ELEVEN ASIDES

Talking of Euro 2000...

Jeepers keepers: David Seaman, England's No 1, let one in against Boro, although the Gunners ran out comfortable 5-1 winners. His nearest rival, Nigel Martyn, continued his imperious form when Leeds defeated Bradford 2-1. Kevin Keegan's third choice, Ian Walker, kept a clean sheet as Spurs won 1-0 at The Dell.

He's not in the squad: And you know why, as Germany's Stefan Schnoor was sent off in the first half of Derby's home defeat to Manchester United, for a second bookable offence.

Then again... World champion defender Frank Leboeuf was sent off against Everton and, yes, you guessed it, for a second bookable offence.

Memo to KK: Jamie Redknapp, who was played out on the left of midfield for England in the two play-off matches against Scotland, was back in the centre, orchestrating Liverpool's impressive 2-0 away win at Sunderland. How about playing him there, Kev?

Support from an old pal: "I wasn't happy with it. Who are we to have a go at the England captain?" asked Watford's manager, Graham Taylor, who handed Shearer his international debut in 1992. "But I know Alan well and the heckling would have been water off a duck's back to him."

Ready for the calls? For Gazza to be recalled to the England fold, that is. Having made his first appearance for Boro in over two months, the troubled genius is surely only a couple of games away from a return. To the treatment room?

Czech the passport: Patrik Berger, the Czech Republic midfielder, underlined his position as one of the best left-sided players in Europe after scoring Liverpool's second goal yesterday. Maybe he has an English grandfather?

Remember us? Manchester United's Nicky Butt and Andy Cole reminded the England coach of their worth in the Reds' 2-1 win at Derby County.

Orange zest: International forwards Marc Overmars and Dennis Bergkamp treated Highbury to a Dutch master class, as Overmars scored a hat-trick and his Holland team-mate netted a brace in Arsenal's 5-1 demolition of Middlesbrough.

Music to England ears: Michael Owen, who couldn't hit a cow's backside with a banjo in recent weeks, re-tuned to score a solo goal in Liverpool's 2-0 at Sunderland.

Tall and very slow? Not yesterday. Chelsea's Norwegian centre-forward, Tore Andre Flo, scored a last-gasp equaliser against Everton at Goodison Park to keep Chelsea in the Premiership chase. Just.

Alex Hayes