FOOTBALL: ELEVEN ASIDES

Sharp shooters: The fastest goal in England yesterday was scored after 13 seconds by Bury's Ian Lawson in their 2-2 draw with Brentford. The quickest Premiership strike came courtesy of Leicester's Emile Heskey, in the second minute of their 2-1 away defeat to West Ham.

Room for one more? Clydebank were cheered on to their 1-1 draw with Raith by 232 delirious fans. Meanwhile, Rangers had to settle for a crowd of 48,849 as they beat Dundee United 4-1 at Ibrox.

It melts your heart: East Stirling's keeper is called Butter. It's little wonder, then, that he let one slip through his fingers against Forfar yesterday. The scorer is already a brand name in Scotland; not surprising as he's called Ralph Brand.

I've heard that before: "We looked frightened to death." Brian Kidd, the Blackburn Rovers manager after the 2-1 home defeat to Barnsley yesterday. Or was it after they lost 2-1 at Ewood Park to Nottingham Forest last season?

That's ambition for you: "Coventry are a good team and Gordon Strachan is a great manager. I am sure they will be up there in the middle of the table." Robbie Keane, the Sky Blues' latest signing, who scored two goals on his debut.

Numbers game: Records will read: Richard Gough (36). That figure indicates when the goal was scored and not the Everton defender's age. You all know that he is, in fact, 37.

Thanks for coming: Tommy Widdrington of Port Vale was sent off for serious foul play after only two minutes of the game against Birmingham. His team lost 4-2.

Only one Shearer? World famous Shearer - Lee Shearer that is - scored a penalty in Dover's 3-0 win over Nuneaton.

Pull the other one: The Second Division match between Chesterfield and Bristol City, originally scheduled for Monday 30 August, has been postponed. Why? Because of international call-ups of course.

Who to blame? Ruud Gullit changed tack and pointed the finger at misfortune rather than his players after they drew 3-3 at home to Wimbledon. "It's incredible that in vital places you get injuries and it can cost you the game. It happened today. We were so unlucky." The weather is next.

Lucky 13: Tottenham lead the top table for the first time since 1986 after a 2-1 win at Sheffield Wednesday. How long will it last, though, as Man Utd and Arsenal play today?