Worse yet, this latest damaging stalemate came against a Sunderland side that - for all the upward mobility suggested by a five-game unbeaten run - last won away in the league on the opening weekend of the season.

BBC: Aston Villa 1-1 Sunderland

Its dihedral doors open on one hinge, slanting upward for ease of ingress, and the massive side vents sitting on the rear wheels telegraph sheer speed from meters away.

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England, who are bidding to become the first side to win back-to-back World Cups, have been on an upward curve since losing to South Africa in Paris, beating Samoa, Tonga, Australia and France to reach the final.

BBC: Dallaglio hails 'smart' England