If you look in the dictionary they sell in the shiny new Spurs Shop (the biggest in the world, largest in Europe, shiniest ANYWHERE, bestest, grandest, most magnificentest…) and find the word ‘Schadenfreude’, the definition that comes up is: “Everton 1, Arsenal 0”. Furthermore, for the full effect, for the uber-schadenfreude, taking it to the next level and beyond, just sprinkle in a temper tantrum by Mezut Ozil, throwing his coat around, because there were no toys in his pram.

The German national who loves President Erdogan has always been controversial. He alternates between ‘midfield maestro’ and ‘the biggest waste of 350 grand a week there has ever been’, depending on the fortunes of his club at any particular time. He is emphatically not a player you bring on when you’re losing, to try and turn the tide. That’s not Ozil. He’s a player who excels when his team are totally dominant, running rampage and already 4-0 up. At home. Obviously. Arsenal can’t play away matches and have requested such things be banned next season. In the interest of fairness.

Meanwhile, everyone’s favourite pundit, funny man, wry Scotsman and ginger-haired commentator, Gordon Strachan, has caused something of a shitstorm and lost his job on Sky Sports in the process. The latest in a long line of (2) Scottish ex-strikers to fall foul of the network for inappropriate comments.

Gordon was misunderstood. In that hypersensitive, ultra-pc way that anyone in the media must stand scrutiny. He said that Adam Johnson would be pillaried by the fans if he came back to football following his release from prison for sex offences. That’s the unquestionable bit. Because footy fans just luuuurve a sex offender. The more contentious part when he followed it with: ‘but should we treat the abusive fans in the same way we deal wilth racist abuse?’.

Oh my. What a thing to say. What a… what a… well, in fact, what the fuck?? He’s right. Obviously he’s not comparing being black to being a statutory rapist, nor claiming the same rights for both groups. All he’s saying is: “abuse is abuse; whoever its directed at and needs to be stopped”.But you can’t compare ANYTHING to racism, the current curse of the game. Even tangentially. Even by implication. Like you can never question ANYTHING about Grenfell Tower. The PC red lines are as bigoted as everyone else’s.

He’ll get over it. So rather than worry, this is possibly my favourite ever Lila picture, certainly my favourite from yesterday, at least. A moment of total ‘connection’ that looks as wonderful as it really was.

Happy Monday

A xxxx