CROWD violence, tear gas, missiles, player anarchy, vitriolic outbursts, drunkenness, petulance and golf club abuse - that about sums up the highlights of a few crowded days of our national sport, writes Tony Lanigan.

Perhaps that is doing a mis-service to Manchester City, who actually won a difficult FA Cup tie, but such welcome minor achievements can never keep the seamy side of soccer out of the headlines.

The disgrace that the Lille players, coaches, supporters and police brought on the game on Tuesday in Lens followed the unacceptable antics of Liverpool players on the Algarve a few days earlier and the stupidity on Sunday of Goldenballs, who killed stone dead any remote chance of an England recall with yet another red card.

Quite enough has been written about the Champions League debacle in which United were innocent participants; the shameless Craig Bellamy whose hot-headed antics have shamed another great club; and the immature ill-temper of the planet's most celebrated footballer David Beckham.

They have already overshadowed some wonderful moments in sport that uplifted the spirits rather than saddened the heart.

Although kicking a man when he is down is hardly an emotion to be cherished, I'm sure that most fans of the Noble Art shared my enjoyment of seeing the lumbering braggart that is Audley Harrison put flat on his back by amiable journeyman Michael Sprott on Saturday to ensure we will no longer have to endure the former Olympic gold medallist's posturing conceit.

And has there ever been a finer example of boxing courage, resilience and determination than that shown by Graham Earl who finally bowed to Aussie Michael Kastidis following the most ferocious five rounds of boxing I have ever witnessed?

Another Brit who showed great determination as well as maturing talent was Andy Murray, who enhanced his soaring world tennis ranking with another memorable victory over American Andy Roddick to retain his San Jose singles title.

Murray then watched his elder brother Jamie and partner Eric Butorac lift the doubles crown to give British tennis a much-needed shot in the arm.

And what a joy it was to see New Zealand follow England in giving Australia a good spanking in the one-day series in Auckland.

All we need now is a win for our rugby union side in Dublin tomorrow - and Ricky Hatton to keep his promise not to balloon in weight before his fight with Jose Luis Castillo - and the shadow of Lens might well be lifted.

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