This might have been nicknamed "Stalemate" rather than "Super" Sunday, though Rafael Benítez will have taken some satisfaction in the frustration his tactics ensured. By stringing five across midfield with the enterprising Robbie Keane told to patrol the left touchline, Benítez aimed to stifle possession from Villa's most effervescent attacking players by cramping midfield.

Lucas Leiva, Javier Mascherano and Xabi Alonso denied the home side's counter-attack by suffocating the supply line to their creative personnel. Gareth Barry, Nicky Shorey and Stiliyan Petrov had no room in which to manoeuvre and feed the pacey Ashley Young. With the winger denied the ball, Benítez would claim his tactic worked perfectly, though it was painful viewing.

The quintet in the middle were all solid determination and their work-rate earned them this point. Yet it is hard not to wonder whether Benítez has had some bad experiences in the past with wide players. His side lacks width and creative wingers. Dirk Kuyt must wonder sometimes why a player who scored so many goals with Feyenoord has been shifted to the flank. That, for sure, is down to his work-rate. Keane, too, will not relish spells patrolling the touchlines having been bought, surely, to partner Fernando Torres in attack. He was moved further up as the game progressed, but the philosophy - stifle first and foremost - remained.

Albert Riera's role, should he complete his move today, will be interesting in the weeks to come. Villa, by contrast, ended up with attacking full-backs in Nigel Reo-Coker and Barry, and orthodox wingers in Young and James Milner. They won free-kicks by attacking the full-backs and crossing early into dangerous areas, but the threat was only ever sporadic. Pepe Reina and Brad Friedel were virtually redundant. Usually a goalless scoreline reflects credit to one or both keepers. Not here.