ITV Executive Chairman Michael Grade fumbles out an excuse

So, the advert break wasn’t down to human error, but it was the result of a “manual override”? We can’t help but think those two things are contradictory, Mr Grade.

(If our experiences with Garry Cook tell us anything, we should look upon all ‘Executive Chairmen’ with a degree of mistrust.)

[Video: 101GG]

What if the ITV FA Cup blunder was deliberate?

ITV’s decision to show us 117 minutes of unwatchable tripe and then cut away from the only interesting moment has been met with fierce criticism by all the daily newspapers (The Sun provides furious fan quotes; the consistently outraged Daily Mail told us it’s the immigrants’ fault and everything would be better if Princess Diana was still here).

One thing all the reports of the blunder had in common, however, is that they specifically mentioned the three companies whose products were shilled while Dan Gosling was scoring the winner - Tic Tacs, Action for Children and Volkswagen. They all received a massive amount of free publicity from the debacle - is it at all possible that Tic Tacs and co struck a deal with the ITV devil to work their way into the national consciousness?

[Our theory is flawed by the fact that they couldn’t have planned for extra time or for a last minute goal, but everyone loves a good conspiracy, right? If you need us, we’ll be on the roof of Spoiler towers with our shotguns and tin foil hats.]

TV blunder helps nation miss late goal

Nineteen-year-old midfielder Dan Gosling will always have the memory of steering in a 118th minute winner that saw Everton progress to the fifth round of the FA Cup ahead of Liverpool. Unfortunately, most ITV viewers will not have this memory, thanks to Tic Tacs.

Aware that the Merseyside Derby was dreadfully boring, someone at ITV decided the nation would be much better off with a set of adverts instead. Unfortunately, the timing wasn’t great, as ITV were forced to cut back to Everton players celebrating their last gasp winner.

Aside from Lucas Leiva’s dismissal and some socks on the pitch, nothing else happened. If you must, check out the highlights after the jump…

Microphones pick up terribly naughty chant

Note to League One football supporters: Sing an offensive chant about the broadcaster that shows your second round FA Cup game, and karma may just dish out a nasty surprise…

[Off The Post]

Setanta finally strike deal with channel three

Even thoroughly unpopular politician Gordon Brown was disappointed by the lack of England highlights on terrestrial television during the recent World Cup Qualifiers, and it appears that the nation’s prayers have been answered.

Yesterday, it was announced that ITV have struck a ‘£1million-plus’ deal with Setanta to show highlights of the remaining three away World Cup qualifiers in the Ukraine, Belarus and Kazakhstan. With our new-found faith in the national side and the exciting propsect of another Jimmy Bullard call-up, you won’t want to miss them.

Convenient Spoiler reader offer: If you want to watch the England away games in full, in addition to shedloads of live Premier League games, you can subscribe to Setanta and pay just £6.50 for the first two months. Simply click here and quote Spoiler code ‘2650′

Mrs Harry Kewell could be off to Italy

After his release from Liverpool, word on the rumour vine is that Socceroo Harry Kewell could be joining forgetful Norwegian John Arne Riise at Roma. Unfortunately, this tiny island would become one fine WAG lighter, as his wife Sheree Murphy (and their three children) would also head off to the land of pasta, corruption and inexplicably good looking people.