Burley to avoid black cats

Left post, right post, crossbar. A ball over the line. Two disallowed goals. The softest of penalties. Kenwyne Jones getting an attack of the wobbles inside the box. Mere coincidence or half a season's back luck in the space of 90 minutes?

Saints famously were unable to win at St Mary's until a white witch came and blessed the pitch which was believed to have been built over an old burial ground. Sure enough, Saints won our next game.

Saints need to find the white witch and undo whatever curse has befallen manager George Burley. In the meantime, the manager should avoid ladders, wear a rabbit's foot and stay well clear of black cats (Sunderland included on present form).

Better still he should restore Jesus to the starting line-up, as with our present luck we need a miracle to win in the League. Worse still we return to Palace on Tuesday, scene of an equally unfortunate performance in the 2-1 reverse. Talk about bad luck.