There were some admirable players on the platform, including Adrian Chandler, the first violinist, and Dorothea Seel, who was a graceful and gentle flute soloist in the second suite.
I'm grateful to the editor of League Express, Martyn Sadler, for drawing attention in his Talking Rugby League column to the retirement of Gary Broadbent, one of the most courageous, durable and admirable players of the last two decades.
Tactically smart, Norwich's work-rate was also admirable, their players often doubling up on Tottenham's main threats like Gareth Bale and Aaron Lennon.
Tactically smart, Hull's work-rate was also admirable, their players often doubling up on City's main threats Toure and David Silva.
Kyle Walker was a constant source of danger down the Spurs right, as was Bale, but Wigan's work-rate was admirable, their players doubling up on Spurs' main threats.
Tactically smart, Leeds' work-rate was also admirable, their players often doubling up on Everton's main threats like Marouane Fellaini, while Victor Anichibe found he had unwelcome, unstinting company throughout.
In a lissome account of Mozart's Sonata in B flat (K. 454), you heard the admirable cohesion these players have forged.
David Batty may have been a disagreeable runt in many ways, but his stiff-upper-lip reaction to missing a penalty and losing to Argentina in France '98 was admirable; of the players I saw on Saturday, only Gary Neville showed similar fortitude.
The work-rate was admirable too, City players often doubling up on United's main threats like Kagawa, while Van Persie found he had unwelcome, unstinting company.
