down to 14 men because of a high tackle and that’s massively punitive and was duly punished by the relentless, formidable, quite outstanding but really quite horrible South Africans.

Spurs don’t play rugby.

Happy Sunday

A xxxx