But Fuller put Stoke ahead with a turn of pace fellow Jamaican Usain Bolt would have admired, as he moved on to Lawrence's pass, neatly flicked the ball round Laursen and outpaced the Villa defender to score from a tight angle.

BBC: Stoke 3-2 Aston Villa

Mr Romney could turn out to be plausible on this criterion: he should tack to the centre in 2012 if he can bolt the nomination down.

ECONOMIST: Christopher Lockwood bemoans reality