The big kick-about
As a supporter of the mighty Man U, how do I feel about van Persie? Pleased, but mildly astonished that SAF paid that amount of money for a 29-year-old with one year left on his contract. As he said, you have to hand it to Arsene Wenger; over the years, his dealing in the transfer market has been exceptional.
It will be interesting to see how RvP is fitted into the side; having been a student of Sir Alex (He poured me a pint once, in a pub near Hampden) for more than a few years now, I suspect that it might not be as expected. However he lines up, he and Rooney can’t win the league on their own, but the left back can lose it, as he did last year, and that’s where more cash needs spending. Go and buy Baines from Everton, Fergie. They will always need the money.
My tip for the title? Sadly, Man City again, from Chelsea, United and Arsenal, not necessarily in that order. For the drop? Reading, Swansea, Norwich.
And in Scotland. Celtic, of course; below them, who cares?
Quintin Jardine's blog 
Think you may need to consider swapping Swansea for Liverpool after yesterdays results.
I know it’s only 1 match but looks as if Swansea have pulled off yet another masterstroke in the signing of Michael Laudrup.
Just maybe Rangers should consider going for his big brother
More likely QPR than Liverpool. WBA had a big assist from the ref, and with Steve Clarke in charge there, that one was written in the great book of football. As for QPR, they could do with some defenders. Yesterday the Southampton manager was favourite for first Premier League manager to be sacked, but another performance like that and Mark Hughes will overtake him.
Brian Laudrup for Ibrox? I think you’ll find he’s happy being the Danish TV equivalent of Gary Neville and Jamie Redknapp.