Cornish Steve

You don't like French? You'd prefer Redworld?

The big clue is Jonathan Walters.

I thought he started on July 1st. Oops - I'm behind the times. Others already pointed this out. Sorry!

OK. Jonathan Walters scores a goal direct from a free kick. To his surprise, the ref doesn't give the goal but instead points to the corner spot. Why?

Hey, you're good!

I thought I read that Wanyama is signing with Southampton.

Why would Bryan Robson, even in his younger days, struggle to play polo? (For the sake of argument, assume he is an excellent horse rider.)

Give your dad a pint! The Yankees did not score despite making four hits in each of the nine innings. For example, lead man gets a hit, second hitter hits into a double play: now there's two out and three empty bases. The next three batters each get a hit (bases are now loaded). The next two batters strike out. Four hits, no runs. There's more than one way to score a run without getting a hit, or a walk, or drawing an error. The key is that an 'error' is defined as a fielding error. If the pitcher hits the batter, or if it's a passed ball, it's not counted as an error. (I believe that's also true of a wild pitch or a balk.) So, the first Braves batter reaches base on a passed ball. On the next pitch, the runner at first base steals second. On the next pitch, the runner steals third base. On the next pitch, the batter hits a sacrifice fly, and the runner scored. The pitcher throws a no-hitter, there are no errors and no walks, but his team still loses.

They, like Boston, are very good at snatching defeat from the jaws of victory.

Your definition of a perfect game is not quite accurate. And, I might add, there's no mention of a perfect game in the question.

I should clarify then: The game was over after nine innings.

This one may be a little difficult since baseball is more an American sport. Still.... The Yankees are playing the Braves at baseball. Over nine innings, the Yankees manage 36 hits, their pitcher throws a complete game no-hitter while walking no one, and no errors are charged against the team. Despite these numbers, the Braves still win the game. How is this possible?

Strictly, this is the most correct answer. Nowhere in the original question is there any requirement that the game must continue until all balls are potted. Indeed, many of the games we watch on TV end when a player throws in the towel. So, strictly speaking, the correct answer to the question is one point.

My former manager whose last name would be autocorrected to 'ghastlier'. Caused more than one embarrassing moment.

The US has provided the EPL with several fine goalkeepers, Tim Howard among them. In other positions, few have really made it, with the exception of Donovan and Dempsey. With the increasing popularity of football in the US, and the fact that huge numbers of youngsters play in organized leagues around the country, maybe it's an untapped market when looking for transfer targets. At the GK position, there are Bill Hamid and Sean Johnson - both young and currently playing for MLS teams. At 20 years old, Juan Agudelo is earning himself a reputation and has represented his country. Given how few Americans today play for the top clubs in Europe, those who do tend to have a huge following. We could do worse than take a look at some of these emerging young players.

He offered you bait, and now you're hooked. Oh whale, that one tanked. At this point, I'm floundering. Enough to make you eel.

That's what happens when I type a message using my iPhone. If the press do trawl forums for news, I can't wait for the next headline: "Everton look to sign Gareth Bale's brother!"

Love it!

In that case, did you know that we're getting Garett Bale on a free?

What's the fewest number of points a snooker player can score and still win the game?

True.

Ok, another football question: According to the rules of association football, is a square football pitch allowed?

Quite right, on all counts. For a throw-in or corner kick, the sub is not yet officially on the pitch and cannot contribute to play.

In football, a new substitute may perform only one of the following three things as his first action in the game: (i) take a throw-in; (ii) take a corner kick; (iii) take a free kick. Which is the substitute allowed to do?

This is what I had in mind. I saw this rule applied years ago. The final batsman in an innings hit the ball in the air for an easy catch. The fielder removed his cap, pretended to bow, and caught the ball in his cap. To everyone's surprise, the batsman was given not out and his team was awarded five runs.