But in Northern Ireland politics is seen as a zero-sum game: if one side gains, it stands to reason that the other must have lost.
Spain take over from the Scots at the top of the table following their 3-1 win over Lithuania, with the Czechs now a point behind Levein's side, who have played one extra game.
Just above Liverpool are Manchester City, who have the same number of points as Spurs, but have played one game less than the London side, while Aston Villa are in seventh, with 45 points from 26 games.
Campaigns build new databases of independents every election because converting them to one side or the other is the name of the game.
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Gomes showed the more positive side of his game with a stunning one-handed diving save to keep out Clint Dempsey's long-range, left-foot drive.
But it was a disastrous afternoon for Ancelotti, whose side had only dropped points in one previous home game this season, a 3-3 draw with Everton.
The one-off challenge match provided an ideal curtain-raiser for the Champions Trophy, with Australia showing their determination to prove they are still the game's top one-day side.
Despite the defeat, Smith said it had been a "terrific summer" for South Africa, who are the game's top-ranked one-day side.
And for a side that went into the game having kept only one clean sheet all season, Wolves showed tremendous resilience, not to say improvement, to hang on to their lead.
It's a huge derby game against perhaps the best side in Wales and one of the best in Europe.
Give me a new area, with some new items, filled with side quests and one main narrative, just like in the original game.
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New Zealand skipper Stephen Fleming offered a brutally honest assessment after his side managed 156-8 in their 50 overs in one game and then bowled out Sri Lanka for 147.
Defenseman Peter Harrold came closest to pulling one back for the home side with 4:09 left in the game, but his slapshot rattled Lundqvist's left-hand post and bounced harmlessly out.
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He hoped to stay in the team in both forms of the game but was never chosen for the one-day side again, although he remained in charge of the Test side and made a century against the West Indies in his first innings for 18 months in May 2007, and also made hundreds in home series against India and New Zealand.
Other opportunities fell to captain Denis Caniza, who went into the game with only one goal in 97 appearances for the national side.
But Dortmund refused to be denied and with the game drifting into the 91st minute, Reus lashed home from close range to level the game at 2-2 and leave his side needing one more goal.
Absent a game changer that will tip the balance in favor of one side or the other, the crisis in Syria will become a full-blown sectarian war pitting Sunnis against Alawites, which will likely spill over into the neighboring countries of Iraq and Lebanon.
Bernard made it a one-point game with 20 minutes remaining, however three minutes later Geraghty restored his side's lead with a sweetly struck effort.
Myler kicked the extras to reduce the deficit to one point and Jim Mallinder's side then started to pour on the pressure as the game began to break up even further.
But it was too late for the away side to salvage anything from the game, and Barnsley move just two points and one place behind the Rams in the Championship table.
But Carter, considered by many to be the finest fly-half in the modern game, had a mixed afternoon as England tore into the number one-ranked side in the world before running out of steam in the second half.
It prevented him from reappearing for the second half and in the absence of a player with 57 goals, Vilanova's side struggled to break down a PSG team who stuck to their game plan, one which featured a surprise call-up for former Real Madrid midfielder David Beckham.
Steven Pienaar 16th minute goal sees David Moyes' side move to 59 points and within three points of Spurs, although the Merseyside club have played one more game than the North Londoners.
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Swansea City trail Blackpool by one point and must win their own game before relying on Bristol City drawing with or beating Ian Holloway's side who have won six of their last seven matches.
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