Something Completely Different

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Oh come on, now! You knew this was coming, didn't you? I mean, I'm hardly going to witter on endlessly about the Euros, World Cup, Champions League, Nations League and now the FA Cup, and ignore the greatest and most exciting league in the world, now am I? But enough about the League of Ireland -
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let's look at the Premiership.

From next Monday I'll be bringing you reports on all the action from the Prem, letting you know who's winning, who's losing, who's climbing the table and who, to quote Father Dougal Maguire, is goin' to Snaketown. With my newly discovered talent for match reporting,
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this is something that interests me now, and I watch it every week so why not? I'm aware I'll have few readers (so no change there) but hell,
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Anyone who wishes to comment or join in, just sign up! See ya soon with the first report!

I don't intend this to be just match reports. I want to make it a kind of mini-magazine/microcosm of MOTD (now that is a lot of words beginning with M, isn't it, kids?) so I'll have some fun features like:

Meh of the Day: My pick for the most boring, uninspired match of the entire weekend (and Monday too if it goes into that)

Goal of the Day: Self-explanatory

Pass of the Day: Also self-explanatory, and not to be confused with a Day Pass if you happen to be reading in prison, nor indeed with whether or not you pulled last night down the night club.

Player of the Day (yeah look I know it should be of the weekend, but it just don't have the same ring to it, now do it?)

Climb of the Day: Team that advances most up the table

Drop of the Day: Well, take a wild guess!

Mirth of the Day: The funniest thing that happened in a match

Quote of the Day: Sorry, that's too technical to explain

VARiable: How did VAR do? Get it right most times, wrong most times?

And any other stupid shit I can come up with. You know me by now: I can some up with a lot of stupid shit. And I will.

Bit late doing this as I had to wait for the Monday night match before I could compile the entries. Here we go then:
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And it's a Da-da-da-DA-dadadadada-daDAdadadada!
Saturday:
Bournemouth v Arsenal
Southampton v Leicester
Tottenham Hotspur v West Ham
Fulham v Aston Villa
Manchester United v Brentford
Ipswich v Everton
Newcastle v Brighton

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/e/e5/AFC_Bournemouth_%282013%29.svg/300px-AFC_Bournemouth_%282013%29.svg.png) (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/5/53/Arsenal_FC.svg/360px-Arsenal_FC.svg.png)
Teams: Bournemouth v Arsenal
Regions: Dorset/London
Managers: Andoni Iraola /Mikel Arteta
Form: WLLWL/DWDWW
Targets:  Top half of table/Title
Expectation: Arsenal win
Ground: Vitality Stadium
Respective current positions (Before match): 13 & 3
Respective current positions (After match): 10 & 3
Respective final positions*: 11 & 3
Result: Bournemouth 2 - 0 Arsenal
Scorer(s): Christie, Kluivert (p) (BOU)
VAR decision(s), if any: Yellow card converted to red and a man sent off for Arsenal
Effects: Bournemouth climb to 10th and into the top half, (but slip to 11th after Sunday/Monday games); Arsenal stay 3rd but record their first away defeat.

* This is the position each team is in when all matches are played for that weekend, including, if necessary, Monday, as later matches and results may have an impact on their standing on Saturday.

Title-chasing Arsenal faced the possibility of having a man sent off when Saliba fouled Nielsen but the ref did not see it as a red card offence, to the anger of the Bournemouth fans. Then VAR had a word in his ear, and off he went to the screen. That usually only results in one thing, and the yellow was cancelled and replaced with a red, the Gunners down to ten men before the first half hour. They nevertheless were the first to come closest to scoring, the ball just brushing the outside of the net, then Bournemouth had a chance to take the lead but Raya caught the ball, let it out of his hands but managed to stop Bournemouth scoring.

Into the second half and this time it was the home team who almost scored first, but the ball went over the top. In the 65th minute the Bournemouth keeper almost put his team in trouble, passing to Martinelli but the Arsenal man was unable to capitalise on the error. A corner on 70 allowed Ryan Christie to slam the ball in and Bournemouth were ahead. Things got worse for the Gunners as a penalty was awarded on 80 and Kluivert converted it, giving Bournemouth a two-goal lead and taking three points from a dispirited Arsenal side. Of course, the result was heavily due to Arsenal losing a man, but you still have to give credit to Bournemouth, who have not beaten Arsenal since 2019, coincidentally Mikel Arteta's first match in charge.

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/c/c9/FC_Southampton.svg/380px-FC_Southampton.svg.png)(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/2/2d/Leicester_City_crest.svg/380px-Leicester_City_crest.svg.png)
Teams: Southampton v Leicester
Regions: Hampshire v Leicester
Managers: Russell Martin/Steve Cooper
Form: LLDLL/LDDLW
Targets: Southampton need to get out of the relegation zone, Leicester hope to climb a little higher
Expectation: Should be a win for Leicester
Ground: St. Mary's
Respective current positions (Before match): 19 & 15
Respective current positions (After match): 20 & 14
Respective final positions: 19 & 14
Result: Southampton 2 - 3 Leicester
Scorer(s): Archer, Aribo (SOU); Buonanotte, Vardy, Ayew (LEI)
VAR decision(s), if any: Penalty awarded to Leicester and Southampton given a red card after the ref was told to go to the monitor.
Effects: Southampton slip to the bottom of the table, until Sunday when the descent of Wolves allowed them to move up one place, however remaining firmly in the relegation zone. They have yet to win a single match. Leicester move up one place. They now have two wins in their last two matches.

A match between two recently-promoted teams, Leicester's fairytale winning of the Premiership in 2016 will never be forgotten, but they've never come close to that sort of form since. Southampton had the first real chance of the half, the ball coming back off the crossbar, not even ten minutes gone. Taking a free kick quickly served the Saints well and they stormed ahead to take the lead on the eighth minute, Archer hitting the target (sorry). They kept the pressure up on Leicester and were two up before the half hour when Aribo scored. Should that be arriba? Sorry again. Plain sailing for Southampton now? Sorry a third time. Not really.

Leicester came close near the end of the half but 2-0 it remained at the break, the Foxes coming close to scoring a pretty spectacular own goal, calling their own keeper into action. As time began to tick down, Leicester managed to halve the deficit on 64 when Buonanotte scored to give Steve Cooper's side a chance.

Fatawu went inches short with a fine individual effort but just clipped the bar, while the followup looked to have crossed the line, but was ruled not to have done so. However there was a penalty check, and having been sent to the monitor the ref agreed with VAR, and also sent Fraser off, Southampton now a man down, and moments later their lead was gone as Vardy converted the spot kick to equalise for the Foxes. Buonanotte almost gave them the win, but again missed by inches, but a last-gasp corner won by the team in blue won the game for them as Ayew scored in the eighth minute of extra time, the game completely turned around.

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Teams: Tottenham Hotspur v West Ham
Regions: London v London
Managers: Ange Postecoglou/ Julen Lopetegui
Form: LLWWL/LDLDW
Targets: Spurs hoping to advance up the table and take 7th place, West Ham trying to pull away from the relegation zone, 5 points clear at start of play.
Ground: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
Expectation: If Spurs turn up, they should win, but you never know what form they're going to be in.
Respective current positions (Before match): 9 & 12
Respective current positions (After match): 7 & 15
Respective final positions: 7 & 15
Result: Tottenham 4 - 1 West Ham
Scorer(s): Kudus (WHM); Kulusevski, Bissuma, Areola (og), Son (TOT)
VAR decision(s), if any: Sending off of Kudus for violent conduct, after the ref had apparently thought a yellow was sufficient punishment.
Effects: Spurs move up to 7th, West Ham drop three places.

Fantastic shot by West Ham on 11 minutes, matched by a fantastic save, a curler by Son almost giving Spurs the lead before a determined West Ham side refused to give up and they took the lead through Kudus on 18 minutes. Spurs almost came straight back but the shot was straight at the keeper, however they would not be denied and were ahead on 36 when Kulesevski's shot squeezed past the West Ham keeper to level the game. In fairness, it wasn't quite an own goal, but Areola got fingers to it, not strongly enough, the ball bounced off one post and then hit the other and went in, and on another day could have kissed both and bounced out, leaving Spurs wondering why they hadn't scored. Not this time though, and 1-1 it was as we went into the break.

Soon after the restart Spurs were ahead, Bissumua netting their second, the momentum all now with the home team as they raced to make the game safe, which they did, with a little assistance from the man between West Ham's goalposts. A goal for Son? No, it was awarded as an own goal, but still secured the points for Spurs. Just to make sure, a long ball upfield put Son through, and that man don't miss. 4-1 to Spurs, Son with a chance minutes later to add a fifth but just popped off the post, West Ham nearly scoring but was it blocked by an arm? VAR said no, and then it was time to fisticuffs as Kudus got involved with Van der Ven. Really it was just a slap, and the Spurs player rolling on the ground and holding his face as if he had been punched was hilarious, but you expect that kind of acting in these situations. Nevertheless, you can't raise your hand to another player in football, and Kudus was lucky to avoid a red, yellow being the onfield decision, VAR not seeing a reason to overturn that.

Oh wait, no: the ref was sent to the screen after all, and Kudus was gone. Well, it seems he didn't just hit one Spurs player but two. That's really pushing your luck.  4-1 A bad-tempered ending to a game in which another team came back from a losing position today.

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Teams: Fulham v Aston Villa
Regions: London v Birmingham
Managers: Marco Silva /Unai Emery
Form: DDWWL/WWWDD
Targets: Villa hoping to go 4th, Fulham want to take their place at 5th. Both teams in a relatively comfortable position. Villa challenging for the title? Stranger things have happened.
Expectation: Both teams are in good form, but as a Villa fan I'd have to go for my team to win.
Ground: Craven Cottage
Respective current positions (Before match): 8 & 5
Respective current positions (After match): 9 & 4
Respective final positions: 10 & 4
Result: Fulham 1 - 3 Aston Villa
Scorer(s): Jimenez (FUL); Rogers, Watkins, Diop (og) (AVL)
VAR decision(s), if any: Penalties awarded to Fulham and Villa
Effects: Villa move up to 5th in the table, but end the weekend 4th. Fulham drop to 9th place, pushed down to 10th after the weekend.

A team unbeaten at home met a team unbeaten away, so something had to give, and Fulham were first to strike, a long shot punted up field by the keeper latched onto by Raul Jiminez, who blasted it into the Villa net on 5 minutes. A real old school goal, the kind they frown on these days. Four minutes later Villa hit back through Morgan Rogers and we were 1-1 with only 9 minutes played. Some beautiful smooth passing, showing the other side of English football, and both resulting in a goal. No wonder they call it the Beautiful Game.

End to end stuff as Fulham got a corner on 10, almost retaking the lead through that Mexican again, then Watkins denied in the 18th as Villa broke away. No pause for breath; on 23 the home side had a claim for a penalty, and it was awarded for handball. Perrera took one of those staggered runs up to the spot, tried to showboat and missed. Awful penalty. Villa almost went ahead but this time Rogers shot wide.

Into the second half with still nothing between the teams, Villa again going close early then from a corner on the hour Watkins broke the deadlock with a fine header. All the pressure coming from the visitors now, and one minute later Watkins was taken down outside the box and Andersen was sent off for a straight red, Fulham down to ten men and a goal behind. Villa made it safe when Diop, only on as a sub a few minutes, scored an own goal. Villa had a man sent off themselves when Philogene did something similar to Fulham's player, the teams now even manwise, if not scorewise. 9 minutes of extra time but even had Fulham pulled one back (which they didn't) the day was still going to go to Aston Villa, now the third team today to come from behind and win. Their unbeaten away record remains.

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/7/7a/Manchester_United_FC_crest.svg/400px-Manchester_United_FC_crest.svg.png)(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/2/2a/Brentford_FC_crest.svg/360px-Brentford_FC_crest.svg.png)
Teams: Manchester United v Brentford
Regions: Manchester v London
Managers: Erik ten Hag/Thomas Frank
Form: LWDLD/WLLDW
Targets: Man United need to start climbing out of the lower half of the table, Brentford are looking to get into the upper half.
Expectation: With Man United's current form, you'd imagine Brentford would have enough to take this.
Ground: Old Trafford
Respective current positions (Before match): 14 & 11
Respective current positions (After match): 11 & 13
Respective final positions: 12 & 13
Result: Manchester United 2 - 1 Brentford
Scorer(s): Pinnock (BRE); Garnacho, Haijund (MNU)
VAR decision(s), if any: None
Effects: Man U and Brentford almost switch places, United moving closer to the top half of the table while Brentford slide a little further down towards the midway point of the bottom half.

Once the darlings/most hated (take your pick, depending on your allegiance) of the Premier League, how the mighty have fallen as Man United walked out into the Theatre of Dreams with their fewest points since the Premiership was created, back in 1992! Teams used to fear coming to Old Trafford, now it's just another match, and has lost its legendary dread. Three minutes into the match Brentford powered through a sloppy Man United defence and should have scored, a warning to the Red Devils surely. They had a corner which the Brentford keeper dropped, but luckily for the visiting team the ball did not go over the line.

On the half hour Brentford were again almost ahead, Onano saving then Garnacho had a shot but the man between Brentford's sticks repeated the action of the United keeper and the game remained scoreless. Until the dying moments of the half, when a corner for the visitors was met by Pinnock, who headed Brentford into the lead. There was some controversy about the goal, as De Licht, who had been injured earlier in a collision, had had to go off the field for attention as his head was still bleeding, but the match progressed. Nothing in the rules that says you can't defend with ten men, and I'm sure if it had been the other way around Man United would have wanted to claim the goal, but ten Hag was not happy. The goal stood though, as it should.

Back came United though as the second half began, Garnacho firing a wonderful shot into the Brentford net, and the home team were level. Garanacho was nearly in for his second a few minutes later, but the keeper kept it out, then Haglund capitalised on a bad pass by Brentford to turn the match around and put Man United in the lead on 62.  A third United goal was kept out, but the advantage was with the home side now, and they were pressing for another. Brentford almost levelled in the dying seconds but United held on for the win.

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Teams: Ipswich Town v Everton
Regions: Suffolk v Merseyside
Managers: Kieran McKenna/Sean Dyche
Form: DDDDL/LLDWD
Targets: Both need to climb out of the relegation zone
Expectation: Hard to say. Everton have struggled to find goals whereas Ipswich are only newly promoted and aren't having an easy time of it either. Could go either way really.
Ground: Portman Road
Respective current positions (Before match): 17 & 16
Respective current positions (After match): 16 & 17
Respective final positions: 17 & 16
Result: Ipswich 0 - 2 Everton
Scorer(s): Ndaye, Keane (EVE)
VAR decision(s), if any: Penalty awarded to Ipswich but then overturned.
Effects: Again, both teams almost swap places, though to be fair there's not much movement in it. Everton move to 16th in the table, 5 points clear of the dreaded relegation zone; Ipswich remain precariously poised above the zone, a mere point behind 18th-placed Crystal Palace.

Two teams struggling to leave the bottom half of the table, Ipswich have only been promoted from the Championship whereas Everton are desperate not to be sent back down there. Ipswich had a chance to go ahead but Clark literally skyed it, hitting it well over the bar and completely missing. Calvert-Lewin could have made them pay but also missed, however on 17 minutes Ndaye proved Ipswich would rue that miss as he scored, putting the visitors ahead after some horrible defending by Kieran McKenna's team.

You'd think half the game had been played by now, but in fact we were only 19 minutes in, and Clark, desperate to atone for that howler, jinked and danced his way through the Everton defence until he was taken down. Penalty for Ipswich, and the chance to level the game, except it wasn't, as on further reflection, VAR decided he had actually kicked one of the Everton players and gone down.

A pretty feisty game to be sure, Everton further ahead as Keane slammed the ball into the top corner. Into the second half and Ipswich had a chance to drag themselves into the game on 75 but Delap fired high, another shot on 80 saved. Everton's first away win of the season.

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Teams: Newcastle v Brighton
Regions: Tyne & Wear v East Sussex
Managers: Eddie Howe/Fabian Hurzeler
Form: WWLDD/DDDLW
Targets: Only a place between them, and level on points, whichever team wins goes into the top half of the table.
Expectation: Again it's hard to say. The Magpies have hardly been firing on all cylinders, while Brighton have only managed one win in five of their last games. Anyone's game really.
Ground: St. James Park
Respective current positions (Before match): 7 & 6
Respective current positions (After match): 8 & 5
Respective final positions: 9 & 5
Result: Newcastle 0 - 1 Brighton
Scorer(s): Welbeck (BHA)
VAR decision(s), if any: No penalty awarded, both ref and VAR agreed.
Effects: Brighton move into the top half of the table, taking the 5th place vacated by Villa. Newcastle slip to 8th, and over the weekend lose further ground, now at 9th.

Controversial decision near the start of this match, when it looked like a foul in the box should have led to a penalty, but for once ref and VAR agreed. Newcastle should have been ahead on 12 minutes but for another Newcastle player, when Murphy accidentally blocked Isak's shot which was definitely goal bound. Isak had another chance a few minutes later but couldn't blame his teammate this time, as he shot straight at the keeper, and eight minutes from the end of the first half Danny Welbeck popped up again to score at the other end, putting Brighton ahead.

Gordon tried to equalise before the end of the first period but the Brighton keeper was equal to the task. A third attempt by Isak in the second half again into the keeper's arms, surely Newcastle would break through soon? Gordon again, and again straight at the goalkeeper who then punted long up the field but back it went. Welback was taken off on a stretcher, Brighton coming close to scoring a second soon after, but 1-0 is never a sure thing. On this occasion it was though, and Brighton took the game.

Sunday

Liverpool v Chelsea
Wolves v Manchester City

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Teams: Liverpool v Chelsea
Regions: Merseyside v London
Managers: Arne Slot/Enzo Maresca
Form: WLWWW/DWWWD
Targets: Liverpool are top of the table and aim to remain there, hoping to win the title. Chelsea are chasing them, just outside the top five. A win for them today would lift them into fourth place.
Expectation: Chelsea are no pushover, but Liverpool in top spot surely should be favourites, especially at home?
Ground: Anfield
Respective current positions (Before match): 1 & 6
Respective current positions (After match): 1 & 6
Respective final positions: 1 & 6
Result: Liverpool 2 - 1 Chelsea
Scorer(s): Salah, Jones (LIV); Jackson (CHE)
VAR decision(s), if any: Two penalties, one awarded, one reversed, and one goal given as offside ruled to be in fact onside.
Effects: Liverpool remain top, Chelsea stay where they are.

A heavy tackle on a Liverpool player early could have led to a red, but yellow was the decision, then a tackle by the Anfield side saved Chelsea from what could have been a dangerous Liverpool attack as Jota went clear, but he was pulled back by the ref. Palmer had a shot but the keeper saved it and Liverpool were on the attack, this game seeming not to pause, at least in the highlights as I watched them. Halfway through the first half and Jones was upended in the box and a penalty was the result, Mo Salah doing what Mo Salah does, and it was first blood to Liverpool.

Five minutes later Gakpo put them two ahead, but the flag went up and the goal was chalked off for offside. Chelsea tried down the other end but clipped the post, while Liverpool headed down the Chelsea half and... got another penalty! Jones again, would you believe? VAR might be overturning that one. And they did. Palmer almost equalised in the last seconds of the half, but over it went.

They didn't have to wait long though, scoring almost as the second half began, but again called offside. VAR checked though, and the goal was given, Chelsea level. The team in blue shot themselves in the foot a few moments later as Jones stole in past the defence and netted Liverpool's second. A corner in extra time might have allowed Chelsea to level again, but it was headed over the bar, and Liverpool win again at home.

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/c/c9/Wolverhampton_Wanderers_FC_crest.svg/400px-Wolverhampton_Wanderers_FC_crest.svg.png)(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/e/eb/Manchester_City_FC_badge.svg/380px-Manchester_City_FC_badge.svg.png)
Teams: Wolves v Manchester City
Regions: West Midlands v Manchester
Managers: Gary O'Neill/ Pep Guardiola
Form: DLLLL/WWDDW
Targets: Man City are chasing Liverpool for yet another title, just a point in it, so if they won here they'd overtake them at the top. Wolves are heading for relegation in second-bottom, so need to try to start to climb out of the relegation zone. 3 points today would do that, but who would bet against Pep's boys? Mind you, they've done it before...
Expectation: No disrespect to Wolves, but this has to go to City.
Ground: Molyneaux
Respective current positions (Before match): 19 & 2
Respective current positions (After match): 20 & 2
Respective final positions: 20 & 2
Result: Wolves 1 - Manchester City 2
Scorer(s): Strand Larsen (WOL), Gvardiol, Stones (MNC)
VAR decision(s), if any: Controversial review of the final goal but it was allowed.
Effects: Manchester City go top, but are quickly displaced as Liverpool retake first spot; Wolves remain in the relegation zone. In fact, with an inferior goal difference to Southampton they slump to last in the table.

Who woulda thunk it? Seven minutes in and it was Wolves who were ahead, a beautiful breakaway goal, worthy of City themselves. You would of course expect Pep's team to hit back, and they did, but only after Wolves had missed the chance to go two up, and only as the half-hour passed. They almost went ahead in the last minutes of extra time but Sa was equal to it.

The second half saw City in command, shooting at Sa again almost as soon as the half began, but then another breakaway run from Wolves almost gave them the lead. A corner for City in the last minutes came close but that man was in the way again as the seconds ticked down. Wolves really needed to win; a point would be little use to them and leave them in the relegation zone. A succession of corners (a record? Four?) in literally the final seconds saw City grab it at the death though, Stones heading the ball into the Wolves net to break hearts in the Black Country. But hold on here: was the goal going to stand? Offside? A trip to the monitor for the ref usually means only one thing, but not this time. City's goal confirmed, and all three points to the title-chasers. Tough on Wolves, but that's Man City for you.

Monday

Nottingham Forest v Crystal Palace

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/e/e5/Nottingham_Forest_F.C._logo.svg/220px-Nottingham_Forest_F.C._logo.svg.png)(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/a/a2/Crystal_Palace_FC_logo_%282022%29.svg/350px-Crystal_Palace_FC_logo_%282022%29.svg.png)

Teams: Nottingham Forest v Crystal Palace
Regions: Nottinghamshire/London
Managers: Uno Espirito Santo/ Oliver Glassner
Form: DWDLD/DDDLL
Targets: A win for Forest would lift them into the top half of the table, while Crystal Palace are looking to climb out of the relegation zone and three points today would do that for them. Personally, I hope they go down but then I hate them so I'm biased.
Expectation: I would have to say, with Palace fighting for survival and only three points so far, this looks like a Forest win.
Ground: The City Ground
Respective current positions (Before match): 12 & 18
Respective current positions (After match): 8 & 18
Respective final positions: 8 & 18
Result: Nottingham Forest 1 - 0 Crystal Palace
Scorer(s): Wood (FOR)
VAR decision(s), if any: Unknown
Effects: Forest move into the top half of the table, actually climbing four spots to the number 8 position. Palace remain in the relegation zone, just three points to their name.

Ah, two of my most hated teams play each other, and honestly I don't care who wins, though I suppose a perfect outcome for me would be a draw. This match is shown on Monday, so there's no coverage of it I can watch, therefore I'll just have to go by the reports on the BBC website. And now it's Monday, and I see Forest won. I suppose that's marginally better for me, as it keeps Palace in the relegation zone, where hopefully they'll spend the rest of the season.

Seems to have been a very even match though - 20 shots for both teams, 442 passes, possession 51% and 49%, 2 yellow cards for Forest, 3 for Palace, with a 9/12 ratio of fouls, so I guess the ref must have known this was going to be a stormy affair and let some go. But the critical statistic is of course the goals, or in this case goal, and the only one scored was by the home team, coming in the 65th minute courtesy of their top striker, Chris Wood.

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Shan't, so there! Musing is what I do, and here is what I thought of the weekend matches and what happened.


Meh of the Day: None; all matches were great.

Scratch of the Day:

This is where I, possibly with others, shrug and scratch my head and say "how did they not win?" or maybe "How did they lose?". A match that seems a cert for one team and ends up going the other way. Not really any of these so far.

Player of the Day: Maybe Son? Hard to say; there have been good performances but I couldn't really pick someone out as being super-special.

Goal of the Day: Michael Keane for Everton's second

Miss of the Day: Clark (Ipswich) v Everton, ballooning the ball over the top when clear through

Save of the Day: Jose Sa's diving save against Man City in the 9th minute, keeping his team's lead

VARiations: Good or bad decision?

Here I'll note when VAR gets involved, or when they don't when they should, and whether their intervention is correct or not. At the end, I'll total up good versus bad decisions (as I, and the MOTD panel, see them) and work out whether, overall, for this weekend, VAR is a good or bad thing.

VAR responding to the howls of the home supporters, or a genuine goal-scoring opportunity impeded by the Arsenal player? You decide, but it was a long way out. Nevertheless, a decision that sent the ref to the monitor and resulted in the Gunners having a man sent off when Saliba's yellow card was replaced by a red. Both Shearer and Given agreed with the decision.

:)
The penalty awarded to Leicester during their match against Southampton was pretty stonewall: you can't pull a player's shirt in the box and expect to get away with that, and if you're already a man down, doubly foolish. Not quite sure why it took VAR to point that out: I mean, I know the ref can't have eyes everywhere, but he has two linesmen to help him out, and surely one of those should have seen the foul? Anyway, right decision in the end.
:)
Mind you, Southampton should also have had a penalty for an almost identical offence, and VAR didn't award it, so shrug I guess.
:(
Penalties awarded to both teams in the match between Fulham and Villa, can't argue with either, but again it took the man in the control room to tell the ref to go have a butcher's.
:)
I guess you'd have to say they were used well when the penalty against Everton was overturned; hard for the ref to have seen that one.
:)
Three important decisions in the Liverpool/Chelsea match, two penalties - one awarded, one rescinded - and one goal originally ruled offside overturned.
:)
Those who hate Man City (you know who you are!) will say VAR gave the win to them, ruling that Stones was not offside at the end, but the decision ultimately is the ref's, and having seen the replay he awarded the goal.
:)

So overall then it's  :) and a (https://media.tenor.com/5o655raquBIAAAAM/thumbs-up-okay.gif) for VAR this weekend.


Climb of the Day: Much as I hate them, I guess I have to give this to Forest, who have climbed four places into the top half of the table.

Drop of the Day: That would have to be Wolves, who fail to climb out of relegation and in fact fall further down, now last in the table.

Pass of the Day: I don't remember seeing any that were worth singling out.

Mirth of the Day: I suppose I shouldn't laugh, and it wasn't his fault, but when Man United's De Licht kicked the ball angrily after Brentford had scored from a corner he should have been there to defend, I wouldn't want to have been on the medical staff! "How dare you try to save my later medical health? I could have been in there, heading the ball away and endangering my future mental state!"

Quote of the Day: Nothing comes to mind this week.

Pen of the Day: This can be a good one or a bad one, and I think I'd have to rate Perrera's stumbling effort against Villa as the worst of the day, with maybe Salah demonstrating how ice-cool he can be, even when a player from the opposition strays into the box (surely an offence?) to try to put him off, as one of the best.

Score of the Day: Reserved for really high scores, of which, none this weekend. Highest goal tally 4-1, but I don't think that really qualifies.

We Wuz Robbed! I suppose that might be Wolves against Man City at the death, though really the goal was perfectly legit. Do have to wonder though, had it been the other way around, if VAR would have got involved?

Trollheart's Hates:

Nothing to do with Trollheart's Hats, a journal looking at the history of headgear, coming soon to an imaginary forum near you! :laughing:  No, this is where I record how my four least-favourite and most hated teams did. For your edification, these are, in no particular order (but these are first obviously): Man United, Arsenal, Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest.

Man United: Annoyed to see that they won their first match in yonks, but at least they're still in the bottom half of the table. The red fucking wave indeed! Long gone, lads, long gone!

Arsenal: Glad to see them lose, though it was of course mostly due to their having a man sent off. Still, any defeat for Arsenal puts a smile on my face.

Crystal Palace: Delighted to see them lose and remain in the relegation zone. May they go down this season, if God, who does not exist, is good.

Nottingham Forest: Unfortunately for me they won, and at the expense of Palace climb into the top half of the table, but hey, you can't have everything.

Overall then, it's 50/50 here, so it's a
:)

That's it then for the first of my weekend match reports. See you next week!
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Saturday Oct 26 2024

Brentford v Ipswich
Manchester City v Southampton
Wolves v Brighton
Aston Villa v Bournemouth
Everton v Fulham
Leicester v Nottingham Forest


(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/2/2a/Brentford_FC_crest.svg/360px-Brentford_FC_crest.svg.png)(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/43/Ipswich_Town.svg/312px-Ipswich_Town.svg.png)
Teams: Brentford v Ipswich
Regions: London v Suffolk
Managers: Thomas Frank/Kieran McKenna
Form: LDWLW/DDLLL
Targets: Brentford looking to move into the top half of the table, Ipswich just looking to pull away from that dotted line, above which they are hovering at the moment.
Expectation: Should imagine "The Bees" will take this one
Ground: G-Tech Community Stadium
Respective current positions (Before match): 13 & 17
Respective current positions (After match): 9 & 17
Respective final positions: 9 & 18
Result: Brentford 4 - 3 Ipswich
Scorer(s): Smodiks, Hirst, Delap (IPS), Wissa (2), Mbuomo (2) (BRE)
VAR decision(s), if any: Second goal for Brentford checked for offside, ruling was it stood; free kick for Ipswich at the end of the half ruled as a penalty
Effects: Though credit has to be given to Ipswich, their efforts avail them naught as they remain where they are, a single point above the relegation zone. Brentford move into the top half of the table.

After falling to what has to be deemed an unexpected win for Man United last week, Thomas Frank's side would be looking to bounce back, while Ipswich were still desperate to prove themselves in their first return to the Premiership in years. Brentford had the best of the early chances, with a corner providing a shot that fell into the Ipswich keeper's arms, but on 28 a pretty smooth breakaway and a fine pass led to the recently-promoted team opening the scoring on 28 minutes. On the half-hour they had doubled their lead, Ipswich looking nothing like the team that capitulated to Everton last Saturday, and determined to prove a point. Kind of a similar goal: long shot out from the back, two passes and in to the striker, who put it away with the confidence of a player who has been in the Premier League many seasons, not one who is playing here for the first time.

Could have been three soon after, when the Brentford defence gave the ball away, but Ipswich were caught out and unable to capitalise and make the Bees pay. They pulled one back though just before half-time, a good team effort as Brentford broke from their own half to slot the ball in the Ipswich net for the first time this afternoon. Perhaps though the naivete of the former Championship side was showing: you need to be able to protect your lead at least till the half-time whistle, and they only had a minute to go. The momentum would surely be with the home side now.

And so they were. In extra time Wissa scored again, the ball looking to have been saved but then clearly crossing the line, and Ipswich's hopes that the Brentford striker had been offside were dashed when VAR gave the green light. Kieran McKenna must have been fuming!

Brentford had the chance then to take the lead when Lewis Potter was taken down, at first what looked like outside the box, but VAR ruled no, inside, and a penalty was the result. Mbuomo stuck it away, and five minutes later they could have pulled further away with a fourth, when the Ipswich keeper came out and missed the ball, but Ipswich cleared it, the visitors living on their nerves now.

Brentford kept up the pressure relentlessly, Ipswich on the defence while Wissa went in search of his hat-trick. Clark was sent off for two yellows making a red, and things had gone from bad to worse for the East Anglian team. A siege on the Ipswich goal as chance after chance went, the keeper playing a blinder, then Delap restored parity, rather against the run of play it must be said. Brentford had a chance to take it right at the death, and in the sixth minute of extra time that was exactly what they did, Mbuomo scoring his second and sealing what had turned out to be rather more of a hard-won victory for the Bees than they might have expected. Never mind them: what about Ipswich, who were two clear almost at the break? That's football for ya lads, especially up here in the rarefied heights of the Premiership.

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/e/eb/Manchester_City_FC_badge.svg/380px-Manchester_City_FC_badge.svg.png)(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/c/c9/FC_Southampton.svg/380px-FC_Southampton.svg.png)
Teams: Manchester City v Southampton
Regions: Manchester v Hampshire
Managers: Pep Guardiola/Russell Martin
Form: DDWWW /DLLLL
Targets: Man City of course want another title, and so hope to go top. Southampton would be happy just to be above that all-important relegation line.
Expectation: Uh, duh!
Ground: The Etihad
Respective current positions (Before match): 2 & 19
Respective current positions (After match): 1 & 20
Respective final positions: 1 & 20
Result: Manchester City 1 - 0 Southampton
Scorer(s): Haaland (MNC)
VAR decision(s), if any: None
Effects: City move to top but will be again replaced by Liverpool if they beat Arsenal tomorrow. They didn't, and City remain top. Southampton switch places with Wolves, and slide to the bottom.

Fresh from a storming run in Europe against Sparta Prague, Man City were again bidding for top place as they took on another Premiership newcomer (this season I mean; they've been here before) and looked likely to breeze past a stuttering Southampton. Within five minutes they were ahead, a fine goal by Haaland showing Southampton the kind of afternoon they could look forward to, or I should say dread. To be fair, the Saints held them off to the end of the half, even came close themselves but Archer hit it against the Man City bar. Better from Southampton though.

Foden was nearly in for City's second a few moments into the second half but shot wide, then it was Gvardiol and two from Haaland, but the home team unable to increase their lead as we headed into the 52nd minute, a third missed shot from the Norwegian goal machine surprisingly scraping wide of the near post. You'd have bet on him scoring that one! Southampton went on the attack. With just the one goal in it, surely they believed they had a chance? In the end - despite MOTD for some reason displaying the time as if were were still in the first half when we were deep into the second, confusing me - one goal was enough to win it and City march on. Haaland must be rueing all those missed chances though.

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/c/c9/Wolverhampton_Wanderers_FC_crest.svg/400px-Wolverhampton_Wanderers_FC_crest.svg.png)(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/d/d0/Brighton_and_Hove_Albion_FC_crest.svg/380px-Brighton_and_Hove_Albion_FC_crest.svg.png)
Teams: Wolves v Brighton
Regions: Wolverhampton v East Sussex
Managers: Gary O'Neil/Fabian Hurzeler
Form: LLLLD/DLWWD
Targets: Having been unceremoniously dumped to the bottom floor last weekend, Wolves were desperate to climb out of the relegation zone, where they've been for so long. Brighton hoping to go third.
Expectation: I do like Wolves, but considering how they're playing at the moment I think they'll be fighting off the Seagulls and running for cover. In other words, I imagine Brighton to take this.
Ground: The Amex
Respective current positions (Before match): 20 & 5
Respective current positions (After match): 19 & 5
Respective final positions: 19 & 5
Result: Wolves 2 - Brighton 2
Scorer(s): Welbeck, Ferguson (BHA), Ait-Nouri, Cunha (WOL)
VAR decision(s), if any:
Effects: Wolves climb up one place at the expense of Southampton, who slip to last. Brighton remain at 5th. Later displaced by Chelsea, so now at 6th.

Another team fighting to get out of the deep pit that is the relegation zone, Wolves were dragged further down last week, finishing 19th but then results pushing them down into last place. Good to see Danny Welbeck, who was taken from the field on a stretcher last weekend, back in fighting form, and in actual fact captaining the side. Welback? Sorry. They had a chance to go ahead 9 minutes in but Doyle sent it into row Z instead. The shape of things to come? Wolves might not get those sort of chance often against Brighton; they could not go wasting them like that.

Four minutes later Welbeck almost made them pay, but his header went over the bar too, though onto the roof of the net. Mitoma gained his team a corner on 22, but Baleba's long shot was saved, and in the last minute of normal time it was still scoreless, until that man popped up again and netted for Brighton, Welbeck giving his team the lead. Dan! Dan! He's our boy! If he can't do it, no-one... will. In the second half, Wolves tried their luck from a corner, but easily caught by the Brighton keeper. Then they gave away possession and Welbeck was on his way again, but kept out for once.

Wolves weren't giving up, but their finishing definitely needs work, as twice they shot straight at the Brighton keeper. Brighton showed them how to do it five minutes from time as they took their second, but then Wolves grabbed an unlikely goal from a corner with two minutes to go, to give themselves hopes of getting something out of the match. With 10 and more minutes being standard now for extra time, could Gary O'Neill's team grab a draw, confounding the run of play? Amazingly, Brighton headed downfield with four players, only one defender to meet them all, and he triumphed, taking the ball back up towards the opposition half, and making bookies everywhere groan perhaps as Wolves secured an unlikely point as Cunha scored their second to level the match, leaving Brighton wondering what the hell had happened?

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/9/9a/Aston_Villa_FC_new_crest.svg/300px-Aston_Villa_FC_new_crest.svg.png)(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/e/e5/AFC_Bournemouth_%282013%29.svg/300px-AFC_Bournemouth_%282013%29.svg.png)
Teams: Aston Villa v Bournemouth
Regions: Birmingham v Dorset
Managers: Unai Emery/Andoni Iraola
Form: WDDWD /LWLWD
Targets: Villa looking to take second spot, Bournemouth looking to move higher up the top half, sixth if possible.
Expectation: Got to support my team, and they're flying, so I'd expect them to win.
Ground: Villa Park
Respective current positions (Before match): 3 & 10
Respective current positions (After match): 3 & 11
Respective final positions: 4 & 11
Result: Aston Villa 1 - 1 Bournemouth
Scorer(s): Barkley (AVL), Evanilson (BOU)
VAR decision(s), if any: Villa's first goal chalked off as McGinn had let the ball go over the line before he took his shot. Handball appeal denied against Bailey. Penalty appeal also denied against Cash.
Effects: Despite not winning, the point gives Villa a boost and moves them to third, though after Sunday's result Arsenal displace them to 4th. Other results push Bournemouth down one place to 11th and out of the top half.

Currently riding high both in England and Europe, top of the Champions League table with three wins under their belt, one of them being the mighty Bayern Munich, it's a good time to be a Villa fan for once. Talk of being title contenders may be premature, then again it may not. They were ahead early on, or almost, via returning captain John McGinn, but on replay it could be seen that the whole of the ball had crossed the line before he shot, which is a pity as it was a peach of a goal. But correctly ruled out. Bournemouth then went close but Martinez was equal to it. Bouncing ball around the box almost led to Villa's opener but into the break we went and neither team had managed to put the ball in the net. Yet.

Good shot from Torres in the second half but again the keeper saved it, then a short corner and a great header from Watkins, and another save to keep Villa out. Even Duran missed! Villa definitely getting close though. 15 minutes from time the goal they had been threatening came, through Leon Bailey, whose inch-perfect header to Barkley had the home team ahead and in control.

Bournemouth thought they had secured a penalty when Mattie Cash took Sumenyo down in the area, but it was a clear dive and the opposition player was booked, no need for VAR intervention this time, though Shearer, Lineker and Wolcott seemed to think it was a penalty. Calls for handball in the last minutes against Bailey were waved away, VAR shaking its head. A lot of tackles in this game, thirteen yellow cards. Bournemouth snatched a point though, a real smash-and-grab as Evanilson took the free and netted to equalise and stun Villa Park.

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/7/7c/Everton_FC_logo.svg/400px-Everton_FC_logo.svg.png)(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/e/eb/Fulham_FC_%28shield%29.svg/300px-Fulham_FC_%28shield%29.svg.png)
Teams: Everton v Fulham
Regions: Merseyside v London
Managers: Sean Dyche/Marco Silva
Form: DWDWD/WWLLD
Targets: Everton need to put distance between them and that line, Fulham hoping to advance to 6th.
Expectation: Hard to say. Everton fought back well last weekend against Ipswich, but Fulham are higher in the table. I'd give it to the Cottagers.
Ground: Goodison Park
Respective current positions (Before match): 16 & 9
Respective current positions (After match): 15 & 10
Respective final positions: 16 & 10
Result: Everton 1 - 1 Fulham
Scorer(s): Iwobi (FUL), Beto (EVE)
VAR decision(s), if any: Calvert-Lewin's header deemed to be offside
Effects: A draw's no use to either and both slip one place.

Jiminez was almost on the scoresheet early again, but his shot saved this time, then down went Calvert-Lewin at the other end, claims for penalty dismissed with a look. Not much to talk about really, until Everton gave away the ball in front of their own goal, and Pickford had to be pretty alive to the danger, which he was. I'm sure he had some choice words with the defender who had made the error. Gaye almost scored then but it came back off the crossbar, and who was waiting but Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who smashed it into the net. Was he in an offside position though? VAR said yes, and so 0-0 it remained.

Everton were on the attack again with four minutes to go in the half, McNeil almost heading Dyche's men into the lead, but straight into the waiting arms of Leno. In the second half Smith Rowe went on a mazy run, passing to Iwobi who slotted the ball in the net to open the scoring for the visitors on 61 minutes, bringing the game to life. Iwobi was almost in for his second shortly after, but deflected away. Beto almost got Everton a share of the points in the last minute of normal time, but again there was little power in the header and Leno saved easily. His next shot did indede give Everton a share of the points though, in the fourth minute of extra time, as the Toffees snatched an unlikely goal to draw the game. Never say never, as they possibly say at Goodison.

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/2/2d/Leicester_City_crest.svg/380px-Leicester_City_crest.svg.png)(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/e/e5/Nottingham_Forest_F.C._logo.svg/220px-Nottingham_Forest_F.C._logo.svg.png)
Teams: Leicester v Nottingham Forest
Regions: Leicestershire v Nottinghamshire
Managers: Steve Cooper /Nuno Espirito Santos
Form: DLWWL/DLDWW
Targets: Leicester looking to move closer to the top half of the table, Forest there now and looking to advance.
Expectation: Could go either way honestly. Personally, I hope Leicester win.
Ground: The King Power Stadium
Respective current positions (Before match): 14 & 12*+
Respective current positions (After match): 14 & 6
Respective final positions: 15 & 7
Result: Leicester 1 - 3 Nottingham Forest
Scorer(s): Yates, Wood (2) (FOR), Vardy (LEI)
VAR decision(s), if any: Penalty turned down when Vardy was taken down in the box.
Effects: Leicester remain where they are, Forest move closer to the top.

*+ not really. I don't have a table for last Monday night so I'm not entirely sure what place Forest were then, though they certainly could not move up six places.

Steve Cooper came up against the team he last managed for the first time since they had sacked him, so surely was out for some kind of payback. The Foxes gave the ball away from a Forest corner in a dangerous area in the 17th minute, allowing Cooper's former team to take first blood as Ryan Yates hammered the ball past the Leicester keeper, but Vardy equalised a few minutes later, a typical classic Jamie Vardy goal. Hermansen kept out a powerful shot from Hudson-Odoi to keep the scores level as the half ended.

Two minutes into the second half and it was player scores against former club and former manager as in-form Chris Wood netted his eighteenth goal to regain the lead for the visitors. A claim for a penalty was turned down by ref and VAR as Vardy went down in the box, the two shots in rapid succession went off the post and wide respectively. A long shot was pounced on by Wood who lobbed the keeper to take his second and Forest's third. Yates nearly had his second near the end, but Forest still ran out comfortable winners.

Sunday October 27 2024

Chelsea v Newcastle
West Ham v Manchester United
Arsenal v Liverpool
Crystal Palace v Tottenham Hotspur
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/c/cc/Chelsea_FC.svg/380px-Chelsea_FC.svg.png)(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/5/56/Newcastle_United_Logo.svg/400px-Newcastle_United_Logo.svg.png)
Teams: Chelsea v Newcastle
Regions: London v Tyne & Wear
Managers: Enzo Maresca /Eddie Howe
Form: WWWDL/WLDDL
Targets: Chelsea bidding to go 4th with a win, Newcastle targeting 5th
Expectation: On current form you would expect Chelsea to win this.
Ground: Stamford Bridge
Respective current positions (Before match): 6 & 8
Respective current positions (After match): 5 & 12
Respective final positions: 5 & 12
Result: Chelsea 2 - 1 Newcastle
Scorer(s): Jackson, Palmer (CHE), Isak (NEW)
VAR decision(s), if any: Palmer ruled offside for what would have been the first Chelsea goal; Isak's equaliser checked for offside but given; penalty given by the ref to Chelsea overturned
Effects: Chelsea go fifth, Newcastle slip into the bottom half of the table.

A good start in their last five games has seen Chelsea stutter slightly, drawing their fourth and losing the last one after three wins, but they were at home and playing a Newcastle team which, while relatively high up on the table, have only one win in five of their most recent matches, and have not beaten Chelsea at home in over 12 years. Could this be the day? Chelsea were also riding high on a good result in Europe, so the Magpies looked to have a tough job ahead of them, made tougher when Palmer scored early, but VAR ruled it just offside, and Eddie Howe's team could breathe a sigh of relief.

That didn't last long though, as Chelsea broke from their own half, nicking the ball off Newcastle and haring down the other end where Neto passed to Jackson, who put it in the net. No offside this time, no need for VAR to stick its nose in. Chelsea ahead on 18 minutes. Almaron came close to equalising for Newcastle but it bounced wide, but they were level just after the half hour, a nice bit of crisp passing allowing Isak to pop the ball in. And VAR came calling again. Anyone need an offside check boys? No! Fuck off and leave us alone! But they didn't, and with a tight decision to be made, the goal was allowed and Newcastle were indeed level. Into the break then all square, but Palmer was at it soon after the restart, two minutes into the half in fact and he had given his team the lead again.

Neto came close to adding a third, but it came back off the post, while Newcastle were denied a second equaliser down the other end. Isak made a total arse of things when he should have levelled the score but dithered too long on the ball, while Chelsea went in search of a third to make sure, but 2-1 it ended. A penalty for Chelsea near the end was chalked off as VAR advised the ref to go to the monitor and he changed his mind.

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/a/a2/Crystal_Palace_FC_logo_%282022%29.svg/350px-Crystal_Palace_FC_logo_%282022%29.svg.png)(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/b/b4/Tottenham_Hotspur.svg/240px-Tottenham_Hotspur.svg.png)
Teams: Crystal Palace v Tottenham Hotspur
Regions: London v London
Managers: Oliver Glassner/Ange Postecoglou
Form: DDDLL/LWWLW
Targets: Crystal Palace desperately needed a win to lift themselves up out of the relegation zone, Spurs were hoping to go 5th with a win.
Expectation: Spurs all day. No contest.
Ground: Selhurst Park
Respective current positions (Before match): 18 & 7
Respective current positions (After match): 17 & 8
Respective final positions: 17 & 8
Result: Crystal Palace 1 - 0 Tottenham Hotspur
Scorer(s): Mateta (PAL)
VAR decision(s), if any: None
Effects: Crystal Palace finally win a game, and move a point clear of the relegation zone. Spurs drop one place.

My dreams are finally coming true! Palace, mired in the relegation zone, look to be a cert to be heading down. With only 3 points to their name after 7 games, you wouldn't give much for their chances. Spurs have missed out on European football but still fancy a top-half finish, and a win today would lift them into the top five. Just before the half-hour Palace had the chance to open the scoring but over it went, demonstrating perhaps why they are where they are. However just after that, Spurs made a right mess of a clearance and Mateta pounced to put the relegation strugglers in the lead.

A corner for Spurs came back off the post and was then cleared off the line, Palace fighting a desperate rearguard action as the half drew to a close. Madison should have equalised in extra time but Henderson pulled off a fine save to keep him out and maintain Palace's lead as we went into the break. The Eagles thought they had a penalty in the second half, but it was clear enough that VAR didn't even need to get involved. 1-0 it remained, though they were getting close to doubling that. Spurs kept up the pressure, but Palace held on for the win, their first in the league this season, and more importantly, three points that lift them up above the line. Damn them.

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/c/c2/West_Ham_United_FC_logo.svg/350px-West_Ham_United_FC_logo.svg.png)(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/7/7a/Manchester_United_FC_crest.svg/400px-Manchester_United_FC_crest.svg.png)
Teams: West Ham v Manchester United
Regions: London v Manchester
Managers: Julian Lopetgui/ Eric ten Hag
Form: DLDWL/WDLDW
Targets: A win would help West Ham to the top of the bottom half of the table, whereas Man United could move into the bottom of the top half of the table if they won. Um. You know what I mean.
Expectation: It was a pretty even match between what would be seen as two teams with mediocre results, and could go either way. Needless to say, I was not rooting for United! The Manchester side, I mean.
Ground: The London Stadium
Respective current positions (Before match): 15 & 11
Respective current positions (After match): 13 & 14
Respective final positions: 13 & 14
Result: West Ham 2 - 1 Manchester United
Scorer(s): Summerville, Bowen (WHU), Casimero (MNU)
VAR decision(s), if any: Penalty awarded to West Ham, very questionable
Effects: West Ham climb to the top of the lower half of the table, Man United slip to 14th, looking over their shoulders nervously at terra incognita, the dreaded zone of relegation.

After-effect: Following this match, though not immediately after, Man United manager Eric ten Hag was sacked, some would say about time.

I won't go on about how much a force Man United used to be and how poor they are now. Oh, all right then. Time was when this match would be a walkover for the Reds, but now, though West Ham are still below them in the table, Man United are struggling themselves and in very unfamiliar territory, rubbing shoulders with teams on the way down, and others struggling out of the relegation zone, an area United generally don't expect to be anywhere near. West Ham have much work to do yet, but a win today would certainly help them climb away from that dotted line. Someone's job might also be on another, different line.

Early chance for Man United as Garnacho slammed it off the crossbar, West Ham caught cold, a warning perhaps. On the half hour they could again have opened the scoring, Fabianski caught all ends up as Dalot lobbed him, but then failed to hit the target. Nothing happening from the home team and it seemed to be United who would be the first to score, if indeed the Hammers could manage to net at all. But for United it was not third time lucky as the first half drew to a close, a ball from a corner again fizzing off the crossbar, nil-all at the break.

One minute into the second half and West Ham seemed to remember they were in a game, as Antonio went clear but Onana gathered, hurting himself in the process, then United came back but Fabianski saved from Hojlund. West Ham had a chance as it began to look more of a balanced game, but still no score. With 15 minutes to go, things began to happen. Ings passed to Summerville who scored for West Ham, Man U no doubt rueing all those missed chances. Perhaps realising this, they equalised through Casimero with ten minutes of normal time left. A scramble in the West Ham box ended in a penalty for the home side, poor old De Licht, who was so angry last week about being off the field when the other team scored, remonstrating with the ref while Bowen scored the winning goal, a fine penalty.

This match turned out to be the final nail in a coffin that's been getting built for a few weeks now at least, if not longer, and Eric ten Hag was thrown into it and the lid nailed down shut. Who would want his job though? You might as well want to manage Ireland! :laughing:

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/5/53/Arsenal_FC.svg/360px-Arsenal_FC.svg.png)(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/0/0c/Liverpool_FC.svg/360px-Liverpool_FC.svg.png)
Teams: Arsenal v Liverpool
Regions: London v Merseyside
Managers: Mikel Arteta/Arne Slot
Form: WDWWL/LWWWW
Targets: Liverpool bidding to retake top spot from Man City, Arsenal hoping to go second in the table and push their title bid.
Expectation: Hard to say; depends on which Liverpool team turned up. Arsenal are no pushover, but Liverpool would be driven by the incentive of reclaiming leadership of the Premier League.
Ground: The Emirates
Respective current positions (Before match): 3 & 1
Respective current positions (After match): 3 & 2
Respective final positions: 3 & 2
Result: Arsenal 2 - 2 Liverpool
Scorer(s): Saka, Merino (ARS), Van Dijk, Salah (LIV)
VAR decision(s), if any: Possible penalty for Arsenal dismissed; possible offside goal ruled not to be for Arsenal
Effects: Liverpool miss the chance to go back top, Arsenal remain third.

A real top of the table clash as Liverpool, leading the field until yesterday when Manchester City took top spot from them, were determined to re-stake their place at number one, while Arsenal were snapping at their heels, pushing for second in the table and mounting their own title challenge. 9 minutes into the game and it was Arsenal who took the lead, a returning Sako breaking free and slotting the ball home past what must be described as a lazy Liverpool defence. Liverpool struck back on 14, Salah going close but not close enough, but a taste of things to come? Three minutes later they were level from a corner, Van Dijk nodding home from Diaz's flick on header. 1-1.

Havertz nearly gave the Gunners the lead again near the end of the half, but shot over the bar, a penalty in the build-up ruled out by VAR, then a free gave them the lead again as Merino got on the end of Rice's pass, the goal checked for offside but ruled to be on. A bad time, from a Liverpool standpoint, for the deadlock to be broken again. Liverpool came close through Diaz early in the second half, but he bundled it into the arms of Raya, who seemed to be hurt, then an Arsenal break became a Liverpool one as Salah netted to equalise on 81. A corner four minutes from time could have settled it, but Kelleher was equal to Jesus's shot, then the Gunners thought they had snatched it at the death, but the ref had blown long before the ball was in the net.

Meh of the Day: Not this week either; every match was either a thriller or definitely worth watching.

Scratch of the Day: Has to be Wolves v Brighton. There was no chance whatsoever of Wolves getting anything from the match, totally outclassed and 2-0 down, they came back in the dying moments to score 2 goals and take a point. Amazing. Almost as surprising as Villa drawing last-minute to Bournemouth, having led the match for most of the second half.

Player of the Day: Hate to say it, but probably Chris Wood of Nottingham Forest. Not only did he score twice, but he's now just behind Erling Haaland in terms of goals scored. That's some tally.

Goal of the Day: Again, much as I hate to say it, possibly Wood's second goal, a looping header capitalising on the moment.

Miss of the Day: Tommy Doyle's 9th-minute skyed shot for Wolves against Brighton, which would have opened the scoring for the beleaguered Black Country team.

Save of the Day: Nothing special.

VARiations:

This got boring real fast. I'm not going to go through all the decisions, but overall I think VAR helped more than it hindered really.
 :)

Climb of the Day: I would give this to Nottingham Forest, who seem to have climbed six places into the top half of the table, but I'm not sure as I don't have a table for Monday, so events may have conspired to have allowed them move higher at the expense of other teams. Still, a very good result for them. Also moving up, Brentford climb 3 places from 13 to 9 and into the top half.

Drop of the Day: This is shared by two of the United clubs, Newcastle dropping four places from 8 to 12 and into the bottom half of the table, while Manchester United's defeat at the hands of West Ham pushes them further down the table - and I mean the bottom half of the table - another 3 places down from 11 to 14.

Pass of the Day: Didn't really see one.

Mirth of the Day: Nothing particularly funny springs to mind.

Quote of the Day: Perhaps more like non-quote of the day, as a tight-lipped Carl Palmer seemed something like a deer caught in the headlights, answering questions in mostly monosyllables and looking like he wished he was elsewhere.

Pen of the Day: Meh. Nothing special, and not much in the way even of penalties.

Score of the Day: No huge scores really, though Brentford's 4-3 versus Ipswich is worth remarking upon.

We Wuz Robbed! That would have to be us, Aston Villa, holding a 1-0 lead till the sixth minute of extra time and then giving it away to end up with just a draw. D'oh!

Trollheart's Hates:

Arsenal: Well they looked like they were going to beat Liverpool, but ended up drawing, so that's all right. Mind you, they pushed us down from third to fourth, but would not have been able to do had we not failed to win our match, so I can't really blame them for that.
 :)
Crystal Palace: God damn it! They won their match - against Spurs, no less! - and are a point above the relegation zone! May they fall back in very soon. Curse their eyes.
 :(
Manchester United: Tough times for the once-unbeatable team, losing their match and also their manager. I'm happy.
 ;D
Nottingham Forest: Damn Chris fucking Wood anyway! Forest win their match against Leicester and move up the table.
 :(
It's kind of 50/50 again, but the sacking of ten Hag adds another layer of sweetness to Man United's defeat, so I consider this worthy of a
 ;D

Saturday November 2 2024
Bournemouth v Manchester City
Liverpool v Brighton
Newcastle v Arsenal
West Ham v Nottingham Forest
Southampton v Everton
Wolves v Crystal Palace

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/e/e5/AFC_Bournemouth_%282013%29.svg/300px-AFC_Bournemouth_%282013%29.svg.png)(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/e/eb/Manchester_City_FC_badge.svg/380px-Manchester_City_FC_badge.svg.png)
Teams: Bournemouth v Manchester City
Regions: Dorset v Manchester
Managers: Andoni Iraola  v Pep Guardiola
Form: LWLWD /DDWWW
Targets: Bournemouth hope to climb into the top half of the table, Man City want to stay top of the whole thing.
Expectation: You'd have to think City would power past Bournemouth here. The Cherries have never beaten Pep's team, and it was unlikely they'd start now, with City at the top of the league. Again.
Ground: The Vitality Stadium
Respective current positions (Before match): 11/1
Respective current positions (After match): 2 & 8
Respective final positions: 2 & 10

High-flying Man City met a Bournemouth team who, while surely buoyed by their last-gasp equaliser against us (bastards) and playing at home, must have known they'd be up against it when Pep's boys came to town. It was however the home side who had the first chance, or actually chances, as the first shot was pushed away by the keeper and the rebound shot hopped off the post. Two minutes gone. Wow. DIspossessing Haaland is not something that's easy for any player, but on 9 minutes that's exactly what Cook did and Bournemouth were on the attack again. This time it went in, the home side ahead, and not even against the run of play.

Half an hour gone and City hadn't even had a shot on target, or even really been down the opposition half, at least from the highlights as far as I could see. Certainly nothing significant, though Haaland did get his shot away but it went wide. No, the commentator just confirmed: City did not have a shot on target in the first half. In fact it was the Cherries who almost doubled their lead as the second half got underway, then Foden had their first real effort, but it scraped by the post.

Then Evanilson, our nemesis from last week, put the home side two up, to shock City and their fans just after the hour. Liverpool must have been applauding Andoni Iraola's side. Bournemouth could have had a third but the shot went high, ten minutes left for the Cherries to make history. But you can't expect Man City to go a full match and not at least score, and with eight minutes to go that's exactly what happened, as Gvardiol rose to head in and halve the deficit. Could Bournemouth hang on?

City were looking at a 32-match unbeaten run coming to an end, and weren't going down easily, but would you expect them to? Haaland almost equalised for them in extra time but somehow the keeper kept it out, then Foden almost saved them in the last minute, but Bournemouth held on for a famous, historic victory. I'm sure you could hear the cheers on Merseyside. Well, the red half anyway.


Result: Bournemouth 2 - Manchester City 1
Scorer(s): Semenyo, Evanilson (BOU), Gvardiol (MNC)
VAR decision(s), if any: None
Effects: Man City lose top spot to Liverpool, having held it for two weeks. Bournemouth advance into the top half of the table, moving to 8th place but drop to 10th after Fulham's win on Monday night.

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/d/d0/Brighton_and_Hove_Albion_FC_crest.svg/380px-Brighton_and_Hove_Albion_FC_crest.svg.png)(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/0/0c/Liverpool_FC.svg/360px-Liverpool_FC.svg.png)

Teams: Liverpool v Brighton
Regions: Merseyside v East Sussex
Managers: Arne Slot v Fabian Hurzeler
Form: DLWWD/WWWWD
Targets: A win for Brighton would put them third, while Liverpool aimed to capitalise on Man City's loss to Bournemouth (though they wouldn't have known about it) and retake top place.
Expectation: Given the stakes, I'd have to think Liverpool would take this one.
Ground: Anfield
Respective current positions (Before match): 2 & 5
Respective current positions (After match): 1 & 7
Respective final positions: 1 & 8

With a chance to take back top spot after two weeks looking up at Man City, and playing at home, Liverpool would have fancied this. Brighton, though, are playing well and a win would lift them into the dizzying heights of third place, so all to play for. Nunes was almost on the scoresheet early, but the Brighton keeper kept him out, then they were ahead on 14 as Kadioglu blasted into the Liverpool net. Not the start the Reds had been looking for! Not long after the visitors could have gone two up, but Kelleher was equal to it, all the chances coming from Brighton.

A free for Brighton with five minutes to go almost had Welbeck in for his fourth game in a row, but it just went slightly wide. The half ended on a Liverpool corner, but it gained them nothing. A second should have resulted but the ref blew for half-time and so 1-0 it remained at the break. The home side came out fighting as the game resumed and McAllister went a whisker wide, Van Dijk also spurning the chance to draw his team level. Even Salah couldn't work his magic, and you began to wonder if it just might not be their day.

And then a finely-worked goal allowed Gakpo to level, and it was game on. Liverpool weren't going to let this slip, to quote the unfortunate Steven Gerrard, and Salah netted two minutes later to put Liverpool in the lead on 72. And they held the lead to take the game and retake top spot.


Result: Liverpool 2 - 1 Brighton
Scorer(s): Kadioglu (BHA), Gakpo, Salah (LIV)
VAR decision(s), if any: None
Effects: Liverpool go top of the table again, Brighton slide down two places, three after Monday night.

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/5/56/Newcastle_United_Logo.svg/400px-Newcastle_United_Logo.svg.png)(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/5/53/Arsenal_FC.svg/360px-Arsenal_FC.svg.png)
Teams: Newcastle v Arsenal
Regions: Tyne & Wear v London
Managers: Eddie Howe v Mikel Arteta
Form: LDDLL/DWWLD
Targets: Newcastle need to start winning, and move out of that lower half of the table, while Arsenal are looking to continue their title challenge, but from what I can see, even a win will only allow them to remain where they are, in third.
Expectation: You'd have to think the Gunners would blow the Magpies away, wouldn't you? One for sorrow...
Ground: St. James Park
Respective current positions (Before match): 12/3
Respective current positions (After match): 9 & 4
Respective final positions: 11 & 5

On their day, Newcastle can be great, but goals have been few and far between for Eddie Howe's team in recent weeks. They showed their class though when Isak headed in off Gordon's perfect pass to put the Magpies in front. 12 minutes gone and Arsenal, um, shell-shocked. Sorry. Saka attempted to equalise but the keeper kept him out. Another fine pass almost had Newcastle in for their second, again Saka had a go, again it remained 1-0 as we headed into the break.

Gordon with another perfect pass as the second half begun, but this time cut out by Raya before Willock could get on the end of it. 63 minutes in and Isak was almost there for his second, but Raya in the way again. Rice also came close but it zipped past the post, Newcastle maintaining their one-goal lead into extra time. Could Arteta's team grab a last-second equaliser? No. No they could not, and Newcastle record their first victory in at least six games, while Arsenal suffer their second defeat in three. Up the Toon!


Result: Newcastle 1 - 0 Arsenal
Scorer(s): Isak (NEW)
VAR decision(s), if any: None
Effects: Arsenal lose ground on the leaders and slip one place, and one more after the last match this weekend. Newcastle rise three into 9th but slip to 11th after Monday's match.

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/c/c2/West_Ham_United_FC_logo.svg/350px-West_Ham_United_FC_logo.svg.png)
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/e/e5/Nottingham_Forest_F.C._logo.svg/220px-Nottingham_Forest_F.C._logo.svg.png)

Teams: West Ham v Nottingham Forest
Regions: London v Nottinghamshire
Managers: Julien Lopetegui v Nuno Espirito Santos
Form: LDWLW/DLDWW
Targets: A win for West Ham would lift them into the top half of the table, victory for Forest would take them into the top three.
Expectation: Forest have been on a roll, winning their last two games and with Chris Wood on fire (sorry) while West Ham have been coming good, too. Hard to say really, but I think Nuno's team might take this.
Ground: The City Ground
Respective current positions (Before match): 13 & 7
Respective current positions (After match): 14 & 3
Respective final positions: 14 & 3

Unless Chris Wood gets injured, it's beginning to look like Nottingham Forest can't be stopped in their inexorable climb up the table. West Ham need to improve on recent results, but they're getting there. First shot in anger from the home side, but it didn't result in a goal. Yet. All the pressure coming from Forest, and again it was that man who took his chance, nodding in for his fourth in a row. West Ham didn't look to have much to offer, honestly, a rare corner for them near the end of the half coming to nothing but the rebound almost resulting in a goal to level the match.

Forest broke again in the second minute of extra time, Elanga cut down by Alvarez who, already on a yellow, was dismissed. West Ham down to ten men, not a good way to end the half. A free in the second half saw Forest double their lead through Hudson-Odoi, and there was nothing for the Londoners here anymore. A defensive stance now, just trying to keep the score as it was, but in vain as Aina got in on the action and scored on 78 to give Forest an unassailable three-goal lead.

A chance for a fourth was denied by Fabianski first, then the linesman's flag for the second, and again by the West Ham keeper for the third, but a comprehensive victory for Nottingham Forest. They haven't had three successive wins since the very end of the 20th century, so I guess (you know it's coming, don't pretend you don't) tonight they're gonna party like it's 1999.


Result: Nottingham Forest 3 - 0 West Ham
Scorer(s): Wood, Hudson-Odoi, Aina (FOR)
VAR decision(s), if any: None (offside confirmed in extra time but on field decision had already been made)
Effects: Forest take 3rd place and can start thinking of Champions League football, West Ham remain in the bottom half of the table.

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/c/c9/FC_Southampton.svg/380px-FC_Southampton.svg.png)(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/7/7c/Everton_FC_logo.svg/400px-Everton_FC_logo.svg.png)
Teams: Southampton v Everton
Regions: Hampshire v Merseyside
Managers: Russell Martin v Sean Dyche
Form: DLLLL/DWDWD
Targets: Southampton just want to climb up off the bottom, though even an unlikely win today wouldn't do that, while Everton just want to inch further up the lower half of the table.
Expectation: Miracles do happen in football, but I think Jesus is already stunned by the Man City loss, so he has other things on his mind. I see this as an Everton victory.
Ground: St. Mary's
Respective current positions (Before match): 20 & 16
Respective current positions (After match): 19 & 16
Respective final positions: 19 & 16

Poor Southampton just can't get off the bottom of the table, and even if they manage a surprise win today they'll still be in the relegation zone. Everton are unbeaten in their last five, so the advantage should be with them. Nothing much to speak of in the first half, other than a crunching tackle from Tarkowski, for which he deservedly got a yellow card, which might even have been red on another day and with a less lenient ref. The Saints couldn't be faulted for their effort, but no goals at the end of the half.

Keane was almost in for the opening goal for Everton in the second, but a great save from Ramsdale kept him out, then another attack broke down for the bottom team. A draw would be enough for the Saints, Everton definitely failing to impress. Near the death, Tarkowski came closest, his shot coming back off the bar, but Southampton kept pushing and eventually got their reward two minutes from time as Armstrong gave them a precious goal, and perhaps all three points for the first time this season, a precious lifeline.

That lifeline snapped sixty seconds later when Beto stormed through to bang the goal into an empty net after rounding the keeper. But would it stand? All eyes on VAR, who ruled the goal would not stand as it was offside. Salvation for Southampton as they were again able to celebrate a first ever win this season.

Result: Southampton 1 - 0 Everton
Scorer(s): Armstrong (SOU)
VAR decision(s), if any: Possible red card for foul in a goal-scoring position kept to a yellow, agreeing with the ref.
Effects: Although a morale-booster, the win doesn't do much for the Saints, who move one place up, back into 19th, where they were two weeks ago, still firmly in the relegation zone. Everton remain where they were.


(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/c/c9/Wolverhampton_Wanderers_FC_crest.svg/400px-Wolverhampton_Wanderers_FC_crest.svg.png)(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/a/a2/Crystal_Palace_FC_logo_%282022%29.svg/350px-Crystal_Palace_FC_logo_%282022%29.svg.png)
Teams: Wolves v Crystal Palace
Regions: West Midlands v London
Managers: Garry O'Neil v Oliver Glassner
Form: LLLLD/DLLLW
Targets: Both need to move up; Palace got out of the relegation zone last week, Wolves are still there.
Expectation: Could be a draw.
Ground: Molyneux
Respective current positions (Before match): 19 & 17
Respective current positions (After match): 20 & 17
Respective final positions: 20 & 17

A real battle of the basement, only four points separated Wolves and Palace at the start of play, with the London team having managed to climb just about out of the relegation zone after a win against Spurs last week, while Wolves, despite a last-minute draw with Brighton, remain just one point above the bottom. A victory for Palace would allow them to pull further away from the dotted line, while three precious points for the home side would mean they would also make it out and stand looking down, instead of up, at the relegation line.

Palace had a good chance to open the scoring on the half-hour, but Mateta's shot from their corner was blocked by one of his own players. Oops! Back to the training ground, lads! Wolves then had their own attack but lost out to the keeper. Second half was more of the same, with each team striving to break the deadlock, Wolves coming closest but almost giving Henderson concussion as the Palace keeper took the ball right in the face. Ouch! That's gotta hurt!

On the hour the visitors got a free, in a dangerous area, as they say, the keeper saving but then punching out to Strand-Larsen who headed it inadvertently to the man who had blocked the original attempt at their first goal, Chalobah, putting the London team in front. Talk about a comedy of errors! Palace took control now, Sarr missing a glaring opportunity to make it two, blasting it over the bar, then again, the man who had made a mess of things came good as Strand-Larsen made amends for having given the opposition the lead by netting for Wolves to tie the game on 67. All square with everything to play for again.

As they had last week against Brighton, Wolves came back to turn it around with a 72nd minute goal from Gomes to stun Palace and take the lead. Nervous times now as Palace got a corner in the 77th and scored, to level the game again and undo all Wolves' good work. And worse was to come. In the sixth minute of extra time Mateta scored when Sa dropped the ball, but the ref blew his whistle and ruled that the keeper had been fouled just before the Palace striker, um, struck. So a draw was how it ended. And for once, I got it right. Unfortunately, a draw helps neither team.

Result: Wolves 2 - 2 Crystal Palace
Scorer(s): Chalobah, Guehi (PAL), Strand-Larsen, Gomes (WOL)
VAR decision(s), if any: Foul at the end agreed with the ref and goal ruled out.
Effects: Not much at all. Wolves are bottom and Palace are just two points above the line in 17th place.

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/43/Ipswich_Town.svg/312px-Ipswich_Town.svg.png)(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/2/2d/Leicester_City_crest.svg/380px-Leicester_City_crest.svg.png)
Teams: Ipswich v Leicester
Regions: Suffolk v Leicestershire
Managers: Kieran McKenna v Steve Cooper
Form: DDLLL/DLWWL
Targets: For Ipswich, it's survival and that means getting out of the relegation zone. Leicester are only 5 points clear of the line, so need to move further away from it.
Expectation: I think it will be a tough match, but imagine Leicester will shade it.
Ground: Portman Road
Respective current positions (Before match): 18 & 15
Respective current positions (After match): 18 & 15
Respective final positions: 18 & 15

Another team looking to throw a grapnel over the side and haul themselves to safety, Ipswich have found it hard in their first season back in the Premier League in a while, with four points from nine games, and no wins in any of them. Leicester are battling hard, but need to put last week's 4-3 loss to Nottingham Forest behind them. The Foxes should have been ahead on three minutes, but Vardy's shot was missed on the rebound by a stumbling Mavididi. Leicester then gave the ball away and were almost punished, but last week's scorer Smodicks couldn't finish.

Chances at both ends in the first half, but scoreless at the break, then ten minutes into the second half Davis volleyed into the Leicester net to put the home side ahead. A free then allowed Ipswich to almost add a second, but it was all a bit confused in the box, and in the end the Tractor Boys were a boy short as Philips was sent off for a second yellow. A chance for the Foxes to pounce against ten men?

Three minutes of normal time to go and Buonanotte fell but got back up and continued the attack, which should have resulted in Leicester levelling, but for a brilliant piece of defending by Burgess which maintained Ipswich's lead. But with a man down you're always going to be vulnerable and in the fourth minute of added time Leicester made their advantage pay as Ayew slotted it away to equalise and break hearts on the Suffolk coast.


Result: Ipswich 1 - 1 Leicester
Scorer(s): Davis (IPS), Ayew (LEI)
VAR decision(s), if any: Philips sent off for a second yellow, though it could have been a penalty for his side.
Effects: Another draw which does nothing for either team, leaving both where they were last week.

Sunday Nov 3 2024
Tottenham Hotspur v Aston Villa
Manchester United v Chelsea

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/b/b4/Tottenham_Hotspur.svg/240px-Tottenham_Hotspur.svg.png)
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/9/9a/Aston_Villa_FC_new_crest.svg/300px-Aston_Villa_FC_new_crest.svg.png)
Teams: Tottenham Hotspur v Aston Villa
Regions: London v West Midlands
Managers: Ange Postecoglou v Unai Emery
Form: WWLWL/WDDWD
Targets: A win would help Villa reclaim third spot, Spurs need to move up the top half of the table.
Expectation: Probably a hard-fought match. I would of course always root for Villa, and on the back of the annoying last-minute draw last week I'd hope they'd be out for revenge. Spurs could easily turn it on though and give them a hard time.
Ground: The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
Respective current positions (Before match): 10 & 4
Respective current positions (After match): 7 & 6
Respective final positions: 7 & 6

Spurs are hardly flying, and we're down to fourth, so six place between us, but Tottenham were at home and with something to prove. Mind you, we needed a win to go third again, so it was going to be a hard-fought match. Villa had the first  attack three minutes in but Watkins fired wide, Tielemans seeming to have hurt himself crossing for the in-form striker. Spurs had their chances too, but still scoreless after half an hour.

Villa had two bites from a corner, the second coming closest, just shaving the post and bouncing off the Tottenham keeper and out. Another corner though resulted in the first goal on 32 as Rogers planted the ball in the Spurs net. Dispossession by the visitors in the last few minutes of the half led to a Villa break from their own half but Watkins again shot well wide. In the second half Tottenham came back almost immediately to level through Johnson, all square as Son showed that not only is he a great finisher, he knows how to pass the ball too.

All Spurs now as they attacked in force, but Martinez was in his usual shot-stopping form, then Watkins was taken out by a very late tackle and from the resultant free Villa nearly retook the lead. Son was nonplussed to see himself taken off by the manager, no injury, no yellow card to threaten his continued presence on the field. Was this another of Postecoglou's calculated risks, and would it result in the win, despite the general feeling that Son should have been left on?

It was Spurs' turn to break up a Villa attack and turn it into a goal-scoring opportunity in the 75th minute, which they did not waste as Solanke raced free and put the home side ahead. VAR, however, had the last word and the goal was looking to be ruled offside, but to Villa's chagrin no, ruled in and the goal stood. Solanke then made it safe for Spurs as he slotted a second, Spurs' third, in with ten minutes to go, no suspicion of offside this time. Villa guilty of giving the ball away, only ourselves to blame.

Just to rub salt into the wounds, Tottenham got a free in the last few minutes, Diego Carlos taking down the double goal-scorer, and there seemed to be some bad blood between him and Solanke, the Spurs man angrily shaking off the hand Diego Carlos offered to him to help him up. The ref got involved but it was all handbags at fifty paces and Spurs got on with winning the game, which was already theirs, Madison putting an even brighter shine on the score. Villa well beaten.

Result:  Tottenham Hotspur 4 - 1 Aston Villa
Scorer(s): Rogers (AVL), Johnson, Solanke (2), Madison (TOT)
VAR decision(s), if any: Second goal for Spurs ruled to be onside.
Effects: Villa slide to 6th, Spurs move up to 7th


(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/7/7a/Manchester_United_FC_crest.svg/400px-Manchester_United_FC_crest.svg.png)
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/c/cc/Chelsea_FC.svg/380px-Chelsea_FC.svg.png)

Teams: Manchester United v Chelsea
Regions: Manchester v London
Managers: Ruben Amorim (Ruud van Nistelroy in charge for now) v Enzo Maresca
Form: DLDWL/WWDLW
Targets: United have to start getting their arse in gear if they want to make any sort of a showing, currently halfway down the wrong half of the table. Chelsea are flying, and with a win today could go third.
Expectation: They often say that the appointment of a new manager galvanises a team who have been underperforming, but Chelsea are going to be hard to beat, and I don't see United doing that, even at home.
Ground: Old Trafford
Respective current positions (Before match): 13 & 6
Respective current positions (After match): 13 & 4
Respective final positions: 13 & 4

So would it be the beginning of a new era for the former lords of the Premiership, or same shit, different manager? Playing at home should have helped them, but an early start would be essential, especially against free-scoring Chelsea. As it happens, Amorim was not in charge yet, Ruud van Nistelroy taking the reins till the Portuguese arrives, but it was Chelsea who had the first real chance, the ball just going wide of the post. Hojlund had a go but stopped by the keeper, and the resultant free was kept out as the wall did its job.

Rashford had a chance to put United in front at the end of the half but still scoreless as we broke for tea and tactics, then Palmer worked his magic, but Neto was unable to provide the finish, again inches in it. United went on a run of their own but a decent breakaway ended in a rather tame shot from Garnacho which the Chelsea keeper hadn't so much to save as to just catch. It was in the end a penalty which gave the home team a chance to get on the scoresheet as Sanchez took down the onrushing Hojlund. One thing Man United do not do is spurn penalties, and though this was their first of the season, Fernandes put it away cooly, to give them what has to be termed an unlikely lead with twenty minutes to go.

Four minutes later it was all for nothing though as Chelsea scored from a corner, Caicedo netting on 74 to equalise. Two minutes later they could have gone in the lead but the other Ferndandez shot high. In the final minute of normal time Man United had a golden opportunity to take all three points, but again Garnacho came up short, as did Fernandes, showing perhaps how few goals he's scored this season, today being his first in the league.

In extra time Martinez made a rash tackle on Palmer, yellow awarded but VAR considered turning it red, but decided against it, lucky for him. In the end it was a point won for United and two dropped for Chelsea, something I guess the new manager will consider some sort of improvement? A long way to go yet though.


Result: Manchester United 1 - 1 Chelsea
Scorer(s): Fernandes (MNU), Caicedo (CHE)
VAR decision(s), if any: Yellow card not upgraded to red for hard tackle on Palmer.
Effects: A point does nothing for United, who remain at 13th, while Chelsea climb to 4th place.

Monday, November 4 2024
Fulham v Brentford

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/e/eb/Fulham_FC_%28shield%29.svg/300px-Fulham_FC_%28shield%29.svg.png)

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/2/2a/Brentford_FC_crest.svg/360px-Brentford_FC_crest.svg.png)

Teams: Fulham v Brentford
Regions: London v London
Managers: Marco Silva v Thomas Frank
Form:/WWLLD/LDWLW
Targets: Only one place in it, both teams are looking to move into the top half of the table.
Expectation: Really could go either way; not a lot to separate the two teams, whose form could each be an anagram of the other (they've each won 2, lost 2 and drawn 1 game).
Ground: Craven Cottage
Respective current positions (Before match): 11 & 12
Respective current positions (After match): 9 & 12
Respective final positions: 9 & 12

This is the Monday night match, so I can't see it live or get highlights. Therefore I will only be able to report based on the articles I can read about it, mostly the BBC Sport website and probably Wiki. From what I can see, Fulham bossed this from the start, with a staggering 69% possession and 26 shots, 12 of which were on target, to Brentford's 5, two on target. Twice as many passes as the opposition, and Thomas Frank's team must have been feeling frustration, going from their 10 fouls to Fulham's 2.

Nevertheless, it does look like the Bees struck first, and early in the first half too, Janelt netting on 24 minutes, leaving the home side trailing right into added time, when two goals in quick succession from Harry Wilson got them the points. It must have come as something of a relief when he scored his first, in the second minute of the extra time, levelling the match, and surely Craven Cottage were on their feet five minutes later when he banged in the winner. All down to one man, and, if not quite against the run of play, certainly a shock upset for Brentford, who must have thought they had done enough to win.

Result: Fulham 2 - 1 Brentford
Scorer(s): Wilson (2) (FUL), Janelt (BRE)
VAR decision(s), if any: Unknown
Effects: Fulham move up to 9th, Brentford remain where they are.

Meh of the Day: Thankfully, for the third weekend running, no match falls into this category.

Scratch of the Day: No not really this weekend.

Player of the Day: Solanke, for Spurs, who scored twice against Villa.

Goal of the Day: Nothing tremendous stands out, although I didn't see the Fulham goals.

Miss of the Day: Fernandes's wild shot near the end of the match against Chelsea

Save of the Day: Nothing special.

VARiations: Overall, and for once, VAR did not get very much involved in decisions this weekend, and didn't the football flow much better without their interference?

Climb of the Day: Biggest climb is three places, and a few teams made that.
 
Drop of the Day: Same here.

Pass of the Day: Anthony Gordon's inch-perfect assist for Isak's first goal for Newcastle

Mirth of the Day: Alvarez, having been sent off for West Ham, somehow getting lost in the City Ground on his way to the tunnel. Maybe he needs SATNAV?

Quote of the Day: Ange Postecoglou in after-match interview: "Seven days is a long time in football, mate: last week I was a grumpy old man!"

Pen of the Day: Nothing spectacular. Fernandes' single spot kick which ended up allowing his team to draw was good, but just that.

Score of the Day: While it's by no means anything like a high score, Bournemouth's 2-1 win over Man City has to be acknowledged as the shock score of the weekend.

Cliche of the Day Nothing comes to mind.

We Wuz Robbed! Palace will say they should have won their game when Mateta netted what he thought to be the winning goal, but the ref had already blown the whistle for a foul, and VAR backed his decision up.

Trollheart's Hates:

Arsenal: Delighted to see them beaten by Newcastle, one of my other favourite teams, and lose ground in the title race.
 :D
Crystal Palace: They drew, but had what they believed to be the winning goal taken away from them. Yay VAR!
 :D
Manchester United: Hard to say. A draw is still a point for them, but they played shite and probably would have been beaten had it not been for the penalty they got.
 :D 


Nottingham Forest: Can't have it all. Forest are in storming form, and Wood again did the business for them, lifting them into third place. Where's my axe?
:(
Overall though, as some fat guy once sang, two out of three is all right.
 :D

Oops! Forgot the table last week. Too much FA Cup on my mind, methinks! Ah well, here's this week's one.

(https://i.postimg.cc/zDFzZkm7/PLTNOVWK.png)

Saturday November 8 2024
Brighton v Manchester City
Liverpool v Aston Villa
Brentford v Bournemouth
Wolves v Southampton
Crystal Palace v Fulham
West Ham v Everton

Note: from today on, "form" will be shown not the way it is in the table, last five games etc, but just a general idea of how the team is doing. Also. from here on in "VAR decisions" will only include those that influenced the match, either by sending the ref to the monitor and changing his mind, or by overruling him. In other words, if VAR and ref agree, then I don't note it. If VAR just check something and no decision is issued, I don't note it. Basically, I'm fucking sick of VAR and will refer to it as little as I can.

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/d/d0/Brighton_and_Hove_Albion_FC_crest.svg/380px-Brighton_and_Hove_Albion_FC_crest.svg.png)
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/e/eb/Manchester_City_FC_badge.svg/380px-Manchester_City_FC_badge.svg.png)

Teams: Brighton v Manchester City
Regions: East Sussex v Manchester
Managers:  Fabian Hurzeler v Pep Guardiola
Form: Man City lost their grip on first spot last week when Liverpool retook it, and Pep's boys were looking at a fourth straight defeat in a row after being battered by the soon-to-be-arriving new Manchester United coach's Sporting during the week. Brighton were on a season-long unbeaten streak at home.
Targets: Man City need to reclaim top spot, or at least not slip further. Brighton currently at 8th, could conceivably go fourth if results went their way.
Expectation: Any other day I'd be for City. It could be a storming fightback to show their title credentials are still good, or they could collapse after the humiliating defeat to Sporting. Brighton would seem to have the edge.
Ground: The Amex
Respective current positions (Before match): 8 & 2
Respective current positions (After match): 4 & 2
Respective final positions: 6 & 2

City were on the attack right away, seemingly ready to avenge that loss during the week, and Haaland, with two bites of the cherry, had them ahead on 22 minutes. He was on the hunt again shortly afterwards, a seeming foul waved on by the ref for advantage, but this time the Norwegian could not put it away. The resultant corner went wide, again it was City's top scorer who got his head to it, then Welbeck was almost on the score sheet but the keeper stopped it.

1-0 at the break then as Brighton went on the offensive, almost levelling within seven minutes, a great header but palmed out by the City keeper, Brighton piling all the pressure on now. They did everything but score, and the visitors grimly hanging on to their one goal lead. 12 minutes from time that pressure told for the home side as Joao Pedro put it away to level the game. The Seagulls turned the game around with 8 minutes to go as O'Riley doubled their tally.

In extra time City desperately tried to at least get a point out of the game, Foden and Walker both coming close, Haaland and a Brighton player seeming to square-dance in the box after the ball was in the keeper's hands - take your partner by the shirt... But it was frustration at yet another game lost, and history made by Manchester City as they lost their fourth game in a row. Could the cracks be showing?



Result: Brighton 2 - 1 Manchester City
Scorer(s): Haaland (MNC), Pedro, O'Riley (BHA)
VAR decision(s), if any: None
Effects: Brighton climb to 4th, but drop to 6th after Sunday. City remain in second, five points now behind Liverpool.

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/0/0c/Liverpool_FC.svg/360px-Liverpool_FC.svg.png)(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/9/9a/Aston_Villa_FC_new_crest.svg/300px-Aston_Villa_FC_new_crest.svg.png)

Teams: Liverpool v Aston Villa
Regions: Merseyside v West Midlands
Managers: Arne Slot v Unai Emery
Form: Liverpool have been flying, winning every game, both in Europe and at home, and currently top the Champions League after a 4-0 demolition of the mighty German side, Bayer Leverkusen. Villa have slipped from the top three, currently in 6th place, and 8th in Europe after their loss to Club Brugge.
Targets: Liverpool need to stay top and open the gap between them and Manchester City, Villa hope to get back up into the top 3.
Expectation: Much as I root for Villa, I have to expect Liverpool at home will take this.
Ground: Anfield
Respective current positions (Before match): 1 & 6
Respective current positions (After match): 1 & 8
Respective final positions: 1 & 9

Villa had the first meaningful attack on 19 minutes, but from the resultant corner Liverpool turned defence into attack with a classic breakaway move, Salah haring up the pitch, trailing defenders in his wake, only stopped by being taken down by Leon Bailey. No foul, but Nunez carried on the attack and blasted into the Villa net to put the home side ahead. Total counter-attack, Villa stunned, Anfield erupting. Villa thought they had a penalty down the other end two minutes later, but the ref gave it the other way against Watkins.

On the half-hour the visitors got another corner, and again it became yet another Liverpool attack, Villa done twice but this time Nunez shot high, lucky for us. Think we'd learn, now wouldn't you? Not even two consecutive corners AND Kelleher flapping for the ball and missing it could get the ball into the Liverpool net, and maybe it just wasn't going to be our day. In the second half yet another sitter for Villa, who just didn't seem to be able to put it away, while Liverpool were totally in control, though the score remained as it had at the break.

A free for Villa then allowed them to get the men forward, but could they make it count? Out of nowhere then, a penalty check but seemed to be turned down, though it wasn't made entirely clear, and then Nunez, who seemed to be all but a one-man strike force, fired again but the Villa keeper caught it. If this game ended as 1-0 it was certainly not representative of the chances on both ends. In the dying minute Salah got the ball and there was no way he was going to miss. Given away by Villa, and another defeat. Liverpool remain imperious at the top.


Result: Liverpool 2 - 0 Aston Villa
Scorer(s): Nunez, Salah (LIV)
VAR decision(s), if any: Penalty for Villa turned down
Effects: Liverpool remain at the top and open up a five-point lead there, Villa slide to 8th, then 9th after Sunday.

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/2/2a/Brentford_FC_crest.svg/360px-Brentford_FC_crest.svg.png)(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/e/e5/AFC_Bournemouth_%282013%29.svg/300px-AFC_Bournemouth_%282013%29.svg.png)

Teams: Brentford v Bournemouth
Regions: London v Dorset
Managers: Thomas Frank v Andoni Iraola
Form: Bournemouth are riding high on that historic defeat of Manchester City last week, Brentford lost their match on Monday against Fulham, but are slightly higher up the table.
Targets: Both teams need to move higher up the table; Bournemouth are two places above Brentford, who want to be in the top half.
Expectation: I would go for Bournemouth, allowing for the "happy factor" of having beaten the Champions
Ground: The G-Tech Community Stadium
Respective current positions (Before match): 12 & 10
Respective current positions (After match): 10 & 11
Respective final positions: 11 & 12

Bournemouth had the best of the early chances, spurning a great chance to take the lead, then were gifted a goal when an incredibly sloppy pass by Van den Berg let Evanilson in to score his third in three. A long throw up the Bournemouth end did not for once end up in a goal, until it did. Which is to say, a throw from the left side did nothing but when the throw was taken, moments later, from the right, Wissa got on the end of it and we were all square, halfway through the first half.

Four minutes into the second half the visitors were ahead again as Kluivert netted from a short corner. Brentford though were a different team now, and equalised minutes later through Damsgaard, parity restored. The home team then turned it around just before the hour as Wissa got his second, putting his team ahead for the first time in the match. Bournemouth went on a last-minute attack in the dying seconds and could have earned a point, but the ball came back off the bar, shot blocked and the the ref blew for full time.


Result: Brentford 3 - 2 Bournemouth
Scorer(s): Evanilsan, Kluivert (BOU), Wissa (2), Damsgaard (BRE)
VAR decision(s), if any: Wissa's goal checked for possible handball, decision was it stood.
Effects: Brentford climb into the top half of the table, Bournemouth one place behind them. After the Sunday games however, both slide back to the top of the bottom half of the table.

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/c/c9/Wolverhampton_Wanderers_FC_crest.svg/400px-Wolverhampton_Wanderers_FC_crest.svg.png)(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/c/c9/FC_Southampton.svg/380px-FC_Southampton.svg.png)

Teams: Wolves v Southampton
Regions: West Midlands v Hampshire
Managers: Gary O'Neil v Russell Martin
Form: Not good; each team is in the relegation zone, only a place and a point between them, so this is what you would call a real relegation six-pointer - whoever won today would lift themselves beyond that dotted line, at least for twenty-four hours.
Targets: For both, just get out of that relegation zone
Expectation: I've seen Wolves pull off some pretty spectacular comebacks in the last few weeks, and I've seen very little from the Saints, despite their surprising win last week, so guess who I'm going for?
Ground: Molyneaux
Respective current positions (Before match): 20 & 19
Respective current positions (After match): 18 & 20
Respective final positions: 19 & 20

The visitors were true to form, putting the ball in the path of the Wolves player and giving away a first goal with only two minutes gone. They made amends for this ten minutes later though, as Manning got the best of a crowded Wolves' box and slammed the ball beyond the keeper. 1-1 after 12 minutes: who would have thought it? Well maybe not: VAR seemed to think there was a collision in the box, and the goal was ruled out. Southampton went in search of another though, all the play coming down the home end, but Wolves retained the lead going into the break.

1-0 was never going to be comfortable though, especially with the stakes so high, and the home side tried to add to it, managing this six minutes in when Cunha fired a long-range shot, surely a contender for goal of the month if not goal of the season? Wolves were almost three up when a careless Ramsdale gave the ball away to them, but the shot, which, had it gone in, would have been as good as, if not better than Cunha's shot, bounced wide to spare the keeper's blushes and keep it at 2-0. Another chance missed for the home side, but the game was theirs.

Result: Wolves 2 - 0 Southampton
Scorer(s): Saabia, Cunha (WOL)
VAR decision(s), if any: First goal for Southampton ruled out for a foul in the box; general consensus was that not only should the goal have stood, it was a foul on the other side. VAR fucked up, is what happened.
Effects: Wolves climb almost to the line, now 18th, and have recorded their first win of the season. Southampton fall back to the bottom. Again. Wolves actually fall one place after Sunday, with Ipswich's result.

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/a/a2/Crystal_Palace_FC_logo_%282022%29.svg/350px-Crystal_Palace_FC_logo_%282022%29.svg.png)(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/e/eb/Fulham_FC_%28shield%29.svg/300px-Fulham_FC_%28shield%29.svg.png)
Teams: Crystal Palace v Fulham
Regions: London v London
Managers: Oliver Glassner v Mario Silva
Form: Fulham won their last match while Palace were, perhaps, cheated of a first win with a goal that was ruled out last weekend.
Targets: Palace are just above the relegation zone, and need to move in the right direction. Fulham fancy a move further up the top half of the table.
Expectation: Fulham won on Monday so I would think - hope - they'll defeat Palace, though the Eagles are at home, which always helps.
Ground: Selhurst Park
Respective current positions (Before match): 17 & 7
Respective current positions (After match): 17 & 7
Respective final positions: 18 & 7

The Palace keeper was under pressure early on, but proved equal to it, and Fulham could have been ahead before the break, but for the acrobatics of their keeper, then minutes from the end of the first half Mateta could have put Palace in the lead but the ball was cleared off the line. It was though Smith Rowe who put the visitors ahead in the last seconds before half time. Palace missed a sitter in the first minutes of the second half, then got a free, which they wasted and Fulham were on the break, Smith Rowe scoring his and Fulham's second, except it was ruled out for offside.

Ten minutes from time Palace's troubles increased as they had a man sent off for a straight red, Wilson completing thier misery by scoring Fulham's second and putting the game well beyond the home side. And then a third, just to rub it in. But VAR wanted the ref to have a look, believing Wilson had controlled the ball with his hand. Sent to the monitor, the ref agreed, and the goal was struck off. But it didn't help Palace, who remain just above the line, still without a single win.


Result: Crystal Palace 0 - 2 Fulham
Scorer(s): Smith Rowe, Wilson (FUL)
VAR decision(s), if any: Fulham's third goal ruled out for handball; Smith Rowe's second ruled offside.
Effects: Crystal Palace remain where they are, but fall into the relegation zone after Sunday. Hooray! May they stay there. Fulham remain at 7th.

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/c/c2/West_Ham_United_FC_logo.svg/350px-West_Ham_United_FC_logo.svg.png)
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/7/7c/Everton_FC_logo.svg/400px-Everton_FC_logo.svg.png)

Teams: West Ham v Everton
Regions: London v Merseyside
Managers: Julen Lopetegui v Sean Dyche
Form: Everton are hovering dangerously above the relegation zone, just 2 points in it, while West Ham are not doing much better. Both teams need to start climbing before they sink further.
Targets: Pretty much just survival for both teams at this point.
Expectation: Really could go either way; hard to know who wants it more
Ground: The London Ground
Respective current positions (Before match): 14& 16
Respective current positions (After match): 14 & 16
Respective final positions: 14 & 16

An early corner for the home side ended in an attack by Everton, almost in the same way Villa lost possession to Liverpool earlier, though this did not result in a goal. A few chances, but not much to talk about as we went into the second half, neither team able to score, and perhaps both showing why they are where they are. A long shot by Bowen came close as the second half got underway, and they were certainly pouring on the pressure now, a long range shot from Rodriguez nearly giving them the breakthrough.

Everton came as close, but really you'd have to say this was a game of two goalkeepers, each as athletic and acrobatic as his counterpart. West Ham almost took it, but Summerville hit the corner of the post and back it came, Ings shot but straight at Pickford, and it was beginning to look like a game with nil-nil stamped all over it. Not for the want of chances, Ings trying again and the Everton keeper again equal to it, but scoreless it ended, no use to either team.

Result: West Ham 0 - 0 Everton
Scorer(s): None
VAR decision(s), if any: None
Effects: Both remain where they are, for now.

Sunday November 9 2024
Chelsea v Arsenal
Manchester United v Leicester
Nottingham Forest v Newcastle
Tottenham Hotspur v Ipswich


(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/43/Ipswich_Town.svg/312px-Ipswich_Town.svg.png)(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/b/b4/Tottenham_Hotspur.svg/240px-Tottenham_Hotspur.svg.png)
Teams: Tottenham Hotspur v Ipswich
Regions: London v Suffolk
Managers: Ange Postecoglou v Kieran McKenna
Form: Tottenham are in good shape, and in the right half of the table. Ipswich have only 5 points and are looking a cert to go back down.
Targets: Spurs look to go 5th with a win, Ipswich, struggling at the other end, could climb out of the relegation zone with an unlikely victory.
Expectation: Got to go for Spurs on this one.
Ground: The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
Respective current positions (Before match): 9 & 19
Respective current positions (After match): 10 & 17
Respective final positions: 10 & 17

The team fighting relegation weren't hanging around, and almost scored within the first two minutes, but the Tottenham keeper was ready for the shot. A minute later it was Spurs who were on the attack, Johnson missing by a whisker. End to end stuff, as the Tractor Boys went back up the opposition end, got a corner, missed as it came back off the bar, the home team having their own go in the 19th, but the Ipswich keeper as alive to the danger as was his opposite number. On the half hour it was they who struck, Szmodics, who had had the first chance in the second minute, coming good as he pulled off an impressive overhead kick into the Spurs net.

The gulf in positions told though as Ipswich almost shot themselves in the foot as the half drew to a close, a wayward kick out from the keeper finding its way to Sarr, but luckily for the Suffolk team Spurs could not capitalise on the error, and then went two behind after some woeful defending let Delap in for Ipswich's second, Tottenham's defence needing a lot of work. In fairness, this did not look like a game between two teams almost at opposite ends of the table!

Spurs set about damage limitation as the second half got under way, Solanke helping them pull one back almost immediately, but there was a suspicion of handball, so would the goal stand? VAR confirmed the ball had come off the Spurs striker's hand, and the goal was chalked off. They did halve the deficit twenty minutes from time though, through Bentancur, but had the home side left it too late, and were Ipswich, doomed to relegation, about to record their first win? As extra time ticked away, the visitors almost did it again, giving the ball away in front of their own goal, but Solanke was unable this time to take advantage, and some last-ditch defending from Ipswich condemned Spurs to another defeat but more importantly gave the Tractor Boys their first win in the Premier League, and allows them to move out of the relegation zone for the first time.

Result: Tottenham Hotspur 1 - 2 Ipswich
Scorer(s): Szmodics, Delap (IPS), Bentancur (TOT)
VAR decision(s), if any: Offside given against Solanke for handball
Effects: Ipswich finally put daylight between themselves and the dotted line, hauling themselves up to 17th. Tottenham slide to 10th, just hanging on there at the bottom of the top half of the table.

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/e/e5/Nottingham_Forest_F.C._logo.svg/220px-Nottingham_Forest_F.C._logo.svg.png)

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/5/56/Newcastle_United_Logo.svg/400px-Newcastle_United_Logo.svg.png)
Teams: Nottingham Forest v Newcastle
Regions: Nottinghamshire v Tyne & Wear
Managers: Nuno Espirito Santos v Eddie Howe
Form: Forest are flying, in the heady reaches of third, with three wins in three and an in-form Chris Wood just behind Erling Haaland on goals this season. Newcastle are in the wrong half of the table, but a win today could lift them into the top half.
Targets: Forest look to be challenging for the title, damn them, and a win will keep them third, whereas Newcastle want to get into the top half.
Expectation: On form, you'd have to think Forest would take this one. And they're at home too.
Ground: The City Ground
Respective current positions (Before match): 3 & 12
Respective current positions (After match): 5 & 8
Respective final positions: 5 & 8

An elbow in the face from Yates could have given Newcastle a free, but the ref ignored that, as did VAR (well, they cleared it when it looked like a foul to me) and then compounded that by penalising the Magpies when they took down a Forest player on the break. Given that this was the City Ground, can that be seen as bias? Or just a failure to see what had happened? A mistake? Newcastle weren't happy about it anyway, and they were even less happy when they went one behind as Murillo rose to nod in from a corner on 21 minutes, Forest one to the good.

The Magpies tried to reply almost immediately, but the Forest keeper kept it out, maintaining their one goal lead into the second half, where Newcastle went close to levelling, but shot high. 1-0 is always a narrow lead though, and Newcastle's star man Isak drew them level just before the hour, no more than the visitors deserved, given their efforts. They had the bit between their teeth now and went for the win, Isak coming close to putting them ahead, but was it only a matter of time? Oh yes! Joelinton scored a peach with less than twenty minutes to go. Interestingly, both Newcastle goals went in off the post, the near for Isak's and the far one for Joelinton's.

Forest in for their first defeat in four now? There wasn't a lot of time to restore parity, and with 7 minutes of normal time to go, Barnes made sure that was impossible as he netted for Newcastle's third. The City Ground stunned.

Result: Nottingham Forest 1 - 3 Newcastle United
Scorer(s): Isak, Joelinton, Barnes (NEW), Murillo (FOR)
VAR decision(s), if any: Confirmed no foul for Newcastle
Effects: Forest slide down for the first time in a few weeks, to 5th while Newcastle capitalise on their win to move to 8th.

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/c/cc/Chelsea_FC.svg/380px-Chelsea_FC.svg.png)(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/5/53/Arsenal_FC.svg/360px-Arsenal_FC.svg.png)
Teams: Chelsea v Arsenal
Regions: London v London
Managers: Enzo Maresca v Mikel Arteta
Form: Both teams are in the top half of the table, a place between the two, equal on points, but Arsenal lost both their last match and in Europe, and may be demoralised, or may be out for blood. Chelsea are doing really well, and whoever wins today has a chance to get into the top four.
Targets: It's a razor-thin margin, and either team would like to be up there with the teams chasing the title and/or European football.
Expectation: Can't call it.
Ground: Stamford Bridge
Respective current positions (Before match): 5 & 6
Respective current positions (After match): 3 & 4
Respective final positions: 3 & 4

Chelsea were on the front foot from the first minute, Cole Palmer going close but Raya equal to the shot. A terrible miss then by Gusto, who headed the ball with gusto (sorry) but over the bar it went. A ball given away then near the end could have given Arsenal the lead but neither player could convert. Not, that is, until Havertz stole in on 32, but the goal was ruled out for offside, and so nothing to separate the teams as we went into the break.

Over the top again by Forfana as Chelsea opened the second half as they had the first, pushing for what might very well be the only goal, the one that would settle the match. It was however the visitors who scored just on the hour, through Martinelli with an inch-perfect strike. Ten minutes later Chelsea were level as Neto fired into the corner of the Arsenal net. Another glaring miss then for Arsenal minutes later as they tried to double their lead, missing again three minutes from time, surely the game today with the most missed chances. A final chance to win it was fluffed by Arsenal with yet another wide shot, right across the face of goal.

Result: Chelsea 1 - 1 Arsenal
Scorer(s): Martinelli (ARS), Neto (CHE)
VAR decision(s), if any: None
Effects: A point moves each up a place, Chelsea taking third, Arsenal behind them on 4th

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/7/7a/Manchester_United_FC_crest.svg/400px-Manchester_United_FC_crest.svg.png)(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/2/2d/Leicester_City_crest.svg/380px-Leicester_City_crest.svg.png)


Teams: Manchester United v Leicester
Regions: Manchester v Leicestershire
Managers: Ruud van Nistelroy v Steve Cooper
Form: You don't need to be told about United's form, surely? Leicester are midway up the table, but in the wrong half.
Targets: United need to improve on results ahead of the arrival of their new boss, and Leicester could do with getting higher in the table, too.
Expectation: I'd imagine Leicester might shade it, though with United at home, and City losing, who knows?
Ground: Old Trafford
Respective current positions (Before match): 13 & 15
Respective current positions (After match): 13 & 15
Respective final positions: 13 & 15

It was that man who scored first for United, Ferandes shooting into the Leicester net, perhaps somewhat against the run of play, the Foxes going clear soon after but unable to beat the keeper. Seven minutes from time Fernandes had doubled the home side's lead. Or had he? The goal was eventually given as an own goal, but I suppose he didn't care all that much. The important thing was that struggling Manchester United were 2-0 up at home, and just missed the chance to triple their lead in the last seconds.

Leicester were determined to come back though and went about their business as the second half began, but found themselves unable to get past the United keeper, and the home side caught them on the break, Garnacho scoring eight minutes from time to put the result in no doubt, and give Van Nistelroy, in the last of his brief managerial matches, an almost perfect record of wins, and set things up for the new boss, due to arrive next week.

Result: Manchester United 3 - 0 Leicester City
Scorer(s): Fernandes, Kristiansen (og), Garnacho (MNU)
VAR decision(s), if any: Fernandes's second goal ruled an own goal
Effects: Despite winning the game, and by a comfortable margin, Man United remain at 13th. Leicester stay where they are too.

In Unai I trust.

(https://st.depositphotos.com/1007712/1444/v/450/depositphotos_14447133-stock-illustration-chart.jpg)

Time then, before we close, for those all-important facts and statisics.

Meh of the Day: I think the West Ham v Everton match qualifies. Some chances, a few sitters missed, no goals, no real thrills. Something of a borefest; a lot of huffing and puffing but nobody's house got blown in.

Scratch of the Day: Brentford coming back to win against Bournemouth 3-2, having been down 2-0.

Player of the Day: Darwin Nunez, who almost led the Liverpool line single-handedly against Villa.

Goal of the Day: Cunha's long-range shot for Wolves against Southampton or Szmodics's overhead kick against Spurs

Miss of the Day: Take your pick of the many Spurs missed against Ipswich: I kind of lost count.

Save of the Day: Nothing special

VARiations: Again, a weekend on which not too much interference from VAR, and no decisions made that turned games around either way.

Climb of the Day: Newcastle jump 4 places from 12 to 8 and into the top half of the table.

Drop of the Day: Nothing really major, though Crystal Palace do drop into the relegation zone.

Shock of the Day: A few actually. Certainly, Brighton beating Man City for the first time ever is one. So is Newcastle beating an in-form Forest, and credit has to be given, too, to Ipswich on their first ever win, which lifts them out of the relegation zone.

Mirth of the Day: The little dance done by Haaland and his partner behind the goal.

Quote of the Day: Bruno Fernandes on the awarding of his second goal to Leicester as an own goal: "I think the fantasy manager will not be too happy with you guys."

Or

Arne Slot, when asked if he will relax during the upcoming international break: "I may have to help my kids with their homework." Oh, the glamorous life of a Premiership manager!

Pen of the Day: Never mind best pen, this was perhaps the first week without a single one!

Gaffe of the Day: Brentford gifting Bournemouth the first goal of the match, with only the keeper to beat. And he beat him.

Score of the Day: Between Ipswich's 2-1 against Spurs and Newcastle's 3-1 victory over Forest.

Cliche of the Day Not really anything I saw or heard.

We Wuz Robbed! Nah.

Trollheart's Hates:

Arsenal

Held to a 1-1 draw with Chelsea, which doesn't help their title ambitions, so I'm happy enough with that.

:)
Crystal Palace

Delighted to see them well beaten and falling into the relegation zone.
:D

Manchester United

Hate to see that they won at home, but they did play better than Leicester.
:(

Nottingham Forest

Delighted to see them lose, at home, and not only lose but be hammered by Newcastle. Have I said Up the Toon before? Well, I'm saying it again: Up the Toon!
:D

So verall then it's
:D

And finally, the table as we head into the international break:
(https://i.postimg.cc/CKYQ5ygP/PLTNov-Wk2.png)

See ya in two weeks!

Saturday November 23 2024

Note: it seems to me that I'm pretty much writing the same thing for "Form" as I am for "Target", so I'm eliminating the form-er. Sorry. You can get each team's actual form from the table anyway.

Manchester City v Tottenham Hotspur
Arsenal v Nottingham Forest
Fulham v Wolves
Bournemouth v Brighton
Aston Villa v Crystal Palace
Leicester v Chelsea
Everton v Brentford

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/e/eb/Manchester_City_FC_badge.svg/380px-Manchester_City_FC_badge.svg.png)(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/b/b4/Tottenham_Hotspur.svg/240px-Tottenham_Hotspur.svg.png)


Teams: Manchester City v Tottenham Hotspur
Regions: Manchester v London
Managers: Pep Guardiola v Ange Postecogly
Targets: City are five points behind Liverpool, so even winning here cannot go back top, but they can hope to close the gap to two points, at least until Liverpool play on Sunday, while Spurs can go seventh with a victory today.
Expectation: City are on a four-game losing streak, but they're at home so I would think they will come good here.
Ground: The Etihad
Respective current positions (Before match): 2 & 10
Respective current positions (After match): 2 & 6
Respective final positions: 2 & 6

That man was on the attack five minutes into the match, Haaland just shooting wide, but reminding the Spurs defence he was there, and to forget him at their peril. He was almost in again a few minutes later but this time the keeper was able to stop the shot. Spurs were doing their own pressing though and in 13 minutes they were first on the scoresheet as James Madison fired into the City net to silence the Etihad. Son almost added a second five minutes later, a lovely long curling shot, but Ederson, called into action, proved equal to it. City rocking though, and the first half not even twenty minutes old.

Rocking indeed, and reeling, as Madison helped himself to his second on that twenty-minute mark, a poor pass from Gvardiol allowing him in and giving him a literal birthday present. I doubt many City fans wished him any happy returns, but the travelling Spurs supporters were going mad. Desperate to restore order, Haaland tried again but this time it was three for three as his shot sailed high over the bar.

Not only the history of Manchester City , but Pep's entire managerial career was on the line here, as Guardiola had never in his entire life lost five games in a row, but things were not looking good for the champions as the second half began as the first had, with Spurs applying all the pressure, which resulted in a third goal, this time for Pedro Porro. Surely not even City could come back from this?

On the hour it was the visitors who made the error, giving the ball away and allowing Haaland a fourth bite of the cherry, but once again, and completely atypically, the big striker could not hit the target. Nerves setting in? Gvardiol also had a shot but it just didn't seem like it was going to go in for City this afternoon. In fact Spurs almost snatched a fourth but Ederson kept it out. A fifth attempt by Haaland hit the corner post as time ticked away, then Spurs capped a superb performance by netting their fourth when Johnson scored to put the seal on it, and condemn Manchester City to a historic record they did not want. Five defeats in a row. Not looking good, though Liverpool fans must be happy.

Result: Manchester City 0 - 4 Tottenham Hotspur
Scorer(s): Madison (2), Porro, Johnson (TOT)
VAR decision(s), if any: None
Effects: City lose the chance to close the gap on Liverpool. More importantly, confidence must take a knock, this being the fifth game City have lost in a row. Spurs move up to sixth place.

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/5/53/Arsenal_FC.svg/360px-Arsenal_FC.svg.png)
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/e/e5/Nottingham_Forest_F.C._logo.svg/220px-Nottingham_Forest_F.C._logo.svg.png)
Teams: Arsenal v Nottingham Forest
Regions: London v Nottinghamshire
Managers: Mikel Arteta v Nuno Espirito Santos
Targets: On the same points, but a place between them, either can go third if they win today.
Expectation: Hard to call really; could go either way. Arsenal may have the advantage, being at home, but I wouldn't put any money on it.
Ground: The Emirates
Respective current positions (Before match): 4 & 5
Respective current positions (After match): 4 & 7
Respective final positions: 4 & 7

Two minutes in, Arsenal were battering the Forest goal, their first shot saved by offside anyway, but showing how determined they were to widen the gap between the two teams and take that coveted third place. A minute later it was the visitors who were on the attack, the pass going wide as the Arsenal goal gaped. End to end stuff as the Gunners raced up the other half and this time put the ball in the net, but again it was flagged for offside. A quarter of an hour in though and they made it count, this time Saka not offside, Arsenal ahead at home.

All the pressure now coming from the home side as they pushed for another, the shot going wide but you sensed the next goal might be crucial. If Forest scored we were all square, but another for Arsenal might be too much of a mountain for the visitors to climb. And as the second half opened that was exactly what they had, as the Gunners doubled their lead. A Partey indeed, as the Arsenal man successfully avoided the ref, who was rather stupidly getting in the way of his shot, and banged it into the Forest net. Two-nil to the Arsenal.

Forest tried, with what I think may have been their first real shot of the match, but over it went, and Arsenal shot down the other end to add a third, the match surely now beyond Forest. In the last minute the visitors had the ball in the Arsenal net, but it was ruled offside, so they didn't even have a goal for their pains.

Result: Arsenal 3 - 0 Nottingham Forest
Scorer(s): Saka, Partey, Nwaneri (ARS)
VAR decision(s), if any: None
Effects: Arsenal remain where they are, level on points and goal difference with Chelsea. Forest slide down to 7th place.

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/e/eb/Fulham_FC_%28shield%29.svg/300px-Fulham_FC_%28shield%29.svg.png)(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/c/c9/Wolverhampton_Wanderers_FC_crest.svg/400px-Wolverhampton_Wanderers_FC_crest.svg.png)
Teams: Fulham v Wolverhampton Wanderers
Regions: London v West Midlands
Managers: Marco Silva v Gary Davies
Targets: Fulham were looking at a move into the top four, Wolves just trying to escape the basement
Expectation: Wolves have played some great football recently, but almost all of their matches have ended in draws, so you would think Fulham would have a game on their hands, but should win, especially being at home. Mind you, I said that about Man City, didn't I?
Ground: Craven Cottage
Respective current positions (Before match): 7 & 19
Respective current positions (After match): 10 & 17
Respective final positions: 9 & 17

Fulham came closest on the quarter-hour, but Jiminez's shot rapped off the bar, the next shot not reaching him but Iwobi put it into the net on 20 minutes, and it had been coming. What hadn't been coming was Wolves' equaliser, which came eleven minutes later, a fine goal, honours even at the break. And things got even better for the West Midlands strugglers eight minutes into the second half when they went ahead on a stunner from Gomes. Could Wolves hold on for the win? Well, they almost did themselves no favours a few minutes later, only the crossbar saving an own goal, then Cunha had a chance to score their second but it just scraped past the post.

Fulham weren't giving up though, especially in front of their home fans, and again hit the crossbar, before Cunha scored again, another spectacular strike to put Wolves in the driving seat and looking at a second win on the bounce. Wolves were great value for their win, and netted a fourth, surely for the first time in the season, in extra time.

Result: Fulham 1 - 4 Wolves
Scorer(s): Iwobi (FUL); Cunha (2), Gomes, Guedes (WOL)
VAR decision(s), if any: None
Effects: Fulham slide to 10th, in danger of falling out of the top half of the table, but make up ground due to Newcastle's loss on Monday, ending at 9th, while Wolves make some small advances and are now above the relegation zone, though there's only a point in it.

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/e/e5/AFC_Bournemouth_%282013%29.svg/300px-AFC_Bournemouth_%282013%29.svg.png)
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/d/d0/Brighton_and_Hove_Albion_FC_crest.svg/380px-Brighton_and_Hove_Albion_FC_crest.svg.png)
Teams: Bournemouth v Brighton
Regions: Dorset v East Sussex
Managers: Andoni Iraola v Fabian Hurzeler
Targets: Brighton could get into the top four with a win, Bournemouth wanted to move just into the top half of the table
Expectation: I'd probably go for the Sussex team here.
Ground: The Vitality Stadium
Respective current positions (Before match): 12 & 6
Respective current positions (After match): 13 & 5
Respective final positions: 13 & 5

Bournemouth weren't hanging around, a shot on goal in the first minute, but it went wide of the post, Three minutes later it was Brighton who were on the attack, their shot finding the back of the net and giving them the lead. Evanilson almost levelled for the home side before the half-hour but straight at the keeper. A second shot went wide from Kluivert, Bournemouth doing all the running now, then they seemed to have been rewarded as Evanilson scored, but ruled offside.

Brighton went ahead four minutes into the second half, to give the home side a difficult task, though it looked to have become a little easier when the visitors had a man sent off for a second yellow. Brighton now in defensive posture with ten men, the home side pressed their advantage, coming close with ten minutes to go, but as extra time wound down 2-0 it remained, until Brooks scored to halve the deficit. Too little too late? Could the ten men hang on for a victory? Answer to both questions was yes, despite a last-second corner for Bournemouth, which rattled the bar.

Result: Bournemouth 0 - 2 Brighton
Scorer(s): Pedro, Mitoma (BHA)
VAR decision(s), if any: None
Effects: Bournemouth lose a little ground, slipping to 13th while Brighton gain a little, advancing to 5th.

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/2/2d/Leicester_City_crest.svg/380px-Leicester_City_crest.svg.png)(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/c/cc/Chelsea_FC.svg/380px-Chelsea_FC.svg.png)

Teams: Leicester v Chelsea
Regions: Leicestershire v London
Managers: Steve Cooper v Enzo Maresca
Targets: Leicester need to move away from that dreaded dotted line, while Chelsea are still chasing the leaders.
Expectation: I would see this as a win for Chelsea
Ground: The King Power Stadium
Respective current positions (Before match): 15 & 3
Respective current positions (After match): 16 & 3
Respective final positions: 16 & 3

Chelsea had the early chances, but were unable to make anything of them, until Jackson netted on 15 minutes: it had been coming. The Foxes being hunted down now, Chelsea went close to a second on the half-hour, Leicester without a shot so far. McAteer sorted that, though he could not make the Chelsea net ripple. Palmer almost doubled the blues' lead in the second half, but actually hit it against his own player! Leicester living on their nerves though.

Fernandez did double their lead after Jackson's header had come back from the bar, and Chelsea were in command. The home side thought they might have won a penalty in the last ten minutes, but both the ref and VAR said no, and a second shout was cancelled out when the striker was offside. No luck for Steve Cooper's team this afternoon! Or was there? On closer inspection, Decordova-Reid was adjudged not to be offside, which meant VAR had to look at the penalty appeal, and with the offside dealt with, the decision was yes, it was a spot kick. Too late for the Foxes to get back into it though? It sure was, and Chelsea took the three points.

Result: Leicester 1 - 2 Chelsea
Scorer(s): Jackson, Fernandez (CHE); Ayew (LEI)
VAR decision(s), if any: Ndidi's challenge on Cole Palmer ruled NOT dangerous conduct, yellow card sufficient; last-minute offside ruled not to be, therefore penalty awarded
Effects: Leicester are pushed one place down to 16th, perhaps looking nervously down at that relegation line, while Chelsea remain where they are, level with Arsenal, in 3rd.

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/9/9a/Aston_Villa_FC_new_crest.svg/300px-Aston_Villa_FC_new_crest.svg.png)(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/a/a2/Crystal_Palace_FC_logo_%282022%29.svg/350px-Crystal_Palace_FC_logo_%282022%29.svg.png)
Teams: Aston Villa v Crystal Palace
Regions: Birmingham v London
Managers: Unai Emery v Oliver Glasner
Targets: Having tasted the heady heights of the top three, Villa wanted to get back there, while Palace just wanted to get out of the relegation zone.
Expectation: Got to go for my lads.
Ground: Villa Park
Respective current positions (Before match): 9 & 18
Respective current positions (After match): 8 & 18
Respective final positions: 8 & 19

Palace laid down a marker early, scoring in the fourth minute, and Villa, already on a four-goal losing streak, needed to hit back quickly. Watkins came close but the Palace keeper stopped his shot, then on the half-hour he got his goal to draw his team level. Bailey came close to putting them ahead just before the end of the first half, but then a penalty awarded in the last minute was saved. To make matters worse, Palace broke and scored down the other end, to go in 2-1 at the break.

A claim for a second penalty for Villa was turned down, and things were not looking good for the home side, until a corner allowed Barkley to level the game with 13 minutes to go. Palace came close twice in rapid succession to taking the lead again three minutes later, both shots off the post, bottom and top, (although one was later seen in the replay to have been a superb save by Martinez) leaving the points to be shared. A far better result for Villa than Palace.


Result: Aston Villa 2 - 2 Crystal Palace
Scorer(s): Sarr, Devenny (PAL);  Watkins, Barkley (AST)
VAR decision(s), if any: Penalty awarded to Villa in the first half, denied in the second
Effects: The draw is better for us, as we rise one place to 8th, while Palace remain in the relegation zone, and long may that continue.

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/7/7c/Everton_FC_logo.svg/400px-Everton_FC_logo.svg.png)
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/2/2a/Brentford_FC_crest.svg/360px-Brentford_FC_crest.svg.png)

Teams: Everton v Brentford
Regions: Merseyside v London
Managers: Sean Dyche v Thomas Frank
Targets: Brentford hoped to move into the top half of the table with a win, Everton just needed to move away from the lower half
Expectation: Don't know; could be a draw?
Ground: Goodison Park
Respective current positions (Before match): 16 & 11
Respective current positions (After match): 15 & 11
Respective final positions: 15 & 11

The home side were on the attack from the first minute, a corner in the fourth almost leading to the first goal, just saved by the Brentford keeper. The man between the posts had to be called into action again as Calvert-Lewin raced free, but nil-all it remained as Brentford went in search of the lead, Everton's keeper alive to the danger. Pickford in fact injured himself keeping out the next shot, VAR sending the ref to the monitor, which resulted in the sending off of one of Brentford's men, the second game today played out with ten men.

Everton came close again in the second half, but wide, then the ten men almost took the lead. A tense game as I imagine both teams were praying for the final whistle, which came with neither team scoring.

Result: Everton 0 - 0 Brentford
Scorer(s): None
VAR decision(s), if any: Brentford player sent off for what was deemed dangerous play on the Everton keeper.
Effects: Here too the draw helps Everton more, who climb one place while Brentford remain where they are.

Sunday November 24 2024
Southampton v Liverpool
Ipswich v Manchester United

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/c/c9/FC_Southampton.svg/380px-FC_Southampton.svg.png)(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/0/0c/Liverpool_FC.svg/360px-Liverpool_FC.svg.png)
Teams: Southampton v Liverpool
Regions: Hampshire v Merseyside
Managers: Russell Martin v Arne Slot
Targets: Southampton desperately need to claw their way out of the relegation zone, where they've been, it seems, for most of the season. Liverpool will remain top no matter what, but can widen the gap to 8 points with a win.
Expectation: Liverpool for the win.
Ground: St. Mary's
Respective current positions (Before match): 20 & 1
Respective current positions (After match): 20 & 1
Respective final positions: 20 & 1

To nobody's surprise it was the league leaders who had the first attempt, on six minutes, Salah only kept out by the man guarding the net for Southampton. They had their own shot but 21st minute saw Salah again have a chance to put his team ahead, again stopped by the keeper. A free halfway through the first 45 almost opened the scoring but Nunes fired into the keeper's arms. You couldn't imagine the home side were going to hold out against such unrelenting pressure though, nor did they: on the half-hour quality told and Liverpool were ahead, in fact through a mistake, the last thing struggling Southampton needed.

Two minutes later they went in search of an equaliser, shooting wide, then wasting a corner and then at least pulling a save out of Kelleher. Five minutes from time the Saints were handed a lifeline as they were awarded a penalty, but what would VAR say? They agreed, and so Armstrong stepped up to the spot. Kelleher saved brilliantly, but the Southampton man scored on the rebound to draw his team level.

Perhaps galvanised by that, it was the home team who applied all the pressure in the early part of the second half, and they duly got their reward just before the hour when Fernandes raced free and slotted the ball in beyond Kelleher to put the team currently sitting at the very bottom of the relegation zone in front. Not for long though as Salah slipped round the keeper and just watched the ball roll into the opposition net.

Nine minutes from time and Liverpool had the opportunity to wrap the game up as they were given a penalty. Does Salah ever miss those? Never in doubt. He had a chance to take Liverpool's fourth, and his hat trick near the end, but the ball came back off the post. A corner at the death could have got Southampton back into it, but it shot over the top and Liverpool win yet again.

Result: Southampton 2 - 3 Liverpool
Scorer(s): Szoboszlai, Salah (2) (LIV); Armstrong. Fernandes (SOU)
VAR decision(s), if any: None
Effects: Liverpool go 8 points clear at the top, Southampton remain rooted to the opposite end of the table.

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/43/Ipswich_Town.svg/312px-Ipswich_Town.svg.png)
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/7/7a/Manchester_United_FC_crest.svg/400px-Manchester_United_FC_crest.svg.png)

Teams: Ipswich v Manchester United
Regions: Suffolk v Manchester
Managers: Kieran McKenna v Ruben Amorim
Targets: Man United will want to impress the new manager, and surely against relegation-threatened Ipswich, they have a good chance? The home team just need to get out of the zone.
Expectation: You'd have to imagine, on balance, that United would do it.
Ground: Portman Road
Respective current positions (Before match): 19 & 12
Respective current positions (After match): 19 & 12
Respective final positions: 18 & 12

Cometh the hour, cometh the man? You might even say, Portugal, the Man? Manchester United have never seemed to recover from the loss of Alex Ferguson, with a succession of managers who have all failed to bring United back to the glory days they had been so used to. Ruben Amorim has quite a job on his hands, but having battered United's noisy neighbours in Europe last week, perhaps he is "the one". Certainly they made a great start, Rashford racing down the pitch to score United's first with only 2 minutes on the clock. By contrast, Ipswich's Szmodicks blasted over the bar. Ipswich kept the pressure up though, and their striker almost had the leveller, but the keeper saved it.

Garnacho then had a chance to put United two up before the break but shot wide, Delap nearly making them rue that miss as he shot at Onana. Then Hutchinson did, as he shot a lovely curler into the top corner with two minutes of the half to go. Garnacho was at it again from the kick-off as the second half began, but again wide, while Delap was again blocked, while Garnacho - whose commitment and effort you really couldn't fault; he seemed to be the only one taking shots at the Ipswich goal since Rashford had scored - was kept out from putting United ahead by a perfect tackle.

A real battle for the next goal between Garnacho and Delap, and you definitely got the feeling, with 15 minutes to go, that whoever won that battle would win the game for their team. In fact, it was Fernandez who almost settled it from a free, but it again went wide. Ipswich certainly weren't giving up though and could have won it four minutes from time, but a draw it ended.

Result: Ipswich 1 -1 Manchester United
Scorer(s): Rashford (MNU); Hutchinson (IPS)
VAR decision(s), if any: None
Effects: Ipswich move up one place, though still in the relegation zone. Man United remain where they were.

Monday November 25 2024

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/5/56/Newcastle_United_Logo.svg/400px-Newcastle_United_Logo.svg.png)(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/c/c2/West_Ham_United_FC_logo.svg/350px-West_Ham_United_FC_logo.svg.png)
Teams: Newcastle v West Ham
Regions: Tyne & Wear v London
Managers: Eddie Howe v Julian Lopetgui
Targets: West Ham need to move further away from the relegation zone; Newcastle can go fifth with a win.
Expectation: On balance, and being at home, you'd imagine the Magpies would take this.
Ground: St. James' Park
Respective current positions (Before match): 9 & 14
Respective current positions (After match): 10 & 14
Respective final positions: 10 & 14

Looks like struggling West Ham opened the scoring early, Soucek scoring on 10 minutes, but though I didn't see this, being a Monday night match, Newcastle don't seem to have had any reply and went in at the break one down. Of course, there could have been chances aplenty, but I'm just looking at the results, so that's all I can tell you. Soon after the restart the Hammers put the seal on it when Wan-Bissaka scored their second, and that was it for the match.

Result: Newcastle 0 - 2 West Ham
Scorer(s): Soucek, Wan-Bissaka (WHU)
VAR decision(s), if any: Unknown
Effects: Newcastle drop one place to 10th, while even the win isn't enough to move West Ham, who remain at 14th.

Meh of the Day: Again, thankfully, no match fit this criterion.

Scratch of the Day: Not really this time.

Player of the Day: I think, despite myself, I'd have to give this to Man United's Garnacho, who, though he didn't score, had the most attempts by his team and seemed the most up for it. He also made a perfect tackle to stop Ipswich scoring, which, had he mistimed it, would have given the home side a penalty.

Gasp of the Day: Man City being beaten at home, their fifth on the run, or Wolves' shock 4-1 defeat of Fulham

Goal of the Day: Hutchinson's curler into the Man United net for Ipswich's first goal.

Miss of the Day: Has to be Villa's penalty. For fuck's sake, Tielemans! Can't you beat a fucking keeper??

Save of the Day: Martinez's fingertips pawing away of the ball from Palace which would have given them the win at the death.

VARiations: A bad decision made by the men in the box during the game between Everton and Brentford, when dangerous play was the verdict, but nobody except them seemed to think it was. Ref too weak to hold his nerve and stand up to the tyranny of this stop-motion, freeze-frame, millimetre-calculating behemoth that is ruining our game. Boo.

Climb of the Day: Spurs move up 4 places from 10 to 6, and close to the top half of the table.

Drop of the Day: Fulham drop 3 places, from 7 to 10

Pass of the Day: Gravenberch's inch-perfect pass to Salah for Liverpool's second

Mirth of the Day: Banner held in the Manchester United end: "Rhymes with Amorim: will City ever win again?" A little precipitous, no? It's only Ipswich, after all.

Also: in the same game, the Ipswich keeper hitting the linesman with the ball and knocking his arm badge off. Hey, he saw the funny side of it.

Quote of the Day: Iwobi for Fulham in his interview after the match: "We always try to have these shoots in training day, then the gaffer come to me, he say please do this in the game, please help me!"

Pen of the Day: Have to give it to Southampton's Armstrong in the match against Liverpool. Not the greatest penalty, but for his awareness to be able to tuck it in when it came back off the rebound, I think he deserves it.

Score of the Day: Wolves 4-1 against Fulham was a hell of a shock, as was Spurs' 4-0 defeat of Man City

Cliche of the Day Nothing comes to mind.

We Wuz Robbed! Nope

Trollheart's Hates:

Arsenal: Annoyed to see them win, and easily, but then again it was against Forest, so hard to say how I feel. Overall, since Arsenal's win didn't move them any further up the table, and Forest's loss sends them down 2 places, I guess it's an acceptable result.

Crystal Palace Well for a long time it looked like we might be beaten by the bastards, which would have crushed me. Drawing with them in fact helped us more than them, allowing us to move up one place (for now) and leaving them mired in the relegation zone.
:)
Manchester United I'd rather they had been beaten, but I'm glad they didn't walk all over Ipswich, who made it really hard for them, and they don't move anywhere, so I'll take that.

Nottingham Forest See above.
:D

And now...
(https://media.tenor.com/Ng2uEPPbOUAAAAAM/breaking-news-news.gif)

Of course, not every weekend will have anything worth reporting, but when it does, I'll note it here.

Managerial Mayhem
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6e/Ruben_Amorim%2C_January_2024_%28cropped%29.png/440px-Ruben_Amorim%2C_January_2024_%28cropped%29.png)
(https://www.icegif.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/icegif-1064.gif)
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e7/Steve_Cooper.jpg/440px-Steve_Cooper.jpg)(https://ugokawaii.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/left-arrow.gif)

The big news this weekend was of course the arrival of Ruben Amorim from Sporting as he took over the manager's job at Manchester United for the first time, but on the other end of the scale, exiting a job he held for less than six months, Steve Cooper was fired by Leicester City. Though he did very well with his previous team, Nottingham Forest, bringing them back to the Premiership after almost 20 years outside the top division. But with Leicester in a similar position to how he left Forest (they're now 16th, Forest were 17th) he and the club parted company, and Leicester will now be looking to fill the position.

(Incidentally, if anyone knows where I can find, or wants to make, smaller arrows for me I'd appreciate it. These were the best I could find. They need to be a) one red, pointing to the left and one green pointing to the right and b) animated.)

And finally, before the table, let's have some

(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/1d/90/14/1d901474a4fe251860914420959c551c.gif)
Football Fun!
(https://img.a.transfermarkt.technology/portrait/big/15856-1708012103.jpg?lm=1)
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6f/Eddie_Howe_2015.jpg/800px-Eddie_Howe_2015.jpg)

To Beard or not to Beard?

I thought it might be of no particular interest but fun nevertheless to see how many of the current managers in the Premiership have beards, versus those who do not.

I count seven who are bearded (with three possibles) versus nine definitely not.

Definitely bearded:
Enzo Maresca (Chelsea)
Sean Dyche (Everton)
Pep Guardiola (Man City)
Ruben Amorim (Man United)
Nuno Espirito Santos (Forest)
Russell Martin (Southampton)
Ange Postecoglu (Spurs)

Possibly bearded:
Fabian Hurzeler (Brighton)
Gary O'Neil (Wolves)
Julian Lopetegui (West Ham)

Clean shaven:
Mikel Arteta (Arsenal)
Unai Emery (Villa)
Andoni Iraola (Bournemouth
Thomas Frank (Brentford)
Oliver Glasner (Palace)
Marco Silva (Fulham)
Kieran McKenna (Ipswich)
Arne Slot (Liverpool)
Eddie Howe (Newcastle)

Note: I haven't included Steve Cooper,as he's been fired. Depends really now on who Leicester give the job to...

If you want to weigh in on the "possibly bearded" ones, let me know.

So at the moment it's 9-7 to the clean shaven, but with a possible 3 subs on the bench, which could turn the tide for facial hair. Could be all to play for!

(https://i.postimg.cc/Y0pKSr3X/PLT251104.png)

QuoteA far better result for Villa than Palace.

???

Villa should be beating bottom half sides at home quite easily.

Another shit result.

8th place and 3 points off 4th is great considering we've won 1 game in 7.

Sort it out Unai ffs.

Yeah I know but what I mean is that we still climb one place to 8th whereas they are still drowning in the relegation zone. I know we should be doing better. How the living fuck could a striker like Tielemans MISS a penalty?? Christ scoring on the rebound in extra time in a must-win match! Like you say, get it together. If we don't sort it Juventus are going to piss all over us at home tomorrow.

It came up that he'd missed 3 of his last 5 before he took it.

McGinn should have had it ffs.

Could have given it to Watkins. Had we scored, that probably would have been it. Fucking Palace! How I hate them. Hope they go down.  :rage: And we were lucky not to be beaten: that save right at the death! Fuck's sake. Should not be relying on those.

Saturday November 30 2024
West Ham v Arsenal
Wolves v Bournemouth
Brentford v Leicester
Nottingham Forest v Ipswich
Crystal Palace v Newcastle
Brighton v Southampton

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/c/c2/West_Ham_United_FC_logo.svg/350px-West_Ham_United_FC_logo.svg.png)(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/5/53/Arsenal_FC.svg/360px-Arsenal_FC.svg.png)
Teams: West Ham v Arsenal
Regions: London v London
Managers:  Julian Lopetgui v Mikel Arteta
Targets: Arsenal want to move up and challenge for the title, West Ham just want to move up.
Expectation: You'd give this to the Gunners all day long
Ground: The London Stadium
Respective current positions (Before match): 4 & 14
Respective current positions (After match): 2 & 14
Respective final positions: 2 & 14

Ten places between them, Arsenal coming off the back of a massive victory in the Champions League against Sporting, who hammered Man City the last time out, surely this was the Gunners' for the taking? Ten minutes in they were ahead from a corner, Gabriel netting for the visitors. The Hammers almost equalised nine minutes later, beautiful lob into the net, but ruled offside. Instead it was Arsenal who scored, doubling their lead almost on the half-hour as Saka and Trossard combined to make it even harder for the home side.

And their task became impossible when Arsenal were awarded a penalty, which Odegaard duly converted to send his team three up, and before the break that became four, as Havertz broke away and tucked the ball into the West Ham net, Arsenal rampant. A few minutes later the home side did pull one back through Wan-Bissaka, but could they overcome what was still a three-goal deficit? Well, surprisingly, the team languishing at 14th place halved that lead, when they got a free kick in the last five minutes of what had turned out to be a very eventful first half, Emerson shooting over the wall and into the top corner. Were Arsenal about to pull a Man City and lose a four-goal lead? They were already halfway there.

Believe it or not, we weren't finished with the first half yet! Another penalty for Arsenal, this time taken by Saka, and the Gunners were three up again! Surely the second half couldn't be as exciting? Sterling nearly made it six, but hit the side netting, though you would not have bet against the visitors scoring again. Ings missed what could only be called a sitter as he skipped around the keeper but shot wide, showing West Ham weren't done yet. But as time began to run out and we slipped into extra time, it was clear this was going to be a bridge too far for West Ham.
Result: West Ham 2 - 5 Arsenal
Scorer(s): Gabriel, Trossard, Odegaard (pen), Havertz, Saka (p) (ARS); Wan-Bissaka, Emerson (WHU)
VAR decision(s), if any: None
Effects: Arsenal move into second place, West Ham remain where they were.

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/c/c9/Wolverhampton_Wanderers_FC_crest.svg/400px-Wolverhampton_Wanderers_FC_crest.svg.png)(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/e/e5/AFC_Bournemouth_%282013%29.svg/300px-AFC_Bournemouth_%282013%29.svg.png)
Teams: Wolves v Bournemouth
Regions: West Midlands v Dorset
Managers: Gary O'Neil v Andoni Iraola
Targets: As usual, for Wolves it's just to get as far away from the relegation zone as they can. A win today would put them 14th, while Bournemouth could move closer to the top half of the table if they took the three points.
Expectation: Can't really call it. Wolves have just been pulling off too many surprise performances in the last few weeks.
Ground: Molyneaux
Respective current positions (Before match): 17 & 13
Respective current positions (After match): 18 & 11
Respective final positions: 18 & 13

I love Wolves' fighting spirit, but they would really have to hammer out a victory if they wanted to pull away from the drop zone, and Bournemouth beginning with a penalty was not a good start for the home side. Kluivert took it, scored, and Wolves were behind within three minutes of the kick-off. Oh dear. But Wolves seldom lie down, and two minutes later they were level as Strand-Larsen netted, the game only five minutes old. And it was only eight minutes old when Bournemouth retook the lead, through Kerkez. Talk about end to end stuff! Evanilson almost made it three but too close to the keeper, and so we entered the fifteenth minute with the score 2-1 to Bournemouth.

The Cherries wanted a penalty in that fifteenth minute, when Sa took down Evanilson, and they got it after VAR had sent the ref to the all-important screen. Kluivert took responsibility again, and scored, Bournemouth now three to the good. Kluivert went for his hat-trick in the second half, but the Wolves keeper gathered it, then Strand-Larsen raced clear and cut the opposition's lead to a single goal with twenty minutes to go. But Sa screwed his team again, giving away a third penalty and surely scuppering any chances Wolves had of gaining a point. I don't know if that's a record, the same player scoring three penalties in the one game? Can't be that common though. Okay yes the lads confirmed it: two records in fact. The first time one player has won three penalties for his team (Evanilson) and the first time any player has scored three penalties in a game. Historic stuff.

Result: Wolves 2 - 4 Bournemouth
Scorer(s): Kluivert (p) (p) (p) (3), Kerkez (BOU); Strand-Larsen (2) (WOL)
VAR decision(s), if any: Penalties awarded to Bournemouth
Effects: Wolves fall back below the line, Bournemouth scrape the top of the bottom half of the table, but then fall from 11th to 13th after Sunday's games.

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/2/2a/Brentford_FC_crest.svg/360px-Brentford_FC_crest.svg.png)(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/2/2d/Leicester_City_crest.svg/380px-Leicester_City_crest.svg.png)
Teams: Brentford v Leicester
Regions: London v Leicestershire
Managers: Thomas Frank v Ben Dawson (Ruud van Nistelroy to take charge next week)
Targets: Brentford want to move back into the top half of the table, and theoretically, depending on other results this weekend, could go fifth with a win. Leicester just want to move away from the dreaded relegation zone.
Expectation: I think Brentford will take this.
Ground: G-Tech Community Stadium
Respective current positions (Before match): 11 & 16
Respective current positions (After match): 7 & 16
Respective final positions: 8 & 16

I must admit, I would not have expected the ex-Manchester United interim boss to be the new manager of Leicester City, but it seems Ruud van Nistelroy takes over there in a few days. I guess Ruben Amorim didn't see him featuring in his new set-up. Must be a bit tough for him, having dedicated so much of his life to the Red Devils. He has almost as big a job as his almost ex-boss does now at United, with Leicester sliding down the table like a man hanging over a cliff as the branch he's clinging to begins to come loose, and the drop zone is only one point below.

They were almost ahead on 2 minutes, on a day which seemed to be dogged by poor goalkeeping decisions and errors, the Brentford keeper passing out to a Leicester player, who just shot into his chest, allowing him to make up for the howler. A lucky escape. Three minutes later his opposite number was showing him how it should be done as he kept Brentford out with a fine save. Halfway through the half vintage Vardy led to the opening goal as Buonanotte tapped in his pass. Four minutes after that goal Brentford had the ball in the net, but the equaliser was somewhat marred by a serious injury to a Leicester player who collided with the Brentford keeper.

Leicester playing for now with ten men while the sub was organised, the Bees on the attack took the initiative and also the lead as Schade scored. He took a second in the last minutes of added time to put the visitors three up. They started the second half as they had ended the first, the Foxes somewhat shell-shocked, it seemed, and slow to get back into the match. On the hour, Brentford made it four, Schade getting his hat-trick, Leicester condemned to another defeat, not easy viewing for the manager-in-waiting.

Result: Brentford 4 - 1 Leicester
Scorer(s): Buonanotte (LEI); Wissa, Schade (3) (BRE)
VAR decision(s), if any: None
Effects: Brentford move into the top half of the table and advance to 7th, then fall to 8th after Sunday; Leicester remain in the same position.

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/e/e5/Nottingham_Forest_F.C._logo.svg/220px-Nottingham_Forest_F.C._logo.svg.png)
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/43/Ipswich_Town.svg/312px-Ipswich_Town.svg.png)
Teams: Nottingham Forest v Ipswich
Regions: Nottinghamshire v Suffolk
Managers: Nuno Spirito Santos v Kieran McKenna
Targets: Forest, having experienced the thrill of third place, want to get back there asap. Ipswich are again struggling in the relegation zone.
Expectation: I would like to think Ipswich would pull a surprise victory, and maybe they will, but in reality I expect Forest to take it.
Ground: The City Ground
Respective current positions (Before match): 7 & 18
Respective current positions (After match): 6 & 19
Respective final positions: 6 & 19

Forest had the early chance but it went wide from Gibbs-White, but back they came and Yates came close too, the shot blocked this time. The visitors headed down the Forest end and got a corner, which was cleared off the line on 22 minutes, then Delap's desire to score for the fourth game in a row led to his blocking his team mate's tap-in, and so at the break the game remained scoreless. Two minutes after the restart things started to go wrong for the Tractor Boys as the home side were awarded a penalty, Chris Wood equalling the club record to put his team ahead with his 24th goal.

Things could have got worse for the visitors soon after, when Wood claimed a penalty, but VAR said you must think we were born yesterday, lad. Away with ye. So they tried to score their second the old-fashioned way, from a corner, but some fine Ipswich defending kept them out on the hour. Wood went down again five minutes later, VAR had a look at it and again said no. Ipswich had a go but straight at the keeper, and in the end the one goal was enough for Forest to take the match.

Result: Nottingham Forest 1 - 0 Ipswich
Scorer(s): Wood (FOR)
VAR decision(s), if any: Two possible penalties for Forest ruled out, both by Chris Wood
Effects: Forest move up one place to 6th, Ipswich fall back into the relegation zone.

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/a/a2/Crystal_Palace_FC_logo_%282022%29.svg/350px-Crystal_Palace_FC_logo_%282022%29.svg.png)
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/5/56/Newcastle_United_Logo.svg/400px-Newcastle_United_Logo.svg.png)
Teams: Crystal Palace v Newcastle United
Regions: London v Tyne & Wear
Managers: Oliver Glasner v Eddie Howe
Targets: Palace need to get out of the relegation zone, Newcastle want to avoid dropping back into the bottom half of the table.
Expectation: I'm thinking a draw here
Ground: Selhurst Park
Respective current positions (Before match): 19 & 10
Respective current positions (After match): 17 & 10
Respective final positions: 17 & 11

A team I hate plays a team I really like, but Palace were at home, and though they're mired in the relegation zone, sometimes Newcastle just do not bring it, so which team would turn up today? The Magpies were not too happy to see their star striker, Isak, go off injured, but Harvey Barnes is always a good replacement. A great Palace break should have resulted in the first goal, but just wide of the post. The second half saw Newcastle get a free kick which was converted to a goal, given to Gordon but looked to have been an own goal. Not that they cared.

On the hour the home side had two chances to equalise, both kept out, then fifteen minutes from time they hit the post, earned a corner but this time over the bar, Newcastle kind of hanging on now. And in the final minute of extra time Palace equalised to take a point. Newcastle only have themselves to blame.

Result: Crystal Palace 1 - 1 Newcastle
Scorer(s): Guehi (og) (NEW); Munoz (PAL)
VAR decision(s), if any: None
Effects: Palace haul themselves out of the relegation zone again; Newcastle drop one place to 11th and out of the top half of the table.

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/d/d0/Brighton_and_Hove_Albion_FC_crest.svg/380px-Brighton_and_Hove_Albion_FC_crest.svg.png)(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/c/c9/FC_Southampton.svg/380px-FC_Southampton.svg.png)
Teams: Brighton v Southampton
Regions: East Sussex v Hampshire
Managers: Fabian Hurzeler v Russell Martin
Targets: For the Saints it's all about survival as they struggle at the very bottom of the table, Brighton are on their way up, and a win today could help them close the gap on the leading pack.
Expectation: Can't see Southampton doing much here, got to give it to the Seagulls
Ground: The Amex
Respective current positions (Before match): 5 & 20
Respective current positions (After match): 3 & 20
Respective final positions: 4 & 20

A Southampton chance in the sixth minute turned into a Brighton break, but Mitoma shot wide, then the home side had another chance but it came off the post. Surely only a matter of time? Indeed it was, as Mitoma headed in on the half-hour, going in ahead at the break after a pretty poor - but expectedly so - performance by Southampton. They tried to put that to rights in the second half, and on the hour they did exactly that, Downes drawing the bottom side level. More than that: six minutes later Archer put the Saints ahead. Or did he? VAR checked the lines, and the goal was ruled offside, breaking Southampton hearts and testing our patience. Even worse, Brighton almost won it at the death, but a draw it ended.

Result: Brighton 1 - 1 Southampton
Scorer(s): Mitoma (BHA); Downes (SOU)
VAR decision(s), if any: What should have been a precious winning goal for Southampton was ruled off for a very dodgy offside
Effects: Brighton take third place, fourth after Chelsea's win on Sunday; Southampton remain rooted to the foot of the table.

Sunday December 1 2024
Liverpool v Manchester City
Tottenham Hotspur v Fulham
Manchester United v Everton
Chelsea v Aston Villa

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/b/b4/Tottenham_Hotspur.svg/240px-Tottenham_Hotspur.svg.png)(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/e/eb/Fulham_FC_%28shield%29.svg/300px-Fulham_FC_%28shield%29.svg.png)

Teams: Tottenham Hotspur v Fulham
Regions: London v London
Managers: Ange Postecoglu v Marco Silva
Targets: Spurs are challenging for European football now, while Fulham are not far behind them. Both will want to move up the table.
Expectation: Could end up a draw.
Ground: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
Respective current positions (Before match): 6 &9
Respective current positions (After match): 7 & 10
Respective final positions: 7 & 10

Fulham almost went behind early when they gave the ball away in their own penalty area, but Son was unable to get past their keeper, then they were almost in themselves after the quarter-hour but too close to the Spurs keeper. Again they hit the man between the posts and not the Tottenham net, but they kept up the pressure, the next shot coming back off the crossbar, hit with real venom. Then Werner went down and Spurs got a free, Madison just scraping the post as the break loomed.

Six minutes in to the second half Spurs gave it away and only the keeper's acrobatics kept out Fulham's equally acrobatic shot, but in the end it was the home side who scored first, Johnson taking his tenth goal of the season and putting his team ahead in what had been a tighter match than expected. Fulham hit back ten minutes later to level the game. Could Tottenham hold on now? Nine minutes left and a bad tackle saw Fulham lose a man to a straight red after VAR had recommended the ref head to the monitor.

Wilson almost won it though for the visitors, the ball just cleared off the line in the final minutes, and so Tottenham did manage to hold on to take a point, but you'd have to say they were lucky. Could so easily have lost, and against ten men. Fulham certainly gave them a game, and deserved the point they took.


Result: Tottenham Hotspur 1 - 1 Fulham
Scorer(s): Johnson (TOT); Cairney (FUL)
VAR decision(s), if any: Serious foul play led to a Fulham player being sent off after the ref was advised to check the screen.
Effects: Spurs move up one place to 7th, Fulham move down one place to 10th.

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/7/7a/Manchester_United_FC_crest.svg/400px-Manchester_United_FC_crest.svg.png)(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/7/7c/Everton_FC_logo.svg/400px-Everton_FC_logo.svg.png)

Teams: Manchester United v Everton
Regions: Manchester v Merseyside
Managers: Ruben Amorim v Sean Dyche
Targets: As far as I can see, nothing Everton does is going to move them any higher, 3 points will still keep them at 15th. United will want to try to move into the top half of the table, which they can do with a win.
Expectation: Hard to say. United will want to impress their new manager, and are at home, but was last week's match an aberration, atypical of their current form? Everton aren't exactly firing on all cylinders either, so possibly the home fans might cheer Man United on to an important win.
Ground: Old Trafford
Respective current positions (Before match): 12 & 15
Respective current positions (After match): 9 & 15
Respective final positions: 9 & 15

United were in attacking form, threatening the Everton goal in the third minute, but the keeper was able to stop the shot, then the visitors had a wasted chance; probably not too likely to get many of them. United missed again on 13, Everton almost squeezing it in on 21 but the angle was far too acute. On the half-hour they gave it away and United won a corner, from which Rashford shot but it went in off an Everton player, an own goal, though apparently as it was on target the Man United man was able to claim it. Not impressive but the home side were ahead, and four minutes from half-time Zirkzee made it two, some pretty woeful Everton defending allowing him in.

The third goal came one minute into the second half, another Rashford shot, another case of poor defence being exploited. Just a case now of how many United were going to get, the game already won. Another terrible pass let the home side in again and Manchester United were rampant, four goals to the good, but not necessarily due to their quality, more due to terrible defending that Everton did not seem to be able to get under control. Calvert-Lewin had probably the only real shot for the visitors, but no goal. The new manager must be happy.


Result: Manchester United 4 - 0 Everton
Scorer(s): Rashford (2), Zirkzee (2) (MNU)
VAR decision(s), if any: None
Effects: Man United finally make it into the top half of the table, for, I believe, the first time this season; Everton are static.

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/c/cc/Chelsea_FC.svg/380px-Chelsea_FC.svg.png)(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/9/9a/Aston_Villa_FC_new_crest.svg/300px-Aston_Villa_FC_new_crest.svg.png)
Teams: Chelsea v Aston Villa
Regions: London v Birmingham
Managers: Enzo Maresca v Unai Emery
Targets: Villa need to start winning again and move up the table; 8th is not good enough. Chelsea continue to challenge and will want to at least draw level with Arsenal again.
Expectation: As well as the Blues have been playing, and as badly as we have, I hate to say it but I think Chelsea will take this one.
Ground: Stamford Bridge
Respective current positions (Before match): 3 & 8
Respective current positions (After match): 3 & 12
Respective final positions: 3 & 12

It only took Chelsea 7 minutes to open the scoring, Jackson steaming in after a Villa man had been taken to the ground, but ignored, Villa not too happy about that. Watkins came close but straight at the keeper, who spread himself well. Another crazy decision as Villa were adjudged to have made a back pass to the keeper, resulting in Chelsea having a free kick, blocked twice luckily. A third shot nearly beat Martinez but 1-0 it remained. Then the big keeper made yet another mistake, passing the ball to Jackson, but he managed to stop the Chelsea striker and make amends. Should be doing better than that. Martinez is considered by many to be the number one goalkeeper, not only in English or European football, but in the world!

Ten minutes from the end of the first half Fernandes doubled Chelsea's lead with a fine goal, making it even harder for Villa to arrest a seven-match losing streak. Watkins tried again but the shot was weak, something you would have to admit could also describe the visitors' performance in the first half. A long shot up field just after the hour could have inflicted further damage on Villa, but the shot was kept out. Seven minutes from time Palmer made it certain, not that it had ever been in doubt. A beautiful looping shot gave the Villa keeper no chance. Aston Villa sink to yet another defeat, and to be honest, they didn't deserve anything out of the game.

Result: Chelsea 3 - 0 Aston Villa
Scorer(s): Jackson, Fernandes, Palmer (CHE)
VAR decision(s), if any: None
Effects: Chelsea retake third place; Villa slide out of the top half of the table, down to 12th.

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/0/0c/Liverpool_FC.svg/360px-Liverpool_FC.svg.png)(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/e/eb/Manchester_City_FC_badge.svg/380px-Manchester_City_FC_badge.svg.png)
Teams: Liverpool v Manchester City
Regions: Merseyside v Manchester
Managers: Arne Slot v Pep Guardiola
Targets: Liverpool want to go 11 points clear at the top, Man City want to cut that lead to five.
Expectation: Can't see Liverpool losing at home, with City in such shit form, can you?
Ground: Anfield
Respective current positions (Before match): 1 & 2
Respective current positions (After match): 1 & 5
Respective final positions: 1 & 5

Can anyone stop Liverpool? At home, away, in Europe, they seem like an invincible force that just cannot be resisted. Man City would of course love to be the ones to bring that almost inevitable march to the title to a stop, but they have serious problems of their own, and whereas before this would be looked at as a serious challenge to the title contenders, today it just looked like too big a job for the struggling champions, who seem destined to hand over their crown. One thing is clear though: it was a crucial game. If Liverpool could win here, the title looked to be almost theirs already. What could have been an 11-point lead though had been cut to potentially 9, with Arsenal's victory on Saturday. Still a good gap though.

Eleven minutes in and Liverpool got a corner, which should have resulted in the opening goal for Van Dijk, but it came back off the post. They hadn't long to wait though, as one minute later Gakpo slotted beyond the new City keeper to give the home side the lead. Van Dijk tried again from another corner but again it went wide. City had a shot of their own but that too scraped the post. In the second half Silva found the angle too tight, and the ball went harmlessly over the top, Salah then missing as Liverpool went on the attack.

Just after the hour City gave the ball away in a dangerous area, Salah got on the end of it but could not convert. Not like him at all. 14 minutes from time the home side got a penalty when Diaz was taken down in the area, and this time Salah made no mistake, leaving the result in no doubt. Van Dijk almost capped a poor performance near the end with a sloppy pass, but his own keeper was equal to De Bruyne's weak shot.

Result: Liverpool 2 - 0 Manchester City
Scorer(s): Gakpo, Salah (LIV)
VAR decision(s), if any: None
Effects: Liverpool are now 9 points clear at the top, 11 above City, whose bid to stop them would seem to have hit a brick wall, as they lose again and slide to 5th.

Meh of the Day: None

Scratch of the Day: Considering how well they played, surprised that Fulham did not win when they took on Spurs at home.

Player of the Day: Have to give it to either Evanilson or Kluivert of Bournemouth, one of whom won three penalties and the other of whom converted them, both making history.

Goal of the Day: West Ham's free kick from Emerson, straight into the top corner

Miss of the Day: Ings for West Ham against Arsenal, not that it would have made that much difference to the scoreline.

Save of the Day: Leicester keeper's save in the fifth minute against Brentford OR Ipswich keeper's save in the second half against Forest

VARiations: A MAJOR fuck-up by VAR in the match between Brighton and Southampton when what should have been the goal that gave the Saints a desperately-needed win was chalked off for offside, which just about everyone agreed was nonsense.

Climb of the Day: Both Brentford and Manchester United move up three places, the latter getting into the top half of the table for the first time this season.
 
Drop of the Day: Manchester City drop three places to 5th, but Aston Villa fall one more, four places to 12th.

Mirth of the Day: Cole Palmer with another loquacious interview. Asked why Chelsea aren't considering themselves as title contenders: "Too early, man." A man of few words indeed. I bet he hates being sent out to do interviews. Never going to have his own chat show, is he?

Quote of the Day: (David Moyes, on being asked what most impresses him about Arne Slot) - "The way he's taken over from a legend like Jurgen Klopp and made it look easy. I can tell ye, from experience, how hard it is to take over from a great manager."

Or

Unai Emery, after a terrible performance: "Chelsea were better than us." No shit, Unai!

Pen of the Day: Take your pick from any of three by Kluivert for Bournemouth. Really, the third I think, as by this time your nerves have to be in shreds, unless they're made of steel. As those of the Cherries striker must have been.

Score of the Day: Arsenal 5 - 2 West Ham

Cliche of the Day Nah

We Wuz Robbed! Not really

Trollheart's Hates:

Arsenal

Total walkover for the Gunners, and not a good weekend for me.
 :(
Crystal Palace

Just a draw, which doesn't help them, so I guess I'll have to be happy with that.

Manchester United

A commanding performance from them. Well, no, not really. They were made look really good by a terrible Everton side. Ah, let me have my little victories, why don't ya?
 :(
Nottingham Forest

Well they won, so I'm not a happy bunny. Actually, I'm not any sort of bunny. I'm a human. Rumour has it.

Overall then:  >:(
 :(

Managerial Mayhem
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a3/Ruud-van-Nistelrooy-849282_%28cropped%29.jpg)
(https://www.icegif.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/icegif-1064.gif)

A surprise appointment, surely? After signing a two-year contract with Manchester United to serve as assistant coach under Eric ten Hag, and taking charge of the team for three games prior to the arrival of new boss Ruben Amorim, United star player and legend Ruud Van Nistelroy is poised to take over the job at Leicester City vacated by Steve Cooper last week. This will be the Dutchman's first ever time to manage an English team, though he has coached PSV Eindhoven and assisted in the managing of the Dutch national team in the recent past. Sure, he can't do any worse a job than Cooper, I guess!

Time again for

(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/1d/90/14/1d901474a4fe251860914420959c551c.gif)
Football Fun!
(https://img.a.transfermarkt.technology/portrait/big/15856-1708012103.jpg?lm=1)
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6f/Eddie_Howe_2015.jpg/800px-Eddie_Howe_2015.jpg)

To Beard or not to Beard?

Looks like we have another for the Bearded team, as Ruud Van Nistelroy joins the staff of Leicester City.

That makes it 9-8 to the clean shaven (still deciding on the other three); getting closer, as the man from Gilette may say. Probably.

(https://i.postimg.cc/L5LxV5qZ/PLTDEC1.png)

First midweek MOTD for my thread! Yay! More work for me!  ::)

Tuesday Dec 3 2024
Leicester v West Ham
Ipswich v Crystal Palace

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/2/2d/Leicester_City_crest.svg/380px-Leicester_City_crest.svg.png)(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/c/c2/West_Ham_United_FC_logo.svg/350px-West_Ham_United_FC_logo.svg.png)
Teams: Leicester City v West Ham
Regions: Leicestershire v London
Managers: Ruud van Nistelroy v Julen Lopetegui
Targets: Two teams who need to start climbing the bottom half of the table
Expectation: Don't know; Leicester with a new manager may have the edge, also they're at home.
Ground: The King Power Stadium
Respective current positions (Before match): 16 & 14


Two minutes in it could have been a dream start for the ex-Man United assistant coach, but it was disallowed, until VAR overturned that decision, and so Leicester had the opening goal. West Ham had a chance to equalise ten minutes later but could not convert, and so the Foxes went in ahead at the break. Just on the hour it looked like the Hammers had scored, but the decision was that the keeper had been impeded, and the goal was chalked off. A minute later the home team got their second, a fine breakaway goal.

Six minutes after that Ndidi could have made it three but saved by the keeper, while up the other end a West Ham goal was denied as it was blocked on the line. On the stroke of full time Leicester netted a third time to take all three points and provide their new manager his first win at home. In extra time the Hammers scored, but it was nothing more than a consolation.
Result: Leicester City 3 - 0 West Ham United
Scorer(s): Vardy, El Khannouss, Daka (LEI); Fullkrug (WHU)
VAR decision(s), if any: First goal for Leicester awarded after on field decision of offside overturned.
Respective current positions (After match): 16 & 14
Respective final positions: 16 & 14
Effects: A result that, while it gave them the lead, does nothing for the home side as they remain where they were, and so do West Ham. Zero movement.

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/43/Ipswich_Town.svg/312px-Ipswich_Town.svg.png)(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/a/a2/Crystal_Palace_FC_logo_%282022%29.svg/350px-Crystal_Palace_FC_logo_%282022%29.svg.png)

Teams: Ipswich Town v Crystal Palace
Regions: Suffolk v London
Managers: Kieran McKenna v Oliver Glasner
Targets: Both need to get away from, or out of, the relegation zone
Expectation: No idea
Ground: Portman Road
Respective current positions (Before match): 19 & 17

A real relegation six-pointer as both teams tried hard to leave the zone behind, one in it and one just above it. Palace seemed to be doing all the attacking, Ipswich putting up a desperate defence, and despite several attempts managed to keep the visitors out until the second half. On the hour Palace's dominance told as they scored the opening goal. They had a great chance to double that seven minutes later but 1-0 it remained, Ipswich almost equalising a few minutes after that but the ball just skimmed off Delap's forehead.

A  free five minutes from the end could have given them a precious point, but no dice and instead it was the London team who came out on top, in every sense, moving three points clear of the drop zone.

Result: Ipswich Town 0 - 1 Crystal Palace
Scorer(s): Mateta (PAL)
VAR decision(s), if any: None
Respective current positions (After match): 18 & 17
Respective final positions: 18 & 17
Effects: Nothing much really. Palace manage to remain just above the zone while Ipswich climb one place, switching places with Wolves, but still in the drop zone.

Wednesday December 4 2024

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/5/56/Newcastle_United_Logo.svg/400px-Newcastle_United_Logo.svg.png)(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/0/0c/Liverpool_FC.svg/360px-Liverpool_FC.svg.png)
Teams: Newcastle v Liverpool
Regions: Tyne & Wear v Merseyside
Managers: Eddie Howe v Arne Slot
Targets: Liverpool are cruising, just looking to put as much distance between them and the chasing pack as they can. A win tonight would give them a 12-point lead. Newcastle need to start moving up the table
Expectation: I'd expect Liverpool to take it easily.
Ground: St. James Park
Respective current positions (Before match): 11 & 1

Newcastle on the break can be a fearsome sight, but could they get anything from such surges forward? Not this time as Kelleher stopped the shot, then the visitors had their own shot, the Newcastle keeper equal to it. McAllister came closest, just shaving the post, but halfway through and still scoreless. Newcastle slid it past the post, but on the wrong side, and the home team seemed to be making most of the running, but not doing much with it. Until they did, ten minutes from the end of the half when Isak rifled the ball into the Liverpool net.

The Magpies had a chance to double their lead before the end of the half, after a mistake, but Kelleher was the saviour. In the second half the home side gave away the ball, and Liverpool did not need to be asked twice, Jones equalising five minutes after the restart. Liverpool on fire now, Gakpo going close a minute later, then somehow Nunes missed a cross from Salah. Back they came, but it was Newcastle who nicked the ball and Gordon put his team back in front.

In the 70th minute Alexander-Arnold passed to Salah who drew Liverpool level again. As time ticked away Newcastle had an appeal for a penalty, but had it been given it would have been a soft one, then Salah rattled the bar with 8 minutes to go. Liverpool applying all the pressure now, and it told, seven minutes from time as Salah took his second and surely the game was now done, all three points to the league leaders. But no: in the final moments Newcastle got a free which Kelleher should have come for, did not, and Schar scored to equalise again. Oddly enough, the full-time whistle went when the home side were on an attack, which did not go down well at St. James, but the points ended up being shared.
Result: Newcastle United 3 - 3 Liverpool
Scorer(s): Isak, Gordon (NEW); Jones, Salah (2) (LIV)
VAR decision(s), if any: None
Respective current positions (After match): 1 & 10
Respective final positions: 1 &10
Effects: Liverpool maintain their top position of course, but failure to win for the first time in recorded memory (or something close to that) means the gap shrinks, and Chelsea's win also cuts that lead, meaning that Liverpool now have only (!) a 7-point advantage over the team immediately behind them, currently Chelsea. The draw helps Newcastle move back up into the top half of the table.

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/5/53/Arsenal_FC.svg/360px-Arsenal_FC.svg.png)
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/7/7a/Manchester_United_FC_crest.svg/400px-Manchester_United_FC_crest.svg.png)
Teams: Arsenal v Manchester United
Regions: London v Manchester
Managers: Mikel Arteta v Ruben Amorim
Targets: Arsenal want to close the gap on Liverpool, Man United want to advance up the table
Expectation: Hard to say, but I couldn't see Arsenal losing at home
Ground: The Emirates
Respective current positions (Before match): 2 & 9

I hate supporting Arsenal, but I'll back anyone against Man United. Not that they needed my voice behind them, a corner on 8 minutes nearly leading to the first goal for the Gunners, a second soon after also failing to open the scoring, but the half looked to be ending without a goal being scored, and despite a last-minute flurry by the visitors, that was how it did finish. Second half saw Arsenal push forward again, Rice shooting over the bar, then United gave it away on 52 minutes which resulted in another corner for the home side, and this time in it went. Timberrrrr!

On the hour they had yet another corner, nearly doubling their lead but just past the post, while United raced upfield six minutes later and almost scored from a free but Raya saved. A bit of fancy footwork by Odegaard in the 73rd minute earned the home team yet another corner, from which this time they did make it two, Saliba bundling it into the United net. Havertz could have made it three but the keeper stopped it, and two goals was enough in the end.


Result: Arsenal 2 - 0 Manchester United
Scorer(s): Timber, Saliba (ARS)
VAR decision(s), if any: None
Respective current positions (After match): 3 & 11
Respective final positions: 3 & 11
Effects: Despite the win, Arsenal slide to third, their place taken by Chelsea, while having briefly visited the top half of the table Man United drop back down into the lower half again.

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/c/c9/FC_Southampton.svg/380px-FC_Southampton.svg.png)
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/c/cc/Chelsea_FC.svg/380px-Chelsea_FC.svg.png)
Teams: Southampton v Chelsea
Regions: Hampshire v London
Managers: Russell Martin v Enzo Maresca
Targets: As ever for the Saints, it's to climb out of the pit, while Chelsea want to dog Arsenal's heels and make up ground on Liverpool.
Expectation: You wouldn't bet against Chelsea, would you?
Ground: St. Mary's
Respective current positions (Before match): 20 & 3

It only took the visitors seven minutes to put one past struggling Southampton, and you definitely got the impression it would not be the last of the game by the team in blue. I did not get the impression that the next goal would be scored by a Saint, but so it proved, only three minutes later, showing that if nothing else, Southampton have at least some fighting spirit left in them. Arriba! Sorry, Aribo.

But it doesn't help your desperate cause when your keeper makes a stupid mistake, as Lumley did seven minutes later, passing the ball to a Chelsea player, and undoing his team mates' good work as Southampton went behind again. Palmer almost made it three but the ball came back off the post, Southampton leading something of a charmed life now. Just after the half hour it was three, surely no hope now for the beleaguered bottom side.

Certainly not when one of their men was sent off for a stupid foul, with all of the second half to play. Southampton did try, and they could have pulled one back but for a great save, and then fourteen minutes from time the hammer fell as Palmer got his goal, Chelsea now four to the good. No way back for the home team, doomed to remain at the very bottom of the table for another week. And then it became five, the only question now being would that be it? It was, and Chelsea rack up a good victory to keep them in the title chase.

Result: Southampton 1 - 5 Chelsea
Scorer(s): Disasi, Nkunku, Madeuke, Palmer, Sancho (CHE); Aribo (SOU)
VAR decision(s), if any: None
Respective current positions (After match): 20 & 2
Respective final positions: 20 & 2
Effects: Chelsea go second, overtaking Arsenal on goal difference. Same old same old for the Saints, who remain at the foot of the table.

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/e/eb/Manchester_City_FC_badge.svg/380px-Manchester_City_FC_badge.svg.png)
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/e/e5/Nottingham_Forest_F.C._logo.svg/220px-Nottingham_Forest_F.C._logo.svg.png)
Teams: Manchester City v Nottingham Forest
Regions: Manchester v Nottinghamshire
Managers: Pep Guardiola v Nuno Espirito Santos
Targets: Man City need to win a game and get back up into the top three, Forest want to climb the table too, only a single point between them.
Expectation: I'd imagine Forest may take it
Ground: The Etihad
Respective current positions (Before match): 5 & 6

City went on an early attack, as you would expect, Haaland coming close on 6 minutes but the Forest keeper was able to stop it. Back they came, De Bruyne passing to Silva two minutes later, the Brazilian nodding it into the Forest net. A second goal should have come shortly after but Gvardiol headed it wide, meanwhile Gibbs-White almost equalised, but couldn't get past the keeper. Gvardiol tried again, wide again, then on the half-hour Wood pinched the ball and raced towards the City goal but he, too, shot wide.

In the end it was Kevin De Bruyne who put his team two up, or had he? VAR checked to see if there was a free kick, but no, they agreed with the ref and the goal stood, Forest fought back in the second half, coming close five minutes in but another wide (and high) shot, then City scored their third just before the hour, surely putting themselves in the driving seat, about to leave that four-game losing streak behind them?

The Belgian came close to making it four on 64 minutes, but a fingertips save kept him out, Forest shot high 15 minutes from time, so did City a few minutes later, but three was enough and finally City win a game.

Result: Manchester City 3 - 0 Nottingham Forest
Scorer(s): Silva, De Bruyne, Doku (MNC)
VAR decision(s), if any: Free kick for Forest after the third City goal ruled out; the goal stood.
Respective current positions (After match): 4 & 6
Respective final positions: 4 & 6
Effects: City climb one place to 4th, but more importantly have that all-important confidence boost they've been lacking for the last seven or so matches. Forest remain where they were.

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/7/7c/Everton_FC_logo.svg/400px-Everton_FC_logo.svg.png)(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/c/c9/Wolverhampton_Wanderers_FC_crest.svg/400px-Wolverhampton_Wanderers_FC_crest.svg.png)
Teams: Everton v Wolves
Regions: Merseyside v West Midlands
Managers: Sean Dyche v Gary O'Neil
Targets: Everton need to start winning and moving up the bottom half of the table, while Wolves want to get out of the damned relegation zone they keep falling back into.
Expectation: I think Wolves might come good tonight.
Ground: Goodison Park
Respective current positions (Before match): 15 & 18

Eight minutes in and Wolves were nearly ahead, another poor example of defending by the home side. Then Everton shot high, but they had another chance as they were awarded a free, and this time they scored their first goal in four games, ten minutes on the clock. Another free led to Everton's second six minutes later, but then VAR stuck their nose in again, and the ref was sent to the screen, the result being that the goal was chalked off. Fucking thing.

The home team restored that two-goal cushion just after the half-hour mark and Everton were in control. In the second half the Toffees went three ahead, in Dreamland now as Wolves scored an own goal and looked condemned to remain in the relegation zone till at least the weekend. A fourth goal would have settled it completely, but it was ruled out for a foul on the keeper, then just after the hour Wolves came close to at least getting one goal, but off the post and Calvert-Lewin made it four - oh wait, another own goal - off the same player! Oh dear! I wonder is that another record? Not one Dawson will want, nor Wolves.

Result: Everton 4 - 0 Wolves
Scorer(s): Young, Mangala, Dawson (og) (2) (EVE)
VAR decision(s), if any: Second goal ruled out for Everton
Respective current positions (After match): 15 & 19
Respective final positions: 15 & 19
Effects: A result that helps nobody, despite the much-needed victory for the home side. Everton remain in 15th while Wolves slide further down into the relegation zone.

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/9/9a/Aston_Villa_FC_new_crest.svg/300px-Aston_Villa_FC_new_crest.svg.png)(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/2/2a/Brentford_FC_crest.svg/360px-Brentford_FC_crest.svg.png)
Teams: Aston Villa v Brentford
Regions: Birmingham v London
Managers: Unai Emery v Thomas Frank
Targets: Villa need to start winning and move back up the table, Brentford could go fifth with a win.
Expectation: More hope really. Come on, ye Villans! Please?
Ground: Villa Park
Respective current positions (Before match): 12 & 8

The boos are going to be ringing around Villa Park if we don't start winning soon. Things started well 20 minutes in when Rogers scored, and got better when we got a penalty, Watkins converting to put the home side two up. Just after the half-hour we were three up as Cash latched onto a rebound, just the fingertips of the Brentford keeper stopping Watkins making it four before the end of the half.

Keeping up the pressure in the second half, Villa found themselves pegged back one as Damsagaard scored for Brentford, but we went back on the attack to try to re-establish that lead, Watkins denied again. Another save, this time from Duran, kept it at three but with five minutes of normal time to go, Duran kept out again, it was pretty clear we were going to win for the first time in four matches. About fucking time.

Result: Aston Villa 3 - 1 Brentford
Scorer(s):  Rogers,Watkins, Cash (AST); Damsgaard (BRE)
VAR decision(s), if any: Penalty awarded to Villa
Respective current positions (After match): 7 & 9
Respective final positions: 7 & 9
Effects: Joy returns finally to Villa Park, as we move back up into the top half of the table. Brentford also remain there, but slide down one place.

Meh of the Day: Still nothing that qualifies.

Scratch of the Day: I think the Liverpool/Newcastle match has to go down as this. If Kelleher had come for that ball, Newcastle were losing the match and Liverpool would have been 10 points clear. Such a late late goal to concede.

Player of the Day: I don't know, but reverse player of the day has to be Dawson in the match between his Wolves team and Everton. Two own goals!

Goal of the Day: Would probably have to go to Newcastle's Fabian Schar, who just would not give up what looked to be a lost cause, and netted from the very tightest of angles to win his team a share of the points against Liverpool.

Miss of the Day: Nunes somehow missing the cross from Salah and ending up in the net himself, sans the ball.

Save of the Day: There are plenty of good saves every day, but I'm only going in future to note those that either a) are so remarkable they're talked about b) really affect the match (e.g. a last-gasp save that wins the match or seals the points) or are totally unexpected (keeper who has no clean sheets makes an amazing save). On the other side of the coin, I'm introducing

Howler of the Day: This will, naturally, mostly involve keepers, but not always. Any incident that results in a goal being scored when it could easily have been avoided, a bad pass, an own goal etc. Today we had of course two, the first and most public being Kelleher's total misunderstanding of both the flight of the ball and the possibility of anyone getting on it, which led to Newcastle's last-minute equaliser against Liverpool. On such events, seasons turn and titles are won and lost. The other one, natch, is the crazy pass from the Southampton keeper to a Chelsea player, allowing the Blues to go ahead again, and go on to win the game in fine style. And of course we mustn't forget Dawson and his two own goals. Sorry.

VARiations: VAR was its usual annoying self but to be fair, a few decent decisions and an offside overturned, so I think it kind of balanced out. Nothing like the weekend where the men in the box robbed a team of the points.

Climb of the Day: Yay! Villa climb 5 places to take our rightful place in the top half of the table again. Now, if we can only hold on to that.

Drop of the Day: Nobody really fell more than 2 places, but I have to rub it in to Manchester United, whose fall takes them out of the top half of the table less than four days after getting there! Oh, the humanity! I mean, the hilarity.

Mirth of the Day: As I saw it anyway, one lone fan with a small sign in the Everton end which said "Dyche Out". Nobody else seemed bothered. He looked the visual equivalent of the one guy who starts clapping and then realises nobody else is going to. How embarrassing. Also, Cucharilla being hauled down by his hair in the box. I mean, it was a stupid foul, but the point could be made that if he had a nice short haircut it couldn't have been done. Bad hair day? That's what you get for having hair like a girl! Now Granit Xhaka: that's a haircut you can set your watch by!

Also have to note the scenes of Ruben Amorim with his head in his hands as his team slumped to a defeat away to Arsenal. The look says "What the fuck have I got myself into? Why didn't I stay in sunny Portugal?"

Quote of the Day: Nothing really.
 
Pen of the Day: Just the one, and to be honest, I didn't think Watkins' shot was that great. Could have been saved and just barely crept in.

Score of the Day: Not sure when I wrote this originally whether I meant just the highest or the most surprising score. Highest has to be Southampton 1 - 5 Chelsea, but the most unlikely is probably, well, take your pick: four teams won which would have been expected to lose and one drew which definitely should have won.

Cliche of the Day Again nothing comes to mind.

We Wuz Robbed! I'm tempted to say this about Liverpool, but they were the architects of their own downfall, and it really can't be blamed on refereeing decisions or even VAR. Just a really really bad decision at a crucial time from a keeper who should have known better.

Trollheart's Hates:

Arsenal

Oh hell, it's the lesser of two evils isn't it? I said in the report I'd support anyone against Man U, so I guess I gotta suck this one up. At least they lost second place, so that's something.

Crystal Palace

Still just hovering above the relegation zone, but they did win, so swings and something else that isn't swings.

Manchester United

See Arsenal. Hopefully their short "renaissance" won't last. I mean, even a coach like Amorim can only work with what he's got, right?
 :)
Nottingham Forest

Hey at least they were beaten. But overall not as good as it could have been.
 :)

(https://media3.giphy.com/media/1bDjbVFuAvrlS/giphy.gif?cid=6c09b952dz7ynhru1qa0je2wwklipws0z0i6350gwvig136c&ep=v1_internal_gif_by_id&rid=giphy.gif&ct=g)
Overview

A very interesting midweek session which saw several teams who had not won in ages finally get their three points, witnessed the "resurgent" Man United be shot down by the Gunners, and had two own goals in one game and an incredible draw that nobody would have put money on.


Chelsea battered poor Southampton 5-1 to take second place, Man United, after a brief uptick in their fortunes, fell foul of Arsenal and slide out of the top half of the table. Ipswich stay in the relegation zone while Crystal Palace are still dancing on the edge. Manchester City finally got a win, and a pretty comprehensive one, against Forest, though you'd have to say even in fourth place now their title bid looks to be receding in the rear view. Villa also finally won a game, to get back into the top half of the table.

Everton, who haven't scored in the last four games, won their first match in ages (but stay where they are) as did Leicester, same result. Liverpool fought well and twice went ahead but were pegged back at the end by a fiercely dogged Newcastle side, their lead cut to 7 points and their unbroken run of victories coming to an end.

(https://i.ibb.co/F7BKG87/PLTable-Dec4.png)

Saturday December 7 2024
Manchester United v Nottingham Forest
Crystal Palace v Manchester City
Brentford v Newcastle
Aston Villa v Southampton

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/7/7a/Manchester_United_FC_crest.svg/400px-Manchester_United_FC_crest.svg.png)(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/e/e5/Nottingham_Forest_F.C._logo.svg/220px-Nottingham_Forest_F.C._logo.svg.png)

Teams: Manchester United v Nottingham Forest
Regions: Manchester v Nottinghamshire
Managers: Ruben Amorim v Nuno Espirito Santos
Targets: Having briefly popped their heads into the top half of the table, United will want to get back there, whereas Forest can go fifth with a win.
Expectation: I reckon a draw
Ground: Old Trafford
Respective current positions (Before match): 11 & 6

Two minutes in and Forest had the first corner of the match, and the first goal from a free header, then two minutes later they were caught in possession, United unable to make it count. 18 minutes and the home side were ahead after a fine breakaway, Hojlund levelling the game. Just after the half-hour it was United who were guilty of giving the ball away, but the visitors equally unable to convert, then from a free Fernandez could have put his team ahead but a great save pushed the ball onto the bar, and into the break we went with the teams honours even.

Two minutes into the restart it was Forest who went ahead, taking the lead for the second time as United again surrendered possession, Gibbs-White netting to slot the ball past Onana, who should have done better. Wood nearly made it three a few minutes later but just wide, then just before the hour it was three, and Chris Wood made up for his miss, Forest well ahead now. Fernandes pulled one back just after the hour. In extra time United got a free, from which Rashford's shot resulted in a corner, Forest holding on now as the corner went high, United beaten at the end by just the one goal.

Result: Manchester United 2 - 3 Nottingham Forest
Scorer(s): Milenkovic, Gibbs-White, Wood (FOR); Hojlund (MNU)
VAR decision(s), if any: None
Respective current positions (After match): 13 & 5
Respective final positions: 13 & 5
Effects:  United remain in the bottom half of the table Forest move to 5th.

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/2/2a/Brentford_FC_crest.svg/360px-Brentford_FC_crest.svg.png)
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/5/56/Newcastle_United_Logo.svg/400px-Newcastle_United_Logo.svg.png)
Teams: Brentford v Newcastle
Regions: London v Tyne & Wear
Managers: Thomas Frank v Eddie Howe
Targets: Level on points, Brentford and Newcastle both want to advance up the top half of the table, just a place between them.
Expectation: Really hard to call: Newcastle will be on a high after holding Liverpool to that late late draw during the week, so they might edge it.
Ground: The G-Tech Community Stadium
Respective current positions (Before match): 9 & 10

Like Forest in the previous match, the Magpies were on the attack within 2 minutes, but unlike the Nottinghamshire team, their effort did not open the scoring, hammering back off the post. On 8 minutes they were at it again, but they lost the ball and it was the home side who scored, Mbeumo banging it beyond Pope for his 9th goal of the season. Two minutes later Newcastle's top scorer did what he does, and the teams were level. He should have put his side into the lead a few minutes later but for the long arms of Brentford's keeper.

Just before the half-hour mark Barnes gave the ball away and Wissa did not miss, putting the home team in the lead, but he made up for it a minute later by equalising again. Newcastle had the chance to go ahead just before the break but the ball bounced off the bar. In the second minute of the second half Wissa raced free, only kept out by the keeper, then just before the hour Brentford were ahead again, this time through Collins and some seriously bad defending. Eight minutes left, could the visitors pull off another late draw to earn a share of the points? Not this time, as Brentford took their fourth three minutes from time.

Result: Brentford 4 - 2 Newcastle
Scorer(s): Mbeumo, Wissa, Collins, Schade (BRE); Isak, Barnes (NEW)
VAR decision(s), if any: None
Respective current positions (After match): 7 & 12
Respective final positions: 9 & 12
Effects: Despite the win, other results push Brentford down to 9th place. Newcastle stay where they are.

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/a/a2/Crystal_Palace_FC_logo_%282022%29.svg/350px-Crystal_Palace_FC_logo_%282022%29.svg.png)(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/e/eb/Manchester_City_FC_badge.svg/380px-Manchester_City_FC_badge.svg.png)
Teams: Crystal Palace v Manchester City
Regions: London v Manchester
Managers: Oliver Glasner v Pep Guardiola
Targets: Man City, having managed to extricate themselves from the, for them, embarrassing position of fifth, want to climb higher and renew their fading challenge for the title; Crystal Palace just want to stay above the dotted line.
Expectation: Normally I'd say City should take this, but the way they've been slipping who knows really?
Ground: Selhurst Park
Respective current positions (Before match): 17 & 4

Another early goal as Palace opened the scoring after only four minutes, but was Munoz onside? Yes he was, and the home side were ahead with a dream start against stuttering (but returning?) Manchester City. In the 23rd minute they had two chances to equalise, but one came off the post and the other, well, didn't get that far. Only a fine block down the City end stopped Palace going two to the good, then on the half-hour Haaland headed in to equalise. In the second half City gave the ball away but Hughes unable to profit from the mistake. From the resultant corner on the hour though the home side did score, and took the lead again.

City were level on 68 with a fine goal, all to play for now. The visitors went for it, but it was Palace who got the ball, and a free, then with 7 minutes to go City had a man sent off for a second yellow, surely only hoping now to hold on for the draw? In the dying seconds of extra time Palace got a corner, could City keep them out? Yes they could, and they managed to get away with a point. Another case of the final whistle being blown as one of the teams, in this case Man City, were on the attack. Getting to be a habit, this.


Result: Crystal Palace 2 - 2 Manchester City
Scorer(s): Munoz, Lacroix (PAL); Haaland, Lewis (MNC)
VAR decision(s), if any: None
Respective current positions (After match): 16 & 4
Respective final positions: 18 & 4
Effects: Other results mean Palace rise to 16th but drop to 18th after the weekend, leaving them back in the relegation zone again. City remain at 4th.

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/9/9a/Aston_Villa_FC_new_crest.svg/300px-Aston_Villa_FC_new_crest.svg.png)(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/c/c9/FC_Southampton.svg/380px-FC_Southampton.svg.png)
Teams: Aston Villa v Southampton
Regions: Birmingham v Hampshire
Managers: Unai Emery v Russell Martin
Targets: Southampton are desperate to see the back of that dotted line, Villa want to make up for previous losses and get up that top half of the table.
Expectation: If we can't beat fucking Southampton at home we may as well hang up our boots.
Ground: Villa Park
Respective current positions (Before match): 7 & 20

Worryingly, it was the bottom team who had the first attack on 9 minutes, although it didn't come to anything. A quarter of an hour gone and they were at it again, this time too high. Villa's first attack could have ended in a penalty but it was a good stop as Duran went over in the box, legally. McGinn couldn't capitalise on a poor pass; things not looking good for us. Then Duran got free and put the home team ahead on the halfway mark. Ten minutes later it could have been two, but too far ahead of Duran.

Another sloppy back pass in the second half could have left us with egg on our face, but Villa didn't learn their lesson and gave it away again, with Martinez to thank for keeping them ahead. Watkins should have made it certain but in the end the one goal was enough. We were lucky, though. Should be destroying teams like Southampton, and we could easily have given away two points.

Result: Aston Villa 1 - 0 Southampton
Scorer(s): Duran (AST)
VAR decision(s), if any: None
Respective current positions (After match): 6 & 20
Respective final positions: 6 & 20
Effects: Villa rise one place, Southampton remain rooted to the bottom.

Note: At the end of the storm there may be a bright golden sky, but Storm Darragh forced the cancellation of Liverpool's match against Everton. I'm not sure if this will be rescheduled (I assume so) but even without playing the Reds are still top of the table.

Sunday December 8 2024
Fulham v Arsenal
Ipswich Town v Bournemouth
Leicester City v Brighton
Tottenham Hotspur v Chelsea

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/e/eb/Fulham_FC_%28shield%29.svg/300px-Fulham_FC_%28shield%29.svg.png)(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/5/53/Arsenal_FC.svg/360px-Arsenal_FC.svg.png)
Teams: Fulham v Arsenal
Regions: London v London
Managers: Marco Silva v Mikel Arteta
Targets: Fulham want to get back into the top half of the table, Arsenal want to close the gap on Liverpool, and with their game called off due to the storm yesterday, this is a perfect opportunity to cut that lead to 4 points.
Expectation: I'd have to imagine Arsenal would win this one.
Ground: Craven Cottage
Respective current positions (Before match): 11 & 3

An early attack for Arsenal as they got a corner in the third minute, the ball just missing the net, then in the 11th minute the Cottagers broke and took the first goal. Rice nearly equalised for the Gunners but past the post, and so into the break with the home team ahead. In the second half a free for the visitors went nowhere, then a corner gave them the equaliser. VAR checked for offside, but the goal was allowed. Arsenal kept up the pressure, and in the last minute of normal time went ahead, the goal again needing VAR checking, and this time it was ruled out.


Result: Fulham 1 - 1 Arsenal
Scorer(s): Jiminez (FUL); Saliba (ARS)
VAR decision(s), if any: Second goal for Arsenal ruled offside
Respective current positions (After match): 10 & 3
Respective final positions: 10 & 3
Effects: Arsenal remain third but their failure to win means Chelsea move ahead one point; both teams begin to close the gap between them and Liverpool.

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/43/Ipswich_Town.svg/312px-Ipswich_Town.svg.png)
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/e/e5/AFC_Bournemouth_%282013%29.svg/300px-AFC_Bournemouth_%282013%29.svg.png)
Teams: Ipswich v Bournemouth
Regions: Suffolk v Dorset
Managers: Kieran McKenna v Andoni Iraola
Targets: Ipswich are still struggling down the bottom, Bournemouth can move into the top half of the table with a win.
Expectation: You wouldn't give Ipswich a hope really, would you?
Ground: Portman Road
Respective current positions (Before match): 18 & 13

A long shot on 8 minutes did not get the finish it should have to give Bournemouth the lead, while Ipswich were as wasteful in front of goal, 20 minutes gone and still scoreless. A long throw from DeLap then gave Town the first goal one minute later. A corner shortly afterwards resulted in Ipswich's second, until it was chalked off for a free kick against the man who had provided the throw for the first goal, and DeLap was adjudged to have been impeding the keeper. Just before the half-hour the Cherries could have drawn level but the ball came back off the post and away.

Bournemouth had a penalty shout but it looked like the man had not been touched, so no deal. The visitors came close in the second half, then Ipswich could have doubled their lead but 1-0 it remained as the game began to wind down in the final minutes, till the Ipswich keeper came for the ball, missed it and let Bournemouth in to equalise three minutes from time. In the fifth minute of extra time the visitors took it to break Ipswich hearts and leave them floundering in the relegation zone for another week.

Result: Ipswich Town 1 - 2 Bournemouth
 Scorer(s): Chaplin (IPS); Unal, Ouattara (BOU)
VAR decision(s), if any: None
Respective current positions (After match): 18 & 8
Respective final positions: 18 & 8
Effects: Bournemouth move up into the top half of the table; Ipswich remain in the zone.

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/2/2d/Leicester_City_crest.svg/380px-Leicester_City_crest.svg.png)(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/d/d0/Brighton_and_Hove_Albion_FC_crest.svg/380px-Brighton_and_Hove_Albion_FC_crest.svg.png)
Teams: Leicester City v Brighton
Regions: Leicestershire v East Sussex
Managers: Ruud van Nistelroy v Fabian Hurzeler
Targets: Leicester will be on a high after their first win in ages during the week, but Brighton are fighting for their place in the top four.
Expectation: I would think maybe Brighton might edge it
Ground: The King Power Stadium
Respective current positions (Before match): 16 & 5

14 minutes in and Brighton could have opened the scoring but Pedro shot wide, then a second shot six minutes later was this time pawed away by the keeper, the Seagulls making all the chances in the early part of the half. Surely it could only be a matter of time, as Mitoma shot high and wide, three shots on targets versus none for the home side. And still they came: on 37 minutes the visitors got their reward, Leicester seeming only to get up the opposition half just before the end of the first period, and at least forcing a save out of the Brighton keeper.

The Foxes began the fight back in the second half, at least attacking the Brighton goal, though they continued to fail to get anything for their efforts, Vardy shooting over the bar. Into the last ten minutes and Brighton made it two, surely taking all three points from Leicester and handing the new manager his first defeat, in his first match at home. But hold on! Four minutes from the end their talisman came good, Vardy tapping it in to give the Foxes a chance, and in injury time they did it, equalising to take a point from a match they looked destined to lose.

Result: Leicester City 2 - 2 Brighton
Scorer(s): Lamptey, Minteh (BHA); Vardy, De Cordova-Reid (LEI)
VAR decision(s), if any: None
Respective current positions (After match): 16 & 7
Respective final positions: 16 & 7
Effects: Leicester remain where they are, Brighton drop two places.

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/b/b4/Tottenham_Hotspur.svg/240px-Tottenham_Hotspur.svg.png)(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/c/cc/Chelsea_FC.svg/380px-Chelsea_FC.svg.png)
Teams: Tottenham Hotspur v Chelsea
Regions: London v London
Managers: Ange Postecoglu v Enzo Maresca
Targets: Spurs want to move back up the top half of the table, while Chelsea want to also put pressure on Liverpool and hopefully capitalise on their cancelled game.
Expectation: I could see Chelsea taking this.
Ground: The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
Respective current positions (Before match): 8 & 2

Chelsea literally slipped up when Cucharilla slid on the slippery grass and let Spurs in, Solanke scoring with the game only five minutes old. Unbelievably, he did it again, the Chelsea man slipping and this time letting in Kulusevski on 11! No wonder he ran off immediately to change his boots! Sancho went about restoring order on 17 as he halved the deficit against his team, then a strong challenge could have led to a red for Spurs, but yellow was the verdict, VAR not seeing fit to overturn it, though it looked very bad. Spurs nearly re-established their two-goal lead late in the half from a corner, but the ball came off the crossbar.

The second half saw Sancho almost get his second to level the game, but the Spurs keeper was able to stop it, then Chelsea got a stonewall penalty and equalised through Palmer on the hour. That was the first penalty in any match this weekend, which I think is unusual. Seven minutes later Son could have put Spurs back ahead but shot wide, keeper no chance but past him it went. 17 minutes from time Chelsea went in front for the first time in the match, and the Blues made it certain with ten minutes to go as they got their second penalty, again converted by Palmer to take the game. Even a late goal deep in injury time for Spurs couldn't save them.

Result: Tottenham Hotspur 3 - 4 Chelsea
Scorer(s): Solanke, Kulusevski, Son (TOT); Sancho, Palmer (2) (p) (p), Fernandez (CHE)
VAR decision(s), if any: None
Respective current positions (After match): 11 & 2
Respective final positions: 11 & 2
Effects: Spurs drop into the bottom half of the table; Chelsea move away from parity with Arsenal and narrow the gap between them and Liverpool to 4 points.

Monday December 9 2024

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/c/c2/West_Ham_United_FC_logo.svg/350px-West_Ham_United_FC_logo.svg.png)(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/c/c9/Wolverhampton_Wanderers_FC_crest.svg/400px-Wolverhampton_Wanderers_FC_crest.svg.png)
Teams: West Ham v Wolves
Regions: London v West Midlands 
Managers:  Julen Lopetegui v Gary O'Neil
Targets: Wolves need to try climb back out of the relegation zone; West Ham need to move away from it.
Expectation: I really don't know but I would back Wolves, just for tenacity.
Ground: The London Ground
Respective current positions (Before match): 19 & 14

Wolves had the early chance, missing a sitter in the first half, but the game remained scoreless at the break, a game surely that had to be a must-win for both teams. Nine minutes into the restart the home side were ahead as Soucek netted to send the London Ground into raptures, mere seconds after applause had rung out around the stadium for the injured Antonio. And it looked to have gotten even better for the Hammers as Kudus scored their second on the hour, but a marginal offside decision meant VAR spoiled the party.

Even worse then for the home side, Wolves drew level as Doherty scored to silence the home fans, but soon afterwards Bowen made sure the Hammers had all three points, holding up Antonio's shirt in a tribute as he celebrated the goal that gives West Ham a vital win.

Result: West Ham 2 - 1 Wolves
Scorer(s): Soucek, Bowen (WHU); Doherty (WOL)
VAR decision(s), if any: Second West Ham goal disallowed for offside
Respective current positions (After match): 19 & 14
Respective final positions: 19 & 14
Effects: Although the win is a welcome one for West Ham, it doesn't allow them to move and they remain where they are, as do Wolves, another week spent in the relegation zone for them.

Meh of the Day: Nope

Scratch of the Day: How did Brighton lose against Leicester? 2-0 up almost at the death, and ended up drawing the match, and could have lost it!

Player of the Day: Can't say, but again, reverse player of the day has to be that man who "slipped up" twice. Sorry Cucharilla!

Goal of the Day: Good goals but nothing spectacular

Miss of the Day: Son shooting wide at the end of the match against Chelsea; had he scored they would have won.

Save of the Day: Forest keeper against Bruno Fernandez for what would have been Man United's second goal

VARiations: Really very little; hardly any decisions and no controversial ones for once.

Climb of the Day: Bournemouth are the highest movers, climbing 5 places to 8th.

Drop of the Day: Spurs drop 3 places and back down into the bottom half of the table.

Howler of the Day: Got to be Chelsea's Cucharilla, who slipped twice and allowed Tottenham to score on both occasions. Surely something of a record?

Mirth of the Day: Poor Cucharilla for Chelsea, slipping twice and giving away two goals, and then running off to change his boots! Funny too his post later, showing the offending boots in the bin! Also funny, as Leicester lined up for a free in extra time, from which, had they scored, they would have won a match they looked like losing, some steward had his back to the action, doing something with the hoarding. Obviously not that much of a fan!

Quote of the Day: Nope

Pen of the Day: Palmer's second for Chelsea. Straight down the middle, cool as you like.

Score of the Day: Can't say anything really stands out
 
Cliche of the Day Nah

Keeper Kapers:

The Good: Brentford's Flecken kept out a shot by Newcastle's Isak which would have put the Magpies 2-1 up, foiling the striker by managing to grab the ball almost literally from under his feet when he had looked a cert to score.

The Bad: Man United's Onana had a very bad day, letting in a goal he should have saved and messing up a late kick out in injury time. Ipswich's keeper coming for the ball in the dying moments and completely misjudging its flight, allowing Bournemouth to score and level the game.

We Wuz Robbed! Not really

Trollheart's Hates:

Arsenal

Good to see them forced to settle for a draw.

:)

Crystal Palace

Held Man City to a draw, so I guess that's okay. Doesn't really help them get away from the relegation zone.

:)

Nottingham Forest

They won, which is annoying, but then, they won against Man United, which isn't. So sort of a result I'll accept.

Manchester United

Delighted to see them lose, and so poorly.

:D

(https://media.tenor.com/Ng2uEPPbOUAAAAAM/breaking-news-news.gif)

Man United sporting director Dan Ashworth left the club "by mutual agreement" after the defeat to Forest, but you'd have to imagine it was more by agreement of the board than by him. Fired, basically. Looks like the board don't have a scooby what they're doing and are just lashing out. But, in the final analysis, fuck them and their team. May they all be fired.

Michel Antonio was involved in a car accident and is under observation; we wish him a speedy recovery. His team certainly needs him.

(https://i.postimg.cc/3xXY0S9G/PTDEC9.png)

Saturday December 14 2024
Liverpool v Fulham
Wolves v Ipswich
Newcastle v Leicester
Nottingham Forest v Aston Villa


(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/0/0c/Liverpool_FC.svg/360px-Liverpool_FC.svg.png)
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/e/eb/Fulham_FC_%28shield%29.svg/300px-Fulham_FC_%28shield%29.svg.png)
Teams: Liverpool v Fulham
Regions: Merseyside v London
Managers: Arne Slot v Marco Silva
Targets: After their game last week was cancelled due to the storm, Liverpool will want to widen the gap as much as possible between them and Chelsea. Fulham need to move up into the top half of the table.
Expectation: Have to see this as being Liverpool's
Ground: Anfield
Respective current positions (Before match): 1 & 10

The home side were applying the pressure from the first minute, but it was Fulham who took a shock lead on 11 minutes, and could have been two ahead had it not been cleared off the line. Things got bad for Liverpool though as Andy Robertson got a red card and Slot's team were down to ten men with most of the match to play. They saw out the rest of the first half without conceding further, but also without scoring, then two minutes into the second they equalised through Cody Gakpo.

A corner resulted in a Liverpool attack but Salah shot wide, and it was Fulham who retook the lead on 76, Liverpool with 14 minutes of normal time to equalise again, never mind take the match. Eight minutes from time Elliott nearly levelled but there was too much bend on the shot and it drifted wide of the far post. Two minutes later the home side had their second goal and were back on terms. In extra time they could have taken it, but in the end a draw had to do, but for ten men for most of the match, you'd have to say that was a good result. Points dropped though for the first time in ages.

Result: Liverpool 2 - 2 Fulham
Scorer(s): Pereira, Muniz (FUL); Gakpo, Jota (LIV)
VAR decision(s), if any: Andy Robertson sent off; although the ref had already made that decision, VAR checked to see if the attempt had been offside. Had it been, the Liverpool man would not have been walking, but it was not, and he was.
Respective current positions (After match): 1 & 8
Respective final positions: 1 & 8
Effects: Liverpool miss the chance to go five clear of Chelsea; Fulham move up two places.

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/c/c9/Wolverhampton_Wanderers_FC_crest.svg/400px-Wolverhampton_Wanderers_FC_crest.svg.png)(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/43/Ipswich_Town.svg/312px-Ipswich_Town.svg.png)


Teams: Wolves v Ipswich Town
Regions: West Midlands v Suffolk
Managers: Gary O'Neil v Kieran McKenna
Targets: As ever, for both teams it's a matter of who can get out of the relegation zone
Expectation: I have no idea
Ground: Molyneaux
Respective current positions (Before match): 19 & 18

Neither team were getting out of the zone with a win, but three points would certain help them get closer to being on the better side of the dotted line. A historic meeting, as this was the first time the two teams had ever faced each other in the Premier League. It started badly for the home team, with Doherty forced into an own goal after 15 minutes to put Ipswich ahead. But then the Tractor Boys gave the ball away in their own box, Wolves unable to make them pay. In extra time at the end of the half Ipswich got a free, but 1-0 it remained until 18 minutes from the end, when Ipswich, having squandered two or three opportunities to widen their lead, found themselves pegged back as Cuhna scored for the home side.

As the match wound down to the final minutes, Wolves had two chances to take all three points, Strand-Larsen missing a total sitter for the second, the goalscorer also having two shots, neither rippling the net, Wolves applying all the pressure. But a late corner for the visitors broke hearts in the Black Country as Ipswich were the ones to take the game at the death, only their second victory since being promoted.

Result: Wolves 1 - 2 Ipswich Town
Scorer(s): Doherty (og), Taylor (IPS); Cunha (WOL)
VAR decision(s), if any: None
Respective current positions (After match): 19 & 18
Respective final positions: 19 & 18
Effects: Both teams remain where they were, both still mired in the relegation dogfight for survival.

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/5/56/Newcastle_United_Logo.svg/400px-Newcastle_United_Logo.svg.png)
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/2/2d/Leicester_City_crest.svg/380px-Leicester_City_crest.svg.png)
Teams: Newcastle United v Leicester City
Regions: Tyne & Wear v Leicestershire
Managers: Eddie Howe v Ruud van Nistelroy
Targets: Both teams need to move up the table; Newcastle can get into the top half with a win.
Expectation: I think Newcastle might take this
Ground: St. James Park
Respective current positions (Before match): 12 & 16

Newcastle were on the front foot from the start, Gordon's shot on 8 minutes just saved and resulting in a corner for the home side, the shot then going over the top. Gordon was in among the defenders again ten minutes later, still no goal though,then Joelinton saw his shot blocked, but the Magpies doing all the pressing. Surely their tenacity would bear fruit? And so it did, after yet another corner on the half-hour, Murphy rocketing the ball into the far corner. Isak could have made it two a moment later, but shot straight at the Leicester keeper.

The Foxes changed goalkeepers at the break, and he found himself under pressure almost immediately as Newcastle got a free, and he proved unequal to the task as the Magpies helped themselves to their second. And it wasn't long before it was three, fifty minutes gone as Isak headed them into what must be an unassailable lead. Murphy could have had his second, in fact, and Newcastle's fourth, but shot high over the bar.

He made up for that on the hour as the home team went four to the good, Leicester's defence AWOL. They hadn't even had a shot on goal, watching helplessly as Barnes almost made it five, but it was still a rout for the Foxes, hunted off the park again by the Magpies.

Result: Newcastle 4 - 0 Leicester City
Scorer(s): Murphy (2), Guimaraes, Isak (NEW)
VAR decision(s), if any: None
Respective current positions (After match): 12 & 17
Respective final positions: 12 & 17
Effects: Other results mean Newcastle remain where they are, despite a big victory like this. Leicester slip one place down, nearing the relegation zone.

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/e/e5/Nottingham_Forest_F.C._logo.svg/220px-Nottingham_Forest_F.C._logo.svg.png)(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/9/9a/Aston_Villa_FC_new_crest.svg/300px-Aston_Villa_FC_new_crest.svg.png)
Teams: Nottingham Forest v Aston Villa
Regions: Nottinghamshire v Birmingham
Managers: Nuno Espirito Santos v Unai Emery
Targets: Both teams want to get into the top four, and either can do that with a win today.
Expectation: I'll always go for Villa
Ground: The City Ground
Respective current positions (Before match): 5 & 6

Nothing to separate the teams in the first half, despite decent chances for both, a penalty denied Villa which probably would have been soft anyway, and Wood almost opening the scoring for his team. A corner minutes into the restart could have given Forest the lead but for an incredible save by Martinez, just clawing the ball away before it crossed the line. Just after the hour that save became even more important as Duran scored to put Villa ahead.

Back came Forest, and would have been level had it not been for another fantastic save by the Villa keeper. Then Wood did what Wood does, levelling the match except it was ruled offside. Three minutes from time though and the home side got a corner which ended up in the Villa net, all square.  Until a Villa free in the Forest box was not given, and Elanga zipped in to score the winning goal. Villa had, to be fair, passed lazily and allowed the opposition in, when all they had to do was clear the ball. In the dying seconds, too.


Result: Nottingham Forest 2 - 1 Aston Villa
Scorer(s): Duran (AST); Milenkovic, Elanga (FOR)
VAR decision(s), if any: Chris Wood's goal ruled offside
Respective current positions (After match): 4 & 6
Respective final positions: 4 & 7
Effects: Forest go 4th while Villa remain 6th, but Bournemouth push them down to 7th after tonight.

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/5/53/Arsenal_FC.svg/360px-Arsenal_FC.svg.png)(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/7/7c/Everton_FC_logo.svg/400px-Everton_FC_logo.svg.png)

Teams: Arsenal v Everton
Regions: London v Merseyside
Managers: Mikel Arteta v Sean Dyche
Targets: Arsenal want to close in on both Chelsea and Liverpool; Everton just want to move up the bottom half of the table
Expectation: Arsenal all day
Ground: The Emirates
Respective current positions (Before match): 3 & 15

Six minutes in saw Everton on the attack, but the shot went high and wide, after which Arsenal did more or less the same thing, but you would have to imagine the home side were more likely to convert one of their chances than were the visitors. Nevertheless, mostly due to some fine goalkeeping from Pickford, scoreless it remained as the half-time whistle blew. The Everton keeper was on form again as Arsenal launched an early attack in the second half, no way past for the Gunners.

As we moved into the final quarter-hour of the match, Everton were looking much the happier team, even if they were hanging on. And hang on they did, to hold Arsenal to a nil-all draw at home, quite an achievement.


Result: Arsenal 0 - 0 Everton
Scorer(s): None
VAR decision(s), if any: Penalty check cleared; no spot kick for Arsenal
Respective current positions (After match): 3 & 16
Respective final positions: 3 & 16
Effects: No help to either team. Everton in fact slip one place further down, the relegation zone pulling them like the gravitational pull of a black hole.

Sunday December 15 2024
Manchester City v Manchester United
Southampton v Tottenham Hotspur
Chelsea v Brentford
Brighton v Crystal Palace

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/e/eb/Manchester_City_FC_badge.svg/380px-Manchester_City_FC_badge.svg.png)
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/7/7a/Manchester_United_FC_crest.svg/400px-Manchester_United_FC_crest.svg.png)
Teams: Manchester City v Manchester United
Regions: Manchester v Manchester
Managers: Pep Guardiola v Ruben Amorim
Targets: City need to try to stay near to the chasing pack, even though their title bid seems to be fading now. United just want to get back into the top half.
Expectation: Hard to say. Manchester derbies are always tricky. You'd imagine City would take it, but with the current run of bad results, who knows?
Ground: The Etithad
Respective current positions (Before match): 4 & 13

Time was when a Manchester derby was a chance for the blue half of the city to pray for an unlikely result against their high-flying rivals, then it became a case of teams matched, and either could win. In recent years, United have become the poor relation, City expected to win. Now it seems that dominance is being challenged, but not due to a resurgence at Old Trafford; quite the reverse in fact. United, currently struggling to get out of the bottom half of the table, have problems a-plenty, while City are turning into the architects of their own downfall.

So this time, it really could go either way, and the first half saw City press the attack without much reward until 9 minutes from the break when Gvardiol nodded the ball into the United net from a corner to take the lead for Pep's team. The visitors came close from a free but the ball went wide, Foden almost doubling City's lead in extra time.

United went on the attack and almost levelled on the hour, but Ederson was agile and alive to push the ball away, then the team in red thought they should have had a penalty but no dice; VAR cleared it. Fernandes then got clear through with 15 minutes to go but scuffed the shot. City then let them in with a ridiculous backpass that ended up in a desperate lunge and resulted in a penalty for the visitors, who took full advantage as Fernandes scored to equalise with 2 minutes of normal time to go.

A shot squeezed in at the corner at a tight angle in the end won it as United broke through and, against the run of play, scored to take all three points. City only have themselves to blame. As I said before the match, the architects of their own downfall. Their title bid is over now.

Result: Manchester City 1 - 2 Manchester United
Scorer(s): Gvardiol (MNC); Fernandes (p), Diallo (MNU)
VAR decision(s), if any: None
Respective current positions (After match): 5 & 13
Respective final positions: 5 & 13
Effects: No help for United, who remain at 13, outside the top half of the table, though psychologically I guess beating the old rivals always helps. City slip to 5th, vainly clutching and screaming "Our title bid! Nooooo!" Possibly.

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/d/d0/Brighton_and_Hove_Albion_FC_crest.svg/380px-Brighton_and_Hove_Albion_FC_crest.svg.png)(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/a/a2/Crystal_Palace_FC_logo_%282022%29.svg/350px-Crystal_Palace_FC_logo_%282022%29.svg.png)
Teams: Brighton v Crystal Palace
Regions: East Sussex v London
Managers: Fabian Hurzeler v Oliver Glasner
Targets: Brighton want to reclaim fourth place, Palace need to get out of the relegation zone
Expectation: I'd hope for a victory for Brighton, but Palace can be tricky buggers.
Ground: The Amex
Respective current positions (Before match): 7 & 17

Brighton were in early but straight at the keeper, then Palace shot wide but got a corner, which missed, but resulted in a second one, this one ending in the Brighton net, Palace ahead just before the half-hour. A minute later it could have been two, but some pinball in the box kept the ball out. A minute after that they got a free halfway up the pitch, and very quickly were indeed two up. Ten minutes into the second half it was the Seagulls who got a free kick, the shot just kept out by the Palace keeper.

Brighton kept pressing and again came close, the Palace keeper the only one preventing the deficit being halved, then the visitors thought they had tripled their lead, but the goal was chalked off for offside. Eight minutes from time and it was three, Palace taking all the points. An own goal in the last minute gave the home side their only goal, a mere consolation as Palace spurned the chance to make it four, but still ran out comfortable winners.

Result: Brighton 1 - 3 Crystal Palace
Scorer(s): Chalobah, Saar (PAL); Guehi (og) (BHA)
VAR decision(s), if any: None
Respective current positions (After match): 9 & 15
Respective final positions: 9 & 15
Effects: Brighton slip close to the bottom half of the table, Crystal Palace haul themselves up out of the relegation zone, clear daylight now between them and the dotted line.

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/c/cc/Chelsea_FC.svg/380px-Chelsea_FC.svg.png)(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/2/2a/Brentford_FC_crest.svg/360px-Brentford_FC_crest.svg.png)
Teams: Chelsea v Brentford
Regions: London v London
Managers: Enzo Maresca v Thomas Frank
Targets: Chelsea want to make up ground on Liverpool, and can close the gap to 2 points with a win. Brentford want to move up into the top six.
Expectation: I'd hope Chelsea would lose, but I can't see it.
Ground: Stamford Bridge
Respective current positions (Before match): 2 & 9

Chelsea knew this was a must-win for them, if they wanted to narrow the gap between themselves and Liverpool, and they were on the attack in the 11th minute, Palmer coming closest but the Brentford keeper able to knock it away. A bad pass from the keeper then could have let the home side in, but he was able to atone for his error and keep the ball out. In the last minutes of the half, Cucurella opened the scoring, to send Chelsea in one to the good at the break.

Brentford didn't seem to be able to get near the ball, Chelsea pressing again in the second half, Jackson sending it over the bar, a real sitter. You're always vulnerable at 1-0 and Brentford began to play, having two shots stopped as Chelsea went in search of another goal to make the cushion more comfortable. Jackson shot from distance but was unable to convert with 15 minutes to go. The Bees almost equalised soon after, the ball bounced against the bar but did not cross the line. Ten minutes from time and it was third time lucky for Jackson as he scored to put Chelsea two up, and surely take all three points. Even a last-gasp goal for the visitors couldn't change the outcome, as Chelsea move to within two points of the leaders.

Result: Chelsea 2 - 1 Brentford
Scorer(s): Cucurella, Jackson (CHE); Mbuemo
VAR decision(s), if any: None
Respective current positions (After match): 2 & 11
Respective final positions: 2 & 11
Effects: Chelsea remain second and are now only two points behind Liverpool. Brentford slip out of the top half of the table. Again.

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/c/c9/FC_Southampton.svg/380px-FC_Southampton.svg.png)(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/b/b4/Tottenham_Hotspur.svg/240px-Tottenham_Hotspur.svg.png)
Teams: Southampton v Tottenham Hotspur
Regions: Hampshire v London
Managers: Russell Martin v Ange Postecoglou
Targets: Southampton would just like to see daylight once this season; Spurs want to go back up into the top half.
Expectation: Spurs all day long
Ground: St. Marys
Respective current positions (Before match): 20 & 11

Less than sixty seconds on the clock and Spurs were already ahead, silencing St. Marys and perhaps setting up a real thrashing for the Saints. 12 minutes gone and the visitors were two up, Son capitalising on some awful defence and into the net. Two minutes later Spurs had tripled their lead, far too easy. Southampton may as well not have been on the pitch. They went on a rare attack in the 17th minute but were unable to reduce Tottenham's lead; didn't look like they would have too many other chances as it stood.

Play moved back down the home end and Sarr helped himself for his team's fourth, only 25 minutes gone. This could be a savaging for the Saints. Before the half-hour the home fans had started making their way out of the stadium. Never saw that before. I've seen disgruntled supporters leave at half-time, but never before it. They were probably right though, as in extra time at the end of the first half it was five, as Madison took advantage of the almost non-existent Southampton defence to net again.

Those who stayed would have seen their team at least give it a go in the second half, though not a goal, but at least they didn't concede any more. Totally battered though; Spurs could have gone home at the break and it seems unlikely Southampton could have scored even then.

Result: Southampton 0 - 5 Tottenham Hotspur
Scorer(s): Madison (2), Son, Kulusevski, Sarr (TOT)
VAR decision(s), if any:
Respective current positions (After match): 20 & 10
Respective final positions: 20 & 10
Effects: Spurs move up one place, into the top half of the table. Southampton remain at the foot, any hope they had of getting out of the relegation zone surely vanished now, and with the sacking of their manager, it can't be a good time to be a fan of the Saints.

Monday December 16 2024

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/e/e5/AFC_Bournemouth_%282013%29.svg/300px-AFC_Bournemouth_%282013%29.svg.png)(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/c/c2/West_Ham_United_FC_logo.svg/350px-West_Ham_United_FC_logo.svg.png)
Teams: Bournemouth v West Ham
Regions: Dorset v London
Managers: Andoni Iraola v Julen Lopetgui
Targets: Bournemouth want to move up the table; West Ham just want to get out of the bottom half
Expectation: Could see the Cherries taking this
Ground: Dean Court
Respective current positions (Before match): 7 & 14

From what I can see, this match was heading for a nil-all draw until three minutes from the end, when West Ham got a penalty. That should have won the game for them but on the stroke of full-time the home side hit back to level the game and take a share of the points.

Result: Bournemouth 1 - 1 West Ham
Scorer(s): Unal (BOU); Paqueta (WHU)
VAR decision(s), if any: Unknown
Respective current positions (After match): 6 & 14
Respective final positions: 6 & 14
Effects: Bournemouth displace Aston Villa at 6th, pushing them down to 7th. West Ham stay where they are.

Meh of the Day: N/A

Scratch of the Day: Possibly the last match, tonight's one, which, though I didn't see it, looks as if West Ham threw it away. Given a penalty after fighting out a 0-0 draw almost to full time, they seem to have let in Bournemouth in the last minute to tie the game and take two points from them.

Player of the Day: James Madison for Spurs would be my pick

Goal of the Day: Probably have to give it to Man United's Diallo; that was some tight angle, and to win the match with such a goal.

Miss of the Day: Jackson in the opening minutes of the second half with the Brentford goal at his mercy. Also Strand-Larsen for what would have been Wolves' second.

Save of the Day: Martinez in the first minutes of the second half against Forest, denying them the opening goal.

VARiations: Nothing of note

Climb of the Day: Would be Palace, struggling out of the relegation zone and taking 15th place, two points above the drop.

Drop of the Day: Nobody really dropped that many points, though Man City falling back to 5th might be worthy of note.

Howler of the Day: Terrible backpass by Man City which let Man United in for the winning goal.

Mirth of the Day: Didn't see or hear anything particularly funny

Quote of the Day: Meh

Pen of the Day: Nothing spectacular

Score of the Day: Tottenham's 5-0 battering of Southampton

Cliche of the Day N/A

Keeper Kapers Good: Martinez saving against Forest, and against almost the laws of physics. Possible save of the season, too. Pickford stopping Odegaard from opening the scoring for Arsenal.

Bad: Martinez again, letting the ball bounce off him and into his net.

We Wuz Robbed! Not really

Trollheart's Hates:

Arsenal

At least they didn't win, and a draw at home, especially a nil-all, is not good for their image, nor their title ambitions.

Crystal Palace

Annoyed to see them win, as always, but even more so now that they've managed to drag themselves out of  the relegation zone.
 >:(
Nottingham Forest

Really furious to see them beat us, especially with that dodgy winning goal. Now they're ahead of us in the table. Fucking cunts. I hope they all die in a fire.
 >:(
Manchester United

Disappointed, but not that surprised, to see them beat City in the derby.

:(

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Overview

A good day for Chelsea, who closed the gap to two points, but a bad one for Liverpool, though it could have been worse, as they were looking unlikely to draw and could have lost. Forest pushed ahead of Villa, the bastards, after a performance that to be fair deserved the win by the home side, Man City lost the Manchester Derby and looked a frail shadow of themselves, Pep even seeming depressed. Palace hauled themselves out of the relegation zone, for now, and Everton slid down towards it.

Despite a thumping victory over Leicester, Newcastle were unable to move up, whereas Southampton seem to have set up camp on the bottom rung of the table, and don't look like they're moving off it until they're relegated, which is about as much a cert as it raining the one day you decide to take a day off. Wolves and Ipswich remain there too, circling each other like, well, wolves, but getting nowhere, Tottenham prove they can turn it on against the weakest team in the Premier League, and despite winning the Manchester Derby, Man United remain in the bottom half of the table.

Managerial Mayhem


(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/32/Russell_Martin_2019.jpg/440px-Russell_Martin_2019.jpg)
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Not that terribly surprising to see Russell Martin part company with Southampton after their 5-0 drubbing by Tottenham Hotspur, his team barely off the bottom of the table all season. The question is, who would want to replace him?


(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/68/GaryO%27NeilWHU.jpg/440px-GaryO%27NeilWHU.jpg)
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Also kicked to the kerb is Wolves manager Gary O'Neil, who was very critical of his team (or I guess I should say, ex-team) after the defeat to Ipswich, more or less taking no responsibility for their awful performance this season. Again, not a job that will have the managers lining up to fill.

Time to crack a wry smile and have some

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Football Fun!
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(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6f/Eddie_Howe_2015.jpg/800px-Eddie_Howe_2015.jpg)

To Beard or not to Beard?

With the departure of two more managers this weekend the whole balance of power has shifted. Let's see who's still in play.

Now we have six who are bearded (with two possibles) versus nine definitely not.

Definitely bearded:
Enzo Maresca (Chelsea)
Sean Dyche (Everton)
Pep Guardiola (Man City)
Ruben Amorim (Man United)
Nuno Espirito Santos (Forest)
Russell Martin (Southampton)
Ange Postecoglu (Spurs)

Possibly bearded:
Fabian Hurzeler (Brighton)
Gary O'Neil (Wolves)
Julian Lopetegui (West Ham)

Clean shaven:
Mikel Arteta (Arsenal)
Unai Emery (Villa)
Andoni Iraola (Bournemouth
Thomas Frank (Brentford)
Oliver Glasner (Palace)
Marco Silva (Fulham)
Kieran McKenna (Ipswich)
Arne Slot (Liverpool)
Eddie Howe (Newcastle)


If you want to weigh in on the "possibly bearded" ones, let me know.

So at the moment it's 9-6 to the clean shaven, but with a possible 2 subs on the bench, which could turn the tide for facial hair. All depends now on who Southampton's board get drunk enough, or have enough compromising evidence on, to force him to manage their team, and who decides managing Wolves would be better than sitting at home watching them lose.

Watch this space!

(https://i.postimg.cc/Cx43cnC7/Prem-Table-Dec16-A.png)
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The pull on Rogers was definitely a penalty but it was a disgusting collapse from the team.

As bad a loss as we've had all season. Not the result but the feeling after.

Once again we fail to make up ground when everyone else above us (pretty much) drops points.

All they had to do was boot the fucking ball up the pitch. Yes, the penalty had been scored and we were level, but there was no need to lose the poxy game. What a stupid, lazy pass. I just couldn't believe it. Now we're down another place after Bournemouth drew tonight.

Saturday December 21 2024
Crystal Palace v Arsenal
West Ham v Brighton
Aston Villa v Manchester City
Brentford v Nottingham Forest
Ipswich v Newcastle

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/a/a2/Crystal_Palace_FC_logo_%282022%29.svg/350px-Crystal_Palace_FC_logo_%282022%29.svg.png)
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/5/53/Arsenal_FC.svg/360px-Arsenal_FC.svg.png)
Teams: Crystal Palace v Arsenal
Regions: London v London
Managers: Oliver Glasner v Mikel Arteta
Targets: Palace want to try to remain above the relegation zone; Arsenal want to make up ground on Chelsea, and Liverpool
Expectation: Got to expect the Gunners to take this
Ground: Selhurst Park
Respective current positions (Before match): 15 & 3

How has Oliver Glasner still got his job? Both Wolves and Southampton have lost their bosses, and while you'd have to say Palace are getting some results and have managed to haul themselves out of the zone, I think Wolves played better but have just been unlucky with draws and last-minute winners that have turned the games against them. Surely the man must be feeling the pressure, the hot breath of the board on his neck, the door marked EXIT opening for him? But we hear nothing about his position at the club. Maybe they're more forgiving?

That sense of tolerance would have taken a serious knock when Arsenal scored after only six minutes at Palace's home ground, easily cutting through an absent home defence to allow Jesus to put his own name in lights so close to Christmas. Away in a manger indeed. Five minutes later the home side had equalised, which must have had the board perhaps putting the letters demanding Glasner's resignation away. For now. In the time it takes to boil an egg the Gunners were ahead again, and it was that man who'll be born in four days' time again who put them 2 to the good. Palace missed a gilt-edged chance to draw level again down the other end but Raya spread himself well to keep the ball out.

Jesus went in search of his hat-trick just after the half-hour but couldn't quite manage it, a corner also failing to widen the gap between the two teams as we headed towards half-time. Then he almost made it but it was Havertz who tapped it into the Palace net to make it three. Sarr came close to reducing that lead from the restart, again Raya alive to the threat, but Palace clearly not down yet. A wonderful double save by the Arsenal keeper stopped them reducing the deficit again and Arsenal went on the attack and on the hour made it four, no way back now surely for the relegation strugglers? Certainly not when Rice netted with four minutes to go, and the game was Arsenal's.


Result: Crystal Palace 1 - 5 Arsenal
Scorer(s): Jesus (2), Havertz, Martinelli (ARS); Sarr (PAL)
VAR decision(s), if any: None
Respective current positions (After match): 15 & 3
Respective final positions: 16 & 3
Effects: Arsenal stay third for Christmas, 2 points behind Chelsea and 6 behind Liverpool. Palace slip one place, 4 points above the relegation zone.

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/9/9a/Aston_Villa_FC_new_crest.svg/300px-Aston_Villa_FC_new_crest.svg.png)(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/e/eb/Manchester_City_FC_badge.svg/380px-Manchester_City_FC_badge.svg.png)
Teams: Aston Villa v Manchester City
Regions: Birmingham v Manchester
Managers: Unai Emery v Pep Guardiola
Targets: Villa need to climb into the top four, City the same
Expectation: We're at home, so you'd hope City's stuttering form would allow us to beat them.
Ground: Villa Park
Respective current positions (Before match): 7 & 5

Our last chance to end up in the top four before Christmas, but City would be trying to do the same, and put a stop to their poor results here and in Europe. Almost immediately we could have been ahead, thanks to a terrible City pass, but Duran, of all people fluffed it, then almost over the line a few seconds later, but the goal decision system said no. Villa kept up the pressure and Duran got his goal in the 16th minute. As we passed the half-hour mark City came close to equalising but shot wide, then as the half came to a close the visitors went on the attack again, but over the top this time.

Villa kept up the pressure as the second half began, and almost netted again but side netting only, then Duran scored again but he ended up being offside, which was kind of expected, but in those situations you play to the whistle. Villa had all the play but 1-0 is never enough and they needed the cushion of a second goal to be sure. And they got it in the 65th minute after a fine run by Rogers which left City defenders for dead. Another great surge forward by the Villa man nearly had Watkins in for their third, but unable to get past, then City scored in injury time, no clean sheet for Martinez, but too late to change the outcome.

Result: Aston Villa 2 - 1 Manchester City
Scorer(s): Duran, Rogers (AST); Foden (MNC)
VAR decision(s), if any: None
Respective current positions (After match): 5 & 6
Respective final positions: 6 & 7
Effects: Villa move up to 5th but drop to 6th on Sunday due to Bournemouth's storming win against Man United. City drop 2 more places. The self-destruction continues.

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/2/2a/Brentford_FC_crest.svg/360px-Brentford_FC_crest.svg.png)
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/e/e5/Nottingham_Forest_F.C._logo.svg/220px-Nottingham_Forest_F.C._logo.svg.png)
Teams: Brentford v Nottingham Forest
Regions: London v Nottinghamshire
Managers: Thomas Frank v Nuno Espirito Santos
Targets: Forest can try to get third place, Brentford want to move back into the top half of the table
Expectation: Brentford at home, could take it. Hopefully will.
Ground: The G-Tech Community Stadium
Respective current positions (Before match): 11 & 4

After they overtook us last weekend, it would be the perfect Christmas present for me if we could replace Forest at 4th, but I don't know if we can get that high. Still, I'd prefer to see them lose of course. The home side could have been ahead within four minutes, but shot right at the keeper, then 20 minutes in a terrible pass should have had them one up, but it bounced harmlessly off the roof of the net. They might rue those misses, a third chance spurned a few minutes later. And so into the half-hour as Forest got down the Brentford half, almost opening the scoring themselves, the Bees keeper able to keep it out, but just before half-time the visitors did take the lead.

The second half saw Forest take control, Wood almost doubling their lead but sending the ball instead into the stands, then it was two as the home team gave it away cheaply in front of their own goal. As we headed for the hour mark it was almost three, the Brentford keeper the only man keeping it at two, and when the Bees went down the opposition end it should have resulted in their first goal of the match, but a fine save by the Forest keeper left them still scoreless. And so it remained, as the visitors took the game to remain fourth over Christmas.

Result: Brentford 0 - 2 Nottingham Forest
Scorer(s): Aina, Elanga (FOR)
VAR decision(s), if any: None
Respective current positions (After match): 12 & 4
Respective final positions: 12 & 4
Effects: Forest remain fourth, only 2 places between them and third-placed Arsenal, and the possibility of a title challenge? European football anyway. Brentford slide down one place.

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/43/Ipswich_Town.svg/312px-Ipswich_Town.svg.png)(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/5/56/Newcastle_United_Logo.svg/400px-Newcastle_United_Logo.svg.png)
Teams: Ipswich Town v Newcastle United
Regions: Suffolk v Tyne & Wear
Managers: Kieran McKenna v Eddie Howe
Targets: Ipswich would just love to spend Christmas out of the relegation zone. Newcastle want to get back up into the top half.
Expectation: Can't see Newcastle losing this.
Ground: Portman Road
Respective current positions (Before match): 18 & 12

Newcastle were ahead within thirty seconds - until the flag went up and the goal was deemed offside. VAR got involved, the decision being reversed, and Newcastle were awarded the opening goal, to Ipswich's dismay. 15 minutes later Murphy was almost in for their second but off the bar it came. The Tractor Boys went on their own attack but the keeper smothered it, as the rain poured down on the Suffolk coast, perhaps a metaphor for the dire and dreadful season Ipswich are having, sliding further down the table it seems every week. They say it never rains but it pours, and on the half-hour Ipswich were being soaked to the skin as Murphy scored to double their lead. In the last moments of extra time two became three after some defending that would have been comical, had the home side not been in the position they are.

In the second half it was more of the same, Ipswich muscled off the ball, the Magpies almost making it four but the post intervened, but Isak got his hat-trick just before the hour to make it four, and no hope at all for the doomed home side now. Twelve minutes from time they could have at least given the home fans something to cheer about, but the keeper stopped it. The visitors thought they had their fifth but called offside, but maybe that might have been rubbing it in just a little too much, eh lads?


Result: Ipswich Town 0 - 4 Newcastle
Scorer(s): Murphy, Isak (3) (NEW)
VAR decision(s), if any: First goal ruled offside but VAR ruled it was good and awarded the goal to Newcastle
Respective current positions (After match): 18 & 7
Respective final positions: 19 & 8
Effects: Ipswich remain firmly stuck in the relegation zone, slipping one place; Newcastle vault 4 places up into the top half of the table.

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/c/c2/West_Ham_United_FC_logo.svg/350px-West_Ham_United_FC_logo.svg.png)(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/d/d0/Brighton_and_Hove_Albion_FC_crest.svg/380px-Brighton_and_Hove_Albion_FC_crest.svg.png)
Teams: West Ham v Brighton
Regions: London v East Sussex
Managers: Julen Lopetegui v Fabian Hurzeler
Targets: West Ham need to move up and away from the dotted line, Brighton want to improve on their position in the top half of the table.
Expectation: Brighton should be on for this
Ground: The London Stadium
Respective current positions (Before match): 14 & 9

Eight minutes in and West Ham were pressing, coming close but no cigar. Brighton then came close but the keeper able to divert it past the post. Bowen came within inches of opening the scoring, but into the second half and nothing between the teams. You started to wonder if either would score? Then someone did, and it was Brighton. Suspicion of offside but VAR cleared it. On the hour Kudus took the rebound shot as Bowen's came back off the keeper, and West Ham were level. And so it remained as the game wound down into extra time, Brighton pushing for the winner but having to be happy with a draw


Result: West Ham United 1 - 1 Brighton
Scorer(s): Wieffer (BHA); Kudus (WHU)
VAR decision(s), if any: Confirmed first (and only) Brighton goal when it had been called offside.
Respective current positions (After match): 14 & 9
Respective final positions: 14 & 10
Effects: The draw does nobody any good, but Brighton drop one place while West Ham remain where they are.

Sunday December 22 2024
Tottenham Hotspur v Liverpool
Everton v Chelsea
Manchester United v Bournemouth
Leicester v Wolves
Fulham v Southampton

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/b/b4/Tottenham_Hotspur.svg/240px-Tottenham_Hotspur.svg.png)(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/0/0c/Liverpool_FC.svg/360px-Liverpool_FC.svg.png)
Teams: Tottenham Hotspur v Liverpool
Regions: London v Merseyside
Managers: Ange Postecoglu v Arne Slot
Targets: Liverpool of course want to try to extend their lead at the top before Christmas, Tottenham want to move up the top half of the table
Expectation: After Spurs' thrashing of Southampton last week, you'd think they'd be up for it, but this is not Southampton. This is Liverpool, and I can't see them losing.
Ground: The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
Respective current positions (Before match): 10 & 1

A bad start by Spurs almost cost them the opening goal when the keeper passed lazily and Salah was in, but only hit the side netting. Liverpool were on the attack again and this time Foster had to keep it out. Another bad pass let Salah in again and this time the Liverpool striker hit the top of the post, 19 minutes gone. A patient build-up in the 23rd gave Liverpool first blood, but it had been coming. Just after the half-hour McAllister pounced to make it two, Liverpool firmly on top. Spurs had not had a shot on goal. Then they did, but straight at the keeper. Disaster though for the visitors when McAllister emulated Chelsea's Cucarilla last weekend and slipped, allowing Maddison in, and he scored to halve the deficit just before the break. Liverpool weren't having that though, and scored their third before the half-time whistle, to restore their two-goal lead.

Spurs were on the attack early in the second half, but Liverpool turned that attack against them, nicking the ball and heading downfield to score their fourth, and surely at this point putting the match beyond Tottenham. A long ball down field could have made it five, but the angle was too tight, then almost a repeat of the stealing of the ball from Spurs led to Salah's second and Liverpool's fifth. Spurs pulled one back with 18 minutes to go, but it was going to be a long haul for the home team to get anything out of this match. Then Solanke scored with 8 minutes to go, Liverpool's lead looking perhaps not so strong now. Until the visitors scored again, making it six, with five minutes of normal time left. A fine save by Allison kept out what would have been Tottenham's fourth, and who knew how much extra time there was going to be? Already the highest-scoring game in the Premier League this season, and surely Liverpool's highest goal tally, the game ended with Liverpool still three goals ahead, but you couldn't say Spurs hadn't given it a go. Eventually.

Result: Tottenham Hotspur 3 - 6 Liverpool
Scorer(s): Diaz (2), McAllister, Szoboszlai, Salah (2) (LIV); Maddison, Kulusevski, Solanke (TOT)
VAR decision(s), if any: None
Respective current positions (After match): 11 & 1
Respective final positions: 11 & 1
Effects: Despite a dogged fight back, Spurs fall out of the top half of the table; Liverpool open up a 4-point gap between them and Chelsea, and remain top over Christmas.

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/7/7c/Everton_FC_logo.svg/400px-Everton_FC_logo.svg.png)(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/c/cc/Chelsea_FC.svg/380px-Chelsea_FC.svg.png)
Teams: Everton v Chelsea
Regions: Merseyside v London
Managers: Sean Dyche v Enzo Maresca
Targets: Chelsea will want to try to overhaul Liverpool at the top, Everton just want to win a game and get up into the top half of the bottom half of the table, so to speak.
Expectation: Everton at home. Should that make a difference? It should, but I doubt it will. Chelsea for the win.
Ground: Goodison Park
Respective current positions (Before match): 16 & 2

Some very tenacious attacking by Chelsea could have given them the first goal, but the keeper was able to do his job, then a second good save from Pickford kept the visitors out, but resulted in a corner. Nothing doing for Chelsea though. Pickford may have been lucky to have stayed on the pitch through after a rather exuberant tackle on the striker. Scoreless it remained at the break, then, and the Chelsea keeper had to be alive to the danger as Everton went on the attack, then Tarkowski lost it when he was taken down in the box and reacted as men do in those situations.

Moving past the hour then as Chelsea pressed for the first goal, but again right at Pickford, and a long shot up the pitch should have given the home team the lead, and maybe the game, but a fine tackle in the box kept them out. Was this going to end in a nil-nil? Every shot seemed to be getting saved, or missing, and yes, in the end, no goals for either team, two points dropped for Chelsea, the chance to close in on Liverpool lost.


Result: Everton 0 - 0 Chelsea
Scorer(s): None
VAR decision(s), if any: None
Respective current positions (After match): 15 & 2
Respective final positions: 15 & 2
Effects: Everton move up one place, Chelsea miss the chance to close the gap to 2 points on Liverpool.

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/7/7a/Manchester_United_FC_crest.svg/400px-Manchester_United_FC_crest.svg.png)
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/e/e5/AFC_Bournemouth_%282013%29.svg/300px-AFC_Bournemouth_%282013%29.svg.png)
Teams: Manchester United v Bournemouth
Regions: Manchester v Dorset
Managers: Ruben Amorim v Andoni Iraola
Targets: Bournemouth want to move up into 5th place, Man United want to get back into the top half of the table
Expectation: Hard to say really. Go for a draw here.
Ground: Old Trafford
Respective current positions (Before match): 13 & 6

United were on the attack from the sixth minute, and could have been ahead but the keeper stopped the shot, then Bournemouth headed down their end and got a free just before the half-hour, and in a good position. And they scored, to silence Old Trafford, taking the lead. Shots of Ruben Amorim shaking his head, thoughts possibly going through his head along the lines of "why did I come here?" Fernandes had a chance to level late in the half but missed the target, then the scorer of the goal was guilty of giving the ball away in the last minutes, but his keeper literally saved him. A third attempt for the United captain went wide, and so into the break with the visitors one to the good.

On the hour things got even worse for the home side as a terrible challenge in the box gave the Cherries a penalty, and a two-goal lead. Three minutes later and that two-goal lead had become a three-goal lead, Bournemouth all over United, who just did not seem to be able to deal with them. Garnaco had a shot but straight into the keeper's arms, then on 70 Hoijlund's shot was saved. As extra time ticked away United became increasingly desperate but the visitors kept them out and kept a clean sheet. Not only that, they beat United by exactly the same scoreline they had when they last met at Old Trafford.


Result: Manchester United 0 - 3 Bournemouth
Scorer(s): Huijsen, Kluivert (p), Semenyo (BOU)
VAR decision(s), if any: Possible handball for Bournemouth's third goal, but confirmed not to be.
Respective current positions (After match): 13 & 5
Respective final positions: 13 & 5
Effects: Bournemouth move up one place into 5th, looking at possible European football next season; Manchester United spend Christmas in the doldrums, mired in the bottom half of the table.

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/2/2d/Leicester_City_crest.svg/380px-Leicester_City_crest.svg.png)(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/c/c9/Wolverhampton_Wanderers_FC_crest.svg/400px-Wolverhampton_Wanderers_FC_crest.svg.png)
Teams: Leicester v Wolves
Regions: Leicestershire v West Midlands
Managers: Ruud van Nistelroy v Vitor Pereira
Targets: Wolves need to get out of the relegation zone, Leicester need to stop the slide towards it.
Expectation: I would like to see Wolves get a win. No real idea though.
Ground: The King Power
Respective current positions (Before match): 17 & 19

Under new management, Wolves faced a Leicester City side sliding down the table and desperate to arrest that fall, and nearly went down to a Vardy attack which the Wolves keeper stopped, only avoiding a red card when he stepped out of his area to stop the ball by making sure it came nowhere near his hands. Could have been a close-run thing. Wolves then opened the scoring just before 20 minutes had elapsed, a shot out of nothing really, Leicester behind at home. They hit back quickly, but Sa was equal to the shot, and just after the half-hour Wolves were two to the good, the second goal a total miscommunication which allowed the opposition player in. Vardy had another shot as the half drew to a close, but could not get past the big man in the Wolves net. In the end it was Wolves who took their chances and bagged a third just before the break.

Third time lucky from Jamie Vardy? No, he still couldn't get it into the net, the angle narrowing all the time till it was just impossible, even for a player of his calibre. Wolves nearly went four up, but the keeper stopped it as Leicester fans began to stream out of the stadium, another defeat on the cards. Another chance to make it four was squandered, but the game was already won at that stage.

Result: Leicester City 0 - 3 Wolves
Scorer(s): Guedes, Gomes, Cunha (LEI)
VAR decision(s), if any: None
Respective current positions (After match): 17 & 18
Respective final positions: 17 & 18
Effects: Leicester are now precariously balanced just above the drop zone, a mere 2 points between them and Wolves, who move up one place but are still stuck there.

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/e/eb/Fulham_FC_%28shield%29.svg/300px-Fulham_FC_%28shield%29.svg.png)
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/c/c9/FC_Southampton.svg/380px-FC_Southampton.svg.png)
Teams: Fulham v Southampton
Regions: London v Hampshire
Managers: Marco Silva v Ivan Jurich
Targets: Fulham would like to get up the top half of the table; Southampton, as ever, are mired in last place
Expectation: Have to be Fulham's
Ground: Craven Cottage
Respective current positions (Before match): 8 & 20

Fulham showed they meant business when they went close after only three minutes, and twice tried in the first half but beleaguered Southampton kept it nil-all, having a shot themselves after the hour mark, but nobody able to break the deadlock. Ramsdale made a fine save on the hour to keep the home team out, all the action down the Southampton end, but still no net bulging on either side. A draw away certainly a good result for the Saints, though they remain bottom of the table.

Result: Fulham 0 - 0 Southampton
Scorer(s): None
VAR decision(s), if any: None
Respective current positions (After match): 9 & 20
Respective final positions: 9 & 20
Effects: No change for the Saints, who hold bottom place over Christmas, as they have done for most of the season. It won't be a Happy Christmas in Southampton! Fulham drop one place, hanging on there in the top half.

Meh of the Day: None still thank god. Even the two nil-nils had excitement and interest in them.

Scratch of the Day: N/A

Player of the Day: Isak, who got his first ever hat trick and played out of his skin for Newcastle

Goal of the Day: Nothing spectacular, even with 9 in the game between Liverpool and Spurs.

Miss of the Day: Mitoma for Brighton to send his team ahead, but screwed it wide of the post. Harder to miss than to score!

Save of the Day: Double save by Arsenal keeper to deny Palace a goal

VARiations: Not much to write about this weekend at all.

Climb of the Day: Newcastle climb 5 places to 7th but then are pushed down one place by Bournemouth's win and end up at 8th, still a climb of 4 places.

Drop of the Day: No huge drops, but Tottenham, Leicester and Brentford all fall one place, Spurs into the bottom half and the Foxes close to the relegation zone.

Howler of the Day: Ipswich keeper passing to his defender, only for that defender to be easily dispossessed by Isak to score Newcastle's third goal as half-time loomed.

Mirth of the Day: Gary setting up Alan Shearer before Newcastle's game against Ipswich, praising him for scoring a last-minute equaliser but then slagging him off for missing a penalty! Also, comment made by the commentator during the Liverpool match, "it's beginning to look a Slot like Christmas!"

Quote of the Day: Gary Lineker: "Merry Christmas Ashley (Williams); Alan (Shearer) - see you on Boxing Day!" Ah, no rest for the wicked, eh? Also Ange Postecoglu, when asked if the fact that Spurs are shipping too many goals is due to missing players: "If people can't see the obvious I'm just going to stop answering these questions."

Pen of the Day: Only one in all the matches this weekend. It was okay but nothing special.

Score of the Day: No contest: Liverpool 6-3 against Spurs is the highest score achieved in any Premiership game this season. What a thriller!

Cliche of the Day Newcastle fans (fat ones of course) standing in the freezing Suffolk winter without any tops on. They breed them hard in the north! Or maybe, they just don't have the sense to realise they're risking pneumonia! All for the Toon, eh lads?

Keeper Kapers Good: Two fine saves from  Raya. Wolves keeper managing, despite coming out of his area, not to touch the ball with his hands, and still keep the ball out.

Bad: A real mix-up between Ipswich's keeper and his defender, allowing Newcastle to triple their lead at the worst possible time, just before the half-time whistle. Foster passing the ball to Salah almost in the first minute, nearly giving away the first goal. Leicester's keeper letting in the second goal for Wolves; should have been able to keep that out. Pickford lucky to stay on the pitch after he tackled an Everton player in what could have been seen as dangerous play, but was accepted as not being so.

We Wuz Robbed! Nope

Team of the Day: I think that has to be Newcastle, thrashing Ipswich and making huge strides up the table into the top half. Howay the - oh. I've said that before haven't I? Well, some other Geordie expression then. Way-aye!

Trollheart's Hates:

Arsenal

Annoyed to see them win, but then, they did beat Crystal Palace, so there is that.

Crystal Palace

Delighted to see them beaten, slaughtered in fact, even if it was by Arsenal.

Nottingham Forest

Hate the fact they won, hate more the fact that they're above us now. Bastards.

Manchester United

Delighted to see them beaten, hammered in fact. Boos ringing around Old Trafford, and the fans leaving in droves. Ruben Amorim looking shell-shocked, like a man who has backed the wrong horse. All great to see.

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Overview

A thrilling weekend which saw Liverpool extend their lead at the top over Christmas with an amazing game which gave us the highest ever Premier League score this season, 6-3 to the table toppers. Newcastle did themselves proud, beating relegation-troubled Ipswich 4-0, Isak getting his first ever hat-trick, his team moving up to 8th place. Forest stormed into 4th after a powerful performance against Brentford, and we had the pleasure of beating a fading Man City, climbing to 6th ourselves while they slid down the table.

Their Manchester counterparts were beaten - and booed - off the pitch at Old Trafford by Bournemouth, who rise to fifth while United remain in 13th, Leicester look destined for relegation unless they win their next match, and Southampton remain at bottom, but did at least force a draw against Fulham, neither team scoring. Arsenal almost produced the top score of the weekend with a 5-1 demolition of Crystal Palace, until Liverpool took the field, and Chelsea missed the chance to make ground on the Reds when they could only manage a nil-nil draw against Everton.

Managerial Mayhem!

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/25/Ivan_Juri%C4%87_Crotone%2C_2016_%28cropped%29.png/440px-Ivan_Juri%C4%87_Crotone%2C_2016_%28cropped%29.png)
(https://www.icegif.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/icegif-1064.gif)

I asked last week who would be crazy enough to take the job at Southampton, and here's our answer! Ivan Juric, a Croatian national in his day, seems to have spent his managerial career in Italy, and from my brief reading of his time there with clubs like Torino, Genoa and even Roma, did not impress. I suppose when you're Southampton you can hardly be picky, but he doesn't look like the saviour the Saints need. Guess we'll see. Southampton are definitely going down, so his job will be to try to bring them back up next season. That'll be hard enough in itself! Hey! I see he's a metalhead! That'll be handy: he can drown out the boos at St. Marys with Napalm Death and Obituary.

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/96/Fener_train_2016_%281%29.jpg/440px-Fener_train_2016_%281%29.jpg)
(https://www.icegif.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/icegif-1064.gif)

After sacking Gary O'Neil last week, Wolves try to emulate struggling Man United and turn to a Portuguese, in this case Vitor Pereria. I can't say for certain (JJ can confirm) but I think this may be the first time there will be two managers from Portugal in the Premier League? Pereira's credentials include winning two titles with Porto, a league and cup double with Olympiakos and, um, the Chinese Super League. Sounds like a better man for the job than the one Southampton plumped for. Maybe he can make the Wolves growl again.

(https://i.postimg.cc/0QnnzZ4Z/Premtable-Dec22-A.png)
(https://i.postimg.cc/zB8pD4xV/Premtable-Dec22-B.png)

Coming in January
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MANCHESTER MELTDOWN:
THE FALL OF A FOOTBALLING DYNASTY

Should have been the case 10 years ago but as we know, Abu Dhabi have been cheating the game.

It's about to collapse I think. The players know it's all in doubt, their honours could be stripped. They aren't giving their all because there is such a shitstorm around the club. You don't go from four titles in a row to this without something going on. One injury to Rodri doesn't explain it.

Tick tock  8)

Ah yes but the thing is that it's United too. For the first time in recorded history, BOTH Manchester clubs are fucked. I think I'll make this a new thread rather than try to cram it in here. You know me: history is my thing and brevity is a word I can spell but not understand. I've already begun researching and have written an introduction and have begun chapter I: "The Busby Babes: Rise of the Red Devils". :laughing:

Thursday December 26 2024

Liverpool v Leicester
Manchester City v Everton
Newcastle v Aston Villa
Chelsea v Fulham
Wolves v Manchester United
Nottingham Forest v Tottenham Hotspur
Southampton v West Ham
Bournemouth v Crystal Palace


(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/0/0c/Liverpool_FC.svg/360px-Liverpool_FC.svg.png)
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/2/2d/Leicester_City_crest.svg/380px-Leicester_City_crest.svg.png)

Teams: Liverpool v Leicester City
Regions: Merseyside v Leicestershire
Managers: Arne Slot v Ruud van Nistelroy
Targets: Liverpool want to extend their lead at the top, Leicester need to pull away from that relegation zone, which is getting ever closer.
Expectation: Got to go for Liverpool here. Should be an easy win.
Ground: Anfield
Respective current positions (Before match): 1 & 17

In heavy fog on Merseyside the home team applied the pressure, as you would have expected them to, both Salah and Jones coming close in the opening minutes, but the Leicester goal held firm. Six minutes in it was the Foxes who struck with what must surely have been seen as an unlikely goal to take the lead as Ayew capitalised on some uncharacteristically poor Liverpool defending. Anfield shocked. The visitors could have been in for their second a few minutes later as Liverpool struggled to sort themselves out. Arsenal, due to play tomorrow, surely watching with interest, hoping the league leaders would slip up.

24 minutes gone and a poor clearance from the Leicester goalkeeper almost allowed Salah in, but he shot against the bar, the resultant corner seeing McAllister try to head his team level, but 1-0 it remained. As half-time beckoned another Liverpool attack had Salah trying again, but again the woodwork came to Leicester's rescue. But the home side were not about to let the score remain as it was at half time, and in the first additional minute Gakpo shot from distance to curl a lovely shot in and give Liverpool the equaliser. Psychologically speaking, the best time for the Reds to score, the worst possible time for Leicester to be pegged back.

All the momentum with the home side now as the second half got underway, only four minutes needed before they were ahead, taking the lead through Jones. On the hour it could have been three, but Salah was cut out and the Liverpool attack turned into a Leicester one. Daka, however, stumbled over the ball and Liverpool could breathe again. Then it was Darwin Nunez's turn to shoot at the Leicester keeper, while Gakpo scored but was ruled offside as Liverpool pushed for a third. With 8 minutes to go they got it as Salah finally made the Leicester net bulge, the game well won now.

Result: Liverpool 3 - 1 Leicester City
Scorer(s): Gakpo, Jones, Salah (LIV); Ayew (LEI)
VAR decision(s), if any: Gakpo ruled offside (eventually) for what would have been his second, and Liverpool's third goal
Red Cards: None
Respective current positions (After match): 1 & 18
Respective final positions: 1 & 18
Effects: Leicester slip into the relegation zone; Liverpool widen the gap at the top to 7 points.

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/c/cc/Chelsea_FC.svg/380px-Chelsea_FC.svg.png)(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/e/eb/Fulham_FC_%28shield%29.svg/300px-Fulham_FC_%28shield%29.svg.png)
Teams: Chelsea v Fulham
Regions: London v London
Managers: Enzo Maresca v Marco Silva
Targets: Chelsea want to close the gap on Liverpool, Fulham can go 6th with a win
Expectation: You'd have to see this as being Chelsea's
Ground: Stamford Bridge
Respective current positions (Before match): 2 & 9

Cole Palmer opened the scoring for the Blues inside 16 minutes, racing free of the Fulham defence to slot the ball in with confidence, and nearly doubled their lead four minutes later but this time shot at the keeper. Fulham then went on a run but the Chelsea keeper stopped the shot, while Cucharilla could have taken Chelsea's second but again straight at the keeper. Three minutes into the second half and they tried again, but a super save kept it at still just the one. Would the home side have cause to rue those missed chances as the game progressed?

Indeed, Fulham nearly made them pay, but again the man between the sticks ensured it remained as 1-0. For now. Just after the hour Jackson was the next to try  his luck, but since Palmer, luck was a commodity eluding Chelsea, who had certainly had the lion's share of the chances, but had still only the one goal to show for it. 14 minutes from time the visitors again came close, another shot into the keeper's arms though. With eight minutes of normal time they made the breakthrough, levelling the game, Chelsea trying desperately to claim all three points with two great chances in extra time, but it was the Cottagers who took their first ever victory against Chelsea away since - wait for it - 1979! In the fifth minute of extra time the ball was hoofed down field and lashed into the Chelsea net, to deprive the home side of even the point they had been expecting to take. A famous historic victory for Fulham, and serious points dropped for Chelsea in their attempt to keep up with Liverpool.


Result: Chelsea 1 - 2 Fulham
Scorer(s): Palmer (CHE); Wilson, Muniz (FUL)
VAR decision(s), if any: None
Red Cards: None
Respective current positions (After match): 2 & 8
Respective final positions: 2 & 8
Effects: Fulham move up one place and take a historic victory, while Chelsea lose the chance to close the gap on Liverpool.

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/5/56/Newcastle_United_Logo.svg/400px-Newcastle_United_Logo.svg.png)(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/9/9a/Aston_Villa_FC_new_crest.svg/300px-Aston_Villa_FC_new_crest.svg.png)
Teams: Newcastle v Aston Villa
Regions: Tyne & Wear v Birmingham
Managers: Eddie Howe v Unai Emery
Targets: Villa need to get higher in the table; Newcastle are just enjoying being where they are but would like to advance
Expectation: Always going to go for Villa
Ground: St. James Park
Respective current positions (Before match): 8 & 6

The omens were not good for us as Newcastle scored within 2 minutes, though a free in the 20th could have levelled for us. Perhaps had Duran taken it, but he was overruled and Digne missed, after which there were some histrionics from Villa's top scorer, and a bad tackle saw him get a red card, and Villa were down to ten men. Childish temper tantrums as he disappeared down the tunnel won't have helped our cause, and could result in further action being taken against the young player. As the half wound down, Newcastle could have been two up when the ball was nicked from us but Martinez showed why he's considered the world's number one, and kept it at just the single goal. The second half would be a hard slog though.

It certainly was. On the hour Isak made it two, and Villa's cause seemed lost, especially when Isak scored again two minutes later, but this one ruled marginally offside. It was only a matter of time though, and despite a good chance for Digne to halve the deficit, it was of course the Magpies who took all three points as they scored again in added time.

Result: Newcastle 3 - 0 Aston Villa
Scorer(s): Gordon, Isak, Joelinton (NEW)
VAR decision(s), if any: Giumaresh goal ruled handball so did not stand
Red Cards: 1 (Duran, straight red)
Respective current positions (After match): 5 & 9
Respective final positions: 5 & 9
Effects: Newcastle rise to 5th, while Villa continue to slide down the table.

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/e/e5/Nottingham_Forest_F.C._logo.svg/220px-Nottingham_Forest_F.C._logo.svg.png)
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/b/b4/Tottenham_Hotspur.svg/240px-Tottenham_Hotspur.svg.png)
Teams: Nottingham Forest v Tottenham Hotspur
Regions: Nottinghamshire v London
Managers: Nuno Espirito Santos v Ange Postecoglu
Targets: Forest want to get into the top three; Spurs need to get back into the top half of the table
Expectation: Hope to see Spurs win
Ground: The City Ground
Respective current positions (Before match): 4 & 11

Forest were of course on the attack early, but Spurs had their own chances later in the half, neither managing to open the score until just before the half-hour when Elanga put the home side ahead. Ten minutes later Johnson nearly equalised but the Forest keeper was able to keep it out. Three attempts by the home team in the second half failed to double their lead, then Spurs broke to get a corner, from which Tottenham wanted a penalty for handball, but the decision went against them. As the fog began to roll in, time began to run out for Spurs, who had a man sent off with three minutes to go, leaving Forest to take the match with the one goal.


Result: Nottingham Forest 1 - 0 Tottenham Hotspur
Scorer(s): Elanga (FOR)
VAR decision(s), if any: None
Red Cards: 1 (Spence; two yellows)
Respective current positions (After match): 3 & 11
Respective final positions: 3 & 11
Effects: Forest go third; Spurs remain outside the top half.

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/c/c9/Wolverhampton_Wanderers_FC_crest.svg/400px-Wolverhampton_Wanderers_FC_crest.svg.png)
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/7/7a/Manchester_United_FC_crest.svg/400px-Manchester_United_FC_crest.svg.png)
Teams: Wolves v Manchester United
Regions: West Midlands v Manchester
Managers:  Vitor Pereira v Ruben Amorim
Targets: Wolves need to get out of the relegation zone; Man United have to get back into the top half of the table
Expectation: No idea but I hope Wolves win
Ground: Molyneaux
Respective current positions (Before match): 18 & 13

United had the first shot in anger on 20 minutes but Sa kept it out, then it was Wolves' turn to go close, the Man United keeper ensuring it remained scoreless at the break. The second half had barely begun before Fernandez, already on a yellow for a bad tackle, found himself in the ref's book again, and walking off the field. United, certainly not playing to their best, down to ten men. Minutes later they were one goal down too - except it was ruled out for offside. A lucky escape for the visitors.

On the hour, that luck ran out as Cunha scored direct from a corner to put Wolves ahead against the ten men, no offside this time! United gave it a go, but it was always going to be a losing proposition as extra time ticked away. When Wolves broke away and scored their second, that chance dwindled to nothing.

Result: Wolves 2 - 0 Manchester United
Scorer(s): Cunha, Hwang (WOL)
VAR decision(s), if any: None
Red Cards: 1 (Fernandez, second yellow)
Respective current positions (After match): 17 & 13
Respective final positions: 17 & 13
Effects: Wolves move out of the relegation zone, but there's just a point in it. United remain where they were.

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/e/eb/Manchester_City_FC_badge.svg/380px-Manchester_City_FC_badge.svg.png)(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/7/7c/Everton_FC_logo.svg/400px-Everton_FC_logo.svg.png)
Teams: Manchester City V Everton
Regions: Manchester v Merseyside
Managers: Pep Guardiola v Sean Dyche
Targets: Man City have to stop the rot as they fall further down the table; Everton need to climb up
Expectation: Time was you would not even ask, but these days? Can't call it.
Ground: The Etihad
Respective current positions (Before match): 7 & 15

City were first to strike but the ball came off the post, then in the 14th minute Silva scored to put them ahead. A good start, but could they keep it? Well, Silva came close on the half-hour but shot wide, then nine minutes from half-time it was Everton who scored to level the match. City kept up the pressure in the second half but were unable to retake the lead until they were given a penalty on 51. Up stepped their goal machine, and missed! Stopped by the keeper, but scored by Haaland on the rebound. City back in front. No, not so: offside, so 1-1 it remained, and 1-1 it ended, City still unable to hold a lead, still unable to win a game. In fact, Everton could have taken it at the death.


Result: Manchester City 1 - 1 Everton
Scorer(s): Ndiye (EVE); Silva (MNC)
VAR decision(s), if any: None
Red Cards: None
Respective current positions (After match): 7 & 15
Respective final positions: 7 & 15
Effects: City fail to win again; both teams remain where they are, but a worse result for Pep's men than for Sean Dyche's.

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/c/c9/FC_Southampton.svg/380px-FC_Southampton.svg.png)
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/c/c2/West_Ham_United_FC_logo.svg/350px-West_Ham_United_FC_logo.svg.png)
Teams: Southampton v West Ham
Regions: Hampshire v London
Managers: Ivan Jurich v Julen Lopetgui
Targets: Southampton just hope to get a little closer to being off the bottom, West Ham want to move up
Expectation: Has to be a Hammering for the Saints
Ground: St. Marys
Respective current positions (Before match): 20 & 14

As expected, West Ham had all the chances though Southampton did come close. Finishing is however not the Saints' strong point - if they have one. Guess you can't fault their effort; just a pity they don't get any reward for it. A bad collision saw Fabianski stretchered off the field before half time. They almost had more bad luck as a red card was produced, but VAR saw fit to recommend its being overturned, and so a yellow was what resulted. On the hour, a needless corner given away gave Bowen his chance to take the lead for West Ham, and he did not waste it. The Saints had a chance to take a share of the points in extra time but the ball went over the bar, perhaps underlining why Southampton remain where they are.


Result: Southampton 0 - 1 West Ham
Scorer(s): Bowen (WHU)
VAR decision(s), if any: Red card converted to yellow for West Ham
Red Cards: None
Respective current positions (After match): 20 & 13
Respective final positions: 20 & 13
Effects: Despite the (expected) win, West Ham stay where they are. Southampton have set up camp at the bottom of the league table.

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/e/e5/AFC_Bournemouth_%282013%29.svg/300px-AFC_Bournemouth_%282013%29.svg.png)
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/a/a2/Crystal_Palace_FC_logo_%282022%29.svg/350px-Crystal_Palace_FC_logo_%282022%29.svg.png)
Teams: Bournemouth v Crystal Palace
Regions: Dorset v London
Managers: Andoni Iraola v Oliver Glasner
Targets: Bournemouth want to get into the top four; Palace want to stay outside of the relegation zone
Expectation: Should be a victory for Bournemouth
Ground: Dean Court
Respective current positions (Before match): 5 & 16

20 Minutes in and the Cherries could have been ahead but wide of the post, while Palace came close too, but into the keeper's arms. A corner then for Bournemouth was cleared off the line, or it would have put them in front. Palace thought they had taken the lead on the half-hour but called offside. Into the second half then with both teams striving for the opening goal, Palace coming closest but despite a hatful of attempts from the home side the points had to be shared.

Result: Bournemouth 0  - 0 Crystal Palace
Scorer(s): None
VAR decision(s), if any: None
Red Cards: None
Respective current positions (After match): 6 & 16
Respective final positions: 6 & 16
Effects: Bournemouth drop one place while Palace remain where they are, 3 points and two places above the relegation zone.

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/d/d0/Brighton_and_Hove_Albion_FC_crest.svg/380px-Brighton_and_Hove_Albion_FC_crest.svg.png)
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/2/2a/Brentford_FC_crest.svg/360px-Brentford_FC_crest.svg.png)
Teams: Brighton v Brentford
Regions: East Sussex v London
Managers: Fabian Hurzeler v Thomas Frank
Targets: Brighton want to stay in the top half of the table; Brentford want to get back there.
Expectation: Could see it being a hard-fought draw
Ground: The Amex
Respective current positions (Before match): 10 & 12

Brighton came close early on but the upright stopped the shot, their next shot a poor attempt, right into the keeper's arms, not so much a save as a gentle catch. Still, the home team asking all the questions until Wissa raced down field and scored for the Bees. Unfortunately for him, though a thing of beauty, the goal was ruled offside, and so the game remained scoreless. As the first half drew to a close, Brighton drew close to the opening goal, but the Brentford goalie dived across to stop it.

The second half saw the visitors come more into the game, and they could have been ahead when Mbuomo raced up field, leaving defenders in his wake, but the shot was weak when he passed it and no trouble for the Seagulls keeper. They could have had trouble though as a wayward elbow went to VAR to see if more punishment was merited, but the men in the control room agreed a yellow was sufficient. A later corner could have given Brighton the points, but over the bar it went, and both teams had to be happy with a point.

Result: Brighton 0 - 0 Brentford
Scorer(s): None
VAR decision(s), if any: Wissa's goal ruled offside
Red Cards: None
Respective current positions (After match): 10 & 12
Respective final positions: 10 & 12
Effects: Neither team move

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/5/53/Arsenal_FC.svg/360px-Arsenal_FC.svg.png)(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/43/Ipswich_Town.svg/312px-Ipswich_Town.svg.png)
Teams: Arsenal v Ipswich Town
Regions: London v Suffolk
Managers: Mikel Arteta v Kieran McKenna
Targets: Arsenal need to close on the leaders, having seen Chelsea beaten but Forest take their third place; Ipswich want to get away from the relegation zone.
Expectation: Arsenal all day
Ground: The Emirates
Respective current positions (Before match): 4 & 19

Ipswich could have shocked the Emirates and taken an early lead, but the shot fizzed past and it was Arsenal who scored at the midway point of the first half, Havertz getting on the end of Trossard's cross to put his team ahead. Rice could have doubled their lead before the break, but his shot went over the bar, then Jesus thought he had made it two when he tapped in at the far corner, but it was ruled offside. Into the second half then, Arsenal completely in control, but unable to extend their lead as Gabriel missed a total sitter as he just headed inches wide of the post from a corner, Ipswich guilty of some really poor defending and just hanging on. In the end, one goal was enough to settle it. One-nil to the Arsenal, and they go back second.

Result: Arsenal 1 - 0 Ipswich Town
Scorer(s): Havertz (ARS)
VAR decision(s), if any: Jesus ruled offside
Red Cards: None
Respective current positions (After match): 2 & 19
Respective final positions: 2 & 19
Effects: Arsenal go second; Ipswich remain as they were.

Meh of the Day: Not really
 
Scratch of the Day: Not really

Player of the Day: Bad player of the day goes to John Duran of Villa, who had a hissy fit because he couldn't take the free kick (though Digne missed, so he may have had a point) and then managed to get himself sent off, just when we need him. Dickhead.

Goal of the Day: Gordon for Newcastle's first against Villa (mutter) or Cunha's direct shot from the corner for Wolves' first against Man United

Miss of the Day: Gabriel's header past the post against Ipswich, which would have given them a two-goal lead.

Save of the Day: Leno stopping Chelsea at the death and so giving his team a famous win. Everton keeper stopping Haaland's penalty.

VARiations: You'd have to say the decision as to whether or not Gakpo was offside for Liverpool took far, far too long. At the same time, the men in the box did recommend a red card be reduced to a yellow, so I suppose it evens out mostly.

Climb of the Day: Newcastle climb from 8th to 5th, their highest position this season.

Drop of the Day: On the other side of that match, Villa drop from 6 to 9, just hanging on there in the top half.

Howler of the Day: Nothing this time.

Mirth of the Day: Gary's face as Leicester slumped to defeat against Liverpool (surely he had been expecting that?) and into the relegation zone.

Quote of the Day:

Pen of the Day: Bad penalty of the day (the only one in fact) taken by Haaland, whose shot was saved, then he scored on the rebound but was offside.
 
Score of the Day: Nothing spectacular. Highest score was Newcastle's 3-0 victory over Villa or Liverpool's 3-1 defeat of Leicester, but in terms of significance, has to be Fulham's 2-1 result against second-placed Chelsea, the first time they've beaten them at home since the end of the 1970s. Also impacts upon the title race.

Cliche of the Day Didn't hear anything

Red Card Total: 3

Keeper Kapers
Good: Leno with a great save against Chelsea that kept it at 2-1. Everton keeper's save that denied Haaland his penalty and City their first win.

Bad: Fabianski fell badly after a fine save and was injured; left the pitch on a stretcher.

We Wuz Robbed! Not this time

Trollheart's Hates:

Arsenal

Won AND went second, damn them!

Crystal Palace

They only drew, but they remain outside the relegation zone. Want to see them drop back down into it.

Nottingham Forest

Hate to see them win; hate even more to see them get into third.

Manchester United

A great day. They lost, badly, and had their captain sent off. Sweet.

(https://media3.giphy.com/media/1bDjbVFuAvrlS/giphy.gif?cid=6c09b952dz7ynhru1qa0je2wwklipws0z0i6350gwvig136c&ep=v1_internal_gif_by_id&rid=giphy.gif&ct=g)
Overview

Christmas presents in the form of advancement up the table for some teams, lumps of coal for others as they slip down the standings. Naughty and nice, good and bad, and while not exactly Santa's sackful of goals, there were more then enough to keep us entertained on this cold Christmas week.

A good day for Nottingham Forest as they rise to third, their highest position since being promoted, and also for Newcastle, who reach the dizzy heights of 5th. Both Manchester teams fail to win, City drawing with lowly Everton while even worse for United, being beaten by relegation scrappers Wolves. Arsenal make ground on Liverpool at Chelsea's expense, while the former holders of second place slip to fourth after a historic defeat to Fulham.

Speaking of the Cottagers, great respect must be paid to them, beating Chelsea at Stamford Bridge for the first time since 1979, while Tottenham were felled by Forest, so to speak, and end up outside the top half yet again. Having reached sixth, Brighton begin a slide down the table and are just hanging on there now, at the bottom of the top half, with Villa crashing down behind them, struggling at 9th.

Liverpool turned on the style to widen the gap at the top with an impressive performance against Leicester, who slip into the dreaded relegation zone, West Ham climb away from the dotted line which Ipswich remain beneath it, and of course as per usual Southampton prop up the table. Villa had a man sent off for a straight red, and not just any man: we need Duran! Things are not going well for us. But on the bright side, Manchester United had their captain sent off, too, which won't have helped their cause.

Finally, just like to add my "thoughts and prayers" to all those wishing Lukas Fabianski a speedy recovery and return to the West Ham goal. That looked nasty!

Check these odds:

https://www.oddschecker.com/football/english/premier-league/relegation

Most likely to get relegated at the top, least likely at the bottom.

MC are 10/1! They must have some sort of knowledge that they're going to get whacked with a huge points deduction when the verdict is out on the 115.

MU 40/1. That will shorten after the weekend. They're away at Liverpool. Could be a double digit loss imo.

Sunday December 29 2024

West Ham v Liverpool
Everton v Nottingham Forest
Leicester City v Manchester City
Fulham v Bournemouth
Tottenham Hotspur v Wolves
Crystal Palace v Southampton

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/c/c2/West_Ham_United_FC_logo.svg/350px-West_Ham_United_FC_logo.svg.png)
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/0/0c/Liverpool_FC.svg/360px-Liverpool_FC.svg.png)
Teams: West Ham v Liverpool
Regions: London v Merseyside
Managers: Julen Lopetegui v Arne Slot
Targets: As ever, Liverpool want to put as much distance as they can between them and the chasing pack; West Ham happy to move closer to the top of the bottom half of the table.
Expectation: Have to be Liverpool
Ground: The London Stadium
Respective current positions (Before match): 13 & 1

First Liverpool were being chased by Chelsea, then Arsenal, and now it's Forest, the gap having narrowed to 6 points. A win tonight would give them an 8 point advantage. In the fifth minute the Hammers were on the attack, but a pretty poor attempt at a shot, then Salah shot against Fabianski's replacement in goal, the reserve keeper proving he has what it takes. On the half-hour the visitors struck, ball given away and Diaz did not waste the opportunity. West Ham went in search of the equaliser before half-time and almost made it, but found Allison in fine form. They should have been level though when Kudus's shot cannoned back off the upright, and some magic from Salah allowed Gakpo in for Liverpool's second. Suspicion of offside but cleared, and the goal stood, Salah then adding one of his own in the final minute of the first half, Liverpool three to the good at the break.

A fourth looked likely in the second half, Salah coming close soon after the restart but it was Alexander-Arnold who took it with a fine shot from outside the box to rob the home side of any chance they had of coming back. Kudus tried again, but again hit the bar, while Jota wrapped it up for the Reds with six minutes to go. A long shot from West Ham in the dying seconds shot wide, diverted by Van Dijk's heel, denying them even a consolation goal.

Result: West Ham 0 - 5 Liverpool
Scorer(s): Diaz, Gakpo, Salah,  Alexander-Arnold, Jota (LIV)
Penalties: None
VAR decision(s), if any: None
Red Cards:None
Controversies: None
Respective current positions (After match): 13 & 1
Respective final positions: 13 & 1
Effects: West Ham remain where they are; Liverpool widen the gap to 8 points, cut back to 6 after Arsenal's victory tonight.

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/7/7c/Everton_FC_logo.svg/400px-Everton_FC_logo.svg.png)
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/e/e5/Nottingham_Forest_F.C._logo.svg/220px-Nottingham_Forest_F.C._logo.svg.png)
Teams: Everton v Nottingham Forest
Regions: Merseyside v Nottinghamshire
Managers: Sean Dyche v Nuno Espirito Santos
Targets: Everton want to pull away from the relegation zone; Forest can go second with a win.
Expectation: You'd have to see this as a win for Forest
Ground: Goodison Park
Respective current positions (Before match): 15 & 3

I couldn't tell you when Forest were this high up the table before, but I'd be willing to bet it might be decades, perhaps even before I got into football in the 1990s. Certainly, this has to be their best performance in the Premiership since being promoted, and they couldn't have had too much fear of coming to Goodison. Everton aren't exactly opposition they'd be too worried about. Four minutes in and Everton showed why they are so low down, Ndiye shooting high over the bar and squandering the chance to take an early lead at home, and letting Forest in on 15 as Wood lobbed the keeper.

In the last minute of the first half Everton had a chance to draw level, but like every other chance they had had in the game - and few of them - it went wide. Mind you, Forest also spurned a chance before the break, but then, they were already ahead. On the hour they wrapped up the points when Gibbs-White netted. Only Pickford's agility after he dropped the ball saved his team going three down, but in fairness he made three good saves. Everton, desperate for at least a point, had little chance as the Forest keeper played his role, keeping the home side out despite several chances that came late in the game. Another double save from the Everton keeper was all that stopped it becoming three, but the home side well beaten and Forest move into second.


Result: Everton 0 - 2 Nottingham Forest
Scorer(s): Wood, Gibbs-White (FOR)
Penalties: None
VAR decision(s), if any: None
Red Cards: None
Controversies: None
Respective current positions (After match): 16 & 2
Respective final positions: 16 & 3
Effects:  After the weekend games other wins go against Everton, who slip dangerously close to the relegation zone, only 2 points and 2 places in it. Forest rise to second, 8 points behind Liverpool, but slip to third after Arsenal's win tonight.

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/2/2d/Leicester_City_crest.svg/380px-Leicester_City_crest.svg.png)(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/e/eb/Manchester_City_FC_badge.svg/380px-Manchester_City_FC_badge.svg.png)
Teams: Leicester City v Manchester City
Regions: Leicestershire v Manchester
Managers: Ruud van Nistelroy v Pep Guardiola
Targets: Leicester hope to move away from the relegation zone; City desperate for a win to arrest their slide down the table
Expectation: I don't honestly know: a draw?
Ground: The King Power
Respective current positions (Before match): 18 & 7

Heading for 15 games without a win in all competitions, Man City appear to be in freefall, while Leicester should see this as a chance to take three points and get out of the relegation zone. Nobody's afraid of the former champions now, and if they could capitalise on that, the Foxes might win this one. Vardy could have had a penalty in the 15th minute, except that as Ortega took him down in the box he was adjudged to be offside, otherwise Leicester were surely taking the lead. The Leiceister man was back in to try moments later, this time the City keeper saved it at the near post, spreading himself well. Instead it was the other City who scored, Savinho knocking it in after Foden's shot was saved. Leicester had a shot on goal but past the post as we moved into the last ten minutes of the half, then Haaland shot wide, off the line from Leicester and both teams were having chances, but the only one who had converted so far were the visitors.

An appeal for a penalty by Leicester was turned down by the ref, but the game seemed to be turning against Man City now, though they still retained their one-goal lead. By the time an hour had passed they had not added to it though, and were lucky not to lose that lead as Vardy's shot was cleared off the line. Back came the Foxes on the hunt, Vardy missing a sitter; surely they would rue those misses? And so they did. With 16 minutes to go, Haaland finally scored, to put Manchester City two ahead. Vardy spurned yet another chance to halve the deficit, and finally Manchester City have a victory.


Result: Leicester City 0 - 2 Manchester City
Scorer(s): Savinho, Haaland (MNC)
Penalties: None
VAR decision(s), if any: None
Red Cards: None
Controversies: None
Respective current positions (After match): 18 & 5
Respective final positions: 19 & 6
Effects: Leicester slide further into the mire, one place from the bottom; Man City move up to 6th

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/b/b4/Tottenham_Hotspur.svg/240px-Tottenham_Hotspur.svg.png)(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/c/c9/Wolverhampton_Wanderers_FC_crest.svg/400px-Wolverhampton_Wanderers_FC_crest.svg.png)
Teams: Tottenham Hotspur v Wolves
Regions: London v West Midlands
Managers: Ange Postecoglu v Vitor Pereira
Targets: Spurs want to get back into the top half; Wolves would like to be over the dotted line, not under it.
Expectation: I think Wolves could take it.
Ground: The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
Respective current positions (Before match): 11 & 17

A free for Wolves after five minutes gave them the lead, Hwang with his second in as many games, but the lead did not last long, Betancur making it all square after 12 minutes. The home side almost took the lead a few minutes later but wide of the post, then pretty shambolic defending from the visitors led to a penalty for Spurs, which Son took. And failed to score. Dreadful penalty. Johnson made up for it though in extra time at the end of the half, Spurs in the lead at the break. The second half saw Tottenham attempt to make a comeback by Wolves impossible, two missed attempts allowing the visitors back into the game with three minutes to go. In the dying minutes the relegation dogfighters could have taken all three points, but at the final whistle it ended all square.

Result: Tottenham Hotspur 2 - 2 Wolves
Scorer(s): Hwang, Strand-Larsen (WOL); Betancur, Johnson (TOT)
Penalties: 1
VAR decision(s), if any: None
Red Cards: None
Controversies: None
Respective current positions (After match): 11 & 17
Respective final positions: 11 & 17
Effects: Both teams remain where they were.

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/e/eb/Fulham_FC_%28shield%29.svg/300px-Fulham_FC_%28shield%29.svg.png)
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/e/e5/AFC_Bournemouth_%282013%29.svg/300px-AFC_Bournemouth_%282013%29.svg.png)

Teams: Fulham v Bournemouth
Regions: London v Dorset
Managers: Marco Silva v Andoni Iraola
Targets: A win for Bournemouth would see them 5th while Fulham could go 6th
Expectation: Draw?
Ground: Craven Cottage
Respective current positions (Before match): 8 & 6

Surely on a high after their historic victory over Arsenal on Friday, Fulham came up against a Bournemouth side also flying. Could be quite a match, could cancel each other out. Bournemouth came close but Brooks's curling shot just too much of an angle to find the top corner. In the end Fulham took the lead five minutes from the end of the first half, and could have had reason to complain when Christie avoided a red card for what looked like a very heavy tackle, only a yellow given. Iwobi came close to making it two just before the break but again a curling shot that was high and wide. The second half was only six minutes old before Bournemouth were level, Jiminez almost in for his second five minutes later, but 1-1 it remained as we moved into the last twenty minutes of the game, the Cherries having a chance to take the lead but straight at the keeper. Two minutes after that miss, Harry Wilson nodded in to put Fulham back in front, not much time now for the visitors to equalise again. Could they do it? Yes they could! In the last minute of normal time it was even again, all Fulham's good work undone as the Cottagers gave the ball away.


Result: Fulham 2 - 2 Bournemouth
Scorer(s): Jiminez, Wilson (FUL); Evanielson, Ouattara (BOU)
Penalties: None
VAR decision(s), if any: None
Red Cards: None
Controversies: Should Christie have walked after that tackle? Both ref and VAR said no.
Respective current positions (After match): 8 & 6
Respective final positions: 8 & 7
Effects: Fulham remain where they were, Bournemouth slide one place to 7th.

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/a/a2/Crystal_Palace_FC_logo_%282022%29.svg/350px-Crystal_Palace_FC_logo_%282022%29.svg.png)
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/c/c9/FC_Southampton.svg/380px-FC_Southampton.svg.png)
Teams: Crystal Palace v Southampton
Regions: London v Hampshire
Managers: Oliver Glasner v Ivan Juric
Targets: Palace want to keep moving away from the relegation zone; Southampton seem destined to spend all season there, and at the bottom.
Expectation: Have to imagine Palace will win
Ground: Selhurst Park
Respective current positions (Before match): 16 & 20

Southampton took a seriously shock lead in the 15th minute, ten minutes later the attempt from Palace did not trouble the keeper, and into the half-hour mark when a corner resulted in Palace levelling, despite complaints from the Saints. VAR said no, Ramsdale had not been impeded, the goal stood. Five minutes after that it could have been two to the home side had it not been for a superb save from the Saints' keeper to, um, keep it at 1-1. Another corner almost put Palace ahead again, but the overhead kick failed to make the Southampton net bulge.

Another corner on 51 saw some pinball in the Southampton area, then a rocket from Eze gave the home side the lead. Just after the hour the Saints could have levelled again but a fine save by the Palace keeper stopped the shot, then a free on 68 was pushed over by the keeper, the game ending nevertheless in victory for Crystal Palace.

Result: Crystal Palace 2 - 1 Southampton
Scorer(s): Dibling (SOU); Chalobah, Eze (PAL)
Penalties: None
VAR decision(s), if any: None
Red Cards: None
Controversies: Had Ramsdale been impeded for Palace's first goal? The referee said no but it looked possible.
Respective current positions (After match): 15 & 20
Respective final positions: 15 & 20
Effects: Palace move one place further away from the relegation zone; no prizes for guessing where Southampton are!

Monday December 30 2024

Ipswich Town v Chelsea
Aston Villa v Brighton
Manchester United v Newcastle

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/43/Ipswich_Town.svg/312px-Ipswich_Town.svg.png)
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/c/cc/Chelsea_FC.svg/380px-Chelsea_FC.svg.png)
Teams: Ipswich Town v Chelsea
Regions: Suffolk v London
Managers: Kieran McKenna v Enzo Maresca
Targets: Chelsea want to regain their place in second; Ipswich just want to try to get out of the zone.
Expectation: Got to be Chelsea (though I said that with Fulham, and look what happened)
Ground: Portman Road
Respective current positions (Before match): 19 & 4

Ipswich went into this match second from bottom and facing a Chelsea side somewhat shell-shocked by their late loss to Fulham on Thursday, but surely expecting and intending to take revenge on the relegation-threatened side. An early penalty for Ipswich did not help Chelsea's hopes of putting that defeat behind them, as Delap was taken down clumsily in the box by the Chelsea keeper. Soft, perhaps, but Ipswich would certainly take it, and the man who had been fouled duly converted, the game only 12 minutes old, Ipswich in front. Could they maintain that momentum though? Well, with Chelsea playing in white and Ipswich in blue, you could perhaps have been forgiven for mixing the teams up, as the Tractor Boys piled on the pressure, the goalscorer coming close again soon after, only a desperate dive by the keeper preventing the home side from doubling their lead.

If Chelsea were shell-shocked after Thursday, they needed to get it together, looking nothing like the side who were only recently second and challenging Liverpool, now slipped to fourth before this match. They almost caught Ipswich out though with a quickly-taken free kick, but though two of them had a chance at it, both missed, Palmer's shot being caught by the keeper and the rebound kept out as well, a fine double save. Palmer tried again, and now you could see the visitors coming into the game, Ipswich's one-goal lead looking very shaky indeed. And that was only the first half!

But for all Chelsea's pressure, it was the home team who made it safe, Hutchinson capitalising on a Chelsea error to take their second goal eight minutes into the second half, and consigning the Blues to a very Blue New Year indeed, two games lost on the spin now, their title challenge looking further and further away, even European football slipping from their grasp.

Result: Ipswich Town 2 - 0 Chelsea
Scorer(s): Delap (p), Hutchinson (IPS)
Penalties: 1
VAR decision(s), if any: None
Red Cards: None
Controversies: None
Respective current positions (After match): 18 & 4
Respective final positions: 18 & 4
Effects: Ipswich remain in the relegation zone, but swap places with Leicester, while Chelsea remain at 4th, now 10 points behind Liverpool.

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/9/9a/Aston_Villa_FC_new_crest.svg/300px-Aston_Villa_FC_new_crest.svg.png)
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/d/d0/Brighton_and_Hove_Albion_FC_crest.svg/380px-Brighton_and_Hove_Albion_FC_crest.svg.png)
Teams: Aston Villa v Brighton
Regions: Birmingham v East Sussex
Managers: Unai Emery v Fabian Hurzeler
Targets: Villa need to slam on the brakes and get back up the top half of the table; Brighton can overtake us with a win.
Expectation: Need you ask?
Ground: Villa Park
Respective current positions (Before match): 9 & 10

Poor defence was the order of the day for Villa, as Adingra pounced early on, evading three defenders to slot the ball home for the first goal of the match. A long shot then cut out four defenders as they rushed back, but luckily the world's greatest goalkeeper was guarding the net for Villa, and 1-0 it remained, no thanks to the defence. A penalty allowed the home side back into the game as Watkins, on for the suspended Duran, stepped up to the spot to level the match. Two minutes into the second half and Villa turned it around, a lovely shot from Rogers buried in the back of the net.

Brighton weren't finished yet though, and back they came with 9 minutes to go as Lamptey again exploited some pretty poor defending and scored to equalise for the Seagulls, undoing all Villa's hard work. Watkins could have won it for the home side near the end when he shot over from a corner, but in the end the points had to be shared, probably a fair result.

Result: Aston Villa 2 - 2 Brighton
Scorer(s): Adingra, Lamptey (BHA); Watkins (p), Rogers (AST)
VAR decision(s), if any: Penalty awarded to Villa
Red Cards: None
Controversies: None
Respective current positions (After match): 9 & 10
Respective final positions: 9 & 10
Effects: Neither team moves from where they were.

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/7/7a/Manchester_United_FC_crest.svg/400px-Manchester_United_FC_crest.svg.png)(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/5/56/Newcastle_United_Logo.svg/400px-Newcastle_United_Logo.svg.png)
Teams: Manchester United v Newcastle United
Regions: Manchester v Tyne & Wear
Managers: Ruben Amorim v Eddie Howe
Targets: Manchester United are desperate to get into the top half of the table; Newcastle could get back into the top 5 if they win.
Expectation: Really hard to say, but I think Newcastle will want it more.
Ground: Old Trafford
Respective current positions (Before match): 14 & 7

The brief - very brief - revival at Old Trafford looks to be over already, their new coach probably considering buying a one-way ticket back to Lisbon. United (the Manchester ones) may as well not have been there as Isak casually took first blood after only four minutes, the Red Devils with red faces as defensive frailties and a lack of commitment were clear for all to see. A long ball then down field turned a Man United attempt at attack into a Newcastle one, Isak failing to double their lead and his tally as the shot was weak, a let-off for the home side. Back they came, the Magpies seeming to have the freedom of Old Trafford as nobody even made a tackle while they hared down the opposition end, Joellinton bagging their second and putting the game to bed, with only twenty minutes played.

It could in fact have been three soon after, Tonali again just picking his spot, but with Onana beaten the post came to Manchester United's rescue, saving them from going further behind. They had not had so much as a shot on goal so far, and didn't look very likely to. Only in the latter part of the first half did the struggling home side make any sort of an effort to reduce the deficit, Hoejlund and Mannu going close but neither scoring.

Maguire came closest in the second half, forcing Dubravka into a save for perhaps the first time in the game, and then a late corner could have earned them, if not a share of the points, at least a little dignity, but well wide and United were beaten at home, and well beaten, by one of the teams who used to fear a trip to Old Trafford, and usually went away defeated. Just another game now, United a spent force, and Amorim with his head in that familiar position, down in his hands.

Result: Manchester United 0 - 2 Newcastle United
Scorer(s): Isak, Joelinton (NEW)
Penalties: None
VAR decision(s), if any: None
Red Cards: None
Controversies: None
Respective current positions (After match): 14 & 5
Respective final positions: 14 & 5
Effects: Man United remain where they were; Newcastle climb back up to 5th, displacing the other Manchester club.

Wednesday January 1 2025

Brentford v Arsenal

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/2/2a/Brentford_FC_crest.svg/360px-Brentford_FC_crest.svg.png)(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/5/53/Arsenal_FC.svg/360px-Arsenal_FC.svg.png)
Teams: Brentford v Arsenal
Regions: London v London
Managers: Thomas Frank v Mikel Arteta
Targets: If Arsenal win they can take second spot from Forest and will then be 6 points behind Liverpool. Brentford need to make it back up into the top half.
Expectation: I imagine Arsenal will do it easily.
Ground: The G-Tech Community Stadium
Respective current positions (Before match): 12 & 3

The first game of the new year saw title challengers Arsenal face a struggling Brentford away. Arsenal knew a win here would allow them to take back second place and increase the pressure on Liverpool. It did not start well for the Gunners, the home side ahead within 13 minutes (unlucky for Arsenal?), and it could have been two a few minutes later but for a wonderful double save from Raya, from one corner to the other, the ball clearly not over the line, though it came close. An unfamiliar feeling for Arsenal, having to come from behind, but they did so on the half-hour when Jesus scored on the rebound. Into the break then with a goal each, but in the second half Arsenal took control, a confused and unruly mess in front of the Brentford goal allowing Merino to profit as the clock hit 50 and put the visitors ahead.

After that there was only one team who were going to win it, and Arsenal put the seal on their victory three minutes later, turning the match around as Martinelli pounced to make it three to the Gunners, and return them to second place.


Result: Brentford 1 - 3 Arsenal
Scorer(s): Mbeuomo (BRE); Jesus, Merino, Martinelli (ARS)
Penalties: None
VAR decision(s), if any: None (Ball adjudged not to have crossed the line for what would have been Brentford's second goal, but that was more down to the goal decision system than VAR)
Red Cards: None
Controversies: None
Respective current positions (After match): 2 & 12
Respective final positions: 2 & 12
Effects: Arsenal retake second place, now 6 points behind Liverpool. Brentford remain outside the top half.

Meh of the Day: None

Scratch of the Day: None

Player of the Day: I think I might have to give it to Ipswich's Liam Delap, winning and scoring the penalty and just narrowly missing a chance to score their third against Chelsea.

Goal of the Day: Nothing really special.

Miss of the Day: Vardy missing a chance to net for Leicester.

Save of the Day: Ramsdale against Sarr, to keep the match at 1-1 before half-time

VARiations: Not a lot on the last weekend of the year.

Climb of the Day: Newcastle rise to 5th after beating a poor, poor Man United at home.

Drop of the Day: Probably Leicester's plunge into the relegation zone, just one place off the bottom.

Howler of the Day: Didn't really see any

Mirth of the Day: During the Leicester/Man City match, as City went two up: "That will surely knock the stuffing out of Leicester!"

Quote of the Day: Commentator at the start of the match between Leicester and Man City: "It is a tale of two cities, who have experienced the best of times and now the worst of times".

Pen of the Day: Bad pen of the day goes to Son. How did he miss?

Score of the Day: No huge scores but

Shock of the Day: Has to be Ipswich beating Chelsea. I mean, relegation strugglers beat title contenders? Only in football!

Cliche of the Day Nah

Keeper Kapers
Good: Both Raya and Pickford distinguished themselves with fine double saves during their matches. Not forgetting Ramsdale's excellent effort.

We Wuz Robbed! No theft this weekend.

Trollheart's Hates:

Arsenal

Unfortunately they won, which puts pressure on Liverpool but on the bright side they knocked Forest down to third, so there is that.

Crystal Palace

Sorry to see them win, but then again it was only Southampton.

Nottingham Forest

Really furious with their progress. God help me if they get to the top! So I grudgingly have to thank Arsenal for knocking them down to third.

Manchester United

Better news here. Roundly thrashed again, and by Newcastle, and at home, which must really sting.

(https://media3.giphy.com/media/1bDjbVFuAvrlS/giphy.gif?cid=6c09b952dz7ynhru1qa0je2wwklipws0z0i6350gwvig136c&ep=v1_internal_gif_by_id&rid=giphy.gif&ct=g)
Overview

Mixed fortunes for the Manchester clubs, as City took their first three points in what seems - and is - ages, but are still only at 6th, nowhere near where they want to be, while United were hammered at home, a very poor performance against a resurgent Newcastle, who find themselves in fifth place. Forest looked almost bound for top spot but since Arsenal's win over Brentford they are now third, still their best return in the Premiership, perhaps ever. Chelsea suffered a shock defeat against lowly Ipswich, and were well beaten too, though the result doesn't actually help the Suffolk side, who remain in the relegation zone.

Villa failed to impress, fighting out a tough 2-2 draw with Brighton which helps neither team, while Liverpool as usual stormed to yet another victory, this time against inconsistent West Ham, and are now six points clear at the top. Spurs and Everton both failed to impress, Forest beating the latter and Wolves drawing with Tottenham, while Leicester fell to Man City and into the relegation zone. Southampton spent Christmas, as they have spent all of December and possibly previous months, as they will spend January, looking up at nineteen teams above them, one of which is Crystal Palace, who are climbing slowly but steadily away from that dotted line.

Before the table then, given that it's the first day of a new year, let's indulge in some


(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/1d/90/14/1d901474a4fe251860914420959c551c.gif)
Football Fun!
(https://img.a.transfermarkt.technology/portrait/big/15856-1708012103.jpg?lm=1)
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6f/Eddie_Howe_2015.jpg/800px-Eddie_Howe_2015.jpg)

To Beard or not to Beard?

More managerial changes may have upset the balance of power between those with facial hair and those without, so let's see how things stand now.

Now we have eight who are bearded (with two possibles) versus ten definitely not.

Definitely bearded:
Enzo Maresca (Chelsea)
Sean Dyche (Everton)
Pep Guardiola (Man City)
Ruben Amorim (Man United)
Nuno Espirito Santos (Forest)
Vitor Pereira (Wolves)
Ange Postecoglu (Spurs)
Ruud van Nistelrooy (Leicester)

Possibly bearded:
Fabian Hurzeler (Brighton)
Julen Lopetegui (West Ham)

Clean shaven:
Mikel Arteta (Arsenal)
Unai Emery (Villa)
Andoni Iraola (Bournemouth
Thomas Frank (Brentford)
Oliver Glasner (Palace)
Marco Silva (Fulham)
Kieran McKenna (Ipswich)
Arne Slot (Liverpool)
Eddie Howe (Newcastle)
Ivan Juric (Southampton)


If you want to weigh in on the "possibly bearded" ones, let me know.

So at the moment it's 10-8 to the clean shaven, so if we can decide on the, um, undecided,  with the possible 2 subs on the bench, it could be a draw. Right now though, looks like it's a win for those who still need to shave in the morning.

(https://i.postimg.cc/qRXtjSdt/Premtable-Jan1-A.png)
(https://i.postimg.cc/qRdhc0WV/Premtable-Jan1-B.png)

Saturday January 4 2025
Tottenham Hotspur v Newcastle United
Manchester City v West Ham
Aston Villa v Leicester City
Brighton v Arsenal
Southampton v Brentford
Crystal Palace v Chelsea
Bournemouth v Everton

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/b/b4/Tottenham_Hotspur.svg/240px-Tottenham_Hotspur.svg.png)
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/5/56/Newcastle_United_Logo.svg/400px-Newcastle_United_Logo.svg.png)
Teams: Tottenham Hotspur v Newcastle United
Regions: London v Tyne & Wear
Managers: Ange Postecoglu v Eddie Howe
Targets: Spurs need to get back into the top half, Newcastle could go 4th if they win
Expectation: Hard to say; both teams can be great or awful on their day, but I'd hope for a Newcastle victory.
Ground: The Tottenham  Hotspur Stadium
Respective current positions (Before match): 11 & 5

Riding high on their demolition of Manchester United on the last day of 2024, Newcastle took on a team who once were one of the "big six", but have failed to impress this season, spending much of it in the bottom half of the table, if at the top of that bottom half, if you know what I mean. Conversely, Newcastle are at fifth. However it was Spurs who scored first, Solanke putting them ahead after only 4 minutes, the perfect start for the home side. Their lead didn't last long though, as Gordon levelled two minutes later. A VAR check for handball against Joelinton was dismissed, so the goal stood. Ten minutes later though the man against whom the handball could have been awarded was in trouble again, and again it was a hand, or actually an elbow as he knocked one of Spurs' players to the ground, but luckily for him no action was taken, not even a yellow. Spurs went on the attack again in the 21st minute but the Magpies robbed them, Gordon unable to net his second.

Injury-ravaged Tottenham seemed to struggle against a resurgent Newcastle side, though the visitors skated on thin ice, another of their players coming close to getting at least a yellow, but again avoiding punishment. As the half wound down Newcastle reasserted their dominance, and their lead, as Isak scored their second to go in ahead at the break. Spurs came close to equalising again almost as soon as the second half began, but Dubravka was able to keep Johnson out, and Newcastle, down the Spurs end again, could have had a free when Gordon came into sharp contact with the - in fairness, accidental - shoulder of Kulusevski. Pushing forward for a point, Spurs had three shots in the dying moments but none of them able to convert. Solanke came closest in extra time, but Newcastle held on for the win.


Result: Tottenham Hotspur 1 - 2 Newcastle United
Scorer(s): Solanke (TOT); Gordon, Isak (NEW)
Penalties: None
VAR decision(s), if any: None
Red Cards: None
Controversies: Various; quite a few collisions and uses of the elbow, handballs... could have been a very different game if the ref had been more card-happy.
Respective current positions (After match): 12 & 5
Respective final positions: 12 & 5
Effects: Spurs remain in the bottom half, Newcastle retain 5th place, closing in on European football.

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/e/eb/Manchester_City_FC_badge.svg/380px-Manchester_City_FC_badge.svg.png)
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/c/c2/West_Ham_United_FC_logo.svg/350px-West_Ham_United_FC_logo.svg.png)
Teams: Manchester City v West Ham
Regions: Manchester v London
Managers: Pep Guardiola v Julen Lopetegui
Targets: City need to try to make some sort of a last-minute attempt to re-establish their fading (faded?) title challenge; West Ham will be happy just to get a little further up the bottom half.
Expectation: Can City do it again? The smart money would say no, even against a weak team like West Ham.
Ground: The Etithad
Respective current positions (Before match): 6 & 13

The big question for Pep was, would his team capitalise on their first win last week, or would it turn out to be a temporary blip in what has rapidly and worryingly for them become the norm, losing or drawing games? West Ham are not the most threatening opposition, and they were at home, so you would fancy them, but who would bet money on City these days? Certainly not as Kudus broke free after six minutes and only came up short of opening the scoring as the ball impacted the side netting, then Soucek had his shot minutes later but blazed wide, West Ham doing all the running in the early part of the game. On ten however City were the ones to take first blood through Savinho, although it was really an own goal. The home side had the chance to score their own goal (rather than an own goal) on the 37th minute but the West Ham keeper was able to keep it out, then as the half wound down Haaland took his chance and put them two up at half-time.

The second half got even better for City as the Norwegian began to show the form he had become famous for and scored again, Foden making it four just before the hour mark, West Ham surely sunk now. City were not to leave with a clean sheet though as Fulkrig put one past the keeper to give the away fans at least something to cheer, and then a golden opportunity to cut City's lead to two went begging, twice, showing perhaps how frail the home team's lead was. They won, but as their manager even admitted in the post-match interview, they were lucky to do so. Better opposition will walk all over them.

Result: Manchester City 4 - 0 West Ham
Scorer(s):  Coufal (og), Haaland (2), Foden(MNC); Fullkrug (WHU)
Penalties: None
VAR decision(s), if any: None
Red Cards: None
Controversies: None
Respective current positions (After match): 6 & 13
Respective final positions: 6 & 14
Effects: Nothing much; City record their second victory in a row but remain where they were, West Ham drop one place.

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/d/d0/Brighton_and_Hove_Albion_FC_crest.svg/380px-Brighton_and_Hove_Albion_FC_crest.svg.png)(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/5/53/Arsenal_FC.svg/360px-Arsenal_FC.svg.png)
Teams: Brighton v Arsenal
Regions: East Sussex v London
Managers: Fabian Hurzeler v Mikel Arteta
Targets: Arsenal want to close that gap between them and Liverpool, Brighton just want to move up the top half of the table.
Expectation: Can't see Arsenal losing this one
Ground: The Amex
Respective current positions (Before match): 10 & 2

It only took Arsenal 16 minutes to score their first, Brighton looking defensively weak as the Gunners swept through, the keeper definitely at fault for letting the ball past him. The home side set about levelling and came close just after the half-hour, but high and wide, Arsenal almost doubling their lead from a corner which also blazed high over the bar. In the second half the Gunners wasted their chance to double their lead from a free, and as Brighton went on the attack you had to wonder if they would rue that miss? As the home side were awarded a penalty, the answer had to be yes. On the hour, Joao Pedro took the spot kick and the sides were level.

Another wasted chance for the home side as Brighton squandered an opportunity to take the lead, and maybe even the game, then with three minutes of normal time they gave the ball away in a dangerous area but over the bar it went, Brighton hanging on for the draw.


Result: Brighton 1 - 1 Arsenal
Scorer(s): Nwaneri (ARS); Jaoa Pedro (BHA)
Penalties: 1
VAR decision(s), if any: None
Red Cards: None
Controversies: Was it a penalty? The first ever given for a clash of heads, and the lads in the studio did not agree.
Respective current positions (After match): 10 & 2
Respective final positions: 10 & 2
Effects: No move of any kind, but Arsenal lose the chance to put pressure on Liverpool and shorten the gap between them.

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/c/c9/FC_Southampton.svg/380px-FC_Southampton.svg.png)
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/2/2a/Brentford_FC_crest.svg/360px-Brentford_FC_crest.svg.png)
Teams: Southampton v Brentford
Regions: Hampshire v London
Managers: Ivan Juric v Thomas Frank
Targets: Brentford need to get up into the top half, and you don't need me to tell you the position Southampton remain in.
Expectation: Have to be Brentford's, doesn't it?
Ground: St. Marys
Respective current positions (Before match): 20 & 12

Six minutes on the clock and Brentford were already ahead, the Southampton defence melting away, as if they were afraid to touch the ball, never mind tackle. On 22 they could have been two down but for their keeper, who made a fine save. A corner moments later could have had them two ahead again, but Brentford could not convert and as the last minutes of the first half ticked away the Saints had an uncharacteristic shot on goal. It didn't go in, but you can't have everything. The Bees went on the attack straight from the restart, van den Berg netting to take their second, but the goal was chalked off for obstruction in the box. A lucky escape, of sorts, for the Saints. But could they make it count?

An appeal for handball was dismissed, and as Southampton protested about that Brentford broke away, Wissa almost scoring their second, but then assisted Mbeumo to put the game beyond miserable Southampton, if they had ever had a chance. If they had, it vanished with the ref's whistle just after the hour as Brentford were given a penalty, duly converted by Mbeumo, and just to rub it in they took a fourth in extra time. Not happy with that, they made it five, but by that time most of the Saints fans were already halfway home.

Result: Southampton 0 - 5 Brentford
Scorer(s): Schade, Mbeumo (2) 1 of which (p), Potter, Wissa (BRE)
Penalties: 1
VAR decision(s), if any: Second goal for Brentford ruled out for obstruction in the box
Red Cards: None
Controversies: None
Respective current positions (After match): 20 & 11
Respective final positions: 20 & 11
Effects: Brentford move up one place but remain in the bottom half of the table. No change for Southampton, who continue to prop it up.

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/9/9a/Aston_Villa_FC_new_crest.svg/300px-Aston_Villa_FC_new_crest.svg.png)(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/2/2d/Leicester_City_crest.svg/380px-Leicester_City_crest.svg.png)
Teams: Aston Villa v Leicester City
Regions: Birmingham v Leicestershire
Managers: Unai Emery v Ruud van Nistelrooy
Targets: Villa need to get back up the top half of the table, Leicester would prefer to spend as little time in the relegation zone as possible.
Expectation: Fuck it, if we can't beat Leicester at home we may as well call it a day!
Ground: Villa Park
Respective current positions (Before match): 9 & 19

Leicester are probably aghast to be in the relegation zone, but Villa should be higher, and have been. This was their chance to make amends and show the home fans they still had it. They were almost ahead early, some fine interchange but the ball was turned behind. On the half-hour they gave the ball away but it didn't matter as the ball went into Row Z, and Villa came back as the half ended, another fine attack but as yet no goals. Must do better. Scoreless into the second half and Leicester had a golden opportunity to open the scoring but put it wide, while Watkins hit the side of the opposition net. A corner then was blocked but Barkley finally got the breakthrough after a sloppy pass, to put Villa ahead on the hour.

A fine save by Martinez came to nothing as Leicester scored on the rebound, levelling for the Foxes, another bad pass, this time from us. Can't be making these sort of mistakes lads: it's just that simple. Better from Bailey, who scored Villa's second, but credit must be given to the doggedness of his team mate who won the ball back and refused to let go, setting him up for what might be the winning goal. Villa displayed both sides of them today, a comedy of misses and errors in the box in the last few minutes robbing them of a third, Watkins blazing over the top. Luckily, two goals was enough to win it.

Result: Aston Villa 2 - 1 Leicester City
Scorer(s): Barkley, Bailey (AST); Mavididi (LEI)
Penalties: None
VAR decision(s), if any: None
Red Cards: None
Controversies: None
Respective current positions (After match): 8 & 19
Respective final positions: 8 & 19
Effects: Villa move up one place; Leicester remain in the relegation zone.

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/a/a2/Crystal_Palace_FC_logo_%282022%29.svg/350px-Crystal_Palace_FC_logo_%282022%29.svg.png)(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/c/cc/Chelsea_FC.svg/380px-Chelsea_FC.svg.png)
Teams: Crystal Palace v Chelsea
Regions: London v London
Managers: Oliver Glasner v Enzo Maresca
Targets: Chelsea need to re-establish their assault on the title, Palace want to climb away from the relegation zone
Expectation: Chelsea couldn't lose a third match in a row, could they? Kind of hope not, as I hate Palace. A draw would suit me best.
Ground: Selhurst Park
Respective current positions (Before match): 15 & 4

Another team whose bid for the title is fading, as Chelsea look to avoid a third defeat on the run, surely fancying themselves against Palace, though they did go down last week to a relegation-zone side. They started out well with Palmer scoring on 14 minutes, Mateta coming close to equalising just after the half-hour but wide, then Jackson also shot the wrong side of the post. Another chance to level the game as the second half got underway, another chance missed. Then a free just before the hour hopped off the bar, Palace unable to buy a goal, though Chelsea were just as guilty of spurning chances.

With 8 minutes to go the home side finally took one of their chances and the ball ended up in the Chelsea net, giving me the result I had hoped for, and not the one Chelsea had wanted.

Result: Crystal Palace 1 - 1 Chelsea
Scorer(s): Palmer (CHE); Mateta (PAL)
Penalties: None
VAR decision(s), if any: None
Red Cards: None
Controversies: None
Respective current positions (After match): 15 & 4
Respective final positions: 15 & 4
Effects: No movement here either. Chelsea lose the chance to gain ground on Arsenal and Liverpool (and Forest).

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/e/e5/AFC_Bournemouth_%282013%29.svg/300px-AFC_Bournemouth_%282013%29.svg.png)(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/7/7c/Everton_FC_logo.svg/400px-Everton_FC_logo.svg.png)
Teams: Bournemouth v Everton
Regions: Dorset v Merseyside
Managers: Andoni Iraola v Sean Dyche
Targets: Everton want to move up the bottom half of the table, Bournemouth could go 6th with a win.
Expectation: I would think the home side would take this.
Ground: The Vitality Stadium
Respective current positions (Before match): 7 & 16

Bournemouth could have been ahead after 8 minutes but for Pickford, but keeping up the pressure they set up camp outside the home goal, and after a penalty check VAR said no, so scoreless as we moved into the half-hour. A double save by Pickford saved his team, the keeper none too happy with his defenders, and as extra time ran out at the end of the first half Everton had still not had a shot on goal. But no score as the second half began, the Cherries continuing the pressure, Pickford continuing to deny them the opening goal.

Certainly the busiest of the two keepers, the Bournemouth man had not had a save to contend with, but sometimes this can lead to complacency and a sudden breakaway can result in a goal. Not this time, as Bournemouth's constant pressure finally told on 77 minutes, Pickford beaten for the first time in the match, the home side ahead. With 9 minutes to go Everton got their first shot on goal. It made no difference to the scoreline, Bournemouth running out clear winners.


Result: Bournemouth 1 - 0 Everton
Scorer(s): Brooks (BOU)
Penalties: None
VAR decision(s), if any: None
Red Cards: None
Controversies: None
Respective current positions (After match): 7 & 16
Respective final positions: 7 & 16
Effects: No move here either.

Sunday January 5 2025

Liverpool v Manchester United
Fulham v Ipswich Town

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/0/0c/Liverpool_FC.svg/360px-Liverpool_FC.svg.png)(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/7/7a/Manchester_United_FC_crest.svg/400px-Manchester_United_FC_crest.svg.png)

Teams: Liverpool v Manchester United
Regions: Merseyside v Manchester
Managers: Arne Slot v Ruben Amorim
Targets: Liverpool need to maintain that gap at the top as Arsenal close in; United are still trying to make it into the top half
Expectation: Should be Liverpool
Ground: Anfield
Respective current positions (Before match): 1 & 14

Close on 14 minutes but Gakpo shot just wide of the post, then only Onana stood between McAllister and the opening goal, Liverpool applying all the pressure, as more or less expected. United then had a shot on goal, Allison thinking about coming for it but changing his mind, then Manu shot over the bar and from the resultant corner nothing happened. Allison had to be called back into action to stop a second attempt by United at scoring first, but scoreless at the break it remained. United did break the deadlock though, on 52 minutes, and you'd have to say Liverpool let them in; certainly not playing as well as they should.

Parity was restored on the hour through Gakpo, but it should never have got to this. Liverpool needed to really up the tempo and make this game safe, and when the ref denied a penalty for the home side, but was then sent to the screen that decision was reversed, Salah did what Salah does, and Liverpool were ahead with ten minutes to go. Then they threw it away with the game all sewn up as they let Man United in for their second to level the score. Another penalty could have gone Liverpool's way at the death but from a corner they almost snatched it, then Maguire missed the chance to take all three points for his team.

Result: Liverpool 2 - 2 Manchester United
Scorer(s): Gakpo, Salah (p) (LIV); Martinez, Diallo (MNU)
Penalties: 1
VAR decision(s), if any: Penalty awarded to Liverpool
Red Cards: None
Controversies: None
Respective current positions (After match): 1 & 13
Respective final positions: 1 & 13
Effects: United move up one place but remain in the bottom half; Liverpool miss the chance to widen the gap between them and Arsenal. 6 points in it still.

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/e/eb/Fulham_FC_%28shield%29.svg/300px-Fulham_FC_%28shield%29.svg.png)
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/43/Ipswich_Town.svg/312px-Ipswich_Town.svg.png)
Teams:Fulham v Ipswich Town
Regions: London v Suffolk
Managers: Marco Silva v Kieran McKenna
Targets: A win would lift Ipswich out of the relegation zone; Fulham want to move up the top half
Expectation: I'd imagine Fulham would win it.
Ground: Craven Cottage
Respective current positions (Before match): 9 & 18

Some sustained pressure from the visitors almost had Ipswich in front early, but their keeper had to be alert as Fulham almost nicked the first goal on 20 minutes. Back came the home side, man down and then a decision for the ref. Was that a goal-scoring opportunity denied? No was the decision and so only a yellow card resulted. With 8 minutes to go before the end of the first half Ipswich took the lead, capitalising on some poor Fulham defending. On the hour the home side missed a golden opportunity to level, and Ipswich went up their end and almost added a second, only the keeper to beat, but they couldn't beat him.

A penalty appeal was then turned down for Fulham, tempers flaring, as VAR checked it, and again the ref was overruled. Jiminez thereafter equalised for his team, but with 20 minutes to go another penalty, this time for the visitors. No need for VAR to get involved as this was a stonewall and the ref gave it, Delap hammering it beyond the Fulham keeper. A free for the Cottagers with 13 minutes to go went just wide, Ipswich desperate to hang on, then almost made it safe with minutes to go, the ball coming back off the upright. Danger still though as Fulham poured forward in the first minute of added time, Jiminez went down in the box and yet another penalty! All square again, and you'd have to say Ipswich were the architects of their own downfall here.


Result: Fulham 2 - 2 Ipswich Town
Scorer(s): Szmodics, Delap (IPS); Jiminez (p) (2) (FUL)
Penalties: 3
VAR decision(s), if any: Penalty awarded to Ipswich
Red Cards: None
Controversies: Should Clark have got a red card for that tackle? Was it a goal-scoring opportunity?
Respective current positions (After match): 9 & 18
Respective final positions: 9 & 18
Effects: No movement.

Monday January 6 2025

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/c/c9/Wolverhampton_Wanderers_FC_crest.svg/400px-Wolverhampton_Wanderers_FC_crest.svg.png)
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/e/e5/Nottingham_Forest_F.C._logo.svg/220px-Nottingham_Forest_F.C._logo.svg.png)
Teams: Wolves v Nottingham Forest
Regions: West Midlands v Nottinghamshire
Managers: Vitor Pereira v Nuno Espirito Santos
Targets: Forest can go second again with a win; Wolves are just above the relegation zone on goal difference only.
Expectation: Couldn't see Wolves winning this, even at home.
Ground: Molyneaux
Respective current positions (Before match): 17 & 3

Seven minutes gone and Forest were already ahead, Gibbs-White opening the scoring after a scorching run from the halfway line. Hwang then did his best to equalise for Wolves, passing to Strand-Larsen, keeper beaten but cleared off the line, a poor miss, and not too likely the home team would get many more. Surprisingly though, they did, and again it fell to Strand-Larsen but this time the keeper stopped his header, the game still one to the good for Forest. A penalty appeal was then turned down for the visitors, though another ref could have given it, as it did look like handball. VAR ruled it was accidental though.

Forest went the traditional route though, scoring again as their talismanic striker Chris Wood netted to double their lead on the stroke of half-time. The second half saw Forest give the ball away cheaply, allowing Strand-Larsen once again to menace their goal, but it wasn't third time lucky for the Wolves man, the ball again met by the gloves of the keeper. The game already wrapped up, Forest bagged their third to go level on points with Arsenal and six behind Liverpool. Title contenders? Don't rule it out just yet.

Result: Wolves 0 - 3 Nottingham Forest
Scorer(s): Gibbs-White, Wood, Awoniyi (FOR)
Penalties: None
VAR decision(s), if any: Penalty for Forest turned down
Red Cards: None
Controversies: None
Respective current positions (After match): 17 & 3
Respective final positions: 17 & 3
Effects: No movement, but Forest go level on points with Arsenal, now also 6 behind Liverpool.

Player of the Day: Once again I think I have to give this to Ipswich's rising star, Liam Delap.

Goal of the Day: Brooks' single goal that won it for Bournemouth: a thing of beauty

Miss of the Day: Has to be Harry Maguire, who could have won it for Manchester United at the death but blazed over instead.

Save of the Day: Any of Pickford's many against Bournemouth

VARiations: VAR overturned a fair few decisions by refs not to award penalties this weekend. Overall though, they look to have made the right call. For once.

Climb of the Day: Hardly any movement up or down, so nothing to report.
 
Drop of the Day: And same here really.

Quote of the Day: An angry and frustrated Ange Postecoglu in his after-match interview, pushed to clarify his statement: "You don't want to have an opinion. You want my opinion."

Pen of the Day: Jiminez's second for Fulham, coolness personified.

Score of the Day: Brentford's 5-0 against Southampton. The Saints must be getting used to these 5-0 defeats!

We Wuz Robbed! Not really, but Ipswich basically shot themselves in the foot, leading 2-1 at full time and then giving away a penalty that let Fulham draw in extra time.

Trollheart's Hates:

Arsenal

Only drew so not too bad; keeps pressure off Liverpool

Crystal Palace

They drew with Chelsea, which doesn't help their situation, so I suppose okay. I'd rather they weren't beaten, really, as I don't want Chelsea closing the gap on Liverpool, so overall not too bad.

Nottingham Forest

Furious that they not only keep winning, but are now mounting a pretty viable title bid! GAAHHH!!!

Manchester United

Very annoying to see them draw with Liverpool, even if it doesn't do their chances any good.

(https://media3.giphy.com/media/1bDjbVFuAvrlS/giphy.gif?cid=6c09b952dz7ynhru1qa0je2wwklipws0z0i6350gwvig136c&ep=v1_internal_gif_by_id&rid=giphy.gif&ct=g)
Overview

Perhaps showing how tight things are at the top, almost no movement in the table, despite big wins by some of the teams. Manchester City won for the second time in a row, but remain at sixth, while Manchester United drew with Liverpool but can't get out of the bottom half of the table. Newcastle had a great day against Tottenham yet still remain sixth, and even Forest's demolition of Wolves (Tim-berrrrr!) still keeps them third. Liverpool failed to win their match and so are now only six points ahead of both Arsenal and Forest, the former failing to win their match and close the gap, level now on points with the Nottinghamshire team.

A strange weekend indeed. But even with no real movement on the table, Liverpool now see their lead cut and must look over their shoulders at not only Arsenal and Nottingham Forest, but Chelsea and even Newcastle, the Magpies making a late bid to get into the title race, only a point behind the London team. At the other end, Leicester remain stuck in the relegation zone, while Palace seem destined to survive, now 5 points clear.

A weekend with not a single red card brandished, though some players were lucky to avoid being sent off, and with a total of six penalties, three of them coming in the one match.

(https://i.postimg.cc/rwmG042K/Premtable-Jan6-A.png)
(https://i.postimg.cc/ZKjF5cgG/Premtable-Jan6-B.png)

Wednesday January 15 2025
Arsenal v Tottenham Hotspur
Liverpool v Nottingham Forest
Everton v Aston Villa
Leicester v Crystal Palace
West Ham v Fulham
Newcastle v Wolves
Chelsea v Bournemouth
Brentford v Manchester City

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/5/53/Arsenal_FC.svg/360px-Arsenal_FC.svg.png)(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/b/b4/Tottenham_Hotspur.svg/240px-Tottenham_Hotspur.svg.png)

Teams: Arsenal v Tottenham Hotspur
Regions: London v London
Managers: Mikel Arteta v Ange Postecoglu
Targets: Arsenal want to take the chance to close the gap on Liverpool and widen that between them and third-placed Forest; Spurs want to get back into the top half of the table
Expectation: Arsenal at home? Has to be theirs
Ground: The Emirates
Respective current positions (Before match): 2 & 12

With the FA Cup no longer an issue, Arsenal could concentrate on making ground against the league leaders in their bid for the title. Spurs, through to the fourth round, might have their attention somewhat divided, but need to do better in the Premier League than where they are. They didn't make the best of starts, giving the ball away with the game only three minutes in, but Arsenal unable to make them pay. It was a warning though, and ten minutes later the Gunners were in again, the shot blocked but you'd fancy Arsenal to score at this rate. Another mistake halfway through the first period when the keeper was guilty of giving the ball away, but somehow they recovered and charged down field, unable to score though. They did get a corner, Kulusevski almost in for Tottenham's first, but kept out by Raya.

Spurs making all the running now and Son opened the scoring from another corner, somewhat against the run of play, but Arsenal were level five minutes before the break. Some controversy; a corner awarded from which the goal was scored, though on the replay it looked not to have been one (a corner, that is) while the goal, originally thought to have been scored by Gabriel, turned out to have gone in off of Solanke, so an own goal. Still, level pegging at the break. Or not quite. In the last minute Trossard scored to send the Gunners in ahead at half-time, Arsenal having turned the game around inside five minutes.

Havertz had a chance to make it three in the second half but straight at the keeper, then fifteen minutes from time Spurs had their shot but again an Arsenal defender there to block it. The Gunners were determined not to let Spurs back in, but three efforts went without reward as the final minutes ticked away, and in fact the visitors almost made it level again but for a great save coupled with the Arsenal post and the home side held on for an important win.


Result: Arsenal 2 - 1 Tottenham Hotspur
Scorer(s): Son (TOT); Solanke (og), Trossard (ARS)
Penalties: None
VAR decision(s), if any: None
Red Cards: None
Controversies: Leveller for Arsenal came from a corner which was shown on replay not to have been a corner at all
Respective current positions (After match): 2 & 13
Respective final positions: 2 & 14
Effects: Arsenal remain in the chase, just 4 points behind Liverpool now. Spurs slide 2 places further down into the bottom half of the table.

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/e/e5/Nottingham_Forest_F.C._logo.svg/220px-Nottingham_Forest_F.C._logo.svg.png)(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/0/0c/Liverpool_FC.svg/360px-Liverpool_FC.svg.png)
Teams: Nottingham Forest v Liverpool
Regions: Nottinghamshire v Merseyside
Managers: Nuno Espirito Santo v Arne Slot
Targets: Almost a bid for the top; Liverpool, already there for weeks now, anxious to widen the gap, Forest's intentions the absolute reverse of that.
Expectation: You'd hope Liverpool would do it, especially after being held to a draw by Man United last weekend.
Ground: The City Ground
Respective current positions (Before match): 3 & 1

Level on points with Arsenal, Forest could only maintain that balance and shrink the gap between them and Liverpool to 3 points, but they are definitely a title prospect now. Nuno Espirito Santo's team have not lost a single game in what seems like forever, so Liverpool were going to be in for a tough time. And within 8 minutes they were behind, as Wood raced free and claimed yet another goal, his 13th of the season, certainly not unlucky for him! Two minutes later and it could have been two, had Murillo's long-range effort been held down a touch, then on the hour Salah went close but no equaliser as Liverpool began to look shaky away. But then on came two substitutes, Jota as one of them scoring the leveller 22 seconds after coming on, his team mate, also only on seconds, providing the pass.

Liverpool pushing for the win now, Salah almost worked his magic but the Forest keeper dived to keep the scores level, and again as the sands of time began to run out for Liverpool, facing their second draw on the run. The gap now down to four points, six ahead of Forest.


Result: Nottingham Forest 1 - 1 Liverpool
Scorer(s): Wood (FOR); Jota (LIV)
VAR decision(s), if any: None
Red Cards: None
Controversies: None
Respective current positions (After match): 3 & 1
Respective final positions: 3 & 1
Effects: No change in position for either but Forest are now 6 points behind Liverpool in third, and 2 behind Arsenal.

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/5/56/Newcastle_United_Logo.svg/400px-Newcastle_United_Logo.svg.png)(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/c/c9/Wolverhampton_Wanderers_FC_crest.svg/400px-Wolverhampton_Wanderers_FC_crest.svg.png)
Teams: Newcastle United v Wolverhampton Wanderers
Regions: Tyne & Wear v West Midlands
Managers: Eddie Howe v Vitor Pereira
Targets: Newcastle can overtake Chelsea in 4th with a win, Wolves need to make sure they don't sink back into that relegation zone. A win would take them into 16th.
Expectation: At home, Newcastle should be unplayable.
Ground: St. James Park
Respective current positions (Before match): 5 & 17

13 minutes in and Wolves were only wide of the post, Newcastle replying quickly but unable to score either. On the half-hour it looked written in the stars for Isak to score his eighth in eight, but again just shaved the post. Back he came though and this time he was not going to be denied. A long shot upfield almost let Strand-Larsen in to equalise, but a free in the dying moments of the half left Newcastle closer to taking the lead. All square at the break then, and in the second half Isak did it again just before the hour - is there no stopping this man? Wolves turned defence into attack and should have pulled one back, but the finishing was off as the Magpies went up the other end and Gordon finished it off for the home team. Wolves thought they had gained at least a consolation goal in the last minutes, but it was chalked off for handball.


Result: Newcastle 3 - 0 Wolverhampton Wanderers
Scorer(s): Isak (2), Gordon (NEW)
VAR decision(s), if any: Wolves goal disallowed for handball
Red Cards: None
Controversies: None
Respective current positions (After match): 4 & 18
Respective final positions: 4 & 17
Effects: Newcastle go 4th and are now challenging, not only for Europe but an outside bet on the title race too. Wolves slip into the relegation zone but rise one place above it after Ipswich's game yesterday.

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/7/7c/Everton_FC_logo.svg/400px-Everton_FC_logo.svg.png)(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/9/9a/Aston_Villa_FC_new_crest.svg/300px-Aston_Villa_FC_new_crest.svg.png)
Teams: Everton v Aston Villa
Regions: Merseyside v Birmingham
Managers: David Moyes v Unai Emery
Targets: Everton need to move up the lower half of the table, while Villa could do with climbing the top end
Expectation: Hard to say; always go for Villa though, I do
Ground: Goodison Park
Respective current positions (Before match): 16 & 8

Having parted company with Sean Dyche last week, normally this would be in the minds of the players and might affect their performance negatively, but then, David Moyes is not a new face but a returning familiar one, so perhaps he could provide the spark the Toffees have been lacking under Dyche? Well Villa were on the attack early, five minutes and had it not been for an acrobatic Pickford the visitors would have been ahead. Three minutes later and only an excellent tackle stopped them racking up the first goal, the Everton defence being cut apart. A third lucky escape on 16 as a poor pass let them in and Watkins beat Pickford but not the post.

The same deal for Calvert-Lewin just before the half-hour, the Everton striker squandering the opportunity. A poor and weak shot then was easily cleared off the line, but neither team seemed to be able to beat the vertical stick of white wood, as Ramsey also blasted past the post as the first half drew to a close. Watkins finally shot the ball the right side of the stick in the second half to put Villa ahead six minutes gone. Calvert-Lewin had a chance to grab a share of the points in injury time but scuffed it over the bar. Same old same old for Everton, and work to do for Moyes, no happy return for him.

Result: Everton 0 - 1 Aston Villa
Scorer(s): Watkins (AST)
VAR decision(s), if any: None
Red Cards: None
Controversies: None
Respective current positions (After match): 16 & 7
Respective final positions: 16 & 7
Effects: Villa move up one place, Everton remain static.

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/2/2d/Leicester_City_crest.svg/380px-Leicester_City_crest.svg.png)(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/a/a2/Crystal_Palace_FC_logo_%282022%29.svg/350px-Crystal_Palace_FC_logo_%282022%29.svg.png)
Teams: Leicester City v Crystal Palace
Regions: Leicestershire v London
Managers: Ruud van Nistelrooy v Oliver Glasner
Targets: Leicester need to get out of the relegation zone, Palace want to put more distance between it and them
Expectation: Probably expect Palace to win it
Ground: The King Power
Respective current positions (Before match): 19 & 15

Vardy had a speculative shot on 2 minutes, but the Foxes weren't taking the lead that way, nor indeed on 17 when the Leicester striker was through one on one with the keeper, the Palace man coming out best of that match. A bad pass via a bounce didn't allow Palace to profit, the ball over the top, then in injury time Hughes had a great chance but shot too high. In the second half Mateta rounded the keeper seven minutes in and scored the first goal. 20 minutes to go and Leicester went on the attack, only short of a goal by the width of the crossbar as the Leicestershire fog began to roll in again, and through that fog with 12 minutes to go Palace took their second, and surely all three points.


Result: Leicester City 0 - 2 Crystal Palace
Scorer(s): Mateta, Guehi (PAL)
VAR decision(s), if any: None
Red Cards: None
Controversies: None
Respective current positions (After match): 19 & 14
Respective final positions: 19 & 15
Effects: Leicester remain one place off the bottom; Palace climb to 14th but slip back to 15th after yesterday's match.

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/2/2a/Brentford_FC_crest.svg/360px-Brentford_FC_crest.svg.png)
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/e/eb/Manchester_City_FC_badge.svg/380px-Manchester_City_FC_badge.svg.png)
Teams: Brentford v Manchester City
Regions: London v Manchester
Managers: Thomas Frank v Pep Guardiola
Targets: Brentford need to get back into the top half, Man City need another win to see if that magic is coming back.
Expectation: Not calling it
Ground: The G-Tech Community Stadium
Respective current positions (Before match): 11 & 6

After their 8-0 demolition of Salford in the FA Cup, City might feel the sparkle is coming back to their season, but Brentford are always tricky at home. Mbeumo nearly put them ahead on 15 minutes but just wide, then Haaland's header also shot past the post on the wrong side. Hesitation in the box prevented City from taking the opening goal in the first half, then Savinho's shot came back off the post in the second, but Foden's shot just after the hour, also bouncing, went the right way, hopping off the post and in, to give City the lead. That lead looked very fragile when Wissa almost levelled but for a great goal-line clearance four minutes later. Foden made it safe with 12 minutes to go, though Wissa didn't think so and netted with 8 minutes of normal time to go, to make it a nervy finish for the visitors. It was even nervier when Norgaard scored in the second minute of extra time, robbing City of their third victory and, crucially, three points reduced to a single one. A late late show from Brentford that made them a thorn in the side of Manchester City. It could have been worse though as the home side went on the attack and almost took all three points, just barely kept out. City lucky really.


Result: Brentford 2 - 2 Manchester City
Scorer(s): Foden (2) (MNC); Wissa, Norgaard (BRE)
VAR decision(s), if any: None
Red Cards: None
Controversies: None
Respective current positions (After match): 10 & 6
Respective final positions: 11 & 6
Effects: Brentford make it into the top half only to slip back down after Brighton's win yesterday. City remain in 6th.

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/c/cc/Chelsea_FC.svg/380px-Chelsea_FC.svg.png)
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/e/e5/AFC_Bournemouth_%282013%29.svg/300px-AFC_Bournemouth_%282013%29.svg.png)
Teams: Chelsea v Bournemouth
Regions: London v Dorset
Managers: Enzo Maresca v Andoni Iraola
Targets: Chelsea have lost touch with the top three and need to reestablish that position, while Bournemouth could take their place at 4th if they win.
Expectation: I don't know; Chelsea are on a bit of a losing streak recently and Bournemouth are doing very well, eight games unbeaten.
Ground: Stamford Bridge
Respective current positions (Before match): 4 & 7

Is it becoming inevitable to hear the words "Palmer scores early"? Well, he did again, only 12 minutes gone. That wouldn't matter though if Chelsea lost, and Bournemouth were very nearly level just after the half-hour when the home keeper made a terrible kick out, his own team rattling the post down the other end, then with the last minutes of the half running out the home side got a corner, allowing Jackson in to, um, miss again. A penalty for the visitors in the first few minutes of the second half gave Kluivert the chance to draw his team level, a chance he did not spurn. And Bournemouth had soon turned the game around as Semenyo put them ahead on 68, a lead they held until added time when Chelsea got a free and James equalised to allow them to take a share of the points.

Result: Chelsea 2 - 2 Bournemouth
Scorer(s): Palmer, James (CHE); Kluivert (p), Semenyo (BOU)
VAR decision(s), if any: None
Red Cards: None
Controversies: None
Respective current positions (After match): 5 & 8
Respective final positions: 5 & 8
Effects: The draw does neither team any favours, both slipping one place.

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/c/c2/West_Ham_United_FC_logo.svg/350px-West_Ham_United_FC_logo.svg.png)
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/e/eb/Fulham_FC_%28shield%29.svg/300px-Fulham_FC_%28shield%29.svg.png)
Teams: West Ham v Fulham
Regions: London v London
Managers: Graham Potter v Marco Silva
Targets: West Ham need to move up the bottom half, Fulham are in the top half and want to go higher
Expectation: You'd think Fulham would do it
Ground: The London Stadium
Respective current positions (Before match): 14 & 9

After their exit from the FA Cup at our hands, West Ham played at home for the first time under their new manager, and took a half hour to open the scoring for him after a catastrophic error by the Fulham striker, and like the buses, you wait 30 minutes for one and then two come along at once - Soucek doubling West Ham's lead a mere two minutes later. Fulham were nearly in for one of their own a few minutes later but clipped the bar, but six minutes into the second half Iwobi had halved that lead. A real test for the Hammers now: could they hold on to that lead?

Well, yes, in fact they restored it, thanks to a really awful error by the Fulham keeper, and Paqueta took full advantage to bury the ball in his net for West Ham's third. Iwobi however was on sparkling form and reduced the deficit again as he scored his second on 78 to get Fulham back into the match. They kept pushing, and in the first minute of additional time a frantic scramble almost got the ball across the line for the equaliser, but not quite, as West Ham hung on for Potter's first win.

Result: West Ham United 3 - 2 Fulham
Scorer(s): Soler, Soucek, Paqueta (WHU); Iwobi (2) (FUL)
VAR decision(s), if any: None
Red Cards: None
Controversies: None
Respective current positions (After match): 12 & 9
Respective final positions: 13 & 10
Effects: West Ham's victory lifts them into 12th but they slip back to 13th after last night's match; Fulham rise to 9th but also slip one place after yesterday's match to 10th.

Thursday January 16 2025
Ipswich v Brighton
Manchester United v Southampton

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/43/Ipswich_Town.svg/312px-Ipswich_Town.svg.png)
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/d/d0/Brighton_and_Hove_Albion_FC_crest.svg/380px-Brighton_and_Hove_Albion_FC_crest.svg.png)

Teams: Ipswich Town v Brighton & Hove Albion
Regions: Suffolk v East Sussex
Managers: Kieran McKenna v Fabian Hurzeler
Targets: Ipswich want to leave the relegation zone, Brighton want to move up the top half.
Expectation: You'd have to imagine Brighton would take this.
Ground: Portman Road
Respective current positions (Before match): 18 & 10

The home side gave it a go, Liam Delap, in sparkling form (and surely being courted by other, less relegation-threatened teams?) almost opening the scoring with a bullet strike, the Brighton keeper though able to keep it out. Back came Ipswich, another fine strike, this time from Hutchinson, met by the man in the net, the Tractor Boys unable to get past him but the advantage seeming to be with the hosts. That was it for the first half, but things really livened up in the second when Joao Pedro crashed into the keeper and sent him sprawling to the ground, earning a card for his troubles that matched his strip, i.e., yellow. From the resultant corner Ipswich again could have scored but wide of the post and scoreless it remained.

On the hour it was Brighton who changed that situation, perhaps somewhat against the run of play, as Mitoma latched onto the pass from O'Reilly to hammer it under the Ipswich keeper. Joao Pedro could have made it safe soon after but the keeper able to claw it away, then eight minutes from time Rutter made it two to give the Seagulls the away victory and condemn Ipswich to another weekend in the bottom three.

Result: Ipswich 0 - 2 Brighton
Scorer(s): Mitoma, Rutter (BHA)
Penalties: None
VAR decision(s), if any: None
Red Cards: None
Controversies: None
Respective current positions (After match): 18 & 9
Respective final positions: 18 & 9
Effects: Ipswich remain in the zone while Brighton climb a place to 9th.

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/7/7a/Manchester_United_FC_crest.svg/400px-Manchester_United_FC_crest.svg.png)(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/c/c9/FC_Southampton.svg/380px-FC_Southampton.svg.png)
Teams: Manchester United v Southampton
Regions: Manchester v Hampshire
Managers: Ruben Amorim v Ivan Juric
Targets: Man United want to get back into the top half of the table, which they've barely seen all season. Tired talking of how Southampton are, you know by now.
Expectation: Come on, it's Southampton! United should easily be able to beat them, especially at home.
Ground: Old Trafford
Respective current positions (Before match): 13 & 20

A hat trick for Diallo sorted this one, with the only Southampton goal coming from one of Man United's new players. Not that the Saints didn't give it a shot, they in fact being the first to go on the attack, the strike shooting wide of the far post. Dibling then had two bites of the cherry, but a fine double save by Onana kept him from opening the scoring for his team, a far cry from his performance against Swansea, when he scored two in the FA Cup! But this is the Premier League, and, though they may be a shadow of their former selves, this is still a mostly resurgent Man United at Old Trafford. The only three goals Southampton were likely to be seeing in this match would be against them. If they were lucky.

Nevertheless, United's shaky defence let in the corner taken by Southampton, Ugate helping it on its way into his own net. Not a good way to start your career at Manchester United! Southampton in dreamland. The second half seemed to be going to plan too, the Saints on the attack from the off, Sulemana just missing doubling their lead by a whisker, then United had their first real attempt on goal, Anthony unable to convert. But then came twelve minutes of Manchester United magic, as Diallo turned the game entirely around on his own, scoring a hat trick that gave his team what must have been seen as a very unlikely win. Just shows what one man can do, but then, never good to be a one-man team. United aren't complaining: they're up to 12th while Southampton's dreams of racking up their first victory in months vanished into the harsh cold Manchester winter wind.

Result: Manchester United 3 - 1 Southampton
Scorer(s): Diallo (3) (MNU); Ugate (og) (SOU)
Penalties: None
VAR decision(s), if any: None
Red Cards: None
Controversies: None
Respective current positions (After match): 15 & 20
Respective final positions: 12 & 20
Effects: A spectacular win for United, which lifts them one place; Southampton, as you were.

(https://media3.giphy.com/media/1bDjbVFuAvrlS/giphy.gif?cid=6c09b952dz7ynhru1qa0je2wwklipws0z0i6350gwvig136c&ep=v1_internal_gif_by_id&rid=giphy.gif&ct=g)
A great day for Newcastle, who rise to fourth and are now being seen as a serious title challenge, while Forest stopped Liverpool from widening the gap and helped their own title aspirations. Arsenal took down Spurs to ensure their push for the top continues apace, while Man City could only draw against Brentford, and may have lost at the death, their title chances long gone now as they languish in 6th, 12 points between them and Liverpool. Chelsea are another whose title challenge is fading away as they are pushed to 5th, 10 points now behind the leaders, while West Ham, with a new manager, are up to 12th after a fine victory against Fulham.

Ipswich remain in the relegation zone after being hammered by Brighton, though as usual they show signs of promise, if only they could convert those chances. Manchester United looked a cert to be losing their match against bottom club Southampton, but three goals by one man in twelve minutes gave them a victory the bookies would not have taken bets on. Crystal Palace's victory lifts them well clear of the relegation zone now, while Wolves fall back into it after losing to Newcastle. The return of the king to Everton did not produce the coronation hoped for, and they remain where they were. Southampton once again prop up the table.

(https://i.postimg.cc/Yq10JQYS/Premtable-Jan17-A.png)
(https://i.postimg.cc/MKkXP9c4/Premtable-Jan17-B.png)

Title contenders (current top in green)

Liverpool
Arsenal (4 points behind)
Nottingham Forest (6 points behind)
Newcastle (9 points behind)

Expected to be relegated
(current bottom in red)

Southampton
Leicester (8 points ahead)
Ipswich (10 points ahead)
Wolves (10 points ahead)
Everton (11 points ahead)

Saturday January 18 2025
Brentford v Liverpool
Arsenal v Aston Villa
Newcastle v Bournemouth
Leicester v Fulham
West Ham v Crystal Palace

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/2/2a/Brentford_FC_crest.svg/360px-Brentford_FC_crest.svg.png)(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/0/0c/Liverpool_FC.svg/360px-Liverpool_FC.svg.png)

Teams: Brentford v Liverpool
Regions: London v Merseyside
Managers: Thomas Frank v Arne Slot
Targets: Liverpool need to widen that gap at the top, Brentford want to get back into the top half of the table.
Expectation: I would hope Liverpool would do it.
Ground: The G-Tech Community Stadium
Respective current positions (Before match): 11 & 1

Brentford could have been ahead in the first five minutes but right across the face of goal, neither of the strikers able to get on the end of it. Liverpool came close on 18 minutes but the keeper was able to claw it away. Another shot just after the half-hour could have opened the scoring for the visitors but a weak shot, the keeper easily able to gather. A long shot then smacked off the crossbar to keep it nil-nil but Liverpool getting closer? A scramble down the away end almost had Brentford in then Gakpo really missed a sitter as the half began to wind down. As the second half opened a penalty for Liverpool went begging but the ref said no, then a free almost went in with 20 minutes to go as the Bees pressed forward. Six minutes to go and Alexander-Arnold tried a long shot but it pinged left of the post. Back they came, desperate for the win, Salah also missing, then into extra time as the league leaders tried to force their dominance, and finally their pressure paid as Nunez scored the precious goal they needed. Another one two minutes later made it certain, Nunez the man of the moment. Darwin's theory? If Liverpool are struggling, bring him on!


Result: Brentford 0 - 2 Liverpool
Scorer(s): Nunez (2) (LIV)
Penalties: None
VAR decision(s), if any: None
Red Cards: None
Controversies: None
Respective current positions (After match): 11 & 1
Respective final positions: 11 & 1
Effects: No move, but Liverpool go ahead 6 points.

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/5/53/Arsenal_FC.svg/360px-Arsenal_FC.svg.png)(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/9/9a/Aston_Villa_FC_new_crest.svg/300px-Aston_Villa_FC_new_crest.svg.png)
Teams: Arsenal v Aston Villa
Regions: London v Birmingham
Managers: Mikel Arteta v Unai Emery
Targets: Arsenal want to close that gap on Liverpool, Villa want to get higher in the table
Expectation: Unfortunately, though I'll always back Villa, I feel Arsenal will take this
Ground: The Emirates
Respective current positions (Before match): 2 & 7

As expected, Arsenal were taking no prisoners and were on the attack from the third minute, only Martinez's fine save preventing them opening the scoring, and he had to be alive to a second attempt a few minutes later as the Villa goal took a battering. A poor throw-in on the half-hour almost let Villa in for an easy goal but Watkins blazed over the top. Five minutes later the Villa keeper thought he had kept the ball out but it was adjudged to have crossed the line, Arsenal ahead before half-time. The second half was only eight minutes old before Havertz doubled their lead, the game looking to be theirs now.

But right on the hour Tielemans scored for Villa to reduce the home side's advantage to a single goal, and still thirty minutes plus stoppages to go. Maybe not in the bag after all for Arsenal? A minute later Villa swept forward again and almost got the equaliser, but just bounced off the post. Watkins was on target though on 68 to draw the teams level and leave Arsenal somewhat shell-shocked at home; a game they looked to be winning easily was suddenly slipping away from them. Four minutes from time Villa could have taken it but into the arms of Raya as Arsenal pushed for the winner, which they looked to have taken right at the death. But was it handball? Yes it was, and so 2-2 it remained. In extra time the ball hopped back off the post, sent back in, saved by Martinez - everything happening down the Villa end. Except a third goal, and so it ended, an incredible fight back by Villa, who looked dead and buried, and two really important points dropped by Arsenal.


Result: Arsenal 2 - 2 Aston Villa
Scorer(s): Martinelli, Havertz (ARS); Tielemans, Watkins (AST)
Penalties: None
VAR decision(s), if any: Third Arsenal goal ruled out for handball
Red Cards: None
Controversies: None
Respective current positions (After match): 2 & 7
Respective final positions: 2 & 8
Effects: No move; Arsenal lose the chance to squeeze the gap on Liverpool. But after Monday Villa slip to 8th.

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/5/56/Newcastle_United_Logo.svg/400px-Newcastle_United_Logo.svg.png)
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/e/e5/AFC_Bournemouth_%282013%29.svg/300px-AFC_Bournemouth_%282013%29.svg.png)
Teams: Newcastle United v Bournemouth
Regions: Tyne & Wear v Dorset
Managers: Eddie Howe v Andoni Iraola
Targets: Newcastle in 4th can't get further but want to cut the gap on the leaders; Bournemouth could get into 5th place.
Expectation: You would think Newcastle would be on a roll, especially at home
Ground: St. James Park
Respective current positions (Before match): 4 & 8

Bournemouth had, if you will, two bites of the Cherry to open the scoring within 4 minutes, one at the keeper and the other over the top, but two minutes later Kluivert was in to silence St. James Park. The home side's first meaningful attack on 25 minutes also provided their first goal as Guimaraes headed them level. In the final minute of the half Kluivert was at it again, to restore Bournemouth's lead just before the break. Bit of argy-bargy then in extra time as tempers flared. The Cherries started the second half as they had played the first, hammering the Newcastle goal till eventually a shot went in, but then there was a check to see if the ball had gone out of play before it had been knocked back in. Would the goal stand? No it would not; the ball had crossed the line and therefore the goal was ruled out. They didn't let up though and only a pretty amazing save by Dubravka stopped them widening their lead as time ticked away. In extra time Kluivert got his hat-trick, then just to put the icing on the cake Kerkez scored for Bournemouth's fourth, the visitors taking all three points.


Result: Newcastle United 1 - 4 Bournemouth
Scorer(s): Kluivert (3), Kerkez (BOU); Guimaraes (NEW)
Penalties: None
VAR decision(s), if any: Ball confirmed to have gone out of play for what would have been Bournemouth's original third goal
Red Cards: None
Controversies: None
Respective current positions (After match):  4 & 6
Respective final positions: 6 & 7
Effects: Newcastle stay 4th despite losing, Bournemouth move up to 6th. After Monday Chelsea push Newcastle down to 6th, Bournemouth slide to 7th.

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/2/2d/Leicester_City_crest.svg/380px-Leicester_City_crest.svg.png)(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/e/eb/Fulham_FC_%28shield%29.svg/300px-Fulham_FC_%28shield%29.svg.png)
Teams: Leicester City v Fulham
Regions: Leicestershire v London
Managers: Ruud van Nistelrooy v Marco Silva
Targets: Leicester need to get out of the relegation zone. Fulham want to move up the top half.
Expectation: Probably go for Fulham
Ground: The King Power
Respective current positions (Before match): 19 & 10

Early attack by the home side, piling on the pressure and almost forcing the ball home, but unable to get past the Fulham keeper. One of the visitors almost did it for them, an own goal just barely avoided, then as we approached the half-hour mark the Foxes swept forward again, a great shot just wide of the post. Fulham weren't just standing around though and could have opened the scoring before half-time, two major attempts just failing to make the net bulge. Scoreless at half-time then, but three minutes into the second half Fulham broke the deadlock, Smith Rowe diving at a great cross to put his team ahead. Leicester had a penalty appeal turned down, then Ayew shot over the bar  as we passed the hour mark, and Traore was in for Fulham's second to surely put the game beyond the home side. With four minutes to go it could have been three for the Cottagers, but the game as already won, Leicester nowhere near.

Result: Leicester 0 - 2 Fulham
Scorer(s): Smith Rowe, Traore (FUL)
Penalties: None
VAR decision(s), if any: None
Red Cards: None
Controversies: None
Respective current positions (After match): 19 & 9
Respective final positions: 19 & 10
Effects: Leicester remain in the relegation zone, Fulham move up one place but drop back to 10th after Monday's match.

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/c/c2/West_Ham_United_FC_logo.svg/350px-West_Ham_United_FC_logo.svg.png)(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/a/a2/Crystal_Palace_FC_logo_%282022%29.svg/350px-Crystal_Palace_FC_logo_%282022%29.svg.png)
Teams: West Ham v Crystal Palace
Regions: London v London
Managers: Graham Potter v Oliver Glasner
Targets: Both teams are in a similar position, 2 places and 2 points between them, and both need to climb the bottom half of the table.
Expectation: Might be West Ham's day
Ground: The London Ground
Respective current positions (Before match): 13 & 15

First attack from Crystal Palace on 12 minutes but the shot from Mateta saved by the West Ham keeper, however the Palace striker would not be kept out, though he had to wait till the opening of the second half before he could put the ball in the net. West Ham seemed not to have an answer to Palace's attack, and with ten minutes to go Oliver Glasner's team could have made it two, but saved. When the Hammers had a man sent off for a second yellow late on, you kind of knew they were done. When Palace got a penalty three minutes from time you knew the home side were really done. Mateta converted to make it safe.


Result: West Ham 0 - 2 Crystal Palace
Scorer(s): Mateta (2) of which 1 (p) (PAL)
Penalties: 1
VAR decision(s), if any: None
Red Cards: 1
Controversies: None
Respective current positions (After match): 14 & 12
Respective final positions: 14 & 12
Effects: West Ham drop one place, Palace move up three to 12th.

Sunday January 19 2025
Everton v Tottenham Hotspur
Manchester United v Brighton
Nottingham Forest v Southampton
Ipswich Town v Manchester City

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/7/7c/Everton_FC_logo.svg/400px-Everton_FC_logo.svg.png)(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/b/b4/Tottenham_Hotspur.svg/240px-Tottenham_Hotspur.svg.png)
Teams: Everton v Tottenham Hotspur
Regions: Merseyside v London
Managers: David Moyes v Ange Postecoglu
Targets: Everton need to move away from the relegation zone; Spurs need to get back into the top half at least
Expectation: Could be a surprise win for Everton
Ground: Goodison Park
Respective current positions (Before match): 16 & 14

The home side had a shot on 7 minutes but saved by the keeper, but back they came to take the first goal six minutes later, Calvert-Lewin back among the goals at last. Son almost equalised on 24 but Pickford down to smother the shot, then Everton almost made it two a matter of seconds later, but the Spurs keeper as alert and agile as Pickford. The second goal came though seven minutes from the break and Everton rampant. A free in extra time at the end of the half could have made it three, but again the keeper able to stop it, then a third goal resulted from a Spurs player putting the ball into his own net before the break.

Calvert-Lewin missed a chance to take Everton's fourth, but Spurs did not seem to have any reply until finally a break with 13 minutes to go allowed Kulusevski to get his team on the scoresheet. Too little, too late? In extra time Son hit the side netting but a corner resulted, from which Spurs reduced the deficit to a single goal. It wasn't enough though and Everton get their first home victory since the return of the king.

Result: Everton 3 - 2 Tottenham Hotspur
Scorer(s): Calvert-Lewin, Ndiye, Gray (og) (EVE); Kulusevski, Richarlison (TOT)
Penalties: None
VAR decision(s), if any: None
Red Cards: None
Controversies: None
Respective current positions (After match): 16 & 15
Respective final positions: 16 & 15
Effects: Despite the win Everton remain as they were, Tottenham drop one place

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/7/7a/Manchester_United_FC_crest.svg/400px-Manchester_United_FC_crest.svg.png)(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/d/d0/Brighton_and_Hove_Albion_FC_crest.svg/380px-Brighton_and_Hove_Albion_FC_crest.svg.png)
Teams: Manchester United v Brighton & Hove Albion
Regions: Manchester v East Sussex
Managers: Ruben Amorim v Fabian Hurzeler
Targets: Man United are edging closer to the top half of the table and want to keep that unbeaten run going; Brighton are already there and want to advance
Expectation: At home you'd have to back United
Ground: Old Trafford
Respective current positions (Before match): 12 & 9

Both tragedy and pride heavy in the air as Old Trafford paid tribute to and bade farewell to one of their all-time stars, Denis Law, who passed away this week. It could perhaps be said that as one of their legends died, United are staging something of a resurrection, having performed well in their last games. It was however Brighton who led inside 5 minutes, something that was definitely not in the script. Their first shot in anger came on 17 minutes but Fernandez shot wide, then a right pile-up in the box could have resulted in a penalty, but eventually United did get a spot kick, the captain scoring halfway through the first half to level the game. A free for Brighton seemed to have given the visitors the lead again but a foul in the box had the goal overturned.

On the hour Brighton restored that lead as Mitoma stole in to bang it into the United net, then two became three as a total fluff by the United keeper gave the home team a mountain to climb. This one proved unscalable, and United fall to defeat at home. Ruben Amorim's comments at the end were stark, as he accused the team of being the worst Man United has fielded. Hard to argue with that, not that I'd want to. One question that has to be asked though is whatever would Denis have said?

Result: Manchester United 1 - 3 Brighton & Hove Albion
Scorer(s): Minteh, Mitoma, Rutter (BHA); Fernandez (p) (MNU)
Penalties: 1
VAR decision(s), if any: Third Brighton goal (original) ruled out for a foul
Red Cards: None
Controversies: None
Respective current positions (After match): 13 & 9
Respective final positions: 13 & 9
Effects: Man United drop one place, Brighton remain where they are.

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/e/e5/Nottingham_Forest_F.C._logo.svg/220px-Nottingham_Forest_F.C._logo.svg.png)(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/c/c9/FC_Southampton.svg/380px-FC_Southampton.svg.png)
Teams: Nottingham Forest v Southampton
Regions: Nottinghamshire v Hampshire
Managers: Nuno Espirito Santo v Ivan Juric
Targets: Forest want to hold third place and close the gap between themselves and Arsenal (and Liverpool). Southampton will probably be happy to get nil.  :laughing:
Expectation: Well what do you think?
Ground: The City Ground
Respective current positions (Before match): 3 & 20

A savaging surely? Eleven minutes was all it took for Forest to put their first past the Premier League's bottom club, no surprise to anyone. Eighteen minutes later it was two, and before the half ended the home side were already three ahead, Southampton nowhere. They had a go in extra time but wide of the post. Still, at least they had a shot. Forest turned the screw in the second half, almost scoring a fourth early on, but it couldn't be long. As it happened, on the hour Southampton actually pulled one back to give the Saints hope, if faint hope. Three minutes later and the home side's three-goal advantage was restored - or was it? VAR checked for offside, sent the ref to the monitor, and that usually only has one result, and so it had here: goal disallowed. Wood almost had his second but over the bar it went, then Southampton went on a rare attack which came to nothing. As full time ran out, they tried again to put a better complexion on the score, and with a staggering twelve minutes of extra time, maybe that was not as tall an order as it seemed, certainly not as the Saints scored again, to cut Forest's lead to the single goal now. Could the bottom team pull off an unimaginable comeback? Almost, but off the line from a corner, a brave fight back from Southampton but ultimately Forest took the game, a harder-fought victory than expected.

Result: Nottingham Forest 3 - 2 Southampton
Scorer(s): Andersen, Hudson-Odoi, Wood (FOR); Bednarek, Onuachu (SOU)
Penalties: None
VAR decision(s), if any: Fourth goal for Forest ruled offside
Red Cards: None
Controversies: None
Respective current positions (After match): 3 & 20
Respective final positions: 3 & 20
Effects: No change, but Forest go level on points with Arsenal.

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/43/Ipswich_Town.svg/312px-Ipswich_Town.svg.png)
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/e/eb/Manchester_City_FC_badge.svg/380px-Manchester_City_FC_badge.svg.png)
Teams: Ipswich Town v Manchester City
Regions: Suffolk v Manchester
Managers: Kieran McKenna v Pep Guardiola
Targets: Ipswich want to get out of the relegation zone; Man City, on something of an upswing, want to improve on their position in the top half.
Expectation: I guess it will be City's
Ground: Portman Road
Respective current positions (Before match): 18 & 6

Despite putting eight past League 1 Salford City in the FA Cup, Manchester City struggled against Brentford. Ipswich should have been a totally different proposition, the Tractor Boys flirting with relegation, yet it took Man City 15 minutes before they had a chance on goal, Haaland's shot stopped by the Ipswich keeper. It could surely only be a matter of time though, Foden missing a chance on 20 and then Delap stealing the ball and earning a free from which they almost opened the scoring themselves. City did of course though take the lead just before the half-hour, Foden converting to make up for his miss earlier. Two minutes later it was two, putting City in control of the game, and more so as Foden scored his second and City's third just before half-time, all three points sewn up already, and another half still to go. Could be another big score for the Manchester club.

Ipswich weren't lying down though and went close after the break, but four minutes in it was 4-0 and looked to be going to get much worse when Haaland scored their fifth just before the hour. Ten minutes later it was six, City's biggest victory in the Premier League this season. Apparently, the biggest victory for any team. Yeah but it was only Ipswich.

Result: Ipswich Town 0 - 6 Manchester City
Scorer(s): Foden (2), Kovacic, Doku, Haaland, McAtee (MNC)
Penalties: None
VAR decision(s), if any: None
Red Cards: None
Controversies: None
Respective current positions (After match): 18 & 4
Respective final positions: 18 & 5
Effects: Ipswich remain where they were, City move up to 4th, but drop to 5th after Chelsea's win on Monday.