Cold turkey

Is the festive season over already? Madrid sent our own Bilbao packing with a resounding 3-1 win - this we recognise. However, to be fair the comments of Fernando Lamikiz, the Bilbao manager, are a fairish if partial reflection of the real state of play. Madrid dominated the game for about 20 minutes and made the most of it to stretch the margin by two goals in their favour - Bilbao deserved a draw. There was plenty of bad blood about, as there always is between the most Basque of teams and Madrid with all their Madridismo - just take a look at the sea of fascist propaganda at the Fondo Sur end of the ground, not to mention Princess Raul's antics every time the two meet. The game degenerated into a hacking match as it so often does, with Woodgate unwhittingly entering into the spirit of things and trying to cripple anyone coming his way. That was why he was given a rousing ovation as he left after being sent off - this was Bilbao and he'd been having a go at the Basques (even if he didn't realise it). Still, he managed to score his debut goal, even if it was in his own net and provided us here at a-m with moment of well-appreciated mirth (see photo). Thanks Woody keep it up, let's hope your first hat trick's just as impressive.