Arsenal also missed chances as Samir Nasri had his free-kick parried by Sunderland goalkeeper Simon Mignolet, Marouane Chamakh was thwarted by the crossbar and Arshavin shot tamely from 12 yards.

BBC: Arsenal 0-0 Sunderland

This was doubly humiliating, not just for me but also for my parents, because Uncle Simon's wife, Marie, had pulled strings to get me into prestigious Congregation Shearith Israel, the majestic Spanish and Portuguese synagogue at 70th Street and Central Park West.

WSJ: Passover Challenged

But Ledley and Edwards have also been operated on lately, as have Simon and Brian Stock, so we have had little continuity in midfield.

BBC: Fulham's Simon Davies calls time on Wales career

I'm also really interested to see how Simon Taylor goes, the Scottish back-rower has had a lot of trouble with injuries but he is a real talent and I hope Bath can get the best out of him.

BBC: Jeremy Guscott's Premiership preview

Plaid Cymru AM Simon Thomas also referred to the incident whilst discussing broadband as he questioned whether the first minister had actually watched the programme in full on the replay service.

BBC: First minister's questions

Joe Royle, Peter Reid, Graeme Souness and Jean Tigana had already been interviewed for the position, while Paul Jewell, Iain Dowie and Simon Grayson were also linked.

BBC: Holloway appointed Leicester boss