The sequinned cardigan and check skirt were bought from J Crew, a midmarket American retailer whose clothes the Obama family often wear; instead of changing accessories with each outfit, Michelle Obama wore the same double string of pearls throughout the visit. These are minor details, but ones which help fix the first lady

It was the moment the fashion world was waiting for: stylish Michelle Obama and chic Carla Bruni-Sarkozy came face-to-face in Strasbourg. Who came out on top?

That's the theory, anyway. In practice Lennon on the right tends to be overshadowed by the pace, movement, influence of Steven Gerrard on the left. While Lennon might be ahead of David Beckham and Shaun Wright-Phillips the biggest obstacle to his development is the colossus on the opposite wing.