Once you have got that lead, it's always something to cling on to and you tend to find an extra yard.

BBC: Steve Bruce frustrated by Sunderland players

"I think when you go through tragedy as a city you kind of look for something to cling on, and really I believe that the city of Boston lives and dies with our sports teams and they're going to be watching closely, " longtime Celtics star Paul Pierce said.

WSJ: Celtics try to give Boston a lift against Knicks

Mr Berlusconi's eagerness to cling to office may owe something to his wish to put laws on the statute book that may help him off serious legal hooks.

ECONOMIST: Italy's election