No end to the Roman empire

THEY MIGHT as well wrap up the Premiership trophy now and send it by special delivery to Stamford Bridge with a card attached: ‘To be returned when Roman Abramovich takes up another hobby.’ That might be next year, in five years, in a decade, perhaps even longer.

As long as the Russian retains his interest in English football then the rest can forget about winning the most prized domestic trophy.

We’ve suspected as much for some time, but still it was chilling to hear Alex Ferguson admitting as much after Man United’s disappointing goalless draw at Highbury.