Following an initial strop of unprecedented proportions, Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez finally conceded that his battle of wills with Manchester United supremo Sir Alex Ferguson was over, for now at least.
Benitez had congratulated Manchester United on their Premiership title winning season, but refused to countenance saying anything complementary about Sir Alex.
Having been given a little time to calm down, the temperamental Reds manager drove to Cheshire today, to Sir Alex's home, where he said he was sorry and presented Fergie with a case of Bordeaux and took him for a pint down at the local pub.
The two were seen together drinking wine and discussing tactics. A meal followed, with Rafa footing the bill, at which point he stood and hoisted Sir Alex's arm aloft in recognition of the Govaner's superiority.
Rafa told us afterwards:
"The events of this season have taught me that I still have a lot to learn from older, wiser men, such as Sir Alex. You never see his players involved in the kind of nonsense that happened between Jamie Carragher and Arbeloa yesterday. I cannot defeat this wily old fox in the guile stakes, unless, maybe I can sign Carlos Tevez. Now there's a thought..."
Sir Alex was seen laughing and shaking his head in disbelief as he got into a taxi.
Football eh? Bloody hell!
