It’s not something I usually hasten to admit but my heart isn’t entirely hardened to Everton Football Club — and I know I’m not the only Manc Red who feels like that.

Ah well. I did take care to insert a giddy-warning in last week’s column, and it turned out to be well-founded. United’s unexpected spring offensive duly found out that Stamford was indeed A Bridge Too Far.

WHAT a sublime-to-the-ridiculous week for travelling Reds.