Friends and foes defend record-breaker Dunne

THE latest addition to an already unwanted record, and with it a late stab at football’s Christmas DVD blooper market had unexpected consequences for Richard Dunne.

Far from making him out as the subject of ridicule, the Dubliner’s ungainly shank in his attempt to clear a Steed Malbranque cross saw team-mates and opponents alike falling over themselves to offer consolation wrapped-up in the form of glowing character references.

If Dunne wanted the earth to open up after his 25th-minute error, when he steered into his own net to allow Sunderland stretch a seven-game unbeaten run, then no-one was willing to help him start digging, even in the merciless arena of Premier League dressing room banter.