Villa boss Martin O'Neill showed little respect as he angrily pursued referee Halsey down the tunnel at half-time and his team certainly came out fired-up for the start of the second period.

BBC: Stoke 3-2 Aston Villa

If we look instead at more recent data the differences are narrowing as European deals start to pick up in the second half of the period.

WSJ: Shining a Spotlight on Venture Capital

The home crowd were fired up by Rangers' positive start to the second period and it was evident in the Ibrox side's play as Ricky Foster crossed for Lafferty to send a deflected shot wide.

BBC: Rangers forward Kyle Lafferty

There was no let up in intensity at the start of the second period but the hosts now had the Sandy Park wind behind them and it did not take long for Rob Baxter's men to trouble the scoreboard again.

BBC: Exeter 24-19 Sale

And if we extend the bet into the current decade, taking Simon at his word that he was happy to bet on any period from a year on up, then Ehrlich won every start-year bet in the 2000s.

FORBES: But Why Did Julian Simon Win The Paul Ehrlich Bet?

Pope Benedict Monday gave the cardinals the go-ahead to move up the start date of the conclave throwing out the traditional 15-day waiting period.

WSJ: Pope Benedict to Be Called 'Emeritus Pope'

Liverpool finished the half on top, Gerrard shooting wide from a promising position after being teed up by Maxi, but it was Bolton who made the more sprightly start to the second period.

BBC: Maxi Rodriguez