Beach-ball-gate exclusive...it was Jan the Man

FootyNotes can exclusively reveal that it was NOT a beachball which deflected in Darren Bent's winner for Sunderland on Saturday. We also have exclusive news from Spurs and Man Utd.

The Football Association have confirmed that it was in fact former Reds midfielder Jan Molby who was thrown on to the pitch and inadvertently deflected Bent's shot.

Said a spokesman: "We saw some big red thing rolling around and assumed it was a beachball. We apologise to Mr Molby for any embarrassment caused."

Liverpool fans are furious and have confirmed they are planning to throw Thomas Brolin on the pitch for next week's Man Utd game "as he has a much bigger ass".

Meanwhile Rafa Benitez confirmed that Molby's contribution was "still better than anything Ryan Babel has done this season".

HAPPY HARRY SUFFERS ABUSE GAUNTLET

Spurs manager Harry Redknapp was seething after suffering vicious abuse at Fratton Park on Saturday during his team's 2-1 win.

Shouts of 'why did you never give me a game you devil-eyed bastard', 'where are my bloody wages' and 'you promised my cousin a green card' were audible from an area of the ground police described as "the pitch".

Said a spokesman: "The offenders were wearing blue shirts and white shorts and spent a lot of time falling over so they were hard to identify."

FERGIE ANGRY ABOUT REF.....AGAIN

Sir Alex Ferguson has once hit out at referees fitness after Man U scraped past Bolton 2-1 at Old Trafford.

The United supremo blasted: "First off I told the ref to start at right back but he was running all over the pitch and acting in manner which even gave an advantage to the opposition. He seemed to be remonstrating with members of my team and waving red and yellow things at them which I did not permit.

"He was clearly being outpaced by their wide players which in these days of professionally corrupt refs is an absolute disgrace."