Red wine 'smoothes Premier League friendship'

A couple of bottles of wine helped cement a friendship between a Premier League football manager and one of his players.

Tony Pulis, manager of Stoke City, revealed that Turkish striker Tuncay Sanli brought him some red wine back from his homeland recently.

He admitted that the erratic forward has frustrated him in the past, but suggested that the friendship they have now is "smashing".

"Last time he was away in Turkey he brought me two bottles of wine back, because I'd been ribbing him about Turkish wine not being as good as that in the rest of the Med," the manager explained.

Pulis noted that the tipple was very good and has now come to realise that the footballer has plenty to offer the side, which lost 2-1 to Manchester United at the weekend, with Tuncay scoring their only goal.

One bottle of wine that is sure to cement any friendship is the Le Pupille Morellino Di Scansano 2008, which also makes a fine partner for red meat.