Soccer: Manchester United swagger too soon

The weekend saw a telling victory for the "we respect the opposition" brigade.

The English soccer premiership was virtually over anyway, as Manchester United captain Gary Neville observed last week.

But if it wasn't then it is now, after champions Chelsea saw off Bolton and Manchester United drew with Sunderland.

In terms of Sunderland upsets, nothing will match their FA Cup final win over mighty Leeds in the early 1970s.

But this came close.

Manchester United, desperate for a win at home over a side who had won just twice all season, were even kept scoreless.

United's famous boss, Sir Alex Ferguson, had talked up Bolton while ruminating about a big win over Sunderland to help his side's goal differential.

Manchester United looked like a cocky team with their mind on the wrong job.