An estimated five million people took the day off work yesterday to nurse an extended New Year hangover.

If you were among the one in six workers who stayed in bed, you missed the triumphant return of Early Doors after its own spell of festive slothfulness.

But Early Doors forgives you. In fact, by way of tribute to a nation of skivers, it is not going to try very hard this morning.

After all, if you're getting into work for half seven on a Thursday morning, you've at least earned the right to be a little slapdash, haven't you?

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It seems a restorative day in the pub helped Premier League crowds return to form last night.

After criticism of a funereal atmosphere at Old Trafford on New Year's Day, Liverpool and Newcastle supporters showed why they are dubbed the best fans in the world. By themselves at least.

Toon fans have long since turned on boss Sam Allardyce, but showed their loyalty to the team by leaving en masse long before the end of the 2-0 defeat at home to Manchester City.

Not because they are fickle, you understand, but because they wanted to spare the blushes of their beloved players by making a dignified exit.

Over on Merseyside, Liverpool were booed off at the end of their 1-1 draw against Wigan. And this from fans who carried out public demonstrations in support of Rafa Benitez about three days ago.

If Early Doors had a sound grasp of what the word 'capricious' meant, it would probably use it to describe Liverpool fans.

Two draws seem to have caused scales to fall from the eyes of the Anfield faithful, who now realise what everyone else has known since, well, August actually - namely, Liverpool will not win the league.

The jeers were a strange reward for Benitez, who finally ditched his manic squad rotation policy by starting both Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres in all four games over the festive period.

Expect the Spaniard to hit back by starting a front three of Crouch, Voronin and Jack Hobbs against Luton in the Cup this weekend.

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Robbie Savage is on the verge of moving from Blackburn to Sunderland, presumably so he can be closer to his family.

Savage left Birmingham for Blackburn in 2005, famously saying he wanted to be nearer to his parents in Wrexham.

However, a quick go on the AA routefinder will tell you that Blackburn is actually four miles further from the Savage nest (74 miles versus 70).

But not as far away as Sunderland, which is a whopping 184 miles away.

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Paul Jewell's tenure at Derby is already starting to bear fruit. The miracle-working manager has turned them from the team that put the Ram into ramshackle into a group of players resembling a real Premier League outfit.

Fulham.

Jewell's men have replaced the Cottagers as the kings of late heartbreak, conceding another last-gasp winner at the Reebok Stadium last evening.

In the last seven games, they have let in decisive late goals against Sunderland, Newcastle, Liverpool and now Bolton.

If only football matches were 85 minutes long, Derby would have three additional draws and a win, giving the five extra points and placing them... oh, still bottom.

Should have hung on for the Newcastle job, eh, Paul?

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QUOTES OF THE DAY:

"The chairmen [of Bolton and Chelsea] are discussing [a transfer]. I really hope it happens - especially as I am eligible to play in the Champions League."

"I want to go to a bigger club and that's what [Manchester] City have become under a manager such as Eriksson, who I was ready to join in 1999 at Lazio."

"Staying at Bolton, where I am very happy, wouldn't be a punishment either."

Nicolas Anelka - decisively indecisive.

FOREIGN VIEW: Corriere dello Sport claims Juventus are ready to splash out for Javier Mascherano, with Liverpool umming and aahing about a permanent deal for the Argentinian.

COMING UP: A full review of the festive football schedule, including those long-awaited player ratings. Also Transfer Talk - all the latest vaguely interesting lies from the crazy world of the transfer window.

Alex Chick / Eurosport