According to the letter of the law, referee Mike Jones should have disallowed Darren Bent's strike after it hit the now infamous beachball and bounced into the net.

To be fair, the man in the middle seemed to try his best to atone for his error as the game went on, giving more than the odd contentious decision in the Reds favour.

But even that couldn't help Liverpool to get anything from the game, although they did throw everything at us towards the end.

It may seem like rough justice to the Reds, but to everyone else it was downright hilarious – particularly Manchester Uinted fans, who have apparently been lining up to buy one of the infamous beachball online.

In fact, so popular is the inflatable Liverpool memento the club's website has sold out of the offending article ahead of next week's clash between Liverpool and United.

So doubt the stewards will be in for a busy time this weekend as a barrage of the now 'must-have' beachballs find their way onto the Anfield pitch from the away end.

If I was a Liverpool supporter I think I'd struggle to see the funny side, but while the goal was a fluke and should not have been allowed, I certainly think the lads deserved something from the game.

Of course, had we won without the beachball incident, everyone would probably have been talking about the absence of Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres for the Merseysiders.

But beachball or no beachball, we played exceptionally well in the first half, and really took the game to the Reds.

There were also a number of top performances, not least from Lorik Cana, who was immense.

There's no doubt the Albania international is already becoming a cult-figure on Wearside, and on Saturday he showed true leadership, especially when he was asked to switch to centre-half.

It wasn't all roses for the Black Cats, with both Lee Cattermole and Kenwyne Jones stretchered off during the 1-0 win.

Hopefully, the knocks aren't too serious, but early reports suggest Cattermole could be out for some time, which could be a major blow.

I'm honest enough to admit that I wasn't Cattermole's biggest fan when he first signed, but I'm more than willing to hold my hands up and say that I got it wrong.

Both he and Cana are key members of our midfield, and we could well do without the young Teessider having to miss a few games.

Still, even if it is bad news, we shouldn't be too deflated. Sometimes life's a beach: just ask Rafa Benitez.